A friend of mine was telling me she felt like she was stuck in the movie Ground Hog Day. I was quick to reply, "me too." I then proceeded to think about my days and how most of the time they doesn't work the way I plan. Being the glass half full type of person that I am, I decided that I would type up my "Ideal Day" to remind myself what I am striving for each day when I wake up. Maybe then, I will see more glimpses of success, so here it is.
I wake up at 5:30 AM, shower, dress, brush teeth, eat a healthy breakfast and not need a dose of Diet Coke to get me moving. I get to see Tom off to work with a kiss that involves us both and not just him kissing a sleeping me.
I then get in a good solid hour of uninterrupted work where I respond to all my emails and prioritize what needs to be done that day.
At 7:00 AM I wake up Andrew who bounces out of bed happy and excited to go practice piano. He practices with enthusiasm and doesn't spend 15 minutes with his head on the keys. I whip up a yummy breakfast for my children that isn't cereal and then go wake up Kira. Kira also bounces out of bed, excited for the day and I don't need to physically pull her into a standing position.
Sean wakes up at 7:30, and my children all eat breakfast while encouraging each other and looking forward to a great day at school. Sean does not throw his breakfast all over the floor or paint the table with his milk.
We gather together for morning prayers. The kids then walk to school or ride their bikes. I don't need to wrestle Sean into a car seat while kicking and screaming because he would rather be playing basketball in our front yard. I have remembered all field trips, papers that need to be signed and no one calls to bring them something they have forgotten.
I then come home, put in a some good hours of working where the orders pour in via email. I place multiple orders that don't require 5 phone calls to finalize the details, credit is established, stock is good, and production is quick. Sean plays in the meantime happily and returns everything he plays with to its place.
Sean then takes a long nap, while I continue working. I get a few breaks to pick up the house, do a few dishes and maybe even do a small home improvement job. I even get a few calls into the women I visit teach to express my love and concern and find out how I can help.
Sean then wakes up from his nap, we eat and nicely prepared healthy lunch that isn't packaged or processed. Sean cleans up after his mess, and then plays happily while the kids return home from school.
My afternoon is full of teachable moments with my children where they hang on my every word. We share details of our days and I don't yell and scream about getting homework done, and piano practiced. I know all the answers to Andrew's questions without telling him to "go ask Kira." I even get a small break from work to take the kids to the park.
I then prepare a yummy dinner while the kids help. Sean doesn't throw up, poop, or throw a fit on the kitchen floor while I am cooking. Tom comes homes we are all happy and we eat together in perfect family bliss.
I then go running 4 miles and sprint most of it because my legs don't each feel like they weigh 300 lbs. While I am gone, Sean gets bathed, the dishes are all done and everyone is driven by someone else to where they need to be.
We have family prayer, all together, and no one complains that it isn't their turn. Sean goes to bed early, and I get to play a few games with Kira and Andrew. They then go to bed with out prodding, and Tom and I get 1 hour to ourselves with out interruption. I read my scriptures, say personal prayers, and I fall asleep instantly. No quick thoughts about all the things I forgot to do. I then get a full nights sleep ready for the next perfect day where I wake up from this dream.
Maybe someday it will work out this way, but then again probably not. I guess the point is to just keep waking up and trying. Sometimes, some days, parts will work and I am ok with that.
