Progress

It may be slow, but it most definitely is happening.  I have wanted to write something prolific for weeks, but life has gotten in the way of that.  The kids have been sick (I spent 3 hours in urgent care with Liam this afternoon), work continues to become more intense in all the wrong ways, and we are spending more family time together without electronics.

So instead of trying to compose a Nobel Prize-winning essay, I've decided to revisit my 2011 goals.  

Domain 1--The Home: I set out to accomplish some organizational projects, however my goals for the home have evolved.  I still intend to deal with "organization," but by way of purging the house of non-essentials.  This includes giving away much of our baby stuff to a co-worker, selling all extraneous furniture that no longer fits in our home and has taken up residence in the garage, consigning the kids' outgrown clothes and my maternity clothes, and taking everything I can't sell to Goodwill.  In addition to the downsizing campaign, we are planning to build our garden in both the front and back yards.

Domain 2--Family: I have made time for Zoe and I to do things together as mother and daughter.  We have played board games, made valentines, and resumed our evening ritual of cuddling under a blanket together while watching The Simpsons before her bedtime.  We used to do it nightly until about a year ago when I became too pregnant to cuddle with her on the couch. I've been reading copious books on positive and gentle discipline.  I completed The Continuum Concept and am half-way through Unconditional Parenting.  I have Positive Discipline A-Z and am working my way through that as needed.  I recently began Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves and have Playful Parenting waiting for me on the bookshelf.

Domain 3--Wellness: This is an area that I am still very committed to despite a small detour.  Work is keeping me so busy that I often gave up workout time to stay late at work.  My eating was not as great for a bit either, but I'm happy to say that I have found my way back to the path of wholesome, homemade, unprocessed foods.  I have 16 lbs to go until I reach my weight loss goal, although that is secondary to eating a diet untainted by chemicals and GMOs.

Domain 4--Career: I am definitely re-committed to best practice in education, however my recent studies have led me in an entirely different direction than expected.  For the first time in many years, I am considering homeschooling my children for at least part of their "school-age" years.  Honestly, I cringe at the term "homeschool" and much prefer natural learning or community learning.  I have no desire to shelter my children from reality, in fact, I'd prefer them to be more entrenched in real-life (which the typical schooling experience is not).  Of course this means discovering a way to live without earning a salary, so I have been researching that possibility voraciously.

Domain 4--Recreation: Well, my goal of weekly blogging is obviously not going well.  The other goals have taken priority and I am completely okay with that.