Haunted by Habits

Another school year is upon us. In just a couple of short days my students will arrive in all their glory, supplies in hand, hope in their hearts, and big ideas in their heads. It's hard to believe the time has arrived to begin again. I've spent everyday working on my classroom this week. My lesson plans are complete, activities are compiled and copies are made. I've arranged my room, the decorations are up, and the calendar marks upcoming birthdays...and the first day hasn't even begun. I've set a few goals in hope that this year will flow smoothly. I'm ahead in my lesson planning and I plan to keep this up so that I can leave once my students have gotten on their buses. I do not want to stay any longer after the day is done. I'm also determined to keep a clean, organized desk. Unfortunately, walking out of my room today, I glanced back only to see that it is beginning to look like it did last year...cluttered with multiple piles of papers that I'll have to sift through in order to find what I want. This is not how I want to start or spend my year. First thing Monday morning I will clear my desk of any items that do not belong...and hopefully keep it that way. Some habits are hard to break.

Speaking of those haunting habits...I started out so strong with my exercise routine. It went by the wayside while on vacation and I've yet to really pick it back up. I have done much better with eating healthier again, but I won't see promising results until I get myself back in action. I've got to find a way to balance what I need to do for myself and yet ensure that I am spending quality time with my family and meeting both my home and work obligations. I have a lot on my plate and the sad thing is that I've put several things on the back burner so as not to burn myself out. For instance, I used to be very active with our church youth group. Since the end of my pregnancy and then the birth of my daughter, I have not been involved. It really  makes me sad and rather disappointed in myself. I'm sure they don't even realize I'm gone anymore. I've just really struggled getting back into the swing of things. The plan is that on the Wednesday nights that my hubby is home, I'll be with the youth group. We want her to be with one of us after being with the sitter all day. Besides that, Wednesday night services begin right around her fussy time. It's just best if she is home. Unfortunately, C's schedule has not allowed me to return as of yet. Hopefully I'll be able to go this coming Wednesday.

This weekend will hopefully be relaxing. My hubby will be home tomorrow. We may be heading to a cookout tomorrow evening. Otherwise, we have no plans, which is always nice. I hope to just spend the day with my darling family before work goes into full swing. Sunday will consist of church and then some much desired mommy and baby time. I must say, this week has gone much better than expected. G has transitioned very well into going to the sitter. We have established a really good routine up to this point and I hope it continues. This next week will pose its own difficulties and new transitions when  things really get rolling. Hopefully it will go just as smoothly.

I'm still working out how to balance my emotions with reality. There are many days when I wish I lived closer to "civilization". There are many reasons why I hope God will allow us to make a slight change in scenery...until then, I just try to remember to be grateful. I recently finished my devotion series on prayer. I continue to try to keep prayer intentional and an open, ongoing conversation with my Savior. I was able to begin a new devotional this week. It is called Holy Emotions-Biblical Responses to Every Challenge. It is very appropriate for this particular season in my life. One of the most significant truths that I have been reminded of came from yesterday's reading: "One of the most practical instances of where we choose God or choose self is in our emotional preferences and habits. You must give up your right to whine and pout and then wholeheartedly embrace the plan of God for your life, which is found in the fruit of the Spirit. You  were created for good works and not for the works of the flesh or for the opinions of your emotions." In a nutshell...to live for Christ I must choose to accept what God has for me. I need to WANT what God has for me and get past the "opinions of my emotions". This type of action does not happen instantly, nor does it happen once and all is well...it is an intentional, continual challenge...and because of who my God is, I know it will be well worth the effort.

Just for Fun

Our beautiful little girl melts my heart everyday with something new. She turned 16 weeks today and is becoming such a "big girl".