Finding Joy in a more balanced life Week #3-Progress

[Momof3cuties]

Several cafe moms along with Cafe Sheri are working on finding joy in a more balanced life.  I am one of those moms on the adventure with Cafe Sheri.  Identifying the areas that need to be worked on & posting weekly progress is one of the things that we are doing.  While I have meant to post these journals for the last 2 weeks, I have procrastinated...so this week, I decided I should just jump in & post this in my journal.  Here goes:

Marriage:  Goal: date night every other week.  Progress: We have had one date since the challenge started.  The progress is rather slow in this department, however, I have shut down my laptop & just snuggled with DH & watched movies.  Usually when we watch tv, he's on one end of the couch, I am on the other with my face in my laptop.  Next Friday we will get a date night bc DD had a thing at the Y from 6-8:30.  We usually go out to dinner on these nights.

Kids: Goal: 15 - 30 minutes of quality time with the kids.  Progress:  I have done fairly well with this.  However, that time with my 17 yr old is much more difficult to get.  I certainly don't get it on a daily basis...but I'd say every other day.  We do all eat together & Dylan tends to do most of the talking during dinner sharing his day with us.  Honestly,  I love that.  My 5 yr old is happy to do just about anything with me!

Work:  Not feeling like I am working 24/7 & get a new schedule worked out to get my hours in. Progress:  Pretty good on this & keeping up with my hours still.  The curse of working from home is that your job is always there.  I have a hard time shutting off my computer if I haven't gotten my maximum quota of 9 hours in.  9 hours is the maximum amount of hours I am allowed to work in a day.  I have done a pretty good job at shutting down around 9 when I put my daughter to bed.  This means that I am spending more one on one time with hubby...but we definitely need more than that!  I have yet to get the schedule worked out.

Personal:  Getting some ME TIME in, including daily exercise, Progress: Excellent!  I work out daily.  I have made it a priority and have worked it into my schedule & into doing fun things with my kids...like swimming.  I also started a new women's Bible study.  This means at least once a week for about 2 hours, I will get this time for myself.    I have managed to do my Bibly study homework for the first week.  This is always a challenge for me bc it requires me to set aside about an hour 5 days a week to sit with my book & my Bible.  I am so proud of myself for this accomplishment.  I am now on week 2.  I have day 1 completed & will be working on day 2 tonight!  I will also be swimming every Wednesday a.m. with my friend at the Y. 

Household:  Declutter & get rid of un-used/un-needed things.  Progress: January 1 I ripped everything out of my  kitchen & dining room.  I donated a bunch, threw out a bunch & gave a bag of stuff to my son for his apartment.  Since January 1, I haven't done much decluttering but  I am ready for another decluttering session.  My next project is to tackle under the kitchen sink where my cleaning products are.  It's the only area in my kitchen I have yet to tackle.  It needs to be simplified.  Simplified things means more time to do the other things I want to do! 

Overall: I am finding joy in a more balanced life.  It's a work in progress.  i am definitely less stressed and enjoying the little things in life so much more. 

[Mama_McD]

Jan. 27, 2010 at 5:49 PM

Awesome job, Hope!  you're doing great on your new goals and working on finding balance... I know it's something we all struggle with as moms... good luck and I look forward to readig more about your progress!!

[sassy_sweet_blu]

Jan. 27, 2010 at 6:19 PM

I do have to agree... AWESOME JOB HOPE!!   i was reading thru cafe sheri's post and i think i am goin to jump in..   I read one of the comments on one post about work being UGGGG for someone.. i think this is alot of my problems with home.   I bring work home with me..... wish i was richie rich so i didn't have to work lol   Anyways i think maybe this challenge will help remind me what i am thankful for in my life ... and hopefully bring joy back too it.   

[tanya777]

Jan. 27, 2010 at 10:15 PM

Great job Hope!!! Your doing awesome!! Keep up the great work!! :)

[sneffy014]

Jan. 28, 2010 at 8:03 AM

Thank you for posting this. You have inspired me!

[babygirl96]

Jan. 28, 2010 at 3:50 PM

Way to go, Hope...I'm so proud of you and glad FOR you!! Sounds like you are doing a great job of finding balance. With a hubby, kids and a job, balance is hard to come by....I"ll pray that you continue to do well! CONGRATS!

    ~K~

[wandep]

Jan. 28, 2010 at 7:32 PM

You are doing a great job Hope! Thanks for sharing this with us.