That is exactly what we have all tried to do and Thanksgiving, yesterday, was a success. We had an enormous smorgasbord of food that would have made her so proud. She truly loved the holidays! I made several of her signature dishes, one of which (the most famous and well loved) was her banana pudding! I have made this with her multiple times throughout the years, but this was the first time I was to ever tackle it by myself. While all the other dishes I was making of her's I was not the slightest bit worried about, as I have made them multiple times by myself before for other occasions I have cooked for, I was very nervous about this dish! I was mostly nervous because everyone looks forward to this above everything else every holiday and she has most definitely set the bar very high! My Papa came in and helped me make it, as he is a pro himself since he has helped her make it all these years, and it truly turned out delicious! I was so relieved and glad I could keep it in the family! This recipe was my Mam-ma's mother's recipe, so it has been in our family since the turn of the century.
Some pictures of our spread...
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While we have been here, we have had no obligations really. We have not had to worry about work, chores, things to do, or anything really. We have just been enjoying spending time with Papa and my other family and each other. It has been so nice to just enjoy each other in the evening and not have all these things we have to do or things to get ready for, but rather just be able to relax and relish in the moment. We have played with the kids so much, heard their never-ending laughter and actually been able to really enjoy it without thinking about what is next on the agenda. We have been able to shower and get ready without rushing. We have been able to just sit and talk for a seemingly endless amount of time. Even with helping Papa clean his house before Thanksgiving and me cooking multiple dishes, it still felt like an enormous weight had been lifted off of us in terms of our to do list. It really has just been so nice!
It makes me wonder how much we all take for granted on any given day throughout the midst of the daily grind. While there will always be obligations and commitments that we have, it really is so important to stop and make time for the things that really matter.
I think part of slowing down is also getting back to the basics. We as stay at home moms should be caring for our children most importantly and then secondly caring for our home. I cannot help but notice that this generation is sorely misguided on what is expected of stay at home moms. So many young moms think that it is "old fashioned" to cook every night, keep your house clean and tidy, and still be involved with your kids. It really is not… We should not be worried about how we can squeeze naps in every day before we even meet these basic needs that women before us for centuries have been fulfilling just fine.
Hear me out: I am not saying it is wrong to take a nap when your children are napping. I for one, being 32 weeks pregnant, can largely relate to that feeling of just pure exhaustion and wanting to just go lie down. I think if time is managed properly throughout the first part of the day, then you will likely have already performed most or all of your obligations and can guilt-free lie down and take a nap while your children nap. It is when the mornings are not productive and then the afternoons are not either, on a consistent every day basis, that I think a problem develops.
Tune in to my next blog post that will give an overview of what my day looks like (what works for me) and a little schedule/method to stick to for cleaning and laundry that makes it so much more doable and so much less overwhelming. We as moms have a lot to do and a lot of responsibilities that often even our husbands do not realize that we have to do; it shouldn't be harder for us, when there is an easier, less stressful way! :)
I think part of slowing down is also getting back to the basics. We as stay at home moms should be caring for our children most importantly and then secondly caring for our home. I cannot help but notice that this generation is sorely misguided on what is expected of stay at home moms. So many young moms think that it is "old fashioned" to cook every night, keep your house clean and tidy, and still be involved with your kids. It really is not… We should not be worried about how we can squeeze naps in every day before we even meet these basic needs that women before us for centuries have been fulfilling just fine.
Hear me out: I am not saying it is wrong to take a nap when your children are napping. I for one, being 32 weeks pregnant, can largely relate to that feeling of just pure exhaustion and wanting to just go lie down. I think if time is managed properly throughout the first part of the day, then you will likely have already performed most or all of your obligations and can guilt-free lie down and take a nap while your children nap. It is when the mornings are not productive and then the afternoons are not either, on a consistent every day basis, that I think a problem develops.
Tune in to my next blog post that will give an overview of what my day looks like (what works for me) and a little schedule/method to stick to for cleaning and laundry that makes it so much more doable and so much less overwhelming. We as moms have a lot to do and a lot of responsibilities that often even our husbands do not realize that we have to do; it shouldn't be harder for us, when there is an easier, less stressful way! :)
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