What a Difference Two Hours Can Make

This school year has brought a new schedule and it's freaking amazing.  What it boils down to is that I have two free hours a day, between the hours of 1 and 3.  TWO FREE HOURS!

Well, I should clarify, they aren't completely free.  Casey naps during this time, so I am homebound.  But Casey is a master napper these days (oh bless you, angel child).  These two hours are pretty much guaranteed. 

It's not that I haven't had free time in the past.  Ever since staying at home, my boys have (usually) napped.  But their schedules would conflict, or one would rouse early.  And then Braden started his napping strike.  As a result, if I was lucky enough to get any free time,  I could never completely enjoy it because there was a constant threat of it being cut abruptly short.

But now?  These two hours are bliss.  For one, I eat lunch alone everyday.  Alone!  I wait to eat until Casey falls asleep, and then I take my time.  I sit on the couch and put my food on the coffee table.  I WATCH TV.  I eat oreos.  I don't have to tend to anyone or share my food with anyone or interrupt my lunch to wipe someone's ass. 

But that only takes 30 minutes.  There are still 1.5 hours left!

Sometimes I search real estate listings on the internet (No, we are not moving.  I am just a sick person like that).  Other times I blog, or I read, or I take a long, leisurely shower.  I call friends or send emails or peruse Facebook.  I don't do household chores.  No, this is MY time!  Chores can wait until the kids wake up. 

And I don't know if it's the sun shining or if it's my kids getting older or if it's these two hours, but I have been so much happier lately.  I just have a spring in my step.  I am having fun (like, real fun) hanging out with the kids in the morning.  I get excited to wake Casey up and go pick up Braden from school.  I'm not getting all hot and bothered when my husband has to work past the kids' bedtime.  I'm not keeling over in exhaustion when I finally get the kids to bed.  I'm reading again.  I'm seeing friends.  I'm going out to dinner with my husband almost every Saturday night. 

I feel like I'm getting a bit of me back.  I feel free, I feel strong, I feel rested. 

Now off to enjoy my remaining 52 minutes.