Some Me Time

Today I am linking up to Kelly's blog.  I don't do this very often, but this is a subject I feel strongly about! The topic is Remembering YOU (taking care of yourself and keeping your identity).
I think all mothers take care of everything else, and leave themselves the leftovers.  This seems like the expected thing to do, if you are "good mom."  I have struggled with this, and continue to. I am a mother.  That is my identity.  I am Addison's mom.  I am Ansley's mom.  That is who I am and I am so proud of that.  I love everything about being their mother.  I am a wife.  I am Grant's wife.  hmmm.  Now that one has been put on the back burner!  I remember after Ansley was about 3 months old, Grant and I went to dinner.  I got dressed up, we went to a nice place, and just spent the evening talking.  It was nice.  I said that night that I had forgotten how much I enjoyed being a wife.  So, one way I remember and take care of myself is to make sure I have husband time.  Grant and I have date night once a week.  We don't go out, but we cook and have dinner after the girls are in bed.  Sometimes we watch a movie, but usually we sit across from each other, light a candle, and talk.  We talk about our days, about things that happen at work that usually wouldn't get talked about because we didn't have time.  We both love these nights.

Another thing I do for myself is exercise.  I get up 3 days a week to work out.  (Well, I'm getting back into this habit after taking a month off after running a half marathon.) Since I work part time, I go in the morning before the girls are up.  The gym is less crowded at 4:30am anyway!

And the last thing i do is I try to have time with my girlfriends.  We have a girls' night occasionally.  I meet a group of girls at the movies for the late show.  Our families are taken care of and asleep and we can enjoy a show! I go to lunch with girlfriends occasionally which helps me to relax and enjoy visiting!

So new moms...make time for yourself.  When you are in a good spot, you are an even better mommy to your babies!