Goals

We were really, really looking forward to spring break.  We had virtually no plans with the exception of bookend birthdays on the week.  Let's take a look at some of the goals we had for the week of spontaneity and time as a family.  So, here are The LaVine Family Goals for Spring Break:


1.) Celebrate Jack's 4th birthday.
2.) Go on hikes as a family and exercise in general.
3.) Possibly go overnight somewhere for a fun outing as a family.
4.) Do a toy purge after all the new toys came in for the 4 year old's birthday.
5.) Go through both kids' clothing now that spring is here.
6.) Chad and I had planned a birthday hiking date while Chad's parents would watch the kids.
7.) Celebrate Chad's 32nd birthday with family.
8.) Enjoy down time.

Sounds fun, right?  Now, let's look at how the week actually turned out.

1.) We celebrated the 4 year old's birthday.  See the post below. :)
2.) I came down with the strangest virus: an incredibly sore throat, achy feeling, and zero energy, resulting in 4 days of basically being in bed.
3.) In those four days, Chad got lots of time single-parenting the kids, and making sure I didn't overdo anything.  Thankfully, he had the option of taking the kids to his parents' home to play and to have a little adult conversation and help.  (His parents were so helpful in so many ways!  Seriously, we are blessed.)
4.) Once I started feeling better, Chad started getting a sore throat.  He had the virus and spends two days resting.
5.)  Chad starts feeling better.  Then, Jack wakes up in the middle of the night in tons of pain. We think it's the virus. Turns out he has a double ear infection and is now on a strong antibiotic.

And that's where we've left off so far with one day left of break.  I understand that none of these things are the end of the world, but when you are really looking forward to some fun, unplanned family time, sickness for a whole week isn't the most desirable outcome.  I will admit I have felt frustrated at times because I felt like our family really could have used the time to play and just have a relaxed time together.  Plus, I'm a planner and goal-setter and really like to see things carried out.

This morning while I was thinking about goals and how our week had gone, I was reminded that, back in January, I had written down some personal goals for 2011 in my journal.  In the process of writing the goals, I prayed that God would help me hold those goals with an open hand.  That I wouldn't be frustrated when the goals weren't reached in my time frame, but to realize that sometimes there are divine interruptions and I shouldn't get caught up in the goal so much that I lose sight of what God might want to do in my life.  Why did I pray that?  It's like praying for patience--you know that you will be provided with lots of less-than-desirable opportunities to practice patience. Or praying for humility--you know that you'll be made to feel humble. :)

So, my goals were interrupted this week.  We have still had lots of family time together.  We may not all have been well, but we've stayed close through all this.  It's helped me realize (AGAIN) that my goals are not the final say--they're simply goals.  And we'll really appreciate when all four of us are healthy again and we can start checking off some of the things on the first list above.  Since one of my goals for the year was to be intentional about spending time with my family, I was at least able to reach one goal this week! :)