Ukraine Adoption

Settled in

I think we have finally found our groove for the fall. It has taken a while. I can seem pretty unreasonable when I'm directing one child to march off into two different directions at 7 a.m. ("Brush your teeth! Put your shoes on!")

My early September threats that "I'm getting in the car right now with or without you" have almost vanished by now. Hysterical Mom is not a good look.

There's comfort in routine. In the evenings, lunches are prepared, coffee is set up, clothes are laid out. In the mornings, I nudge Austin first, then Tara. Like robots, we head downstairs for the kitchen. Here is where some things can go wrong. A nudge by a big brother; a dramatic, exaggerated drop to the floor; an attack by a hungry cat; missing hair decorations; missing shoes; a plea to watch cartoons for just a little while; remembered homework that must be done.

Some will encourage me to get the kids to bed earlier so that morning routines will run more smoothly. But then, that means I have to get my act together at night too. My whole life can't be one big routine. (!)