Oh, and that awesome routine I posted about here, that did some flying too. Which really stinks, because that was the most organized I had been in a really long time, maybe ever. Several things have changed since then. If there is one thing that stays the same in this world, it is that things are always changing. Darling was laid off for two months, then back to work with a different schedule, which changed again a few months later. Nap times have evolved. Big Boy hardly 'naps' anymore, but I try to at least instill "quiet time" in that regard. We've sold and bought animals. And there was a rather long period of time after Labor Day that was just go-go all the time, hardly being home one whole day a week! Sometimes two weeks of going somewhere every day. Things have slowed down lately. Darling's work schedule and our vehicle situation are less than ideal, but as history has proven, that will change some day too.
So, I would like to now press the ''refresh'' button. No, it is not a New year's resolution, though it wouldn't be a bad one. I am delving back into the book that was so helpful to me before: Large Family Logistics by Kim Benneman . It truly is an amazing book; just like having a dear friend invite you into her home to see how she does it. I know, some of you may want to point out the obvious. "You only have two kids, and two kids is not a large family!" I implore you not to shun this book simply because you don't have a "large" family. There are so many helpful tips in this book, I would recommend it to any homemaker. Most especially if she is planning to homeschool. A home in which there are people living in it all day, most every day is a recipe for mess. Because that is just the fact of it; living makes mess. Now, add in the fact that I am out numbered by two boys, under the age of three, and are 16 months apart. Plus the animals, cleaning, cooking, laundry and on and on. There has to be some sort of routine to it all. The hardest part for me about having a routine is not the kids. It is the crazy stuff that I have no control over. Like the cows and pigs that kept getting out ALL. SUMMER. LONG. Or having to rewash every dish in the cupboard (a task that consumed all of the precious, shrinking nap time) because, tis the season, and mice found their way in. Or scrubbing a resistant, 80lb lab with peroxide and baking soda outdoors in 45* temps at 8:30 at night because she got skunked. And so on. This is the stuff I'm talking about. But then again, this is life. Sure, it would be easier if we sold the animals. But knowing where our food comes from is important to me. (although I am somewhat of a hypocrite, as we eat at the golden arches, and who knows what is actually in that stuff). Plus, when fencing systems are working, and I have all the tools needed for the job, farming truly brings me joy. Although in this season of life where I have two little boys in tow, is the hardest time ever as far as farming goes. They are too little to be a real help, yet they are the most eager. Little Boy is not yet walking, so he sits in the stroller and watches as Big Boy and I go about the chores. Tipped over wheelbarrows, broken eggs all over the floor, spilled grain and dumped water buckets are all in a day's work for Big Boy's "helping". But he really wants to help. So I patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) endure the "help" in hopes that some day he will be big enough to help; and will still want to.
Anyway, all that to say I'm starting over. I think I strayed from having some form of rhythm mainly because after weeks of craziness I got discouraged and just threw up my hands. I will be reading and working on that for the next couple days. I'll try to keep you posted. In the mean time, here are a few photos to whet your appetites:
Our new 8ft farm table with benches
Wolfriver apples
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