Tuesday Recap – Mom as a Taxi

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this review or post, but all opinions are our own.

I thought that those of you who have just met me might like a little picture into our life. Here is a bit more of our recap.

January is blissfully over. It was one of the worst ones I have ever had. Everyone was sick, it seemed like is was never-ending. I have a new appreciation for our general good health. That said we are all on the mend.

We have a huge house hold, these are 13 of us. There was so much running to do with two boys in morning and afternoon practices for wrestling, and the girls having ballet in another town. I think we put a whole year on the van over the last few months. Let not even talk about the gas bill.

Most mornings, Doug and I get up at 5am. I am not normally an early riser, but after we signed up for wrestling, they split the boys into Jr high and high school practices. Now, I drive the younger Smith to practice at 5:30, since it is a 30 minute drive, I sit in the lunch room for the 2 hour workout.

For several months, I have been the weird mom who sits in the lunch room. Give the news lately I wonder how many people think I am some sort of overbearing Mother who is escorting my kids to activities, instead of a woman who is just trying to save a little gas money.

Before Wrestling Season began, I had a perfect plan. I would get up early and write and then run (ok walk very fast) on the treadmill before school time. Then I was going to do a cardio workout or weight training at 2pm when we normally break for school. Now, I am in the lunch room. It is no Starbucks, but I manage to write, little by little, mostly poorly and with many distractions.

I have befrended many young people in my Mother Goose years. They like to say hello, and I like for them to do so. I sincerely love hearing what is happening in their lives. So few adults care what kids say. I watch them; adults, ignoring kids as if they don’t exist. When I talk to kids adults will often cut in and interrupt as if I was not having a conversation. I try to make it my priority, when a kid wants to talk I make time to listen.

After my lunch room hours, I head home and get on the treadmill. I have tried many other ways, but I have discovered that if I don’t get my exercise first thing in the morning, the day just swallows me up and it never gets done. I’ve tried making my treadmill time productive. I was reading Business or blogging books and listening to podcasts, but I was still checking the time and an hour seeme like forever to be on the treadmill. Recently, I have begun to read fiction while I walk at a steady fast clip. If I have a good book, not only does the hour go by quickly, but I find that I am looking forward to getting back to my book (er, exercise). Since I have not been making time to read for pleasure lately I feel like this is a perfect window to snag an hour of reading in my hectic life.

I would also like to answer any questions you migh have about large family living, homeschooling or being an entrepreneur mama trying to balance rides, dinner and work.

Determination is what keeps me on my mat. Writing is my passion and I have to intentionally carve out time to get it done. What are you carving out space for? I would love to hear about it. Leave me a comment.