Two Options...

Today I had two options:

Option 1: Stress about the astounding amount of housework I have to do, rush around trying to get it done while my "needy" two year old keeps hounding me for things..."I need milk", "I'm hungry", I want shoes on", "I want shoes off", "waaah I don't know what I want..." resulting in stress, feeling like my head is going to explode, frustration (in both of us) and a day that would snowball as we would both not be feeling calm, me getting angry coz she's making too much noise and the baby will wake and then her fighting me for two hours in the afternoon trying to avoid going down for a much needed nap...throw an unsettled baby into the mix this is what we call MAYHEM!!  Get to the end of the day with a headache, feeling like I haven't achieved anything, rushing off my feet and a ball of stress to greet my hubby when he arrives home after a 12 hour day at work...Feel guilty about everything and be too tired to even think, let alone hold a conversation with my worn out hubby!!

Option 2:  Write a list of the things that I 'need' to do today then forget about them!! Put my full attention onto the needs of my children...If my two year old makes too much noise when the baby is sleeping take her outside to run around in the sunshine, sing songs, dance and LAUGH!!! Forget about being an adult and rediscover the magic in the world through my darling little princess' eyes and see the beauty that comes shining out of her heart every time our eyes meet.  Play hide and seek in between the sheets that I am hanging on the line, jump on the trampoline until I am puffed, push her on the swing and watch her close here eyes and relax as the warmth of the sunshine lands on her shoulders.  Take pride in the priceless smiles, goo's and gaa's that my baby boy makes and feel grateful for the two precious souls that are in my world.  Make housework a game that can be played by me and my two year old and feel privileged that she wants to be like me and copy what I do.  Be calm, happy, talk openly and LISTEN to the words that come out of her little mouth.  Marvel at the things her little brain thinks of and feed her imagination and creativity.  Cross off items on my list of things I 'need' to do in my spare moments because I have calm and contented children and feel a sense of satisfaction and achievement at the end of the day, not just for ticking of the list but for the moments shared with my children in which we shared a special spark, a moment that brings a burst of love from our hearts...Greet my hard working hubby with a relaxed smile and boasting of how proud he should be of his amazing kids and telling him about all the new and clever things they are learning and see him smile with pride and join in our relaxed and happy environment.

It is a choice. Children are such receptive little creatures and feed off the way we are feeling, even though we may not think we are showing it.

Today I chose Option 1 for about 5 minutes, then thought screw it I'm going to enjoy my life and went with Option 2...Life is grand!!

Dining Room Progress - Part 1

 

Started on the dining room last week... architraves and skirts sanded...now to clean and patch the plaster!!  Go here to see before shot.

A Simple Day in the Sunshine :-)