Taking an Extended Break

So I am taking an extended break from Facebook, Pinterest and most blogs (except for one that is very important right now due to events that will be happening soon...Shannon). ;)  The main reason for my sabbatical...I am driving myself CRAZY comparing myself to other people, my children to other children, and our lives to others lives.  We are blessed...blessed beyond measure.  I know this.  We love deeply around here and have fun every single day.  Yet, I look at Facebook and think, "I wish Addi had that outfit.  I wish Brogan had that toy.  I wish we were going on a date.", etc.  It's getting ridiculous.  I look at Pinterest and feel guilty for not coming up with a new craft to do with the kids every day, for not creating my living room to look like something that should be in a magazine, for not being able to sew quilts and make four course gourmet dinners on a whim.  I read a lot of blogs - mommy blogs mostly that are very beneficial usually, but for some reason right now make me feel bad for not having more time for devotions, for not saving more money on my weekly grocery trip, etc.  I don't like this comparison phase I'm in.  Sure, we all compare ourselves to each other at times, but I've gone a bit crazy.  I realized this tonight as I was feverishly serving the internet for where Addi should be at academically by the time she is three all because a friend on Facebook said her two-year-old knows that the city they live in contains multiple stores and that  her grandparents live in the country which contains tractors and farms.  Addi doesn't know the difference between the city and the country, and it literally freaked me out.  She knows what state we live in, what state our relatives live in and even what country we live in (she also knows the name of the country our friends are adopting from).  Yet, I still freaked out.  I was in tears thinking about what I have failed to teach her so far.  I found a developmental chart...realized she knows everything on the chart (mentally and physically), but I was still worried.  While I was conducting my "research," Brogan was crying, yes crying because I had stopped playing cars with him to do this research.  Addi was watching television and talking, yes talking to the television show.  It hit me, I had my priorities ALL wrong.  When what my child is learning becomes more important than enjoying the hear and the now, I've got it all wrong.  When finding crafts for my children to do becomes more important than having fun with them while we simply color, write, paint, etc, I've got it all wrong.  When I would rather read status updates on Facebook than read a few verses in the Bible, I've got it all wrong.  When I would rather complain to my husband about not getting to go on a date because someone else got a date tonight than spend time with him while the kids are sleeping, I've got it all wrong.

Anyway, just thought I'd post this to hold myself accountable.  I plan on updating this blog...just not Facebook.  I think I'll aim for all of February.  We shall see how it goes.  ;)

Happy Weekend!!