ROUTINE

I've generally had a routine, maybe a better word would be flow, to my day and even week.  Kids changed things up a lot and my whole life existed to take care of these little creatures.  Their routine was my routine.  I loved having little ones, especially before we had to leave the house on a regular basis.  Then school started and life became busy!  Over the years, the kids have been involved in soccer, flag football, basketball, track, wrestling, piano lessons, school orchestra, battle of the books, Metropolitan Youth Symphony, cub scouts, boy scouts and a variety of summer camps.  We've been members of the Phoenix Zoo, Arizona Science Center, Arizona Museum for Youth and the Arizona Museum of Natural History (aka The Dinosaur Museum).  I've carted boys to their scheduled visits to the pediatrician, pediatric opthamologist, dentist, pediatric orthopedist, orthodontist, podiatrist and dermatologist. (I've also taken them to many urgent care and ER visits....but thankfully that isn't too routine!)  My days have been happily filled with their appointments, events and homework.  So.....where is this going?  Well, I'm finding that I have more time lately and the boys are more and more independent.  While that is great (dare I say, fantastic......wonderful.......exhilarating!) I've realized that I need to find my own routine again. (my afternoons/evenings are still taken up with the kids....it's not like they've moved out or anything!)  It's a work in progress, but that's the great part - It is progressing!!!  This week I was really pushing forward with my new routine.  This is how it's gone so far:

Monday

Cleaned the house, tons of laundry and plans to run a couple of errands.  Get in the van and it doesn't start!  Plans altered.

Tuesday

Van in the shop all day (but it was fixed without spending too much - yeah!)  Tony helped with the van and even stayed home in the morning so I could go to my institute class.  Again, plans altered.

Wednesday

Van is back and running well.  After taking care of my morning routine, it was time for shopping and errands.  First stop, Ranch Market (10 miles away) and after shopping, I went to check out.  That's when I discovered Colton had my debit card from the night before and hadn't returned it!  I won't even finish with the whole story, except to say that I did finally end up with my groceries (1 hour and 15 minutes later) and was able to get to two others stores before calling it a day.  Plans altered for the third day! 

While it hasn't been the ideal week, it has been a great experience.  I find that when I am more focused with my day, I'm able to deal with the little alterations to my time and relax a little more. And that is priceless.

Here's a little glimpse of what January has seen at the House of Steve.  Kyler had his haircut.  What makes this news is the fact that he didn't get a buzz cut!  I let him get a real haircut.......I regretted it the second I saw him!!!!!!  He looks too grown up.  Bring back my baby in the buzz cut, STAT!

 Asher and his magnets!!!  I get that we have science fair every year, but why must this boy need super strong magnets.....like keep-away-from-your-TV-and-all-electronics magnets!  Thankfully, science fair is over!  (Colton's really thankful he's completed his last one!)

 Normally, I pick Kyler up in the back parking lot.  I prefer the back, the front is a mad house!  Last Friday I was teaching Art Masterpiece for two 6th grade classes.  Unfortunately, I had to park in the front.  Can you see what I mean.......it's crazy!  On top of that, no one would let me get out!  CRAZY and RUDE.  While I had the time, I did have to capture these two cute boys. Before you know it, they'll be in high school.  (that's how it feels)

 Once they realized I had the camera out, this is all I saw.

 Until I caught Andrew!

We've also been very busy preparing for our Gilbert Temple Cultural Celebration.  The Gilbert Temple open house is going on now until February 15th.  We are taking our family tomorrow - can't wait.  Next week, Tony, Colton and Asher will join me in serving during the open house - really can't wait for that.  This was from our first practice on the 8th.  Colton is in the black shirt.  He and Brianna were learning the first moves to the Cha Cha.

 Asher getting ready to dance.

 Rockin' the sombrero!!!

And finally....this is my first "chalkboard" creation.  It didn't turn out like I pictured in my mind, but it's growing on me.  This is our 2014 mutual theme at church.  I will share this (and our Young Women's birthday gift) soon as a printable. 

Now, back to my routine.....

write on the blog - CHECK