Date Night - A Plan For The Future

Okay, so dates seem to be few and far between right now. And that's okay; I've come to expect that a little with five little ones roaming around here. It's not a sitter issue; it's not a money issue even; it's a planning issue I think. There are ways that we could have a date without spending money or even getting a sitter. But we just fail to plan.

When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Who said that? Do you know? I guess I could do an internet search for it. . . . . . Didn't find anything. Oh well.

Any who, back to planning a date. So, I'm going to plan one. And this is my plan.

Find a sitter. Check!
Get dressed up like I did today.
Go out for coffee and dessert with my guy at our local sandwich shoppe.
That's it. That's all I need.

I'll tell you all about it in my next Date Night post!

So early next week, maybe Tuesday or Wednesday, that's the plan. Grandma Irene has offered to come watch the kids for a couple of hours.




We spent the afternoon and evening at Grandma Irene and Grandpa Ted's on Tuesday. It was a wonderful break that we all needed I think. It was a beautiful summer day; not too hot but certainly not cold. The kids pushed each other on the swing set; W got to play with tractors and see the pigs and cows that he had been begging to go see. J helped in the barn in exchange for 2 pair of much needed pants! Remember this post?? We had supper together and she and I played a game of Scrabble. We hadn't been out to visit this lovely couple for way too long.

I love how Grandpa Ted calls us "Brother" and "Sister". He is a dear man of God, who loves music and sings the old hymns all the time.

Grandma Irene raised five children. (Well, they both did, but you know what I mean.) She knows the stresses and the joys. When I told her about some of the things J and I had been discussing and dealing with she was so matter of fact and ready to jump in to help. Now, Grandma Irene is getting on in years and she does not jump much any more but she sure would love to. She said, "Just call, if you need help. If I can't come right then, I'll send someone else, that I trust. You know," she said, "You can't just get anyone to help; I'd send someone who I know would be a help." I told her, "You know what, if you can't come right then, you can pray, and that will help as much."

Tuesday was such a blessing. And today was a lot of fun.

Today, I spent most of the day away from the computer and with the kids. Well, the afternoon and evening anyway. It was great. J left in the late morning to work on the seats for our bus (retrofitting (is that the right word) van seats to work in the bus) and called asking me to bring something to him. Since I was planning on going out anyway, I thought it was as good a time as any. The kids were so excited! So we ran some errands, had a picnic at the gazebo just down the block and came home.

It was so very hot. When we got home, Baby R was sleeping in the stroller so I left her there in the shade. I told the girls to get changed and I stripped W down. He has (make that HAD) a resistance to the pool. He did not want to get in, but I carried him and held him and stayed right by him. Well, I think I'm going to have trouble keeping him out now! He loves it! And has made so much progress already! I am so excited! When Baby R woke, I even put her in with us for a little bit. We served supper outside because the house was so hot still. The kids got back in the pool for their "bath" and then off to bed. The house is cooling down and it is quiet. Tomorrow is another day to have more fun.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,