I LOVE my kids.
I LOVE being a mom.
I LOVE and appreciate that Greg works so hard
so that I am able to be an at-home-mom.
It is a busy job. It has been 13 years since the first child became attached to my hip, and then the next one came, and the next, and the next. Thirteen years around the clock, day and night. Hardly a moment alone, unless they are asleep, but then so am I (if I'm smart).
Now that Jackson is in preschool every day of the week, I have 3 precious hours on my own each morning. They fly by, but I have been able to squeeze in some enjoyable activities lately.
Most mornings I have been walking with some good friends from church.
Marilyn, Jody, Wendy and I get to enjoy some great conversation for about an hour
AND get a little exercise. We've been loving the nice fall weather with walks around Marilyn's neighborhood. Now the weather is turning cold and wet, but thankfully everyone is committed to keeping this up. We're moving it to the mall as the cold weather hits.
Exercise and I have not been good friends, but the chance to visit with these gals makes it something I look forward to everyday.
Marilyn still has 2 not in school so they get to join us on our walks and are too cute not to picture here...
I have also been spending some of those precious 3 hours in my kids' schools. PTO Meetings, volunteering in classrooms, shelving books in the libraries, going on little field trips... all things I haven't been free to do for a few years, but make me feel helpful and happy.
Of course some days it's walking and then chores. Not the fun parts of life, but necessary, and easier to do without kids in tow. I recently was introduced by
Beth to this:
It is a very cute and organized cleaning program that helps you organize your cleaning chores so that it's all do-able. It's been helpful for me to feel like I'm getting some cleaning done during those child free moments, even if it's not all done at the same time.
(***And before anyone thinks I have tons of energy or am disciplined at all- I have a confession. There are days where I come home from my walk and just eat breakfast, read blogs, and watch The View until it's time to get Jackson!)
Just think, next year I'll have the youngest in all day kindergarten and the oldest in high school. AHHH!!
But that will leave me with 5 whole precious hours a day! I might even fit in consistent-possibly daily- blogging by then! {Maybe even consistent- possibly daily- showers! } ;)
He took his job pretty seriously, but really enjoyed going in circles- hence the holding on.
His technique is reminiscent of how Greg used to mow the lawn. ;)
