This Week. . .

. . . our lives are rather crazy right now. . . or filled to the brim maybe?! We are headed back to the states for about six months and are therefore packing our things for storage as we will be moving out of our flat. In the midst of this, Josh is traveling out of the country for two weeks. When he returns we will have eight days. So. . . my life this week looks something like this:

7 - 8:30 a.m. - Nurse the boys, make breakfast, pack Lydia's lunch, change diapers, get all kids dressed, hair fixed, me dressed and ready, eat breakfast, coats and shoes on everyone, and make our way downstairs to our car somewhere on the street so I can get the stroller out and kids loaded to take Lydia to preschool.

8:30 - 10:30 - Drop Lydia off, then make my way to the corniche where I can take the boys for a walk (to keep my sanity!). I've been putting one in the stroller (which is yet another reason I love my Phil & Ted's - it can always be a single stroller. . . I just don't attach the doubler kit) and carrying the other in the Ergo. After a brisk 45 minute walk, where the boys typically nap, we come home and they are happy to get to play with their toys for a few minutes while I jump in the shower. I nurse them again and read books, build towers, do puzzles, etc. until their language teacher arrives at 10:30.

10:30 - 1:00 - I've been using this time to pack. . . well really to go through everything and decide what needs to be tossed, shredded, saved, packed, stored, sold, or given away. Then I box the stuff up, and, mingled with this I attempt to cook, do dishes, and respond to any pressing emails.

1:15 - 5:15 - The boys and I head downstairs to get the stroller from the car (where I keep it since I can't lug it and the boys up two flights of stairs to get it in our flat. . . with no elevator). It's a little challenging though since I can only hold one baby in the sling while I set up the stroller. I usually just set the other in the backseat of the car, close the door, and hope he doesn't get into anything. . .or fall off the seat. . . while I'm setting up the stroller! We walk to pick up Lydia, sometimes stop on the way back for fruits and veggies or other groceries that I don't have delivered, sometimes she plays in the sandbox while the boys hangout in the stroller, or, usually, we just return home. Lydia typically has a snack and I grab a bite for lunch. The kids and I play together throughout the afternoon. At some point I nurse the boys and they will usually take a nap (although usually not at the same time). I will fold clothes, maybe do some dinner prep, we will Skype with daddy, read books, do puzzles, color, or sometimes I'll take them on an outing if there's things I need (like a light bulb or to have a dress repaired). I'm really thankful the kids love, and ask, to ride in the stroller because it is my arms here - I couldn't hold all 3 and maneuver around otherwise! We may visit with national friends during this time, either in their home or ours. I also use this time to bathe the kids. . .although that's usually about every three days and do laundry.

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Dinner, clean up, food prep for the morning (things like soaking oatmeal or beans, starting stock, cutting carrots for juice the next morning, etc.)

7:00 - 8:00 - Get on pj's, brush teeth, read Bible stories and other books, play a little more (usually chase or hide 'n seek), pick up toys. With Josh gone, I've been putting in a video for Lydia while I nurse the boys - the two she's wanted to watch lately are a praise and worship kids music video or Prayer Bears - both absolutely precious and are so special to watch with her! I get the boys down and then tuck her in.

8:15 - 11:00 - My time. . . and I don't even know where it goes! But, the days seem so intense doing it all without Josh that I just like the house quiet. I read, get on the computer, do any remaining kitchen stuff, oh, and of course, deal with which ever kids wakes up that evening and needs more mommy time. I may talk on the phone, and, many nights, I've crashed by 9:45 or 10.

Well, I would love to have included pics - the kids are absolutely precious. . . oh, and the boys started walking while Josh is gone! - but, I have no way to load them onto the computer since he has all the equipment (including our computer) with him. So, I hope haven't bored you too much with a day in our life. . .