Goals Update for 2009

The below list is the goals I posted on my blog at the end of December for my 2009 goals. This will be a monthly update on how I am doing.

Personal Goals:
Lose 25 pounds - lost 3 pounds without trying to hard
Stop drinking soda (I know .. Dr. Pepper is a soda) - not yet
Spend more time reading to my children. - reading time is up with Jack need to work on time to read more for fun with Allison.
More mother daughter days with Lindsey...she is getting older and busier. - need to plan this one
Read the the Bible this year using Motivated Mom's schedule. - on schedule so far
Go to bed by 10 PM no later and get up by 6:30 AM daily. - not happening

Homeschooling Goals:
More read aloud time. - working on this for fun suff - we read aloud alot with school.
Involve Jack more in the lessons when possible. - Jack has days that he wants to do school and doesn't want to do school so we are just going by what he is interested in.
Branch out with Allison to include more art, cooking, sewing, in addition to the core subjects. - started learning to embroider together and working well on our first projects.
More arts & crafts with the kiddos.
Bi-weekly planned trips to the library.
Looking at changing our calendar to year around possibly. - planned out 3 different versions of next years school calendar ... still trying to decide.

Financial Goals:
Live on a budget. - trying hard.
Live on a budget. (needed to say that one again) - still trying.
Cook at home. Only one meal per month out. - we did not make this one this month.
Pay down debt. - we did pay down some debt this month.
Work with Allison & Jack on giving, spending, & saving money they earn. - DH started Allison with her jars saving, spending, & giving. She takes her bi-weekly allowance and divides it 3 ways and is doing well so far.
Teach Lindsey to balance her checkbook. - nothing to update here

Homemaking Goals:
Set a chore chart with kids and follow. - Allison is doing well with her chores and check off chart that we are using.
Teach Allison how to clean her bathroom.
Start letting Allison plan meals and help cook more.
Try at least one new recipe a month. - we tried 2 new recipes this month.
Back to menu planning for the month. - planned for the month...just need to follow it more closely.
Back to once a month grocery shopping!! - this worked well, but we did find some items we did not purchase enough of and needed to make little trips in to the grocery store.
Declutter home. - working on this one. I tackled my bedroom and it feels much better without piles of stuff.
Declutter attic....this is separate from the home and needs a weekend or 3.
Work on sewing skills with sewing machine. - made my first apron.
Learn and teach Allison to embroider. - We are working on our embroidery photo's to come soon.

I think I am on a good track .... lets just keep the momentum up!!!
Good Luck - on your 2009 goals!!!

Double Digits

Glitter Graphics Maker & MySpace Layouts

A - Artistic

L - Loving

L - Long Winded

I - Intelligent

S - Sensitive

O - Open
N - Never a dull moment!!!

Welcome to double digits.

There is no going back now kiddo!!!

We love you!!!

Mom, Dad, Lindsey & Jack

Pictures to share

This week I finished my first apron that I have ever sewn. I received a sewing machine for Christmas and this month I have cut my first pattern out and sewed together my first apron. Allison quickly claimed it as hers....so she willingly modeled it.

I also wanted to show off the beautiful flowers my husband brought home to me this week. My husband is always taking care of me without me ever asking. He always does little things to let me know he appreciates me.




My final picture I wanted to share for the week is a picture of our snow flake quesadilla's. I saw this on a blog somewhere and thought it was a cute idea....so earlier this week when we were suppose to get snow I thought this made a perfect lunch. (Unfortunately this was more snow than we received here :O(

***and yes each one was different just like true snowflakes!!!***

Sunday Allison turns 10 and we will be celebrating all weekend!!! I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Family Pets

Dolly

is our puppy she is about 14 wks old and weighs 8.5 pounds and should not get alot bigger according to the vet.

Oreo

is Allison's dwarf rabbit that Santa so graciously left under our tree.

Ricco

is a Black Moor and I believe he is from the goldfish family.

Sorry about the bad picture of Ricco ... he would not corporate!

Love Dare #10

Love Dare - Day 10

Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse.

Romans 5:8

Kit Pack Sale

In the Hands of a Child

Kit Pack Sale Announcement




January 12, 2009
Dear Valued Customers,
Due to the new CPSIA law In the Hands of a Child, for the time being, is discounting our Kit Pack inventory in order to lessen our possible loss in the event that an exemption is not granted.

While we are still praying for this situation to work out for all small businesses we feel that it is in our best interest to lessen our possible loss. And what better way than to pass the savings on to you, our wonderful customers, who are praying with us through this difficult situation!!

Please help us clear our shelves and enjoy a 35% savings on all Kit Packs!! Savings will be automatic! Spread the word and help us empty the shelves!!

This sale will continue until our Kit Pack inventory has been exhausted, so purchases will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

Once they are gone, they are gone!

In the event the law is modified, In the Hands of a Child reserves the right to bring back Kit Packs in the future at full price without any discount, implied or expressed, during this sale.

Cannot be combined with any other offer, special, discount, coupon or sale. Super Member discount DOES NOT apply to this sale.Tax and Shipping not included in calculating discount price. Not valid toward prior purchases. No rainchecks.

DO YOU HAVE A BLOG? YOU CAN RECEIVE A FREE KIT PACK!

Help us spread the word by posting the above notice on your blog. Then place an order for at least 1 Kit Pack, email us the link to your blog where the notice is posted along with your order number and your choice of Kit Pack and we’ll add it to your order.
How easy is that?*

*Please note customer is responsible for shipping costs for free Kit Pack, shipping will be combined with original order if email is received same day as order is placed notifying us of blog posting.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday, January 12, 2009

Outside my window...the sun is finally shining again

I am thinking...of all the things we will be doing today.

I am thankful for...the smiling faces that greeted me this morning eager to get back to school work today.

From the learning rooms...we are digging in with both heels. It is so hard to believe the year is half over with. In addition to the studies we have been doing 2 days a week we will add geography and cover the 50 states symbols, and capitals.

From the kitchen...the smell of pancakes from breakfast.

I am wearing...my favorite denim skirt, long sleeve pink tshirt, pink socks with orange fish on them.

I am creating...working on an apron with my new sewing machine. I have never really used a sewing machine so this has proved to be a small challenge. I did cut out my first pattern and I think I did it correct :O0

I am going...no where this afternoon went to the dentist with Allison this morning.

I am reading... my bible using Motivated Mom's bible plan to read through your bible in a year.

I am hoping...that my husband has his review this week.

I am hearing...the rustling of papers as Allison is working on seat work.

Around the house... there is a mess everywhere. I think I took this break seriously and now it shows. Need to get busy today.

One of my favorite things...snuggling with my kiddo's.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Clean, Clean, Clean....my focus this week is on getting things back on a routine and cleaning up the house.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Thomas the Tank engines track....my children have built many many different type of tracks since Christmas. I love to see them work together no matter how brief the time :O)

Back at it!!!

I can admit that I missed school and a routine. There was more bickering, more I am board, more what can I do now. I even used the I'll get to it later only to discover the next day that later just did not make it into my events for the day.



Breath.....Hold...Exhale.....I feel better already. A great breakfast is planned and we have a new chore chart to follow, and school is planned all papers gathered and we have a schedule.



Note to self ... next year not so much time off after Christmas....maybe before :O)



Have a blessed Monday... I have to get going gotta run on the tread mill this morning!!!

Menu Planning Monday

This is a little early, but I know we will hit the ground running in the morning. I plan to start walking on our tread mill, and we have a 8:30 am dentist appt, and school starts back....whew!!! I hope everyone has a great week.

Monday - Spaghetti & Cheesy Biscuits

Tuesday - Salmon, Rice, Green Beans

Wednesday - BBQ Chicken, English Peas, Mac - N - Cheese

Thursday - Chicken Enchiladas

Friday - Homemade Pizza

Saturday - Hamburgers

Sunday - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Corn on the Cob

Have a great week!!!

Love Dare #4

Love Dare - Day 4

Contact your spouse sometime during the day and ask how he

or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.

Psalm 139: 17-18

Today it will be my turn. My husband is really sweet and checks on me and the kiddos several times a day. This afternoon I will check on him and see if there is anything I can do for him.

Have a blessed day!!

Love Dare # 3

Love Dare # 3

Your Daily Love Dare
Starting this month, FamilyLife® is challenging couples to "love like you mean it" by joining our 40-day Love Dare challenge. Based on the Love Dare book from the movie Fireproof, the challenge is a practical way for you to practice unconditional love and transform your marriage by applying simple, biblical principles to your everyday life.
Every day from January 5th to February 13th, we’ll give you a Love Dare for the day for you to put into practice and show love to your spouse. Then, at the end of the challenge, we encourage you to celebrate your spouse with a special Valentine’s Day date.

I think this is a neat idea. So I am starting a couple of days late, but really looking forward to it. My husband always does little things for me, and I always try to make sure he knows I am thankful for him and all that he does.

So now onto Dare # 3

Love Dare - Day 3
Buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking about you today.

Romans 12:10

Our favorite snack is a snickers candy bar. So I am going to grab one today to slip into his lunch when I make it tonight. (technically he will not get his something special until tommorrow, but it still counts right :O).

New look....maybe....

Playing with my blog so please forgive me for the crazy look.

Have a great week!!!

Menu Planning Monday

We are trying to get back to normal this week. Lindsey goes back to school on Wednesday. As for Allison we did not take off at the same time Lindsey did so we will not get back to the books until Monday the 12th. So this week is semi normal.

Monday - BBQ chicken, Baked Potatoes, & Corn on the Cob
Tuesday - Potato Soup, & Homemade Biscuits
Wednesday - Chicken Noodle Casserole
Thursday - Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo
Friday - Homemade Pizza

Have a great week!!!

New Curtains

My MIL gave Jonathan and I new curtains for our kitchen and living room for Christmas we put the ones in the living room up today. So I was only bright enough to take pictures of the living room. They are a huge improvement over our bare windows from before! Thank you Grandma Marilyn :O)

Christmas Eve Photo's

This post is photo heavy ... please be patient!

Grandma Marilyn & SIL Heather ready to eat...
Some of the delicious spread...BIL Chris digging in ...2 of my niece's Taylor & Haley with LindseyKiddo's are ready to eat....

Awww.... Grandma & Grandpa under the missile toeMy nephews Christian & Colin with my other niece Riley & Jack...ready to open presentsAll the grand kids lined up and ready ..... someone just say the word....
BIL JR & his pup Maverick

My family...

Chris, Kristy, Christian & Colin

Jr my husband's youngest brother & all the grand kids. Heather, Haley , Taylor, & Riley

My husband with his Mom & Dad and 2 of his 3 brothers.

Us Kids....

Christmas Eve was fun as it always is when we all get together like that. We were missing one, Farley could not be with his, but all present had a good time. There is always lots of laughing and fun. The kids opened their presents and then started playing there was bags of wrapping paper, and then the evening wound down as we all packed up and said our goodbyes to head home to get in the bed ....just in time for Santa.

Christmas Day @ Mawmaw's House

I only have a couple of good shots from my grandmothers.


From Left to Right: My Mom, Aunt Kim, Allison, Me, Mawmaw, Lindsey, & Jack. From L to R :
Jack, Me, Mawmaw, & Lindsey

We had a great time with family we don't often get to see. My cousin Katie & her husband Jared were down from VA and we all had a great time visiting with one another. Another wonderful Christmas in the books!!!