Finding Hope #2

"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears."

-Nelson Mandela

Today was an amazing day.  I have to be honest, I've been pretty nervous about the idea of having kids be home and doing school.  I knew that Henry wouldn't be getting as much as he would while at school even if his teacher assigns things.  And Hannah needs to be busy.  Her little brain is crazy smart and she does well when it's busy.  I was a little daunted with the idea of trying to teach Henry so he doesn't fall behind and trying to keep Hannah busy.  

But today was amazing!  My mom sent me this schedule that she found from a scary mommy post that had a schedule set out for your kids.  Saturday I spent a good portion of the day trying to decide how to make that schedule work for us as well as what we should work on that went along with what Henry's teacher already had going.  It all came together and I was actually really excited to teach Henry about some of the things and it was fun to make it flexible.

I also loved not having to run kids to school and back.  I only have two kids, but Henry's school is down in Saratoga Springs which is 10 minutes away but it's longer in the mornings because of traffic.  Hannah's school is just a short distance away but it's short so you can't really get things done in between start and stop.  Today we accomplished so much and I didn't have to sit in a car for a good portion of the day.

I honestly feel like cancelling school has been a blessing for us.  I love having my kids home.  I love not having to run places and get kids there by a certain time.  I love that isn't not as crazy and hectic.  I've also been getting the prompting that I need to spend more one on one time with my children.  I've had that feeling for about a month but I struggled with it.  I just was exhausted from the running around and then to sit and play with them when I had other things to do was just more than I could do.  It's probably all excuses, I could have made the time and it would have been easy but I never did.

But now I do.  And it's amazing.  I wish I had started earlier.  The kids are happier.  They get along with each other better.  They listen better.  I feel like I listen better.  I can't say it enough.  Today was just amazing.  I realize that it's just the first day and I know there will be hard days but I really love teaching my children.  I love spending time with them.

It isn't easier though.  It's harder and my to-do list doesn't get done very well but I'm sitting here now and my house is cleaned up, the laundry got put away, the dishes are done and I feel good about what I accomplished instead of all the to-do's that don't really matter.  I didn't get to do my 5k run but I did get to go on a bike ride with the kids.  I didn't finish all my piano lesson videos but I did sit and practice with my kids.  I didn't get the chance to study my scriptures as much as I usually do but I did over hear Henry tell Hannah that we needed to share our time and love with each other.  Which was yesterday's come follow me lesson that I honestly thought they didn't listen to.  

And I feel like the Lord blessed us today in many ways.  The kids aren't fearful or scared which is what I worried about after telling them why things have to change for a bit.  Henry and Hannah have taken it all in stride and they are excited about what we are doing.  Nick and I don't yell at the kids as much. I'm exhausted but miraculously I was able to keep my cool all day.  And now they are asleep with out yelling for them to go to sleep.  Really.  There are just too many good things for me to say.  

I'm grateful for this time I have with my little family.  I'm grateful that I am again reminded about the things that really matter.  I'm grateful that all the distractions in life have been diminished.  I just feel like I have so many things to be grateful for that I could go on and on.  

How was your day though?  How has it been for you?  Are you loving it? Are there struggles?  What have you found that gives you hope today?