I think I must have blinked. Just yesterday I was anticipating the beginning of August, and today I'm trying to figure out how the first week and a half of September disappeared.
I'm not sure where the time has gone, but I'm pretty certain I didn't waste it sleeping. I'm much too exhausted for that. I'm also sure I didn't spend it cleaning. Feel free to take a look around my house if you have any doubts.
I have simply been busy. That's just how the beginning of school is around here. It's the same thing every year. I work hard all day long, yet I feel like I have nothing to show for it.
But I do have something to show for it. I have spelling tests, history projects, and countless hours of enjoying my kiddos. I have stacks of books, piles of papers, and more smiles than a mama should be permitted.
So, for a couple of weeks, I decided not to worry that the kids can do their handwriting in the layer of dust coating the furniture. I ignored the fact that we can practice our times tables with the socks (cleverly called "math manipulatives") that seem to multiply daily on the living room floor. And I didn't even bat an eye when I had to throw out several "science experiments" from the back of the fridge last week.
But, alas, all good things must come to an end. Well, I don't know if I would call a pile of dust and a trash can full of spoiled food a good thing, but you get the point. It's time for me to shake off the beginning-of-the-school-year cobwebs. Literally. I need to get this place whipped back into shape. I have to stop making excuses (even really good ones) and use my time wisely.
And I need to smile while I'm doing it. Not always easy.
This situation calls for some balance. I want to have fun with my kids, enjoy educating them, and also create the home environment we crave.
This week I hope to maintain a (little) higher level of cleanliness and work on following my morning routine. I also intend to tie up any loose ends floating around my lesson plans or homeschool shelves and notebooks. With some work and conscious effort, I just might be able to walk through the house without being zapped by guilt and have fun watching my kids learn and grow. All at the same time. Imagine that.
How is your home holding up under the pressure of a new school year? Have you found the balance yet?
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