Making every moment count

This year was my year to slow down a bit. That was my goal for the new year and I am still hopeful that I can. In the meantime, I have been praying and asking God to help me be efficient with the time that He has given me. Every day is a gift...and I don't want to become so busy that I dread enjoying this day I've been blessed with. Perhaps it's the loss of my uncle that has helped me treasure these moments and put life into a healthy perspective...again.
Being busy is all good. There are such great places that I can give of my time and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to do so. But I find that when I get home, I crash. That doesn't work well when you have little people that need attention, care and discipline..not to mention, cleaning up after life's messes and containing laundry piles.
But since January, I have made a concentrated effort to love on my family, in real practical ways. It's all about spending my time wisely at home. My house feels so much more 'at home' when it feels clean, my kids are happier when they have attention and a schedule and meal prep just feels like a breeze...rather than the 'it's almost 6pm...what's for supper?"
One thing in particular is I have been teaching letters, sounds, counting, writing with my girls after lunch each day. They crave this time. They are more relaxed and fight much less when they have something to look forward to. From my 3 year old learning to talk a few short months ago, she recognizes all her alphabet except 'Q' in these past 2 days alone and is attempting to not only try to say her name but print it herself.

I still have many things I'm trying to balance but I am thoroughly enjoying the blessings I wake up to each morning as well as the gift of another day.
My family is my first priority and with God's help, I can have the energy to bless others in my life. So as I figure out a way to bless and be a blessing, I am thankfully not leaning on my own strength, but His!