Unplugged

It's a quiet morning here. The younger kiddos are playing doll house and the little guy is asleep. I am so behind on all things internet that I think my laptop is about to disown me.

None of that matters though.

I hate to admit it, but I've been seeing lately how consumed I can get with so many distractions that are taking time away from my little's. When a 3yr old rushes to bring you your phone because a text or alert just came through, I believe there is an overuse issue.

I felt convicted, and a little embarrassed.

3yr olds have better things to do...

I deleted my Twitter and personal Facebook app on my phone. I left my blog Facebook because, well, it doesn't consume much time and those of you who are there crack me up. For real.

So right now I can only check those personal accounts when I get a chance to open my laptop. I know. It's like being back in the old days.

I had started to wonder what it would be like if I hugged the kids as often as a notification went off on my phone - or if I pulled them close and told them how much I loved them every time I reached for it to check a social network.

I gave it a go, and lets just say that the kids were really confused as to what was happening. They loved it, and I realized how much they needed it. But I think I needed it more.

They get a lot of love, but in todays world, they need all the love and affirmation that they can get at home. The more the better.

I want more time for the kids, more time for writing about our little family, and more time to take pictures...with my actual camera, not my phone.

Not that I won't use any fun networking things, I just need to use it wisely and at appropriate times, you know? If I have to put my hand in my kids face and tell them to wait while I finish an update, it's probably not at a good time.

I never want to forget how Lincoln puts rocks in his little shirt pocket...

 I know it sounds crazy, but you should try it. Every time your phone goes off or you want to check your Facebook feed, hug the kids instead. It is really worth it.

Not to mention the housework. Turns out that it's really not that overwhelming when your face isn't glued to your phone for half of the day.

Like we've all said a million times, they're only little once. They need their mama's attention, and I am determined to give them all that their little hearts need.

I've struggled lately with feeling consumed by them, and feeling like I have nothing to call my own outside these walls. You know, the mommy meltdown. I know some of that came from a lot of distractions. I think when we accept our calling and pour ourselves into His plan that He has set in action, true contentment will follow.

So I'm trying, and I'm needing to find total contentment in His plan for me - and for now, it's with a half dozen kiddos.

All grace. Even the draining times.

So here's to more time squeezing my kids, and less time reading statuses. Sound like a plan?