I Found My Groove

I finally found my groove. Life has a predictable rhythm once again. It is a fast paced rhythm that leaves little time for errors, extras, and me, but i am just so glad i found it. I wake up in the morning at 5 (sometimes earlier if Cami wakes up earlier) hop in the shower with the monitor sitting on the counter, do my make-up and hair and then pack my lunch, get all the parts to my pump packed, and even measure out the milk and chai mix for my daily chai. I do everything i can to get ready for school, except get dressed. At 6, i wake up my little snuggle bug and feed her. Then i put her back in her crib after a few snuggles and get dressed. Put my chai mixture in the microwave while i start my car and load it and then i am off. I correct papers while i walk around the room watching my kids do their independent practice and activities. I pump at lunch and planning, help kids finish their work during recess or quiz them on their multiplication facts for the taco party they could earn, teach my little heart out the rest of the time and then get the kids on the bus. I then have 15 minutes to clean up my desk and room before heading out the door to see my hubbie and girls. I get home and have to pump and then i cuddle Cami a few moments before she goes to sleep. I play with jaely and then we pick up her toys for dinner. Eat dinner then clean up from dinner, nurse Cami, play with cami and get her jammies on for bed. Then once she is asleep at 9;30 ish, i can either do school work, tidy up or go to bed. Normally. . . i veg on the couch and watch a show or facebook while drifting off to sleep.

I am sure this is a typical schedule of anybody with two kids. It took awhile to figure it out, but i did. And thank goodness for weekends for cleaning, family time, and laundry. . . and most of all, thank goodness for TJ. His day is very similar!

Sounds

The sounds of my snoring husband mixed with the heavy breathing and little squeaks coming from my youngest daughter make my heart a happy one. Cami is nestled and sleeping in the crook of TJ's arm, sucking ever so gently and rhythmically on her binky. Soon, her lips will part and the binky will fall out, revealing her perfect pink lips and she will continue to sleep soundly. I just checked on Jaely, the sound of her rain machine coming from her room and her night light shining through under the door. She has surrounded herself with her friends during her first night back in her bed after staying at relatives. She has changed her pajamas after we said good night and dressed Ella in the pajamas that she was wearing. She has each friend set up on a pillow and you can tell that she has read them a book before tucking them all in. She too is breathing heavily. She was one tired bug from all the festivities of her trip. She was asleep in no time.

The house is very quiet, except for the soft sound of the rain machine and the heavy breathing from all of its sleeping occupants. I enjoy quiet. Without Jaely home these last few days it has been too quiet. But when there is such potential for loudness, i love the quiet. . . the peacefulness, the tranquility.

TJ's snoring makes me smile (most of the time) and so does Cami's little sighs. I wish i could hear my mom's laugh one more time. I wish my mom would have been able to experience the quiet moment of holding her sleeping granddaughter and giggling with her oldest granddaughter. Jaely's laughter mixed with my mother's would have been a delightful sound.

I love our home. How quiet and peaceful it can be and how sometimes it feels like it is going to burst with energy and laughter. How every occupant can be crazily dancing in the living room one moment and snuggled under blankets the next. I love family, being so relaxed and loved for who i am. I love being still, being thankful, being quiet. Lately, this is a rarity, but i am thankful for it.

Some Time to Myself

(sigh) i am sitting on the couch sipping a perfect chai, the kind with a little cinnamon sprinkled on top. I didn't have to wake up at 5 today, even though it is a week day. I am on break. Cami slept in until almost 7, so i woke up and fed her and put her back down. I decided to stay up and get some things done while everyone is sleeping, but instead i find that i just want to sit and enjoy some me time. I don't have much left, but i am enjoying every second. Soon, i have to shower, and hang with both girls while TJ runs some errands and then i am off to run some errands- one being a weight watchers meeting, where i know i will not like the numbers on the scale this week.

This mid winter break i have great plans. I want to finish our taxes, renew my teaching certificate, clean the entire house, grade papers, do laundry, and i would love to scrap for just a little bit. We are leaving for the east side of the state tomorrow after a birthday party in Grandville. We are coming back on Sunday without Jaely. I hope to get some things accomplished, but i am trying not to get my hopes up. Taxes take a loooooong time.

yum. What a perfect chai- what a perfect morning.