Taking Care of Mom!!

I have officially been a mom for almost eight years.  I have been busy being pregnant, birthing babies, changing diapers and raising kids.  I am not complaining…I love every minute of staying home with my kids.  But there is one truth we all share as mothers.  It is really hard to take time for ourselves.

I recently shared a conversation with a mom I admire beyond words.  She was telling me how her only time to workout was after her kids went to bed.  My jaw dropped at her dedication and work ethic.  By the end of the day I am usually pretty worthless. 

This is something I feel we all struggle with, keeping up our homes, raising happy kids, keeping up with the bills, homework assignments and oh, I almost forgot…taking time to take care of ourselves.

This is an area where I have failed.  I often feel exhausted, frustrated and unable to get the exercise and personal study time accomplished each day.  I feel like I can’t continue to put myself last.  I need to somehow make a change to get my exercise and quiet time each day. 

My children are getting older and I feel like I finally am at a point where I can join a gym.  There is a small amount of guilt I feel inside by putting my kids in the daycare area.  When I start to feel this guilt, I remind myself how important it is for me to take care of myself so that I have the energy each day to keep up with them.  I also remind myself that I want to be healthy and strong to be here for them for as long as I can.  Here is to a summer of health and excercise for mom!!

**I took this picture while I was in Utah of a girl biking…it inspired me!

How do you take time for yourself while keeping up with all the responsibilities of motherhood?