Religious Freedom is our First Freedom

Snow Days For A Work-At-Home Mom

The view outside my kitchen window/porch (where I now sit) is very similar to this.  A batch of snow fell yesterday that beautifully covered all the trees in our area.  Luckily for me the kids only went to school on a delayed schedule, rather than miss an entire day of school!!!

I say that because Tuesday can be one of my most productive days as a Work-At-Home Mom.  Since I have so many other activities I must do (including take care of myself, the house, kids homework, and more) as many Work-At-Home Moms these precious hours with the kids at school must have a few focused on WORK!   Fact is we have already had 4 or 5 full snow days this winter.   I do my best to not spend time working when my kids are home (even when it is unexpected) unless absolutely necessary.  I've tried it.  Neither my kids or my work gets full attention!  On unexpected days I fulfill obligations to coaching clients, I spend some time reading educational books and I avoid social media and blog posts.   They are just some of the rules I have had to create to not allow my "work" to take over the "at-home" portion of my life.

It's a glorious harmony when it works!

Recently I watched a mother of a large family and the fruits of her labors in homeschooling all of her children.  Having 2 in middle school and one as a freshman in high school I have been noticing more and more the influence of the "outside" world that they run into while at school.  For a few days, (maybe even a couple of weeks) I pondered what it would be like to be able to home school my crew.  I could truly enjoy it.  At least now that my crew is less hands on and more self-directed.  Then reality hit (again).  For us to be able to meet our children's college goals, our retirement goals and just to have money to repair the house,  I MUST bring in an income.  For me and my life, homeschooling is not a current option or reality.  

So in the meantime, when my kids have a couple hours delay, or maybe even a snow day thrown in, I RELISH the few extra hours I have to share with them.  We study math and history that I don't normally get to share.  We extend our family devotional and we enjoy listening to those who choose to practice their musical instruments a little more. 

I am SO grateful to enjoy a virtual career that I can mold the schedule to the sometimes changing, and always breaking, school schedule my children have.

What about you?
How do you arrange your work schedule around your valuable time with your kids?

What Was 2013? And What Will 2014 Be?

Yesterday and today I had a mentor and an online friend mention "what was 2013 for you?"  and "what are your plans for 2014"?

So I thought I would write my feelings and thoughts.

2013 Pushing Hard and Being "OFF-Key".

Hard to admit and even harder to really process all that it meant.

2013 started with me doing MASSIVE ACTION.
I was making calls, I was attending networking events, I was meeting people one on one.  I was attending live events, I participated in online programs, I hired a personal coach.  I did everything I was "supposed" to do because I was going to "show the world" that I could do this!  Then I crashed because I was overworked, scared and in the WRONG direction, following everyone's plan but my own. Truly it was because I had no plan.  It meant I could be swayed by every idea and concept I heard someone give!  After the crash I tried one more time to "show them".  Then I got taught everything I had been doing wrong!

I picked up 2 books in December Eat, Pray, Love  and Creating Money.
While I don't agree with everything in those books, they both became tools for God to teach me what I had been doing wrong both in 2013 and for several years.  I was working for happiness and joy but not sustaining it in my own life!


Fifteen years ago I had had a series of events that came and went without processing them.  Eight years ago I started processing.  I am ever ever so grateful for the things I have learned through the journey of both the events and the processing!!!!!  AND... I think I got as Abe Lincoln says to Mary near the end of Lincoln "accustom to sadness".

2014 Has begun with being open.
I am focusing my life and my teachings on maintaining my level of joy, in whatever comes.  I am working at creating a step-by-step consistent growth pattern that will also create consistent income. 

I have made a few clear goals:
I WILL go easy on the people in my social circles and make friends
(even if their not "deep" friends).
I WILL hold a tele-summit for Moms In Business.
I WILL hold an live event titled Mother On Purpose.
I WILL net $50,000 (or more)
I will have 1000 (or more) interactive people on my list.

I do not know how, I am just open.
I will act when prompted and keep my family goals equal to my business goals.
I will live in Harmonious Joy.

What was 2013 for you?
How has it shaped what 2014 will be for you?