May

I kind of hung on for dear life throughout the month of April. It's just a busy month-- always, no way around it-- and it was even truer this year than in previous years. Funny thing is, I think I had really convinced myself (in the recesses of my mind, anyway) that something magical would happen as of May 1 and we would suddenly be able to breathe again.

Ha.

That said, despite May's promise of busyness, it is a new month, and that can't help but bring with it a sense of a new beginning.

Which I love.

In light of new beginnings, I am::

:: looking at curriculum for the fall and getting excited about the next school year. This actually does inspire me to finish strong, so it's all good.

:: freshly purging the house of all extras. There are lots of nice things we own that we don't use that much. It is much better to pass them on to someone whose life will be benefited by having them than to keep them stuffed in a closet or drawer where they're rarely seen or used.

:: dreaming about what plants I might add to the perennial garden this year and how I will re-edge the garden to continue its progression toward the desired size/shape that I had in mind 4 years ago when I first started it. I only have so much time and money each year, so we take baby steps-- and sometimes I think that makes it that much more fun and exciting.

:: making summer reading lists for the kids and collecting the materials. I love the fact that I have two very independent readers now, and I look forward to keeping them somewhat busy with books.

:: beginning new habits and re-establishing some that have fallen by the wayside. I love taking advantage of any and every opportunity to start again.

:: getting excited about some simple re-decorating plans for the church nursery that will hopefully give it a fresh facelift and make it even more of a blessing to the children and families.

Happy May to all of us!