Tuesday, August 21, 2012

We can do normal

August always brings new beginnings, schedules, and possibilities for my family (yes, there IS a possibility that I won't wait nearly two months before writing again!  Don't worry, I cringed as I looked at the date of the last blog) and I'm sure it does for yours too.  I hope and pray you all are receiving the many blessings that God has prepared for you and your August is amazing!

For my seven year old, it means a new school year in third grade!  New teachers, rules, classes, and some new friends.  Trust me, it's a BIG deal to find out who sits next to you at school, who is in your class, and the long awaited anticipation of seeing for yourself if you can trust your mom when she tells you that your teacher will be very nice!

For my twenty-five month old, it means no more summer visitation with dad & my best possible attempt to return to our normal schedule and lives (I'm quite certain our "normal" is pretty fast paced & full of change).   Guess what?  We can and usually do crazy schedules.  We can also do normal!

I am not a huge fan of constant change.  Some change is okay, but constant change isn't my favorite.  I wish I could tell you that I love it! I don't, but I'm learning to be just fine with our everchanging lives.  It has become a HUGE part of our lives.  Just when we get used to the way things are, it's time to change!  If things remain the same for any significant length of time, I try to prepare myself as I know change is coming.  My sweet boys will hopefully have no problems adapting to rapid changes in their adult lives.  Bless their sweet, flexible souls!

"The righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger."  Job 17:9

Lately, I've been trying harder than ever to shift from summer to school with the boy.  I've been hoping this transition wouldn't entail so much as a groan!  It hasn't been easy trying to shift, maintain, and run our new schedule.  I feel the need to remind you that my youngest is two years old through and through.  Two as in biting, kicking, "no" to everything, full blown meltdowns, and everything else that comes with the adventurous "terrible twos."  He isn't a terrible trainwreck ALL the time, but when he is changing with schedules it is quite interesting to say the least.

When you add that on to a summer of constantly being shuffled between parents, you have a recipe for an extremely strong willed toddler who WILL test the boundaries of ANY living thing that tries to enforce rules or behaviors upon him.  Are you ready to babysit, yet?

"As for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."  2 Chronicles 15:7

I am so pleased to tell you that after only two weeks back into the new school year, we are finally back on track!  I know I need to forget the glue that holds our lives together in some sort of rhyme or reason.  Yes, I'm talking about the beloved schedule!   We don't function well without a set dinner time, bed time, bath time, etc.  I'm sure this makes some of you all squirm, but the thought of having NO routine and pure chaos makes me cringe a little bit!  But hey, whatever works!  In my family, the fiathful schedule just seems right (even if it does take two weeks to get back into the swing of things and requires regular modifications).

I know the school year adjustments are hard on my sweeties, but I also know that children are generally so much more resilient to adaptations. I'm so thankful for that!  We have mastered third grade homework in reasonable time, rushed out the door every morning so that we could all sleep until the very last second to wake up without being late(every SINGLE MINUTE of sleep counts around our home), eaten breakfast on the go, and not forgotten any backpacks or allergy medicine like champs! 

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."  2 Corinthians 4: 8-9

I'm okay with hearing the occasional complaints & groans, but more so I hear those deep belly laughs, jokes, singing, and witness lots of dancing!  In the end, the payoff  is SO worth the amazing spice that variety brings to our lives! 

Have a wonderful week and maybe you all can roll with the changes of life as opposed to kicking and screaming every step. I know you all have crazy schedules, but I assure you that normal routines are coming your way.  We can do normal!   May God bless you all!