Stuck in a Rut?

This question makes me shudder because, more often than not, this is the condition I seem to find myself in.  I am stuck in a rut of the 'normal' daily routine of waking up in just enough time to get the kids somewhat fed, clothed, filed into the Suburban and off to school.  Then once I get home with the remaining three children, we head back to the dog pens (if I remember to do it as soon as we pull into the drive way!) to feed, water and let the dogs run for a little bit.  Back into the house we go for a nice messy breakfast followed by a monumental clean-up (thank you, Coy!).  A quick Mickey Mouse recording then off to nap time...ah, this should be my time for cleaning, reading, exercising...or if I am really spiritual, my Bible reading.  However, when I am stuck in a rut, this is when the day really seems to go down-hill.  I sit...thinking...I have so many things that need doing, but out of desperation of what to do first, I end up doing nothing.  Next thing you know, there's a baby crying, a little boy squealing or a young man walking out of the room, ensuring to slam the door behind him (waking the others!).  And my precious time for 'accomplishments' is gone.  It is once again time to hussle and bussle....lunches, cleanup (again!), pick up the kids at school, get home, get out the snacks, get homework lined out and in progress, and start supper for it to be done in time for my husband to get home.  When he walks through the door I envision the lovely 50's shows of the determined, steadfast wife happily greeting him with a kiss and his delighted facial expression as he smells a wonderful meal being cooked.  Instead, my husband walks through the door and he is ambushed by the kids and is probably curious what that smell is!!  Don't get me wrong, he loves our kids and our kids, of course, love him.  But I can see it in his eyes, please just let me make it to my chair so I can rest a minute before being overwhelmed!  My heart aches for him, yet I feel helpless to silence their desires for  'daddy time'! 
That in a nutshell is my 'rut'.  I can see after writing it out how my rut effects the others in my family.  The kids tend to be a little bit wilder, my husband seems to be a bit more exhausted and I am once again feeling more helpless.
There is GREAT truth in God's word, and He doesn't tell us things in His word for 'just in case you ever wondered', but rather for guidelines for us to follow, because they are what's best for us. 

"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed" Mark 1:35

The past few days I have done one thing intentionally that has alter the course of my days.  I have risen early enough to read my Bible prior to beginning my day.  I have even gotten my children out of bed earlier and we read it together at the start of the day.  We are reading a Proverb a day (you know, there are 31 Proverbs, so in any given month you have plenty of wisdom to see you through!).  Before we read, I ask and plead with God to show us one bit of truth to cling to for that day, and He has delivered each day. 
This one intentional changed has altered my thoughts, advice, my prayer life, my attitude and the reaction of those around me. 
Please do not misunderstand me, it has not changed my to-do list.  It is still long, and I still at times do not know where to begin, but rather than staying in that rut, I open my Bible to hear from Him.  I am allowing Him to direct my days, hours and minutes.  I do not do it perfectly, but I am striving for perfection as I go along.
Take that step today, be intentional of focusing on Christ at the beginning of your day, if you work nights, the beginning of your day may not be morning, but when you wake - seek Him first, not just out of ritual or routine, but wrestle with Him to show you something from His word to impact your day...He will deliver.
May God bless your day as you seek Him!