since I posted some of my rules a couple days ago today I thought it would be a great segue to post some of my don’t fret thoughts. You know, the things that I’ve had to learn to let go of, those items where you get to a point and realize it’s not worth worrying about?
My don’t frets:
: don’t fret if the milk spills
: don’t fret if your Christmas cards are late — to all of you who know me — expect it late. 🙂
: don’t fret if your 14 month old gets spaghetti all over his face (thanks Hannah for the pic)
: don’t fret about others opinion of your family size
: don’t fret when you see people counting your kids while you walk through Costco
: don’t fret that your family takes ALL the samples at each Costco sample station
: don’t fret if your house isn’t perfectly clean when others come over
: don’t fret if you look silly with your kids
: don’t fret about followers, or numbers, or hits on your blog
: don’t fret about health — learn what you need to learn — but don’t sit in worry.
: don’t fret about not having professional pictures taken every year
: don’t fret if your non-professional pics don’t turn out perfectly
: don’t fret if your latte has too much foam — just ask them to add milk — but don’t leave till you do
: don’t fret about your latte with too much foam especially if you didn’t ask for it to be fixed
: don’t fret if your gloves don’t match when it is -24 degrees outside
: don’t fret if your kids don’t keep their lego sets together
: don’t fret when they dump all the legos out on the floor or their bed
: don’t fret when they receive duplicate lego sets
: don’t fret if your kids handmade cards have misspelled words
: don’t fret if your 3year olds pant and shirt don’t match on the day they dressed themself
: don’t fret about the 11 loads of laundry that need to be folded. (this one might be just speaking to me)
: don’t fret about snow storms — have fun with this snow instead (this is also a rule)
: don’t fret if the Christmas presents aren’t wrapped perfectly
: don’t fret if your cinnamon rolls burn — the insides are still good
: don’t fret if your fam stays in their pajamas for most of Christmas
: don’t fret — or at least try not to — if your 5year old drinks most of your latte that you had fixed without the extra foam
what you will eat or drink; or about your body,
what you will wear.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:25-27
32 comments
All of that is so true! The bible verse that you gave sums it alllll up! ^_^
–Don’t fret when you forget to spell “Bible” with a capital B.
Again, another great list! I really need to work on those things. If I’m being honest, I’m SO quick to lose my temper over a good bit of those items (spilled milk (juice, water, whatever it may be :), Legos everywhere, etc. I really need to relax! Maybe that will be my New Years Resolution! One I could actually, maybe, possibly keep! 🙂
Haha, love the part about people counting your kids in Costco!
Apparently it’s a crime or something to have a big family?!?!
You have a beautiful family and you are BLESSED!!!!
Love this post. I’m not going to fret and I just dumped my flour canister over and all the flour went behind my refrigerator. See? Still not fretting.
I love your blog! Your lists are fantastic. We are hosting a Gingerbread Contest over at http://www.creatinghomejournal.com. I would love it if you stopped by and voted for your favorite. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!
Mmm I love this idea! I am now thinking of my own and later I am going to come back and read your rules! Until then, enjoy your foamy latte!
Great list and I need to come up with my own list. Really stops and makes one think of what really matters. Again, a wonderful post!
Love it…nodded in agreement to most of your don’ts. You always keep it real! Thanks.
This really touched me today. Not that I’m fretting, but it was such a good reminder, and I smiled because a lot of those things are true in our house (especially the snow b/c we NEVER get snow! Last year was the first year in 8 years that we actually had a decent snow and it was record breaking for TX and the power went out across the city and everything. I was in earth-heaven!)
And this is why I love visiting your blog! Thanks.
Such sage advice 🙂
Oh, I love this! And the one about the laundry definitely spoke to me today. 🙂
I had a “don’t fret” moment yesterday: I’d been out grocery shopping with all three kids. Everyone was tired and cranky by the end. We stopped at the in-store starbucks to get a latte for me and whipped cream for the kids, then headed home. It was pouring rain, so I filled up the stroller with groceries and children and we ran for the house. We almost made it, too, but just as we came up towards the door, the stroller wheel snagged on something and my beautiful, warm, frothy latte (the one I’d been waiting to enjoy until I got home and could sit down) tipped out of the cup holder.
It was sad, and I was tempted to be frustrated and upset. But really, in the grand scheme of things…not worth fretting over.
Thanks for the lovely reminder today. Mine for today would be “don’t fret when you can’t find the stamps your husband bought at COSTCO and you are trying to get your Christmas cards in today’s mail”. I did find them 🙂
Beautifully said. And although I wish he hadn’t, my son, age 21, had that verse, his favorite verse tatooed on the inside of his forearm. At least it wasn’t a skull or dragon, eh? So, I shall not fret! Have a blessed Christmas!
Most of this was perfectly applicable and perfectly needed – with the same number of kids as you, much of that I can relate to!
EXCEPT the whole snow thing – it was sunny and 78 here in Dallas yesterday. Living in TX for just 3 weeks has not prepared us for bee stings, short sleeves and considering air conditioning during the week of Christmas. 🙂
Rachel,
You read my mind today! My post today is about JUST THIS!
Your Zimmerman friend,
Nicki
love this post!!! i needed it. i guess most mamas could use this!! spaghetti looks too cute on samuel! ; ) you and hannah are so adorable together.
I do love your posts. You are one of my favorite bloggers. Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Wonderful post and perfectly timed for me. I needed this. Thank you. 🙂
Will I be in trouble with the blog police if I steal your idea? 🙂 You’ve got me thinking of my own list of Don’t Frets…
Btw, that Matthew 6 passage has been one of my favorites for many, many years – yet it still convicts me every time!
Love this! I love the picture of Samuel eating spaghetti…strangely enough, he looks a lot like Peanut does when he eats spaghetti! It’s the only time my 15 month-old DOESN’T want to use a spoon to feed himself!
I’ve only got 3 kids and people still count them when I go to Sam’s Club! Then they freak out when I tell them that, yes, I want more children!!!
Love that sghetti faced boy with those amazing blue eyes!
Always lifting up prayers!
Psalms 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Prayer Bears
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I loved this. Might have to do my own “don’t fret” list soon!
Oh Rachel. I needed that ‘Don’t fret’ list today! Thank you! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Love your list and your 7 kid picture too! 😉
Love your list and reading your blog!
Have a Merry Christmas!!!
Very sweet. 🙂 Life is so good after all, right?
~Margaret
Thanks so much for the post on my blog 🙂 I am so excited for Hannah that she got her camera. I was praying for her. Can’t wait to see the pics!
And I remember making forts like that when I was young…
Know that you’re in my thoughts and prayers!
Isaiah 43:1-3a But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel…
Prayer Bears
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Oh my goodness, I can totally relate to this! I’m the oldest of five, so I know what you mean about people looking at you and counting the kids in the grocery store, mountains of laundry, etc. Oh, and the Christmas cards. I can’t remember a year when we sent them out on time 🙂 If there’s one thing that I’ve learned about being in a large family, it’s flexibility. And I’m so thankful that God is teaching me this now.
I absolutely love this, Rachel. So accurate. So perfect. So funny. and So necessary.
Blessings on your family this Christmas day!
this is one of my favorite texts…if it is any concellation I like y house like a better Homes and garden display too…add kids to the equation and it is near impossible(and I only have 2)…xx