Finding alone time while raising a family

It's official!  I seem to require several hours of alone time to function properly.

[Burst out in laughter]!!! :-) :-)

How on earth can I possibly get these quit hours while being married to my wonderful, high-energy, super-visionary, over-the-top social, stay-up-late husband???  While raising 6 boisterous, loud, breakfast-needing, high-energy, lunch-needing, quality-time-wanting, mess-making, snack-needing, industrious, dinner-needing boys???  And enjoying 1 new-born, delightful, 8 feedings a day nursing, I want to be up in your arms precious little girl that I just want to smile at all day?

Let alone ... EVERYTHING ELSE!! :-) Like company, laundry, cleaning, adventures, business, organizing, shopping, cooking, cleaning, crafts, homeschool, music lessons, etc, etc, etc.  I try and try and try to get everything done, to fix and fenagle anything that might be in my way of accomplishing all.  Whew ... exhausted!

Ok, so it's not practical.  But, I think I really need a wee bit more alone time than I've been getting to avoid this frazzled, frustrated, short, less-enjoyable, got-no-time for anyone me that I've been seeing lately.

I've finally succumbed ... to the possibility of thinking... that I might, maybe, need ... to get up early in the morning.  The dreaded waking up early thought.

Vienna helped me this morning by waking up at 5:30-something, and not being able to go back to sleep.  So, we left my cozy, dark sleepy place and went out into the cold living room to play and visit.  When I would typically be frustrated and annoyed that my baby wasn't doing what it should be doing (AKA sleeping!), I actually enjoyed this time with her, considering that I should enjoy what the Lord gives and when.  I also enjoyed the quiet and the feeling of having no pressure - since I was sure that everyone else would sleep for another 2 hours or so.  It felt like a gift!  2 hours to myself!!!  Thank you, Lord, for this unexpected gift.


I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading up on how to be a good wife.  And, I was reminded that my focus on trying to get things right in my life is only going to be fruitless - as I get more and more discouraged that perfection cannot be attained.  But, if I simply embrace what is my calling and just have fun with whatever is before me, much joy ensues.  I was so inspired, I made myself a reminder poster on how to love my man (isn't he cute!).

 Made me so happy!  And, I was so happy, that when I heard the munchkins waking up and playing upstairs, instead of being frustrated that my alone time was ending, I raced upstairs and started tickling and playing with my darling little charges!  Life is FUN, folks.  I feel alive and well.  Thank you, Lord.

Will I wake up early tomorrow??  I hope so!

PS - the boys were so happy, that they went to milk the goats together (letting Daddy sleep). While they were gone, I hastily wrote this blog post.  (My hubby loves it when I post, by the way).  Now ...off to make breakfast and it's only 9:28am!