Hannah Keeley - Hannah Keeleys Total Mom Makeover: The Six-Week Plan to Completely Transform Your Home, Health, Family, and Life

Copyright 2007 by Hannah Keeley

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrievel system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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First eBook Edition: June 2009

The information herein is not intended to replace the services of trained healthcareprofessionals or be a substitute for medical advice. You are advised to consult withyour healthcare professional with regard to matters relating to your health, and inparticular regarding matters that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

ISBN: 978-0-316-07653-1

Hannahs Art of Home

This book is dedicated to Him,

To him,

To my seven dwarves,

And to all of those beautiful mommies who make this world a better place for the people they love and enable the people they love to better this world.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I walked by with a basket full of laundry fresh out of the dryer. My hair was pulled back in the same scrunchie that I had worn to bed. My face, pale and washed out, had not seen a dab of makeup since last Sunday, and the drab gray sweatshirt that I wore only accentuated the fact that I still had twenty-five pounds to lose. But who has time to shower and dress when you have a house to clean and three kids to look after? And even if I did have time, what was the point?

Thats what I told myself.

I walked into my bedroom to dump the laundry on top of the mountain of clean clothes that needed to be folded and put away, and saw clutter all over the floor, cups stacked on the furniture, and tissues wadded up and thrown beside the bed. Thats when it hit me. This was not the life I had anticipated.

I was overweight and out of shape. I puffed away on my asthma inhaler day and night and barely managed to keep up with my kids. My complexion was dull, my hair was neglected, and I had abandoned my fashion sense after that first pregnancy test turned out positive. I rationalized that the demands of my home and kids were so consuming that I had no time for myself. But the truth was that every aspect of my life, including my homemaking and mothering, was scattered and disorganized.

The finances were a mess. Bills were stacked up, and a mountain of credit card debt was growing. My home was cluttered. My health was compromised. My days were boring and routine. I had no money, no excitement, no energy, and, worst of all, no motivation. I had totally and completely let myself go and had taken my home and family with me in the process.

I threw myself down on the floor and cried, and continued sobbing for about five minutes, until I came to a stark realization: No one was coming to rescue me. I was alone with the life that I had created. I loved my babies; there was no question there. But they deserved more. I loved my husband and knew that he deserved more as well. I had resigned myself to a life that I had never imagined, a life that left me with knots in my stomach and a deep longing in my heart.

A false reality had imprisoned me. I believed that the people who looked good, felt good, lived in big houses, made lots of money, and seemed to have their lives together were somehow set apart. They were born into it, the lucky ones. Of course, there were the select few who had made it to the top scratching and clawing, but I comforted myself with the thought that they couldnt be truly happy. Their priorities were definitely out of whack. I could take one look in the mirror and see that my priorities were in place. It was evident in my appearance, my attitude, and even my posture that I put myself dead last. After all, isnt that what a good mother is supposed to do?

But this philosophy just wasnt holding water. If my priorities were in place, then why was my life such a wreck? Why was I so miserable? Why did I wake up feeling tired and go to bed feeling frustrated? Why did I feel this desperate ache for something more? It wasnt just my children and my husband who deserved more. I deserved more! I deserved to feel good, look good, and live up to my full potential.

And that is just what I began to do.

I wiped off my face with a hand towel from the basket of laundry, stood up, and started making improvements in my life. I began meeting my basic needs so that I could think beyond the urgency of the moment. I began to get my life, home, and finances straight so that I could free myself from chaos and frustration. I started focusing on nurturing myself as well as nurturing others, reaching in while also reaching out. Slowly but surely, I began to feel that surge of excitement that comes with competence. I started to trust in myself, and my confidence soared. Eventually I began living up to my true destiny. That amazing woman hidden deep within my own insecurities was now running the show.

But it didnt happen in an instant. It happened with little steps, daily efforts, and moment-by-moment decisions. The efforts multiplied, my strength and self-esteem grew, and the life that was once boring and unsatisfying was now fulfilling and exciting on all levels.

Today, I am glowing. I walk with powerful steps because my life now has direction. My children are whole and happy, my husband admires and respects me, and I am living my dreams. I wake up excited and go to bed feeling content. I am living the life that was intended for me. And it didnt take magic, just a makeover that works!

Are you ready for something more? Whether you are feeling a bit frustrated or completely overwhelmed by your life right now, I understand. Its time to make some changes. And these changes can begin today. Are you ready to look your best and feel full of energy? Is it time to create a home that is nurturing and fulfilling? Do you want a family life that is fun and supportive? Are you ready to achieve success in every area of your life? If so, then this is the moment to make a conscious decision to go after your goals and follow your dreams. Achieving success as a Total Mom has but one requirement: Youve got to want it! If you have the desire, then the life you want to live is already within reach.

A Total Mom is a woman who is changing the face of homemaking and motherhood. Caring for her home and family is not something she does on the side. It is a priority for her, and she loves what she does. She is smart, energetic, powerful, confident, balanced, and sexy. She doesnt sit around and wait for things to happen. She makes things happen!

Although this program focuses on full-time home managers, it is certainly not restricted to them. We live in a time when we can balance a career and a family. I consider myself a full-time home manager even though I also run my own business. It is about the focus, not the title. So whether managing a home and a family is your only career or your most important career, you will definitely benefit from the Total Mom Makeover.

The Total Mom Makeover is based on understanding and meeting a moms needs, from the most basic needs, such as food, shelter, and sex, on up to the higher needs, such as fulfilling your destiny and living up to your potential. You dont just