I have said it a thousand times over the years. I’m going to start getting out of bed at least an hour before the kids wake up. I’m always sincere when I say it. I usually utter this intention when I wake up at 7:30 to find that my four oldest children are all awake, in the kitchen and fighting over a pack of Ritz crackers because we are out of Pop tarts. Don’t judge me, y’all. I’m tired. They are learning very important skills should they ever have to live in the wild and find their own food to survive. Assuming the wild has half eaten sleeves of Ritz crackers and jars of french onion dip.

I really want to get up early. Maybe that isn’t exactly true. I really want to want to get up early. I see folks posting pictures of beautiful sun rises while they sit in their favorite chair drinking coffee, wearing slippers and reading the Bible. It looks peaceful and wonderful. It really does. Part of me is envious. The larger part, however, thinks that my picture would probably look very similar. So, it makes more sense for me to enjoy your pretty picture from the warmth of my bed after getting a couple extra hours of sleep. There’s no reason for both of us to be tired. Am I right?

Just in case you are a Proverbs 31 woman who rises while it is still dark, here are five things you could get done before your children wake up.

1. Make a cup of coffee.
2. Enjoy an uninterrupted quiet time.
3. Tidy up the kitchen.
4. Set the breakfast table.
5. Take a deep breath and listen to the silence.

If, however, you are a Proverbs 31-ish woman {like myself}, you will find that these are the five things you will do instead.

1. Fearful of waking up any little people, you do not make coffee, turn on any lights or breathe.
2. You constantly look over your shoulder for fear that noise you heard was a little person coming up the stairs.
3. You sit on the edge of your seat so that, should a little person begin to make an appearance, you can quickly hide in the hope that the little person will make their way down the hall and climb into bed with daddy.
4. You write a very important and informative blog post about what moms really do when they wake up before their children.
5. You decide that this is foolishness. There is a warm bed down the hall and you are going to get in it. After all, there are plenty of Ritz crackers in the pantry.

Happy Friday, beautiful peeps!

{disclaimer: My babes actually got nice, hot cinnamon rolls this morning. I like to keep them guessing.}