"What do you do all day?" she innocently asked me.
Her father, who was sitting at the next table, winced as he looked at me. He knew the can of worms his daughter opened asking a stay-at-home mom what she does all day.
I chuckled.
I poked a little fun at her and I'm certain I made some sort of general answer about dishes and laundry and reading to little people. This lovely young lady was 18 years old. Of course she doesn't know what I do all day, nor does it really matter in her life at this time.
I have thought of that conversation, though. So many times.
I thought about it today, actually, as I was pondering blog topics. I only write about once or twice a month, as it does take time. I thought this might be a great topic to try.
So what did I do today? A regular, everyday day.
Here I go.
5:28am. Hear Ada wake up and go potty. Alarm clock goes off at 5:30. Hit snooze button. Husband gets up to exercise. I fail to get up and do morning devotion, but I don't fall asleep, so I challenge morning prayer before I get out of bed. 5:50. Ada is talking to herself. I head downstairs and read daily devotion. 6:00. Shower. Drew returns and starts breakfast. 6:15. Ada greets me with glorious hug. 6:20. Downstairs to help with breakfast. 6:30. Wake up Ren and Kate. Set table. 6:45. Louder voice hollers at Ren and Kate to come to breakfast. 6:45-7:05. Breakfast. 7:05. I finish getting ready for day. 7:15. Pull children from breakfast table. Ren and Kate make lunches and I make snack for Ada and lunch for Drew. Brush Ada's teeth. Fuss at Ren and Kate about lunches, teeth brushing, and packing backpacks. Pack backpack for Bible study. Drew takes Ren and Kate to school. Remember dental bill and tell Ada to give me five minutes. Schedule dental bill and hang first load of laundry. Empty trash can. Grab snacks for Bible study and load Ada in car. 8:10. Take Ada to Kindergarten. Stop to fill out sign in sheet for Laternenlauf (St. Martin's walk-fest). Small talk with other American mother about navigating German culture. Hurry to church. It's 8:30.
Bible study goes well. 11:30. I leave quickly to head to base for craft shop to make costume for Kate's class presentation on Thursday. Parking is tight, so I have to walk longer than usual. This is fine, as it's sunny and glorious. Craft shop has something that will work, but few cashiers, so I wait an extra 20 minutes. 12:20. Drive back to Kindergarten to pick up Ada. Ada doesn't want to say good-bye these days, so I shake hands with teachers to set example. Home we go. Get Ada's backpack unpacked and hands washed. Reheat soup and get Ada bowl of hummus. Ada takes 30 minutes to eat lunch, but she's had a much better day today. 1:45. Read Ada story and lie down with her. Ada asleep in 90 seconds. I'm back up and downstairs. Make much-needed afternoon cup of coffee. Start dinner. Beef goulash. Load first load of dishes for day. Enter receipts to track monthly spending. Make plan for tomorrow, as Wednesdays are logistically challenging. Check status of insurance claims. Hang second load of laundry. Wake Ada up at 3:05 to pick up Ren and Kate. Pack oranges for girls and banana for Ren. Off to school. 3:30. Wait outside school for big kids. Confirm Halloween presentation with room parent for Ren's class. Kate arrives and has all homework necessary. Send Kate to pull Ren off playground. Make Ren open backpack to make sure he has planner, as we are working on organization strategies this year. Head to car. Chat about day with little people and make plan for afternoon. Diffuse minor panic over Halloween costumes.
4:15. Greet landlady outside home. Feel warm and fuzzy because she is lovely. Get kids' backpacks unpacked and shoes put away. Kids start homework. Discover plan to use fabric from craft store not only for Kate's class presentation, but also for Ren's Halloween costume. Disaster averted and mom gets a cheer. 4:30. Get out play-doh for Ada so she's busy during homework time. Help Kate with presentation. Get Ren started on Math. Math facts with Kate. Help Ren with invention project due Friday. 5:00. Get water ready for egg noodles to go with goulash. Hang third load of laundry. Drew will be a little late. Get Kate fitted for Clara Barton makeshift costume. 5:45. Tell girls to clean up play-doh. Set table. Pour milk for kids and glass of wine for me. 6:15. Drew is still held up in traffic. Cook noodles early. 6:30. Serve dinner. Drew walks in door. Family dinner achieved.
7:00. Drew heads to conference call. Kids clear table. Send Ren and Kate to shower and brush teeth. Ada's room is a total disaster. 5 minute room rescue. Ada gets ready for bed. Brush her teeth. Tell Kate to pick up her clothes. Read bedtime story to Ada. Ada prays for the pretty trees. Lights out for Ada.
7:30 Read next chapter in Cheaper by the Dozen. Tell Ren to move legos and clear path for mom around his bed. Ren has not brushed teeth, so put Kate to bed. Back to put Ren to bed. Answer trivia questions about wildlife and Star Wars. 8:00. Lights out for big kids.
8:00 Make cupcakes for Kate's soccer team party tomorrow. Decide to frost in the morning. Finish dishes from dinner and baking. Clean up kitchen. Start fourth load of laundry.
9:00. Blog about the day.
9:45. Time to read. Tired and happy. Immensely grateful for the blessings in my life.
