Back To School

I love this time of year! Today especially feels like fall is coming, since its cool and raining this morning. Yesterday was the official first day of school for my kids. Sarah went to school for half the day on Monday, it was 7th grade day, a day to let the 7th graders get a feel for Middle School. Shelby didn't go to school yesterday because a bomb threat was called into her school. You can read more about that here. Today both girls are in school, all day. I must admit I've been looking forward to having my days back to myself, but now that its happened I've had mixed feelings. Every school year reminds me that my kids are growing up fast, and soon they will be gone from my house, I don't deal with that reality very well.


Yesterday I had planned to go to the Temple, until High School was cancelled. If Shelby was going to be home, I didn't want to just leave her home alone. She was looking forward to starting school, and had planned her first day of school outfit, down to her painted nails and purple belt. Shelby's friends felt just as bummed as she did, so they decided to go out for smoothies, then to Target, then to the movies. I was left home alone, not quite sure what to do with myself. I watched Elder Bednar speak at Education Week, and it was amazing, totally made up for my missed Temple trip.


Now, I'm left with figuring out how to best use my time during the day. I could spend my day making sure my house is spotless and perfectly organized, but that isn't really how I want to spend my time.I want to feel that I am using my time well, but that doesn't mean that I need to be busy. I think its ok to do things I enjoy without being idle. This culture we live in seems to worship busyness.If I fill my days checking off long "To Do" lists does that mean I live a meaningful life? I don't think it does. I'm in the process of creating a general outline for my mornings, making sure I get up early enough to get my kids breakfast and out the door on time, that I exercise, and pick up the house a bit. Then, I'm going to label each day- Monday is laundry day, Tuesday or Thursday are errand days, Wednesday is going to be project day. I'm going through all the things that I want to do, but never make time for, and making time for them! I love to read, and I want to work on my kids "School of Life" books, I want to decorate. More than anything I want to feel that I use my time well, that at the end of the day I'm pleased with how the day went, and confident that my Heavenly Father is pleased, I want to avoid being idle. I do have more time on my hands, and it would be so easy waste away the day on all of my favorite websites or binge watching shows on Netflix.