You know what makes me smile? When weeks pass by so quickly. I don’t normally like to wish time away, but right now every week checked off in this pregnancy feels like a victory. I’m ecstatic that it’s already Thursday night! I love Thursdays. They are my one weeknight to just chill. Although, tonight will be a little different as I have a Skype interview with the site Fit Moms Fit Kids Club. I also plan on finally watching this week’s episodes of Glee and Parenthood. I look forward to it.

I also awaited tonight for another reason. To finally carve the pumpkins we picked up at the pumpkin patch two weekends ago! Would you believe me if I told you this was my first time carving pumpkins? At least that I can remember. We didn’t do many traditions like this growing up. I wonder if that causes my extreme interest in creating traditions such as these for my own family?

We set up out on our front porch for the pumpkin carving fun.

Since, we aren’t too skilled artistically, we opted for the cheap-o design patterns to trace onto our pumpkins.

Then, we got to the manual labor. Carving is pretty tough on the hands!

It was all worth it in the end, though. I think mine came out pretty good. Smile!

Maybe I do have artistic talent. If you show me exactly what to do and tracing is the only talent required. 😉 We realized after carving them that we don’t have the candles for the inside yet. Bummer. I can’t wait to see it all lit up!

•  Did you carve a pumpkin this year?
• What would you say is your biggest talent? I think I can be pretty strong for my size when I focus on weight lifting. It’s fun to freak some guys out in the gym. Otherwise, my talent would likely be the ability to tune out annoying sounds…like all of M’s noisy toys.

I feel so much better today. A lot of the pain I feel really depends on how baby B situates himself inside of me and yesterday he chose the most uncomfortable place possible. Today I physically feel like a different person, so I should manage to keep the venting to a minimum, unlike last night. Thanks for that by the way.

Last night, we had our 4th week of small groups at our church. Getting together each Wednesday night helps break up the week nicely and it always feels wonderful to see friends more often. I won’t deny the other perk of not having to cook either. 😉 My friend brought us all a delicious stew to enjoy last night. Perfect for a rainy, fall night.

As much as I do love small groups, I confess to feeling a bit ready for them to end. Not because I don’t like attending, but because I feel I have overcommitted myself by volunteering to lead the group. I will of course finish out the session strongly, but then will certainly take a step back until other things in life calm down.

Overextending our time, energy, and care in any area of life takes its toll. In ordering my schedule and priorities, I always take the same steps.

1. Look at the big obligations. For me, this is my family, my job, and my faith. My job right now is to mother Makenzie so, obviously, these two tie together. During the day I work on playing with her and nurturing her knowledge in different things. That is my focus. I also strive to make time each day to spend as a family and making personal time with my husband for our relationship as well. My faith? Well, let’s just say if it doesn’t make it into my day in some way, we have a problem. I begin to feel empty or overwhelmed almost immediately.

2. Look at my needs. I go crazy if I do not have time for myself to cultivate my interests every day. This is why I make time to blog and why I dedicate myself to getting in workouts regularly. Those are my things and they deserve priority.

3. Other regular commitments. Right now these include leading our Sunday class, leading our Wednesday night small group, tutoring, and general household needs, such as having food in the house and clean clothes.

4. Make time for fun. I make an effort to include enjoyable activities in my life, but I don’t let them become a responsibility.Today, for example, we are missing playgroup because I need time for my needs and that is higher on the list. Plus, I will see them tomorrow for M’s Halloween party.

5. The extras. This covers the things I would like to accomplish, but don’t need to pressure myself with. Things like the deeper household cleaning I would like to do, but the surface job usually happens. Things like reading the list of books I have on hold at the library, but aren’t my top enjoyment right now.

That’s my method for figuring out how to fit it all in. Sometimes, I push a little too much, but I always learn the balance that works for me in the process.

• Have you ever over-committed yourself?
• What ways do you figure out your schedule? Do you thrive on a busy or more laid-back schedule?
• Don’t forget to ASK ME ANYTHING for the November Q + A series!