Tuesday, March 29, 2011


i love this quote....seriously.  i'm pretty sure that all moms that stay at home w/ their children probably feel the same way.  a working mom has to learn how to juggle things.  it's taken me a while....but i am learning.  what am i learning?  well let's take today for instance- by the time 10:00 got here, i have already: feed myself and the kiddos, showered, bathed my kids, got dressed, dressed my kids, dried/ straightened my hair (the only reason i did this was b/c my hair needs to be cut so badly i'm running out of options), loaded the kids in the car, loaded 15 boxes into the car, dropped tay off at school, had an impromptu paint consultation in the parking lot of the school, drove to the post office, carried 15 boxes and walker into the post office, mailed 15 boxes while i sat walker on the counter at the post office (i debated the floor but i thought people would judge me), had a conversation  w/ the postal worker about how to be more efficient w/ my mailing and what to do w/ a teething baby (i guess she felt the need to give me advise b/c walker was eating my keys and drooling all over the counter), did a major victory dance when i left the post office b/c i mailed 15 boxes by myself w/ a baby on my hip (i do this every day and it is seriously the most challenging part of my day), drove home, paid the mortgage, gave walker a bottle, put him down for a nap, did a post at the designer's attic, and now i am finally sitting at my desk getting ready to answer emails....thank you lord for providing coffee and work.  i love being a mom and to have work in this economy is a blessing.  i know that all of you moms out there probably go through the same kind of things on a daily basis.  it makes me feel proud.   you should too....try doing a victory dance (i did it to florence + the machine this AM).  it's very powerful.  and everyday when i leave the post office, i say- i did it...all by myself :)

*1st pic taken by taylor (she's 3 and can't quite get the camera in the right position)

42 comments:

Single Stone Studios said...

Hey Shannon - totally cute post! I am a work at home mom too and I have the post office come by and pick up my packages. They will do it for free and you can do the whole thing online. Then just put the packages on the door step and they magically get to where you have them addressed. :) It's awesome!

Amy said...

You are doing a great job- I have a hard enough time getting MYSELF out the door in the morning, much less myself and two little ones!

Anonymous said...

I love this post. You do an awesome job! Here's to moms everywhere who juggle.

Cheers.

Julie said...

I love this post!

arre said...

i love this! you are doing such a great job! and florence and the machine make me dance even when i don't have a victory! have a good day! xx

The 5 Bickies said...

The post office trip is huge with a baby AND that many boxes. Have you looked in to paying and printing postage on line. It's a lifesaver! You can also order your priority mail packaging supplies on the USPS website.

Did you ever get my email with a request for a fabric quote?

Heather Peterson said...

Amen, sister. Where does the day go?

Heather
loveyourspace.blogspot.com

High-Heeled Foot in the door said...

Great post! You got so much done by 10am! I need to step it up!

Love that picture of Walker. So cute!

Camila
blog.effortless-style.com

lizziefitz said...

Tay can come take my pic any day , IF my legs were as skinny as yours! Walker NEEDS sophie giraffe for teething It is the only way to get through it . You rock! I always love getting a package from Designer's Attic:) loved the padded envelope, hopefully easier than box? I bet post office would do a daily pick up from you.

Jennifer said...

Been lurking for a while and want to tell you, as a mom of three myself, you are doing an awesome job. I loathe trips to the post office. You should give yourself a break and schedule your mail pickup. Your carrier will pick up your boxes at your front door. Print postage and schedule the pickup online. Soooo much easier.

Rosa @ Flutter Flutter said...

I agree! And Florence + The Machine is music that our whole family does the happy dance to! Going to go put it on right now!!

Anonymous said...

I love this post! Congrats on your many accomplishments and for taking the time to do a little happy dance. Think I'll try one out myself...

paula said...

I am impressed! taylor is a photographer in waiting. love it.

The Inspiration Files said...

Go you!! You should give yourself a big 'ole victory drink tonight once the kids hit the sack!!

The enchanted home said...

Such a cute entertaining post..one we can all at some point or another relate to. Multi tasking is my daily mantra....story of my life. I guess we should all be thankful we are capable of multi tasking, personally I pride myself on it. Like right this minute, I am typing to you, am on hold with the tile installer, faxing over something for the vanities, soup and an artichoke dish are on the stove, and then I am off to pick up my son and then the afternoon session begins..this is still the "morning session" for me. No rest for the weary as they say! You are a gal after my own heart!

shannon said...

I like Taylor's photo! It captures how hectic the moment must have been. I'm not a mom yet, but I spent a year as an au pair for two little ones and I can only imagine how much more difficult full-time care would be with a career on top of it!

Jenn Rudolph said...

I love this! I read your blog everyday and it makes me feel much more sane knowing I am not the only one that does 100 things on my list before 10:00am.

Jenn
http://simplyseasoned.blogspot.com/

Molly said...

Sorry if someone else already said this, but you can schedule the post office (your mail carrier actually) to pick up those boxes everyday. You can even print the postage out at home. It would be totally worth it to save yourself that hassle. I'm impressed!

Julie Richard - Shelter said...

I am with you all the way!! Keep up the good work, it's insane isn't it?

The Remnant Room said...

Your little guy is just the cutest! Being a recent empty nester after being a single working mom, it really is one fast tap dance! Just when you get one age/stage figured out, they are on to the next one :) But one thing is for sure, it goes by so quickly. You got it goin on!!
Love both of your blogs! Have a great afternoon.
Paula

Anonymous said...

I am a working mum too - with my first 14 month old wee boy and man its a juggling act but completely admire doing this with two wee ones. x

Sarah's Fab Day said...

I think a victory dance might be just the thing to perk me up, thanks for the suggestion! I've been doing my normal thing and then working a ton (which is great) but I feel like I never get anything done around the house, which in turn makes me feel like a crummy wife/housekeeper. Oh well, right? One of these days I will get around to doing something with my fabric I purchased from you!

Unknown said...

Have been following your blog for about 2 years and I love it. In fact, I am having a head board delivered which was made from a template you sent me and covered in a fabric from Jacaranda Home. I am a mother of 2 small girls, jewelry designer, gemologist and just added blogger to the resume. Check it out: davis-jewelry.com

Unknown said...

I am so impressed. How did you possibly carry all those boxes and a kiddo. I am not a mom, so I cant relate, but have so much respect. Yay to you for accomplishing so much. I shouldnt complain about my busy days!

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

I can so relate to this. I have an almost 3 year old and a 5 month old and work from home. The hardest part for me is the morning....getting myself looking presentable and getting this kids fed and my daughter off to preschool. I do have help 4 days a week in the mornings but she arrives after this whole ritual has occurred...and I am always frazzled by 9 am!

Erin said...

Who cares what people think at the post office!?! While in line over Christmas I let my 4 year old niece sit on the ground and scoot along as the line moved. I didn't care---she was well behaved! Plus I needed to mail ONE box today and didn't go to the post office because the thought of bringing my 16 month old nephew made me want to drink. So KUDOS to you for making it there with Walker AND 15 boxes!

jenbeth said...

I love the picture that Taylor took!!! Its perfect! Shows the precarious nature of "juggling" your life as a working mom. Looks like you are doing a great job too :)

tarheel said...

Someone probably already left this comment, but you can weigh your packages at home, print out the labels, and have the post office pick them up at your door. You have to do that. And also, I like the first picture.

Sarah @ Cubicle Sanity said...

My uterus is tugging at me after looking at that picture of Walker. Oh my gosh he is a precious little man.

Haven and Home said...

Hi Shannon,

The panic attacks have started for me...what I am going to do when our baby gets here! I am feeling overwhelmed. You are an inspiration!

FZ Media Design, Inc. said...

You did it!!
Lisa Barrett

Fran said...

Great post!! It made me laugh - I seriously don't know how you do all that you do. Parenting, working, blogging, etc.

Unknown said...

Wow... I read all that you did by 10:00 and it brought back so many memories (my kids are grown). I remember feeling the relief (and accomplishment..I DID IT) after just getting though a day by myself without my mom coming over to help and that was without adding working and mailing boxes. You impress me.
I'm thinking YOU need the trip to DisneyWorld as much as your 4 year old does (maybe more!!). Hope you get a chance to take some fun time and enjoy, relax, breathe!

missmehoneybee said...

fifteen boxes...your amazing. I complain if I have to go to the post office for any reason with a kid on my hip!

Louisa said...

That's a classic post! What is it about the post office?!?! I thought it was a major accomplishment when I took the baby with me the other morning to get our mail that had been on hold while we were away. It took over half an hour and then we both needed a nap. I think I let the baby stand on the counter. Whatever works! Right?! You are doing an amazing job Shannon!!

Laura @ LPC Interiors said...

Oh I so needed this post today- have a 2 month old baby boy and just started working again- staged a house today and took him with me and it was a lot more work than I thought it would be. Being a mom and wife is so much work and then throw business owner in the mix and it gets crazy! Thanks for sharing!

Brilliant Chic said...

You did all of that b 10am!? I might do a victory dance or you! I'm impressed!

la la Lovely said...

That is amazing..... and you should tell yourself that every day!!!!! Just looking at those boxes scares me!
Have a great weekend!
xo Trina

la la Lovely said...

That is amazing..... and you should tell yourself that every day!!!!! Just looking at those boxes scares me!
Have a great weekend!
xo Trina

Unknown said...

Yay you! And yay readers for the great advice!! xo

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Anna Applegate said...

I LOVE this post. I am so behind on my blog reading for many of the same reasons you've listed here (working + mom duties), so I'm just reading this post and I can't tell you how much I appreciated it! It was so encouraging to me. :)