I'm back! At least, I hope I'm back. Around the time of my last post in April 2012, my life started changing so fast that I just could not keep up with this blog. This time I'm hoping (although not promising because life happens) that I will stay dedicated. It helps me immensely to write, and I am hoping that I might help others as well. So now I am back where I started last year on New Year's - making resolutions.
I love New Year's Resolutions. Like I said on last year's list, I love the idea of having a goal with a year to complete it.So did I accomplish my resolutions from last year? Yes and no. I made progress with most of them but I admit to getting off course at times. For example, as soon as Prairie Babe was born (who will be referred to as "Prairie Boy" from now on! Yeah!), I failed at following through with homeschooling Prairie Girl. But she is only 3 so it's not necessary right now anyway; we are just trying to form good habits. And I had to stop trying to lose weight since I was pregnant, but I did continue to exercise. I did feel like I grew in my relationship with God, and I did a lot more Bible studying than in previous years, but that can always be improved upon.
What are this year's goals? Well here they are, along with my plan.
1. Continue to devote more time to studying God's word
*Learn with my daughter through her homeschool lessons from ABCJesusLovesMe
*Complete the devotional book The Busy Mom's Devotional
*Look up and study the passages used in the Christian fiction books I read
2. Make each member of my family feel special and like they have my full attention
*Spend one-on-one time with each person on a daily basis
*Plan special activities and outings for each person
3. Get back to focusing on my "life skills" I have studied throughout the years
*Prevent clutter by limiting my shopping and selling/donating what I no longer need
*Be conscious of my plastic consumption and avoid bringing in new plastic
*Use natural products and avoid chemicals and packaged foods
4. Lose my baby weight plus 5 pounds
*Track calories every day for every food
*Resume my previous gym activity
And here's a little different list of measurable goals that can be "checked off"
*Complete at least 5 5Ks and 1 10K by the end of the year
*Help Prairie Girl complete 1 Complete Curriculum Pre-School Book
*Create checklist cards for the kids' daily routines and my housekeeping
*Read 12 books (children's books don't count!)
*Log 500 miles on my exercise bike
*Go on 12 dates with Prairie Dad (not just family outings)
*Complete baby books for both children
*Take at least 1 picture each day
*Write down what our family does each day even if it is only 1 line
And there you have it. I have no plan of perfection, and life happens, so I know I'll get off track. But I have something to strive for. And I'll probably add to the list throughout the year. But for now, I feel good about this.
Happy New Year to you and yours! Now tell me about YOUR resolutions!
Showing posts with label Reaching the Resolution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reaching the Resolution. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
Reaching the Resolution - February
At the beginning of each month, I'll check in with my progress with my new year's resolutions. While this is mainly to keep myself accountable, I hope that my readers will consider their own life goals and evaluate their progress.
When I made my new year's resolutions, I was filled with optimism. After a hard month has gone by, that optimism is still there, but the drive behind it has dwindled. But I am not the kind to lose hope. I didn't make resolutions for them to be forgotten - I made them to better myself and maybe even to inspire others. Here's my progress (or lack of).
1. Devote more time to studying God's word and prayer
I admit, I feel like a failure on this one. While I knowing I've been praying my heart out all month, it wasn't the way I had really intended. We've had struggles this month. I lost my grandmother, my husband was very ill, and I went back to working nights at the library. While I skimmed through my Bible for comfort, I didn't devote time to studying it or reading my devotional books because I felt like I didn't have time. This is my biggest regret this month.
2. Establish a homeschooling routine for my daughter
This may be my most successful resolution this month. I have been working with Prairie Girl as many days as possible, and we've developed a curriculum that works for her so far. We're using a combination of materials from ABC Jesus Loves Me and letteroftheweek.com, and we both love it. She loves the routine and learning new things, and giving her that has made her much more calm and focused, even when we aren't having our school time. My hope for February is that I can incorporate more art and science into the curriculum.
3. Make our home more eco-friendly by eliminating plastics and using more natural products
This has also been a success this month. I've been reading Plastic Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too by Beth Terry, and it is changing my life. I've eliminated almost all of the plastic storage food containers in my kitchen, given up frozen dinners, and diligently used my reusable shopping bags. I've also been able to find more natural body care products for myself and Prairie Girl, and I've found ways to eliminate some plastic packaged items from our lifestyle. I am loving all of it, and I feel like my house is a healthier, happier place because of it.
4. Avoid buying things I don't need while de-cluttering excess from my home - to the extreme!
Also a success. I greatly down-sized my shopping habit and have been running errands just one day a week. I've resisted purchases and walked out of stores empty handed when I didn't find what I needed (as opposed to settling for some second rate product I didn't need). As for de-cluttering, I've donated several huge bags to charity, given away items to friends and relatives, and sold items online. I'm in no way done, but I've made significant progress, and as I get rid of more, it's easier to let go and discover how little I need.
5. Finish the craft projects I started in 2012 and use up my current supplies
Another failure. I completed about 5 rows on a potholder I'm knitting, and that's it for this month's craft projects. There just wasn't time.
6. Lose the last 13 pounds so I can finally achieve the 120s for the first time in my life
I wouldn't exactly call this one a failure because I didn't gain any weight this month, I just didn't lose any. But I didn't try. After losing weight for 8 straight months, I gave myself a little break. I couldn't handle the stress of life and scrutinizing every bite I ate, so instead, I gave myself a little flexibility. I feel good about it though and will hopefully be back to losing in February.
7. Limit my computer usage so that I can accomplish more
I did limit myself when I thought about it. I refused to take my iPad out of town with me, and I purposefully logged off some sites so I wouldn't be so tempted to check them throughout the day. I am planning to start measuring my time at the computer so I better gauge how to limit my usage.
Overall, I think I had a pretty good month for progress. Like I said, it was a hard month that was far from the norm. February may be short, but I think it will bring good things. At least I am starting with good plans.
What were your successes and failures this past month? Feel free to share so we can help and encourage each other.
When I made my new year's resolutions, I was filled with optimism. After a hard month has gone by, that optimism is still there, but the drive behind it has dwindled. But I am not the kind to lose hope. I didn't make resolutions for them to be forgotten - I made them to better myself and maybe even to inspire others. Here's my progress (or lack of).
1. Devote more time to studying God's word and prayer
I admit, I feel like a failure on this one. While I knowing I've been praying my heart out all month, it wasn't the way I had really intended. We've had struggles this month. I lost my grandmother, my husband was very ill, and I went back to working nights at the library. While I skimmed through my Bible for comfort, I didn't devote time to studying it or reading my devotional books because I felt like I didn't have time. This is my biggest regret this month.
2. Establish a homeschooling routine for my daughter
This may be my most successful resolution this month. I have been working with Prairie Girl as many days as possible, and we've developed a curriculum that works for her so far. We're using a combination of materials from ABC Jesus Loves Me and letteroftheweek.com, and we both love it. She loves the routine and learning new things, and giving her that has made her much more calm and focused, even when we aren't having our school time. My hope for February is that I can incorporate more art and science into the curriculum.
3. Make our home more eco-friendly by eliminating plastics and using more natural products
This has also been a success this month. I've been reading Plastic Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too by Beth Terry, and it is changing my life. I've eliminated almost all of the plastic storage food containers in my kitchen, given up frozen dinners, and diligently used my reusable shopping bags. I've also been able to find more natural body care products for myself and Prairie Girl, and I've found ways to eliminate some plastic packaged items from our lifestyle. I am loving all of it, and I feel like my house is a healthier, happier place because of it.
4. Avoid buying things I don't need while de-cluttering excess from my home - to the extreme!
Also a success. I greatly down-sized my shopping habit and have been running errands just one day a week. I've resisted purchases and walked out of stores empty handed when I didn't find what I needed (as opposed to settling for some second rate product I didn't need). As for de-cluttering, I've donated several huge bags to charity, given away items to friends and relatives, and sold items online. I'm in no way done, but I've made significant progress, and as I get rid of more, it's easier to let go and discover how little I need.
5. Finish the craft projects I started in 2012 and use up my current supplies
Another failure. I completed about 5 rows on a potholder I'm knitting, and that's it for this month's craft projects. There just wasn't time.
6. Lose the last 13 pounds so I can finally achieve the 120s for the first time in my life
I wouldn't exactly call this one a failure because I didn't gain any weight this month, I just didn't lose any. But I didn't try. After losing weight for 8 straight months, I gave myself a little break. I couldn't handle the stress of life and scrutinizing every bite I ate, so instead, I gave myself a little flexibility. I feel good about it though and will hopefully be back to losing in February.
7. Limit my computer usage so that I can accomplish more
I did limit myself when I thought about it. I refused to take my iPad out of town with me, and I purposefully logged off some sites so I wouldn't be so tempted to check them throughout the day. I am planning to start measuring my time at the computer so I better gauge how to limit my usage.
Overall, I think I had a pretty good month for progress. Like I said, it was a hard month that was far from the norm. February may be short, but I think it will bring good things. At least I am starting with good plans.
What were your successes and failures this past month? Feel free to share so we can help and encourage each other.
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