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I thought a bit of a “Jana’s life lately” post might be fun. A place to put all of the random bits that are floating around my head this January.
Some years I make a ton of News Years “resolutions” (spreadsheets and everything) and some years I make hardly any at all. This year I just modified my list from last year. Well actually, I first made a “2018 Gratitude & Thanksgiving” list to acknowledge God’s hand in so many aspects of the year. Top of the list: Adoption Day! It was helpful to start my looking-forward planning with a time of looking-back in thankfulness for all He did during the past year (and not just jump into beating myself up with all of the goals that did not get accomplished). Then I looked at the 2018 list and just revamped a little for 2019.
Main goals for this year: keep five children alive and thriving. Help one child get healthy. Help two children learn how to read independently & confidently. Spend intentional time with Bryce and get comfortable/creative with having at-home date nights. Read & study the Bible consistently. And that’s it, folks. ….Okay, okay, there’s a whole host of side projects and reading goals and writing goals and relational goals. But those are strictly “as able to”–they are not allowed to be guilt-inducing.
I had a big realization last week: I need to make goals for who I actually am today, and not who I remember myself being 10 years ago or who I might aspire to be. For example, I used to be a great reader, but if I evaluate myself honestly right now, I do not read like I used to and haven’t in years! So, instead of trying to read a million books in a year and failing every time, I have a new goal this year: read 1 (maybe 2) books a month. And that’s okay! That’s an honest goal I can (hopefully!) accomplish in this season. That’s it: honest goals. That’s the kind of goals I want to make right now.
About the “one child get healthy” goal above: we found out before Christmas that our middle child, Silas, has Celiac disease. It’s not too surprising, since there were mild symptom hints the past few months and it’s genetic–my sister also has Celiac. But it has been a bit of a whirlwind to change his diet to completely gluten-free–for the rest of his life–and also lactose-free for right now. He has been so brave about everything and seems to be adjusting pretty well. Mostly I can’t wait until he is back to full health & feeling wonderful.
I told Bryce in mid-December: “I haven’t looked forward to a Christmas break so much since college 10 years ago!” It was marvelous. I stayed in my PJ pants all day for multiple days, only getting dressed in real clothes when absolutely necessary. I did two 500 piece puzzles. I ate all of the cookies and junk food and tons of coffee. I watched Hallmark Christmas movies. I spent time in Fort Wayne with my sister & parents, and celebrated my brother’s engagement! And, don’t worry, I was a little productive and did have two school planning days in there.
We are back to school this week, with a bit of a revamped schedule. In the fall, I had a hard time fitting in preschool for the 5-year-old’s. So I’m trying something new and working with them first thing in the morning while giving the 1st graders independent work. Hopefully it helps us to be more consistent. The kids are all doing so great. Home schooling is hard and sometimes (or maybe a lot of the time) feels like dying-to-myself-daily but I sure enjoy having them all home during this season and watching them learn is so very rewarding.
My health journey needed a bit of a reset after the last crazy few months of the adoption whirlwind and Silas’ health stuff and holidays (see above junk food comment), so I started Monday with some intentional health self-care. This month I’m doing a modified Whole30, which for me looks like no sugar of any kind, no empty carbs, veggies with every meal, only healthy snacks, and tons of water. I definitely have a sweet tooth–thanks to my Grandma Snyder–so the sugar one is hardest for me but it’s so good to take a complete break every once in a while. I also have been way off my exercise game, so my sister and I are keeping each other accountable with a 6-week Moms Into Fitness program. I think it will be a good way to ease myself back in (insert a couple of emojis for I’m-so-out-of-shape and I’m-hurting-from-just-two-days-in).
This is getting long, so just one more thought to share. I’ve been slowly working my way through the CSB Women’s Study Bible and loving it! I was pushing to read through the Bible in a year last year, plus reading every bit of the commentary. But it was just too much and began not to be enjoyable or rewarding. So I slowed way down and relaxed–it’s okay if it takes me 2-3 years but I’m going to read & study at a more manageable pace and really enjoy the commentary. Right now, I’m in Jeremiah, two chapters a day + commentary, and also one chapter in the Psalms. Along with daily Bible reading, I have also been using the monthly guided prayer journal from Val Marie Paper and highly recommend! So very helpful to keep all of the things I want to pray for organized in one spot–plus it’s pretty. Always a plus. Moral of the story: find the tools & reading rhythm that give you joy and help you connect with Jesus–however it needs to look for your current season.
Well, that’s it, friends. I hope you enjoyed this smattering of January thoughts. I’ve got more posts in mind for house projects (still need to write about the chicken coop & our new windows) and thoughts post-adoption and need to do a kids update soon . . . so much to write about. Thanks for sticking around and reading.