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!