Blessings From Home

Working on a new routine

I haven't been posting as often as usual because I think I've finally learned to put God, my family, and my house first. Don't think it came easily or naturally, because it didn't. I had to learn to ask the Lord, please help me prioritize my life as you would have it. That along with the fact that my ever surmounting duties are piling up on me like Mount Washmore. One day I just stopped and looked around and I was shocked at what I saw. Laundry piled everywhere, kids running a muck, a disorderly house, and a husband who was none too pleased about any of it. I don't know how my house got into that state. I was usually at least keeping my head afloat. I know a lot of it has to do with the little boy I've been babysitting and the many extra duties that he brings. My husband told me though that it would make him feel so much better if I kept watching him, and I will. I've just got to prioritize and work my schedule around so that all things are getting done. Not an easy feat, but if it makes my husband happy, then I'm happy.

So far my schedule looks something like this...

6am-wake up, get hubby up, and help him get out the door on time, get dressed, fix breakfast.

6:30am-wake up kids, eat breakfast, get them dressed and ready for the day.

7:15am-Maddy leaves on the bus for school. Little boy I babysit arrives. His grandma always brings dry cereal and milk and that's what he has for breakfast every morning. I clean the kitchen from breakfast.

7:30am-I usually have time for a little computer time, but if I'm not done with everything else, then it has to wait.

8am-11:30am-I spend this time doing my daily chores, working on laundry, etc. Oldest son helps and does his own chores while my youngest and the little boy stay close by and help me with little jobs, and I keep an eye on them.

11:30am-12:30pm-This is when I fix lunch for hubby and kids and then we clean up.

12:30pm-Quick pick up. The kids and I take this time to do a quick clean up around the house picking up toys, trash, etc.

12:45pm- Get the quilt out and get the two little ones ready for a nap.

1pm-2:45pm- Nap time for the littles. Schooltime with son. Most of the time we don't get done before the little ones wake up. So we usually finish up what we're doing and stop until later.

2:45pm-Maddy arrives home. Pick up blankets from nap. Snack time.

3:30pm-Get little boy ready to go. Shoes on, bag ready, etc.

4pm-Homework time. We finish up any homeschool work and I spend some time with Maddy reviewing her schoolwork and doing any homework with her.

5pm-Start dinner (if it hasn't already been started in the morning. )

6pm-Eat and clean up

7pm-Family time

8pm-baths and bedtime. After all are in bed, I usually take my shower/bath and spend some time with hubby or on the computer or working on a project. Then I try and spend some time in prayer and in God's word.

10pm- mom's bedtime...at least sometimes. Sometimes I end up staying up late on the computer or working on something.

I know all of that looks like too much. But honestly most days look like this. The problems occur when the little ones don't want to play nice or behave themselves and I'm not able to get all my housework done, or when one of them won't take a nap and I end up not getting schoolwork all done until close to bedtime.

I'm not sure how much longer I will be babysitting. I know I have spring break off and the summer off as the little boy's grandma works for the school system, but we may be looking to move sometime in April if the Lord sees fit to find us a better, cheaper rent house. April is when our lease is up. We'll just have to see how it goes. I actually do not have him most of this week because my youngest is sick with what her little grandson had. Imagine that? And we've got a lot of other to-do's going on. I'm just going to keep on praying God's will in this and all things in our life. I know He has plans for us and will lead us in the right direction.

Blessing,

Sara