This is a bit overdue, but as promised I want to share with you what I discovered from logging my time last week.

I. do. not. get. enough. alone. time.

I have truly forgotten what it is like to not be needed 24/7 and the time log convinced me of just how much I need to recharge my batteries. Most of my days are spent with a baby on my hip, in my arms, or crying to be held. Don't get me wrong--I chose the SAHM way of life and I'm grateful for it, but that doesn't mean that we SAHMs don't need to take breaks throughout our day.

Also, I spend a LOT of time just trying to get my son to sleep and keeping him asleep.

Visit this link:
Between Two Worlds: Roe No More.

After reading it myself, all I can say is...wow.

What’s more challenging — parenting or marriage?

My answer: Hands-down, parenting is harder than marriage. Marriage isn't easy, in fact it can present its own challenges. But parenting is a whole new arena, trying to quickly figure out what you are doing and wondering if you are hindering the development of another human being in the process. Not to mention the sleep exhaustion, crying, diaper changing and 24 hour-a-day/7 day-a-week attention that your child requires.

What do you think?

How open are you about personal hygiene and bodily functions in front of your husband/wife?

"Doug Lueder and his wife Sam have wildly disparate ideas of what's appropriate to display in front of others, a philosophical difference that literally exploded one night during their courtship: Doug tried to impress Sam by holding a lighter to his backside while passing gas."

This article on CNN.com made me chuckle. To be quite honest, I've been with my DH long enough to become very comfortable--MUCH more comfortable than I ever imagined I'd become. Passing gas, popping zits, peeing with the door open...all things that I never wanted to do in front of Toby, but have become relaxed about.

On one hand, it takes away a bit of the mystery. When we were dating, I just showed up for the date, fresh and lovely. Now my sweetheart sees me pluck my eyebrows, slap on deodorant and paint my face with brushes and makeup in order to be "naturally" fresh and lovely.

On the other hand, our openness is a genuine expression of the intimacy we've achieved in our marriage. We are accustomed to leaving ourselves vulnerable to each other because we have a high level of trust. And that is a beautiful, sacred thing.

My husband sometimes wonders what I do all day. I know this, because he has asked me before, and the conversation usually goes something like this:

Toby: Hey honey, how was your day?
Joanna: It was a normal day.
Toby: So, what exactly does normal look like? What do you do when I'm at work?
Joanna: (after much laughter) I think it would be easier to eliminate the things I don't do, rather than try to explain everything I do in my day.

Talking to other SAHMs who have the same frustrations answering that question has made me come to terms with one thing that I already knew (head knowledge) before I became a SAHM, but now I know (experience daily). I work really hard at my job as Home Executive, but have little to nothing tangible to show for it. For example, this morning I have busted my butt to do laundry and clean my house, but the laundry will get dirty and the house will get messy very quickly.

To answer the question "What do you do all day?" is complicated. Not only do I feel that I have nothing tangible to show for my efforts, I constantly have to multi-task--which often leads to getting nothing fully accomplished. For us human beings who are task oriented, this can be downright discouraging.

Starting today, I am logging everything I do in a day as an experiment. It will be interesting to see how I spend my time each day and how consistent my week is. Maybe there will even be a few lessons learned about priorities along the way. Expect results next week.

That sounds weird, doesn't it? But it's true. There are moments when I just stop and think Wow, did I really give birth to this little wild animal, er, boy? Maybe it is because I am so young, or maybe I just feel too young, but it has been a surreal experience to become a mother.

Last night was a time for reflection and contemplation as I had a few minutes to myself. (Yahoo!) Without typing paragraphs and paragraphs on why all SAHM's desperately need time for themselves, let me just say that last night I looked my DH in the eye and said "YOU are the designated parent for now."

In James News: He is walking everywhere these days, looking like a little drunk man. Currently we are going through teething mode, I think tooth #9 is about to make it's appearance. He is also giving out sweet (slobbery) kisses these days and growing like a weed. It's hard to believe that he's a month-and-a-half away from being a year old!

This morning I stepped outside my front door to go running and slipped on the sheet of ice covering my front step. This forced me into doing the splits which resulted in much pain. As much as it hurts today, it'll really be a doozy tomorrow. A pulled groin is no laughing matter, but I can't help recalling the words of Bugs Bunny:

"Watch out for that first step, it's a real lulu!"

The Couch-to-5k Plan consists of 9 weeks training. I have completed week one.

I'm proud of myself for taking the first step, but a little disappointed in how out-of-shape I am. It has been a loooong time since H.S. softball & volleyball practices forced me to exercise. 3 months until the 5k in C-U!

2008 was a great year. It was the year in which my son, James, was born. It marked my 4th wedding anniversary with the love of my life. I quit my job to raise my son, then became a part-time nanny. Although our life has changed so much in the past year, it has been both a challenge and a blessing from God. Here's what I've got in store to work on in 2009.

• Physical fitness. Back down to my pre-pregnancy weight, but in desperate need of becoming fit, I have committed to running a 5k on April 11. I will keep you posted each week about how training is going.
• Taking better care of me. Each day I will make healthier eating choices and begin to (re-) adopt habits that keep me healthy. It's the little things I've neglected, like consistently washing my face, flossing my teeth, etc., that have to change for my own sanity and well being.
• Spiritual maturity. Reading my Bible every day via RSS feed has already become habit, but I want to study the Scriptures more and be in constant prayer in order to be more obedient to my Heavenly Father.
• A sibling for James. After much prayerful consideration, Toby and I made the decision to let our babies happen the natural way. As James weans himself, this means that I will hopefully be able to conceive this year. We are praying that God will bless us with many children and that we will be faithful to raise them up in righteousness.

Happy New Year to you all!