Priorities and schedule for 2013

The last several years have been a little crazy around here.  Ok, well, maybe like the last 12 years...  Moving, major life changes, changing careers, moving again, me going to work... the list goes on.

Although I turned in my resignation last December, I continued to work for BMC until June 2012.  When I was officially unemployed, I went right into planning for the upcoming school year, making lesson plans for my Latin and Bible classes (we joined Excelsior again), and preparing for cross country.  This led right into cross country season and football season and in the midst of that I agreed to make aprons for AFA (apron post to follow soon).  All while trying to train for a marathon, homeschool, maintain housework, etc.

 In the midst of this, I finally reached my threshold for activity.  There were commitments that I had to fulfill, which I did, but all the while mentally rearranging my priorities and making plans for 2013.  This year is going to see some major changes.


My heart's desire can be summed up in 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-11 ... "But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, ¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,"

Along with Psalm 46:10... "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 


First of all, my duties as Scott's wife (which are not ONLY duties... they are a joy as well) are taking priority.  He has over the years expressed much appreciation when the house is orderly and things are calm upon his arrival home after a long day of teaching and coaching.  I try.  I really do.  And it IS possible, but calm and orderly go against my nature... and becasue it is against my nature, it is one priority that often falls very low on the totem pole.

In order to make this a priority, I realize that other major things will have to change.  Like saying no and staying home more.  At least sometimes!  Our life is so hectic and on the go during the fall semester, and I am going to do my best to make the spring semester as much of a respite as possible.

Saying no and staying home more will also help me do a better job of being rested and more help to my husband, keeping kids caught up on school, cooking from scratch/ making better nutritional decisions, saving on gas money, etc.  These are all things that are very important to Scott, but are things that often fall by the wayside when I allow us to get over-committed and crazy.  

I have also re-worked our school schedule for the year.  The biggest change is this:  I have for years been trying to schedule morning exercise... but I HATE morning exercise.  And so the schedule never works, because I only sporadically work out before breakfast.  Then, I become frustrated with the schedule and toss it out and become consumed with the tyranny of the urgent.  SO, I have made a schedule that is based on what we actually do, rather than based on what I wish we would do.  So far, we are sticking to it and getting lots of school done... and keeping the house sort of decent!

Here is what we are currently doing during our school day:
6:30 Wake up kids/ breakfast
7:00 Bible
7:30 AM chores/ dressed
8:00 Math (mom takes turns with different kids)
9:00 Grammar/ composition (mom takes turns with different kids)
10:00 Josh reads aloud to mom
10:30 History and literature
11:30 Lunch break/ chores/ start supper
12:30 Science
1:00 Latin/ finish school
2:00 Chores
2:30 Exercise
4:00 Grade school work, school prep for tomorrow/ kids have free time or finish up assignments
4:30 Work on dinner, breakfast prep, laundry