A Sample Work Week

This week has been a crazy one.  In an effort to both answer the "what do you do all day?" nonsense that some people still ask (or at least think) as well as to document what exactly it is that I am doing all day, here's a bullet point run down of this week.  Thrilling, I know. But I'm trying to blog more about every day life, and it doesn't get any more real than an actual list of what I did!

Monday:

• Woke up at 5:30 and went to the gym to lift weights and do a few miles on the bike.
• Came home, got in the shower, finished getting the kids ready, and took AJ to school. 
• Went by Sherwin Williams to get paint and then took Luke to school.
• Came back and painted the downstairs bathroom.  ALL MORNING LONG.  (What was supposed to be quick weekend project was dragging out because we decided to do it right and spent two days patching a ceiling crack and then painting the ceiling before even starting on the walls.  And a bathroom is just a ton of work to paint!)
• Went to pick up Luke, came back and settled him in for a rest while I met with the exterminator for our annual termite inspection and then a guy giving us a quote on a window replacement. 
• Continued painting the stupid bathroom.
• Got AJ off the bus, fed the kids snack and hung out with them, then started her on homework.
• Made dinner.  Then, yes...I worked on the bathroom some more.
• Ate dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, did laundry, and hung out with family before putting the kids and myself to bed.  

Tuesday:

• Woke up at 5:30 and did the elliptical in the basement.  My cut-off temperature for running (these days) is anything below 25 degree wind chill, so nope.  
• Had coffee and quiet time.  I love those 20-30 minutes of peace before chaos.
• Got the kids up and everyone fed and dressed.  Took AJ to school.
• Came back home with Luke and finished getting myself ready.
• Scheduled HVAC replacement and called four duct cleaning companies for quotes.
• Ran errands with Luke, including Pike Nurseries for a gift card for his teacher, Aldi to restock some of Audrey's snacks, Sprouts to restock some more of Audrey's GF food, and Swim Atlanta to register Luke for swim lessons.  We made a quick return at a store and then had lunch out.  On the way home we stopped and got cupcakes for his teacher's birthday the next day.
• Came home and put Luke down for rest and then finished up some Teacher Appreciation Week projects for Audrey's school.
• Got Audrey off the bus, loaded the kids into the van and went to get Audrey's glasses adjusted, Target for new shoes for her, and Costco.  
• Came home and had dinner, did dishes, supervised homework, put away laundry, etc.
• Gathered, wrapped, and loaded teacher gifts and cards.  Filled out various paperwork and answered various texts and emails about various school stuff. 
• I did not look at the bathroom today except to give it the evil eye when I walked by it.  I am still not speaking to it for the amount of work it is causing me this week.

Wednesday:

• Got up at 5:15 and went to the gym to swim laps. 
• Came home and got in the shower and got ready while David got the kids ready.
• Took Audrey to school and walked her in so I could give her teacher the vase I monogrammed and help put the kids' flowers in it for her.
• Stopped by Sherwin Williams (caulk this time) and then took Luke to school.  Walked him in to give his teacher her cupcake and present.
• Went home and caulked the bathroom.  Stopped only long enough to eat lunch.  
• Picked up Luke from school and we went to Audrey's school to help set up for their teacher's luncheon.  
• Went home for snacks and for Audrey to change, then took her to gymnastics.
• Gymnastics then home for dinner, homework, baths, dishes, laundry, and, finally, finishing touches and clean up of the bathroom.
• Played a round of Uno, did some PTA work, and then glorious sleep for all.  

Thursday:

• Showered and had coffee and quiet time before getting the kids up and ready.  
• Fed them then finished getting myself ready before taking Audrey to school.
• Went to the gym with Luke and lifted weights, trying not to sweat too much.
• Went out to grab some last-minute Teacher Appreciation Week gifts.
• Came home and changed, tidied up, and fed Luke and I lunch.
• Spray painted the vent cover for bathroom vent.  Just when I thought I was finished!
• Took Luke with me up to Audrey's school to watch her class so her teacher could enjoy an extended time at the teacher's luncheon.
• Came home, played with Luke, and caught up on emails.  Got Audrey off the bus and spent the afternoon hanging out with the kids and attempting to put the house back in order.
• Cooked and ate dinner, cleaned up, painted Audrey's nails green for St. Patrick's Day, paid bills, and went to bed. 

Friday:

• Got up and had coffee and quiet time before getting AJ up and ready for All Pro Dads.
• Sent David and Audrey off to her school, showered, and got Luke up.
• Took Luke to school and then made some returns, did a drop off at Goodwill, bought a new set of bath mats at Kohl's and then....
• GOT A PEDICURE.  It was marvelous.
• Picked up Luke at school, put him down for rest, and finished this blog.
• After school I will take the kids out to look for Easter outfits and then we will come home, do baths, cuddle up, and watch Fixer Upper while eating pizza.  

This week was definitely busier than usual.  Some things were anomalies (teacher appreciation week, painting the bathroom) but there always seem to be anomalies of some kind or another.  Then there were of course our norms (workouts, laundry, cooking, playing, homework, housework.)  I didn't include a weekend, which means I left out church and small group responsibilities and the usual Saturday downtown spent as a family.  There were a million phone conversations, chores, and details I skipped, but these are the highlights.  

It's busy, but it's good.  It's a lot of "managing blessings" as I heard one podcaster describe it. When I was talking to a friend at Audrey's gymnastics she mentioned that her husband asked her when they were going to stop being so busy.  Her reply was "We aren't...this is not a passing stage.  This is just our life right now and we chose this."  Did you catch that gem?! WE CHOOSE OUR BUSY.  And it shouldn't be done without a ton of careful thought and consideration.  Every extra curricular you sign your kid up for, every position you raise your hand to volunteer for, every "yes" you give = a lot of time, effort, and energy towards that thing AND away from something else.  So choose carefully and reevaluate often.  But be careful not to play victim to your calendar...at least not long term.

This is our version of busy life right now.  More than some, but for sure a lot less than others, but perfect for us right here right now.  I truly wouldn't trade it for the world.