Monday, January 3, 2011

Goals for the New Year...

On January 1st, Alex and I sat down together to set our goals for 2011. We set personal goals, financial goals, etc. We also made a list of things we want to save for/purchase this year. We love to make a list and check things off. Whenever I need Alex to do more than one thing for me, he immediately says, "make me a list!" Drives me insane, but whatever gets the job done. (LOL)

A few of my fun goals:

-Cook my way through an entire cookbook. I think I've decided on the cookbook, I just need to purchase it. It will be a challenge for me to cook every single recipe in a cookbook. Most all cookbooks have seafood recipes and I don't care for seafood. Alex on the other hand, loves it, so he can be my guinea pig on those recipes. I'll blog about how that's going throughout the year.



-Have more friends into our home. I love to entertain and cook for friends, but even more, I love to talk and laugh. I'm going to do my best to let go of trying to achieve perfection in my home. I'm sure it's possible to have, but I'm not sure how realistic it is or how happy the people are that have it. Or if they have children. :)

-Have scheduled date nights. Alex and I didn't do a great job with this in 2010. His schedule was extremely busy and when he was home, we just wanted to be together as a family. The older Amelia gets, the more I see a NEED for date night. Time alone is so very important.

-Stay in a Bible study all year. I started my first one this morning! It's an online study, which works well for me. I can do it during Amelia's morning nap time. It's called From Chaos to Calm - by Melissa Ringstaff.



-Weekly meal planning. I was terrible about this in 2010. I love to cook, but hate to go to the grocery store. I do much better if I have a meal plan and grocery list when I go. I'm going to save our family lots of money by cooking at home! I want Amelia to have family meals around the table. When we eat at home, we always eat at the table together, but we're just not eating at home often enough. :) The older Amelia gets, I want her to realize it's a treat to go out to eat. I know it was for our family when I was growing up. My Mom cooked three meals a day and we ate at the table together - all 8 of us.

So how about you? Did you set any goals/resolutions for the New Year??

Love to all,

13 comments:

Elaina Weaver said...

I'm doing From Chaos to Calm too. :)

And on those date nights, I have to words for you.... AUNT E!!

Christi said...

Oh I'm going to google the bible study as soon as I'm done here.

Remember the meals don't need to be complicated or fancy to have with Amelia.

I'd love to know what cookbook you're cooking through. Can you pick one that doesn't have seafood in it?

I'd like to read more, make myself a priority (or focus) more this year as I'm lost in doing for everybody else, more dates with the hubby (my dr says that 1 a week is necessary but that is just laughable due to schedules and lack of babysitters), and I need to focus on God. This year I hope to at least do a women's retreat or a personal retreat so that I can step away from my box and see things differently. But ideally I'm feeling called to do a mission trip in the next few years. Maybe one from our church that stays in the US but honestly I want to step away from that comfort zone and really go and help the less fortunate. It's so easy to get caught up in suburban life, and I'm tired of that. So we'll see...those are my plans or wishes. of course, I'd like to cook more for my family and keep the house work up better too.

We have our list of things we'd like to do for our house and purchase in the house this year too. ARe you willing to share yours?

May 2011 be a wonderful year for your family...though God's love and grace in our lives makes every year amazing.

Christi

MiMi said...

I love the idea of cooking your way through a cookbook! I'll be anxious to follow your progress through that this year.

I, too, am a serious list maker. I LOVE being able to check things off after I complete them...gives such a feeling of accomplishment! Shhh...don't tell anyone, but I have actually been known to write something down on my list AFTER I have already done it, just so I can check it off! lol

Jen said...

Love your goals. I'm still working on mine. :)

I decided to do that study too - after I read a little about it, it sounded like exactly what I've been needing.

You are so brave to work your way through a cookbook. I could not do that!! I hope there aren't too many nasty recipes in it. HA! :)

Love you!

Betsy said...

I have always loved the idea of cooking my way through a cookbook. I can't wait to hear all about that! And that cookbook looks like it is going to be great. I went to the website of the Chaos to Calm. That is so neat! I might do something like that too. I really want to be in a Bible study, but I just don't have the time at night. Plus I am exhausted.

Good luck on all your goals in 2011! :)

Linda Lou Rogers Averitt said...

I am so excited I can help you with your goals, I love sea food and I love to baby sit miss Amelia!! Plus learn from me, I was a nervous wreck when the kids were little and made them nervous wrecks I am sure on keeping a spottless home, people come to laugh and visit with you, its hard to learn that until your older:)) so learn it young and you will enjoy your children like I enjoy mygrand children, who cares if the bed is made or laundry done, when you can have company!! hugs of cousre this took me 57 years to realize!

Charnè said...

i like the idea of online bible studdy will check it out

Surrounded-By-Boys said...

What great goals for the new year! I love to cook/bake as well! I think you'll enjoy making meals at home more often...since you are busy, you should think about doing some pre-cooked meals or freezer meals! I do that every few months and it works perfectly for my family!!! I have thought about my New Year's goals but haven't written them down yet! Some are to lose weight, run a 5K, pay off 2 credit cards, do one project a month in my house......

Laurie said...

I love that ya'll sat down together and made goals. You have some great ones!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amelia is just BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Faith said...

Great goals! Several of these are mine too. Really need to do better about consisten Bible Study this year and I'm sure my sweet husband would love for me to do better with meal planning AND cooking - ha!

Katie said...

I'm with you on the weekly meal planning. I don't like going to the grocery store either!

Those peanut butter balls from from an earlier post look amazing. My mom used to make those at Christmas. Yum!

Mazzy said...

I want to hear how the cookbook thing goes. I feel like I'm just a TERRIBLE cook. I follow a recipe just fine but I am not very creative or adventurous and I just get stuck in the rut of making the same ol' thing every week. I know poor J hates it.

I am an over perfectionist when it comes to my home as well. I'd sooner not see friends at all then have them see my home un-perfect. It is so silly! Having a toddler around is loosening me up some because it's just impossible to keep a house clean anymore and I pray we BOTH can overcome this one.

I wish you the best of luck on your goals! They are all very good and I look forward to following your progress.

xoxo

Cheryl said...

I love your goals! I completely relate to the date night and I am glad to hear there are online bible studies. I never thought to look for them online. Happy 2011!