I’m one day early here, but happy, happy December! The first few months of 2017 were some of the most challenging I’ve ever experienced, but I’m grateful that this year has only gotten sweeter as it has progressed. Here’s hoping this month is the best one yet :) We’re excited to “live it up” a little in December because Dave is going to be studying for the CPA exam starting in January, which seems almost like a part-time job on top of his already-demanding career. His new schedule is going to be quite the adjustment for our family, and if you’ve ever supported your spouse through something like this, I’d love to hear any advice you may have! A few things I’m especially looking forward to as we celebrate Advent and Christmas and close out 2017: kicking off the month in Kiawah Island with Dave’s parents (where we are now!), celebrating an early family Christmas next weekend for just the three of us, doing a little hotel hop to check out the decorations, checking out a European Christmas market, and welcoming a new liturgical year with the help of my Every Sacred Sunday journal (they’re the first Kickstarter I’ve ever donated to!).
November Goals
1. Create, curate, and share lots of joyful, inspiring holiday content
2. Get all of my Christmas shopping done (Woohoo! If you’re still working on this, you can find all of my gift guides listed here)
3. Exercise three times a week (More like once or twice…but I still feel like I made some progress, finally!)
4. Complete Whole30
5. Host friends for a Thanksgiving brunch
6. Deep clean our house
7. Work ahead on Lisa Kirk Writing to free up time for December vacations (Not as much as I had hoped, so moving this to the first week or so of this month)
December Goals
1. Mail our Christmas cards
2. Pray through 33 Days to Morning Glory
3. Intentionally unplug on weekends and on Dave’s days off
4. Celebrate Christmas well!
5. Work through my 2018 PowerSheets prep work
6. Put together a 2018 Something Pretty survey to share in the new year
This past semester was the first semester my husband worked full-time and took classes, while I worked part-time, took classes, and studied for my MCAT, so we totally understand how weird schedules can get when you have regular work and then more you bring home! Our best advice is to schedule time together once a week, non-negotiably. It can be super easy to miss out on time together because of studying, so we realized we had to be really intentional and plan ahead for that time or else it would never happen. Sometimes even going out to coffee shops and studying (or one of us studying and the other one just tagging along with other work to do) was like a date for us! Have fun this month and good luck as you start the new routine in the new year – you guys will be great! :)
Thank you so much for your wisdom and encouragement, Lisa! I love the idea of occasionally spending time together working/studying and making a little date out of that. Focused time is better, of course, but hey, why not make the best of the situation when we need to? :)
I will be praying for your husband! We have a 20 month old, and my husband took the CPA while we were dating — and is going to start studying for the CFP in January. It can be tough! We are doing the same thing in December; it’s making our holidays more special because we know this time is fleeting! My biggest piece of advice is to communicate well with each other what his studying needs and expectations are. I found myself expecting things to go a lot different than they did…and that’s when I was disappointed! If I knew the plan for the week & weekend, I could get excited for some self-care time with a book, or invite a friend over. Hope it goes well! Happy almost Advent :)
Thank you so much for your prayers–I know he (and I!) appreciate them! Dave has been really great about sharing his study schedule plans with me, and I’ll have to remember to continually check in with him about them next year. I think the thing I’m most nervous about is filling the extended time alone with Charlie, especially on the weekends, but I’m hoping to make the best of it and start some sweet little traditions for the two of us to look forward to. Keep me posted if y’all come up with anything during CFP studying this year, and I’ll be praying for you too! xo
For the past 3 1/2 years I have been working full-time and in law school at night, and I couldn’t have gotten through it this far without my husband’s support. I definitely echo the above comments about communicating well on expectations and needs, and scheduling at least one date a week (Thursday nights at home with a bottle of wine or craft beer are our go-to). Study/work dates are also great!
The most tangible suggestion we have is to do meal prep Sundays. Whether one or both of us cooks, it obviously helps me to have all my lunches and dinners packed, but it also helps my husband not to have to go through a lonely ritual of cooking by himself, for himself, every night when I’m at school, and instead he can just pull a meal ready-to-go from the fridge.
I’m sure you guys will find a new groove! Good luck!
Katie, that is amazing! It’s so encouraging to hear from someone on the other side of it who is being supported by their spouse through a season of a demanding schedule. A weekly date night (even at home) is a wonderful idea, and I hadn’t even thought about meal prepping together on the weekends. Thank you so much for sharing!
Ah, weird schedules…Totally understand! Good advice above on communication + intentional time together. My suggestion is figuring out little ways to treat yourself when your husband is stuck studying instead of spending time with you. (Those are the times I get lonely and a little grouchy about it!) Whether it’s a face mask or doing your nails or turning on a favorite show he doesn’t like (hello, Great British Baking Show), it’s nice to have a pick-me-up for when you’d rather be spending time together!
I love that advice, Julie–thank you so much! Sounds like it may be the year for me to finally watch Gilmore Girls… :)
Cute Christmas mantle :) Can’t wait to see your Christmas card!
On its way to your mailbox!!