The post after the break. Always the hardest, I hear. I don't want that to stop me from getting back into a routine. Oh wait. I never was in a routine with blogging. Oh well. I'm certainly back into the routine of the fall, and loving it. This year I did some things differently that made a HUGE difference in my life.

Up until now the routine has been that Brian goes back to work around August 1, just as we are really starting to hum along as a tight knit family. The boys and I do fun things without daddy, but we still enjoy the summer weather as a family in the evenings, whenever Brian breaks away from "home" work. We have even been able to enjoy some September camping, which used to NEVER happen when Brian taught high school marching band. Well, once my day care kids come back in September and David starts school soon after, I begin to get tired and stressed out with all of my responsibilities. Brian's work increases and the time we have together looks like this: Brian working on computer, and Becky asleep on the chair. Great quality time had by all ... NOT! Our relationship always takes a back seat during this time and we both end up feeling a little lost. At least I do. Brian always manages to scrap by ok. 

This year, by God's grace, things have been different!! Somewhere in the middle of August, I asked a friend (older than me), to hold me accountable to a few things. I've done this on occasion with gals, but it has never been very effective for me. Well, this friend had just started something new (or maybe not for her) of e-mailing her accountability buddy with what she'd read in the Word that day. Well, how easy is that, I thought!!

My issues were: consistent times in the Word,  exercising 5 days a week, to make a strong effort to make choices (sacrifices!!) that would build up my marriage, and start having daily devotions with my boys. And some other stuff too. Long story short, it worked!! Daily emails to Mrs. A have truly been all I needed to get into a routine before I really needed to, and has made a huge difference in my fall. The thing I walked away from that first meeting certain of, was that if I had daily times with my Savior in His Word and in prayer, then everything else would fall into place. It was true, and He has been gracious in keeping His promises found in scripture, of being my food, my drink, my Light. My relationships with Brian this fall, and my sons, have never been better. Now that the storms and stresses of fall are here, I'm so thankful those routines are in place and to help protect us (me!) from discouragement, stressed-outedness, and the desire to run screaming from the house. So thankful to be resting in God's grace and mercy!

To God be the glory, for He deserves ALL of it!