Routines

I can't believe this week is already (almost) over! That's insane! Time is flying, which is something that I haven't been able to say since we moved to wonderful (<---sarcasm) Western Washington. I think we're finally, 10 months later, settling into this new idea of "normal". Our routine has changed so much since the move, and we've struggled getting a grip on it, but maybe, hopefully, we're on top of it now. I pray that this is the case! I thrive on routine. I also thrive on spontanait. Weird, right?!? But it's true. For me, there has to be a set routine, or else spontaneous events aren't spontaneous. Make sense?


When Jordan was born, I was a nazi about her schedule! Jordan napped and ate at the same times consistently, right as rain. Her routine was everything to our household. We planned lunch dates and grocery shopping trips around her nap schedule, and always made sure she got enough rest before we did anything. If Jordan was still napping, and we had other plans, we cancelled them. My parents watched her while we worked, and if I had to leave before she was awake, my Mom came over and waited for her to wake up. It was wonderful!


With Lucy, we just don't have that luxury. We have 2 kids to schedule Dr.'s appts for, dentist appts, one has a school schedule, etc. It's not practical to have such a strict routine. Though I just typed that, and I re-read it and know that's the way it is, it's still so aggravating for me to live it. I guess I got so caught up in this with Jordan because she was such an easy baby, and I felt at the time that the security of her schedule was what comforted her and made her so "easy". Lucy has been a little tart since she was in-utero, and after parenting Jordan so smoothly, I can't help but feel like I'm doing something wrong this time. I know in my heart of hearts that this is not the case, but sometimes I let myself go to that place of wonder. It's really devestating, and I should probably stop thinking like that. Keeping a strict schedule with her is out of the question. I can try to keep things similar day-to-day, but sometimes there will be outside agenda. The sooner I get over that, the sooner I can stop feeling guilty for something that's not really happening. And I mean, what am I gonna do? NEVER attend a women's bible study and skip necessary appointments because my kid is asleep? It even sounds ridiculous as I type it.


Doc is in a "mini-break" from school right now, meaning that he's only taking one class at a time for the next week, which is great! It free's up a little more time for Candyland, catching up on DVR (which we have for free for 6 months!! Hooray! I would never spend the money to keep it, but I'm sure enjoying this time with it!!) and lots of budget planning. We're doing Financial Peace University right now, the Dave Ramsey program, and I love it!! It's a great program to help with paying off debt, saving for emergencies and retirement, and mainly just holding yourself acocuntable for your spending. It's based on biblical principles regarding money, and it really puts things into perspective. Nothing like a little God-guilt to help me get a grip on my everyday Mcdonald's Diet Coke Fix! Doc and I's goal is to pay off every ounce of debt we have before leaving this duty station. From here, we'll go to Seminary for 3 years, Doc will be commissioned but in the Reserves, and our pay will go down to next to nothing. (And the girls and I will lose our health insurance) The Chaplaincy Program is the only Officer Program in the Navy that does not offer a paid program, so we have to be ready for that! We know that God will provide for us during that time, but we also know that He's embarked the wisdom of this on us for a reason. We must do our part.


I think I'm starting to enjoy my routine a little more as well. I've been getting up when Doc gets up, and showering and getting ready for the day before the girls wake up. Don't ask me why this was such a hard thing for me to start doing. Seriously. Don't ask me. It wounds my pride. I always knew it would be a good idea, but I was so dang tired and I refused to let go of that extra hour or two of sleep. The pattern that the old way created was really unpleasant though. Doc was always in bed an hour or two before I was, we didn't get enough time to just be alone together and have those necessary conversations (or sometimes arguments!) to keep our relationship in check, and I constantly felt like I had no time to myself. Doing this routine, the one where I get up 2 hours before my kids do, fixes all of that. It's still hard and I'm still so lazy about it sometimes, but I'm convinced that this is best for me and my family.


Do you peeps have routines? What are they? What do you do that works really well for you? I'd love to hear it! I know most of you readers are my Facebook peeps, so feel free to tell me there! I hope you all have a nice relaxing weekend coming up! 'Til next time.....