Bye Bye " To Do" List

Lately, I 've been thinking about the dreaded "to do" list.

I create a list of all the things I need to do and as I'm writing them down I inevitably think of more chores and duties that  need to be tackled. And I keep adding until my "to do" list is now at least two pages long.  Seriously,  I start jotting things down that I KNOW have no chance of getting done anytime soon. And I'm not sure why I do this, but I also begin writing down things that I KNOW I'm already going to do. Things like....complete Carson's schoolwork, charge the IPAD, make lunches. I'm not sure if that's just so I can cross things off or so that I won't be utterly defeated by the "to do" list because at least something on it will get completed. And why do I have to write down ALL of the things that I have to do? Because if I don't write them down, of course I will forget them. And often the "to do" list begins to take on a mind of it's own. It starts separating itself into different lists and categories. For example, errands to run, notes to write, things for school, calls to make....until the "to do" list is like a mini novel. Little sheets of paper everywhere on my desk so that when I try to figure out what I'm supposed to do, I can't even find the right list.Or there's always the fact that I lose my list. ALL THE TIME.

Anyways, today I'm tired of feeling like the "to do" list is getting the better of me. Tired of feeling as if I'm defeated before I even begin. And today the list has manifested itself into at least 3 or 4 because I'm returning to work tomorrow.  Returning to teaching with a 7 week old in addition to homeschooling my first grader and all the other working and stay at home mom duties, I've just decided to heck with the to do list........I'm going to write a "DONE" list.

And you know what? My "DONE" list is not so bad.

DONE

• Helped the 1st. grader write about an invention he'd like to create. Watched him draw a detailed picture to go with his writing. Also, taught him place value and listened to him read a book he wouldn't have been able to read a few months ago. DONE!
• Taught the 4 year old how to read words in the -at family. He was reading words! DONE! 
•  Washed, dried, and put away two days worth of cloth diapers. DONE!
• Washed 3 more loads of laundry. DONE!
• Nursed a baby.......I figure I do this between 3-4 hours a day right now. DONE!
• Rocked a baby many times. DONE!
• Showered and got dressed. Hey, it counts for something on these busy days. DONE!
• Made and cleaned up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. DONE!
• Completed some of my bible study and finished a novel. Hey, that's when the 3-4 hours of nursing comes in handy. DONE!
• Trip to Target. DONE!
• Got 3 kiddos bathed and asleep by 8:30. DONE!
• Prepared for my work day tomorrow. DONE!
• Balanced our checkbook. DONE!

And guess what the list of things I didn't get to or didn't get done is still pretty long. There are many many things I need to do tomorrow and in the following days. The first grader still has a History project we need to work on. I have tons of prep to do for lesson plans next week. Our clothes are clean but the rest of the house......well it's not. But such is life.

 I taught my kids, loved on them, took care of their basic needs, tended to household chores, and even worked a little. I think maybe us mommas need to start focusing on what we are accomplishing in the day and stop feeling defeated by the "to do" list. So many of us are always looking towards what we need to do next that we forget to look at all we've accomplished. And often times, the most mundane can be the most important.