Slow Progress

Deciding to enjoy life more is harder than it seems. I need to totally change the way I look at things. I can easily tell you everything that needs to be done, but I have a lot of trouble looking at what is going well. I've already made my to-do list for today, time for my Thankful list.

1. School was great last week. We finished each day early, and everyone was either finished with or working on Monday's work on Friday. 
2. I made progress on organizing our bedroom. It isn't finished, but it is so much better. 
3. Scott finished adding shelves and filling nail holes in the office area. He is working on the keyboard trays today. I can't wait to see it after it is painted!
4. I finished knitting slippers for Scott and the kids! Eight pairs of slippers took much linger than I expected, but everyone loves them. 
5. I started using Wunderlist to keep up with my to-do list and shopping list. It is definitely helping me stay focused. 
6. I planned one week of meals using Say MMM. I love that it will make a shopping list from my recipes. I didn't get the shopping done, but at least I have a list if I can ever get to the store. 
7. The washer repair man will be here on Wednesday. So thankful that we have a home warranty. Four days of no laundry in a household of 10 is bordering on disaster. 
8. I worked with Dalton and Annie on school everyday. Yay!

I am also doing better on spending time enjoying my kids.

1. We are going to the Arboretum today. 
2. We are planning a trip to the Perot on Wednesday. I love it when school is getting done!
3. We had a project night last night. I knitted and helped Michaela with math while Scott worked on projects with the other kids. Annie and I even made an owl puppet.

I'm looking forward to a great week!

2014

New Years are for looking forward with expectation and looking back to see where you have been. Looking back, I realize that I have allowed 2013 to pass in a blur. There was way to much time spent surviving and not nearly enough enjoying. This year I know that needs to change.

The New Year offers a clean slate for

• enjoying my family
• serving
• creating
• and whatever else God has in store for me. 

To be able to live more and survive less, I know I have to make changes. I need to stop "pumping up tires and putting out fires" and start preparing to really live. Knowing that, I have decided to make January all about change. Some of the oh-so-exciting things I have planned are

• revamping our chore system
• setting up a rotating meal plan
• getting on a realistic schedule
• creating or revising all important papers (wills, power of attorney, etc.)
• decluttering - this will be ongoing
• planning for birthdays and holidays

Looking at that list, I don't see much enjoying, fun, or creating included. Time to make a new list. (If you can't tell, I really like lists.) Fun things to do

• Take the family to the Arboretum and Perot
• Sew at least one day
• Sleep at least 6 hours a night (8 would be wonderful, but I'm trying to be realistic)

I'm hoping to use this blog to record my progress this year. Too often, I only see the things that need work and forget to savor the changes that have already occurred.

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