I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving break this week! Can I get an “amen” from my fellow teachers?! By this point in the semester it seems as if dragging myself out of bed each morning is a Herculean effort worthy of celebration. So, please forgive my insane excitement about the fact that I will be able to sleep in for five days this week. Woohoo!
In other great news, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law will be arriving at our house on Tuesday and staying with us for a week. They live in Texas, so we are only able to see them a couple of times each year. My kids have been talking about Grandma for the past, oh, month or so.
Even though it will be a week full of fun, I still make goals for myself. I find this helps keep me motivated and grounded even in a slightly chaotic time. I do try to make the goals very simple, however, and focused on my major priorities for the week: quality time with family.
Last Week’s Goals
Faith
1. Begin the Nativity Fast
2. Morning Prayers 4 Days
Professional
3. Grade 30 essays
4. Get 5 blog posts ahead
5. Finish Unit 3 of the Elite Blog Academy
Family/ Homemaking
6. Have a date night with my husband (We got a Redbox movie and curled up on the couch one evening)
7. Change out early fall wardrobes with winter wardrobes (i.e. put away short sleeve shirts, shorts, etc. and get out our sweaters. Yay!)
Personal
8. Have one Sabbath night with no blog work (leave computer at school)
9. Run 2 times (2 miles each)
10. Read 2 books (You can read more about the books I read HERE.)
This Week’s Goals:
Faith
1. Pray together as a family each day
2. Read 2 Peter
Family
3. Go on one small outing with Grandma and Aunt each day of their visit (museum, local petting zoo, park, farmer’s market, etc.)
4. Take pictures each day (I am REALLY bad at remembering to take pictures. However, I am going to try to put together a photo album of this year using Shutterfly–huge for me!–so I want more pictures.)
Personal
5. Run 2 times
6. Get 30 minutes of introvert time a day (I am a definite introvert and tend to get overwhelmed and crabby if I don’t have some alone time each day. Usually this isn’t an issue, but when we’re with family I often feel guilty about taking time for myself. However, I know it will make me a better wife, mom, daughter, and sister if I do.)
What are your goals for the week?
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It is really hard to make time for yourself when you have houseguests. I try to get up extra early and take a long shower before everyone else wakes up. That extra me-time helps me focus and prepare for the day. We always go to my in-laws’ cabin over the holidays. It’s a little more difficult to squeeze in personal time at someone else’s house, but you’re right. It’s really necessary for introverts! I try to sneak out during the kids’ naps and go cross country skiing in the winter or for a quick walk during the summer. It’s so nice to get outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Great suggestions, Alison. I will probably try to go on a run or go to bed a bit early and read. This is the first time that I am making a concerted effort to give myself the introvert time that I need, so we’ll see how it goes!
I love the idea of getting some time alone when people are visiting. It seems like no matter how much I like someone I still enjoy a little time to myself when they are staying at my house. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Thank you. You, too!
I need to start making goal lists on my blog. I think it’s inspiring and shows real life! My big personal goal this week is to not get caught up “working” on stuff and to play more. And to plan something special for hubby and I one night after kids get in bed.
Great goals! My husband’s birthday is today, so we are definitely having some fun here, too. Happy Thanksgiving!