My very dear friend offered to take all 7 of my children for an afternoon to give me a break, then bring dinner to us when she brought the kids home. She insisted really. Emailing me something like "this is THE PLAN" with the lowdown for the logistics of how it would happen. Period.

Normally, I would resist equally as strong as she would insist. "No, no, no. Thank you for offering! We're ok. Really. Gosh, that's so sweet of you to ask. Not necessary." It was quite difficult for me to not say those very words. But I did not. Humbling myself, I said, "yes, thank you."

I've never been great at taking time away, for myself.

One critical thing I've learned only very, very recently is to be willing to take assistance when it is offered. When I get run down and depleted, I have got to find ways to restore mental, physical, and emotional energy - without feeling badly about it. And there is nothing at all wrong with that! No one can maintain a rigorous work schedule day in and day out, week by week, month after month with no true respite. I surely can not.

On the road I've been traveling as of late, I've begun to recognize that there are some major and minor adjustments necessary for me to be able to fulfill my role in our home. Changes were going to be essential.

My Life's New Game Plan for this stage involves allowing myself the opportunity to say yes more often. Not "yes, but I feel guilty" or "yes, but I will apologize endlessly because of my need to say yes" or "yes, but I will doubt my own worthiness as a person/woman/mom/wife because I'm saying yes," Simply yes. I'll take you up on that.

Yes, I would love to....get away for an afternoon.
Yes, I will....take an evening out with my husband.
Yes, I would like....a bubble bath or a long walk alone or time by myself to read a book.
Yes, I will....go for a cup of coffee.

Yes, I need to refocus and reflect and rejuvenate and fill my tank so I have something wonderful and patient and kind hearted and compassionate to give to my little ones - rather than the frazzled leftovers of a woman who is clearly in need of some personal restoration. Of course, that requires time. During this season it means another person must take the helm for a while with the children. If someone I trust offers to lend a helping hand, the answer will be yes. Yes!