2013- here it comes!

As each year is coming to an end I begin thinking about a theme for the new year. Sometimes it's a word, sometimes a scripture or idea. For 2013, I've picked a word that represents a concept I want to work on for the year:

Diligence.

Consistency, Perseverance, 

Dedication, Dependability, and so on. 

Constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken. 

Persistent exertion of body or mind. 

Steady and careful application. 

Proper attention or care.

Industriousness.

Perseverance in carrying out action.

Mindfulness.

Determination and strong will.

I'm not very good at being diligent. Most of the time I feel like I'm flying by the seat of my pants (tangent: which is a weird idiom- where did it come from?). 

This week I've been gradually working us into our school schedule- get up earlier, get dressed, breakfast, morning devotional, chores, etc., in anticipation of starting up again next week. 

Well, all my hard work went out the window this morning- called the dentist at 8:00 a.m. and soon we were out the door so Olivia could have an abscessed tooth pulled (tangent: and why does all this crap happen to Olivia?! Day 4 of the new year and she's already been numbed, had a tooth yanked out- seriously it's no small effort to pull a tooth, and now she's biting on cotton wads to stop the bleeding). 

The other kids stayed home, fending for themselves, watching cartoons (tangent: love-love-love having older kids who can watch younger kids). Since we have to get out the door for other commitments soon (tangent: so excited Austin's lego club is almost over), I feel like there's no point in pulling everyone away from what they are working on back to "the schedule." 

But that's the core of my problem - when things go wrong, i.e. not according to my plan, I let them throw me off, and I think why bother? 

Diligent people persevere through anything that is thrown their way, even if it is really hard. 

The truth is, my life is challenging - not in a "life is horrible and it sucks" way, because I love my life, it's the life I've chosen and I'm not going to make different choices. In addition to the normal challenges of caring for my family and home (planning meals, housework, spending quality time with everyone-especially the my husband!), there are some differences.

I've chosen to homeschool and it's absolutely worth it to me, but it creates demand on my time and energy and focus. Sometimes I let it demand too much of my time and energy and focus. 

I have a daughter with a progressive genetic condition and it's progressing. This means doctor's appointments and scheduling annoyances - it's hard to have a consistent daily schedule when you have to take the best available appointment time with a myriad of specialists. Olivia's speech therapist, who specializes in her unique breathing and voice challenges, only does appointments in the morning. Olivia also needs daily, consistent help with her speech/voice exercises. She needs daily physical exercise. 

One of my other daughter's has learning and behavior challenges that we are trying to figure out. This means constant interruptions and draining of my energy and patience reserves to keep her working and progressing. It means I spend large amounts of time investigating the best ways to help her. She needs daily, consistent assistance with basic subjects. When we are consistent she progresses in leaps and bounds.  

Diligent people work hard to get what they want or need. 

With all of this going on, I've grown tired of "making do." I want our day-to-day experiences as a family to be better. 

Higher quality.  

Less time on the maintenance of our family, and more time enjoying each other. 

No more wondering what needs to be done and how it's going to get done. 

No more 4 year old tornado moving from one room to the next because she doesn't have something to do and doesn't know how to constructively direct her energy (weeeeelllllll, I think Jo has one of those constantly-busy-creative-exploring-sometimes-mischievous personalities, so I'm expecting her to continue being her fabulous self, but we'll work on understanding boundaries and developing excellent clean-up-afterwards skills). 

No more acting out and tantrums and end-of-the-world events, because of Mom's unclear "flying by the seat of my pants" expectations. 

*Sigh* it's so intimidating when it all comes down to me. 

Diligent people will go above and beyond the requirements to get the job done. 

I'm hoping to be a "diligent people." Balance. Order. Consistency. It's time to go above and beyond. 

"Some people dream of success, while others wake up & work hard at it."

-Winston Churchill