Update on us and my lack of Juggling ability

Ok... So WOW. It really has been a long time since I last wrote. A lot has been going on. The girls are getting bigger of course. I had to laugh at my last post (way back in July) because of the talking back issues we had with Allison. I feel like a broken record but this time it is Elizabeth. She is starting to talk back so we will probably be taking all the toys out of her room as well very shortly. I guess that is what happens when you have them close together... it all happens back to back. So quick update on the us.
Allison is 5 now (in November) she will be starting school this coming year, she loves to learn and is enjoying her teacher at Daycare, Miss Vickie. She comes home most week nights with homework, she is able to recognize and spell all of her sight words (is, and, the, it, mom, dad, cat, etc.). She also has her first loose tooth. We found it this weekend! I think I am more excited about than she is... lol. She started back in Gymnastics this weekend as well. Allison now has decided that she wants to be a Princess, a Doctor and a mommy. I keep asking her if she could PLEASE stop growing but she say no. I am losing my first baby, she is becoming a little lady.
Elizabeth will be 4 in June and is a ball of energy, still! We worry about her speech but she is getting better, she was cleared by her ENT with a hearing test so no more tubes or visits to the ENT. She is the girliest tomboy I have ever met, she can walk in high heels better than me! She has told me on several occasions that she wants to be a Princess, a Ballerina, and a Doctor. Of course she is already a Princess and she just started ballet classes so next step is med school... I am very thankful that is a long ways a way.
Jim is busy busy busy. He started back to school for his masters degree. He is doing GREAT of course. He will be finished at the end of 2011. He has class once a week but meets with a class group once a week and usually has a lot of homework to tie him up a lot of the evenings, so for me and the girls December 2011 can't get here fast enough. We suck up as much time with him as possible.
Lately for me I have been thinking about juggling. Granted the physical act of juggling is not one of my gifts. But as a mom and as a human, really, we juggle so much. I have been thinking a lot about what I have been juggling and how well I have been juggling those things. If I was in school I would be in some serious trouble. The other day I decided to just jot down some of the things that I am juggling.
1. Kids
1a. their physical care
1b. their mental care
1c. their spiritual well being - I am blessed with amazing Sunday school teachers and godly friends to help me!!!
1d. their education - I am blessed with amazing daycare teachers that help me with this!!!
2. Jim & our marriage
3. Our House - I drop this ball daily... just stop by on a random Wednesday and you will see!
4. Home Owners Association - Thankfully we have found a wonderful neighbor that is going to take this over!!! One less ball to juggle!
5. Work - I love what I do but I have to make this my 2nd job, my first has to be my family and my God, and that is a juggle in it self.
6. Family - Outside the house. Sorry guys... I know I drop this one a lot!
7. Friends - I need to make more time for my friends and make sure that I am not a constant taker but a giver to those friends who need it and those how have give to me.
8. Personal Care - If I am truly honest, I often don't even pick this ball up... gotta work on that.
9. Precept Studies - I love my current precept class and am enjoying it so much but know that I could get so much more out of it if I applied myself more.
10. Sunday School - I love working with the kids and I feel this is where I need to be, but could always be more prepared when it is my week to teach...hmmm... that is next Sunday.
11. Church - I love the church we attend. But I know that I could be more involved, give more of myself to spread the word.
12. My faith - I am a consent work in progress. I need to have more quite time, I need to read my bible more and I need to share my faith! All these things will help me grow closer to God.

I know that I have left out things and I know for a fact that a lot of mothers or people in general could many more to this list. Sometimes when I am getting ready for bed I feel overwhelmed and I realized that I am putting a lot of these pressures on myself. Asking for help is not a sin and it will certainly not make me a horrible mom. When I was writing down these list I grabbed my bible and wanted to look for encouragement. The very first thing that came to mind was the story of Mary and Martha in Luke (Luke 10: 38-42)
Now as they were traveling long, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
I need to remember to not be distracted like Martha but be as Mary and sit at my Lords feet and listen to His word! Another group of verses that came to mind was Matthew 6:25-34 but the one verse that sums it up to me is And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ~ Matthew 6:27
Amen to that! So I leave you with those words of wisdom... that I have yet to fully grasp myself but I am going to continue to try. It is so amazing that even through all my flaws and missteps God wants me! And sent is Son to die for my sins! You are an AWESOME GOD!