The Early Bird

I made it a goal a few weeks ago to get up BEFORE everyone else does. Now, in my house, this is an almost impossible feat. However, I’ve managed to do it! How, you may ask? I’m not really sure. My kids usually wake up around 6am. Peter usually wakes up around 5:30. Lately, Andrew has been getting up around 4am. Why? I’m not sure. Sometimes he has bad dreams, sometimes he has to go ‘potty’, sometimes he just wants to see if it’s morning yet. My favorite is when he wakes up around 6, pops his door open (literally…), sees me sitting on the couch reading and the light in the sky, raises his hands up high in the air and yells, ‘HOORAY! IT’S MORNING!!!’ The kid is so hilarious!

But, I digress. How and WHY (which, I suppose, is the better question) do I get up before everyone else. First, the why. I’ve felt that it’s really important for me to be able to have some ‘me’ time—to meditate, read the scriptures, and pray by myself. After reading this article in the Ensign, I felt the desire and resolve to do so even more than before. I’m not really a morning person. I don’t like getting up early. It is very difficult for me—especially after getting up multiple times with little kids. However, what’s more important? Sleeping, or feeding my spirit and soul?

So, I do it. I’ve found that it’s actually quite easy once you get past the first two weeks, and once you’ve been awake already for 2 or 3 hours… Devin usually starts to do this twitchy thing around 5am, so that’s ever so helpful as well. It really has been a blessing to me. I’ve been more alert during the day. I’m able to cope with little things that come up. You wouldn’t believe all the stuff I’m able to do before 8am!! I read my scriptures, pray, feed Peter, get Andrew, Josh, Claire and myself dressed, make all the beds, gather all the laundry, throw in a load, make breakfast, eat breakfast, do the dishes, clean the living room, read a story to Andrew, put Peter down for a nap and watch the kids play on their bikes outside…all before 8am! Seriously! Who would’ve thought that I could do all that? And I can tell you, it’s because I make that extra effort to get myself up in the morning. Some days are harder than others. If I go to bed after 10pm, my next day is very difficult, but I’ve been pretty good about going to bed between 9:30 and 10pm, and I really have felt so much better! Things don’t bother me as much as they used to. I’m happier. I’m more able to play with my kids and spend time happily with them. It’s great. I highly recommend it!