My 2014 Goals

I'm not calling them "resolutions" because when I "resolve" to do something like this, I don't. So, we'll call them goals. :) My time is limited so I'm keeping it realistic. 

1. Continue to focus on fitness and losing weight. Come on, this is on everyone's list. BUT, I think I'm finally to a point where working out is part of my life now, so I'd like to keep that going. I'm stalled at eleven pounds but with Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in there (and me being out of the gym for three weeks), it was sort of to be expected. Back at it now though--and currently sore beyond explanation for Monday's Tabata class (OUCH!). Swimming suit season is a mere five months away and we may be taking a little beach trip after all thanks to a gracious friend who offered us their Ocean City condo for virtually nothing! 

2. Go on date nights with Seth. If mama and daddy ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. This one speaks for itself. 

3. Take the kids on more fun outings. I love to see their excitement at amusement parks, the pool, parks, etc. so I'd like to do more of that this summer. On my agenda would be Hersheypark, a zoo (other than the local one we've done), and camping, to name a few.

4. Be more intentional. This applies to many things--doing devotions at night, pleasure reading more, focusing on my hobbies and doing something I love for myself (photography, for example), and playing with the kids. I'm ready to make-believe the heck out of all their things like I did when I was a kid. Is it too soon to introduce Addison to the wonderful world of Barbie??? :) 

What's on your list for 2014? 

Accountability

Gotta stay accountable. Here's how the five goals from last week stacked up!

Goal one: Work out or go to the gym five days. I joined the gym at work and have gone every work day so far. I know that I won't continue to go every single day because I like to still hang with my friends sometimes, but moreso than not, I need to be at the gym. Jean season is upon us. On the days I'm not at work (Friday-Sunday), I will find something else to do to be active. A walk. Yard work. Something--anything--five out of seven days. Already did the gym at lunch today and yesterday, we walked to the grocery store, did our shopping, and walked home with all our groceries, so that's two! Seth jogs at night, so his goal is probably similar. :)  Results: PASS. I walked to the grocery store to shop (and home with the groceries) on Sunday, went to the gym Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (and therefore could hardly move all week. HA!), and took walks, went to the zoo, and raked the leaves in the yard on the other days.

Goal two: Be more intentional about effectively disciplining Carter (not all negative! Many positive "disciplining" and reinforcement as well). We attended a toddler discipline class on Sunday and we got some great advice and tips. We've implemented many in the past 24 hours and we want to keep this going. Result: on-going, but things are going slightly better.

Goal three: Have a dinner plan before we even leave for work. This helps us avoid last-minute dinners out or picking up a pizza (hence making goal #1 worthwhile). :) Results: Passed, everyday!

Goal four: Do not go shopping. Results: BOOM. Passed. Didn't shop once--for me or the kids. (I mean, technically we grocery shopped but that's not the shopping I meant.)

Goal five: Do something fun with the kids. We may take them to the zoo nearby this weekend, and the weather is to be gorgeous! Results: Passed. Took 'em to the zoo. Addison even got bit by a donkey.

My goals this week!

In an effort to make our lives slightly less hectic, we've been chatting about ways to save money, live stress-free (or with less stress, since "stress-free" is not likely), more content, be happier, etc.

So, I've come up with a few goals for this week. I think we do better when we focus on short-term goals, and I think this will help me be more accountable. :)

Goal one: Work out or go to the gym five days. I joined the gym at work and have gone every work day so far. I know that I won't continue to go every single day because I like to still hang with my friends sometimes, but moreso than not, I need to be at the gym. Jean season is upon us. On the days I'm not at work (Friday-Sunday), I will find something else to do to be active. A walk. Yard work. Something--anything--five out of seven days. Already did the gym at lunch today and yesterday, we walked to the grocery store, did our shopping, and walked home with all our groceries, so that's two! Seth jogs at night, so his goal is probably similar. :)

Goal two: Be more intentional about effectively disciplining Carter (not all negative! Many positive "disciplining" and reinforcement as well). We attended a toddler discipline class on Sunday and we got some great advice and tips. We've implemented many in the past 24 hours and we want to keep this going.

Goal three: Have a dinner plan before we even leave for work. This helps us avoid last-minute dinners out or picking up a pizza (hence making goal #1 worthwhile). :)

Goal four: Do not go shopping.

Goal five: Do something fun with the kids. We may take them to the zoo nearby this weekend, and the weather is to be gorgeous!

Let's do this!

Goals for 2012

I'm not making a "resolution." That's just a word that means say you'll do this but never really do it. I'm going to set some goals, if you will. Here they are:

Stress less.
This almost makes me laugh just typing it because it comes in the very year that we will be potty training, moving Carter from a crib to a toddler bed, and having another baby. I should probably just cross it off now, but I'll give it a whirl. I'll have to will myself to stay on track with this one and I didn't say NOT stress. I said stress LESS. :)

Tidy up the house every night.
This will help goal #1. We are already pretty good about picking up C's toys each night, but the kitchen is our tough spot. And the mail. Oh my word, the mail. Remember this?? I'm sensing this may happen again in the not-so-distant future.

Spend less.
We've been focusing on this more and more because, well, we have to with the little bean making his/her debut in six short months. And daycare for two is going to rob us blind, so I hope we have enough money eat and buy gas. I kid. But we will have to watch our spending big time when a 4-digit amount of money (just barely starting with a 1) will be yanked from our cold hands each month.

Go on more date nights.
Seems counterintuitive to the last one, but we have gads of gift cards and restaurant.com gift cards and free movie tickets BEGGING to be used and I'm sensing that several of them will be kid-less times for Seth and I to recharge. By the way, anyone wanna watch a super cute 20-month-old who may or may not spit red velvet cake on your light carpet? :) Anyone?

Have a baby without an epidural.
HAHA. Please, I'm kidding. Just wanted to see if you were awake.

That's all my goals for this year -keeping it short and sweet (and manageable). What are YOUR goals for 2012?

Springtime!

YES! Spring is FINALLY here. I think I had a tinge of that seasonal affective disorder...the winter, while fun for a bit, gets old quickly. I don't love being stuck inside while it's cold outside, and I realize summer (and 90 degree weather) comes quickly in central PA...so I like to enjoy spring as much as possible. And, boy, am I glad it is here!!!

I've made myself a handy-dandy little checklist of things I'd like to do this spring (either me or collectively as a household):

- Lose 10 more pounds. I've already lost 11, so 10 more before summer arrives would be nice. I hope to not stop there, but we're aiming for attainable right now. :)
- Plan Carter's first birthday party - SO excited about this!!
- Play outside/spend time outside with Carter and Seth as much as feasibly possible.
- Stress less.
- Spring clean...like really spring clean.
- Wash the curtains in my living room.
- Take a day trip (or two) for a picnic or some other fun outdoor activity.
- Paint the shed door and trim and maybe finish painting the fence. Maybe.
- Re-paint the chiminea on the deck.
- Take the Christmas lights down off our bushes out front. What?!? I'm just being honest. At least they haven't been turned on since January 1.

I think that is a pretty good start for now! I sure hope I can meet goal #4 with all that painting. :)

Happy Spring!!