An Epiphany....of sorts

The kids have been back at school for 2 weeks now. I think that we have finally gotten back into the swing of things. It is definately hard being disiplined again. It is way funner staying up late, getting up late, going to the park, and playing outside, than getting up at 5:15 a.m., making sure that school lunches are made the night before, going to pick up kids from seminary, taking kids to school, etc.., all before 7:30, the hour we used to crawl out of bed.
The 2nd day of school, we ran errands and got back home around 11:30. We ate lunch, and I put Matthew down for a nap. I told Abigail and Jacob that it was resting time and layed them down to watch a movie. I was in the kitchen cleaning when I realized that it was way too quiet. I peaked around the corner and they were both fast asleep. I honestly stood there in shock for about 2 minutes. I didn't know what to do with myself. Gosh, I could read a book, take a nap myself, go lay on the hammock outside, the possibilites were endless. So after some deep contemplation, I did what any mother would do. I cleaned. I cleaned my room, the bathroom, did 3 loads of laundry, the kitchen, cleaned out the van, straightened up the living room, and cleaned the health hazard that is other wise known as the boy's bathroom. I put on my ipod, that I have NEVER listened to during the day, because I would miss hearing all the other noises that I would need to hear, I just cleaned to my hearts content. Now cleaning is not my past time of choice, but there comes a time when the EPA might come and declare your home unsuitable for human living so it has to be done. I was just amazed and astounded at how much I actually got done in 2 1/2 hours.
Which leads to my epiphany. I have always considered myself to be a productive person. I admire that trait in others. I don't really like to sit around and do nothing. I am happiest when I have put in a good long day and I am worn out at the end of it. But lately, my housekeeping skills have been seriously lacking. I just thought that I was being lazy. I came to the conclusion that maybe I am productive, I just have 7 (8 really ; ) ) people following me around daily, needing breakfast, lunch, supper, clean clothes, ironed clothes, favorite blankets that are MIA, tippy cups refilled, diapers changed, potty breaks, fights broken up, homework checked, chauffered to seminary, school, band practice, wrestling practice, work, orthodontist appointments, boo boo's bandaged, fights broken up, snuggle time, and play time. Cleaning time doesn't get much time. When something does get cleaned it usually gets uncleaned as soon as you are on to a different room. It was amazing to realize that when there is no one following you from room to room asking if they could have something to eat or would you please read me a story you actually get quite a lot done. Please do not read into this that I am sorry that I had children, so many of them, or that I wish that they would all take 7 hour naps each day! I love being a wife and mother. I would not change anything even if I could. It was just a nice little aha moment that I had. I know that one day, there will be no cereal on the floor, pledge sprayed into the DVD player, 2 loads of laundry a day, fingerprints on the windows that I just washed, pee on the toilet that I just washed, bicycles in my way as I drive up the driveway, toothpaste on my jeans because I leaned over too far on the sink where somebody dribbled brushing their teeth, and moldy sandwiches brought home in lunch boxes that sat in somebodies locker over the weekend. And I will probably cry. And then Joe and I will probably lock the doors and party!!