Dear Me,

(When I feel like I'm going a little nuts, I look back at this picture and remind myself "yes..yes you are going a little nuts...but look how fun it is"!)

There are things that I do..and don't do...in day to day life, that I sometimes wonder about.

Wonder, as in think to myself "Helllloooo Matti, we've been over this before"...kind of wondering.
So I thought I better sit down and write myself a letter, just so next time I start to "wonder", I'll have written proof that I've been over this before.

Dear Me,

1.Go to bed earlier. The dishes can wait. You don't really need to watch the weather...or the sports...or Letterman. You can turn off you phone. You don't need to read another chapter. Just close your little eyes and go to sleep, your body will thank you.

2.Get up earlier.
Yes...you can go sleep in Oliver's bed while Alma get's ready for work and Oliver watches Sesame Street.
OR
you can do those dishes from last night, and clean a bathroom, or fold laundry, or answer that email during that hour.
Just think, an hour of uninteruppted tasks.
Your day will go better if you just do it.
If you need a little help, see #1.

3.Read your scriptures.
You know why.
You know the tone it sets for the next day.
Just do it and quit making excuses.

4.Run the extra distance.
Yes, you can turn down the "shortcut" street...but you've also just cheated youself out of 3/4 mile...and it's downhill for heaven sakes!

5.You don't need the bubbles.
You were able to kick the diet coke habit in a week flat this month.
Now get rid of the carbonation.
Yes...those bubbles are sweet and delicious, and Fresca just looks, well, happy.
But really, the crystal light looks just as happy too, right?

6.Take a deep breath at bedtime...kid bedtime.
The day is almost over.
You've played hard.
Don't poop out at the last second by getting impatient.
Read that 4th book.
Sing them one extra song.
Sit with Bella "just one more minute" as she drifts off.
The world can be a hard place to be in, make sure they go to bed knowing they are loved, secure and un-rushed.
You won't feel so forelorn as you look at their sleeping faces if you know you've given it your all....all the way up until they are safe in dreamland.
Repeat: Don't Rush Bedtime.

7. Put away the clothes AS SOON AS THEY ARE DONE DRYING!
Don't throw them in that huge pile in your room that will overwhelm you by the end of the day. Just fold that load of laundry and put it all away.
It is 10 minutes you'll thank yourself for later.

8. No matter how hard you try, Oliver will always ask to go to the potty during meals and at stores. Just expect it. Take him to the bathroom when you get to the store...even if he went 5 minutes ago, so you don't have to hide your cart while you run to the bathroom. You know it's going to happen and he will ask, so save yourself the hassble. Remember, he likes to be a big boy...and that means using the potty EVERYWHERE, it won't last forever (or at least, let's hope not...that would be frightening).



9. Take the garbage out.
Yes, it's an annoying part of everyday life.
Yes, it's cold outside.
Yes, you will have to put your shoes on or freeze your feeties off.
But quit piling and shoving things in the garbage for Alma to take out later (even though, you are quite an expect at "kitchen garbage stacking", with all your ways of getting things to be in the garbage..even if they teeter periosly on the edge of falling out)
Just put on your big girl pants and go take it out.

10. Enjoy this time with your little ones. They are going to grow up so fast. You already see it. You know it's just going to keep flying by.
Relish in their smallness now, because it makes you so happy.

11. Read this letter to yourself often.
As in, tomorrow...because tomorrow is Laundry Day, and #7 is just for you.