in five months...

It just hit me (like a "insert something forceful here") that in about five months, both of my sons will be in school full-time. This is more scary and overwhelming than it is exciting. Why? Because instantly I feel the pressure to be better at so many things because, let's face it, I'll have a LOT more flexibility with how to spend my time. Here are some items that are quickly rising to the top as MUST-DOs for when this unchartered territory presents itself:

* Work out faithfully and more intensely every single day. I feel I owe this to myself and my family and that when my days are no longer spent between Dylan at home and David at school, I'll have no reason not to get in the best shape of my life. YIKES!

* Get uber-organized. I already thrive in the neat and orderly side of life, but I imagine every inch of my house shiny, clutter-free and always in order. It's like a kid anticipating CHRISTMAS morning!

* Be an even better volunteer and make my presence known at my kids' school. I do this some already, and I love it. I don't feel like I need the validation for myself as much as I LIKE to keep things running smoothly, I like to help when it's needed AND I like knowing that I can be a familiar face where my kids spend many hours of their lives.

* Scrapbook and get the boys' photos, artwork, awards, etc. better organized. This always sounds funner than it actually is. Hmm...

* Try a new hobby. Atop my list are: tennis (lots of good tennis out here), golf (ditto), sailing, gardening, researching how to grow taller as an adult, figuring out how to take on new hobbies and NOT sound so, well, old. I'd also like to summit more mountain tops and so this would definitely require some commitment to hiking around here. Glad they call it the Hill Country!

Whatever will I do? I'll miss my kids, cry a bit, run around catching up on laundry, bills, closet updates, twitter, home movie labeling and basic cleaning. Maybe by Christmas I'll be ready to get in shape. Yes, just in time for the new year!!!