Weekly Dozen Goals

I had a great week this past week in regards to goals.  This is not all I accomplish in a week, but they are areas where I need the extra push to keep moving.  


Last Week's Goals:

SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1.  Memorize Ephesians 1:10-12 and Review 1:1-9  This was a hard section of verses to memorize this week, but I  made it!
2. Continue with GMG's study of the book of Ephesians.  I am enjoying this slow study of Ephesians!

HEALTH and FITNESS
3. Walk 3 miles this week. - I walked 2 miles this week!  It was a chilly walk, but it was refreshing!

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
4.  Create and blog weekly menu.
5.  Weekly Challenge - Refrigerator and Freezers (I plan to try to work in the cleaning of my large pantry and the remaining cupboards as well!)  I got the weekly challenge completed this week.  I am thrilled especially since I was a bit under the weather the first three or four days of the week.
6.  Fix one new recipe this week.  I made a new potato soup recipe and my husband said that it was the best potato soup he had ever eaten.

FAMILY GOALS
7. Have each child write one thank you note this week.  All 5 kids wrote one thank you note each and three of them wrote a second note.


We enjoyed watching  Courageous  together as a family on Friday night.

HOBBIES
8. Knit a scarf using Red Heart Sashay yarn.   I finished the scarf and wore it!
9.Crochet 10 rows on baby afghan.  I completed 20+ rows.

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Finish reading  Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  It was a thought provoking read.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. File cards in card organizer and make a list of cards I need to purchase for next 5 months.
12. Write 2 thank you notes this week.  The last of my thank you notes for now.

This Week's Goals:
SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1.  Memorize Ephesians 1:13-15 and review 1:1-12

HEALTH and FITNESS
2. Walk 3 miles this week.

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
3.  Create and blog weekly menu.
4.  Weekly Challenge - Recipes
5.  Fix one new recipe this week.

FAMILY GOALS
6. Have each child finish writing their thank you notes this week.
7. Pursue the possibility of piano lessons for two of the kids.

HOBBIES
8. Finish crocheting soft peach baby afghan.
9. Blog one photo this week

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Read five chapters from Today Matters by John C Maxwell

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. Send one handwritten note/card this week
12. Purchase baby gift for my new nephew.

Menu Plan

Monday - Stuffed Peppers

Tuesday -Beef and Bean Burritos Chef Salad using leftover grilled chicken from Sunday dinner

Wednesday -  Potato Soup, French Bread

Thursday - Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes, Broccoli, Salad

Friday - Chicken Pot Pie and Cottage Cheese

Saturday - Chili and Cornbread

Sunday - Turkey Breast, Mashed Potatoes, Noodles, Stuffing, Green Beans  Grilled Ribeye Steak, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, and Salad

Weekly Dozen Goals

Last Week's Goals:


SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1.  Memorize Ephesians 1:7-9 and Review 1:1-6
2. Continue reading through my Bible utilizing a chronological reading plan.

HEALTH and FITNESS
3. Walk 3 miles this week. - I walked 2 miles this week.

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
4.  Create and blog weekly menu.
5.  Weekly Challenge - Kitchen Pantry and Food Storage Areas (If I have time, I am going to try and do the Kitchen Cupboards that I didn't complete this past week.)  I got my kitchen pantry cleaned out and two-thirds of my baking cupboard, but I did not get my large pantry cleaned out.  I also got my last counter cleaned off from week one!  That makes me really happy!  

FAMILY GOALS
6. Help Briana finish crocheting a granny square.
7. Have a family game night   We played Big Boggle and I won! I think I need to play with my sister, Heidi, again and see if I can finally beat her! :) We also had Chubby Hubby Rice Krispies Treats for a snack!

FINANANCIAL
8. Develop a family budget


HOBBIES
9.  Finish knitting Butterfly Wash Cloth.

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Read one-half of Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. Write and mail two thank you notes!
12.Prepare and mail two birthday cards!


This Week's Goals:

SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1.  Memorize Ephesians 1:10-12 and Review 1:1-9
2. Continue with GMG's study of the book of Ephesians.

HEALTH and FITNESS
3. Walk 3 miles this week.

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
4.  Create and blog weekly menu.
5.  Weekly Challenge - Refrigerator and Freezer (I plan to try to work in the cleaning of my large pantry and the remaining cupboards as well!)
6.  Fix one new recipe this week.

FAMILY GOALS
7. Have each child write one thank you note this week.

HOBBIES
8. Knit a scarf using Red Heart Sashay yarn.
9.Crochet 10 rows on afghan.

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Finish reading  Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. File cards in card organizer and make a list of cards I need to purchase for next 5 months.
12. Write 2 thank you notes this week.

Menu Plan

Monday - Cheesy Potatoes, Sloppy Joes, Mixed Veggies

Tuesday -Roast, Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Honey Glazed Carrots, Cottage Cheese (Leftover from Sunday dinner)

Wednesday -  Potato Soup, French Bread

Thursday -Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad

Friday -Scalloped Potatoes, Meatloaf, Green Beans or Broccoli, Salad  - Chinese

Saturday - Pizza

Sunday - Baked Potatoes, Barbecue Ribs, Mixed Veggies, Cherry Fluff, Rolls 
               Grilled Chicken, Baked Potatoes Mixed Veggies, Fruit Salad

My Weekly Dozen - Goals

Setting goals has been a very helpful thing for me to do.  I have gotten things accomplished this week that I would have otherwise not thought to do or would have put off until a later time.


Last Week's Goals:


SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1.  Memorize Ephesians 1:4-6 and review 1:1-3
2. Continue reading through my Bible utilizing a chronological reading plan.

HEALTH and FITNESS
3. Walk 6 miles this week (This was not the week to get back into an exercise routine.  I had too many other routines, I was trying to resume.  Hopefully, I can resume this one next week. I think I will set a smaller goal  and build as I go. I don't really think I am ready to go from 0 to 6 in one week after being off for a good month.)

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
4.  Create and blog weekly menu
5.  Weekly Challenge - Clean out and reorganize all kitchen drawers and cupboards. (I got the drawers done, but did not get my cupboards finished.)

FAMILY GOALS
6.  Educational Field Trip - cancelled
7.  Ice Skating Party
8.  Family Birthday Party for Alex

HOBBIES
9.  Finish knitting Waffle Knit Dishcloth   (My first completed knitting project! - I taught myself to knit over the holidays.  During our time together with my sisters this Christmas, at one point we were all sitting together learning to cast on and knit.  It was a great time!)

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Finish reading Preparing for Adolescence by Dr. James Dobson and pick up Crazy Love from Library.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11.Put together a supply list for the homemade gift I am making for my mother and sisters for next Christmas.
12. Upload family pictures from Christmas to Walgreens for Mom.


This Week's Goals:


SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1.  Memorize Ephesians 1:7-9 and Review 1:1-6
2. Continue reading through my Bible utilizing a chronological reading plan.

HEALTH and FITNESS
3. Walk 3 miles this week.

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS5
4.  Create and blog weekly menu.
5.  Weekly Challenge - Kitchen Pantry and Food Storage Areas (If I have time, I am going to try and do the Kitchen Cupboards that I didn't complete this past week.)

FAMILY GOALS
6. Help Briana finish crocheting a granny square.
7. Have a family game night

FINANANCIAL
8. Develop a family budget


HOBBIES
9.  Finish knitting Butterfly Wash Cloth.

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Read one-half of Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. Write and mail two thank you notes!
12.Prepare and mail two birthday cards!

Happy Birthday, Alex

Happy Birthday, Alex! My baby boy turned 11 today.  He was thrilled with the lab coat that he got for his birthday.  We even had to take pictures of him with his cake while he was wearing it.

Menu Plan

Monday - Baked Potatoes, Chicken Divan, and Fruit Salad (Leftover from Alex's birthday dinner.)

Tuesday -Rice, Chicken Baked Pork Chops, Stuffing, Peas, Applesauce (Leftover from Sunday dinner)

Wednesday -  Spaghetti, Corn, Breadsticks

Thursday - Chicken Tacos (minus the cumin), Mexican Rice, Quick and Easy Black Beans

Friday - Chef Salad

Saturday - Red Robin

Sunday - Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Noodles, Carrots, Cottage Cheese, Chocolate Pie

Weekly Dozen - Goals

Last year I followed 3 in 30 in making three goals each month.  I only set goals for half the year, but I did find that it really helped me the months I set definite goals.  I have decided that this year I am going to set more than 3 goals in a given month so will not be using 3 in 30.  I have read quite a bit about setting SMART goals through Money Saving Mom's website, and I have decided to use her thoughts as a basis for my goal setting this year.  I am still working on my list of yearly goals, but I  have gone ahead and put together a list of goals for this week based on the rough draft of my yearly goals.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1.  Memorize Ephesians 1:4-6 and review 1:1-3
2. Continue reading through my Bible utilizing a chronological reading plan.

HEALTH and FITNESS
3. Walk 6 miles this week

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
4.  Create and blog weekly menu
5.  Weekly Challenge - Clean out and reorganize all kitchen cupboards and drawers.

FAMILY GOALS
6.  Educational Field Trip
7.  Ice Skating Party
8.  Family Birthday Party for Alex

HOBBIES
9.  Finish knitting Waffle Knit Dishcloth

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Finish reading Preparing for Adolescence by Dr. James Dobson and pick up Crazy Love from Library.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11.Put together a supply list for the homemade gift I am making for my mother and sisters for next Christmas.
12. Upload family pictures from Christmas to Walgreens for Mom.

Menu Plan

Monday - Eggnog French Toast, Eggs, and Bacon

Tuesday - Lasagna, Green Beans, Salad

Wednesday -  Tuna Patties, Macaroni and Cheese, Lima Beans

Thursday - Taco Soup

Friday - Chinese

Saturday - (Alex's Birthday) - Baked Potatoes, Chicken Divan, Strawberry Fresca, Chocolate Bundt Cake

Sunday - Chicken Baked Pork Chops, Rice, Stuffing, Applesauce, Peas, Chocolate Cake

Time Marches On!

Our current Christmas family photo along with ones dating back to 2003.  I am assuming that it was 2003 when we got our first digital camera, because that is as far as our photos go back. Oh, how quickly time has moved on.

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2006

Christmas 2005

Fall 2005

Christmas 2004

Christmas 2003

The Evening Sky

A beautiful sunset behind our home this evening!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Jeff, Dixie,

Curtis, Samuel, Alex,

Briana, and Julissa

Mini Vacation in August with Grandma

In August of this year, we went on a mini vacation with my mom.  We went to Springfield, Illinois and visited many places that related to Abraham Lincoln and we also went to Missouri and visited  the home of Mark Twain.  I will post a few of the pictures from our time together.

The kids enjoyed dressing up with costumes from the time period of Lincoln. 

L to R: Samuel, Briana, Julissa, and Alex

Curtis and Grandma were shopping in the bookstore!

The kids are standing in front of the Lincoln Family. 

Julissa, Alex, and Briana enjoying themselves in the play area at the Lincoln Museum.

Samuel and Alex thoroughly enjoying being dressed the part.

Alex peeking over Samuel's shoulder.

The above pictures were all taken at the Lincoln Presidential Museum.

There was a miniature golf course not too far from our hotel, so we took advantage of it.  We enjoyed playing miniature golf with my mom.  I believe this was the first time she had ever played.

Curtis, Mom, and I

The next group of pictures were taken at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site.

Curtis, Samuel, Alex, Briana, and Julissa

Grandma and her grandkids

Mom and I

Julissa

Briana

Alex

Samuel

Curtis

Curtis and Samuel

Now we are getting ready to tour Lincoln's home in Springfield, IL.

Lincoln's Singing Troubadours at the visitor center to Lincoln's home.  This group did a wonderful job singing acapella. I believe I could have sat there and listened to them for hours.

After touring the Lincoln Home, we got to listen to Mr. Lincoln talk in his backyard.  Curtis is listening intently to what he has to say.

Mr. Lincoln

Briana and Julissa with Mr. Lincoln

Julissa and Briana with Mrs. Lincoln

Lincoln's Tomb