Behind

I've got projects to tackle everywhere and I can't seem to catch up this week (this week? what am I saying? I can't seem to catch up this year!). I spent two hours this morning folding laundry, then another hour to straighten the kitchen and take a load to D.I.

But it seems like everywhere I go, there's another pile to take care of. Right now, I've got:

a messy office to tackle,
laundry room shelves to organize,
pictures to put in empty frames in the family room,
pictures to put up in the nursery,
the spring wardrobe shuffle to arrange (long-sleeve shirts to put away, shorts to pull out, lists to make of who needs what),
a van that needs to be cleaned out and vacuumed,
a garage to organize and sweep out (but can't do very much w/o DH's help)
lots of little home repairs to handle (but can't do much w/o DH's help)
a DH who isn't very available to help
a messy storage area
floors to mop
presents to buy for a wedding and baby shower this weekend
computer projects to finish, such as our family's 2008 scrapbook
weeds to pull,
garden to prep,
lawn to mow,
outdoor toys to sort,
AND
a to-do list that is more of a "wish I had time to do this" list
(edited to add: I just remembered two more things to add to the list: I have to get the twins' kindergarten papers filled out and the fridge cleaned out)

So, of course, when I found strawberries for $6.99 a flat this morning, I bought three flats. Because who doesn't have time to make freezer jam for her family?

(And lest I sound like I'm whining I should say this: I realize that when I look at the overall picture, I am able to do the most important things. My children are healthy and happy and my house is fairly clean, though not always picked up and organized the way I want it to be. My children are learning to be responsible, helpful, loving and kind. We enjoy doing things together. DH is not available for extra projects right now, but that's because he pulls his fair share of the workload around here -- parenting, putting kids to bed, spending time with the kids, cooking on weekends -- in addition to his demanding career.

It's just that when there are seven kids under ten, organizing a house is like shoveling the walks during a blizzard. The moment one corner of my life is the way I want it, three other corners demand attention. It's just the way it is. I know it won't always be that way, so I try not to, well, complain. )

And now I'm off to do what any mom whose eight-month-old still doesn't sleep through the night would do: settle the kids for quiet time and try to get a nap.