We’ve had conversations on corona, auto accidents, trauma in our nation, and the likes. Today I’m ready for a typical day — just the ordinary.

Then chuckling, I realize that I’m not even entirely sure what a typical day looks like! Ya, we have a lot of variation at our house; some days are great, the children trail after me learning how to bake cookies, wash the dishes, or how to write another number or letter.

Next, I start wondering why I ever became a mom of six little darlings.

Yesterday was one of those days. Hubby watched the children while I relished a couple of quiet moments to get track of myself again.

I’ll give you a quick peek at my journal entry from last night to give you an idea of what I’m talking about. I simply wrote what I was feeling. This time it was a note to God, “I feel a bit overwhelmed. Teach me to rely on You more, and less on smooth days. God, I want you more than anything else. Lead me, guide me, for your names’ sake. If it takes more trying days to have more of your work in my life, that’s what I want.”

OK, so what is an ordinary day? It’s settling squabbles, wondering how I was ever meant to care for so many demands at once, and giving chew-able vitamin Cs to eager little ones who are declaring they have a sore throat and need one of those candy-pills.

Then there is the extraordinary pleasure of our morning bird, Jesse, beaming his morning smile as he rounds the corner into the living room, even though he really was supposed to sleep another 30 minutes while Mom has quiet time. Austin follows close behind, ready for his morning snuggles.

Soon Joshua begins his grunting and cooing. There are eager hands on all sides to hold him or talk to him only to be rewarded by his endless smiles.

As the day gets started, there are opportunities on all sides of channeling young lives or giving in to frustration that I’m technically not getting any actual work done. Like I remarked to Daniel this morning, “It’s so much faster to just do these little projects on your own.

On the other hand, if I capture the opportunity to train little ones to help while they have a genuine interest in helping, we’ll have a foundation for a lifetime.”

First thing on my list this morning was the groceries. I slipped into the pantry to give it a quick five-minute facelift, so I could put the groceries away that Daniel had picked up for me a day and a half ago.

Ya, that’s right, they were still waiting for me, not minding the extended wait throughout our topsy-turvy day yesterday. I gave Hosanna a cleaning rag and told her which shelf to wipe off, which she eagerly agreed to. I squeezed past her in the tight pantry quarters to organize another shelf.

Whoever thought I would have a pantry looking so messy? With a slight grin, I assure myself that at least it has a door I can shut when guests stop by. Soon she and Elijah were both proudly carrying in containers of raisins, quick oats, and apricots (to make Daniel’s favorite pie) while I organized it on the shelves.

Next, it was laundry time. This time all four boys were helping. While Austin hung up the little boy’s pants, Jesse and Elijah helped hang up smaller pieces, and baby Joshua got a ride in my arms.

Today I’m incredibly thankful for sunshine and a gentle breeze to dry them in short order. Sunny days are just appreciated a lot more in November when they are so few and far between.

Now, as I write, handsome little Joshua is laying on a blanket on the floor next to me, intently watching my face waiting for me to stop and talk to him, ready to giggle and coo each time I give him the attention he wants.

You’d get a kick out of Hosanna if you could see her at the moment. She is wearing an over-sized baker’s apron, making a cake.

She was convinced she could make a cake for Daddy on her very own. After more interruptions than I could count, while chatting with all of you, I told her, “Sure you can! Go ahead and mix it up.”

As I write, I hear a bowl clatter on the kitchen table; she got out a canister of flour, dumped in some of it, added a half glass of water, and then began mixing it with her hands like bread dough, soon she declared she needs some salt. Austin was horrified to see her just dumping things without an actual recipe. I told him that it helps her grow up and gain confidence.

Now he is helping her by cracking four quail eggs (more later about quail eggs). They decided four would be the correct amount of eggs since Hosanna is four years old. When Daniel stepped into the kitchen after his day in the woodworking shop, she informed him that she’s making a creamy white cake. We’ll see how it turns out.

Now for an extraordinary splash to an ordinary day. I have good news! We got the wonderful news that after 13 months of waiting, the last IQWA (Indian Child Welfare Act)searches have been completed, and we are now ready to move on toward adoption!

Everything should be finalized this winter. We are all cautiously excited.

BAKED APPLE PUDDING

2 eggs

4 cups apples, diced

½ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 /2 teaspoon cinnamon

SAUCE

1 /2 cup oleo

1 cup milk

1 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 tablespoon flour

Instructions

Break eggs over apples.

Stir well.

Next add vegetable oil and vanilla and stir.

Then add dry ingredients and bake in 9 X13 cake pan at 350 for one hour or until done.

In saucepan cook sauce ingredients.

When cake is cooled, cut in pieces and dab cooled sauce on top of each piece, then top with a dab whipped topping. Yummy!

Gloria Yoder is an Amish mom, writer, and homemaker in rural Illinois. Readers can write to Gloria at 10510 E. 350th Ave., Flat Rock, IL 62427.