without fail

Alas, the vacation is over. Tim had to go back to work today. If work is what you call it when you have to go somewhere 5 days a week to earn money to provide for your family but it's not a place you want to be, then what do you call it when you spend your life providing for your family doing something that you love? Is there a name for that? Surely it wouldn't be called work, right? ...I digress.... Anyway, I know the first day back at work is difficult, draining, disgusting, and downright depressing, but a good night's sleep is certainly helpful. However, it seems that whenever a good night of uninterrupted sleep is needed, wanted, expected, and longed for, that is when one of the girls (usually E) will wake up whimpering, crying, screaming, and whaling (yes, in that order!) She's 3 years old for crying out loud!(no pun intended) Our house is small so there is no escaping the noise. Everyone was awakened at 12:47 a.m. and kept awake by the continual noise until almost 1:30 a.m. Yes, I got out of bed 4 times to calm, comfort, console, and eventually chastise my little one. So, no, Tim didn't get a good night's sleep, but off to work he went. I hope and pray that he has a good, low-stress day. As for me and the girls....I am struggling to find a good routine. We thrive, blossom, and flourish when we have a good routine. Therein lies my goal - create, establish, and implement a routine that will be beneficial for my family but also have the flexibility, spontaneity, and creativity to enjoy every moment along the way.