SHOULD

Lately, I have been a little overwhelmed by the SHOULDS in my life. It is really quite dumb actually and some days I don't think about it at all. But sometimes, the SHOULDS really sneak up on me and I have to take a step back and evaluate my life. Sometimes these expectations come from myself and sometimes from and "expert" on the matter. Do any of these hit home with you?

*I SHOULD read to my kids everyday and play educational games and never let them veg out in front of the TV.

*I SHOULD have a wonderful bedtime routine where we read and giggle and snuggle instead of just getting the job done and feeling ok that the prayers were said after yelling at them that IF I HEAR ONE MORE WORD THEY WOULD ALL DIE!

* I SHOULD brush my teeth and floss twice a day and rinse with mouthwash and get check-ups twice a year like clockwork and get fillings and caps and crowns and root canals and not eat foods high in acid b/c it wears away the enamel or drink coffee for staining reasons and my kids should get sealants and floride treatments and I am supposed to do all this gladly despite the bill for a gazillion dollars waiting for me.

*I SHOULD exercise daily and and I SHOULD buy the right tennis shoes for the activity that I am doing and maybe the right video and the right equiptment and the right outfit...

*I SHOULD wear sunscreen anytime I am outside for more than 5 min and I SHOULD then wear the right make up for my skin type and know exactly what shade of eyeshadow would look right and then buy it for $25 at the dept store b/c there is a whole host of reasons it is better than the $3 on at Walgreens.

*I SHOULD pluck my eyebrows everyday and take a shower but don't forget to put on lotion within 5 min or your skin will already begin to dry out.

*I SHOULD do my Bible study with bright eyes and an open heart before the crack of dawn so my kids don't disturb me and then have time to fall on my knees and cry out to God in a powerful way.

*I SHOULD stop to smell the roses which also means I SHOULD stop to plant the roses in the first place.

*I SHOULD eat healthy foods that don't raise my cholesterol, are good for my heart, help clense the colon, low in sugar, salt and flavor with plenty of fluids to wash it down that don't include coffee, tea, caffeine, pop, sugary juices or anything else that is tasty.

*I SHOULD read books that educate and improve myself rather than giving me glorious time to zone out.

*I SHOULD give to the elderly, orphans, and needy with my time and resources.

*I SHOULD have time to have my house look like a magazine and accomplish perfect organization AND be the perfect mother and wife if I just follow this simple plan...

*I SHOULD have scheduled time for my husband like date nights and trips and just fun moments when somehow the kids are occupied and dispite exhaustion and hormones and motherhood we can share a love that can with God's help, survive all of this!

*I SHOULD take a multivitamin and minerals and fish oil or at least flax seed and of course any other medice from a doctor for whatever ails me at the moment.

*I SHOULD not get frustrated when the dog peed on the floor, which made be notice that the 2 year old spilled Kool Aid all over and my 8 year old somehow put his homework right in it and the 5 year old is playing school which includes cutting paper to a million pieces and the supper is boiling over and Jon is late and the house is DESTROYED!!!!!!!

*I SHOULD have the perfect outfit picked out for my kids the night before and definitely I must look smashing myself which means shopping for hours and of course hitting perfect sales with the latest fashions that are totally modest and my color.

*I SHOULD stop wasting time writing this and clean up my house but since I did what I SHOULD last night and went to church, I think I am going to sit here and eat my lunch and catch up on Survivor!