A Look At My Week

What does your week look like?  Do you have a day that tends to be more productive than others?  Is there a laundry day or grocery day?  I have settled into a weekly routine that starts with Monday being by far more productive than Friday.  It’s as if productivity slowly evaporates as the week progresses.  Let’s take a better look!

First of all, Monday through Friday are my workout days.  I try to run 3 miles and do a simple yet challenging body weight workout.  So after the family is out the door at 7:30 am, I am gearing up for my daily run.  I take my dog on most days unless she is obsessing over the squirrels in the back yard.  We head out on our 3-mile route and then I stretch and do my short workout.  At this point it’s anywhere from 8:30-9:00 am.  I then feed the chickens and goats and make sure they have water.  In the summer, I have plants that need watered and then I am ready for whatever the day holds.  

 

Later, when the kids get home they have homework and eat a snack.  I sit with my oldest son as he practices the piano to help him as needed (and it keeps me fresh with my limited piano skills.)  And sometime before bedtime we sit down as a family and read for at least 20 minutes because that is the magical number of minutes that somebody figured out is best for our kids.  I love this time and rejoice a little when the kids get caught up in their reading and sometimes read for up to 40 minutes.

My Mondays are by far my most productive day.  I like to think I am Wonder Woman on Mondays.  Don’t try to tell me otherwise!  I do my meal planning and grocery shopping (online, which I later pick up in the drive-thru).  I usually have at least 5 loads of laundry that need to be done.  The house is usually a mess after our busy weekend so there’s always something to clean.  I volunteer for a few hours at the school to help the kids’ teachers with whatever they don’t have time to do.  If it’s time to mow the yard then I take the hour and a half that it requires and get it done.  Monday nights are free of obligations so I can take a little extra time to cook versus using the crockpot like I do 3 nights of the week.  Needless to say, I feel amazing (and tired) after all I accomplish on Mondays!

Just a few copies for one class.

Tuesday is leftover day.  Whatever I didn’t get done on Monday, I try to do on Tuesday.  That means I do laundry that didn’t get folded or put away, continue cleaning (there’s always cleaning!), and run random errands like going to the library for the kids so they stay on top of their reading.  I also try to sit down and write my blog on Tuesdays.  That doesn’t mean it gets published that day, but at least it’s a start.  Tuesday nights are free which means another cooked dinner which I love doing if I have the time!

Wednesdays can be tough.  If I haven’t studied for my Bible study class yet then shame on me!  That means I have to do the whole week of study on Wednesday!  At least it’s fresh on my mind to teach that night!  When I pick up the kids from school they have 30 minutes to squeeze in some homework before heading to my son’s piano lesson.  We eat dinner a little earlier on Wednesdays which means the crockpot is my friend.  My husband gets home in time to scarf down some food (it’s always delicious, of course) and we head to church.  My husband and I have band practice at 6:00 and then Bible study 6:30-8:00.  We enjoy this time each week even if it’s stressful getting there.  (You know how it is getting kids to eat quickly and get out the door in a timely manner and appropriately dressed.)  

Thursday I take a deep breath and try to relax a little.  By this point in the week I am feeling a little more tired and ready for the weekend.  It’s also when I can’t really pinpoint what I do.  I know I keep busy but don’t ask me what I do.  I don’t know.  I usually plan to work on refinishing furniture…as that is my latest hobby…but find it hard to squeeze it in most weeks.  Thursday is another crockpot day.  We have soccer practice and come home afterwards to a ready-to-eat meal.

Fridays are fun.  I feel relieved about the week coming to an end and excited for our weekend adventures.  I like to eat lunch with the kids at least once a week.  They are only little once!  My daughter has her soccer practice in the evening but it is usually followed by eating out.  If money is tight, then we use that handy dandy crockpot…again.

My Take-Aways:

1. If you are a stay-at-home mom, own it.  Use your time wisely.  It’s a blessing to stay home and it’s a blessing to have all these chores to do.  It means you have a family that looks to you to keep things going.  
2. Look for ways to bless others.  Do you have extra time in your schedule to put your kids clothes away for them just this once?  Can you volunteer somewhere?  Can you go to lunch with a friend (husbands count too) to build relationships?
3. Rest!  There is a lot on our plate but in order to take care of everything, sometimes we need to stop and rest a while.  Sit on the porch and breath in some fresh air.  Shut your eyes for 15 minutes before picking up the kids.  It will help, I promise!