I've waited for today for awhile now...maybe unconsciously for a couple of years, but consciently for about 10 months! Today feels like a new season of life has begun. We've added Clark to the family, summer is "officially" ended (although we have WONDERFUL weather here this week), Miles and Luke are both going to be homeschool preschool this year, I feel great after giving birth, and we have nothing major on our calendar. I remember after Luke was born I had this same feeling, just a peace and calm about this new season. It was then that I first came up with some basic guidelines for myself in running a smooth home. As a wife, mom, and homemaker my goal is to the best. To work "as unto the Lord". To please Him in my daily activities. To be very intentional about my schedule. Ever since John and I prayed and hoped for a third child, I felt a sense of... well, it's hard to put into words, but I knew that a major dynamic would shift with a new baby, so I lost that intentional perspective on each day in just waiting for that dynamic to change. Not that this is an excuse, but I began waiting for...well, today! In that waiting time I became a bit slack in the smooth running of my household. Sure I try to keep a clean house, play with the boys, be a good wife, but I lost the direction, focus and intentionally I had after Luke was born. Today dawns a new season! Life is settled (at least for now  ). I sat down this morning with pen and paper and worked out some new "guidelines" for this season of my life. Here are some of my thoughts of how I want to see my schedule run. (Some of you may read this and it's just not you. It may seem too ridged or not organized enough! But know this is what works for me. I love to read what other moms do to help them keep a good schedule, so here's what works for me!) Weekly Overview: Every morning be dressed by 7 am, every night make sure the kitchen is clean!!! Monday: Laundry, downstairs bathroom, vacuum, bath night, stay home Tuesday: general cleaning upstairs, boys clean their own bedroom, errand day (if needed) or coffee with friends, change sheets every other week Wednesday: laundry, John's day off ~ family day, special projects Thursday: library or play date, vacuum, bath night Friday: swap kids with Lesli twice a month, free day, field trip day Saturday am: meal plan for the next week, basic chores with boys, deep cleaning project Sunday pm: general pick up after weekend The boys will be included in chore time now. They both will be responsible for making their beds and putting away toys they got out. (This will take some work and instruction.) Break down of daily schedule (of course we'll all be flexible on this one!) 7 am - Dressed 8 am to 10 am (Clark's morning nap): School time with boys, start laundry 10 am to 11:30 am: outside play time, take a walk, run errands Noon: lunch and toy pick up 1 to 3: nap time for boys - bible time
- clean house
- computer time
- special project time
- phone time
- prep dinner
3 to 5:30 pm: free time, get dinner ready 5:30: dinner, play time or movie time, pick-up toys, and bath 8 pm bedtime for boys I know that this schedule will help me stay focused and be more effective in my day to day life! | 
