Routine love

So far so good here. I'm doing my best to stick with it, and use it as a guide and not law. I tend to be not only an idealist, but legalistic as well. So far so good!

I've actually been able to complete some paperwork as well. Paperwork falls through the cracks here all the time. I hate paperwork. But nearly done, just need Shawn to sign some things and put it in the mail, and success!

Tomorrow I am returning to the GRE plan - 30 days and I'm sure there will be a significant difference in our house. I already see it. Signing off for now. Back to the normal tedium of my life :)

A Routine - IN WRITING!!!

Okay. This is it. In writing!

So I don't know if this routine will be definitive. I will most assuredly need a few days to work with it and see if it is servicable for our family. It LOOKS good, and BUSY, but we'll see how it works. I am going crazy without order around here.

Our "normal" routine for days at home:

8am - Wake 'em up and get 'em to the breakfast table

830 - Dress/teeth/hair

9 -Free time

930 - Alone time (including Pack 'n Play time for Lottie! Mom, aren't you proud!!)

10 - Imagination Movers (a great show!)

1030 - Room time together (this is where they are now)

11:30 - Book time

12 - Lunch

1230 - Nap prep

1 - Nap

3 - Up from naps/snack/craft time/outside IF it's nice

430 - Bath time

5 - Alone time

530 - Word Girl

6 - Blanket time

630 - Daddy home/dinner

7 - Bedtime prep

730 or 8 - Bed time

Whew! Hopefully it will keep them active enough to rest well during naps and at night. We'll see how this goes. Ready, set, DEEP BREATH... and we're off to book time...

Day 5 - A ROUTINE!

It has taken me a few days to get back to my posts. I was sick yesterday, with a mild case of the flu. The kids have had colds, and last night two of them began this whole stomach bug mess. And it's finally getting back to normal. But I am so fatigued right now. Not just tired, fatigued.

Emmie will be 3 months old on the 11th of February. I feel as if I am finally ready to start THINKING about a routine. Naptimes have been torture since her birth, and even though they have gotten better in the past month, my children really need more activity to get sufficiently tired by naptime and bedtime. Lottie is still waking up at night (even though Emmie is not!), and she really needs to cry it out. This is next to impossible when she's in room with Charity and Calvin. The other night, Calvin asked to not be in his room anymore during one of Lottie's tyrades. It broke my heart.

Fortunately, we are slowly but surely making progress on the sunroom project (it will be our bedroom when all is said and done). Nights are torture right now - for us and the kids - so I am praying it can be completed soon!

Anyway, today's GRE task is to assess the needs of my children, and make a list of non-negotiables for our routine/schedule. My wonderful mother has agreed to start taking Charity, Calvin, and Lottie on Monday and Friday mornings for me - there's a starting point. I hope to get somewhere on this today. I still haven't cleaned out the fridge from the other day's task. Okay, off to get my cranky children up from nap. We're falling apart quick here. Sheesh.

Day 4 - Food control part 2

Ugh. I did it AGAIN. I left Shawn and I's salvageable dinner out all night. And I am kicking myself.

So on that note - one of today's goal is to salvage every bit of food and formula that is economically useful. And clean out the fridge, if I get to it (but I never seem to). Yesterday seemed to be unseasonably productive for me. By the Lord's grace, I had the strength to wash 4 loads (yay!), fix a decent dinner, clean out the bottle cabinet, get the rest of the Sam's items put away, pack up some outgrown kids' clothing, etc.

In order to avoid over-doing it today, I'm going to just try to accomplish three things:

1. Be USEFUL and not WASTEFUL with our God-given provision

2. Clean out the fridge

3. Divide the 6 lbs. of hamburger meat in the fridge into 1 lb. sections, freeze individually

And once again, I am constrained to rely on the Lord's grace to accomplish even these small things. Only He can help me change these bad habits towards His glory.

Getting Rid of Excess

I realized, in reading back over my postings, that I never thoroughly explained what exactly I'm doing with these daily tasks. So like me for my mind to fly 100 mph. So here's the point:

We've accumulated a bunch of junk. We need to get rid of it.

We've turned into wasteful, consumer-Americans. Let's make full use of what we have.

We've got the capability to bless other individuals, less fortunate than us. Let's do it.

We are wasting money/time/space/energy because of all the extras. Let's become more efficient.

So this is the Getting Rid of Excess project (hereafter GRE). With the Lord's help, I can daily tackle one task towards this goal!

Day 3 - Food control

We must be the world's worst food wasters. So today - I am devising a plan to: take down our budget, make sure we are always stocked with some food to eat, and ensure that we are not wasteful with our food/food storage, and anything else I can do to conserve in any way.

Last night, we were able to go to Sam's and procure a month's worth of groceries (maybe longer!) for $300. This included some necessary items, such as laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, freezer bags, etc. These things may not need to be bought in bulk every time, as I'm generally able to get them for super cheap at CVS. However, this month we needed to do so.

So for things like meat, breakfast foods, pasta, etc. it is definitely more beneficial for me to get them at Sam's right now. Feeding a family of 6 is no small task, albeit much credit to the women with larger families. But for me, it's new terrain and a learning experience - and I'm realizing that at certain times, convenience takes the cake over good deals. But only sometimes!

CVS will be revisited this week. Tomorrow I have the awesome task of getting rid of excess paper by culling coupons and clipping ones from the past few weeks' paper. Can't you see my excitement? No? Ah, well - don't be envious. It's not exactly easy to do with my older three trying to get into it all! But all in name of getting RID of clutter and EMBRACING organization!

So to break it down, today's to-do list is as follows {GRE items in bold}:

• Brush kids' hair/teeth
  
• Finish getting myself ready for the day!
  
• Finish putting away yesterday's purchases
  
• Clean out fridge, wash gross dishes
  
• Attach list to ref. door denoting what leftovers are inside and in what container
  
• Clean out the three shelves that are chaos, toss old/non-useful bottles
  
• Plan out this weeks/next weeks' meals
  
• Sweep/mop floor
  
• Wipe down cabinets
  
• Wash at least 4 loads
  
• Clean the bathroom (if there's time)
  
• Make dinner
  
• Keep up with discipline
  
• Finish up a custom order for tomorrow
  
• Take an hour at 10:30, 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 9 to feed baby
  

And that is my day. And I am already exhausted, but praying for the Lord's grace. And I know He'll give it.

Getting rid of excess - Day 2

Okay for Day 2, my goal was to actually UNLOAD some of the items we are selling on Craigslist. Mission accomplished! We sold three items today - our microwave (fortunately we have an extra one in the basement!), our loveseat, and a glider/footstool set. YAY! So an exta amount of cash from just a small amount of effort.

Getting rid of excess - Day 1

I will be blogging for the next little while on this topic that has been on my mind for a few weeks now. Excess. So hang in there. I HOPE to have a new task to tackle every day in order to cut down excess and to get out of this consumer mindset that IS America.

Today's task? Managing and keeping record of the items we are selling on Craigslist. In that same line, scouting out any additional items that can be sold. So far, we have listed Shawn's car, a large appliance, a small appliance, one of our guitars, a pack 'n play, and several additional items.

My hope is to become a faithful steward all the way down to the smallest cent. All of this is attempting to be done with the glory of God on the brain, in the heart, and on our lips.

Flowers!

My husband is so sweet. After getting up at a little after 4 a.m. to go grocery shopping, he brought these home. Initially, they were four small arrangements, that I combined to make one larger and smaller grouping. Anyway, he left a note in front of them on the counter that reads:

"Good Morning Ladies!
I just wanted you all to know how much I love you all!
Meg, your tulips are the red ones because you ARE my Love!
Charity, yours are the yellow ones, because you are my little Sunshine.
Lottie, yours are the dark pink ones because you are so warm & cuddly!
And lastly Emmie, yours are the lite pink becuase you're such a cute baby girl!
I love you!!!
Daddy"

:)

Inauguration 2009

This is such an exciting day for our country. Not because I'm one of the those "Yes, we can!"ers, or an Obamanite. It's because our experiment of a country is working yet again. The people have spoken! This is who America has chosen to be their next President.

I most assuredly don't agree with most of his policies. However, as a follower of Christ, I will joyfully respect his position as President. It saddens me to see the masses of Christians who take their Constitutional rights more seriously and "religiously" than they do their Christian responsibilities. Example being the freedom of speech, and the ability to dissent against government - e.g. the Nobama slogan that has been going around. Instead of reviling against our God-given and constituent-chosen authority, shouldn't we be praying for him and hoping for him to succeed in office? As opposed to the inevitable "I told you so!" attitude, just waiting for his first slip-up. And on an additional note, how does this influence non-believers towards salvation? Seeing the bitter, sore-loser attitude of the current Evangelicals will just further push their hardened hearts away from the Gospel. Not good.

So if I did not have three children climbing all over me, I am sure I would be spouting off a plethora of Scripture verses proving my point more. However, I am only half here right now, and will bounce this discussion right over to Girltalk, where there is an excellent post on praying for our new President. May God bless him, and of course, America as well.

The winner (revised)

I have been corrected. My mother was actually the first to post the answer to the "Which one" post. So, congrats mom!

Surprise date!

While I absolutely love my job, I completely get burnt out sometimes. I know I'm at that point, or close to it, when everything makes me cry. I mean everything. I suppose I am just emotional like that.

Shawn seems to handle it well. It seems to not phase him much. He's good to let me cry on his shoulder, or say some cheesy thing to get me laughing. Or give me this dopey face he learned at his work. I'll have to post a pic of it sometime.

But on Saturday, he planned for a date night for us. You see, surprises are not common with Shawn - that's okay, because with four little ones, I'm not too fond of them either right now. But I NEEDED this! He secured babysitting (via his parents), and we ran two quick errands and ended up at the Good Cherry - a new coffee spot. The atmosphere was fabulous, and their espresso cups were so cute, I almost bought some (except that we don't have an espresso machine). For a Saturday, there was hardly anyone there. So we goofed off and hand a great time! I also was able to roll yarn. (I really don't go anywhere without it.)

I love him :)

And the winner is....

Shawn (via wall post on Facebook). But I suppose he'll have to share that title with everyone else, since EVERYONE else got it too! Except for Philip, but that's okay Philip. Don't beat yourself up too badly there, bro.

So to my family, I fear that I have underestimated your attention to the various details during the infancy of my children. Or, at least, your attention to the particular rug I have in my living room.

And the answer? Why, that picture is of Lotness.

Sweet, sweet baby girl! But which one?

Guess which Morrison girl this is?

Homemaker in training

I find it much more time-efficient for me to snap pictures with my Blackberry, and blog with those. Our SLR is just fabulous, but a bit bulky, and just a magnet for tiny hands when it's out. So for now, I will enjoy the benefits of our Blackberry, and being able to email the photos to myself to post.

So today I figured it was high time for me to pull out my apron again. I have much to do today (of course, blogging is NOT one of the priorities!), so it has come in useful already. I have managed to prevent peed on and spitted-up on clothing so far, therefore proving its worth to me already.

Charity, seeing my apron, declared that she was in need of one as well. And (thanks to Aunt Heather and her AWESOME gift ideas!), I produced from our dishcloth drawer her new favorite item. I don't know if she is so delighted over hers because of my apparent joy in mine, but that is irrelevant. This chick has her head square on her shoulders!

"So," you may think, "will she ACTUALLY make this child WORK?" Well.... YES! But thanks be to God, I have the sweetest, funnest, and most interesting (and IMPORTANT!) job. I have the awesome privilege of teaching her how to care for a family! And her sweet heart and gentle nature is teaching me how to do my job better and love it even more. And people, that's only one aspect of everything I get to do as a wife/mom/homemaker.

So in the spirit of teaching my sweet children, I will be utilizing Charity's help in sorting laundry (she rocks the laundry!), and if they will suppress their fear of the basement, I'll get them to help me load the dryer with wet clothes, throw more laundry into the wash, and fold burp cloths. And maybe wipe of the table and use their little hand brooms to sweep up the kitchen and dining room floors. We have so much fun doing these things together (it IS possible!!), and they learn so much in the process.

Okay I really have to get back to work now! Praise the Lord for little souls to train for Him!

Ahh... sweet organization!

Three kids in one (small) bedroom - at last! This totally made my day. All in a morning's work...

Bedtime clocks

Well, due to some obedience issues, we are instituting some additional methods to help curb this trend in our 2 1/2 year old. Anyone who knows Calvin, knows this kid has buns of steel. It seems he does not care about spankings. And I thought Charity was stubborn.

So this is how it works: At the beginning of the day, the clock starts out at 8:00. Every time we have a discipline issue, in addition to the spank, the big hand on the clock is moved back 5 min. I have yet to see if it will be effective, but I am hopeful!

It's obvious which clock belongs to Calvin - and since the picture was taken, it's been moved back further. Now, if we can just get him to stay in bed during naps and at night, we'll be in good shape. I have an idea I'm working on, but that will require some supplies at the store. I'll secure those this afternoon.

So I suppose it's back to the grind now. Tons of laundry, tons of cleaning, and family coming over tonight. It will most definitely be a busy day. My Grandmother is still heavily on my mind, and I'm praying that I can keep my mind from becoming too engrossed in my daily activities that I fail to keep eternity in perspective.

Pain and joy

On January 2nd, 2009, my Grandmother, May Vain, saw her Savior. Our Savior.



We got the phone call at 12:30 am, New Years Day, that she had first fell into respiratory arrest, followed shortly thereafter by cardiac arrest. She was due to leave the hospital in just a matter of days.



So we packed - very quickly - after just a few hours of rest. She was on a ventilator. Somewhat responsive. But shouldn't have been. She was a DNR, and due to some mix up at the hospital, they resucitated anyway. They were going to keep her on the ventilator until all of the family could get there.



We arrived at the hospital at 8:30ish that night. I got to speak to her, and my mouth said things that should have been told to her during all of the years I was able to enjoy her here. I told her how I looked up to her. That she was meeting the One that saved her - and how incredibly jealous I am of her. I told her how her character has influenced me. How her devotion to her family and love for her husband was not only a inspiration, but daily on my mind. I told her how much I love her and respect her. I stroked her hands, her hair, kissed her face. When I told her how she has influenced me, her eyebrows moved up and down expressively and she struggled to speak, although the ventilator prevented it. She tried to open her eyes and couldn't. I knew that she was protesting - she was always so humble and opposed any flattering of herself. I stayed as long as I could - as long as the kids could take it. Shawn, Emily, and I sang to her with weak voices. We brought Charity in, and she was able to hear that sweet voice that I hear every single day. How sweet it must have sounded to her. We went home, and tried to rest.



The next day, Friday, my aunt took Emily and I aside and explained that her, my dad, and Uncle Cliff were in agreement that ventilator indeed was against her wishes (she was so angry that it was there, that in her struggles had disconnected it several times already - thus was heavily sedated) and that it was time to remove her. So at two, Emily and I made the trip to the hospital. We went in one last time, and I attempted yet again to tell her how much I love her, and how full my heart was for her - with joy and pain all at once. This was what she had waited her life for - the completion of her sanctification, the hope that she held for so many years. So I stroked her hair, kissed her, held her hand, as long as I could. My Aunt explained to her what was going to happen, and told her mom that she loved her. Once again, my grandmother tried so hard to speak. I know she was saying, "I love you, too." She just wanted to go home, to heaven, as she had told her sister not even two days prior.



Some time during the four o'clock hour, I don't quite remember the time exactly, the ventilator was removed. She breathed on her own for nearly 6 hours after that. During that time we were in and out, securing a baby sitter, getting the kids to bed, etc. We made it back to the hospital around 9:30ish. When we were there, we were able to sing to her again... and one of the gentleman there (the music leader of her church) sang the song my grandmother would sing to me when I was little - You Are My Sunshine. I cried more than I ever thought possible. Around 10:10, the nurse came into the waiting room and notified us that we needed to come back. When we arrived, we witnessed the last few minutes of her life on earth. She comfortably left her earthly body, to meet her Lord face to face. The room was full of family, yet peaceful. I had witnessed eternity right there - the hope of my soul and everything I am living for now. What a joyful occasion! What heart wrenching sorrow! And I would be remiss to act as if there were no regrets. But I was there - I saw her in the moment before she met God.



And I can't help but wonder if the Lord was wooing her away. Did she get a sweeter taste of heaven as the moments and hours dawned closer to her departure? Did the music of heaven get louder and more clear? Did the sweet aroma of hope fulfilled become stronger and stronger? And did her Savior's face become clearer the closer she got? I suppose I will not know until I am there myself. But my hands are shaking at the thought! Could it be that she knew it was imminent - that her sanctification was rapidly approaching its end? How sweet those last few days must have been to her! The thoughts and longings of her heart must have been beautfully sweet and joyous.



Her funeral was held on Tuesday at 11 am. Shawn was asked to be a pallbearer, and he humbly and gladly accepted. Needless to say, it was difficult to care for my children without him. My sister was a tremendous help to me the entire time. It was quite surreal though. My heart wanted to grieve, yet my hands were so busy. The graveside was no different. The day was nasty and rainy and cold, and there were chairs set up for family under then tent - yet my sweet Calvin was absolutely terrified to be under the tent. He and Lottie cried for a lot of it - they were tired and hungry and cold. So only tonight, in typing out my thoughts, has the grief finally started to hit me. I miss her. I will see her again, but more importantly I, too, will meet my Savior one day. And her passing has made me crave it even more. I pray that the things I have learned on the brevity of life and the joys to come will not leave me quickly. While she was dying, and since then, the verse that has been burned into my heart is this:



2 Corinthians 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,



She probably feels already as if she has been with the Lord for an eternity, with all but an eternity ahead of her. Praise be to God, I can only stand in awe of His works. His ways are above mine, and I am thankful that He has taken her home, where she will suffer no more and is relishing in the presence of Him who created her, redeemed her, and completely sanctified her. Praise be to God.