Our 'New' Normal...the sort of daily routine of our Sabbatical

Last October, when Keith and I started planning our Sabbatical, we had no idea what to expect. All we could focus on was getting rest, which is still our main priority. I knew for my sanity I would need to have a routine of some kind. Realizing, it couldn't be like home, I have had to compromise because we are getting away from demands, routines, and all that pressure. Keith and I knew for Ethan's sake he would need the same routine for school each day, otherwise he wouldn't function with out the structure to his school day. Another consideration was all the time we had on our hands, what in the world do you do with yourselves when you have all this free time? It has been interesting for our family as we have adjusted to being with each other.

We have the school day down. Brandon leaves for 'school' around 9am when the library opens. He works on his courses from 9-12. The library closes for lunch, than re-opens at 1. There are days he goes back to the library for a few hours and other days, like the past two, that he doesn't. It all depends on what is happening.

Ethan and Amy start 'school' by 9:30 a least 4 days a week. Ethan has the same timetable everyday. They are done by Noon for the day. They are getting a lot of their work done and we've even given extra work to Ethan.

During school, I clean, do laundry, and eventually work out. It helps me to know this is the time we are home. Keith does his own thing in the morning, running, sleeping in, work (yes, he does have work to do on our Sabbatical), responding to emails, quiet time, etc.

After lunch we go and do this a few times a week.

How can you not want to do this every day you can? The weather has been beautiful, so it isn't difficult to head down to our favorite spot down here for a few hours.

                       
The evenings are relaxed. We play cards, watch TV or a movie. On Wednesday nights, the kids have  Awana and Youth Group. This week has been busier than usual.  Brandon and Amy had a Halloween Party on Sunday and Monday was Trick or Treating in warm weather. Wednesday was the usual and Thursday we went to a fund-raiser auction with high end prizes and tonight we all have something going on.

We do other stuff, too! We have been trying to see and do as much as possible while we are down here. Yet, in doing things we are mindful of our time to rest. It helps that the kids have made friends in our small neighborhood. They come knocking everyday they see the van home for either Ethan or Amy to come out and play. Ethan has made a friend from Mozambique . They often climb trees together, play DS, throw fruit or a whole pile of boys will play soccer in the back of our homes. There a few younger girls that love Amy (what else is new in our lives). They come everyday looking for her. She bakes cookies with them, beads, helps them with memory work for Awana, plays their games and talks with them. They literally squeal when Amy comes home and gets out the van, rushing over to see her. It is very sweet.

We aren't bored, although it has taken some getting use to this different pace of life.