A Day In Time

Got this idea from my friend, Gena, at Harmonious House. Thanks, Gena!

2 a.m.ish Awoken by daughter who currently has a habit of screaming in her sleep. Say a silent prayer thanking God for my saint of a husband who gets up to quiet said screaming baby.
6 a.m. Awoken again by daughter who likes to start waking up with half-hearted whining-cry for about an hour.
6:28 a.m. Son is now awake yelling that he needs to pee. I scream, "So get up and GO!" Son ignores his mother, and continues yelling "PEE!" Husband moans. Daughter now screaming and definitely awake. I moan. Husband gets up to tell son to pee. He comes back to bed.
6:35 a.m. I debate whether I should shower now with all children awake, and one screaming--knowing that husband will stay in bed despite the chaos. I suggest he bring daughter to bed. He complies, but upon seeing her mommy daughter now has shrill-like scream in protest to being forced to lay down without mommy. I sigh--slight chance of a shower now. I crawl into bed, but not before bringing son with me--because, of course, he now too wants to join in the fun.
7 a.m. After a half-hour of trying to convince children to lay still for a blessed 20 more minutes I get up with daughter to nurse. Son, now knowing it's time to be up, shakes his daddy, "Time to get up, Dad, it's morning." Husband moans.
7:15 a.m. Breakfast, quick shower for me, and the husband's off to teach. I scramble to get myself and kids ready--son has "sporties for shorties" at 9 a.m. We make it on time! No small feat. Run back home, grab library book that's due today, and we're off again. Daughter falls asleep in car. Mom takes extra long way home to enjoy some peace & quiet.
Noon Lunch and another nursing. Husband is home, so we get a few minutes to talk about life--a stressful conversation, but definitely needed. Husband is leaving for 2nd job soon, but we get a good half-hour of rough-housing with the kids on the floor. Daughter goes down for nap, son and mom do preschool work, and then he's down for a nap too.
1:45 p.m. Mom goes to computer to check-in at work, catch-up on e-mail, and check-in on facebook. All is well. Decide that since husband is working late tonight, a nap might be needed--or, at least some quiet prayer time to reflect on said earlier "stressful conversation."
3:02 p.m. Eyes shot open--phone is ringing (ugh, usually I remember to turn all phones off). I don't recognize number, so I hit ignore, and close eyes. Buzz. A message. Great, now the curiosity won't allow me to go back to sleep. I check the message--possible new student for Matt. I get up & call her back. Sounds like a great lead. Back to bed.
4:08 p.m. Wake--wow, kids are still asleep. Check-in with work again. Go wake up kids. Sit on couch with kids and watch PBS cooking shows to ease them into being awake. This is heaven. Curled up on the couch with the world's cutest kids, watching someone else cook, and hearing son say "Mmmmmm, good."
5:00 p.m. Open curtains to allow setting sun in house. Turn around to see all the dust in my kitchen and living room. Decide to dust and wipe down cabinets. Daughter wants to "help." Give her clean rag, because her sweater that she chose probably isn't the best cleaning cloth.
5:30 p.m. Dinner time. Daughter whining and signing please for anything resembling food. Pop leftovers into microwave, and ask son to help set table. Kids eat without complaint or fight--a small miracle and victory that gives me hope for a peaceful evening. Make fresh whipped cream and serve with strawberries--everyone is happy.
6:18 p.m. Kids playing in daughter's room. Mom begins contemplating what needs to be done for tomorrow. Work on laundry.
6: 48 p.m. Daughter signs please to be brought up on couch with mom. Play peek-a-boo with daughter, and do a final nursing before bed. Pajamas, face washed, and daughter is down for night.
7:30 p.m. Allow son to play on computer, so that mom can fold laundry and watch television. Check on son during commercials, because he's becoming faster at computer know-how daily. Finish laundry, and decide to do a quick work-out (and by work out I mean jump on mini trampoline for 10 minutes, and then power tidy around house). Grab a handful of semi-sweet morsels, 'cause I deserve it.
8:30 p.m. Pajamas, teeth brushed, read books, and say prayers. Son is ready for bed. Mom heads to desk to finish prepping for tomorrow, check-in on facebook once more, and spend time on blog.
9:02 p.m. Son is hollering for his momma. "Color." "No." "Color." "No." "Color!" (This time with kicking feet.) Sigh. Here we go. Mom stands firm, son starts screaming. Mom leaves son crying and screaming--please, please, please don't wake up your sister.
9:22 p.m. Son now doing the "gulp-gulp-sigh" cry, mom's heart breaks, but she's also a bit perturbed. Grabs handful of tissues. Wipes his eyes, but firmly says "No coloring, it's time to go to sleep." "Momma bed." "No, you need to sleep in your bed." "Momma bed, please." "No." "Scared momma. Please momma bed." Sigh. Pray with son, and ask if I give him his Doodle Pro, would he please go to sleep. Deal. Son doesn't color. Just holds Doodle Pro and closes eyes. Unsure if I just totally failed as a mother. Return to blog, and await husband's return.