Update on 2013 Goals

I think it is important to look over my goals once in awhile to make sure I stay on track. Here's how I'm doing so far this year.

First, lose weight.

Well, I certainly have lost weight since January but right now I'm in a bit of a slump. I am running, have completed two 5k's and one 10k and plan to complete a 15k and a half marathon in the fall.  Whether or not I lose more weight, I am for sure healthier and in better shape than I was in January.  And 15lbs weight loss is nothing to be ashamed of!

Second, complete three days of school a week with the girls.

I didn't start off strong in this area but currently Isabelle and I are doing five days of school a week.  I realized that while Isabelle has a strong desire to learn, Molly does not.  Molly is about movement.  So, for now, the focus is on Isabelle.  Molly does some of the work with us like Bible and art and some science, but I am not forcing her to do anything at this point.

The next goal was a monthly character trait!

Hahaha!  I wish!  The fact of the matter is, we are working on about a million things each day.  The girls are always being taught about being obedient and sharing, and being kind and telling the truth.  Picking one a month seemed silly after a bit.  We have a weekly memory verse and that is about all I am going to commit to at this point.  Maybe it will be easier when they are older.

My goal to earn money to buy a camera is also laughable at this point.  If I earn money, it is not going to a camera!  It is going to bills, bills and more bills!  I am not complaining, but this year has been the year of medical bills for our family and we would like to get those suckers paid off.

My next goal was to learn to care more about what God thinks than what others think.

This is a work in progress at this point.  It honestly may be something that I have to work on for awhile.

Second to last goal was to read more.

I have for sure accomplished this goal!  I have read some pretty amazing books so far this year.  Among them, Kisses from Katie, The Hiding Place, and Evidence Not Seen.  All must reads in my opinion.  I have read some fiction also, but nothing mind blowing!  In total, I have read 13 books so far this year!

My last goal was to stop being so hard on myself.

I think that running is helping me a lot in this area.  Things I never thought I could do, like run 10 miles, I am doing.  Having some extra confidence is sure nice!  And while parenting is still the area where I am the hardest on myself, I am trying to give myself some grace when I feel like the worst mom ever.

So, there you go.  How are you doing on your goals?  Remember, that rereading and measuring your goals is one of the best ways to ensure they happen!

Update on my 2012 goals

I mentioned at the beginning of this year that I accomplished a grand total of ZERO of my 2011 goals.  I believe part of that was never checking in on progress and not really taking any of them too seriously.  I resolved to do better this year and I thought touching base mid year (or slightly later than mid year) was in order. 

So, how am I doing?

Goal 1:  Don't get pregnant. 

Check.  I am not pregnant.  Moving on.

Goal 2:  Lose weight. 

Well.....while I have lost weight since having Lawson, I still need to lose about 15lbs to get back to where I was pre-pregnancy.  I am hoping that my semi-vegetarian lifestyle change combined with giving up dessert (except on the weekends..LOL) will help.  We shall see.  Oh, and I am having J move the treadmill indoors.  It will seriously disturb what little decorating success I am having in my bedroom, but whatevs.

Goal 3:  Commit to daily quiet time.

I wouldn't call any of my day quiet, but I have been able to read my Bible more.  I am trying to sit down and be still during Sesame Street which is like the one hour a day that I can mostly count on my kids leaving me alone!

Goal 4:  Be more purposeful and present with the girls.

I think we are headed in the right direction here also.  We have started what I am calling home school,  even though what it should be called is being a normal parent.  Spending time with the girls learning a memory verse, talking about the weather, discussing days of the week and months of the year along with some pre-reading skills and motor skills has been fun for all of us.  I had planned to wait to start, but Isabelle asks everyday to "do school" so I thought I should capitalize on her enthusiasm.

Goal 5:  Establish and stick to a blog schedule.

With the exception of last week I have been considerably more consistent this year than last.  I am pretty happy overall in this area.  I have also decided to no longer worry about followers or comments or page views or any of it.  I am writing for me, for my family, for a record of our lives.  If people are interested, then I am happy, but I am done stressing over it!

Goal 6:  Continue to cook new meals.

Whoa!  I am doing good here also.  Currently vegetarian meals are dominating the menu and have been very successful.

Goal 7:  Get a clear plan for my MK business.

Oh, I knew that there would be something I was missing.  I love Mary Kay.  For reals.  Love, love, love the product, love the girlfriends, love the adult interaction, love the additional income.  However, I am currently not in love with the time away from my family that would be required.  I don't want to spend my evenings making phone calls or holding appointments.  And the thing of it is, it is such a small time commitment for such a big payoff, but I still don't want to do it.  I am enjoying my current customers and taking care of referrals from them, but I am just not actively pursuing new customers.  I know that eventually that will change and that there will come a time where I do want to start building my business again.  But I don't know when.  The thought came to me today that I could start working again to pay for gymnastics lessons for the girls (which I MAJORLY want them to have), so who knows, it may be sooner than later.

How are you doing on your resolutions for the year 2012?  It is never too late to get started.