Thinking Outside The Box

The days have been so long lately, but establishing a routine (read last post) has helped the time to go by faster. Today, I got things a little out of order and it interrupted the flow of the day, but sometimes you just gotta roll with it. After the kids' hour of cartoons was over, they were not content with toy time. They had several fusses over "mine" , which is rare for them, so I felt it was time to step in. I went to the toy box and pulled out all the blocks I could find and put the kids on top of the pool table with the block pile. They were as excited as if they had just received a brand new toy, and played quietly for at least 30 minutes. The blocks were there all along, but the toy box is so full of stuff that they are probably overwhelmed by the selection. I think it is easier for them when things are compartmentalized. So I decided when we get into our house, I am going to try and do that with their toys: books here, puzzles here, finger-sized animals and people there, etc.
Speaking of houses, we think we have settled in on one house. I have some issues with it, which are mainly:
(1) Its remote location away from anything I am familiar with or anyone I even know by name
(2) its closeness to the houses on each side
(3) the condition of the neighborhood is kind of run-down, mainly due to the fact that it is an older neighborhood with couples on the brink or well into senior citizenship who have let their houses and yards GO (albeit safer than young rif-raf, I guess).
(4) There is no rear entry to the backyard, which is a good size, but the kids will have to have 100% supervision anytime they want to go outside--how often will I be able to do that with an infant?

The pros are:

1. It is a cute house, especially on the inside. The real estate agency accurately described it as "a doll house". It has been recently remodeled with new cabinets, floors, and paint.
2. It is move-in ready and we wouldn't have to do any work to it.
3. The owners are motivated to sell and it looks like we will get a really good deal on it, which means we will be able to purchase some new furniture (direly needed).
4. It has a dishwasher!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. It is close to the church we will be attending.
6. It is ten minutes from John's office.

If all goes planned, we are going to make an offer and see how it goes!

Routine

Ever feel like you are tired of doing the same thing, at the same time, every day? Well, I used to. But lately, I have craved the structure of routine we used to have in our home (when we had a home). It's kind of hard when you are hopping from place to place, to settle in to some established schedule. And I have learned that children thrive on a schedule. This week, things are starting to fall into place. It goes something like this:

7:30 a.m. --we arise and eat breakfast of yogurt (organic), usually with fruit or a piece of peanut butter toast (on wheat).

8:00 -- comb hair, brush teeth, change clothes, go potty

8:30-- the kids are allowed to watch some educational cartoons (PBS is great!)

9:30 -- snack

10:00-- play in the toy room while Mom does chores

11:00--I start preparing lunch, for the past couple of weeks it has been either a natural pizza on wheat crust (kashia is good) or chicken nuggets (not good--processed meat) with a fruit.

11:30--Sit down for lunch

12:00-2 or 3 is naptime, depending. I try to sneak in some significant time w/ my Bible during this time.

After nap, we go outside if weather is permitting. When they tire of outside, we come back in and Elijah and I are starting to have some sit-down draw/write, time. I am trying to get him started on recognizing his numbers on paper. This going sloooowly :).

3-4, I start on supper. I figure it is the least I can do since we are living here rent-free!

5:00--the kids and I eat supper. The rest of the household eat as they filter in.

6:30--Daddy is home! (usually). We have some family time either outside or in the living room.

7:00-7:30---bathtime.

8:00--Bedtime for kids.

After the kids are in bed is when I iron John's clothes for the next work day, then get my own bath and prepare for some quiet time with my husband. In between all of these target times is potty training, which keeps me hopping! Elijah has not had an accident in THREE days, and Grace is still going good, although I still have her in a diaper. I don't want tee-tee all over someone else's floor!

We are striving for some routine, although when we move again, it will probably set everything off! But I want a nice, calm, structured household to bring Emma home to in August. I just have to focus and stay disciplined!

Finally

Well, I hate to be rushed when I sit down to blog. But I am! I left the kids asleep at Mom's while I visited a friend's PC and I just bet they are up. I don't like to "dump" my kids on my Mom for very long. She does so much for us already!

It has been such a beautiful day today. We enjoyed being outside. I found myself pondering on the joys of motherhood today. My children bring me so much joy and contentment. They are the fruit of my womb and the blessing of my life. I can't wait for #3 to get here! I know some people think I am crazy, but I love having my arms full. It is hard work, but the good outweighs the bad.

I've been reading "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God". It's really refreshing. It's helped me to honor and privelege my position as a homemaker. I highly recommend it.

I must be off! Hope y'all enjoy the new pics.....