Category: Helpfulness of Habit

It’s mid-July.  The sky has been a clear blue for several days as the temperatures have, at last, reached high enough that it’s definitely summer.  What is it about perfect summer days that almost make you think it will last forever?

It’s been a productive week at the Harrison house.  It was probably our least scheduled week of the year and we took advantage of it.  We moved half of our children to different bedrooms, going through all clothing and personal items in the process.  Our toy room is now a bedroom, a bedroom has become a toy room, and another bedroom turned upside down as well.  It’s been a lot of work but I’m happy that we’ve gone through all the toys, all the stuff, and pared things down to what I sincerely hope will be  a manageable amount.

I want to live more simply.  In a ruthless frame of mind I cleaned out the linen and game closets, took loads of things to the thrift store, set aside other things for a yard sale.  My goal is to go through everything in our house in the next two weeks; last week was a good start.

We had some fun as well:  trips to the pool, playing in the yard, quiet afternoons reading good books, smores with friends, movie nights, time tickling the little ones, talks with friends, staying up late to watch the full moon.

The lavender is harvested and hanging to dry.  I did a lot of weeding.  We’re eating produce from our gardens.  I made 20 pints of strawberry jam.  I’m still eating well.  I look back at the week and marvel at all we accomplished.  Then comes the thought,  “so this is life outside the car!”

Yesterday I celebrated my birthday.  My husband worked himself weary and made it a wonderful day and a couple of friends made it special with a surprise trip for dessert.  The house is cleaner than it’s been in a long time and I even spent a few minutes at the sewing machine.  We went swimming as a family and my husband and I enjoyed our favorite take out while we watched a movie together.  This wonderful group I call my family is awfully fun to be around.  My three year old melted my heart at bedtime when she sweetly said, “Goodnight.  I love you so much, birthday girl!”

Another week peeks at me from around the bend.  There is much to do but I’m optimistic it will all turn out well.

Life is good.

Jennifer

As I type my husband sits on the floor playing a game of SCUM with the oldest five children.  Our baby has removed all her clothes and is running around like the crazy woman she is, throwing whatever she can get her hands on while her five year old brother laughs with delight and follows.  The three year old melted down earlier and is now sleeping peacefully.  Once again I look at the clock and lament the hour but part of me whispers, “What is summer for?” as I watch our children interact with each other and their Dad.  These are the moments that we miss when we’re too busy.  These are the moments that contribute so much to family life and family memories.  And so I delay bedtime… again.

This is only the third weekend in seven weeks that our family has been at home.  It’s nice to be just us, in our own home, together.  It’s been a busy week.  We went from vacation mode to soccer tournament mode quickly and I had an important project to finish.  I’m behind on laundry but really we’ve done pretty well considering all the factors.

In general I feel good about the week.  I finished a project and started another book.  The car is clean.  I cleaned out a closet and got rid of things we no longer need.  An idea struck and I spent some time organizing in the basement to prepare for it.  I enjoyed a great mother/daughter date with one of my girls.  I spent time snuggling with my little ones and had a great talk with my 6 year old.  We visited with neighbors, and I even got to help with the cutest wedding idea of all time (more on that later).  Miraculously, I remembered a couple of birthdays and got some mini cakes baked and delivered.  I’m eating well and it feels good.  We started a new read-aloud chapter book as a family.  I spent time evaluating what matters most to me, working on specific things to make more room in my life for those essential things.  It feels good to be still, to ponder, to ask hard questions, to implement.  We were busy but good things happened.  I wonder, is it possible I’m learning something?  Perhaps, or this could also be an indication of how well things flow when we’re not overloaded.  The overload factor is a big part of the picture and I’ve got a lot to learn in this area, but it feels good to know what you need to work on.

I also did something that was really hard for me.  I went through all my baby boy clothes and got rid of most of them, saving only those that really tugged at my heart.  I was literally shaking as I did it.  I kept taking a deep breath and telling myself that I could do it and that it was ok.  I guess I’m slowly, very slowly, coming to grips with 8 being our upper limit.  I so wanted more but here we are, stretched so thin that there are gaping holes.  I probably should have called some friends to pass the clothing along but I had to take it directly to the car and off to the thrift store before I started crying.  I did it.  And the week went on just fine.

Up ahead this week:  lots of organizational projects around the house plus some good, old fashioned summer fun.  And, if I’m really good, a bit of sewing as well.

What’s ahead for your family this week?
Jennifer

Here we are, half way through the year.  Crazy.  I wish I could say I’m half way through my goals, but that is not the case.  Still, in some areas we’re doing much better than we were in January.

It’s also July, the only month of the year when I get my children entirely to myself.  The school year infringes on every other month to some degree, so July is special.

We’ve spent a wonderful week at the beach, with some of the most perfect days I can remember in many years.  The ocean breeze, cool water and endless sand have bewitched us all, making us wish the beach was ours year round.  We’ve slept in cramped spaces and played in wide open ones.  We’ve made memories.  We’ve stopped our share of traffic with our numbers which is always amusing.  There’s nothing like watching people out of the corner of your eye as they count heads and drop their jaws.  It’s like living in the children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings” except that we’re all people.

Most of all I’ve treasured our time on the beach, watching the color of the water change throughout the day, enjoying beautiful sunsets together.  I sighed to myself and whispered, “This is low tide.  Relax and enjoy it.”  And I have.  I’m learning to change gears.   It’s been a wonderful week.

I haven’t worried too much about progress since this is our annual vacation but I can say that I’ve eaten really wisely this week, which feels good.  Life is good.  We’ll soon be back in Utah to experience summer there, but the break has been heavenly.

We’re spending the 4th of July with my husband’s family which will be fun.  I always hate to be out of town for the 4th of July but we’re making our traveling holiday memorable.

I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July!

Jennifer