"The only thing we have control over is how we spend the time, that precious time." -Elizabeth Edwards
I have loved that quote since the first time I read it, but I don't think I've ever really thought about it. Oh sure, I don't try not to sweat the small stuff, I play with the kids over, say, washing the floor- but is that really enough? Adding homeschooling to our family's, to my already overflowing days has been stressful. Oh sure, it's been fun, and interesting, but truth be told, it's also been stressful. Trying to fit in everything I need to do and everything I want to do, well... it's just not working out. The other night I sat down and thought long and hard about how this is going to go.
First, I had to rethink my goals. I decided it was important to me to provide the girls with interesting learning opportunities daily, keep our house clean, keep the laundry done, have something to offer for dinner each night , and be able to spend time with the older girls each day after they get home from school. Those are my "need to" s and they haven't really changed.
It was on to my "want to" list. Taking pictures, reading books, blogging, talking with John at night- these are all things I do that make me happy, give me energy, make me feel more like me. So there was no wiggle room there. What did that leave? Television. We have 3 DVR's in our home and I, personally, have shows taped on all three for future viewing. The fact that listing some of the titles embarrasses me (90210, The Real Housewives of the OC) was a pretty good indicator to me that here was a change I could make for the better. I wiped out my DVRs. I did. I might regret it tomorrow, when for the first time in three seasons, I will miss an episode of Brothers & Sisters, but for the moment, I am feeling really good about my decision.
I feel like I have more time already, time for all the things that make my life beautiful.
