Great start, but will it last?

I started this week (after Jay's departure) to really make a difference on my routine, including the kiddoes' as well. First I would only shower at night or during Benjamin's nap with Baby sleeping too or awake in the bouncer in the bathroom. But decided to be like a "regular" person and wake up earlier and shower first. I used to wake up to feed baby (5:30 to 6ish am) and go back to bed until Samuel and Benjamin would wake up and come to get me (I hear their steps since my room is below theirs) which would be around 6:30ish or 7am; and have breakfast together and start our day. Well, I never been able to really study my scriptures, because (if you know me, I am a terrible reader, even in Spanish) I would fall asleep every time since I would read them at night on bed. So, now almost unwillingly (in the morning) I just jump in the shower as soon as I feed baby. Then I get breakfast ready, and study my scriptures. I have seen my father-in-law, (a 100%-routine-person) do this every morning.. and thought, may be I can really get more knowledgeable on my scriptures if I follow his example. Besides, may be I could feel more awake and productive too. Well, reality set in. Yes, I am more awake (for the first hour, or until my hair dries). No, I am just as productive but less cranky. No, I am still not knowledgeable on my scriptures but here is the thing: when tantrums, or fights between the kiddoes happened, I was far more patient and felt a lot more spiritually in tune. I have also tried to go to bed by 11pm (1-2 hours more sleep than before), which explains why I am still backed up on my blog. Has the change been worth it?

YES. I know I am hard on myself since it has only been 3 days. However, I am happy to say that I start my kids day with a truly awake smile with big morning hugs and kisses instead of a cranky, asleep face with losing my patience because of their "over help" with breakfast.

I hope I can keep it up, and just waiting for baby to be 6 months so we can all go to the gym (kids club starts at age 6m) so mami can go back to swimming.

I also requested some material on homeschooling and other fun toddler activities. No, I am not homeschooling my kids, I believe social exposure and interactions are more important. However, all my kiddoes are fall birthdays which will put them "behind" a year in school. Therefore, it will be a full year for all of them to start school. I do believe children need routine, activities and lot of opportunities of learning environment. I didn't graduated on teaching or child development majors but I wish I did (far more useful now) but I am a mother of three wonderful little active boys who need good guidance and your greatest, first, and eternal earthly guidance is mom. Why not better myself not just as a person but as a mom?

May be I am just trying to convince myself that I am an ok mother, and wife, and although I wasn't raised to be either one, ironically I had a great example, my own mother. May be that is why I am so critical of myself there, because I have to truly raise the bar to be better than what she was.

I used to get frustrated on seeing my kids acting out with other kids or being a bad example.. But, we do have wonderful kids. Did I say kids? Yes, and they need to act like them.. kids. So, 2011 started with a more relaxed view of my poor judgement on my little ones (hooray for them), and more structure for mom (boo for me). But if my dear hubby is doing all this sacrifice, of bettering himself spiritually, professionally, why not do the same on this end?

Hopefully I can remember this later on. May that is why I am putting it on my blog. More as a reminder for me than for information for anyone else.

I truly love my Savior and know whatever happens "we will live" like grandpa says.

These pictures were taken by Samuel on a regular mommy moment. I guess that is how I look on a regular bases.. interesting..