September has flown by and I haven’t been able to quite catch my breath.
This month featured work that just doesn’t seem to stop. (You know, at my paying job, which is supposed to be part time), as well as multiple family birthday celebrations.
But it is finally starting to feel like fall.
Loved
We took a chance and decided to join an 8 week small group at our church focusing on practicing spiritual disciplines. For September, we explored silence and solitude, using the curriculum from Practicing the Way with John Mark Comer. While I actually didn’t love the material, I did love being part of the group. We’ve been part of a writing small group for the last sixteen years (and it’s been hosted at our house for more than a decade), but I kind of missed being in a more traditional bible or book study group as a couple. We have dinner and then discuss the topic of the week and how our practicing of that spiritual discipline went that week, as well as what we thought about the supporting videos and materials.
I don’t know if I’d do another practice group, but I’ve definitely loved being in the small group and the fellowship and connection with the other people in it.
Accomplished
My husband rarely travels for work and it has been several years since he has. But this week he was away for four days and three nights. My primary goal was just to get through it. We had certain appointments we had to attend and I had a list of school work for the kids to finish, but other than that we stuck to easy meals, and tried to keep things fairly chill. It was still exhausting. But we go through it. I even slept pretty well while he was gone (though not really enough but more than I usually do). I’m glad he’s home, but also glad that I managed to get through the week as the full time on-call parent.
Improved upon/Needs improvement
I still haven’t finished my manuscript edit. I keep pushing off my goal and it really bums me out, but the reality is that I just haven’t had the time. Between school and work kicking off and two family birthdays (one immediate, one extended) and the delayed celebration of an August birthday, we’ve been busy every weekend.
As I look at my October schedule, I need to figure out the best way to carve out time to finish this stage of the project so I can send it to my writer’s group for a beta read and full manuscript critique.
Noticed
My husband and I work best as a team. I know this. But wow did I notice this while he was gone. Even though we had a lightly scheduled week, I was still so exhausted. Being in charge of all the things without a partner or backup was difficult. (To be clear, if I really needed it, I have family very nearby. My dad did come over at one point to help my son with some math he was struggling with. But for the most part, I did all the things that needed to be done.)
The kids helped, though not as much as I’d hoped, but I really noticed my husband’s absence. I already knew that we are better together and I know that I can survive on my own but I have a fresh appreciation for the value of cooperation especially in the care of our children and home. I’m hoping he doesn’t need to travel again anytime soon (unless I get to go with him.)
Well the cooler weather and misty fall rain have arrived and I’m craving homemade soup and sourdough bread. Today I made sourdough bread, and sourdough scones, gf and regular of each. I also was able to throw together a ham and potato soup for dinner. It definitely feels like fall.
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