~2010 Goals~

If y'all would like a good laugh... here are my goals from last year!

I didn't do too bad with some things, but I did horribly with others. Here is a quick recap...

Increasing in wisdom...Didn't even open the garden book, only ever got to the bumper sticker for doing more with the government... and budgeting... I just did the same as normal.

Increasing in stature... real popcorn and real tea were the only things that happened this year. I did continue with the changes from '09 though.

Increasing in favor with God... I managed to get through the book of Proverbs 6 times... didn't make it to the goal of 12. I did memorize chapter 4! I listened to two or three audio books and read one book online (Angie Smith’s I Will Carry You). I started a few other books but either lost interest or ran out of time and forgot about them. Four books seems realistic but I didn't schedule the time so it didn't happen.

Increasing in favor with man... um, well... yes and no. I certainly had many opportunities to do for others. Fun things like church dinners, fellowships, bridal showers. We even had people over a few times. Gregg's travel schedule on top of the boys racing schedule kinda put a crimp in things. BUT I personally could have done much better. As far as the more pleasant mom part... failed. miserably. most days.

For the most part, these goals were out of sight. I know that didn't help things. I really need to break them down into months and post it on my forehead so I don't forget:-) I am making a few other changes and hope to get started with January's goals by the weekend. The stomach bug my family was sharing certainly didn't help me get a good start, but I haven't given up or given in... pressing on... 2011 is going to be my year of finishing!

~2010 Goals - Update~

Well, here is my first month update! I don't think I did very well, but did get to a few things!

Wisdom...

• Nothing with gardening. I hope to start planning my garden in the next 6 weeks.
• Local government...I got a bumper sticker! I know it's not much, but it is a start! A man I know personally is running for Gov. and I am hoping to help out in some way.
• Budgeting... I am still keeping track of everything I spend. Oh my! It is difficult!

Stature...

• I've only tried one new recipe. I've been a bit slack in this area. Some days it is all I can do to get hot dogs on the table :-) (yuck!)
  
• No exercising. Kiersten just started sleeping through the night so I should be able to add this to my day soon!
• I am really trying to cut that bedtime snack out of my routine. It is a habit I am finding hard to break! (I am eating a muffin right now...ugh!)
  

With God...

• My Proverbs study is slow going. I was surprised at how many days I miss! Again, if Kiersten keeps sleeping through the night, I'll be able to be better with this time! I just about got through the book once. I am highlighting different words in different colors to make my study easier in the months to come.
• I started my first book... I am really enjoying the simpleness of it! It came with a workbook. I really like that! I can speed read without retaining. This way I take notes and actually stop and think about it! I will be having Jordan read this when he turns 12!

• I have memorized January's verse and am starting on February's! I still haven't chosen my passage for this year...I know I better hurry!

With man

• We were able to have the youth over for a progressive dinner
• We had two families from church over
• I talked to a lady at a craft shop. We were looking through pattern books and started chatting. She pulled out photos of her felted projects. She does an amazing job! I didn't think about it until later but I should have told her that God certainly gifted her in that area. That may have opened up a door.
• I have not done a good job of being a joy filled mom... my hardest task for sure!
  

Those were my main goals for the year. I also had some other goals for the month like put Christmas away, give all five boys hair cuts, finish my sister-in-laws birthday gift, crochet snowflakes, scrapbook two months of photos and recover pillows. I finished almost all of that. Only one month of scrap booking got done and half of the pillows are recovered.

I am writing my list for February as we speak (I know I'm a week late!). It really does help me to have a list... it is much easier to stay focused!... and an extra 5 min can be spent doing something rather than thinking about what I need to be doing!

~New Year ... New Goals~

Luke 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature,

and in favor with God and man.

I often use this verse to pray for my children. It helps me to think of a greater variety of requests and then that normally leads to trying to help them in those areas. I decided this year I would list my goals according to this verse...making sure my priorities are right!

Increasing in Wisdom

~What would I like to learn!??!?! There are so many things to enjoy! I spent a lot of time in 2009 learning more about sewing and learning to crochet. This year I'd like to learn a lot more about gardening. I have a book I'll be going through! I would also like to get a little more involved in our local government. Yikes, I know. Big thing with all these little people. Not yet sure how that will work but I'll be looking for opportunies! One last area would be doing better with budgeting.

Increasing in Stature

~I see stature as my health. More excersise, more eating right...yep, the normal stuff! More specifically I'd like to do more with beans and rice (I'll be working through a cookbook for this one)...so that my family loves to eat them! I'm also looking forward to real popcorn (thanks to my men for buying that for me for Christmas!) and real tea (thanks for the money gift Dad E!) I made so many changes this past year with grinding my own grain, yogurt, granola, and pressure cooking that I need to just get better at those things instead of adding something new. The only other maybe would be making our own icecream!!!

Increasing in favor with God

~I would have to say my Quieting a Noisey Soul study in 2009 was excellent! This year I plan on going through Proverbs every month...yes, every month! I think there is so much in there and while I have read through Proverbs here and there, I think the repetition will be great! Any ideas of study books I could use? I also hope to read 4 books to challenge my walk with God. I've already got my first two! Four books in one year doesn't sound like a lot... but I have to keep these goals attainable and also leave room for other things to jump in! I'll also be memorizing. Our church is doing 1 one another verse each month, I learn one verse each week with the boys for school and I'd like to learn one passage for myself. I am not sure what that will be yet.

Increasing in favor with Man

~I am excited about the idea of this! The one another verses we will be learning in church will be put into action at home. More of our family visiting the elderly. More of me reaching out to new people at church. More of me talking to strangers at the park, grocery store, library etc. More people into our home. The only catch with this would be fighting my desire for people to like me... that is not the idea here. I want them to see Christ living in me. The hardest part will be at home... I desire to be a more pleasant mom at home.

I'll be sure to share specifially about these things in the next few weeks!

Happy New Year!