I need help.

I don't know how I'll ever take care of this many people.

There's not enough of me to stretch around.

I feel like a peanut butter jar with nothing but leftovers within. A multitude of hands grab me at once, and my surface is completely obscured. You cannot even see me any longer. Just the fingers and palms of others.

I finally get the baby to settle down and stop crying, when there is a crash from the other room.

I am in the middle of neatly braiding my daughter's hair for the third time, when a toy goes sailing from the hand of a guilty-looking toddler and hits his brother in the forehead.

Just as Older Brother begins to cry loudly, Dear Husband calls me to fetch something for him quickly.

There is a phone call from someone who insists on visiting at the only time of day I have available to lie down after my mess of a night.

Husband brings up potty training and homeschooling issues that I know need attention. But...

Every room I walk into needs attention. The laundryroom garbage is overflowing. The little boys' room is a wreck. The computer room is a mess of toys. There are stacks of folded laundry waiting to be hung or put away. The mail station needs sorting desperately. The livingroom needs vacuuming. Older Daughter needs her church dress sewn. The floors in the kitchen and dining rooms are filthy. The bathrooms are frightful.

Two older children with requests. Three little ones into mischief. Another two crying. I'm trying to use the restroom.

Ohhhh, I wish I could evaporate!

My husband leaves me a short list of things to tackle today as he rushes off to work. I cannot even complete my own short list of necessaries.

The little ones have been needing baths for a week, and I still haven't gotten to that. Frankly, I too have been in need of a good shower.

Laundry? The load wasn't switched? I do believe I smell mildew.

Scraaape!

No, that was my flower garden. It's not a bed of weeds. And, no, my tomato plants aren't usually so short and stunted. Cucumbers? I have a few. Just pretend they're bigger than that dime in your right pocket.

Someone, please come help clean up this army of ants in the bathroom!

Who got into Daddy's things and broke his special tool?

What? I was supposed to call her back, yesterday?

Just toss me aside and leave me be! Use margarine! Jelly! Anything else but peanut butter!

My jar is completely empty. I feel like a little child rather than a grown woman. I desperately wish someone could come take care of me!

There needs to be more peanut butter on the shelf.

More resources.

More me to go around.

Oh, Dear God. Please be with me. Assist me in meeting everyone's needs. I pray that you infuse me with your Spirit and give me strength and grace. Lord help me to see the blessings in unavoidable chaos. And aid me in finding a new routine and a new "normal". Help me to better watch my tongue and to control my fleshly reactions to stress. And, please, help me to remain close to You and to keep my eyes better focused on You and the eternal. In Jesus' precious Name, I pray. Amen.

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NOTE:
I do delegate to my children. They do far, far more than I can even think of doing right now. All day long my children have set chores and are "on call", besides.
     However, new babies have a way of causing confusion, anyway. I can only give out so much work before the children have nothing but work to fill their day. 
     I cannot even begin to describe what a help the two oldest, in particular, are to me. 
     But all the help in the world cannot take away the sense of responsibility and the weight of tasks and needs before me. It still rests heavily and with a newborn -- there just is no sense of "routine".
     I know it will simply take time... 

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Shared by LittleHouse

I think we all feel like that peanut butter jar. It is so nice to be able to run into our Saviors arms knowing we are loved and thought of each and everyday.

I know he will not give you more than you can handle. I also know children grow up way too fast. I pray that you look into those wonderful faces of those that you love and I hope you see how important you are to those that love you.

Blessings,

Ma

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Shared by Rhen

May God give you the strength you need and the help you need right now hon.
All for His glory, ~Rhen

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Shared by Charity

Oh how I have been in that very place and I am sure I will be there again. Hang in there, try and only look at what you can do right now and not all the things you can't possibly get done at this moment. One piece at a time. Don't for once be down on yourself because that doesn't help. May you feel the warmth of your friends and the love of God raining down on you, and may you gain strength from His Love. Amen.

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Shared by Anonymous

Take your list and divide the tasks between your bigger kids. That is the only way to get things done when there are no adults around to help~! That dress of your daughters could be finished by her, or she could just wait until you are well and make do with the ones she has. Your older kids should be working full-time to help you right now, as it would be such a blessing to you, their daddy and their younger siblings.
OH how I wish I wasn't in central Indiana as I would come right over with my full night's sleep and my soap and get to work helping you! Do you have family close? How about that friend who called and wants to come over during your nap time? Is she a close enough friend to let you take that nap while she gets a few things checked off your list? How about a few women at your church? How about your eldest daughter and her friends? If they could come over just for an afternoon and tackle a few things, that would be such a blessing.
For now, give the olders a trash bag and have them go throughout the home and fill it. Give the youngers warm soapy cloths and let them "wash" the kitchen floor. Put the little ones in the bath with sponges and have them wash the tiles around. Have the olders put a load in the washer and switch it out a few times. Those kids of yours surely know where the clothes go after folding! After the little ones are out of the tub, fill it for yourself and SHUT THE DOOR!!! You need rest and the kids need to delegate jobs to their youngers just like future moms and dads!
All this to encourage you, not discourage. Know I pray for you today. Know I would come with fresh baked bread and a yummy meal if I weren't hundreds of miles away from you!
God is good... He didn't give you more than you can handle because He gave you capable older children and a husband who can help!! Don't be like me and think you must do all yourself. I nearly sent myself to the hospital doing that... and THEN where would my children and home be???
Hugs,
Heather

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Shared by a1health

You can delegate those tasks! Your husband's tasks should come before the house. So finish his. I like everything annonymous wrote about delegating the tasks. Put your children to work! This is something I am currently working on. I actually realized that I was trying to be a martyr. So, by giving the kids chores (and making a chart for them) they will actually feel a sense of accomplishment. You can do it! Then You can take an epsom salt bath at night with candles and lavendar oils.
Blessings,
Farrah

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Shared by rashel

I have been there and I completely understand. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to go to the restroom undisturbed once in awhile. I agree with the others that said to delegate tasks. Those chores may not get done perfectly or as you would do them, but they will be done and your children will be learning along the way. I know it is hard and the children may not like it if they aren't used to it, but they need to realize they are a part of the family and need to help out, especially with a new little one around. Sometimes the first thing to stop for me when I get busy is my quiet time with the Lord, but that is the one thing I should always make sure I do. When I have that quiet time, (even if it is 5 minutes locked in the bathroom) everything else seems to be not so bad. Oh sweetie, I know it is hard and I wish I could come over and help, but the Lord will help you and comfort you, just draw close to Him and tell Him what you need. He is faithful and He loves you.
Bigs hugs and prayers for you,
Rashel

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Shared by blessedmomof10

Oh, carrie how I understand! I recall vividly when we doubled our family from 4 to 8 children in 6 months! What a time that was....... we had 4 children under the age of 9, adopted toddler twin boys, had a baby the month after they came home, and then went back to guatemala to bring home our 5 yr old samuel!! Wow! I was SO wiped that year!

DO take care of yourself! GIVE yourself a nap - tell people NO if they come at the nap time........ if you don't do quiet time - then start doing it! Choose one hour or 2 in the day when all the kids go to their own quiet places and that gives you a chance to rest...... take the baby to bed with you - if necessary and nurse and sleep.... if you don't get enough sleep you will crash!

REmember all the hormones are flying right now.......... most off all be patient with yourself -- remember the Lord loves you flaws and all!

You are doing a HUGE thing right now ~ you really need rest......... if you can have a mom's helper from church come over and watch the kids so you can rest....... rest will help you heal from the csection too.

I remember those days..........they were hard and challenging.........

I wish I was there to help you ~

God loves you!

(( hugs))

gloria

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Shared by Anonymous

Is there any way your understanding dh could simply take on more of the load? I know we women are our husband's helpmeets, but in this time he must realize you cannot do everything.

Also, throw yourself on the mercy on any kind ladies at church!! Ask for help, ask ask!

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Shared by ret

yes,Carrie, I understand the situation in which you are. Everithing will be okay soon, you know that! You need just more patience and tranquility right now. And be kind to yourself and kindly refuse the things you feel overwhelming to you - a visit in unbecoming time of the day or the proposal of potty training of young Stephen in these hard for you days. Explain your condition and follow the advice given to you of the previous commentator - don't have shame to ask help. I'm so sorry that we're on different continents :-)
Your older 2 are precious!
I love you
krystina

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Shared by Joanne

The Lord admonishes us to help each other and I am sure that there are those that would be happy to lend a hand!
Joanne

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