At the beginning of the summer, Mr. Wonderful convinced me to step down from running a committee at church that was seriously eating up my time. Then, he contacted our music minister and informed him that I needed to take a few weeks off from playing with the band. In his opinion, between work and church committee and music ministry and small group hosting and homeschooling and stay-at-home mothering of 3 kids full-time and attempting to be a good housewife, I had over-committed.
I was, admittedly, offended by the fact that Mr. Wonderful thought I needed a break. By forcing me to stop doing things that I had committed to do I felt that there was an implication that I was failing and he thought I wasn't supermom. Now, however, I realize that I was truly over-committed and I wasn't even close to being supermom! I was getting wound up tight and was getting very annoyed with church people and messy children and husbands who work late. I was kind of losing it.
Instead of taking the summer off to relax--as many thought I was doing--I used this summer to finally catch up on life: I got caught up on some of my work projects by reading through thousands of pages of medical records. I cleaned up the boys' room and attempted to solve some of their organizational problems. I sorted through our clothing and purchased appropriate sized pajamas and church clothes for everyone. I cleaned my own closet and threw out lots of shoes. I purchased new rugs for our main living rooms. I planned and hosted small group dinners and a baby shower and organized meals for a family. I coordinated our small group's service project. I helped Boy Wonder finish a Phonics workbook. I sent the boys to sports camp. I read to my children. I walked lots and lots of miles at the mall and on my elliptical. I managed to keep some potted plants on my front porch alive. I read a book (it was dumb, but it was a book). I played many, many games of Connect 4 with my son. I prayed. I spent time listening to and trying to encourage other people. And I rested.
Having the time to actually complete projects that I both wanted and needed to accomplish was invigorating for me. How refreshing to actually get to see the fruits of my labor! For 6 months I kept taking on more and more (I have a problem saying "no") and it seemed like nothing was ever getting accomplished. And then in all of 4 weeks, everything just started falling into place. I'm finally enjoying my duties again. I'm ready to start homeschooling this fall. I'm enjoying spending time helping out at church. I'm focusing better on work. I'm motivated to read my Bible. And I'm happy.
Super man has his kyrptonite. And super mom has her over-commitment. We all have our weaknesses. How blessed I am that I have a Mr. Wonderful who is willing to recognize my shortcomings and intervene when I need him--even when I don't appreciate his interventions. I truly needed a little break this summer. His "intervention" was timely a gift. I still have quite a lot of things that I want to do in the next couple of months, but I can officially say, "Mommy's Back!"
