Mondays can be rough sometimes. The start of a new week should mean a great start, right? Well, the first half of this day was not so smooth sailing. I learned a lot about myself. I am having a hard time finding simplicity in meal planning. I am spending way too much time on my feet in the kitchen after breakfast, working on food for the day.
I was attempting to make bread. The first recipe didn’t work, due to me not reading the whole recipe:) Threw that out and tried another one. Baked it, only to find it soft and doughy in the middle. Sighed, and threw that out. Quit working on bread for the week. Attempted to make a simple broccoli, cheese and rice casserole for dinner, trying to find something simple that Ethan will eat. (He’s gotten awfully picky lately.) Found the broccoli in the fridge smelling old and yucky, so that didn’t work. Finally settled on some stove top macaroni and cheese, which tasted too strong of mustard to me, but the kids downed. Success at last!
The problem is that I’m tired out by 11am, and I’m not giving the best me to my sweet boys. I’ve got to do something different. I really need to do better at this meal planning crud, and keep it really simple. It’s hard, because I don’t feel like eating hot dogs and bland kid food all the time. You know how much I love awesome pasta dishes with garlic, sundried tomatoes, and other amazing foods. Yet, I’ve got to figure out something in the middle. Kevin eats fine, it’s just Ethan. Must be the age. So, I stopped and prayed a lot this morning. and felt like not the best mom, but I’m trying:)
Last night was a treat. Got a sitter, and went to see Paul Cardall, LDS pianist, perform and share his remarkable story. After reading the book, and hearing his CDs, it was great to meet the person behind it all. I had a chance to chat with him, and he is very kind. We talked a little music talk, and I got the prompting again to get cracking with my music.
Today, I was feeling a little discouraged because I can never seem to sit down and play piano with the kids up. Nothing like the single days. I tried to play today, to get some comfort, but it’s always a battle with kids all over the piano, with their toys. As much as I try to teach them when its Mom’s turn and their turn, it never works. Young kids. I get concerned that my musical gifts will go away, as I’m not able to play as much as I used to. I so want to write another beautiful church song, but the windows are not open right now. I’ve tried. This is another dilemma I’ve got to figure out.
One thing I do know: God is so quick to give when He sees that you are ready. With whatever you want in life, He just waits for you to be sufficiently humble and ready. That is when good things happen:) When I wrote the ‘Holy Temple’ song a year ago, I was amazed at how fast it came. I was simply working on a ragtime piece for the church talent show. Bottom line, I was working at practicing my piano skills. That’s when He has given me songs. That’s always how it has been. So, I’ve got to schedule some time in the day, probably later at night when Kevin is asleep, and work a little on piano. Just keep it up.
Thanks for letting me ramble, and taking the time to read this. Ethan just came in from having a great time playing in mud. Love boys:)
8 comments:
*hug* You are doing great! It can be difficult to balance all your talents and interests. And love and take care of you family! simple, interesting meals, that little kids will eat... that aren't hot dogs? lol! let me know when you have some. My kids LOVE left over turkey sandwiches(we made one yesterday) and when you add some dressing and cranberry sauce... it's got lots of flavor. You are doing great, just keep trying. The Lord really does know you. I think you are amazing! You truly inspire me to be better. Thank you my friend!
i always eat different lunches than my kiddos! I always fix them hot dogs/chicken/mac n cheese (frm the box) and eat leftovers or make a salad or yummy sandwich.
For everything there is a season...now is your season for little ones...enjoy! It goes so fast! I firmly believe that God gives us inspiration when we immerse ourselves in our families and give them our all. The music will come, maybe just not as often as you would like! :)
My dearest Erin,
You are a remarkable woman, and I love you a lot!!! I know Heavenly Father will give to you (I know this!!!!) because you give so much to others, and you try, try, try again each day. That is what makes you one of the most remarkable women. I love you with all my heart! I send a warm hug just for you.
Erin, you're great! Hang in there dude and know that you're cared about :)
ah Erin, you nailed on the head so many of the concerns that I think we all have. We love our families, miss the carefree college days, worry over little details, and are generally harder on ourselves than we need to be.
I have a couple of thoughts. I HATE not knowing what to make for dinner. I am like you, and I love great food for dinner, but, you're right, it involves a lot of time in the kitchen. One thing that I do is to take a week "break" every four weeks at which time I do all the bigger things that need to be done regularly, like making a menu for the next four weeks, food storage inventory, grocery shopping lists for the next four weeks, shampooing rugs, etc. During this week, my kids play a lot of video games and watch a lot of movies, but then for the next four weeks, we are all ready to adhere to our schedule (And bonus! I've already got the grocery list ready whenever we find time to hit the store!) My sister even went so far as to chop all her vegetables on shopping day, so it was all ready to throw into the casserole each night. There are things you can do here and there to save time. Pray for help! and you'll receive inspiration.
As for playing the piano, that's tougher. These little ones of ours think everything we do is so cool that they want to try it too. I think it's good for them to see you doing something you love to do. You'll instill in them a love for it, too. I would maybe do a practice session during the day with the intent of just letting them see you play, and letting them maybe sing along and play with you if they want to...no expectations, just playing. Then, for your more serious practice time, I would do it when they're sleeping or maybe catch those precious moments when they're occupied. (I have sweet memories of listening to my mom play the piano while I was falling asleep in bed) Whatever you do, don't give it up! I guard my "me time" very closely. If I don't get it I'm a very grumpy mama. I know you'll do what's right because you always do! Miss you! love you!
Not eating for Ethan is the age. Just make what you have been making, and if he doesn't eat, he'll be fine. He'll come and eat when it's time. I refuse to cook other things for my kids. I do let them choose something for breakfast, but then I say it's my turn to pick lunch and Papa's turn to pick dinner. Sometimes Makeila eats and sometimes she doesn't, but she knows now if she doesn't eat it all, she won't get anything else, especially a treat afterwards.
It's hard for me to practice the piano, but I need to do better as well. You're a great mom, and I can tell you care about your kids so much. I practice about 2 hours every Sunday morning because Mauricio is here, and he can take care of the girls while I'm playing. Good luck, it is hard to balance everything.
You've gotten a lot of good advice here Erin, and you have so many people who love you. They are right on. Hang in there - it'll all come together in the end. You'll be posting in no time about another wonderful day and more inspired musical pieces. One day at a time.
I SO needed to hear this. I'm there, too. Just had little Tommy and just started homeschooling my kids and have felt the prompting to also continue with writing/playing/practicing my music. I need to just give it a place in my life. And I am in agreement that it is usually after the kids have gone to bed. And as far as the meal planning thing, I have struggled with that, too. And with the help of my awesome husband have finally come up with something that works! So I will have to post about it or get your email so I can send you what I have that works for me.
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