8 years, 6 Kids, and BURNOUT?

I have been Homeschooling for 8 years. and there are aspects of HS that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. I love having my kids home, I love spending time with them, cooking with them, snuggling with them, watching them play.
I enjoy immense freedom being able to take off on road trips whenever I choose (We drove over 12,000 miles OTR last year!)

I love the fact that the few days a month Daddy is home (He works out of state)
We get to veg out and play as a family.

I love that my kids are innocent and kind, I love that they are respectful and loving, towards others inside the home or people who are not like us. They have learned how not to judge, and how to simply see someone different as just that....Different.

And now for what I do not like.

I am the disciplinarian. I am it. Daddy is out of town, and ALL responsibilities are left to me. Bills, School, Chores, Yard, Garden.... For a while we had 4 milking goats, 35 chickens, and a Jersey Cow. All of it was my responsibility.

It weighs allot.

So about 4 years ago I began searching for an answer. Something that could turn things around, a way to alter my universe. I have studied business, I have signed up for self improvement classes and watched countless webinars, I have immersed myself in the process of how to end this cycle.

One thing that made me so Very sad, was that MY CHILDREN are entering quickly into the world of self-reliance, they will be fighting the same daemons I currently battle, Debt, Employment, Security, and a career.

I feel VERY PASSIONATE that if you DO WHAT YOU LOVE... The Money will FOLLOW.

How many of you have this same concern or worry for their kids? Am I alone in this?
Just curious, thanks for giving me a platform to vent.

Life or Death ?

AmeriCares/XanGo Press Release

August 25, 2011

AmeriCares and XANGO Partner to Deliver Aid for East Africa Famine

Nearly 13,000 starving people will receive critical nutrition
August 25, 2011

Stamford, CT – AmeriCares and leading global wellness company XANGO are working together to feed thousands of people suffering from the devastating famine in East Africa with the delivery of XANGO Meal Packs. The first of three shipments left XANGO's Utah warehouse today destined for Kenya, where it will be used to nourish Somali refugees receiving medical treatment at health clinics and therapeutic feeding centers.

"XANGO Meal Packs are an effective way to give supplemental feedings to malnourished patients," said AmeriCares Medical Director Dr. Frank Bia. "By simply adding water, you have a beneficial supplement that's easy to both prepare and use."

The XANGO Meal Packs were purchased by the company's global network of distributors and customers and donated to AmeriCares. Each serving is a high-calorie, vitamin-enriched powder that becomes a porridge when water is added. AmeriCares and XANGO are delivering enough Meal Packs to provide a supplemental daily feeding to nearly 13,000 children and adults for one month. XANGO and AmeriCares have partnered since 2009 to provide millions of nutritional supplements to people in need around the globe.

"Because of our distributors and their generous purchases of Meal Packs, we are in a position to work with our partners at AmeriCares to help alleviate suffering of children and families in this famine-stricken region," said XANGO Founder, Chairman and CEO Aaron Garrity. "Our hearts go out to those afflicted and we hope that our efforts can complement those of others in the world community to benefit, and even save, lives."

AmeriCares immediately began rushing medical aid to East Africa after the United Nations declared a famine in parts of Somalia in July. AmeriCares first aid shipment contained enough basic medicines and supplies to treat 15,000 severely malnourished patients in Mogadishu.

AmeriCares has been aiding survivors of natural disasters, political conflict and extreme poverty in Africa and around the world for nearly 30 years, saving lives and restoring health and hope.

A new day...

I have felt on top of my game. I have gotten so much accomplished today!

While listening to General Conference

I had devotionals with the kids'

I made granola for the family (2 batches)
I made Empanadas (although I should have skipped them, too fattening!)
I cleaned house
I rearranged furniture
I got blisters on my feet from using the treadmill barefoot
and I created some documents for a good friends business

I feel like a winner today.

Sorry for the annoying brag session, but I do feel like I have crept out of a hole and am seeing the light. I have not been this productive in a few weeks. I have felt dragged down by not knowing where i wanted to go...and This newfound opportunity has created such POWER and DRIVE!

The rest.....

Grati-Tuesday....I have SO MUCH to be grateful for....I don't even know where to begin. Healthy & Happy kids, a beautiful Home, a Husband who adores me, Food aplenty, opportunities for growth, mentors and friends who encourage and nudge me towards my personal goals...lush green landscape, air conditioner that keeps us chilled, my mind, my body and my spirit.

And yet 22,000 people died while I was sleeping comfortably in my bed.

It is tragic. Heartbreaking and unnecessary. You and I live abundant lifestyles...we are one of the 2% of the worlds population living with clean water, food daily, safe shelter, we are protected and safe.

Have I Done any good in the world today?

This is my life theme....

I am SO BLESSED, even when I list all the things I want in life, I know that I live in wealth, I have access to health care, nutrition and safety. I do not fear for my life, nor the lives of my children and posterity.

We live in abundance....even if I complain that I was not able to buy a new 'this-n-that'

I AM wealthy.

When my husband returns home from work, we take an impromptu outing, we dine-out, we shop, we relax and see a movie. The average spent on our date night is between $30-$150. That is twice per month with a spending of $60-$300 PER MONTH. I am WEALTHY.





Did you see in the news? 22,000 deaths today.



I may gripe that I can not buy a new camera, or take another vacation, I may grumble when an appliance breaks down, or when a car needs repair...

I AM WEALTHY

I have enough to provide for my children the necessites of life...

I HAVE ABUNDANCE

I am so deeply grateful for all I have.

So back to the news...Did you see the news, did you see that 22,000 died while we were sleeping? no.

Watch this video and you will see what happened.

LET'S STOP HUNGER TODAY!

Dreams...Plans who are we meant to be?

For years as I have studied personal development I have struggled. I dream big. HUGE. and I know it. Most would say that is all I am...a dreamer.

But I can feel it deep inside, there is more...much much more.

When we sit down to make plans, and create a dream board, some of the items on the board are

Travel

Photography

International relationships...through business as well as adoption.

Nice cars


Relaxing locales , gardens, beach, wooded paths, mountain cabins.

All of these things I visualize, I see what I want and i can feel myself in this environment.

But now came the downside. How or What was I willing to do to get here, what was i capable of providing or executing to obtain the necessary capital.

and here is where I drew a blank.

I knew if I could find the RIGHT VEHICLE...my dream would be possible.


I am not a Computer guru, nor am I the BEST at photography, Sales, Investing, etc.. etc... So here is where I was stumped. I KNEW what I wanted to do...but was usually laughed right out of meetings where I shared this.


I want to be a Philanthropist. That is it.
Secret is out.

I want my only worry to be, how to share and give, and ways I can lighten the load of my fellow man.

phew.

its off my chest. the cat is out of the bag and you know my deepest desire.

and now the laughing starts.

I know ...I know...How will I find the resources to give....if I am not independently (filthy,stinking ) wealthy?!

I have found my Vehicle.

I have found the team of encouraging, like minded individuals of which I desire to associate with. I have found where I can share my inner desire and not be laughed right out of the room!

I have found it.

And now you ask....how.

(To be Continued.....)