Patience is a Virtue

Why is it so hard to write these blog posts? When I started this, I figured I would have a million things to say. There is always something rattling around this ADHD brain of mine. Not to mention the children. They are basically walking story books, creating adventure in every step and weaving tales into every sentence. Furthermore, I'm married to a horse-trading social butterfly who finds himself in the most absurd situations with the wildest people. Truth be told, by the time I sit down at night, all those stories are far from my mind and the only thing I can see in front or behind me is school and work. "What's happening tomorrow and how can I prepare my future self for it." Sometimes that looks like cleaning up the groom shop before clients arrive the next day. It gets tracked up as we pass through on our never-ending list of places to be. Sometimes that looks like planning curriculum or printing pages or cutting out soon-to-be art projects. Other nights its packing up and shipping online orders or prepping more goods. But every night, that's all piled high on top of doing dishes, giving showers to little ones and children's stories before bed. Chickens need to be fed and cooped, dogs and cats to walk and feed and plants to tidy and water. Most nights I sit down to prepare for the next day and suddenly feel like a train has hit me. I'm sure most mommas can relate.

We have recently started our new school year and that first week was so hard! Trying to learn to balance three different grade levels and ensure everyone is getting the attention that they need and deserve was absolute chaos. Amazingly the kids all had a ball! To me, it felt like endless days and endless nights. Bouncing between the three of them all day long, just to sit up all night making adjustments to our next day's schedule. Every day I would make more changes to what I thought were concrete plans. I learn a little each time about how every kiddo learns, where they need more help, or more freedom, and how I can be a better teacher and mom. So, no matter how late it was, I would sit down and apply my daily lessons to make the next day even better. However, despite my efforts, I was afraid I wasn't getting anywhere. Each day felt like we weren't making progress, and I would worry I was not giving them what they needed. I reminded myself that it always takes time settling back into the school routine. This year would be no exception to that rule, but it was important to give myself grace as I learned to navigate all three kids at once. It was also important to remember more time would probably be required since we now had three of them trying to settle into new routines instead of just one. Luckily, my kids have always adored school and learning. The freedom and excitement that homeschooling allows us gives the kids a sense of adventure and mystery. Each day is open to endless possibilities! I am so grateful they continue to have these views as we grew into this month and the changes it brought. It took a lot of patience from us all. There was a lot tossed onto the table for us to sort through. New curriculum, new grades, new projects and experiments, and a new school room. However, with a grace only kiddos can provide, we have made it to the end of month one.

On my morning walks, I have noticed new colors in the trees and in the grasses. It reminds me that the season of change is upon us. Thursday marks the halfway point to Autumn. The cool mornings have been a tease but bring to mind what beautiful colors and weather lie ahead. There are always times of chaos and times of peace. This pattern can be reflected in all walks of life. There will always be a light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to keep pushing forwards.

So upward and onward we go into this next chapter. Our new line of Autumn candles is curing on the shelf and smell absolutely amazing, the kids are settling into their new grades, and I am finally beginning to find enough consistency in our schedule to have a moments peace at night. While I may not be there yet, I know that quiet winter nights lie ahead of me where I can pick up a crochet project again, or maybe continue my work into herbalism and expand Riverbend Gardens. But for now, I am practicing patience. Patience with myself and with the kids. Patience with school, the weather and with the random stuff my husband brings home. I'm simply putting one foot in front of the other, never moving faster than the slowest member of the pack. I know that we will find a pace we can all enjoy. It simply takes time and a little patience.

Oh! And coffee. Always coffee.

Namaste,

Sam