Alex and I sat down and discussed our goals as a family and individually over the weekend. We went over our goals for 2011 and realized we met 50% of them...not too shabby! :) I'm really excited about a few of the goals we've set this year. I thought I would share a few of my personal goals for 2012.
1. Read through my Bible. I've tried this before and seem to get behind at some point and then fail to try to catch up. Not this year!
2. Stay in a devotional all year. I'm currently reading Jesus Calling. It's perfect for the season I find myself in as a Mama to a toddler and soon to be Mama to a newborn. Hours of "homework" in a Bible study just isn't realistic for me right now. I just desperately need that one-on-one time with Jesus in my day. That may be while sitting and reading my Bible/devotional. It may be while loading the dishwasher or folding towels. It may be while feeding Sydney at 1am. My heart just desires to have that time with Him and this year I'm not putting it on the back burner because I'm too busy or because I'm behind in my reading. I'm keeping it on the forefront of my mind at all times.
3. Make special time with Alex each evening. It's amazing how fast our evenings fly by. Once Alex gets home from work: we have dinner, he spends one-on-one time with Amelia, bath time for Amelia, read/pray/rock Amelia to sleep. By this time, we're both tired and ready for bed. I've realized it doesn't have to be a date night (though we're going to do better about having those once a month this year), it doesn't even have to be an hour together. It can simply be lying on the couch, talking about our day for as long as we can stay awake. :) It's just important that we stay connected on every level - it's what makes our marriage a happy, healthy marriage.
4. Record sweet memories in my Mom's One Line A Day journal. It's so easy to forget the cute/funny/sweet/silly/precious things that Amelia says each day. And these days it's EVERY DAY that she makes me laugh for some reason or another. She says the funniest things.
5. Respond to Amelia with soft speech. I actually started making a conscious effort last year to respond to Amelia softly. I would watch 19 Kids & Counting and was constantly amazed at how Michelle Duggar responded to her children. Always with a soft, loving, calm voice. I don't yell at Amelia but her delayed obedience (which is direct disobedience in our home) would bring me to a point of raising my voice and I didn't like that.
The Bible speaks quite a bit about our tongue/speech, so it's obviously important:
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." Proverbs 18:21
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29
"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Proverbs 15:1
"A gentle tongue is a tree of life..." Proverbs 15:4
I always want to stay calm with her and I can honestly say her response to soft speech vs. raised voice is like NIGHT & DAY. It has become natural for me to respond to her in that way now and I like that. I also want her to respond to us and others with soft speech and she will only do that if we teach her through our actions.
6. Have more friends into our home. I didn't do a great job with this last year and I'm not sure why. I know this year will be crazy with having a newborn but as long as my friends/family don't care to come over to a dusty house - I still want to entertain on some level. Sharing a meal with someone in your home is where true friendships/relationships begin.
7. Do at least one fun project with Amelia each week. She needs this - especially after Sydney arrives. It can be the most simple thing in the world - she could care less. She just needs that one-on-one time and I plan on making it a priority.
8. Cook at least 4 times a week. Now this may mean sandwiches and soup some nights but I live with the least picky man in the world. In the way of - he will eat the same thing every night if that's what I choose to fix. He doesn't have to have a four course meal every night - he just needs me to take care of him in the way of planning/fixing our meals. He's good to me and always takes us out to eat on the weekends. I'm thankful for that break and the least I can do is cook the rest of the week.
9. Show love/encouragement in some way to someone every day. I have lots of friends/family that are all going through different things in their lives. I want to love on them whenever possible.
10. Stick with the budget. I'm excited to say we're going to the cash system in 2012! I think this will be great for our family and allow us to save more than ever before. I want to be the best steward of the money God has given us and I truly believe this is going to be GREAT for our family. I just have to be diligent in sticking with it.
11. Watch less television. I made a point to start this last year and also made a point to cut out any "reality" television that was on my DVR. God just kept convicting me of what I was allowing in my mind and home. I have a little girl that watches everything I do. I want to set the best example possible for her and I had no business allowing that junk/attitudes/drama/language into our home.
12. Give more. We give our tithe and to charities but I don't just want to give more in the area of money, I want to give more of my time and attention as well.
I was reading Passionate Homemaking which led me over to girltalk where Nicole was talking about New Year's Resolutions: things we want to change. She also talked about New Year's Hopes: things we can't change but are hoping and praying that God will allow to happen in the New Year. I encourage you to go read, especially if you have some New Year's Hopes of your own...a baby, a husband, a new home...you'll be encouraged and blessed...go read. :)
Love to all,
Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
As For Me And My House...
I started my One Year Chronological Bible on January 1st. I'm determined to read my Bible the entire way through this year. Alex reads through his at least once (if not twice) a year. The man reads way faster than me. I also started a book called Jesus Calling - it's a short devotional for each day. Joy bought me this for Christmas and I LOVE IT. If you don't have it - I highly recommend it. Or if you do have it - buy it for some of your friends and family. What a great gift idea!
Another thing we're doing in the new year is teaching Amelia scripture. She's at an age where she soaks everything up and remembers EVERYTHING. If she can remember the words to "Jesus Loves Me" - she can definitely memorize Bible verses. I want to make it fun for her, so I put little motions with it which helps her remember. Her Aunt Sara made her an ABC scripture book for her birthday - there's a verse for every letter in the alphabet - cutest idea. We've been working with her for five days and she has already memorized her first scripture verse! Our goal will be to make it to the letter Z by the end of the year. If you're interested in printing a set of ABC scripture cards for your little one - you can find them at www.icanteachmychild.com No better gift you can give your child than the gift of God's Word.
"So love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Memorize his laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you're at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning." -Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Here's her first scripture verse.
Brought to you by the letter "A"
"...As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15
"How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." -Psalm 119:9-11
Love to all,
Another thing we're doing in the new year is teaching Amelia scripture. She's at an age where she soaks everything up and remembers EVERYTHING. If she can remember the words to "Jesus Loves Me" - she can definitely memorize Bible verses. I want to make it fun for her, so I put little motions with it which helps her remember. Her Aunt Sara made her an ABC scripture book for her birthday - there's a verse for every letter in the alphabet - cutest idea. We've been working with her for five days and she has already memorized her first scripture verse! Our goal will be to make it to the letter Z by the end of the year. If you're interested in printing a set of ABC scripture cards for your little one - you can find them at www.icanteachmychild.com No better gift you can give your child than the gift of God's Word.
"So love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Memorize his laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you're at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning." -Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Here's her first scripture verse.
Brought to you by the letter "A"
"...As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15
"How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." -Psalm 119:9-11
Love to all,
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year!
We brought in the New Year watching "While You Were Sleeping", "The Santa Clause", and "Caillou." We also ate, played on the ipad, napped, and ate some more.
All while wearing a tutu.
Around 11:00, we went ahead and toasted the New Year with our non-alcoholic sparkling peach beverage. Amelia didn't make it much later than 11:15, Alex went to bed around 11:30, and I watched the ball drop at midnight.
I'm not big on resolutions but Alex and I are big on goals. We sit down together at the beginning of the New Year and list our goals as a family. I went over our goals from last year and there were several we reached - several we did not. I'm sure several of the 2011 goals will end up on the 2012 list as well.
I'm always excited for a new year and this year is no different.
I'm excited to meet our new baby girl in March 2012 - not very far away.
I'm excited to clean/organize house to prepare for her arrival.
I've been praying about my goals for the new year. I know life will be busy with a new baby but I want Him to be my focus in 2012, even with a new little one who will need much of my attention and time.
He has already laid a couple of people on my heart that I know I'm supposed to reach out to...show them His love every chance I can get. I find it so easy to get caught up in my wants, my needs, me-time, me, me, me. We're naturally self-absorbed, but living for self goes against everything His Word teaches. I don't just want to talk about wanting to spend more time in His Word or wanting to live a life that honors Him. I want to HAVE it and LIVE it daily. I have a vital role in how much I grow in the Lord...that's all on me...no one else.
My brother-in-law preached his father's funeral last week and part of what he spoke on was dying to self.
Dying to self leads to LIFE...an abundant life.
I want the first thing on my mind to be someone else other than myself when I wake up in the mornings. What can I do for someone else today?
Many days it will simply be what I can do for my husband and daughter. Just putting my own wants/desires aside and putting them first. As much as I love Alex and Amelia, some days are easier to do that than others. Usually the days that I'm really tired are the days that it's hard.
This season of life that I'm in brings a larger size than I care to wear, dark circles under my eyes, unmanicured nails, untweezed eyebrows, super-sized amounts of coffee to function, and when Sydney arrives - very little sleep. But this I know...I can still reflect Jesus to my family and those around me during this season. It's not always easy but it's what pleases Him.
To live the life of Christ and not my own...that will be my #1 goal.
Wishing you a blessed New Year!
Love to all,
All while wearing a tutu.
Around 11:00, we went ahead and toasted the New Year with our non-alcoholic sparkling peach beverage. Amelia didn't make it much later than 11:15, Alex went to bed around 11:30, and I watched the ball drop at midnight.
I'm not big on resolutions but Alex and I are big on goals. We sit down together at the beginning of the New Year and list our goals as a family. I went over our goals from last year and there were several we reached - several we did not. I'm sure several of the 2011 goals will end up on the 2012 list as well.
I'm always excited for a new year and this year is no different.
I'm excited to meet our new baby girl in March 2012 - not very far away.
I'm excited to clean/organize house to prepare for her arrival.
I've been praying about my goals for the new year. I know life will be busy with a new baby but I want Him to be my focus in 2012, even with a new little one who will need much of my attention and time.
He has already laid a couple of people on my heart that I know I'm supposed to reach out to...show them His love every chance I can get. I find it so easy to get caught up in my wants, my needs, me-time, me, me, me. We're naturally self-absorbed, but living for self goes against everything His Word teaches. I don't just want to talk about wanting to spend more time in His Word or wanting to live a life that honors Him. I want to HAVE it and LIVE it daily. I have a vital role in how much I grow in the Lord...that's all on me...no one else.
My brother-in-law preached his father's funeral last week and part of what he spoke on was dying to self.
Dying to self leads to LIFE...an abundant life.
I want the first thing on my mind to be someone else other than myself when I wake up in the mornings. What can I do for someone else today?
Many days it will simply be what I can do for my husband and daughter. Just putting my own wants/desires aside and putting them first. As much as I love Alex and Amelia, some days are easier to do that than others. Usually the days that I'm really tired are the days that it's hard.
This season of life that I'm in brings a larger size than I care to wear, dark circles under my eyes, unmanicured nails, untweezed eyebrows, super-sized amounts of coffee to function, and when Sydney arrives - very little sleep. But this I know...I can still reflect Jesus to my family and those around me during this season. It's not always easy but it's what pleases Him.
To live the life of Christ and not my own...that will be my #1 goal.
Wishing you a blessed New Year!
Love to all,
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,
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,
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Goodbye 2010...
I feel like this post is sort of cluttered, but in all honesty, I'm feeling a little cluttered right now. If you could see my house and my garage (oh heavens if you could see my garage, you would call the garage police) and would understand what I mean.
So if you can - just read through the clutter.
About a month ago, I started reading through my old posts, starting in January. I found myself laughing and crying over things all over again!
2010 has been a good year. At times, a hard year. God has grown me in several areas and for that I am grateful. I have to admit though - with the growth came growing pains.
Amelia has made this a wonderful year. She has grown so much in just a years time. We of course think she's terribly smart and love it when she starts saying or doing something new. She brings a joy that nothing else could bring. With that joy comes some pain. Parenting is not for the weak of heart. She IS my heart, running around on two legs. To see her hurt or sick breaks my heart and has brought me to tears many times. It's painful to have to correct her constantly...though I know it's for her own good. God has taught me a new level of love & patience through motherhood. It really is a privilege to be called Mommy and to stay at home with Amelia. I don't take one second for granted.
Alex and I have experienced loss in different ways in 2010. We lost 3 grandparents this year. There's joy in knowing we will see them again, but I do wish that Amelia would have had the opportunity to know them.
We've experienced loss in ministry. Whether it be friends that were ministering along side us or church members that have left - it's always painful to experience that loss. There have been times where I'm so tired and I look at Alex and say, "are you sure we're supposed to be doing this?" He always answers, "has God told you otherwise?" I have to answer honestly and say, "no, He hasn't." One of the things God has taught me through ministering this year is to love freely and forgive quickly. We're definitely not perfect and we're blessed to have a church that loves and supports us.
I have been blogging for almost 3 years now and have met some amazing women because of it. There are many days that I wish I lived in the same city as many of you, so we could grab a coffee and talk about life. I had a chance to meet up with some blogging friends this year and it was such a fun time. Every one of these girls are funny, beautiful, Godly women...what a treat to get to visit with them face to face!
I'm truly looking forward to 2011. I want to know Him more. I want to give more. I want to be a better wife, mother, daughter, friend.
And I have to tell ya, I'm trusting Him for some miracles. I have so many friends that are still waiting. I remember how it felt for another year to pass and still no baby. Just know that I'm praying for each and every one of you. I'm asking Him to open your womb and to bless you in 2011! He can do it, girls. Just ask Him. And then believe what He tells you. And then hang on to it. Don't let the devil slip in and take that from you. You are His precious child and He is able!! And on the days that you start to give up - email me, so I can email you back some scripture and give you a pep talk!! I mean it. I love you all, dearly.
Happy New Year, sweet friends!
Love to all,
So if you can - just read through the clutter.
About a month ago, I started reading through my old posts, starting in January. I found myself laughing and crying over things all over again!
2010 has been a good year. At times, a hard year. God has grown me in several areas and for that I am grateful. I have to admit though - with the growth came growing pains.
Amelia has made this a wonderful year. She has grown so much in just a years time. We of course think she's terribly smart and love it when she starts saying or doing something new. She brings a joy that nothing else could bring. With that joy comes some pain. Parenting is not for the weak of heart. She IS my heart, running around on two legs. To see her hurt or sick breaks my heart and has brought me to tears many times. It's painful to have to correct her constantly...though I know it's for her own good. God has taught me a new level of love & patience through motherhood. It really is a privilege to be called Mommy and to stay at home with Amelia. I don't take one second for granted.
Alex and I have experienced loss in different ways in 2010. We lost 3 grandparents this year. There's joy in knowing we will see them again, but I do wish that Amelia would have had the opportunity to know them.
We've experienced loss in ministry. Whether it be friends that were ministering along side us or church members that have left - it's always painful to experience that loss. There have been times where I'm so tired and I look at Alex and say, "are you sure we're supposed to be doing this?" He always answers, "has God told you otherwise?" I have to answer honestly and say, "no, He hasn't." One of the things God has taught me through ministering this year is to love freely and forgive quickly. We're definitely not perfect and we're blessed to have a church that loves and supports us.
I have been blogging for almost 3 years now and have met some amazing women because of it. There are many days that I wish I lived in the same city as many of you, so we could grab a coffee and talk about life. I had a chance to meet up with some blogging friends this year and it was such a fun time. Every one of these girls are funny, beautiful, Godly women...what a treat to get to visit with them face to face!
I'm truly looking forward to 2011. I want to know Him more. I want to give more. I want to be a better wife, mother, daughter, friend.
And I have to tell ya, I'm trusting Him for some miracles. I have so many friends that are still waiting. I remember how it felt for another year to pass and still no baby. Just know that I'm praying for each and every one of you. I'm asking Him to open your womb and to bless you in 2011! He can do it, girls. Just ask Him. And then believe what He tells you. And then hang on to it. Don't let the devil slip in and take that from you. You are His precious child and He is able!! And on the days that you start to give up - email me, so I can email you back some scripture and give you a pep talk!! I mean it. I love you all, dearly.
Happy New Year, sweet friends!
Love to all,
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