Learning to Say No

Well....there was a huge struggle this weekend. In my mind. See...we had plans to go see Grandma and Grandpa. We haven't been there in a good long while and we really wanted to go. We had plans to go. But last week was a little stressful. Like the kind of stressful where everything is fine on the outside....things seem normal....but the mama of the family starts to feel a little "off" and then suddenly one day wakes up super grumpy. Yeah. That happened Friday morning. I was grumpy. Ask J. No. On second thought, please don't.

The reason for my grumpiness?....that there were soooo many things that needed to be done. But no time. With baseball three nights a week and four boys to shepherd all day there just is not time for things like finishing painting the ceiling or disinfecting the sewer water dishes from the basement. (oh, i didn't tell you about that, but it involved the sewer backing up during the remodel and all the kitchen stuff that had been packed away in the basement getting all icky. As of last Friday there was still one box left to clean) When things get busy around here I usually can't tell what I need right away. I know I'm feeling unsettled, but I can't always see an answer to resolve the feeling. Especially, when that means making time. Especially, ESPECIALLY, when that means saying "no" to someone that I love. *sigh*

So Friday night, J and I were up way too late working on things....and not even making a dent. I mean, who can really see well enough to paint the ceiling at 11pm anyway? So when J suggested we not go to see the Grandparents I admit I felt relieved. But then I realized there was no way I could do that! Grandma would be so disappointed! But J lovingly insisted.

Saturday morning I woke up thinking maybe he would change his mind. I knew he was right, but I was really dreading having to tell my mom we weren't coming. The first thing J did when he woke up was hand me the phone. So I took a deep breath and called her. She was, of course, totally understanding. We settled in to breakfast at home and then got started with the list of things to get done. I finished the painting! We moved in the rest of the furniture! We organized the homeschool and art stuff. J mowed the lawn (which takes longer than you'd think)

Saturday night, we took the boys out for pizza to celebrate. Sunday we got even more done! And today, Monday, has been an awesome day. Very little stress. Lots of time to spend with my boys. *sigh* I'm so glad.