Wednesday, February 6, 2013

2013 Goals: January Update


January FLEW by! Some of these goals I forgot about much less attempted to accomplish this month! Going down the list here is what I did and didn't do...

1) Read the New Testament through every month.

This DID get done! Pete and I are pretty good at keeping each other accountable to our New Testament reading. February will be a challenge since it is a short month!

2) Read the Old Testament through in a year.

"2 1/2 chapters a day. Not bad at all!" I am quoted as saying when I began. This has proven more difficult for me than the larger New Testament reading. Probably because I don't have a set time to read this like I do the New Testament. I am currently about 4 days behind. I have every intention of catching up.

3) Crochet at least 4 blankets for the Truman hospital.

I did start this project. I chose to make a Chunky Crochet Blanket for my first attempt. It is very easy but I haven't devoted much time to it so it is slow going. I am making it 4 ft. wide and 5-6 feet long. I probably have about 4 in. on the length right now. LOL


4) Learn to Knit and make 4 small projects.

Hmmm.... well I looked at this 1 time and kind of learned to cast on. This goal needs MUCH more work!

5) Have 6 $30 dinner parties.

I actually intended to have a dinner party for the super bowl. But life happened. We did have a fun get together with our college group at church and some friends but as far as $30, 'dinner party', or any pictures, tips, or recipes worth blogging this was a big zero! So I am still sitting at 6.

6) Switch blog over to .com.

This actually got some thought this month. Action? No. But thought yes.

7) Apply for all adoption grants and loans possible.

This fell short as well. There are several applications that I still need to fill out. However, we had a major praise on this end in January! We did hear back from one of our applications for a loan and they are willing to put up some of the end money we will need. This is usually referred to as "bring them home" money. It can cover things like lawyer fees, the mom’s hospital fees, any outstanding balance with our agency, stuff like that. We are so extremely happy to have this loan on our side! Praise God for answered prayers!

8) Fund raiser for adoption (make a written plan for fundraising)

I have a loose plan right now. I will be making it more concrete. It includes things such as yard sale, selling items on Etsy, and selling through consignment stores. I have done that last one before with some success. I go to yard sales and goodwills and find name brand items that I know my local consignment store will take. (I only buy them if they are $1-$2) I take them home, launder them, press them, and take them to the store. They sell them and cut me a check. It isn't lucrative but it is more than what I had before.

9) Become more active and deliberate in Landon's schooling every day.

This has improved... still needs work!

10) Go on at least 1 date a month with my husband.


January was so busy but we did manage to squeeze in going to see Les Miserables. I love hanging out with my husband. I wish we could more!

11) Redecorate our bedroom.

I looked at color pallets. I can't decide.

12 and 13) Redecorate Landon's bedroom and organize the craft room.

I have decided to switch Landon's room to the craft room and vice a versa. We can't do this until Pete finds time to make Landon a loft bed for his new room. He has a full bed now. That and his toys will not fit into the smaller room. So, both of these projects are on hold for now.

What DID I do all month??

A few of the things I was able to do this month that were not on my list -

I made homemade laundry soap! I used a box of Borax, baking soda, Oxy Clean, a grated bar of Zot soap, and Purex Crystals.

I had made this before but left out the Oxy Clean and Purex for cost sake and I didn't like it much at all. This time I LOVE it! It smells SOOO good! And a friend of mine informed me you are only supposed to use 2 tbsp. a load! It makes a lot so it will last forever!


I made my new brother-in-law a cake for his birthday and helped my sister throw him a "Smallville" party. It was fun!


And, I got a job in January, although I didn't officially start until a few days ago. I am now the administrative assistant for Youth Frameworks . I am super excited about this new opportunity! (Check out the link!) However, with me having more responsibilities our house hold had to become more organized and structured. I don't mind the organized it is the structured I usually cringe at, but so far so good. The guys have picked up so much slack to help me! I am truly blessed with a wonderful family!

Full month right? And February is shaping up to be the same! I am hoping to make some good strides on my goals this month. Key word being "hoping".

Have you been keeping up with your goals for 2013? I would really love to hear about them! Feel free to leave a comment!
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