Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

I wanted to kick off my blog by giving you a peek into a “typical” day in my world. Spoiler alert: There’s no such thing as typical.

6:30 AM: The Early Start
The alarm goes off, and it’s time to jump-start the day. Between getting my husband ready for his shift and preparing the kids for school, mornings are a whirlwind. Two of my kids have special medical needs that require extra attention in the morning, so I have to work in time for medications, preparing foods and drinks for school, check-ups, and a few deep breaths.

7:30 AM: Out the Door
Somehow, we all manage to get out the door—eventually. School drop-offs are a blur of backpacks, water bottles, preschool sign in’s and making sure everyone has what they need. Some days, I’m rushing from one doctor’s appointment or meeting to the next, fitting them in before I get myself ready for the day. My husband leaves for work before I return from school drop-off.

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Housework and Personal Care
Once I get all the kids settled at school I head back home and take a moment to get some coffee and a few more moments to get myself ready for the day. With it just being me and the baby at home this allows me some time to knock out some housework and things that need to be done. If I am lucky I might sneak in a shower.

11:00 AM- 12:30 PM: Preschool Pickup and Lunch After picking up the kiddo from preschool we head back home and spend some time going over his day and making and enjoying some lunch and then find a good show or movie to watch.

1:00pm-3:00pm: Hope For a Nap… If I happened to work the night before this is usually the time during the day that I will try to sneak in a quick nap with the youngest two kiddos. If I am lucky enough for this to happen we lay down together on the couch and watch some Bluey or Mickey and fall asleep together and get the much needed rest we all need to finish out the chaos the will soon ensue.

4:00 PM: Home Sweet… Chaos
After school pickup, it’s back to mom mode. Between homework, dinner, and keeping everyone on schedule, it feels like another full-time job. With two kids who need extra care and attention, the evenings can be a juggling act of doctors’ appointments, therapy sessions, and making sure everyone is fed, bathed, and (hopefully) ready for bed. For the nights that I have to work there is some extra chaos added to this time of the day because I am running around packing my work bag, making bottles to have in the fridge, preparing medications for bed, making dinner and ensuring that everyone has all the things that they might need for the night while I am gone.

6:00 PM- 6:30 AM: Work Mode (On My Work Days)
Once I’m at work, it’s time to shift into CNA mode. Taking care of patients and making sure they’re comfortable and safe is something I’m passionate about. But no matter how focused I am, my mind is always half at home, wondering how the kids are doing and whether everything’s running smoothly there. Thankfully, with working 12 hour shifts I only work 3-4 nights a week which leaves me with more time home.

9:00 PM: My Time (Sort Of)
Once the kids are in bed, I finally get a little time for myself—if I’m lucky. This is when I try to catch up on anything I didn’t get done during the day, whether that’s laundry, prepping for tomorrow, or squeezing in a moment to relax. Sometimes, my own health needs attention too, and I have to remind myself that it’s okay to slow down and take care of me.

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How I Manage (When I Do)
So, how do I manage it all? The truth is, some days I don’t. Some days the house is a mess, the kids are cranky, and I feel like I’m barely keeping my head above water. But I’ve learned that’s okay. I’ve learned to let go of the idea of perfection and embrace the beautiful mess that is my life.

One of the most important things I’ve learned is to lean on my support system—my husband and friends who step in when things get overwhelming. And I’ve had to accept that I can’t do it all, all the time.

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Why I’m Sharing This
I wanted to start this blog because I know there are so many other moms out there who are struggling with their own version of chaos. Whether you’re dealing with medical challenges, balancing work and family, or just trying to survive the day-to-day craziness, I see you. We’re in this together.

So here’s to the messy, unpredictable, and exhausting journey of motherhood. I hope that by sharing my story, I can connect with others who are navigating similar waters—and maybe even offer a little bit of encouragement along the way.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more stories from this wild ride I call life!

With love,
Kristi