Finding the Joy in the Journey

Back-to-school laundry day. Kitty, get to work!

There is something soothing about routine.

Settling back into routine resets the soul.

Especially after having my family home from school for vacation.

Don't get me wrong, I love having my family home with me! I am blessed to be the wife of a teacher. My husband is home with the girls on most vacation days, which gives us time to be a family in ways I wish all families could enjoy.  I love that he wakes me up with coffee in bed. I love that I wake with the happy chitter-chatter of my girls wondering what the daily plan will be. I love that we spend our days together with daily adventures, whether be the days are filled with chores or fun outings.

But there is just something about re-establishing routine.

I gleefully waved goodbye to my husband and oldest daughter, as they drove down the driveway ready to return to school. I kissed my youngest daughter's cheek as she bounced out of the mini van. I smiled as I watched her braided hair sway back and forth, as she skipped into the doors of the elementary school. Another family vacation week was successful, and I can now relish in the peace that comes with what "back-to school day" brings.

And a hot cup of coffee.

There was a time when I was not as fond of back-to-school day. I would dread the laundry, the dishes, the chaotic clutter that accumulated from having them home for days at time. As if a category 5 tornado had just hit The Allen Homestead... and I am the only one called in for clean up duty! But I have a different perspective now. The vacation chaos is only for a short time, and it won't be long when I won't have my kids home with me. In time I may still wake with my husbands cup of coffee, but I won't have the chitter-chatter of my girls or the chaos of clutter that accumulates from them being home.

Instead of dreading the chores that "vacation" brings, I relish the memories that are made when they were home with me. As I put our house back together, I reminisce on what we did for the week. Sometimes I am amazed at what we can pack into a vacation week! The 2015 spring vacation included entertaining and feeding 5 families on several different days, building an entirely new fence for our chicken yard, bringing home 25 baby chicks, and an overnight trip to Niagara Falls. Phew! No wonder I am ready for them to go back to school. I need a vacation from our vacation!

It won't be long now before the family returns to a whole for summer vacation. Just a round the corner will be our extended form of chaos and fun! Till then I will relish the return of my home routine, whether it be house chores, caring for our 50 chickens, cleaning out our garden for spring planting, or a quiet coffee moment.

This City Gone Country Girl embraces the mundane! Finding the joy in the journey ~ Jenn