Scheduling and Balancing Time

Now that school has started back up I can have a real schedule!  Not that I couldn't before but now there is less chance of a spontaneous event.  In the summer I must keep the children busy to not create conflict. So, when someone invites us last minute...we are there.

I have always been bad at writing a list or a schedule and sticking to it.  But I desperately need a schedule or I get crazy, haha.  So, now it is time to reinvent my schedule that changes every year due to life situations.  This year I am not working so that is fantastic and I see lots getting done.  But on the other hand budget is tighter.  This means not going a lot of places and shopping is to a minimum.  Which is fine by me.  The challenge is getting the house clean and taking care of a 1 yr old boy at the same time!  I have been getting up early to exercise and usually most mornings so far by 8:30 dishes are put away, kitchen is cleaned up for the most part, a load of laundry is washing(or drying if I am really on top of things), and 2 kids are off to school. That makes me proud!  Its the little things right? =)

Now is when I get confused.  I like to scrub out one room a day.  Do the dusting, vacuuming or mopping, put things in order, etc.  For a while I was doing that effectively in the summer because I had others eyes.  Now I have only the 1 yr old and 5 yr old. Most rooms don't take too long but the 5 yr old gets bored playing with the 1 yr old or she just wants me to do a million things with her....and how can you not do a million things with your own kid?! Sometimes things don't get done and then I feel guilty later.  I know, its silly.  I also like to jump on the computer for a little while sometime between 8am and 11 am.  But then again, I feel guilty that I am not spending more time with the kiddos. 

11am is now lunch time.  The 5 yr old needs to eat before getting on the bus.  We all eat lunch and then she is off.  I have been trying to get the little one down to nap at 12 every day.  This is a challenge some days.  But for the most part, it works.  Get this, on Monday, Thursday and Friday now, I will have ME time.  Of course being a mommy, this means I get to shower without interruption!!  I will also use this time to read the bible and pray because that really is my favorite time of day to do that.  I feel I get more out of it.  I am most awake at this time.  And if baby takes a long enough nap I might get other things done.  I am truly excited about this. 

Once 3 pm hits, craziness begins.  The oldest comes home and I am off to pick up the other 2 girls.  I waste about 30 min of my day doing this to avoid the conflicts on the bus.  When we get home I am busy helping with homework, finding all the things for dinner, monitoring everything going on.  Its crazy.  Then depending on what is going on we have dinner between 4 and 6.  Some days we have cheer and soccer.  Ick.  Those days I feel things don't get done all the way.  Then we run around and cart people where they need to go.  Then when we get back its shower and bath time, followed by bedtimes and finally get to relax.(Only if the kitchen is cleaned up).  Its a lot more mellow on days when there is nothing but still crazy enough haha.

The weekends are always different.  Of course Sunday mornings we have church until about 12:45.  Then lunch naps and errands.  Saturday I get a chance to clean my room.  It gets neglected most of the time because I can't leave the baby or all of the kids alone.  Whether it be fights or just having to help with things.

Being a mother is a great job.  I love what I do and wouldn't change it.  Some days I don't get to sit down at all and that's okay.  The memories my children have of me being there for them is what matters in the end.  I never thought I would be where I am at today, with a crazy schedule and a full house.  But I wouldn't change a thing! 

Time to go listen to music and watch the baby play air violin, and yes he knows he is doing it.  It is hilarious!