I have realized I am just going to have to pick up the pace a bit, and let my body adjust. When I was single, I struggled to accomplish the things I was doing back then, and “never felt I had enough time.” Then I got married, and had my first child. The pace changed dramatically, and through the hectic survival mode you go through when you have a new baby, you simply learn to do things faster and more efficiently. What used to take you 10 minutes to do suddenly becomes 5, because with a baby screaming in the background, or a toddler streaking around pulling the dog’s tail, you simply cannot “take your time”!!

This is a skill I suspect is also learned in many professions. Doctors have to learn it in Med School simply to survive. In a way it is the frog in hot water syndrome to your body, in another way it is like a birdie being kicked out of it’s nest and learning how to fly. It’s survival.

I think of those with large families. I have one child, but I look in awe at how much they are able to accomplish simply because they have learned to do things more efficiently and faster. They have figured out what matters. Individuals who can crack this system and put their focus into one goal become successful. Read the book “Outliers” to get a taste of what I am referring to.

So here is my Fall Check in:

Faith: Going well here, at least with activities, although prayer could be better. This Fall I am taking another year-long Jeff Cavin’s bible study on the Book of Matthew. Already it is quite exciting. I also have been volunteered as a host family and Catechist for small parent-child community groups for First Eucharist…also a year-long thing. To add to that, we also have family nights at our parish once a month we will be participating in, and of course regular Sunday Mass.

Family: I need to work harder at getting the family back to the dinner table. My cooking has suffered. This is a skill I am weak in, and struggle with regularly. Habit seating in front of tv or computer have developed. We will also use Boy Scouts as a family activity opportunity.

Finances: Doing well, but could be much better. Why is budgeting so hard? Might take a Dave Ramsey class just so I can get my spouse and I on the same page with our budget.

Health: Severe allergic reactions have forced me to the allergist and rheumatologist. No cause yet, but I suspect I better be scheduling more soon. I have been better about the dentist, although I need to get my son there also ASAP. Bad on vitamins. Simply Bad.

Social Contributions: Supported the local Children’s Museum and co-op recently, but this area could be better. At a minimum we could be making more donations. I did donate more to Kiva though. We also have had more friends over the past few months.

Vocation/Education/Personal Goals: I wrote a funded grant for 1/2 million and got it!! That is a big accomplishment for me considering I never received any training on how to write grants, let alone a federal grant. Right now I am still struggling with direction in my personal talents….jack of all trades, master of none. If I could just pick one, and focus on it I could be extraordinary: writing, music composition, drawing, piano or clarinet, public speaking. I may give NaNoWriMo a shot in November and see how it feels.