2019 Cookies :)

The girls and I decided that one goal that we are striving for this year is to bake 52 different kinds of cookies! I'm going to keep just this one post and update it periodically with our status. I may or may not include pictures depending on the success (or utter failure!) of the different recipes. 

January

1. Mexican Wedding Cookies (America's Test Kitchen Kids - No recipe since the girls are recipe testers and are unable to share at this time!)
   
2. Almond Poppy Seed Cookies
3. Almond Biscotti
4. Chocolate Chip Cookies (Nestle Tollhouse Recipe from the back of the chocolate chips - substituted 1/2 c Shortening for one of the sticks of butter; used dark brown sugar)

February

1. Frosted Sugar Cookies 
   
2. French Macarons (Used Tasty tutorial/recipe and PopSugar for tips, etc)

2018 Recap

Well, let's just say 2018 never happened, right? I obviously failed to set any goals for last year and could definitely 'feel' the difference. Here are some highlights from 2018:

Well-being:

• Participated in a wellness group at work
• Took Peanut for lots of walks!
• Ran two 5ks. 
• One with my bestie in the bitter cold and snow. Thank goodness for friends! I would have bailed if it weren't for her! 
• The other with Girls on the Run--so much fun!
• Swam--a lot!
• Completed a six-week mindfulness group
• Line-danced
• Went rollerskating
• Visited a few trampoline parks
• Played softball
• Competed in Redneck Ninja Warrior (twice!)
• Learned how to play shuffleboard
• Competed in/completed the Step It Up! Challenge in my county

Travel:

• Took a family road trip to Phoenix, AZ! We all added a few states to our lists and hit some great Route 66 sites along the way. We had bigger plans to continue on to Utah and Colorado (and see the Grand Canyon), but the travels proved too much and we headed home a few days early. 
• Took a sister trip to visit the grandparents in Florida for a long weekend! 
• Traveled to the UP (Marquette) for work--experienced the 'first' snowfall--in OCTOBER!
• Went to Mackinac Island with our Girl Scouts troop
• Was airport shuttle to and from Detroit a few times (and Grand Rapids, too)

Connection:

• We fostered three kittens and three dogs this year! We still miss them :(
• Went to middle school orientation - gasp!
• Picked cherries and blueberries (with extended family)
• Had a half-birthday party for four little cuties
• Went on the 5th grade trip to Michigan's Adventure
• Instituted weekly "Sibling Lunch"
• Said "hello" and "goodbye" to sisters and brother (to and from Denver, Uganda, and our house)
• Became a soccer (and volleyball) mom (and dance mom)
• Had one-on-one time with my girls
• Cheered on dad at his softball games
• Went to a Michigan State University Men's Soccer game

Inspiration:

• Baked (like, a lot)
• Drew lots of derpy drawings
• Visited the beach
• Had theme dinner weeks: taco week was tops!
• Walked in the Memorial Day Parade with Girl Scouts

Growth:

• Still need to work on de-cluttering. It seems to just build up again shortly after it's been cleared. Definitely want to focus on this in 2019 to minimize the amount of "things" we have.
• Fell off the eating well wagon over the holidays and need to get back to it. Going to try to eat more veggies and drink more water. 
• Really have done well getting our finances on track. I love to be generous, but have not been able to be quite as generous as I'd like because we have financial responsibilities that prevent me from doing so. 

2017 Goal Update - Year End Wrap Up

This year I didn't really even look at my blog after April. So I'm just looking at my goals for the first time in more than six months and I'll give an honest update on how I did!

I'm planning to try again in 2018 with a little bit different approach, but here's how I did this year:

• Marriage Enrichment - Overall has been a pretty good year for our marriage. Even though I've not been keeping up on this blog, these things are ingrained in my brain :). We've been making time for each other and have been a united front. I've even surrendered my desire to not have a dog (this is a very big step for me!). 

• Making time for togetherness
• Pray together
• Surrender--remember that God is in control
• Unite--make decisions together
• Ask what does the marriage need?

• Personal Growth/Fulfillment 
• Parental Effectiveness - Not too shabby on this front. For a while we were having reading time each night. We've gotten away from that again and I'd like to get back into that. Still room for some improvement in the other areas as well--especially as we enter the tween years :|
• Practice patience
• Set boundaries
• Hold accountable
• Read together four times per week
• Financial Freedom - This was going pretty well until we had a period of unemployment. We are doing better about discussing priorities. 
• Focus on not spending
• Discuss together what priorities are 
• Spiritual Growth - Again, doing okay with this one. At least reading and contemplating the verse of the day on the Bible app. We were attending church regularly, but have not gone in a few months. Looking for a place to call home. 
• Read scripture regularly
• Attend church regularly
• Healthy Living - The exercising went really well this year, between step aerobics, water aerobics, circuit training, yoga,and line dancing. Also completed two 5k runs after completing a couch to 5k program. Haven't been doing great in making better food choices. 
• Exercise regularly (four times/week)
• Make better food choices
• Embracing hobbies - I've read my daily devotional, and read more than 10 books this year. Getting set up again at the library has been helpful. Obviously, I haven't been maintaining my blog (whoops!), nor have I been writing a journal. During the fall and winter, I line dance weekly. I've been continuing to try new recipes each month. But, I've not been eating (aside from breakfasts) six meals at home per week. 

• Reading
• Daily Devotional 
• At least one book per month on average
• Writing
• Journal daily/weekly
• Maintain blog 
• Dancing
• At least three times per month
• Cooking & Baking
• Eat at least six breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners at home per week
• Keep trying new recipes every month

• Restful/Calm Home/House - One out of three is good, right? I have been really making an effort to get enough sleep most of the time. The getting rid of clutter is a constant battle with an ebb and flow that irritates me. This last week, I've been focusing on this and have made some progress. The chore schedule has not been happening, but I am slowing working with girls on some chores that they complete when asked without too much whining and complaining. 
• Getting rid of clutter
• Make a plan for monthly focus areas
• Getting enough sleep
• Get to bed early enough to get 8 hours of sleep
• Maintaining chore schedule
• At least three weeks per month to begin

• Family Togetherness

• Putting down screens - Sometimes--family reading time helped. 
• Meals together at table - Sometime; not as much as I'd like (see also getting rid of clutter)
• Trying new things - I think the most "new" thing was Annabella and Jason went horseback riding. Also ziplining and ropes course at the zoo and going to Craig's Cruisers. Girls went to overnight camp for a week, and did Girls on the Run. Saw Jamie Grace in concert. Went to a couple of Lake Michigan beaches we've never been to on our way back from Indiana. Went to a drive-in movie. First time flying for the girls, too!
• Being engaged during time spent together - Yup
• Volunteer as a family - Not yet
• Travel - We traveled to Florida (both coasts), Indiana a couple of times, Onekama for camp, Muskegon for Girl Scout overnight-er. Checked a few more states (Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee) off of our list by travelling to South Carolina, too! 

I'd say I didn't do too bad this year. Half the battle is identifying areas that need the focus. I really feel as though I'm taking control of my life by being an active participant instead of a bystander. Trying to live by doing what I can and trusting God will fill in where I fall short. Stay tuned in the next couple of days for my 2018 goals!

2017 Goal Update #1

Hi everyone! Just checking in on this year's goals. I'm not being quite as intentional so I'm not seeing as many results as I would like. However--I'm being kind to myself and am happy that any small progress in any one of these areas can be considered a success!

• Marriage Enrichment
• Making time for togetherness--We've been spending more time at home together, being close to each other. We have some money budgeted for dates, but haven't made time yet for this. We both just started new jobs so we are still trying to find our new routine. We've been preparing meals together and sitting down to eat together at home, which has been nice. 
• Pray together--we haven't been praying together, but we have been praying for each other. 
• Surrender--remember that God is in control--I'm getting better at this, and I can tell that Jason is as well. Instead of always knowing the words to say, I will just close my eyes and give it up to Him. 
• Unite--make decisions together--This is going great; we are really being conscientious of the other and trying to be a united front in everything that we do. This is really had for me because I'm a take-charge kinda gal, but he's been patient with me and it has been working. We both mess up sometimes and then talk it out if necessary. 
• Ask what does the marriage need?--This goes along with the unity piece and comes and goes in waves. I try (though not always successfully) to ask this before I make a decision. 
• Personal Growth/Fulfillment
• Parental Effectiveness--All of these have fallen by the wayside with the start of our new jobs. Working on them. In January I made more of an effort to read with them, so I'll continue to focus on that. 
• Practice patience
• Set boundaries
• Hold accountable
• Read together four times per week
• Financial Freedom--Doing okay, better that last year, but not quite yet where I would like to be.
• Focus on not spending
• Discuss together what priorities are--baby steps...
• Spiritual Growth
• Read scripture regularly--I read and reflect on the verse of the day most days and dive a little deeper occasionally
• Attend church regularly--We've started to attend church a bit more regularly, but definitely room for improvement. 
• Healthy Living
• Exercise regularly (four times/week)--have been averaging around three times per week which is not bad. 
• Make better food choices--most days are pretty good. I love sweets (chocolate!) and salty snacks so this is hard. Trying not to eat out for lunch as much at work, that seems to be helping.
• Embracing hobbies
• Reading
• Daily Devotional--Doing this daily (Melody Beattie's Journey to the Heart: Daily Meditations) 
• At least one book per month on average--This is not going great; I did start "A Hole in my Heart" which is a book for adult children of divorce. 
• Writing
• Journal daily/weekly--This is not going well yet.
• Maintain blog--Obviously behind on this ;)
• Dancing
• At least three times per month--Yes! Line dancing pretty much every week!
• Cooking & Baking
• Eat at least six breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners at home per week--doing OK with this. Breakfast is usually not a problem. Have been doing pretty good with the lunches and okay with the dinners. Probably averaging five lunches and dinners, not six. 
• Keep trying new recipes every month--Have tried a few new recipes since the beginning of the year. You can check out the dinner/sides and dessert recipes I've tried here. Favorites include Caremlitas for dessert and Chicken Broccoli Alfredo for dinner. I also got a Nerdy Nummies cookbook for Christmas that has lots of fun recipes that I have yet to try...stay tuned 
• Restful/Calm Home/House
• Getting rid of clutter
• Make a plan for monthly focus areas--Just completed the "Minimalist Game" this month (well, ALMOST completed ;)). Going to start over again in March and keep going monthly until we have whittled down our "stuff." 
• Getting enough sleep
• Get to bed early enough to get 8 hours of sleep--pretty successful at this. It is hard for me to go to bed at 10pm or earlier, but I've been doing it for the most part. There are days where I've stayed up finishing laundry, but successful as a whole.
• Maintaining chore schedule
• At least three weeks per month to begin--this is not happening, I'm thinking that this can be more of a focus once we both get settled in at our jobs (and more of our stuff is gone!)
• Family Togetherness
• Putting down screens--this is not happening...yet
• Meals together at table--this is not happening...yet
• Trying new things--this is not happening...yet
• Being engaged during time spent together--I've been trying to be more engaged and intentional when we are out together as a family. Really listening and paying attention and not checking my phone all the time, etc. 
• Volunteer as a family--this is not happening...yet
• Travel--this is not happening...yet

New Year, New Goals!

Happy New Year! So, I've been mulling over what I want to focus on in 2017 and I have decided to take a little bit different approach to what I did last year. Last year I was pretty successful a meeting most of my goals, and I want to continue to build on that success.

Here are some areas that I wish to focus on this year:

• Marriage Enrichment
• Making time for togetherness
• Pray together
• Surrender--remember that God is in control
• Unite--make decisions together
• Ask what does the marriage need?
• Personal Growth/Fulfillment
• Parental Effectiveness
• Practice patience
• Set boundaries
• Hold accountable
• Read together four times per week
• Financial Freedom
• Focus on not spending
• Discuss together what priorities are 
• Spiritual Growth
• Read scripture regularly
• Attend church regularly
• Healthy Living
• Exercise regularly (four times/week)
• Make better food choices
• Embracing hobbies
• Reading
• Daily Devotional 
• At least one book per month on average
• Writing
• Journal daily/weekly
• Maintain blog 
• Dancing
• At least three times per month
• Cooking & Baking
• Eat at least six breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners at home per week
• Keep trying new recipes every month
• Restful/Calm Home/House
• Getting rid of clutter
• Make a plan for monthly focus areas
• Getting enough sleep
• Get to bed early enough to get 8 hours of sleep
• Maintaining chore schedule
• At least three weeks per month to begin
• Family Togetherness
• Putting down screens
• Meals together at table
• Trying new things
• Being engaged during time spent together
• Volunteer as a family
• Travel

I think I will focus on reporting at least one of the areas every month. There are some pretty lofty goals here, but I think writing down desires and focus areas helps me to keep on track and any progress is good, however small. Cheers to a happy and healthy 2017!

December 2016: Goal Update

Happy New Year! Thanks for sticking with me this year :) Here is a final recap of my goal achievement (or not):

• Work toward Rule 4 (Age Your Money) as the final Rule to embrace.
• Age of Money=I have gotten to at least 11 days a few times, with an average of 8 days. Much improved from the start of the year (started at 1-2 days), but not yet where I would like to be. 
• Would still really like to get an emergency fund set up and then start working toward spending money from the previous month.  Not sure how this will play out in the next couple of months. 
• Do a daily devotional (COMPLETE!)
• The devotional I completed was The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie. I was really good, brief daily readings about mindfulness, healing, anger, boundaries, acceptance and feelings (and lots of other stuff, too).  
• Exercise 2 x per week minimum (COMPLETE!)
• This year had some ups and downs, but on average I exercised at least an average of two times per week. This was so much easier in the summer/fall and has become much more difficult with the cold winter weather. Starting a challenge tomorrow to get a jump start on the new year. 
• Read for pleasure: Average one book per month (COMPLETE!)
• I completed my devotional this month--it counts! Read more than 16 books this year!
• Go on a date with Jason: At least one time per month (COMPLETE!)
• We went on a date to go Christmas shopping for the girls. Stopped for dinner and then went shopping. It was a fun time, and it is nice to just have some one on one time. There were a couple of months with no date and a couple with more than one, so I would say on average this one was a success! 
• Have a "no screen" weekend (INCOMPLETE)
• Did not make this one. I may have to start with just me in the new year and work my way up to everyone. Stay tuned for a new and improved goal for 2017.
• Clean and organize basement:Toy room and storage room (COMPLETE!)
• Still a lot of work to do to make the house clutter-free, but did make some progress this year. 
• Travel somewhere in Northern Michigan (COMPLETE)
• Travel to Denver, Indiana and Washington, D.C. (COMPLETE)
• Try out 12 new dinner recipes (COMPLETE!)
• In December I made: 
• Chicken Lazone, and
• Homemade Calzones
• Both were great! This has been a really great goal and I am becoming more confident in my cooking abilities! 

• Try out 12 new dessert/cookie recipes (COMPLETE!)
• This month I made:
• Almond Joy Cookies
• Again, I loved having this goal. It has made me to stretch a little bit and I have learned so much. I do not even think about buying mixes of any kind (most of the time ;) anymore!
• Do not use credit or obtain any additional debt
• Christmas. No excuse, I know. I am strengthening my resolve for the new year. 

Thanks for following along this year! Be on the lookout for what my thoughts are about the upcoming year!

November 2016:Goal Update

Happy December! Here is a goal update for November:

• Work toward Rule 4 (Age Your Money) as the final Rule to embrace.
• Age of Money=so, I got to NINE days again this month (cannot seem to even break into double digits ;/)! And averaged about 5-6 days. 
• Would really like to get an emergency fund set up and then start working toward spending money from the previous month. More on this in January perhaps ;) 
• Do a daily devotional 
• Completed daily! Starting to look for something for next year. Please share any ideas you may have! 
• Exercise 2 x per week minimum
• Met this goal again on a technicality :) I did challenge that was supposed to be for the entire month, but only lasted about 10 days. So, I did technically exercise on average more than 2x per week--but I do not really feel as though I did.  I did go line dancing a couple of nights this month and had a few days with quite a few steps (including Black Friday--shopping and line dancing!). 
• Read for pleasure: Average one book per month (COMPLETE!)
• So, I read a few books with the girls this month, but none for myself. (I don't think December Dog counts)
• Go on a date with Jason: At least one time per month
• We went on a date early in the month when we both had a day off on the same day :) We had lunch and hung out together. We also had a night where we were home alone for a bit and ordered takeout and watched some good tv together. Aaannnnd, we did go on a double date with Beckie and Ruudy to one of our favorite restaurants El Granjero on Bridge St. We were one of the last customers before they closed for two weeks of renovations. It was a nice, fun time. 
• Have a "no screen" weekend
• Well, well, well. I only have one month left to get this accomplished. Going to pose it as a challenge to the girls and try to make it happen in the next couple of weeks!
• Clean and organize basement:Toy room and storage room (COMPLETE!)
• This one is complete :) 
• Travel somewhere in Northern Michigan (COMPLETE!)
• Goal complete. 
• Travel to Denver, Indiana and Washington, D.C. (COMPLETE!)
• This one is officially complete.  
• Try out 12 new dinner recipes (COMPLETE!)
• I made up for my slacking in October and tried the following new dinner recipes:
• Breakfast Casserole
• Meatball Subs
• Sheet-pan Nachos
• Broccoli Cheese Soup
• Try out 12 new dessert/cookie recipes (COMPLETE!)
• This month I made:
• Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Pie
• Coconut Lover's Oatmeal Cookies
• Do not use credit or obtain any additional debt
• More dental expense this month. Need to try a different approach for the new year. I'm rolling some things around. 

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!