Living and Learning for April

I don't really spend a lot of time reading blogs, even though there are so many wonderful ones out there, simply because there isn't much time for that in my life these days. One of my favorite blogs however, is Charming the Birds From the Trees, written by a fellow clergy wife who is also a homeschooler. I have been so inspired by this Mama's blog!

One idea I have really grown to love from reading this blog, is to have a monthly plan and list of goals for each month. This includes church feast days, homemaking goals, learning goals, etc. This month (a bit belatedly), I have decided to start my own Living and Learning list for our house. I'm so excited!

Here is our list for this month!

Living and Learning for April 2014

Faith

Blagoveschenie/Annunciation

Lazarus Saturday

Palm Sunday

Holy Week

Pascha

Bright Week

Homemaking

Complete a thorough clean of each room in the house by Pascha

Bake Kulichi

Make sirnaya pascha

Dye eggs

All other Paschal preparations (Easter baskets, decorating kulichi, decorating the house, ironing outfits)

Goals

Improve prayer life: Start reading part of an akathist each night before bed

Finish Lenten reading and Psalter

Start incorporating “3 things” into daily life (one thing for self, one for someone else, one for house daily)

Habits to Work On

Reading together after breakfast each morning (other than Sundays)

Taking a morning walk

Afternoon playtime outdoors

Cleaning up as I go throughout the day

Learning

Learn XB ("Christ is Risen") in Serbian and Russian chants

Learn and keep practicing the Palm Sunday poem

Keep practicing the Pascha song we've learned

Practice being still and quiet during prayer at home and in church

Continue counting down to Pascha

Trips

New York – leave on April 23^rd and come home mid-May!