What fills my cup when I am running on empty

I have been thinking a lot about how I fill my "cup" when I am running on empty - specifically if the things I naturally turn to are effective or ineffective. 

I hadn't given this topic much thought before - and then about 6 months ago I read a post from a blog that I follow and she mentioned that she knows that when she is having a bad day, specifically a bad mothering day, she knows that Facebook doesn't "fill her cup, but instead helps deplete it". 

I think that I thought that taking 10 or 15 minutes to check email, Facebook, and blogs was a good check-out moment or a good pick-me-up, but after her comment I started to really check myself and I noticed that it was true.  Never once when I was feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with my kids or household responsibilities, did I ever feel refreshed after spending 15 minutes or so online.  I enjoyed myself in the process, but it never refreshed me.  So what does?  and what doesn't?  I have been keeping A mental list the last few months, and here is what I figured out.

Fill's my cup:

• Cleaning something
• specifically - picking up toys, cleaning off counters, sweeping, or vacuuming
• Getting everyone dressed, including myself (also make-up and hair done)
• Brush my teeth - even if I have already done it and it is the middle of the day - it makes me feel refreshed.
• Making a good lunch just for me to eat
• Going outside
• Showering all the kids - it is daunting to think about doing it, but an hour later I feel like the five of us could conquer the world.
• Drink a big glass of water
• Going somewhere - just me and my kids.
• A girls night over at my neighbors house.
• Doing my morning scripture time.
• Engage with the kids in some sort of activity where everyone is engaged - but solo (parallel play basically) - like play-dough, coloring, water colors, or building with blocks.
• Good music

Things I know that don't fill my cup:

• Getting online
• Putting shows on for the kids (unless in the beginning I specify the time amount and I use that time to do the above things rather than "checking out".)
• Eating junk food (unless everyone is napping or sleeping - than a good dessert does my mood wonders.)
• Going on an outing to meet up with friends or going outside and talking to neighbors while my kids play.
• Playing a board game with the kids or reading with them (basically cooperative or interactive play) - if I am already frustrated these activities will just exacerbate that.

Random

Here is Noah's lego set-up.  He plays legos all day everyday.  Not joking.  Even if he is outside he has several legos in his pocket that he will take out and play with.  I love it.  I literally am addicted to organizing his Legos though - I will spend hours (during nap time) sorting the legos - I think about better ways to organized them all day long.  It is kind of hilarious

Madison's hair is finally long enough to French braid!

I put a good 60 hours into my front yard flower beds this spring.  I wish I would have taken a before picture.  So much overgrowth and rocks.  The brown dirt that you see was all mixed in with black rocks that had been put in 15 years ago and had just been pushed down into the ground - it took forever to dig them all out along with all the weeds, grass, and ground cover.  I am not going to plant anything until next year - I tore A LOT of ground cover out - but that stuff is so hearty - I knew it would grow back - and it has.  I want to wait and see what I have before I deiced what I want to add.

There was so much over growth you could hardly see the rocks.

We went to Target the other day to get a few things and of course we ended in the toy isle to let the kids play of a minute.  I found Madison in one isle with this set up.  I don't know if I have mentioned on there that she LOVES Minnie Mouse.  LOVES!  She didn't see me watching her for a while, so I got to see what he was doing.  She set them all up in a circle and was having a party with them all.  She had a dialog going with each one.  It was so cute and hilarious.

Kindergarten Graduation

Noah had Kindergarten graduation this week. 

 He was the letter "x" - his line was "x is for x-tra special kids - its you, its me, its all of us".  He delivered it perfectly :).

His techer Mrs. Orourke.  Noah thrived in Kindergarten.  We were hesitant to send him - he is the youngest in his grade (he will be 5 in first grade for almost 5 weeks), he is so small, and he did not seem emotionally ready.  But we were way wrong.  He had a way of holding it all together in class.  He was never silly, or crazy, or disobedient.  He was always very serious and focused.

 

Me and my Kindergartener.

 

Noah and his support crew.  These girls loved picking Noah up from school - it was the highlight of their day.  Noah always was happy to see them too.  If he ever got candy or a treat in class, he always saved some to give to the girls.  I am so sad to have Noah go to first grade next year.  He really took on the roll of "big brother" while Brock was gone and Noah really stepped up.  I loved hanging out with him while the girls napped everyday.  He asked my the other day who I was going to have special time with while the girls napped when he went to first grade.  But I know he will do great and I am SO looking forward to having the girls all day and getting to go do fun things and not having to worry about being home to do Kindergarten pick up!

Beach

Chatfield Reservoir is about 10 minutes from my house.  I discovered it back in November last year and have been waiting for the weather to warm up so we could go check out the beach.  Jason had a mountain bike ride with the young men on Memorial day so me and the kids headed to the beach.

 

Oh, my, goodness, it was heaven.  I loved every second of it.  FAR superior to a pool.  I actually hate taking my kids to the pool.  Truth is... I have too many little kids than is legally acceptable to take to a pool alone - and I HAVE gotten in trouble for it and asked to leave.  It is better now as the boys are getting older - but I get a lot of anxiety at pools because the life guards are often right on my back about how all 4 (now 3) of them HAVE to be in arms length the whole time.  It is not that enjoyable.  So.... best part about the beach...no life guard!  My kids are not huge water kids anyways, so no one got in past their knees - but they loved playing in the sand and jumping the waves.

They all took turn burying each other (except for Madison)

 

She could have sat in the surf and looked at the sand all day.

Brock and I played Frisbee, we had lunch.  It was wonderful. 

Brock's Birthday

Brock woke up on this 7th birthday to streamers on his bedroom door.  For breakfast he asked for "dunk" eggs (sunny side up), and for dinner he wanted hamburgers and French fries.

For his party I took him, Noah, and 5 other friends bowling.  They were so much fun to watch at the bowling alley. 



My camera was in a weird setting, so the pictures are not that good.  The kids were all so polite and respectful.  They cheered each other and helped each other, and their conversations were hilarious.  They all got a spare or two, but Brock was the only one to get a strike - which they all decided was fair because it was his birthday.



 

 

We did presents and cupcakes outside on the grass after.

Cassidy, Addy, Noah, Brock , Lincoln, Jason, and Adel (We invited Eli but he couldn't come)

 

Later at home we had more of his batman cupcakes, sang happy birthday, and opened some presents. 

 

 

Arizona

It was supposed to be the first real family event that I was missing - and I was sad.  My cousin Brandon was getting married down in Arizona over Memorial Day weekend and I wasn't going.  Until my wonderful mother and father felt bad that I wasn't going - so they got me a ticket - and Jason took Friday off of work - and off I went.  It felt SO wonderful to be there - with all of my family.  I have missed family.  I grew up with extended family all around me.  I have often felt lonely with out them.

 

I am so happy for Brandon and his new wife Hailey.  They were so cute together; I am so glad I got to be at their wedding and celebrate with them.

It was the first marriage to take place not in Utah - and it was so inspiring that so many members of the family made the trip to Arizona for it.  I come from a great family that really supports one another.  This is part of the Paul family.

 

I loved spending the weekend with my mom and sisters - and my cute niece Audrey, she is getting so big and mature - she is now just another one of the girls!

My mom and her sister, my aunt Jen.

 

My cute grandparents

 

Me and my sisters: Ashley, Katie, and me

 

My dad forgot his church shoes - so he was rocking it in sneakers.  Good thing you take your shoes off in the temple :)

 

 

Another GREAT reason to go was this little cutie - Eddie.  My sister had him just four weeks ago and I hadn't seen him yet.  He was so cute and I loved holding him - there is NOTHING like a new born baby!

 

What Katie did most of the time:

Me and my grandma

 

More cousins and family

 

Their reception was absolutely beautiful (and delicious).  It was the perfect weekend get away.