Dreaming of a Sabbatical

We were dreaming of a white Christmas, but that didn't pan out. However, we have had a white January. We have had snow on the ground since January 1st, with fresh snow still falling today (1/19/25).

Yesterday, I got the brilliant idea that I should take a year sabbatical. I am not sure what made the idea pop into my head (God? my own secret wishes?), but I LOVED the idea. Well, reality is a huge dream crusher, and I realized I probably wouldn't get the opportunity to take a full year sabbatical. Now, before you start judging me as to why I might need a Sabbatical, let me tell you a few reasons why I think I would like one.

I homeschooled my children from August of 2010-May of 2022. During that time we moved internationally three times, from Singapore to Charlotte, from Charlotte to Greece, from Greece to Charlotte, and Matt did a year in Iraq (and I taught at co-op for that year). I also started and finished my Master's Degree, and taught youth group for 6 years. Then, we moved again, from Charlotte to Ohio in November of 2022 (with multiple trips to Ohio that year for things with Kayla and then looking for housing). In the summer of 2023 I started mine and Kayla's business where I worked for 6 days straight for well over a year. Now, I am still working on building our business, working the better part of 5 1/2 days. Every one of those things required an enormous amount of planning (that doesn't include the planning in taking care of a household, making sure all the things are clean, all the people are fed, all the groceries are bought, all the meals are planned (I plan meals every two weeks), all the laundry is cleaned, etc. Our business still requires a ton of planning.

I am worn out. 

My health is fragile.

My blood pressure is out of control.

We have a lot of things going on that we don't publicly talk about.

All of my doctors say I need to manage my stress better (um how?!). 

So, the number one reason I would LOVE a sabbatical, is so that I can do whatever I want with NO planning. Which, ironically, as long as we were financially able to do it, it would lower my stress (and probably my blood pressure)!

Anyway, since there is a fantastic chance I probably won't get the opportunity for a full year Sabbatical, I can still dream of what I would do with my "free" time were I to get one:

• I think I would take a few weeks just to decompress 
• Finish Kayla and Elijah's Scrapbooks I started when they were babies (can anyone relate 😂?) (and if you don't know they are 22 & almost 20)
• Put together my book quilt (materials purchased, never started)
• Put together my Ohio quilt from the fabric gathered from doing the Ohio Shop Hop last year (have all the materials, never started)
• clean my house from top to bottom (some things have had to slide)
• read all the books I own that I haven't had time to read (or you know, new releases caught my eye, LOL), we won't talk about how many there are, but I could read them all in a year
• read for hours at a time (what a dream!!)
• work on my health (click the link if you don't know what I am talking about)
• get back in a regular workout routine (more than the once I week I always get in now, occasionally more as my health allows)
• continue to research fabulous meals for us to eat that meet our dietary restrictions
• sleep, a lot!
• nap, a lot!
• longer trips to see family
• trips to see other states/bucket list items
• spend time junk journaling (which I hope to do another post on soon!)
• clean out the basement storage area
• spend more time blogging
• more walks in nature
• more hikes
• crochet more (I have started another project which I hope to post about soonish)
• the other sewing projects I have in the back of my mind to do
• possibly pursue other hobbies
• possibly make friends (gasp, and hang out!)

So, those are just a few of the things I would spend my time on if I were to take a year long Sabbatical. I am tempted to laugh because I can think of quite a few other things I would like to do as well. I even went so far as to research "how to plan for a Sabbatical." Did you know there is ALL kinds of information on it? From how to plan financially, to how to rent out your house. Now, I wouldn't want to leave my home for a year as many people do, but honestly, it would be nice to get away for a few weeks, just to get away from it all, ya know? So, dream with me. If you had the desire (because not everyone does!) and resources to take a Sabbatical what would you spend your time on? Tell me ALL the things (you know, so I can add them to my list 😂😂). I should probably say I am not dissatisfied with my life, I am just tired and somedays overwhelmed. I am thankful I can dream and I appreciate you being here and dreaming with me!

"To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Philippians 4:20

 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17