Aug. 22, 2007 - French Toast Day.
I purposely woke at 5:30 am. I usually try to sleep as late as the kids (or school schedules) will let me since Little Rabbit was born last October. I have been craving some quietude as of late, and aside from leaving the house in the rare moments, it seems, when EVERYONE is at home, I didn't have many options. Once Chad comes home in the evenings, I dislike ditching him with the kids while I go exercise or gather my wits out of the house in a public locale that requires driving (i.e. bookstore? library? grocery store? places that beg for me to spend moolah?). Their bedtime comes so soon, and family time is so very precious. I prefer being with the kids even if it means my sanity comes close to the edge.
I think I've solved the problem. If I wake before all the others in the AM, I have quiet. I have an opportunity to exercise, spend some time with God, take a bath with no one next to the tub, and actually get a decent breakfast going WITHOUT feeling so overwhelmed by the immediate needs of the people in my household.
I say this to myself: Face it, I need to plan some breathers for myself. The Lord will take care of me in these times, but every so often, waking early and being alone means I am more organized and more of a joy to be around than when I feel frazzled from too many days! weeks! months! of going, going, going without some time to regroup.
I've always hated to say, "I need some 'me' time." It just sounds so, so, well, so self-centered. I think I spend a bit of my time waiting for my husband to say, "Go take a break!" But instead, he's the kind of guy who sees a break in the calendar and says, "Hey, I think I'll go ride my mountain bike this afternoon."
So I'm getting to the point that I have to grab these breathers for myself. But I'm definitely not a hog about it. I'd prefer to always be with my family, but I am having to start being more realistic. A person needs to be alone some time.
I'm not the kind of woman who enjoys Ladies Night Out, and I don't have gal pals that I get together with each month. If I have time alone, I want to use it exercising or relaxing with someone who makes me comfortable with being me (this could be my husband, a book, a movie, a much-loved sister, or my mother). As for daily refreshment, this morning thing just seems to be the ticket. I've tried to stay up late as a "break", but it just makes me dread the morning. Waking up early is better than staying up late, if you ask me.
We even had french toast this morning. I guess I'm going to start calling these sort of days "French Toast Days". . . I hope to have more of these. Maybe tomorrow will be a fancy omelette sort of day.
Comments
Nov. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by cimsha
Hi there, I caught your blog on random blogger. I so related to this post and I am going to *try* to get up earlier too. I hate taking time away from the family for me and my quiet times and exercise have taken a backseat lately. Anyway, I hope you've been able to keep it up and I'll try along with you! Check out my blog if you get a chance. This is our trial year too with our 5 y/o dd.
Blessings,
Shannon
