Hmmmm..........what is this alone time that she is talking about? That's a new concept to me!
As a stay-at-home Mom of 3 girls, I rarely ever get alone time.
Just about the only alone time I ever get is when I leave the girls at home on the weekends and I do my grocery shopping or run errands. I don't think I'm ever alone when I'm at home. I get excited if I can go to the bathroom without someone trying to talk to me through the door, or Lily wrestling with the doorknob to come in. Ha! When I want to talk to someone on the phone, I go hide out in the laundry room just so I can hear the other person. Then, usually I still get interrupted a few million times!
Now, I have been a full-time working Mom who used to travel 45 minutes one-way to work every day and now I am a Mom who stays home every day. Without a doubt, I can confidently say that working full-time is MUCH easier! Most people just don't realize how valuable that alone time/adult interaction is that you get by going to work. It's an escape into a professional, productive, adult world and I kinda miss it! But, I wouldn't change the precious time I get to spend with my girls now!
So, when I am in the car by myself on the way to my weekend grocery shopping trip, that's when I listen to my favorite music. I love to sing, so I sing along to my favorite CD's and worship all at the same time: Leeland, Phil Wickham, Fireflight, Barlow Girl, Addison Road, Sara Hart Pearsons (a new TX artist that you must check out!), or I listen to KSBJ (our local Christian station) if I get bored of my CD's. Before I rededicated my life to Jesus, I swore I would never be one of those church people who wouldn't listen to anything but religious music. I thought they only listened to it just to show everyone that they were perfect little church-goers. But, once my life began to change, so did my taste in music. It's not that I don't still love all my old music, but there is something so special about singing to my Jesus. I want Him to know how much His love has changed my life. I almost always get chill bumps when I sing to Him; I know He hears me every time and sometimes I imagine my Mom being able to hear me too.
Morgan jokes around with me when I leave to "run to Target real quick" because somehow my quick trips always ending up taking at least 3 hours. I can't help it. I go in there with a list, but I enjoy that time by myself so much that I end up just looking around forever. I like to swing by the fabric store and spend time looking at everything, or the local craft store. I rarely shop for myself though........I enjoy finding little things that the girls might like, even if it's just a little notepad from the dollar section. I never go shopping for clothes for myself (maybe once a year) and I don't buy shoes or purses. Just about the only things I ever buy for myself are books and CD's. I love to read and listen to music! I never get alone time to read though. I usually just sit in my chair in the living room and read while Lily watches cartoons or plays with her toys.
Of course, no alone-time grocery shopping trip would be complete without swinging by Starbucks on the way back home! Then, I can sip my coffee while sitting in my chair with my laptop to check out all of my favorite blogs once I get home.
I like to go into my craft room to make things too, but Lily will usually come in there with me and color or draw while I'm in there. I turn on the radio or listen to my favorite CD's in there too, and lately she's been singing along to my songs. The other day, she was singing the theme song to "89.3 KSBJ!" LOL!
I grew up an only child, so I was always used to entertaining myself and I love being alone. I enjoy quiet time to myself. Sometimes, when the girls get a little too loud, you'll hear me saying, "Okay, time to go upstairs....Momma needs some alone time!" They play really well together, so when they go upstairs to play, I usually just spend that time on the computer. The computer really is my escape back into an adult world and I learn so much from reading your blogs. I especially love it when I get a direct answer from one of your blogs about something that I prayed about. I believe that is the Lord's answer to my prayer. I like to visit different craft sites too, because I learn alot on them and get inspired too.
During this Summer, I was staying up until 2am most nights, simply because I was enjoying the alone time so much! The girls and Morgan would all be in bed and I would spend that time writing blog posts, catching up on your blogs, or watching my all-time favorite show: The Young and the Restless. I record it during the day, but never watch TV during the day, so I have to stay up late to watch it. Any other Y&R fans out there? I LOVE it! :) Now that we're all getting up early again for school, I have to go to bed at a decent time. :(
So, those are the few things I do when I'm actually alone!
13 comments:
I listen to KLOVE a lot when I'm in the car or I'll pop in a CD by a Christian artist. My taste in music has definitely changed over the years. And for the better I think!! I think of my time in the car driving to and from work as part of my alone time because I can sing really loud and dance if I want. lol
What a great post & my quick trips turn out like that too. Thanx for sharing & have a great day. :)
Caroline
Nothing better than that alone time in the car, with my favorite worship song cranked up, belting out my attempt to make a "joyful noise."
I agree that being a SAHM is more work than having a full-time job! And I, too, have resorted to hiding from my kids while I'm on the phone. :-) I like my alone time, but I sure would be lonely without my kids!
By the way, your blog is super cute! Where did you get the template?!
Have a blessed day!
Angela
I'm just laughing at all of the comments - "alone time"??? I know that most momma's don't get much - that's a no brainer! ha! But ... all the more reason to savor those moments and I can tell you do! :)
I agree ... working outside of the home is way easier. It is extremely challenging staying home with children, but it is SO worth it - such a beautiful blessing in our lives.
Thanks for sharing Kristin. I loved your post. You're my kind of gal - and I just can't wait to meet you someday. No, ifs, ands or buts... we HAVE to meet someday. Abigail and my mom and I have actually all agreed that we will meet our Kristin.
Love you.
Lynnette
I love to grocery shop on my own too! And I love listening to Christian music in the car, although over here we don't have dedicated Christian radio stations, I think that would be great!
When I had four of my kids all home all day long, because I homeschooled them until my oldest was going into 5th grade, I would stay up until about 3 am every night just to have time to myself too. It was the only time it was quiet at my house. I love quiet time so much too. Time to reflect and time to pray. Time to just do nothing. No kids asking questions or needing anything from me. I guess it felt like refueling time. And I remember those 3 hour trips to the store too. I called that escape time. LOL My life is so different today. My kids are all in school and it is just Jacob and me home during the day. Although he does have a lot of energy and require a lot of my time. He still naps for three hours every day. There is my quiet time. That is good enough for me. And I get to go to bed at a decent time too. :)
Life changes as your kids grow up and everything adjusts. But we have to find those times for ourselves or we would go crazy. haha
Hope you find some quiet time today,
Christy
Hi Kristin, I am in Nebraska on my siter in laws computer for a few minutes.
I loved your post! I was there once, when my kiddos were litte...and I used to have a hard time even going to the bathroom alone without someone needing me or knocking on the door! But those days do pass. As you will find out sweetie.
Thanks for the nice comment on my post.
Gotta Go,...Have a nice birthday while I am on vACATION.
Love you,
Linda
Thanks for the book suggestion. I haven't read it but it seems to be a popular book as a couple people I know have or want to.
We are so much a like. I enjoy alone time also. Although I love my friends I am perfectly happy going shopping all day by myself. I like people but I love quiet time. All I pretty much listen to is christian music. Not because I am rightous but because I feel like the other music is a waste of my time. The words are usually not very good so when I could sing to God I know my words count and change my heart. I love going to the store by myself and my trips are around 3hrs too.. Our men can wait being home all day is tough works. I could stay up all night too, but I like to get at least 8 hrs of sleep. 7 is okay but any less then that I am crabby.
About the furniture, you can easily repaint that stuff. If you can make bows painting is a piece of cake, I am serious!! I can give you tips. Have a great weekend.
Hey...somebody just told me that TODAY is your BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday, dear friend! I'm so blessed to have "met" you here!
Just stopping by to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Love you lots and I hope you have a wonderful day! Love ya!!!
Just popped over from Veronica's blog to wish you a happy birthday. Everyone needs some extra Birthday Cheer...I know we have never met, but Veronica always talks so sweetly of you, so I had to come over and introduce myself. Have a great Birthday!
Mimi
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