As I write this, I am surrounded by boxes in various stages of packing, crumpled up birthday wrapping paper and the bits and pieces of the Sunday newspaper. Part of a half eaten sandwich still sits on the table, along with half of a cup of cold coffee from breakfast. Both boys are in bed napping - one boy is asleep, the other is not - and I have eight windows open to different Web sites on my computer.

Did I mention that I'm also trying to dye my hair at home while I'm at it? Because I can't seem to find the time to make or keep an appointment? The timer is set: 25 minutes of “free” time while my brown hair gets browner to catch up on Twitter, Facebook and blog posts. And maybe reheat that coffee.

From mid-March to mid-May, we celebrate four family birthdays, including both boys, my husband and my sister, not to mention a few friends (who probably will only get a note on their Facebook wall, if they're lucky).

Last week, my husband had a three-day business trip to New York City morph into four due to travel delays as I stayed home with the boys on my own, failing miserably on a self-imposed ban of TV for Turn off the TV week (we lasted a day. A girl has to shower sometimes). And I somehow allowed myself to say yes to two book editings for friends.

Oh, and this week we close on our first house. Exciting, but it throws in two or three more meetings to attend, second copies of paperwork to sign, walk-throughs to schedule and, oh yeah, don't we have to pack?

The weekend we move is Mother's Day, two days later is my husband's birthday, and then, the following weekend, we're expecting our first house guests (though, granted, it is family who are coming to help) but there are still menus to plan and sheets to wash.

Oh, and did I mention my youngest has two teeth coming in and both boys are sick? Which means as I write this I have a unique blend of snot and drool decorating both shoulders in a Jackson Pollock-esque design. Sigh.

I'm stressed. And somehow, even when unexpected things happen like illness and delays, I still try to do it all.

And miserably fail.

Why do I allow myself to get this stressed? Like Cat, I try to be very wary and protective of my personal time. I don't have a problem declining groups and playdates and it's quite easy, unfortunately, for me to miss answering an e-mail or phone call for days. But I still have a hard time saying no to the things I love to do for friends and family, including that aforementioned editing and entertaining, even though I know my deck is full.

Sometimes, we try to squeeze too many things into our lives. Other times, try as we might, everything happens at once and needs to be taken care of all at the same time, whether we're ready or not.

Recently, I came across a quote that I'll be contemplating and praying about this week.

“God gives us enough hours in the day to do what He wants us to get done.”

I need to remember that. No matter if everything on my "To Do" list didn't get finished because I spent more time cuddling a sick baby than packing boxes/folding laundry/answering e-mails I need to remember that He hasn't made a time-management mistake with me; and I need to allow myself to not feel guilty about it.

Matter of fact, I think I'll be writing that quote on TOP of all the lists I'm working from this week. And tape it to my fridge . . . and the mirror . . . and . . .

Sarah Warren, who is a homemaker, is married with two children. Read more from her here.