The kids came home from school today, asking as expected..."Where's Dad?" I reminded them his schedule had changed, and immediately called to order a meeting. Over teddy grahams and fruit snacks, we hashed out how things might change...good and bad.
The older kids seemed willing to help out a little more in exchange for a few more minutes of computer time or other liberties (yet to be determined.) We made a schedule, that will surely change a zillion times, but I feel better going in with a few ground rules...like no computer or electronic games before supper. After school time is for snack, homework, then helping with the little ones while I get supper on. After supper will be their free time. Except Friday evenings, which will now be our cleaning night. (So we can have "good times" with Dad on Saturdays.)
Tonight the older kids did a wonderful job entertaining Lucy while I made supper (without me nagging, even) and so after supper, we spent an hour or so at our public library. It's a favorite hangout for all ages. We followed up with some ice cream for a late dessert (low-fat for me!) and a silly sing-along movie before bed. The older kids would never admit to liking it...but they know all the songs by heart, and it's fun to watch them all enjoy it. Charlie even helped me with a Rosary as the others settled off to bed. It really was a good start to this new chapter. I'm grateful for God's grace to carry us through. Thanks for the prayers.
So now, I have a couple hours to fold up some laundry, get the dishwasher unloaded, and "settle" until John gets home. I'm not one for tv...don't even know for sure what I'd want to watch to get hooked on. Perhaps a little reading instead. A friend dropped by a book today that I'm anxious to check out. I can't even tell you the title, something from Focus on the Family about spending quality evenings with the kids...funny, it's as if she knew...that 'ol Holy Spirit is always working!
Peace and good night to all!
