It’s the beginning of December and the countdown begins. Not the countdown to opening presents, or the company Christmas party, or even the end to relentless traffic. For me, it’s the countdown until Christmas break begins!

We are in our second year of homeschooling and as my daughter’s school teacher, I have a new appreciation for Christmas break. I can’t wait for its arrival. Now don’t get me wrong, I love teaching my daughter and am grateful for the opportunity to be so involved in her education. But all wonderful things could use some down time,  right? This teacher is ready … so let the counting begin!

Christmas break is like a mini vacation, but at home with no airport travel or lost luggage. It’s a pause in the routine and uninterrupted time to just be and do what we desire. I will greet it with excitement, crank up the Christmas music, and break out in a dance.

That’s how I feel now about Christmas break, but there was a time it wasn’t so thrilling for me. I worked outside of the home, my daughter was in school and a 2-week school break meant a lot of stress trying to juggle schedules to have one of us home with her, taking her to the office, bringing work home, or using the last of vacation time to just stay home for a few days. I greeted Christmas breaks with a resounding Ugh!

If that is where you find yourself, here are a couple tips to help:

1. Plan a couple special events over the break. It will make the time you do have together special. It doesn’t have to cost anything and can be simple like a sledding day or making Christmas goodies together.
2. Remember that the difficulties of today shall pass. Don’t allow your stress to overflow to your children. Let them know they are a precious gift—no matter if you have lots or little time together.

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.  ~Charles R. Swindoll

Happy New Year! We had a wonderful two-week Christmas break — no homeschooling, slept in, went sledding, attended holiday festivities and parties, ate foods we don’t normally eat, stayed up late, built snowmen, and played endless games. I’m all for spontaneity, adventure, and new things … but there is a time when the routine brings refreshment. This week would be one of those times.

After meals of leftovers, appetizers, and endless munching, today I cooked. Now I didn’t think that was such a major feat, until the aroma floated from the oven to my daughter’s bedroom.

“Mom, what are you cooking?” she said.

“A turkey and wild rice.”

“Really? Right now? It’s in the oven? You promise that’s what’s for dinner?”

As soon as I said ‘yes,’ she squealed in delight just like when she opened her karaoke machine at Christmas. I didn’t realize a home-cooked meal rated up there so high. Then it hit me … we’re back to routine and I’m cooking nightly again.

So as I sit here tonight with my candles lit, my door shut, and my soft instrumental music strumming in the background, I’m renewed, refreshed … and grateful to be back to my evening writing time too.

There sure is something wonderful about routines — especially after a break. Maybe it’s that we go back to our daily life refreshed and what we saw with sunken eyes and dark circles two weeks ago as drudgery or obstacles, today is viewed with fresh insight and smells like a new outlook.

Whatever it is — enjoy the moment!

My New Years Day tradition is to wake up before my family does. Even though it makes for a shorter night, I have something I can’t wait to do.

With a silent house, I have my quiet time and journal about the past year — ups and downs, areas of growth and thankfulness, and times of difficulty I’m eager to wave goodbye. Then I sit in solitude and prayer, while I journal thoughts about the upcoming year. I focus on goals for myself, and as a wife and mother, changes I would like to make, or new ways of doing something. It’s such a great time of reflection for me.

About the time I finish, my family wakes up. I’m ready to begin a new year — refreshed, rejuvenated, and renewed.

New beginnings are wonderful. They are a fresh start, a chance to move beyond a past struggle, and a new sense of purpose and direction.

Take some time this week to reflect on last year. What transpired that you are thankful for? What difficulty did you overcome? What areas of growth did you see?

In looking at 2009, jot down some plans and goals for yourself. Not resolutions — those promises typically don’t stick. I’m referring to goals you list for yourself and your family that you wish to aim for, or perhaps a new perspective or method of doing things to strive for. Let it be your blueprint to work from this year.

So get busy, seek solitude, and journal. Happy New Beginnings!