I typically type my blog posts at night. I’ve discovered that if I’m on the computer for any length of time in the morning that mass chaos will quickly ensue in our home and that any semblance of an agenda will be lost. So I write and process. Late at night.
An agenda. Tomorrows. A plan. Written down. (or in reality typed)
It’s very simple. I’m listing one thing I’d like to do with or for each of my children tomorrow. And then one thing to bless my husband. And one thing, I guess, for me.
1. Samuel (7months) – will spend time rocking with him with NO distractions. No computers, phones, television, nothing. Just Samuel and me.
Samuel
2. Elijah (2.5yrs) – I aim to spend 15 minutes reading to him. And this means reading to him EVEN IF it’s the same book….the entire 15 minutes. Even if it’s the pirate book that I’ve got memorized.
Elijah
3. Caleb (4 yrs) – He needs an art project. I’m thinking that I’d like to pull out the watercolor paints for him. This will be thrilling for him. And I’m sure he’ll tell me (which he does whenever he’s happy) that, “this is the best day ever” or “this is better than a piece of cake!!”
Caleb
4. Brennan (6 yrs) – I’m planning on drawing with you. I’ll set the timer for 15 minutes and we will draw your newest creation…the chain guys. Even if I’m not quite sure what they are. So I’ll draw. And I’ll learn. And I’ll laugh.
Brennan
5. Grace Eva (9 yrs) – Today we played the game QWIRKLE (which she won…or shall I say creamed me!). I know how much she love games so I’m planning on playing one with her tomorrow.Wish me luck! And between you and me I’ve been practicing…hee hee..hee. 🙂
Gracie
6. Chloe (12 yrs) – my sweet Chloe needs me to sit and plan her testimony with her. She’s getting confirmed in two weeks and they are video-taping her testimony on Wednesday. I need to dedicate at least 30 minutes for her. And besides that, I can sit and listen to her….she needs to feel loved.
Chloe
7. Hannah (almost 14 yrs…are you happy I didn’t write 13, Hanni?) – I know I need to sit down and help her prioritize and develop a strategy for her summer. This includes working on her blog business. She also needs to hear how proud of her I am and how much I love and value her, and that she is a daughter of the King.
Hannah
8 Todd (my fabulous husband) – my plan? That when you call, no matter how crazy it is in the house, that I am supportive and cheerful. Not complaining. And that dinner is done when you get home.
9. Me? – honestly…I’m planning on taking a 15 minute rest in the afternoon. I’ve discovered that if I can take a break and breathe and pray that I am much more focused for the rest of the afternoon. My kids like me better than too.
that’s just me
(I love this picture of Samuel and me that was taken when he was one week old. Sigh….)
Not a very deep post today. More of a “I’m pulling up my bootstraps” and having a better day tomorrow. Well, in reality, today wasn’t that bad…it just need more direction. Like a plan. Or an agenda. Not mine, but an idea, a plan, surrendered. None of this (except that nap) is really about me. It’s about them. For them. Out of love.
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I’m joining a meme today called tuesday’s unwrapped. It’s a lovely collection of beauty and intentionality.
31 comments
You are an AMAZING mom. Your heart is so for your children and husband. This is an awesome list. I have no doubt you will accomplish it all. And I somehow believe that you will find you are less stressed and may even have more time in your day. Funny how that works out, when we do the things that matter we have time to do all the other stuff. I should make a list like this. I think I am afraid I won’t be able to own up to it.
This was wonderful. I’m going to have to steal your idea!
One thing I realized today – or rather, remembered, since I realized it awhile ago – is that I often get caught up in doing things FOR my kids instead of WITH them. I think tomorrow I’ll can the things I think I HAVE to do so that I can:
*push them in the swing
*play cars with them
*just sit with them
*tickle the baby and throw him on the couch (he loves this)
*flip the twins and give them piggy back rides.
*do puzzles with them
Thank you for sharing this.
Sounds like a great plan!
I had a great day today…got to spend a big chunk of the afternoon holding a sleeping grand baby! Haven’t gotten to do that for a LONG time. Unexpected babysitting time…I’ve got two other grands who aren’t behaving…one was supposed to be in my arms on the 29th and the other might be too big for his mama to deliver him naturally…fun times around here!
Know that you’re always in my thoughts and prayers!
Psalm 86:11-13a Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me…
Prayer Bears
My email address
It may not be a deep post, but I sure enjoyed it. I love that you took time to think about what each member of your family (including you) needs, and made a plan to carry it out. Plus, I enjoyed all the individual pictures of the kids.
I’m sure your family feels very loved, Rachel! I will pray for you today, and look forward to hearing how it went.
Blessings,
Wendy
http://www.wendygunn.net
Rachel,
You are Awesome! I am in complete awe of how you manage a household with 7 children — I have only 2, and I have learned something from you, today. In fact, I’m off this computer right now to spend quality time with each of my kids before they head off to school.
thank you — I’ll be back — it’s nice to meet you here!!! And thank you for your lovely comment on my blog.
I’m so glad you linked up to Tuesdays Unwrapped today. What a lovely heart you have to move towards your family with purpose and intention.
Phew! That’s a long list. It’s good to have a goal for the day, and even better to know that we have a Helper who comes alongside us, and a Father who extends grace if we don’t get all of our boxes checked off! Here’s to daily goals!
What a beautiful post, I think I’ll be planning my days a bit differently after this, I always make time to do something special with my kiddos but this put it in a new light, thanks.
(By the way, how did you stumble upon my little blog? I was so flattered when you commented.)
So glad I found your blog…what a beautiful family you have. Some days we need the “no goal” days too…just to have the energy to set them for the next day!
I hope you do get that 15 minutes of rest- you look like you have your hands full with your beautiful family:)
I write down lists like this all the time- only whenever I write it down, it never gets completed exactly how I planned….;)
i hope you get it all done today, by the grace of the Lord 🙂
and i have a little brother named Samuel, so my parents have similar taste in names as you 🙂
WOW. You absolutely amaze me. You seem to be a wonderful mother, and I’m so glad I’ve “found” your blog. I feel inspired.
Your children are so beautiful!! 🙂
♥
Love your plan idea. And jsyk, my home becomes chaotic if I get on the computer in the AM too.
Thanks for stopping by the blogfrog discussion, “Am I Alone?” Great input.
Oh, and before I forget I thought I’d tell ya I love Hannah’s blog too.
alicia
Oh your family is so BEAUTIFUL!!! Wow! What a blessed woman. And boy can I relate to needing to do blogging at night so chaos doesn’t take over in the morning. It’s so true!
Blessings
Rachymommy – MommyTopics.com
With a plan like that, your day is defintiely bound to be “better than a piece of cake”!
YOU inspire me Rachel!
Rachel,this is a beautiful post and I love the idea of it. I may start doing that for myself and my girls. Although I am home with them every day, having a ‘plan’ with each of them sounds like a great idea! I get so caught up in cleaning, laundry, and cooking that sometimes I don’t feel they get enough one on one time with me. BTW, your family is absolutely beautiful!
Wow…thats so sweet! Hannah is so talented…her photo blog is awesome. I’m one of her followers, I also follow lots of her friends. Think she’ll mind if I follow her mom? Hope no, ’cause I’m following! 🙂 Again, thats really sweet.
God Bless,
With Love and Blessings,
Bleah Briann
what a beautiful post! Such an inspiration.
i adore the updated design!!! good work, hannah!!! – of course! seriously, she always blows me away!
i love this post. please do one like this once/week (that’s not to much to ask or anything… right? ha ha!). this gives me great glimpses of how to spend time with your kids at different ages and i want to file it all away in my brain for the future. you are an amazing mother!!! i want to be amazing too, with the Lord’s strength!
oops… i mean it gives me ideas of how to spend time with MY kids at different ages… don’t get me wrong, i know your kids are sweet… i’d love to spend time with them too! : )
Hello there! Found your blog through Blog Frog. Your blog is so cute! Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos of your beautiful family. Blessings to you!
Praying right now!
Isaiah 30:18-19 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.
Prayer Bears
My email address
Sometimes my calendar is so full of the kids activities and our responsibilities, that the people themselves are overlooked. This is a terrific idea. I’m going to have to give it a try!
Thanks for visiting Sugar Tails. I love making new friends!
I just came across your blog for the first time and all I can say is “WOW”! You are such an inspiration and your love for your family is so very obvious. I really love how you evaluated the needs of each family member…and included yourself! I’ll be back! =)
http://www.meagannorlund.blogspot.com
Sweet post, indeed 😉 You have a big family!
Thank you for dropping by my blog and commenting the other day too.
What a wonderful ‘to do’ list!
new to your blog… it’s lovely and your writing is so refreshing.
Love the 1 idea/child thing, I often feel like I’ve left someone out during the day and we only have 4 kiddos! And I could use a serious ‘pulling up by the boot straps’ myself! Thanks :o)