Maternity leave. I have 9 weeks left and after a full week at home with very few outings, I'm ready for some structure and sense of accomplishment. The past week has been the hazy, lazy, couch to bed, bed to couch, Netflix, newborn week. I've loved extra time with Austin and Nick, but today hit and my boys are back in the routine of work and daycare and I've spent a good amount of today thinking about what my routine and goals are for the next 9 weeks. Without some goals, I think the next 9 weeks could easily be spent scrolling my phone, because as of yesterday I've spent 22 hours nursing Jade since we got home. 22 hours people. Truth be told, a lot of those hours have been spent scrolling social media. It's mindless and distracting but has also left me feeling guilty. What else could I have learned in 22 hours? I could easily read the entire Bible, something I've never done before, over the next 9 weeks. I could write more, something I love to do but contemplate on how much to share about my life and how often. I could finish a few books I've started. Lots of options when you're sitting at home with a tiny human who sleeps a majority of the time.
So here's the official maternity leave bucket list: 1. Bake something new once a week 2. Finish the book, And She Laughs 3. 2 cards of encouragement per week 4. Spend the first 3 feedings of the day reading my Bible 5. New blog once a week The last goal is to love my family really, really well. My husband is my biggest blessing and I need to encourage him more. He's been so selfless since Jade has been born, spending lots of hours doing special projects with Nick while serving me by getting new cups of water, waking up for diaper changes, and preparing meals. I'm so thankful. Loving them well means being present, taking walks, packing lunches, and staying on top of house stuff so we can enjoy week day evenings as much as possible. I chose those goals because of a sermon I heard two weeks ago about praying big prayers. Austin and I have big prayers for our family that we talk about a lot, financial freedom, careers that fit our strengths and passions (I want to write on a more large-scale base and work on a book about joy and grief. There I said it out loud), making time for hobbies, and pursuing Jesus in ways that challenge us. I can't focus on those goals a whole lot when I'm distracted by my phone, or other things that take up too much of my time even before babies were involved. Maybe it's the hormones, but I feel oddly energized and excited for this leave. I know there will be days where the list goes to the wayside and I need to rest to be the mom and wife I want to be. That's okay too. I'm excited to see what God has in store for the next 9 weeks as we adjust to baby Jade and being a family of 4.
1 Comment
Javonne Granderson
8/22/2017 08:10:26 pm
Love this!!!!!!!!
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Hi! I'm Haley. Archives
May 2019
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