Domestic Goddess...check!

I stayed home today, which I get to do about once or twice a week. My routine on days like this consists of school with the children, fixing lunch, working on any projects I have going (or not) and trying to get the house clean and dinner ready before the hubby gets home. Most of us know how easy this sounds but how difficult it is to actually accomplish.
I have a system of cleaning that usually starts at the front of the house and goes to the back where our bedroom is. I never make it to the bedroom before he gets home. By that time I'm tired and feeling rushed and have utterly given up, thus the crown of "domestic goddess" has continued to elude me.

Today, I changed things up a little. After school, lunch and an outside break for the children, I explained to them that I wanted the house cleaned before daddy got home. My youngest daughter asked if he was going to be upset if it wasn't, I said no, but he's been gone all day and we want it clean for him when he gets home. They are used to having to clean everyday, but today, since I mentioned their dad, they did an awesome job. I didn't even have to go behind them, I was surprised yet very thankful for their extra efforts. I was able to focus on making our bedroom a haven so he could really relax when he got home.

I had an easy dinner planned, so even though it wasn't ready when he got home, I was able to get it to him in about 20 minutes. The children were content, (sort of :-), I fed my husband, then the children, then got the kitchen cleaned while he relaxed in our room. I was planning on sitting down with him and working on my next F.W. assignment, which is to tell him he is the most important person to me (chapter 6). By the time I was done with everything he was asleep on the bed in his p.j.s. I couldn't even be upset or disappointed, I was too content that I had made things peaceful enough for him to do that. It was a good feeling.

So, while trying to work on one thing, completing chapter 6, I actually accomplished another goal from a while back. I certainly wouldn't call myself a "goddess" after one success, but it's definitely a  start, and I learned some great lessons; 1 - get the children involved in what I'm trying to do, the book talks about that as well, it helps to foster their love and respect for their father as well, and 2 - save the kitchen for last, keep the bedroom clean and together!

Maybe next time, I'll make it there BEFORE he falls asleep!