July 1st

Starting a new month is one of my FAVORITE things to do

New plans, expectations, hopes and just a general refreshing feeling of *starting over*

I've been running low on patience lately,

having had almost a full month in vacation mode (and with extra helpers with the kids' routines) and now solo with Trevor gone, 

not to mention the ongoing stress/aching of the lack of a basement and decisions left to tackle...it's felt...heavy.

So to start this new month and new day, 

I told the kids we are starting with a new morning prayer routine

(usually our first prayer together is breakfast)

including a request for patience, understanding, forgiveness, and love. 

Let's do this thing, July!

This little manual-spin calendar was in Trevor's grandparents' home (& his great-grands). I have always loved looking at it in their window sill and am so grateful to have this relic in our home now. It was fun to see the directions as I flipped from 30...to...this.

 A few things we did today, the first day of July...

We worked on Thank You cards (from our trip AND from our basement crisis wherein we received childcare, meals, & help last week!),
drew chalk outlines of each other,
listened to J read books to us,
& had lunch outside under the lilac umbrella:

Snacky style: Hummus & carrots, broccoli, apples, avocado, almonds, & apricots.

We played outside in the backyard. The weather was FANTASTIC--a nice breeze, some sunshine, not very humid. The littles romped while I scribbled thank yous in my lawn chair.

These two have gotten so brave with this rope swing & have created new games with it to play together.

 We talked with Daddy on the phone, took naps, and decided we couldn't handle it anymore--we HAD to go downtstairs.

This is the first time the kids have been downstairs to see everything & really look around. They wore their outside shoes (the floors are filthy) and were allowed to run/play but not to get their shoes on the couch or recliner. Also they were encouraged to choose one toy to bring upstairs (there are plenty upstairs and they can switch out at anytime--but, there is limited space upstairs--we can't bring it all up).

This is also the first time they've really seen or played with ANY of their playroom toys in OVER a month. Kind of crazy. Felt like a big enough deal for N to dance on his desk. 

I was reminded of the mess we have and the decisions we have to make + the lack of expertise, time, and overall funds to do it all.
I look forward to the day when all the decisions are made and we have our basement back again!

Then, we came back upstairs and got on with 'real life' and I put it all aside again. We made dinner, swapped stories, and got ready for bed.

While I was trying to clean the kitchen (if they play happily, this kills 2 stones at one time...I get it all done AND they get out some pre-bed energy), I heard loud thumps, squeals, and exuberant laughter from the boys' room. I had already been in there twice to request they not be wrestling and getting wound up before bed. Then I heard Miss N's screaming...

This is how it went down:

Me: (tired, exasperated voice) "Ok, this is the third time I am telling you--please stop using your bodies to bother each other--we are trying to calm down before bed" (pushing with feet, jumping on heads, etc)

J: (calmest, sweetest voice) "But it's our favorite way...how will we ever remember?"

*sigh*

A reminder. 

Perhaps they forget that it's not great to body slam each other as often as I forget that they are just children.

And then we read scriptures, said prayers, and snuggled ourselves to sleep, I left the dishes for later.

July 1st was a great day.