Me, holding one of my "secrets" : )
I know many of you out there in blog land are asked this question too, especially if you have more than 3 little ones. Lately I've been asked this question quite frequently, from strangers, family, friends. Of course, my number one answer is God's grace. But I guess I do have a few other tricks up my sleeve. You see, I'm really a very normal, typical woman. I'm not super woman (I think I did a post about that already : ) I'm really nothing special, but I guess my life is a little "out of the ordinary" in this day and time. And I do enjoy my life, my children and remain relatively sane, joyful and presentable. So, here's a few little tips..............
1. Yes, coffee. I drink about 2 cups in the morning and one cup in the afternoon. I don't use sugar or other sweeteners, just plain ole cream and good strong freshly ground coffee. Occasionally I replace it with tea, but I like my tea sweet and iced like any good southerner : ) I don't drink coffee during my first trimester mostly because it grosses me out, but also because it increases miscarriage risks.
2. Naps. I think I did a post on this too, but naps are a large family sanity lifesaver! I like the European way of just about everyone taking an afternoon siesta. My children actually nap until they are at least 5 years old. When they are 6 and up, it's considered "reading and rest" time. All my children know this time of day is non-negotiable and then I can have my "reading and rest" time and many times, I do fall asleep for about 30 min. It makes the rest of the day go so much better, especially if the mama has been up in the night with little ones.
3. Vitamins. I take Rainbow Light brand supplements that I think are the best because they are food based. I love them and have now taken them for about 12 years. I know some days I don't eat as well as I should and when a woman is pregnant or nursing for just about 20 years straight, vitamins are key.
4. Exercise. I exercise every day but Sunday. If it's an usually busy week or I'm not feeling well, then I'll take a break. But exercise is so important for a mama physically and mentally. My husband even calls it my "happy pill." I like to rotate cardio days (jogging, walking or biking) with strength days (weights or Pilate's.)
5. And really the most important, prayer and reading God's Word. I strive to make time for Lord every morning. Just mediating on Him and the Bible gets my day going with my perspectives in order.
So, these are the 5 that come to mind. I guess next time someone asks me "how do you do it?" I'll rattle these off...ha ha
I love reading your posts! I or I should say we, have 7 children, plus we are foster parents and I babysit. So, I guess I usually have 7-10 children on a daily basis. I also drive a bus part-time, teach Sunday School, Bible School, and I am on committee's at church and our Christian School. (when I type that all out, I now know why I am always so tired, ha, ha) I also get asked how I do it, and sometimes looking back at what I have done, I wonder how i did it, but with the Grace of God and some tricks like you, I just keep going. I wondered how old you are, because you look amazing. Your daughter and you could be sisters. Your children are all beautiful, but I have one nosey question, "why does the extra special one, have such long hair, when all of your other boys have such nice clean cut short hair?" It sort of makes him stand out as different, and I just wondered if there was a reason for it? Keep posting and looking great!!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Thanks for commenting Lisa! Wow, you sound busier than me : )
DeleteYour question is so funny, but I'm glad you asked it. The main reason is that Matthew's hair grows very, very fast and he absolutely hates to get his hair cut. We used to buzz it when he was younger but now he hates that too and my husband thinks he looks bad with a buzz anyway. I am taking him for a hair cut tomorrow though. Oh and my other boys all have super short hair because that is what they like. They are always begging my husband to buzz their hair (even the 21 year old : )
It sounds like you are covering all aspects of one's whole self! I'm guessing your tolerance for coffee has increased because I could never nap after two cups of joe :)!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post! I am a new mama and I'm having a hard time getting it all done with just my one! And she sleeps through the night and everything! I am really working on my tendency to be idle or lazy and instead remain deligent and hard-working throughout the day! Would you mind sharing a more detailed daily schedule? I'd love to know how you're fitting in everything!!!
ReplyDeleteSure Kait, that's a great idea for my next post : )
DeleteLove the picture of your family at the beach. Sure agree about vitamins. I started taking them regularly (on doctor's orders--after six pregnancies in nine years) and have been taking them faithfully for 25 years. Makes a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteMay I know which of the Rainbow Lights vitamin you are taking ? I am looking for recommendations for good vitamins.
ReplyDeleteI use their prenatal once a day ones when I'm pregnant or nursing. They also have a good women's one that is once a day as well. I like their calcuim, vit. c, and B complext too. I also take Nordic Naturals fish oil and kelp (for thyroid). Hope that helps!
DeleteI love your posts (especially ones with tips!) I agree, you really look young and pretty--my grandmother looked young and she had nine--I'm sure it all has something to do with God's design for us as women. Keep blogging it's so fun to read! :)
ReplyDeleteCan I ask you something?
ReplyDeleteDo all your children eat their dinners? Do they eat everything you make for them, or do you cook two different things, so that they can choose what to eat.
Our 7 year old, lives on cookies and candy, if you let her.
She has to finish her meals before she leaves the table. And that can take a while.
The other kids eat well, they don't like everything, but they eat it.
Tell me, what is your secret with ten kids, all growing up so big and tall.
Hey J! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteNo, I don't make 2 dinners. I make one meal and they have to at least take a bite or two of everything I cook. I have a few children that are pickier than others, but for the most part they are pretty good at eating what I give them. For my pickier ones, I let them just eat rice and the salad, for example, if they don't like the sauce or meat I made. And some of my children don't really like pasta, so they just eat the meatballs and sauce. Hope this makes sense. I try to make sure they don't snack too much too close to dinner, so that they are really hungry, but I never make 2 different meals. I mostly just want them to eat the protein I made and the vegetables. I don't make them clean their plate all the time. I just make sure they have a good bit of the healthiest part of the meal. If they don't eat enough of dinner, then they don't get any dessert. This is a huge incentive! : )
Thank you for your comment.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, about finishing their dinner.
We also have the rule, you have to tasted it.
My daugther isn't a big eater and she doesn't have to, but she has to try it.
When she isn't eating 'well' for a few days, or take extra fruit, then I do give her extra vitamins.
They boys on the other hand, they eat for two, just like there father.
They do a lot of sports, so...
Besides how did Matthew's hair cut go?
ReplyDeleteOr can I better not ask.
If I let my husband read your commend on buzzing the boys hair, he would say, 'see they buzz their hair to', so our son (15 mounths old) has to buzz his hair to. But I don't want to, I like his blond hair, he lookes so cute.
It isn't as long as Matthew's
Greeting, Jolien
Actually Jolien, Matthew's haircut went great! It was a miracle that he didn't cry at all. The lady that did his hair was pregnant and was so sweet to him. It looks so cute. I'll have to post a picture. It's still not buzzed because I think with having DS a buzz doesn't look real good on him, but that's just my opinion : ) We just gave the baby his first haircut and my husband sounds like yours, he wanted to buzz my 16 month old too. I love his blond hair : ) Blessings!
Delete