Every day is a busy day. There is always something that takes precedence over another activity. Finding time and learning what I value as important is key. Often I get asked what my typical day looks like… and I always respond with that each day is different. Today was another busy day of fitting in faith, family, fitness, FOOD and always fun… but I had to make it a choice to fit everything in.
One of the books I am reading talks about our choices. Our choices today might not matter… but over time those small choices add up. The truth is, what you do matters. What you do today matters. What you do every day matters.
It is my hope that my small choices TODAY make a difference for my TOMORROW. Even if no one notices my changes, I am hopeful that one day they (and I) will look back and see how far I have come.
Being a stay-at-home (never-at-home) mom to three little boys is a blessing. It is also a daring adventure. Choosing to see each day as an adventure is a positive outlook I challenge myself with as I tackle each day.
My boys wake early (around 6AM). Our mornings begin with a sluggish routine of me checking facebook, email and online stuff. The boys watch a show (or 2) to start the day. I then begin the made rush of fixing breakfast for the boys and myself. They had raisin toast, and I fixed myself a yummy peanut butter/chocolate shake.
When the boys were fed, I thought they were entertained and distracted enough for me to bust out a quick 25 minute workout with T25 (Total Body Circuit). Half way through my workout I had a naked 3 year old and my dressed 5 year old come join me on my workout. I didn’t ask why he was naked. I only giggled with them as they progressed with lunges, squats and plank walks with me during my workout.
After my sweaty workout, I hopped in the shower (see I do shower!) for a quick clean up to head out to start our day. I am doing a video-only Bible study on Tuesday mornings at a local church. We are following Beth Moore’s The Law of Love: Lessons from the pages of Deuteronomy study. It is good. No homework (unlike my study on Monday mornings).
Right after Bible study the boys and I headed to Target. I love Target! I enjoyed an ice coffee (smart marketing move adding a Starbucks inside Target!) while the boys picked out backpacks for school. Yes, even homeschoolers need new school supplies and backpacks!
Coming home I enlisted the boys to help me with chores. I detest dishes. I do not like dishes in the sink or on the counters MORE… so having them help me unload the dishwasher is a daily job. I guess beggars can’t be choosers… the dishwasher is empty and my counter is clear. Even if the drawer is a mad jumble of silverware.
I fixed the boys and myself some lunch… and then afterwards we settled in to snuggle for an afternoon rest time of watching a movie. We watched The Three Stooges. The boys were giggling throughout the ENTIRE film! I was too. It is such a boy movie!
I really loved the disclaimer at the end of the movie, reminding the children that they are actors and do NOT really poke each other in the eye. Nor do they really hit each other with hammers… but rather stage props that are soft and made of rubber. That was an excellent teaching moment for me after that movie!!
After the movie, the boys needed to get more wiggles out of their system. We loaded up in the van and headed to our local gym. Mommy enjoyed some quiet time busting out an easy 3.5 miles on the treadmill while trying out her new wireless headphones… and the boys played in the kid zone.
When I was done with my workout, the boys enjoyed splashing and swimming in the heated pool outside. More wiggles and energy to get out before heading home for the dinner/bedtime hour.
We came home, I fed the boys snacks, and I began making dinner. Tacos was on the menu for tonight. Simple, yummy, topped with veggies. Yum.
As every night… right after dinner our evening routine is mad crazy. We go through bath, brushing teeth, books, and bed in an hour. All the boys were in bed and passed out by 7:45PM. Ready to wake roaring and ready to start the day tomorrow at dawn!
Speaking of which… I think it is time for me to check out, clean up, and head to bed myself! Sleep is very important too… one that I do not get enough of.
So that is it. A sample of a day in the life of Running Rachel. Nothing special. Just a typical day with my monkeys. Always busy. Always an adventure.
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
I think we lived a very similar day yesterday! Oh sweet Target…how I love to never leave the store with only the things on my list. 🙂
Rachel says
haha!! Yes! That amazing target gets me every time too! 🙂
miz says
I front load my day 🙂
all me FIRST so I can DO UNTO others all day after.
Rachel says
LOVE it!
Maureen says
SO busy!! But it looks like fun too! 🙂 I am glad that you are able to fit some time in for yourself….much needed, I am sure!
Liana@RunToMunch says
I’m switching myself to earlier wake ups to fit more into my day before work wears me out =)
Sounds like you got your hands full!
And yes starbucks at target, is best thing ever.
Rachel says
What time do you wake? I would LOVE to wake earlier… if only that meant my children would wake LATER too. They have some amazing sonar that when I wake early… they wake early too. 😛
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
I feel like life is ALWAYS a daring adventure, I mean you risk your life ALL THE TIME. I even risk my life going to my car because I park underground… And I live in los angeles, I fear there could be an earthquake at ANY MOMENT. Okay, knocking on WOOD NOW!!
Heathers Looking Glass says
I am so tired after reading that. I don’t know how you do it!
Rachel says
Haha! Thank you. Every day is a new adventure. It is my normal. 😉
Steph says
AAAAHHHHHH I love the little bum shot!! So cute!
Rachel says
I know, right!? He has been coming to bed with us in the middle of the night… naked (he takes off his diaper)… then hangs out NUDE till mid-morning when it is time to leave the house 😉
Sometimes (most days) I wish I was innocent enough that I could just flaunt my stuff around without a care in the world like him 😉
adrienne says
I so feel you! 3 boys is busy & crazy! Since being pregnant w boy 4, I have cut down on our trips out because it wears me out! LOL You are an awesome mama!
Rachel says
Yes! Every day is an adventure with children… FO SURE!! 😉
Kudos to you for baby boy #4! I have always wanted 4 children… but after our third was born my world was rocked. I knew my cup was overflowing and it was time to stop. 😉
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
It’s always fun to get a glimpse of another stay at home mom’s day- yours is pretty similar to ours!
Electra @ Electra-Fi.com says
LOVE your approach to life!! And LOVING how your monkeys are so active with you! Great role model behavior on your part 😀
workout mommy says
great pictures and that little butt is so cute! 🙂
We lead parallel lives on opposite coasts!