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!
