Each morning and every night, our lives are centered around routines. They help make life a little less chaotic. In “Routines, part 1”, I shared about our morning routines. So what do we do later in the day???
We are blessed in that John’s job allows him to work remotely. Which means he is accessible throughout the day to assist where needed, but also means that John is often finished with his workday early in the afternoon. That also means some days, John and I both are quite tired and will resort to having an afternoon nap just to get through to the evening’s routines.
No later than 4 pm, the outside dishes are replenished, a bowl of wet food and a refill of dry food. Most of the time, Espresso and Wee Babe are already there waiting on their supper. If I am feeling particularly industrious, I will get the meals ready for when the boys come in. (Photo is from last July 2022 when the boys were not quite eight weeks old. Wee Babe is the solid tiger lying to the left of four of the boys. Espresso is the all black standing up.)
Around 5, we start constantly checking the porch to see if one of the boys have come yet, all the while watching tv and sewing more products for the business. Nonny and Beau will come straight to the glass door to ask in. Annikin and Greensleeves have to be invited and encouraged to come in. Mosheh will timidly ask but then not take the bold step to come in under his own power, meaning I go out, scoop him up, and carry him to their room – my craft room. That is where they stay the night. Sometimes they straggle coming home, causing me to wait up until nearly 11 pm. Remember, I wake to start my day at 2 or 3 am. Sleep deprivation, anyone?! (Photo from last July 2022 when the boys were not quite eight weeks old. Mosheh is talking to Shadrach M'hail - left - and Silver Sterling - right.)
Originally, the coming in routine was just for bad weather, but after some events on the porch happened, it has become our every night routine, giving me the peace of knowing where the boys are and that they are safe.
Sleep deprivation is worth it, truly. I wait up at night to see all my boys come home safely, or at least lay eyes on them knowing they are alright (sometimes Annikin or Greensleeves decide they would like to stay out – leaves me concerned but I try to respect their wishes). Then I wake wee early in the morning to make sure everyone is fed before starting their days.
These little lives can rely on us to be there in whatever way we can. It is not easy. It is not cheap. But it is worth it!
How do you measure the worthiness of something? Is there a part of your routines that are worth so much more than all the rest?
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