Time

Today is my retirement day. It is very bittersweet. I am happy with the decision that Alan and I made to sell A Gym Tale and to start a new chapter in our lives. But it was so hard saying goodbye to the families that I have come to know over the past 10 years. Families that I have seen grow and that I have had the pleasure to get to know through play classes and Nursery School. It was also so hard to say good bye to the staff members that have grown to be great friends who truly care for my children. I will miss seeing them each week and chatting about anything and everything.

But the possibilities that may open for myself and my family are well worth making the change.

Now that I have transitioned out of A Gym Tale the goal is no longer to find the time for things, but to now take my time. Taking time to live fully. Taking time to notice the little moments. Taking time to learn new skills and to give my children time to learn at their own pace. Taking time to focus on health.

This is a time to refocus. To live with less distractions which take time away from my loves and the things that are truly important.

For myself, I would like to focus on eating more whole foods, getting enough sleep and exercising – especially running, I miss running. As well as taking time to be creative –  I love to create – whether it is through sewing, scrapbooks, photography, gardening or writing.

For my marriage – taking more time for just the two of us – even if that is just an evening at home that doesn’t involve both of us working at the kitchen table until midnight. Maybe even a few date nights!

For my children, my goal is to never tell them to hurry again. I would love for them to have the time that they need to eat, get dressed or focus on doing up their own buttons. I want my children to have the time they need to finish activities at their own pace, not on my schedule. If they want to dig in the sand for hours on end, then it would be nice to give them those quiet days.

For friends and family, I am hoping for more spontaneous visits and longer visits. Not only visits or playdates that need to be scheduled a month in advance and that we must rush away because of work.

We are excited that we have made the decision to homeschool Ewan next year. I think it would do all of us a lot of good to slow life down for a little while. I love teaching and I am so excited to teach my own children and allow them the freedom to follow their interests and learn at their own pace. My goal is for my children to love to learn and to never stop asking questions and being curious about life around them.

I have so many hopes and wishes for myself and my family and I am so thankful to have the time to pursue these dreams.