Saying Goodbye to 2009

I probably say this every new year, but it has been quite a year! There have been so many milestones and memories, I thought it would be nice to reminisce a bit…

Joey had his 1st birthday this past May

Joey learned how to walk

We started using the Workbox System which completely changed the way we “do school”

I tried to institute a chore system (and failed)

I became a contributor for Heart of the Matter online

I joined HOTM forum and became co-admin

I developed a very close friendship with an online friend who has been such a blessing to me

My dear husband started college

My sister was married in August, and Joey was her ring bearer

We moved

My older kiddos had birthdays also and turned 8, 9 and 12

I turned the big 3-0

I got a bread machine and baked 8 loaves of bread in 3 days

I purchased my first laptop

I purchased a second laptop (for the kids’ Christmas gift)

I learned how to make cinnamon rolls from scratch and perfected my recipe

I became a grouch on an almost daily basis (this is a recent realization and I am working on having a pleasant attitude no matter how I FEEL)

We got a Wii as a Christmas gift from my Mom and are enjoying it as a family

Joey transitioned from a baby to a toddler

Drew and Isaiah developed a love for drawing and Lego

We received a need-based scholarship which enabled us to begin using Tapestry of Grace classical curriculum

There are a lot more things that happened this past year and this is just a brief list off the top of my head. There are several things that came into mind as I was writing this list that I wanted to do but did not manage to accomplish. With the beginning of a new year, I find myself contemplating a new list of goals for 2010.

1. Develop a healthy schedule/routine

This is something I have struggled with since day one of beginning to homeschool. Throwing a baby/toddler into the mix has only made this more difficult. Every little change in routine results in HIS schedule being thrown out and I am constantly struggling to get him back to a normal sleep/nap routine.

The boys and I both have a hard time getting up and going in he morning and boy do we like to sleep in! I believe that if we can get out of this habit, we will be more productive every day.

2. Stick to a plan

I am great at writing out lesson plans and routines. I am not so great, however, at actually doing things according to plan. I need to learn how to plan things in a flexible way yet be disciplined enough to follow those plans as closely as possible.

3. No more store-bought bread

Now that I have a bread machine, there is no reason for us to ever have to purchase a store bought loaf. Home baked bread is healthier, tastier, and cheaper! Not to mention there is no wondering about preservatives or other additives that we may be putting into our tummies.

4. Crack down on school

My goal for this past year was to catch up on those subjects the boys are slightly behind on. We didn’t quite get there, but we did make progress. By the end of 2010, I would really love to be able to say they are exactly where the need to be educationally.

5. Start informal lessons with Joey

I had planned on doing this sometime after he turned 18 months, but with moving and settling in, I have not been able to get around to it. My new goal is to be doing regular, informal learning times with him 3 days a week by his 2nd birthday in May.

6. Write more.

Whether it means writing here on the blog, writing for HOTM, or writing some freelance articles for other sites, I would really like to write more and get more comfortable in my writing. I have lots if ideas that have never made it into “paper” that need to be developed and shared with others.

7. Make a chore system and STICK TO IT!

I have recently talked to by husband about this, and I think we are going to sit down and figure this out together. In the past, I have always done it on my own and it has never worked. It is something we need to do as a team.

8. Teach the boys keyboarding skills

My boys are hesitant writers. They love making up stories and things, but rarely get them down on paper because they detest writing things out. They know their way around a computer, but still use the “hunt and peck” method for typing.

9. Get more organized

This is a very general goal and applies to all areas of my life and home. I am good at organizing things, but I am NOT good at keeping them that way. I am less stressed and more relaxed when my home is organized. Enough said!

10. Be a happier wife, mother, and teacher.

As I shared above, grouchiness has become the norm for me. I don’t like it. I WILL change it. I want my children to enjoy being with me and I don’t like being snippy and gruff all the time.

I know there are a lot more things I could focus on improving, but these are the most important to me right now. It should be interesting to reflect on this post at different times throughout the year to see how I am doing in meeting these goals.

I hope your 2009 was wonderful! Here’s looking toward a new year, see you in 2010!

Blessings,

: ) Cassie