Peace and Quiet: Time for Mum

Tonight I'm participating in the blog hope over at Our Worldwide Classroom. The question is;

What's your sanctuary?
Your place?
Your thing?

Even when you can't leave the home behind what do you do at home with a houseful of children to find some time for you?

Time to recharge, relax, be still, calm the mind and the spirit, so you can be 'there' for your children.

I've been improving this area of my life more & more as the boys grow more independent.

I sprinkle my days with quiet time, peace and me time.

Morning: In the mornings I get my coffee and head to my chair. My boys get up earrrly, but they've learned to stay in bed until 7 and then creep around as not to disturb me if I'm still asleep. I try and beat them up most days but I'm not a creature of habit this way...I like to stay up some days and get up early others. Back to the chair, this is where I pull out my journal and Bible study and spend some time talking to my maker.

Exercise: This is one of the best ways I love on myself. I workout in my own living room with the boys buzzing around or off playing. I feel so recharged & healthy taking care of me. It does something to my brain too, keeps me sane.

Quiet Hour: I've only just started up again with the boys. When I had one napping it was easy to consistently have the others rest along with. I got a bit of a break, if only to wash dishes. But now it's harder to enforce the rest time. But recently a new friend reminded me that I'm not the only one that needs quiet, the boys need a break from the noise & will like eachother more if they get a break. So I set a timer, stock them up with a pile of books and toys and we all find a cozy corner to take some quiet in. Starting out at 1/2 hour, my goal is to get to an hour.

Hobbies: I love blogging. I love to write, to network, to read. I take photos. I oftentimes take the boys outside somewhere and let them explore while I explore my camera and shoot a little nature and little boys. I read, novels and books about teaching and things. I love to curl up on the couch with a book right in the middle of the day with a cup of tea. Dreamy.

Couple Time: I love hanging out with my husband. We go on dates when we can, but take time to talk and hang out as we can during the day.

Night: When I blog it's usually when everyone else is in bed. I enjoy watching 'stupid tv' (tv that makes me laugh) and just resting all by myself on occasion. But sometimes I just need to go to bed early and that is a great use of my quiet time. Sometimes I sneak off with a friend for a cup of tea and lots of time to chat too.

Come on over & share in the fun...tell us how you fill up at "Time for Mum".