The First Four Hours

I hoped to wake up at 5:30 this morning to re-establish some good habits before the rest of the family wakes up.

5:38. That still leaves me plenty of time. I silently walk around the bed, aiming for the bedroom across the hall to read scriptures and journal.  I make it to the doorway when I step on something lumpy.  “Emily?”  No reaction from the blanket covered girl.  She must have gone to the bathroom by herself during the night.

I redirect to the kitchen table, hoping the glowing light won’t disturb the upstairs crew.  I’m studying charity. Help me see the little every day moments as opportunities to communicate that love.  

“Mom?” 5:58.  I run upstairs to try and settled Emily back into bed without disturbing Nathan.  I sneak out with little cries trailing behind me, and quickly turn around to see what can be done.  “I want a band-aid.”  The cries are getting louder.  Nathan stirs.  Both kids are up. No!

I’m nursing Nathan and trying to console Emily about the shape of the bandaid.  Nathan discovers Emily and starts to get excited.  This is not working.  6:10.  My time is slipping away.  Nathan and I head for the bedroom and I toss him next to Andrew.  “Please chance his diaper while I get Emily settled.”

Emily is tucked in with a new bandaid with a short talk about this being the last time I get a bandaid in the middle of the night.  Exaggerated, but at least she knows it is not time for her day to begin. I go back to Andrew to grab Nathan to nurse him and settle him back down.  He’s trying to tell me a story about sleep walking and Emily.  “I don’t want to talk right now I’m trying to get things done.” Well that is the exact opposite of what I’m aiming for. ‘People are more important that things.’ I rush Nathan back into the bedroom, nurse him, lay him down. 6:40. Go back to Andrew to apologize, except not really because I head downstairs as fast as I can.

Joy school prep. Read a book. 7:00. Grab kids, get everyone dressed.  Emily’s groggy. “Hurry we need to get breakfast.”  I discover an urgent and important email.  I’m trying to read and respond while getting everyone down the stairs and cooking up a batch of oatmeal.  Everyone is crying. 7:40. “Andrew can you please feed Nathan while I take care of this.”

8:15. Dishes washed. Load the kids into the stroller for a run.  I am rushing rushing rushing.  Slow down. Run.

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8:50. Stretch.  “Let’s sit in a circle and sing I am Like a Star Shining Brightly.”

9:00. Put Nathan down for a nap.

9:10. Find Emily in the bathroom going potty. “Yaaaay!!”.  “Mom I want to take a picture. I got the camera down.” I give a reminder about asking me to get it for her so we can use it together. Slow down. We take pictures.  “Let’s set up the shot.” “Just press the button once.” “Look at the lighting.” “What’s another angle we could try?”

9:20.  Get dressed post run.  I rediscover the mess Emily made with the makeup yesterday. “Emily, I feel sad that the make-up is all messy after I asked you not to play with it.” “I’m sorry Mom. Let’s put on the lids together. Let’s clean it up.”

9:30. We head out the door to astronomy class at a neighbors. “We’re best friends mom. I love you.”