all the time in the world...

i'm sorry. i must live on mars. i've yet to understand why someone would think that i would have all the time in the world... let me clarify. i was recently told (it may have come out like a question, but honestly this was nothing short of a command)

"why don't you find a job? you have all the time in the world, after all you're just a stay at home mom."

hackles up. hmmm... let's see. after un-rankling my fur (yes, i'm furry) i find time, amidst this busy day to respond. let's take today for example.

up at 5
wake both boys, cuddle one (he hates mornings like me) and gently summon the other
remind oldest 5 times why he needs to get dressed faster or we're going to be late
make breakfast
have worship
leave the house to drive oldest to carpool (amen for this! otherwise i might add that i drive the 10 miles in just under an hour, only to return in the rush, another 20 min. easy)
once home the "daily" chores start
it is 10:12 now, i have already done two loads of laundry
which by nature means we can conclude that later today i will fold and put away said laundry
assisted little one with ornery clothing as he is "not really a big boy yet, mommy"
clean the kitchen from breakfast
load dishes & start the dishwasher
trek the "lost cause" articles upstairs to the appropriate rooms for putaway
put my own laundry away
make my bed (i'm a good mommy, self pat on back)
take some time to play "farm" with the little one
re-organize a linen closet that seems to have a wild party every night
and give a quick wipe down to the boys' bathroom (which i might add also seems to take part in this nightly wild party)

now i'm sitting here, taking a break, mind you i think i deserve one. amidst this break however runs the list of activities yet to accomplish... just a stay at home mom. honestly people. so rude...

make lunch for two (an amazingly informative break and look into the world through a 4 year olds eyes)
vacuuming needs to be done, someone's shoes trekked last nights dirt all the way up the stairs
be present for the maintenance man coming to fix multiple flaws... again...
post items to be sold on craigslist
checking status of probowl tickets, hoping not to fall through on promise to oldest
clean up scattered sports gear on lanai
pickup oldest from blessed, dear friend who brought him home from school
review school day with oldest
assauge fears, calm frustrations and rejoice in victories (this may seem small, but you try it, see what its really like)
negotiate & referee fall-outs between boys
return books to library
go early to Adventurers to prepare evening meal
attend Adventurers for 2.5 hours of fun, run, noise and ruckus
be the ogre that says "okay, time to go"
get both boys upstairs to change into pj's, brush teeth, have story time and a final kiss g'night
by now its about 9 pm
time for me
study
read "hints on child training" (one can never know too much about these things they call "children")
find downtime on the PC (yay! myspace)
email my hubby who is 2000 miles away, somewhere in the middle of the pacific ocean
say g'night world, prayers for a good tomorrow

... don't forget to set the alarm...

all of this without losing my patience and guiding my children to a greater knowledge of God and his love for us. faulty humanity. and no paycheck to boot. (unless, like me, you count the hugs and kisses as reward enough for now, then you are the richest woman alive) but still, sometimes mula would be nice.

you're right. i have all the time in the world. unfortunately, right now, that time is taken up by so many things that i consistently forget to finish the list. or is it that i can't? i'm pretty sure i "remember" it all. it just keeps getting longer.

i would like to give a huge kudos to those moms who do all of this and hold a job. i am not saying it cannot be done, i am just saying don't insult those who are not ready, or choose not to. its a crazy world out there, and an even crazier one at home sometimes. give it up. i'm just not ready yet. i already have a job...