Today was a tough day. Not every aspect of the day was bad, in fact we had some really fun things, but I hit some of my all time lows as a mother today.

I have two very passionate kids. I love this about them. Passionate people are the ones that change the world and my prayer is for them to do this with their lives. However, being passionate means that you have a whole lot of personality and that can be hard on a parent. David and I work opposite days in order to ensure that one of us is always home with the kids (my Mom covers for us one day a week for six hours, but that is the only exception). I LOVE that we have the opportunity to raise our kids this way. It is not the perfect solution for every family, but it works for us. The challenge for us is that we are either home alone with the two kids or at work. Rarely are both of us home together and parenting. So, there are days when we are just plain TIRED! Not always physically, in fact generally not physically, but emotionally. I have felt so drained this week. Brady is at the age where he is constantly seeing how far he can push us. Truthfully, that is what three year olds do. That is how they find out that they have boundaries and that is what makes them feel safe. But, man, is it exhausting! I know I am his mom, but seriously, that kid is smart. He remembers everything and is quizzing us on it often. I think this will serve him well in the future and it humors us sometimes now, but it can be tough. And Ella, she is just everywhere! She wants to be a big kid like Brady. She wants to explore everything (and for the record, I am totally for this as long as she is not disobeying. How else will kids find out what works and what doesn't?). But the tiring part for her is that she has a very set way in how she wants things done (dude, I know, the apple does not fall far from the tree).

Why am I saying all of this? Well, honestly, I need to hear from people who have BEEN THERE. I need to hear what worked for you. I want to look back on these years and CHERISH them, not think about what I wish I would have done. I may not follow all the advice that I am given, but I love to hear it. I think God blesses us with having friends of different ages and life stages so that we can learn from each other. So, what are your tips? How did you make sure that you were staying on top of things without getting exhausted? What really worked for you?

Lately...

Saw this on some blogs and loved it, so here's my list:

Obsessing over: house projects (I always have one in mind), paying off all our debt and finishing up the Ramsey steps

Working on: finishing up our master bath, finishing up our kitchen, taking the heater in Brady's room apart to find all the vinyl letters he shoved in there last night, finishing up some homemade pizza dough

Thinking about: what house project to do next, how badly I want to declutter so many rooms and closets in this house, making the back of Brady's closet a book nook, simplifying our lives in every eay, ways to get back in shape that are realistic with our schedule

Anticipating: Christmas, the week between Christmas and New Year's (always my favorite), being more intentional in 2012, starting Beth Moore's new Bible study in January

Listening to: quiet....the kids and dogs are all napping!

Drinking: home brewed Starbucks coffee with peppermint mocha creamer

Wishing: possibly a third baby (though the doctor said a VBAC is not an option for me and I am just not physically/mentally ready for a third c-section)