We are officially half way done the first month of 2014. This has been the first week of real normal routine around our home. Last week started out with buses cancelled, school closed, buses cancelled and power outages, Thursday was the kids first official day back to school. Joel was lost with them gone. So was I! But when Monday rolled around, I started to feel that control came back, and routine began. Although it's Thursday night, and the kids are excited because it's already the weekend here due to the pd day that is tomorrow.
Our Christmas was great, low key, and we really just had time to enjoy. Sure we didn't decorate to the nines, cook huge meals, and spoil the kids, but I think we pulled off a happy time, a great family time.
When January rolls around, do you find yourself starting new things, starting over things you never seem to make a habit? I do. One thing I've started is a memory jar for the family. We write things down that happen in a day that we want to remember. I'm sure people do this daily, but I've been doing it with random things on random days, like the day Amberly lost her tooth, or when we had company, funny things that were said, things like that. Then on Dec. 31, 2014, we open the jar and go through it all.
Other than that I have the typical things I want to work on. Of course one is to get fit again. Last year I let it all slide, I didn't care what I put in my mouth, and never opted for the healthy options, I just let it all go, and boy is my body showing the evidence of that! So I've started to think about what I eat, and really listen to my body, most of the time I'm not hungry! And I've been exercising 5 days a week. I've been getting up at the dark time of 5:20am and I drag myself down to the basement where I ride the exercise bike for 30mins. After that I spend time in God's word. I've just started doing a new study with the girls from Alma called Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed. It's so far great! And lastly, I've been apart of an online group called Hello Mornings, where we're encouraged to rise early, spend time with God, plan for our day and exercise. I've been doing 2 of those 3 things, but I've not been a planner. So this week has been a simple challenge to just pinpoint 3 things you want to accomplish by the end of the day. Easy! I've been tired, trying to adjust to my new early start times, but I already find that I get the best sleep at night, and I just feel better.
2014 makes me nervous as it moves our family into a different stage in life, leaving behind a stage I'm not sure I want to leave quite yet. This past week, I completed the form to register Joel into JK. I'm not sure he's ready to go, and I know I'm definitely not ready! It means that I don't have any babies at home, and that makes me sad. But the thought of having another baby doesn't sit well with me either, there are times, yes, where I would love to do it all again, but I've come to appreciate the little bit of independence that has re-entered my life. But with Joel's return to school also makes the question of returning to work come to mind. Yes this was the original idea, I would return to work when Joel starts school. As easy as that sounds, it's not. We still have summers, school holidays, pd days to contend with, as well as the unexpected illness that requires a day off school. And it's the rushing around, the schedules and the list goes on. I've gotten used to this life of being home full-time, and I feel that I've been doing it well. But I just don't know!
Lots of things to think about early in the mornings! What's in store for your 2014?
