I'm sitting here on what is the first time in eight years that I have a known, scheduled, regular break in my week.  Eight years you guys.  This deserves far more than a selfie from my minivan, it deserves a blog post.

While I've had seasons of working well in little pockets of time, writing isn't something that is the best done in ten minute increments. I need a bit longer than that to clear my head and not start thinking about what's for dinner and if my kids have Fall clothes for when this 80 degree weather breaks.

I won't ever catch up on all the emails and believe one hundred and ninety nine percent that mama's can't do all the things... but we can focus on a few.  In this season it's clear to me what I need to do with the biggest banner over it all being that I need to walk in faith, not fear.

Recently while listening to a podcast I realized how anxious I really am- and while I'll admit it, I'm not proud of it.  I recently took a month long Instagram + Facebook break and while that helped, I think anxiety doesn't stem from social media all the time. Remember, you get to hide and mute whomever isn't serving you well, and that goes for your life offline too!  I'm working on that while feeding myself with Truth and as God would have it I'm leading two Bible studies this Fall- God's way of feeding me His truth daily!

I've got time to actually ask myself what I need to do, far different from the mama routine of reacting to all the things.  I'm excited and welcoming this break and yet a part of me is sad and missing the days of all the toys and snacks and having nothing on our schedule.  We still have lots of toys and snacks, but the schedule is far from clear.

Mama's, if that's you right now and you're looking for things to add to your calendar, don't rush it.  Yes, get out and see friends and have a supportive group of ladies in your life.  Schedule date nights when you can.  Go to story time and talk to your kids while you push the grocery cart leisurely through the aisle.  Read a book.  Read the Bible.  Take them for a walk.  Push them on the swing.  Snuggle that baby and if it's your first, watch all those shows before they're able to comprehend Netflix and just snooze in your arms. 

While I feel like more of an "old Mom", a term my friends didn't want to group themselves into, I do look longingly at those Mama's who sent their toddler off to preschool for the first time today because he's their oldest.  I see those Mama's with the newborns at home who will rock, feed, change, and then hop back in the car to get their toddler.  You've heard it said and you know it's true- the days are long but boy are the years (even eight of them!) so short.