Expectant!

Yep, it's kuh-ray-zee May! Recitals, Concerts, Field Days, Field Trips, Teacher Appreciation, Carnivals, Parent Meetings, Graduations, Recognitions, Inductions..... So proud of my kiddos. But AAAAGGHHH! We're holding on for dear life through the next couple of weeks (i.e. the house will stay a mess, the meals will be less-than-stellar, the kids might bathe every third day or so, and tired will be an understatement). Then it will all come to a grinding halt as summer hits... ahhh...

And then I'm sure three days into summer we'll be wishing for something to do. Such is life!

So why in the world am I feeling the urge to blog NOW. Who knows....Well, it is a great outlet which provides free stress relief. And boy, do I have a lot on my heart. So, let's start with another milestone moment.

I am about to be the mom of four SCHOOL-AGED kids. I will no longer have any children in preschool by the end of kuh-ray-zee May! Wow. It's another milestone, among the many I seem to have had many this year. It's the beginning of a new stage in life.  For the first time in 13 years, when school starts in August I will have 7 hours a day, five days a week, sans kids. That's 35 hours a week! What is a mother to do??!!

BELIEVE ME, I am absolutely certain I will figure it out just fine!

My plans for the 2012-2013 school year include: sleep, yoga, coffee with every friend I need to catch up with, lunch with Leon at least once a week (and on the other days lunch with every other friend I've ever wanted to connect with), reading all the books I have on my shelf waiting to be read, shopping for more books to read, and more sleep.


I figure with the kids home less and being a little older, the house will be less of a wreck, and they will be more actively helping in chores, so I won't spend much of my days on housework. I also figure that I'll have plenty of time to plan and execute meals better, so we should all end up healthier. And I figure I'll have plenty of time for exercise and regular spa treatments, so I should be much more radiant and beautiful, too.... right?

Okay, so that's probably not completely accurate, but it's something to work toward!

And no, I'm not delusional. I know that reality will be whatever reality ends up being. I actually have decided to just take it one day at a time. I have been very careful NOT to take on MORE volunteer duties this next school year. In fact, the roles I've volunteered for will require less time and effort. I see this next year as a time to allow God to mold and guide my next phase of life. It's actually VERY exciting!

Will I find an organization near and dear to my heart to pour my energy into? Will I begin to speak more to groups? Will I begin writing a book? Will my children and husband need me to spend my extra time on their needs somehow? Will I dive deeper into Bible Study and meditation? Will I discover some other latent passion of mine?....

I'm waiting with hope and expectancy!
Who's with me?