The Value of a Busy Schedule

They say we shouldn't over schedule our children, and I admit that we do.  Combine boy scouts, church youth group, dance, cross country, piano lessons, honors and AP classes, orthodontis and dermatology appointments with 3 children and let's see who spontaneously combusts first:  one of the kids or me. Or the van for that matter.

But there is a plus side to this craziness, for me anyway. Because the busier I am, the more efficient and productive I am. Yes, I am one of those people.  Give me all day and I will spend it on the computer, reading a book, napping, or any combination of the three.

With two of my boys running cross country this year (we have never had to deal with school sports before this), dinner has to be PLANNED. The thing I've been trying to do all summer has now become a NECESSITY.

So, after the kiddos left for their first day of school (thank goodness it was a full day), I did NOT go back to bed - although it was, oh, so tempting. Instead I:

• Planned the week's menu
• CLEANED THE REFRIGERATOR - and not just cleaned out the stuff in there, but washed the shelves and drawers too
• Shopped at two stores
• Unloaded everything
• Put away everything
• Emptied the dishwasher
• Started a load of laundry
• Started tonight's chicken marinating
• Burned and subsequently ate - my lunch

Now I will take about an hour and a half break and then shower, whip up some chocolate chip cookie batter, cut up some apples for a snack for my returning kiddos, make dinner, drive the boys back to the school, drive my daughter to church for youth group, pick up the boys from school, drive back to the church, drive everyone home, bake the cookies, eat cookies, and fall into bed exhausted.