Goals for the Week: July 29 – August 4

Here were the goals for last week and how I did on them:

~ Continue daily the Habit of the Month {July: Plan and Incorporate an Evening Routine}.
I feel I actually have this down now.  I know how long I need to implement my routine and things are running as smoothly as they can run in a household with two young’uns.
~ Prepare first 3 weeks of pre-k lessons for C.
Done!  We start the 19th of August! 
~ Take kids to library for story hour.
    Due to time constraints, we weren’t able to do this.  Hopefully this week.
~ Exercise 6 days; about 350 fitness minutes.
    Done!  Pulled a hamstring (it’s only slightly sore) so I’m taking it a bit easy for a few days.
~ Start menu planning for next month.
I started… didn’t get very far, but I started!
~ Read a book/ebook.
    I didn’t finish a whole book, but I’m currently reading two books.  (I’m trying my hand at reading more than one book at a time).  Right now it’s Miserly Moms and Healthy Homemaking.   
~ Declutter and deep clean dining room.
I decluttered but didn’t finish deep cleaning (the china cabinet is all that’s left).  I’ll knock it out this week!
~ Declutter vehicle.
    I’ll be honest and tell y’all that I didn’t even attempt cleaning out the vehicle this week.  I have zero motivation to do so during the hot summer months.  But it must be done!

Wow, even with only having eight goals I still didn’t accomplish as much as I wanted.  I did make some good headway though and I’m hoping this week won’t be so hectic.

And the goals for this week:

~ Continue daily the Habit of the Month {July: Plan and Incorporate an Evening Routine and August: TBD}.
~ Acquire materials for my next Bible study.  I’ve decided on studying the Proverbs 31 woman.
~ Take kids to library for story hour.
~ FIll and drop off box to Goodwill.
~ Exercise about 350 fitness minutes.
~ Finish menu planning for August.
~ Finish one of my books/ebooks.
~ Clean out the freezers.  It’s time for another freezer meal cooking spree.
~ Clean all ceiling fans.
~ Declutter vehicle.

Have you written down your goals for the week?

Thankful Thursdays

The word thankful is defined as being conscious of benefit received.  I realized recently how unconscious I was of the benefits I receive.  It’s so easy to just go through the motions; to go through the moments of life and not actually be present for them.  Sometimes we don’t realize how much we have been blessed — in things great and small.

Sometimes we just take them for granted, these gifts from God.

But life is so, so short.

I don’t want to take things for granted anymore.  I want to be present in my life.  I want to live in each moment, no matter how mundane or insignificant it seems at the time.  Because those are the little moments that make up life.  Those are the moments in which I should be thankful.

I have been blessed beyond measure.  God has given me so much.  The least I can do is give Him thanks for those things.  To just take a moment and be conscious.  Take joy in the little things.  Be thankful for everything.

So each week I will be highlighting a few things that I am thankful for during the week.  I think this will be a way to help me stay joyful and be thankful for what I have been given.

To be conscious of the benefits I have received.  

Goals for the Week: July 22 – 28

Here were the goals for last week and how I did on them:

~ Continue daily the Habit of the Month {July: Plan and Incorporate an Evening Routine}.
    It’s starting to come together.  I think. 
~ Make time for extra Bible reading.
    I’m determined to read the whole Bible through in one year.
~ Take C (my 3yr old daughter) to a water park or something else “fun”.
    A busy schedule prevented my original plan so instead I bought a kiddie pool and put it in the yard for her.  Both kids enjoyed it!
~ Work with J (my 9mnth old son) on his hand-eye coordination.
    I love the look on a child’s face when they learn something new!  Priceless!
~ Exercise 6 days; about 350 fitness minutes.
    I actually exercised all seven days, but I got less than 350 minutes.
~ Overnight visit with my parents.
    The kids and I had a good visit.  My mom is having some health issues so I want to help out when I can.
~ Have stay-at-home date night with the hubs.
    We had a great time staying up late (probably too late) watching DVDs of a favorite old show.
~ Read a book/ebook.
    Finally got around to reading Simplify, which I enjoyed reading.  Now I need to put it in action!
~ Declutter and deep clean utility room/closet.
    The decluttering is an ongoing challenge.  I didn’t get as much decluttering done as I had hoped, but there’s always another time for that.
~ Deep clean spare bedroom.
    Done!

And the goals for this week:

~ Continue daily the Habit of the Month {July: Plan and Incorporate an Evening Routine}.
~ Prepare first 3 weeks of pre-k lessons for C.
~ Take kids to library for story hour.
~ Exercise 6 days; about 350 fitness minutes.
~ Start menu planning for next month.
~ Read a book/ebook.
~ Declutter and deep clean dining room.
~ Declutter vehicle.

Only eight goals this week.  I’m tired and need to slow down a bit, I think.  What is the one goal you want to accomplish for the week?

Goals for the Week: July 15 – 21

Here were the goals for last week and how I did on them:

~ Continue daily the Habit of the Month {July: Plan and Incorporate an Evening Routine}.
    A broken dishwasher does not help my evenings (I’m so spoiled).  But I’m getting there.
~ Continue researching next Bible study focus.
    I think I’m going to do one on the Proverbs 31 woman.  It’s interesting (and convicting) to me.
~ Take daughter to VBS each day.
    She had such a good time!  And it just warms this mama’s heart when she comes home telling me what she learned about Jesus.
~ Spend quality one-on-one time with my son each day while daughter is in VBS.
    Have I mentioned lately how much I love both of my babies?  I also loved the extra cuddle time I had with my sweet boy this week!
~ Exercise 6 days; about 350 fitness minutes.
    Exercised all 7 days; 300 fitness minutes
~ Work on new blog series to implement next week.
    Almost done!
~ Plan stay-at-home date night with the hubs.
    Going to fix one of his favorite meals and rent a movie he’s been wanting to see.  Maybe the kids will cooperate and go to bed early.
~ Work on marketing stuff for our church’s VBS.
    Finished the hard stuff.
~ Declutter and deep clean utility room/closet.
    Started on this but didn’t get it finished.
~ Declutter linen/hall closet.
    Done!

And the goals for this week:

~ Continue daily the Habit of the Month {July: Plan and Incorporate an Evening Routine}.
~ Make time for extra Bible reading.
~ Take C (my 3yr old daughter) to a water park or something else “fun”.
~ Work with J (my 9mnth old son) on his hand-eye coordination.
~ Exercise 6 days; about 350 fitness minutes.
~ Overnight visit with my parents.
~ Have stay-at-home date night with the hubs.
~ Read a book/ebook.
~ Declutter and deep clean utility room/closet.
~ Deep clean spare bedroom.

What is the one goal you want to accomplish for the week?

Goals for 2013 ~ Random Update

It’s been a while since I looked at my goals for the year so I just wanted to glance through them and see what progress I’m making — or what needs more attention over the next few months.

My 24 goals for 2013, in no particular order are:

~ Read through the Bible in one year using this plan.
    I’m a bit behind on this but I’m still confident I’ll have it read by the end of the year.
~ Complete at least three Bible studies.
    I have completed two so far.  I’m currently researching my third study.
~ Teach my daughter (3 years old) numbers 11 – 20.
    She’s getting a lot better on these.  We still omit number 14 most of the time though.
~ Teach my daughter weekly on the ABC’s.
    Yeah, I haven’t done this weekly, but we have been plugging away at it.  And this fall we’ll start a homeschooling curriculum!  
~ Work on one new habit per month.
    I’ve been pretty faithful about this for the year.
~ Take pictures of the children each week.
    I’m so glad that I’ve kept up with this one.  Little ones grow up so quickly.
~ Have monthly dates with the hubby, however simple they may be.
    I’m pretty sure we’ve done this each month; most have been very simple.  But with two young’uns I guess that’s to be expected.
~ Have monthly family dates.
    We have had so much fun with these.  I love doing things as a family!
~ Take at least two overnight family trips.
    We’ve already taken two so far this year.  I’d like to take one more when it gets a bit cooler.
~ Write at least two encouraging notes every month.
    I haven’t been very faithful with this in the past couple of months.  I aim to do better.
~ Write at least two blogs per week.
    I’m constantly writing something, but they don’t always get published.  (I’m my own worst critic.)  I do try though!
~ Start (and complete!) at least six crafts or projects.
    Yeah…. the completion part is what gets me.  I’ve only completed one this year so far.
~ Invite someone to our house for lunch/supper at least once a month.
    We’ve done this at least once a month.  Helps me keep my house cleaner too!
~ Try a new recipe (or two) per month.
    I believe I’ve tried at least one new recipe each month.   I love finding new favorites!
~ Make homemade baby food.
    By this point I think I’ve made gallons of the stuff!  Little man is always hungry!
~ Save up for an elliptical machine.
    Bought this!  Now I just need to find time to use it more often!
~ Save up for a new washer and dryer.
    Saving now for this.  Of course, the money we had saved will go towards purchasing a new dishwasher first since ours bit the dust.
~ Read my ever growing stack of ebooks/books.
    I think I’ve added more to the stack than I’ve read… but I’ll get there one day.  Maybe.
~ Give to Goodwill/Salvation Army monthly.
    I did not give last month.  I just plain forgot!
~ Reorganize and declutter the garage.
    This is slow going during the hot summer months.
~ Reorganize and declutter the shop.
    It’s too hot for this too.
~ Lose 40 pounds.
    So far I’ve lost six pounds.  Probably won’t get my goal but I will continue to work at it.
~ Walk 500 miles during aerobic activity.
    To be honest I haven’t even been keeping a good count.  I doubt I’ve done half.  I’ll keep working at it though.
~ Take at least two online classes/webinars on something I enjoy or want to learn more about.
    Totally forgot about this goal!  I need to start planning!

Goals for the Week: July 8 – 14

Here were the goals for last week and how I did on them:

~ Continue daily the Habit of the Month {July: Plan and Incorporate an Evening Routine}.
Still in the planning phase right now.  Should incorporate it beginning this week sometime.
~ Start researching next Bible study focus.
Haven’t found one that speaks to me yet.  Still searching.  (Anyone have a good one they’d like to share?)
~ Begin teaching my daughter our phone number.
Giving up on this right now.  I don’t think she’s old enough to comprehend.  Or maybe I get frustrated too easily.
~ Weed the garden.  Again.
I love having the garden but I’m not a big fan of weeding the garden.
~ Exercise 6 days.  350 fitness minutes would be about right.
Exercised all seven days and just exceeded my 350 minute goal!
~ Work on July’s budget.
Done.  Finally.
~ Deep clean floors.
Done.  Finally.  Not that you can tell that I did them. 🙂
~ Make out July’s menu plan.
We’re eating out of the freezer and pantry this month.  Gotta clean out the meats that have been in there for a few months.

And this week’s goals:

~ Continue daily the Habit of the Month {July: Plan and Incorporate an Evening Routine}.
~ Continue researching next Bible study focus.
~ Take daughter to VBS each day.
~ Spend quality one-on-one time with my son each day while daughter is in VBS.
~ Exercise 6 days; about 350 fitness minutes.
~ Work on new blog series to implement next week.
~ Plan stay-at-home date night with the hubs.
~ Work on marketing stuff for our church’s VBS.
~ Declutter and deep clean utility room/closet.
~ Declutter linen/hall closet.

What are your goals for the week?

July Fitness Challenge

source: freedigitalphotos.net

June was an interesting month.  I had several challenging goals and was determined to meet each of them.  The best laid plans and all of that.  I battled sick children, laziness, emergency medical issues with my mom and several other “excuses” that made it difficult to get things done.  You know, life.

And I failed at my goals.

But not completely.

Here were my goals for June:

~ 1,500 fitness minutes
~ Strength training at least three days a week
~ Find a better core workout and concentrate on that 2 – 3 times a week
~ More time on the elliptical — at least twice a week

And here’s how I did on them:

~ Over 1,200 fitness minutes {Nothing to sneeze at.}
~ Strength training at least three days a week {Goal!}
~ Found a better core workout.  Used it about once a week {Close to goal.}
~ I only used the elliptical a few times this month {Will have to work on this again. I bought it for a reason!}

Not too bad.  There was a time not long ago that I would have completely given up by now.  Since I didn’t do it perfectly I should just quit all together.  I still struggle with this, but I am trying to move past the negativity in my head.  Babysteps. 🙂

July goals:

~ 1,500 fitness minutes.
~ Strength training three days a week – arms, legs and core.
~ More time on the elliptical.
~ Lose 4 pounds.

12 Habits for 2013 {June Recap}

January’s habit was:  Daily Bible study.
How I’m doing:  Some days are better than others.  I’ve been pretty consistent with it though.

February’s habit was:  Exercise daily (even if it’s just 10 minutes).
How I’m doing:  I did exercise every day this month, but some days it was only 10 minutes.

March’s habit was:  Drink 8 – 10 glasses of water daily.
How I’m doing:  I do really good with this one… weekends sometimes aren’t as great, but I do get about 8 glasses a day.

April’s habit was:  Be early or on time for everything.
How I’m doing:  I’m occasionally a few minutes later than I intended to be, but usually I’m at least 10 minutes early.

May’s habit was:  Less procrastinating, more doing!
How I’m doing: I’m trying to combat a lifelong habit of procrastination so this is slow going, but I am doing better.

June’s habit was:  Plan and incorporate a morning routine.
How I did:  I should have done what I first thought and worked on my evening routine before the morning routine.  I just could not seem to get it together this month!  I have had one in the past, but with the addition of each child my routines have kind of gone out the window.  I will continue to work on this though, because I know it will help my day go more smoothly.

July’s habit will be:  Plan and incorporate an evening routine.
I already have a basic plan but it needs a bit of tweeking to make it more efficient.

How To Be A Happy Homemaker In 3 (Mostly) Easy Steps: Step 3

If you’ve missed the previous posts to this series you can find them here:
How To Be A Happy Homemaker In 3 (Mostly) Easy Steps:  Step 1
How To Be A Happy Homemaker In 3 (Mostly) Easy Steps:  Step 2

The third easy step in becoming a happier homemaker is often overlooked even by the most experienced person, but it’s a necessary step to help keep you happier and even healthier.

Make time for yourself.

I know your world revolves around your children.  And I know how hard it is sometimes to find some time for yourself.  It’s very hard.  But you have to do it.  Not only for your sake but for your family’s sake as well.

Without time to yourself you are more likely to become run down, irritable and tired.  You won’t be as patient with your babies or your spouse.  You’re also doing yourself a huge disservice by not taking time to take care of yourself.  To have a little decompression time.

Maybe the kids take a nap or have quiet time at the same time.  Instead of catching up on housework why don’t you do something for YOU?   Or maybe you are blessed to have a babysitter/family member that you can call on occasionally.  Try to find a way to sneak in a few hours (or even minutes) of quiet time for yourself.

I’m very thankful that my mother has recently retired and now comes up to see us every couple of weeks so I can have a few hours to go and do whatever I want to do.  Before that happened there were only two occasions that I had left my son (less than an hour each time) since he’s been born.  That’s only been eight months, but eight months without a break can wear you down!

So I speak from experience when I say that you need to make some time for yourself.

Also, you need to take care of yourself.  Your health — mentally, emotionally and physically — is important and you can’t put it on the back burner.

1) Get enough sleep.  The average person needs 7 – 9 hours of sleep a day.
2) Eat balanced, nutritious meals.  But don’t forget to splurge occasionally too.
3) Exercise regularly.  Whether you need to lose weight or not, everyone needs to be fit.
4) Drink your water!  Even mild dehydration causes headaches, lethargy and crankiness.
5) Have regular checkups with your doctor, dentist and eye doctor.  Don’t put it off.

Spend a little time doing things you want to do.  Maybe something that you haven’t been able to do in a while that you enjoy.  Go ice skating.  Read a book.  Go shopping.  Paint your nails.  Go out for coffee with a friend.  Do some scrapbooking.  Go to the movies.  Do some genealogy research.  Paint.  Knit.  Play the piano.  Take a nap.

I usually spend part of my alone time grocery shopping.  Many people wouldn’t think that was enjoyable but I like it, especially when I’m by myself.  I look forward to that time.

Just make some time for you to unwind and relax.  Time when you don’t have to be “Mommy” and you can just be… you.

And smile.

.

So there you have it, folks.  Three relatively easy steps to become a happier you.  There are countless other ways, of course, but this should be enough to get you started.  🙂  Good luck and have fun!!

Goals for the Week: July 1 – 7

Here were the goals for last week and how I did on them:

~ Continue daily the Habit of the Month {June: Plan and Incorporate a Morning Routine}.  ~~ Did a bit better on this… I’ll have to keep working at it though.
~ Read a book.  I’d like to read Duck Commander one day soon.  ~~ I actually read a whole book.  In one week!  And it was the book I wanted to read!  (Now before y’all think I never read, or don’t like reading let me tell you that I absolutely adore reading… I just haven’t made the time to do it much since I had my second baby.  Unless you count children’s books.  I read the mess out of those. lol)
~ Begin teaching my daughter our phone number.
~ Weed the garden.  Again.  🙂
~ Clean out and organize our homeschooling space.  ~~ It’s done!  Yay!  I will have to “prettify” it but at least it is a working space now.
~ Make another big batch of baby food to go in the freezer.  ~~ Carrots, peas, squash, green beans and sweet potatoes this time!
~ Exercise 6 days — need to make up some fitness minutes by the end of the month.  ~~ Didn’t do as much as I wanted.  Too many family issues going on this week.
~ Work on July’s budget.  ~~ The next three items didn’t get finished.  Had a couple of family emergencies this week.
~ Deep clean floors.
~ Make out July’s menu plan.

And here are my goals for this week:

~ Continue daily the Habit of the Month {July: Plan and Incorporate an Evening Routine}.
~ Start researching next Bible study focus.
~ Begin teaching my daughter our phone number.
~ Weed the garden.  Again.
~ Exercise 6 days.  350 fitness minutes would be about right.
~ Work on July’s budget.
~ Deep clean floors.
~ Make out July’s menu plan.

What are your goals for the week?