Wednesday, July 28, 2010

For the Love of Normal

Since about January, life has been a bit upside down for the Ceases. We have been traveling and driving and treating infertility and trying to sell our house and packing and moving and unpacking and church camping and church planting and...things have just been crazy. It has been a hard season, for sure. Lots of eating out. Lots of late nights. Lots of temper tantrums. Lots of forgiveness...both giving and getting. There has been no routine, no structure for too long and it has taken a toll on my family.

Thankfully, last week we turned a corner (at least Braelyn and I did; Casey still has a couple more rounds of crazy to go). We entered into some white space on our calendar...several weeks with no major events and so, without hesitancy, I declared a state of normalcy in the Cease household.

And so it has been...

I have been writing out a schedule for each day. We prepare for the day with showers and breakfast and prayers. We take care of some morning chores. We play. We eat lunch. We play. Rest. Afternoon chores. Prepare for dinner. Eat dinner. Clean up. Enjoy some family time. Prepare for bed...

Generally, each day looks the same. The chores may vary and there's a welcomed play date here and there, but for the most part our week has found a rhythm and I can already see its fruitful effects. I go to bed knowing what to expect from the day ahead. I know what to expect of myself. I'm more productive. There's less room for nonsense and more room for playing and eating at home and baking for fun and all those wonderful things that feel normal. As for Braelyn...she is more herself. There was some anxiousness there, but I can see it lifting. Slowly, but surely.

4 things I know...
I want to serve the Lord well,
I want to serve my family well,
I am girl who needs structure and routine,
And so by structure and routine I will serve the Lord and my family.
(Well...and prayer, of course. Lots and lots of prayer.)

Here's to normal!
CookingLights version of Chicken Pot Pie. I Heart it!

Baking for fun...obviously. ;)

5 comments:

Erica Dirba said...

What else would a girl do in an outfit like that? ;] Haha so sweet. I'm glad things are finally calming down for you! Love you!

Alicia said...

Girl I am right there with you. I HAVE to have structure and consistancy... if not I lose it! That is why I am not as much a fan of summer with no school, sports etc. to have a schedule with! I am probably one of the few who look foward to fall!

mandi said...

Yay for rhythm!
I'm so glad things are feeling more normal for you. That feels good.
The summers are hard for me with the lack of rhythm due to youth trips and the like. I'm like you- I do best with knowing what is coming. That allows the freedom to have some spontaneity, but with the security of having something to fall back on.
Miss B. is so precious! just look at her!

Sadie Dodson said...

Hi Stephanie! I can't believe it has been so long since we have seen you guys. Braelyn has grown so much. She is precious. I have just spent some time catching up on your blog.

I hear ya' on the structure. I function much better that way as well. I'm looking forward to our school starting back so we can get some sort of order to our days!

The apartment is looking great! Enjoy big city life again.

Blessings,
Sadie

Abba's Girl said...

Having a routine is very important to me. In fact when I was still a total night owl, I asked the Lord to reset my clock to sleep by 11p and wake by 5:30a so I could spend time w/ Him in the a.m. and not be rushing around each morning, putting Him last on the list. (And the Target thing from your previous post, I know it well. It's the only place I impulse shop. Sometimes I go in there to browse and I hate to shop.)

Love you!