That Busy Family Life

I’m Kristin, mom to five and wife to one. I’m here to help you find the beauty in the chaos of life.

I’m so happy you’re here! I’m mom to five crazy little girls, wife to my own personal McDreamy, and busy family life expert survivor.

When my husband was in medical school and residency, I gave everything I had to support him and our little family, but in doing so, I lost myself. While I loved being a wife and mother, I forgot what it meant to be me.

However, after a few really hard months of adjusting, I found a way to do it all. I juggled managing a home, chauffeuring kids, running a business, going back to school myself, volunteering as a church youth group leader, and serving as PTO president. Finally, it was my turn to pursue the things that I wanted and loved doing. I had it all together.

But did I? Not really.

I wasn’t happy. Stress had taken over my life and I couldn’t decide where the greatest needs were. My mind was always thinking three steps ahead, unable to focus on the task at hand. When I was with my kids I thought about the studying I needed to do or the school carnival I had to plan. When I was spending time with my husband I was thinking about all the things I didn’t do with my kids or the laundry that had needed folding for over a week. My relationships with my self, my husband, and my children were suffering. Things had to change. No. I had to change.

I had to stop!

But what did that mean? I couldn’t stop taking care of my kids or stop dating my husband. My house couldn’t be completely neglected and extracurriculars couldn’t be totally cancelled. I didn’t want to give up on earning my degree or working with the youth group or serving on PTO or any of the other things I was doing. So what did it mean to stop?

It meant that I had to stop living in the future and start living intentionally. I had to take the time to really dig into myself and my relationships to figure out what wasn’t working. I’m still doing all those same activities today, but I’m happy. My marriage is stronger and my children are more content. Our home feels different, peaceful even. That busy family life has gone from overwhelming to completely manageable. And all because I shifted my focus to fixing and deepening my relationships.

“Life may be crazy, but that’s where the beauty lies.”

I have learned how to find the good among the chaos in my role as wife and mother, making life and my relationships gratifying. I’m still learning. I hope this space can help you do the same. Because life may be crazy, darling, but that is where the beauty lies.