Breathing Room




You don't realize when you're a homeschool family just how very, very much you put off while educating and caring for your children.


Some families may be able to do it all.  We are not one of those families.

Honestly, I am just not one of those moms.

We school from about 10:00 - 1:00 every weekday, leaving little time for anything else. 

Afternoon and evening activities fill several nights a week.  Work and church fill every weekend.

Two of our activities ended this month and I feel like I can breathe again.

This morning, my wonderful mother-in-law whisked my children away for a day of fun with their cousins.  I felt slightly guilty for not going, because I love spending time with my family.

Waving goodbye to the happy minivan load of people, I turned around and entered my house.  When you're going full-tilt all school year, you may not notice things accumulating like...6 months of mail piled up or that you've put off scheduling your personal doctor appointments for a year or more.

My mother-in-law instructed me to have some fun today.  I replied that getting some things checked off my to-do list would be considered fun for me.  And it was!  I feel SO ACCOMPLISHED!!

I sifted through 6 months of mail (I wasn't kidding) and I found my missing digital camera under that pile.  BONUS!  I washed all the dishes, including the pans the kids had been freezing things in ice and melting repeatedly this week.





I scheduled my eye doctor appointment (I've put it off for two years or so - who needs to see correctly anyway?  It's overrated!).

And for fun??

I had lunch with my hubby!  I had the freedom to call him up and just wander over there, unencumbered.  We ate lunch on a park bench, enjoying the birdsong and sunshine. 

It was fabulous!!

And no one spilled their drink, asked for seconds, or wanted me to read a book during lunch.
It was perfectly relaxing.  Not that I usually mind reading during lunch, but it was nice to have a break.  And food that was the proper temperature.

I have to admit, it made me a bit envious of my public school friends - 6 hours to run errands, clean house, and regain sanity 5 days a week while their kids are in school.  What a deal!

I guess that only applies to the moms who stay-at-home, not those who work full time.  Also, I recognize a lot of stay-at-home moms aren't home all the time, either.  They often volunteer at the kids' schools, sports, and community events. 

Even so, the thought that such a day was possible with any frequency sounded great to me.

Being committed to homeschooling our children as long as God allows, I will savor these opportunities when they come.

Thank you, God, for breathing room.  For this day of rest and peace.




Thanks also to my in-laws (Thank you!) for taking our kids for the day.  I know they are energetic and loud at times, and they probably tired you out.  You are a blessing to us.



"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."  Ecclesiastes 3:1




 



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