Summer Ambition!

Every year as school draws to a close I begin thinking of my goals and ambitions for the summer months. What will I do, who will I want to see, where will I go, etc . . . . I often make a list and probably will do the same this year. However, at the end of every summer I look back on the list and mark off all that I've accomplished. After doing this I feel extremely humiliated due to the fact that the three things I crossed off were all done in the same day. Needless to say I begin the summer with great expectation and end with an overwhelming sense of frustration and disappointment.

So - this summer is going to be different. I'm a list person so I will probably make a list but I'm going to live by a few small principles this summer that should help me to feel free from the restraints of a neverending "to do" list. #1 is to do at least one thing on my least per week and #2 is to be proud of what I actually do accomplish.

Here is my list for the summer.

1 - I will get up at the same time every day, establishing a summer routine - take Solomon for a walk (or run), do my devotions and have some coffee before the youngins awake.

2 - I have established some new ambitions in the past year - one of them being crafts (which I've always loved) and the other one being baking. So I'm going to alternate weeks with both of them. One week will be craft week and the next will be baking week. I have many new craft ideas I would like to try and many new recipes as well. If I'm anxious to try something I have a tendency to cram it all in one day and when I can't I get frustrated. This scenerio will eliminate that problem and I'll look forward to each week and be able to plan ahead.

3 - I am going to continue to read - preferably when the kids are outside playing or in the pool. I love our Cabella's lawn chairs and enjoy reading outside in the shade while my kids play.

4 - I am going to say "no" to a lot of things this summer. I'm not sure what they are yet but I need to work on things around the house, spend time with my kids and my husband. And I have a tendency to say "yes" to a lot of things - especially when it's summertime and I feel like I have the time. Who ever really has the time?

5 - I am going to spend some time out in Melba this year and excessively plan for the year ahead. I feel like there was so much more I could do with my kindergarteners this past year if I only had the time to prepare ahead. I would like to have a ton prepared before the school year starts in August.

6 - I am going to spend some time with my grandparents each week. I would like to set aside a day each week in which I go over there and spend time with them. I look forward to our outdoor picnics and lazy conversations. I also look forward to helping plan their anniversary celebration in August.

7 - I am going to be taking a class at NNU. That is the one thing that I dislike about being a teacher - the fact that we have to continue our education and recertify every 5 years. I'm looking at 10 years of teaching and have to recertify again which means 6 credits more for me. I really don't mind taking the classes I just don't enjoy the time away from my family or the money that I have to fork out up front to get those credits.

8 - I am going to be taking a few vacations this summer. One to Lagoon in Utah with some of our friends and another to Spokane, Washington for a Franklin Family Reunion. I'm looking forward to both as well as a few weekend cabin trips.

9 - I am going to set aside 2 hours each week to work on my children's scrapbooks. I think that this is such a fun way to commerorate their lives and am way behind in this task. I think that I may be spending some time at my cousin's house in Meridian a few evenings a month to work on this - otherwise those 2 hours will be spent doing something much less important - like laundry or the dishes!

10 - The most important thing this summer for me to accomplish all these tasks is planning and organizing. I need to plan ahead and make arrangements - for crafts, baking and childcare.

11 - I'm also going to try and master this couponing thing - there is so much to be saved out there and I need to take the necessary steps to try and save money in some areas so we can afford things like a new vacuum, some much needed curtains for our dining room, some new light fixtures, and the list continues. I'm also going to continue making a budget and make sure that we stick to it.

12 - Continue our library day on Thursdays as well as participating in the summer reading program.

I'm sure that as the summer continues I will be listing many other things that need to "be done" or that I want "to do". I'm looking forward to planning my summer and enjoying it!!!