In the ZONE

So the other day I was talking to my Mom, and she reminded me that I haven't updated my blog for quite awhile. Two weeks to be exact. I never go that long. So some of you may have wondered if I'm okay or where I am.

Well, I've been "in the zone"--the Mom zone, that is. I'll explain. Being "in the zone" is defined as having a higher level of concentration and being totally engrossed in an endeavor to the point where time almost stands still and outside distrations almost disappear. For athletes, being "in the zone" results in peak performances.

In early April, I was FAR FROM the zone. In fact, I was sick for 6 days, getting very little done and not being a very good mom, wife, homemaker, etc. I was also very frustrated with the way things were going in our family. Schedules were basically non-existant, the house was often a mess, and children were not being very respectful or responsible. I knew that things needed to change around here in a lot of ways. So I (we--Tony helped with some of this) came up with some things to try, and somehow, I have landed in "the zone," which is a wonderful place to be--even if it means a little less time for blogging than usual.

Because of a little "higher level of concentration," and letting myself be "totally engrossed in an endeavor" (or endeavorS), I have seemed to have more time (this is the "time almost stands still" part of being in the zone) and "outside distractions" have almost disappeared.

Here are a few things that have been happening here in the Mom zone:

*I washed my windows inside and out.
*I detail cleaned my van (MUCH needed).
*We've been to story time two weeks in a row.
*We've spent more time reading books, and Mariah is really getting excited about books now.
*I've spend some wonderful time working in the garden, even if it is just shoveling dirt around.
*We hosted a family hot dog roast, which was a great time!
*I cleaned my oven and stove to like-new appearance.
*I shampooed the carpets in my house.
*We've read scriptures every morning.
*We've implemented and have been carrying out a new behavior plan that is actually working!
*I've volunteered once a week in Connor's classroom.
*I played the organ and sang in the choir for stake conference last Sunday.
*We've started P90X, and I'm already seeing improvements in my strength.
*We've had a picnic at the park and dinner on the front porch.
*Tony got the head basketball coaching job at MVHS. (This really has nothing to do with me, but I'm really excited for him and I wanted to mention it. :)
*I sanded and painted a dresser for Connor's room (actually, it still needs another coat.)
*I've showered every single day!!!
*I've made some really tasty dinners that the kids didn't like.
*With the girls' help, we've kept up with our basic house cleaning, like laundry, floors, vacuuming, dusting, and bathrooms. They LOVE to help!
*I've been to 4 track meets: two just to watch, and two that I actually DID get to watch, since I was a timer and my girls were with a babysitter.
*I've been able to do a few volleyball open gyms, where I really get in the moment and forget about anything else I have to do.

Whew! Being "in the zone" is great! I've been in the zone before. And I've been out of it. This is because of those outside distractions that always seem to poke their heads into my zone and pop that wonderful little bubble I've been living in. Sometimes these distractions are brought on by my own behavior (like facebook time-wasting), and sometimes they are completely out of my control (like being sick for 6 days). But whenever I get the chance, I love to set some new resolutions and re-enter "the zone."