Routines and traditions

For what seems like the first time in my life I feel like I am finally settling into some sort of consistent routine. I am sure there was one before in fact as I am dealing with regular life and finding what works for me I am remembering old routines from my home growing up and several other different places.

I love our pizza and a movie tradition I started when the boys were little. We got the idea from Lizz Hackett Neuteufel.  Matt and I used to babysit for her dog at her house when they went out of town. Pizza and a movie was one of their family traditions. Lately, I have decided to add one of my own traditions from when I was growing up; homemade popcorn made in a pan on the stove with butter and salt and Kool-aid. I love Kool-aid. I love it. And we even eat it on the couch while we watch our movie. We can vacuum when we are done...it's so fun to eat popcorn and watch a movie all comfy and cozy.  My mom taught me how to do that. I have so many really great memories watching TV and movies with her in her bed at night with popcorn, Pepsi, and pomegranates. Thanks mom!

Another tradition we have started tonight and I hope it continues is once the kids go to bed on Saturday night Tyler and I stay up and watch a movie while folding laundry. Awesome huh?;)

We went to wet and wild today something I hope we do every Saturday evening that we can. It's so nice to get out of the house and away from chores and differing points of view and opinions on how to do or say or think about certain things. It's nice to have a common goal of just having fun or be entertained by something and watch each other laugh, smile and relax. So refreshing.

A personal routine I have is to stay up a little later than everyone else and take a minute to reflect on my day and catch up on the lives of my friends who blog and use social media. I love going to bed at the same time as my husband but this is the only time that everyone is in bed and it's quiet and I can think.  I love it so much.

I am starting to get much better at keeping things clean as I go and fingers crossed teaching my children to do the same. So much of what I do in my home comes from the examples of Andrea Holland and my own mother. I appreciate how neat and tidy they both are and how often I can refer to their examples when I find myself wondering what to do.  To this day nothing feels better than to shower and put lotion, perfume and deodorant on at night. I saw my mom doing that sometimes at night and thought it was so interesting when I was a kid. Like why would you put lotion and perfume on if you are just going to bed?

I also love to air my blankets out on my upstairs railing  like Andrea Holland does and to write neatly on cards.  I want to learn how to be more fun like her though. I want to be able to enjoy the moment I am in and find the fun to be had. She looks for the humor and is quick to laugh and enjoy those around her.  I am grateful for the mother's in my life who have taught me how to be a mother. I am learning so slowly but I am grateful  to be a mom with great examples about me.

 I am grateful for the example of mothers in my life who are good at creating beauty in their home. Helen Holland does that so well. If I can manage to be even a tiny percentage as graceful as her in my lifetime I will consider that a major accomplishment. I hope that I can be like my grandma Hanson and create a peaceful home where everyone is fed well and has a nice place to sit and talk afterwards. A wonderful orange couch, or recliner or a bar stool pulled up to an orange counter looking at orange curtains on the window over her kitchen sink.  Or outside on a back patio with pretty and amazing smelling flowers hanging around on vintage chairs that are a little bit wobbly and rusty but still work just fine and you never want them to be replaced because one of the things you love about her place is the consistency--things stay the same.

I hope that my house smells wonderfully clean like my Grandma Pourier's did and all of my Aunts in Lower Brule.  I hope I can make being happy and fun like my cousin Theresa is a part of my life. I remember how welcome I felt when Theresa was around even from a super early age. I loved, LOVED it when she would let me try on her make up samples. And use the tiny tubes of lipstick.  I love how my mom's side of the family is so good at being happy and creating order and beauty. They know how to make things tranquil. And then from Tyler I have learned that there are those that expertly create order. What a blessing it is to see other people operate in their home. I take so much from the examples of everyone I know. I am looking forward to spending more time with my new family to learn from them as well. Like I said Tyler has kind of shown me what he learned from his parents growing up and I have blessed because of it.  It's very helpful to have examples all around.

Saturday chores have sort of evolved into something pretty consistent too. The boys clean their room and  bathroom and help with folding and putting away laundry. They also help with the babies too as we do the rest. I am so hoping that we can start waking up early and have a big chunk of quiet free time as well. Some reading time. One of my favorite memories from growing up was reading under our willow tree with a blanket and a bologney sandwich (I know I spelled it wrong but that's how I say it and that is what looks right to me.)

The memories of childhood really are the greatest. The memories of playing and imagining. I want to create more time in our home for that sort of thing. I want my kids to have a chance to get lost in their thoughts and games and books and each other. I want them to enjoy life. I was able to do that so often especially when my mom was home. I was blessed with a very gentle and kind mother. I am so grateful for that. It's easy to relax and enjoy life with her around. She is happy when life is hard. Doesn't get rattled when problems arise. She is a great example of just dealing with life as it comes along with a smile, creative solutions and a lot of hard work.  Never with anger or frustration...she probably feels it but chooses to focus on the good she sees and share the happiness she feels from that good she can so readily see. She is my number one roll model for how to treat others while living life even when, especially when it gets hard. And when it comes down to it I think that is the most important thing we do. We treat each other with love.

When I was first married I was so overwhelmed with all there was to do. I didn't know where to start nor did I have the ability or muscles built up enough to handle all that needed to be done. It took me a really long time to figure out my role why it's so important. I felt alone for so long in doing housework and laundry.  I loved doing it but I hated doing it alone.  I have always liked to work with someone right beside me. Elaine my friend and I loved to sit and talk to each other as we cleaned our rooms in good ol Aberdeen, South Dakota when we were like 12 years old up until we were probably 16. It was so perfect and so fun. I have a hard time doing what I need to do when I am alone. And when you are first married...you are alone a lot. Especially, if it comes during school or the beginning of a career.  That was really hard for me. That coupled with complete inexperience caused me to miss out on some happy moments I am sure I would have had earlier if I had known more about taking care of my home...being a home-maker and my role as the wife and at the time soon to be mom. I suppose I knew what I was supposed to do. I just valued not being alone the most and in pursuit of that I suppose I missed out on some happiness I might have known had I learned to find joy in my work too.

I am grateful for a husband who loves me and a home to care for FULL of children to keep me company and very busy.

I hope the routines and traditions in my home can help my family enjoy life and enjoy our HOME together!