Busy-ness

Things have been crazy! It's been a while since I've posted much. So, what's been going on?

• Keeping up with Kaylen's kindergarten things (a few worksheets per week, one small book per day, a library book every 6 days, and other random items, notes, etc.).
• Keeping up with Kaylen's Kid Central activities Wednesday nights at church (a small workbook with 7-8 short activities, including 2 Bible verse songs on the CD per week to learn, a key Bible verse to learn, daily prayer & discussion as needed).
• Keeping up with my own Bible study - a small group meetings weekly, but daily study and prayers - usually done over my lunch break. (Kaylen's songs and lessons help here too.)
• Church weekly, and helping with the 4-year-olds' Sunday school class once per month. I may also join the choir for the Thanksgiving services, which will add a few rehearsals - but they'll mostly be the nights while Kaylen's at Kid Central.
• Kaylen playing soccer one hour each Saturday - has now had 2 of the 6 week season.
• Learning my new Optimist Club duties - I'm the Secretary/Treasurer this year.
• Work.
• Being more deliberate about planning meals that are more healthful and economical (in terms of both time & $$) for our family.
• Laundry, house cleaning (although I won't pretend I've can always keep up-our floors are disgusting and please no white glove tests on any shelves, and there are laundry piles everywhere - clean and dirty!).
• Personal hygiene - both my own and assisting Kaylen. (What?! You mean those nails have to be trimmed once in a while? Well, mine do - Kaylen tends to bite hers but she's doing better. :)
• Managing the family's financials -- and trying to ignore the 401(k).
• Medical/dental appointments for myself and Kaylen.
• Keeping track of Kaylen's social activities - lots of daycare/kindergarten friends mean lots of birthday parties!
• Planning events with friends and family.
• The adoption processing is always on my mind, but I'm trying to not obsess about it. I do fluctuate back and forth, but I've tried to hand it all over to God. I know He is taking care of the children and of the process. I'm trying to seek out His will for my waiting period.
• Keeping up with blogs/facebook. Well, obviously that's fallen back a bit. I haven't been commenting, but I still read quite a few, and know that many of you are in my prayers.
• Exercising - coupled with good talks with a wonderful friend - the excellent stress-reliever!

Kaylen's really good about helping when she's needed, or going to play when it's easier for me to just handle things myself. She helps with loading/unloading the dishwasher, setting the table for meals, and also cleaning the bathrooms (well, marginally well - her "clean" is not always the same as my "clean", but better than before usually!). She also keeps her toys and books picked up - we've always stressed putting her things away before she gets out something else or moves on to a different activity, so that helps keep things under control a bit. She now also knows her expectations as far as school work and personal hygeine (although once in a while we still battle on a few things). Aren't routines wonderful?!

Jock's also awesome help. He keeps the home repairs/garage/basement/lawn under control, keeps the electronics and appliances working, and does dishes. He's starting to do the grocery shopping - works right next to where we shop, so that's very helpful when we have limited time to help Kaylen get her stuff done in the evenings - and he's better at watching for bargains than I am. He takes care of his own laundry and cooks meals sometimes, and helps a lot with really all of the stuff above - otherwise I'd really be crazy! :)

What keeps all of you busy these days?