Coming into Focus

I've been separated from my ex-husband nearly three years now.  I have to say my life is just now starting to come into focus.  It's kind of like living in a new place.  "They" say it takes 3-5 years before you adjust and feel settled.  I'm starting to feel a little more settled.  My picture is coming into focus.

I recently talked to someone who is the single parent of two kids.  He said he has learned that he gets very easily distracted from his goals with his kids.  In order to stay focused he has to limit distractions.  Goals with kids?  I hadn't really thought about it that way before.  I guess I figured my goal was to raise intelligent, kind, well-rounded men.  I didn't think about what steps it would take to get there.

So beginning with the end in mind, I started thinking about those steps.  What could we work on or do in 2013 that would help put my boys on the path to becoming good men?  I like to narrow things down so I don't get overwhelmed.  Here's our big 5 of things to focus on this year:

1. Chores- I want my boys to be self-sufficient someday.  I also want them to feel good about contributing to our team.

2. Fun- Our team sometimes gets so bogged down by the day to day responsibilities we forget to have fun.  My parents help us with this.   Above are Tommy and Hank's birthday parties. Fun moments in 2012.

3. Reading - our goal is 20 books a month for the Book It program at school.

4. Movement- Two members of our team could be called "Lazy Bones."  I won't say which ones but we are trying to get to the track, the tennis courts, play basketball, and be outside more.

5. Kitchen Table Time- I recently inherited the kitchen table from my grandparents' home.  It was the center of their home.  The gathering place for the whole family.  It was on that table I learned to play poker and did art projects with my grandmother.  My grandfather used to sit and read at his table for hours a day.  We had beautiful meals there at Christmas.  I want my boys to have similar memories.

Can anyone think of an acronym for CFRMKTT?  That would help me stay focused.