How To Cope When There's Not Enough Of You To Go Around

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The last few weeks have been nuts.

Maybe because it's spring, and the end of the school

year is upon us?

Or maybe, and I am slowly learning to accept this,

"crazy busy" is just my life.

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Currently, I have at home with me everyday: a very precocious 2 year old,

an extremely active 1 year old, a non-stop talking 8 year old,
and an artsy 'happy go luck' 10 year old.

And two teens that are in school, that grace us with their presence in the

evening. Late night chats and many topics to cover. So little time.

I'm also (happily!) expecting.

If you had asked me 20 years ago, heck even 10, if I would end

up being a full time stay-at-home-homeschooling-large-family Mama,

I'm not sure I would've believed you.

I mean, I've always wanted children. A bigger brood even.

I came from a family with 4 kids; my husband's had five.

So we were both (semi) used to the crazy shenanigans of larger family life.

But with the closeness in age of my last two, and the fatigue of this pregnancy,

it's brought me to my knees (in prayer) more than I can recall...

I'm sure that I'm not alone.

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Crazy living doesn't have to include my particular brand of 'crazy'.

It's that season of life where you're stretched so thin, that 

you're having a hard time coping.

Some days, you feel it, and others you may not.

But overall, it's a season of extreme fatigue.

Whether physical actual tiredness...

Or emotionally.

Or spiritually dried up.

Or just feeling like Bilbo Baggins,

“I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too 

much bread.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

That has been me in this season.

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Mostly.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to take some action.

It had been a really disgustingly horrible week.

I was feeling sick, and this was coming up & that.

Kids, well the usual, but it's just so much when

you're already drowning.

I took some decisive action, and although I cannot 

100% credit any one change, I can share the 

totality of my choices.

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How To Cope When There's Not Enough

Of You To Go Around

First of all, I started being diligent on my vitamin/supplement routine.

Even though I'm a RHN by trade (Canadian term, Nutritionist), I too

forget to take my vitamins!!

Got back on routine, & after two days I was already feeling more

energetic.

Although, this does not constitute medical advice (see clause at bottom),
 right now I'm taking:

-prenatal multivitamin

-fish oil (for the EFAs)

-vitamin D

-Magnesium powder

-Calcium/mag mix (I know I'm not consuming enough calcium this time around!)

-when I remember: my herbal pregnancy teas

-short term I've been taking an Iron/B vitamin mix (not daily though)

Honestly, I really feel that was a very helpful step.

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Secondly, I decided to ask some of my close friends for prayer.

It is humbling, and sometimes embarrassing for me to

share my personal life with others.

Something I am always working to overcome.

So, once I made the decision to share my heart, I quickly jumped

onto the computer, and went into our secret Facebook group.

Ok, write everything out. Share the prayer request.

Breathe!!

I let these ladies know I was having a hard time, and

that I was also battling a lot of physical symptoms with this pregnancy.

Many of them commented fairly soon afterward that they would commit to pray for me.

That's what I love about small groups! What an awesome way to feel supported.

The very next day I woke up without that nauseous & dizzy sensation 

raging through me. (had been battling this pregnancy)

I was so elated!

I let the girls know that I was feeling better, and thanked them.

When we commit to pray together, we are not alone.

Not with Jesus anyway.

Then I got a mini negative report on my latest ultrasound.

The dreaded "fibroid" word came up.

"Just to let you know, we'll be monitoring you..." etc. etc.

Only 3 mini ones at this point, but again I went online & asked for some prayer.

On another Mama group I asked for some shared experiences.

The point is: SHARE with people what you're going through!

Use wisdom in personal details with those you don't know well, 

but DO NOT GO IT ALONE!

Not smart. Not wise.

Stand together instead.

Now, I want to just add that sometimes you need someone more than

just a friend.

Since I've experienced severe perinatal depression in a prior pregnancy,

I'm at higher risk for it to occur again.

So, this time around, I'm also being proactive & keeping in

touch with an accredited Christian counselor.

He has openings where I can call him if I just need to talk through anything.

I (by His grace) haven't had to take advantage of that much

this go around.

But it's there.

It's another safety net.

(and, if you're struggling, you should NEVER feel ashamed if you need to talk 

to someone professional. I would search out a person who is accredited and that you personally feel comfortable to chat with)

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The next one just sorta started to snow ball out of the first two.

As I started to feel better, I became more active again.

Now, not active in terms of swimming & bike riding (like I used to do!),

but for now cleaning the house & walking will suffice.

I went to a really fun ladies' night yesterday.

Had an amazing time visiting with everyone.

The most encouraging comment about my health came from 

a friend that has seen me throughout this pregnancy.

"It looks like you've lost some weight, but your belly is still growing!"

I looked down. Today, the scale came out...

Finally, the weight gain has slowed down.

(I often get super puffy & swollen during pregnancy! It's due 

to my insatiable desire to eat all the time, just so I won't feel sick!!!)

But the more I've started to move, the better I've felt.

Don't take my word for it. Being active IS super good for your mind & mood

when you're feeling overwhelmed. 

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Three choices.

Take better care of your health.

Share your struggles with loved ones.

Get active.

So simple, yet we often focus on any & everything else!

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What about you: 

what do you do when you feel you cannot cope??

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***Note: this post is for educational purposes only. You should consult

a medical health provider for advice on individualized health choices.

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