My Perfect Schedule

I can't figure out why, but it has taken me almost 5 years to accept and enjoy that I am a "stay at home mom." Up until recently, I would constantly look for things to do and places to go. I have always noticed the more I do, the more stressed I am and the more tired and edgy the boys are. I would think to myself, "They should be enjoying this fast paced life...they are never bored!" But in reality, we were all too pooped to enjoy each other. There were some days that I realized I didn't even look at my boys in the eyes accept to correct them.

I have finally and joyfully accepted my lot in life. I AM a stay at home mom and that is what I should do. Not that I can't go anywhere, but I want most of our days to be at home, accomplishing things around the house. When I do that on purpose, I am more domestic, I bake and cook dinners on a regular basis, the house stays more in order, I play more with my boys, we stick to our routine, I can deal with character and heart issues that pop up, and I can teach them what it takes to run a house in a lived out, natural way.

So for this season of my life, here would be the perfect schedule. Now all I need to do is be disciplined enough to stick to it!

6-7 am Wake up and seek the Lord

7-8 am Exercise (boys wake up)

8-9 am Daily chores*

9-10 am Play with the boys (preferably outside to get all their energy out)

10 am Snack time

11 am Isaiah's nap

11-12 pm Homeschool Gabe and Judah

12 pm Lunch

1 pm Gabe and Judah's nap/Isaiah wakes up

1-3 pm Play with Isaiah or something personal if he'll play by himself

3 pm Start dinner

5 pm Dinner

6 pm Boys bath time

7 pm Boys in bed

*I have broken up all my chores so that I only do one a day. That way I don't get overwhelmed and I feel good everyday knowing I have accomplished something.

So this is my ideal schedule, but it almost never happens. In fact I don't think it's ever happened, but I try. I know it's boring and soooo repetitive, but I must remember that I am building a foundation for my boys. And truthfully I do enjoy a simpler life. I also know it will go by so fast. Already I feel like I only have 5 years left with Gabe until he is a pre-teen with an attitude! My hope is that if we can build a secure foundation for them in the Lord, we and He will be their anchor.