The New Normal is Flux

So looking forward to hearing about how you and Damien are going to be working together on the "big project". My husband and I have been trying to craft our work life together with kids most often at home. It is a dance to be sure for all of us. But at the same time it is the exact place we want to be. I believe it is exactly how God wants it for us. I appreciate your struggle with intention and rhythm and planning ( I really like planning) and flux. I am going to hold onto the security that you mentioned in family relationship, faith, and life mission as "plan" in the midst of change. Be blessed and know that you are appreciated and the life you are crafting.

Our major move five years ago initiated an "inner" flux that I've struggled to identify. This post is for me. Thanks - even if nobody else reads it or comments on it, please know your efforts and expression here has hit a mark.

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! I am so going to read this post a million times!! I am at time of life with teenagers. I used to do alot of writing about daily life. I think it was so I could see the progress in the blur of life. The last 6 month I have not been able to make myself do it. Thanks for a great post about not feeling bad about it anymore.. Maybe its because we are really living in our life:)

I have loved seeing your adventure.. Montréal looks like a great place to visit. I added it to places I am going to travel..

Thanks, Beth in Minnesota

PS I spend way to much money on groceries too:)

I related to much of this, Renee'. My husband and I work together also, and ours is a constantly changing job. I am a lover of all things routine. But sometimes they become ruts. I love change, but I think what I really love is the challenge that change presents (setting new routines). LOL. As my children continue to grow the way I am homeschooling is growing and changing as well - I find comfort in feeling that we are continually spiraling around and closer to our reasons for and goals within educating our children at home.

This was such a timely post, as this weekend I was in a bit of a funk about my lack of routine in my stage right now. I grabbed onto so much from this post, that I know I will reread it every day this week! The "secure in relationships and love" is such a great reminder, and I thank you so much for being gifted at putting these thoughts and feelings that so many of us have into real words (and of course always love the photos that accompany your posts!)

This post helps me identify the places of peace and sweetness in my own ever transitioning life. I too enjoy routine and strive to bring some pieces with us on our journeys. Breastfeeding and co-sleeping help at this early stage of parenthood. Morning coffee, phone calls to loved ones. Life really is about transitioning...for now I hope for continuity.

I love the word flux. "Flux" fits so I'm going to take it for myself too. :) Thank you so very much for the lovely space you have created here. I can't even begin to tell you how much you have encouraged and inspired me to follow my heart and actually live my dreams. THANK YOU!

I generally resist change - and have not been the most flexible person in the world. This is changing. There is something in me that is craving this growth and ability to joyfully embrace change and 'flux' - and there are various life circumstances which I am not in control of but which force this upon us. So I learn to embrace it rather than falling apart.

When the kids were babies I'd finally get into a routine only to have them/everything shift again every six months. I kind of feel like that now too, in relation to raising older kids. Life certainly isn't stagnant. And, as my son nears graduation (still 1.5-2ys away, but it goes by quickly!), my husband and I begin to consider a previous dream of ours: to go on a one-year teaching exchange somewhere in the Francophonie. Possibly Quebec. My son may choose to join us for a while, too, which would be great. Anyways, so I don't forsee a return to "predictable, routine, perfect schedule" any time soon :)

I can relate very well to your thoughts. I'm a homebody, enjoy routine, and usually find change difficult at first...then the change becomes 'routine' until it changes too. I like the idea of flux even if it can be seemingly overwhelming at times. I know God cares for and has plans for us (even if it's not what I think should happen). Life is full of learning experiences and seasons. We are in a very busy season (not due to moving but due to signing up for college for 2 (we've homeschooled all the way through), summer jobs for older ones, feeling like a 'chauffeur', wondering how our new schedule will look, etc). I think having a glass half-full mentality is so important (easier said than done). And trusting the Lord; He knows what is best. Thanks for you insightful post.

Love it! It is so true. It is very funny how life flux us through different stages/ periods.It all fits at the right time, when we are prepared for accept it. Accept the flux,even though for "wanna be" organized and everything under control, even control of writing all the memories,plans and thoughts person, is very hard. But as you (lucky you!, you are already there) i am also waiting that fitting time to accept the FLUX!I already know that this is what i have to do, it is just not the time :).

These words are so rich Renee - thank you. While I of course don't know you I do have to be reminded that at your core you do love order and predictability; as your life can seem so other than in all the right ways...and as if it comes so naturally.

I love the image of moving with the current rather than against it; how fabulous to also know that your kids seem to be thriving within this new pace.

I so appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts and struggles and insights with the rest of us. They are indeed a gift.

Cari

Renee, your words struck a chord with me:

"My life is still secure and predictable, just not in the measures I once used.It's secure in relationship and love. In shared life goals, vision and passion.And I'm growing to see this is more secure than one address or a predictable weekly routine."

We have three children (one in the first year of school, one in the final year of kindergarten before school, and one on the cusp of talking) and life is busy. My husband is in his first year of teaching, I am in a new job which gives me more responsibility but child-friendly hours. We have enough money, enough support from family, and yet I find myself obsessing about the lack of a routine, a predictability to life. And I realise now it is hurting my family, this obsessing.

Thankyou Renee. I need to recognise the security amidst the chaos!

I am amazed at how the path we are both walking is so similar... I wish we would have had more time to talk about it face to face today... I hope we will someday. I love this quote: My life is no longer predictable. And I need to stop living and writing like it is. I need to remind this. Again. And again. Thank you for putting words on my reality.

Hallelujah

Renee...I love your writing & this post! Thank you for introducing me to Sarah Kay, what a wonderful young adult! And for so much that you shared...I'm trying to get my 3 children to embrace change as I teach them life skills in taking care of themselves. Some days are more unpredictable then others, teaching them to go with the flow is a lesson I need to learn as well! Thank you!

This post speaks to me for sure :) I need to let go of trying to 'have things perfect' in my eyes. I always meant to ask, maybe I missed it in your posts, what does your husband do for work that he works remotely?

This post was like poetry to my ears. We are in flux...constantly. In five years we've lived in 5 homes in 4 states. Our next move might possibly (hopefully) be overseas. Life is unpredictable...but it is a good thing. I life of flux that provides so many opportunities. Some people think we are young and restless and are not settling down, but we view it as seeing a different path for ourselves. At least for now.

Thank you for sharing. Thank you for living your life outside the mold. Such inspiration!

My challenge seems to be the opposite. I tend to crave change and fear that I will end up in a groove.

While we have not relocated at the same rate of speed as you, we have, since our courtship began gone from Illinois to Texas to Oregon to Canada and back to Illinois. We had intended to remain in Canada longer, but the government would not grant my husband a work visa after he finished his Master's degree there. We were faced with change and I went with the flow.

Now he has found work as a hospital chaplain and adjunct professor in the small Midwestern town of his birth. Two jobs in which he thrives in a location I do not love. Or really even like. I fiercely do not want to find a groove here. I want to know that it is temporary, and that soon things will change, but there is no clear indication of that.

Yet, your words speak to and convict me to make my peace with my seemingly new normal of stasis. Thank you.

thanks for this Renee. I love the word flux - it sums my life up perfectly. I love your writing and you write such sense. Usually I'm reading your posts late at night, or in a car/walking/feeding a baby and have only one hand available. Now I have 2 I can type a response. So thank you! I've been loving the journey that you guys are going on - such an inspiration. My husband works from home as well (with a lot of travel built in) and your husband's treadmill get up totally inspired my hub to do the same. He's walking while working now and LOVES it. So thanks for that too. We're based in Ireland and not many people seem to do that here... : )

I have been reading your blog for about a year and this is my first comment. I LOVED this blog entry. I love it more than your nurturing book....which I love too. Thank you.