January Evaluation

Spiritual

• Read through the entire Bible in a year following a chronological reading plan (On track to do this)
• Memorize a verse a week (for full disclosure I am starting with verses that I have previously memorized but have lost full memory of) So far so good, this month memorized Colossians 3:12-17 and 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Spend 30 minutes daily concentrated on prayer and Bible reading (still struggling with 30 concentrated minutes on prayer, but am getting Bible reading done)
• Continue to record daily blessings to cultivate thankfulness (Goal is 10,000 things) On track
• Praying throughout the day for specified things (still developing lists and plan for this) Still need to develop plan

Personal
The 3rd week of January I did a J-term and most of the goals that have a number were not done or done little that week

• Read a book a month apart from SWI matrerial (Read Radical Womanhood)
• Journal 5 days a week (averaging about 4)
• Write (working on books) 5 days a week (averaging about 3)
• Finish my first fiction book
• Write 3 blog posts a week (If you read my blog you know this has not been happening, working on a plan to make it happen)
• Continue to meet once a month with writing group (Did this)
• Have one day a month for personal retreat time to pray, read the Bible and write (I did this over the course of 2 days as that worked better in January)
• Complete Level 1 of Rosetta Stone Russian (on track)
• Begin working on a Christ-centered prenatal/delivery/postnatal education (great conversations, hope to get a survey done in February and begin gathering data)

Marriage

• Go on a date once a month (YES! I even tried Indian food)
• Go on one overnight trip away
• Read together for 30 minutes once a week (has not happened yet)
• Discuss and plan the week to come on Sunday afternoon (This has been done)

Kids

• Take each child on a "date" once a month (YES! Sweet time with kids either with me or both Jim and I)
• Spend individual time with each child at home once a week (at least 20 minutes) Still working on making this a regular part of the week
• Work on memorizing Psalm 23 with Jamey and Lillian (coming along well)
• Finish current Pre-K curriculum with Jamey and Lillian (on track)
• Continue going to playgroup on Tuesdays (Yes!)
• (I need to develop more educational goals, so I guess a goal for this year will be learning to do this for next year)

Homemaking

• Begin a garden planting at least tomatoes (hoping to do more) not quite season for this but need to do some reasearch
• Try 1 new recipe a month (I will be trying one tomorrow, and will aim to do one more in Feb)
• Keep up with cleaning calendar (It goes back and forth, some days are better than others)
• Develop general cleaning schedule (ongoing as I see what I like and don't like about the cleaning calendar)

Health and Fitness

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes 3 days a week (I am working my way to this. This week I was able to go to 2 days of water aerobics and plan to do that continually)
• Lose 30 lbs (on track)

Ministry

• Continue hosting Women's prayer once a month (YES!)
• Email workers once a month (Done)
• Send 2 encouraging notes a month (Only got one done this month, plan to do 3 in Feb)

One Of Those Days

You know those days I am talking about. Those days when you expected things to go one way and they went completely another leaving your mind in the wind. My day, for all intensive purposes, started about 3:45 this morning. Gabriel got up to eat and I had barely drifted back to sleep when driving rain and tornado sirens woke me up. I ran to check the news and there was a severe storm headed right to us. So I stayed up wondering if we were going to need to grab kids and head to the cellar until the heart of the storm passed us. I lied back down at 4:45 and was starting to go back to sleep when Jamey and Lillian woke up for the day.
It wasn't worth the fight. I got up and took them to the living room so they would not wake Reuben. The plus side is I did my Bible reading and journal as did the kids. We ate some breakfast and I had to lie back down. I ended up falling asleep on the sofa for far longer than I meant to and did not get back up until after 8am. I started my SWI class this morning so I had planned to do several things this morning, but needless to say, they did not get done.
The highlight of my day was spending about 20 minutes with Reuben talking and playing while Jim did school with J and L. It was so precious to work with him one on one. It does not happen often and he is the one that gets left out inadvertently much of the time. So I am grateful for that.
My class was great and I'm excited to learn more about prayer as I take Lessons in Prayer with Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Ware. I will share more about this another time.
After class was lunch. Jim got ready and went to work while I put Lillian and Reuben down for nap and put a movie on for Jamey while I lied down. I set an alarm for an hour later. My alarm did not go off as somehow my phone had been turned on silent. And when I woke up my glasses were broken! I still have not figured out how it happened, but some how Jamey bent and broke my glasses and lost one of my lenses (which I eventually did find). I was furious. Why had he even played with them? I don't even know that he knows. I could not get an answer, but we were both crying and Gabriel needed to eat. It was a mess. The rest of the evening I fought losing my temper and reacting to everything. I know they are just glasses and can be replaced, but right now is not the best time to be replacing glasses for me. I don't even know when I can get to the eye doctor. So now I'm reliant on contacts and I really can't sleep in them. This makes it tricky until I figure out how to fix them or get a new pair.
I'm still frustrated but at least going to a class on prayer today has helped me to pray. God has been reminding me that He is good, my kids are a gift and He will use all things to sanctify me. Today I don't like the sanctification process. I am fighting it. The flesh and the Spirit are battling. But I know the Spirit will win because that is what I want.

More Important Things

In the past couple of weeks my plans have been shifted for various reasons. I made my goals for the year and I have done the best I can, but God is showing me I can make all the goals and plans I want, but only He can ordain them and make them come to fruition. Sunday a week ago was a day of celebration for us as my sister, Becca, was baptized. As part of the celebration my family was in town and two of Becca's friends joined us for the afternoon. It was a great time of fun, fellowship and a side of football. As a result I did not have my weekly planning done at the end of the day. I was frustrated and began to feel a little panicky as I went to bed. In the morning, though, as I prayed and worked on my planning for the week, God reminded me that people are more important than all the plans I can make. People are who Jesus came to save and it is with relationships with people that we share this with others or enjoy the fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Today a similar situation. I took time to plan my day out the night before. I woke up earlier than anticipated and ready to start the day. When I went to my sister's room I discovered she had been sick during the night, throwing a slight kink into the day. Thankfully she felt better around the time we needed to leave but not everything was done this morning. We had to rearrange some things, but thankfully Dawn and I were able to have our weekly meeting. We met longer than usual but it was such a good thing. Some things on my "to-do" list were neglected, but it was completely worth it!
There are enough hours in the day to do what God wants us to do. This is what God is teaching me as I strive to meet my goals.

Jan 21 to 27

206. Becca having the day off
207. Going to the grocery store with Jim
208. Free cookies
209. Talking with kids at lunch
210. Teaching my kids how to have a conversation
211. Coffee with Dawn
212. Watching Jamey draw
213. Reading to Lillian
214. Reuben walking around
215. Getting time to read
216. Taking an SWI J-term
217. Meeting new and wonderful women
218. Meeting a lactation consultant
219. God confirming more things
220. Fellowship
221. Sitting under the teaching of wise Godly women
222. Mrs. Mohler
223. Getting to catch up with Bekah and Rebekah
224. Mrs. Magnuson
225. Mrs. Stinson
226. Community Group starting back
227. Having brothers and sisters who are about community and being real
228. Home made mocha
229. Yummy snacks
230. Mrs. Ware
231. Mrs. Cook
232. Ann being able to help us with the kids even with her two boys
233. More conversations about education
234. Continued confirmation
235. Going to bed really early :)
236. Dr. Beougher
237. Mrs. Beougher
238. Having breakfast with Amanda
239. Getting things done early
240. Going to water aerobics
241. Gabriel sleeping through 2 days of classes and water aerobics
242. Gabriel going to bed at a decent hour and sleeping well at night
243. Mrs. York
244. Mrs. Dumas
245. Great conversations throughout the week
246. Learning about people
247. Getting to breathe and love on my kids
248. Reuben wanting to cuddle all afternoon
249. Spending the evening with Jim
250. Nice family day at home
251. Reading to my kids
252. Playing with my kids
253. Getting caught up on some stuff
254. Kids going to bed early without fuss
255. Church
256. Getting to meet local workers moving to church plan in Pittsburgh
257. Catching up with Brittany
258. Arby's turkey sandwiches
259. Fun with the family
260. Seeing Jamey's imagination come out (see story at the end of the list)
261. Watching Jamey learn to draw
262. Being encouraged by Jamey to draw more and stretch myself
263. Lillian wanting to hug and cuddle
264. Lillian keeping a clip in her hair
265. Good Rite Aid deals
266. Free Red Box movie!
267. Early kids bed time
268. At home date night with Jim
269. Watching "The Amazing Spider Man"
270. Getting some planning and scheduling done

Highlighting Jamey's imagination:
Jim has started teaching Jamey about "taking off your nose". Jamey loves this taking it literally in an imaginative way. Today Jim took off Jamey's nose and put it back. Jamey then proceeds to "take off and eat" Jim's nose, eyes, mouth and ears. Jim looks at Jamey and says, "May I have my head back?" Jamey looks at him and says quite clearly, "No you may not."
We both cracked up laughing. I love my kids!

Reflection on Mona Lisa Smile

Since the first time I saw this movie I have liked it a lot. Even with the clear feminist agenda I still enjoy this movie. I am not really sure what drew me to this movie then and I am still not sure why I like this movie today, but I am enjoying it yet again. There are parts of the movie I do not like such as some of the language and unnecessary innuendo. But perhaps what draws me to it is the struggle of the view of the home that reflects the struggle of the culture, and more than that reflects the struggle of my own heart and understanding.

I always wanted to be a nurse and a stay-at-home mom. I do not ever remember thinking anything different. I would occasionally play in my head ideas of other jobs or careers, but I always came back to nursing and knew when I had children I wanted to stay home with them. By God's grace I have been able to do that, but I have felt the tug from both my selfish nature and the world in all of it.

I have felt like I need to prove myself. I have felt I have to work. I have felt that I absolutely will not work. I have been all over the place with this especially with the idea that you have to have a degree to be anything. But Joan Brandwin played by Julia Stiles says it best when she says:

"I know exactly what I'm going and it doesn't make me any less smart...You tell us to look past the image but you don't. To you a housewife is someone who sold her soul for a center hall colonial. She has no depth, no intellect, no interest... This is what I want."

There is nothing "unsmart" to being a housewife. In fact homemakers do the job of 3 full time workers. Clearly to manage a home you have to be smart. And you don't need a degree to be smart. Degrees are useful, but not necessary.

What is really boils down to is seek the Lord in where you need to be. Though this movie does not actually say this, I see the message in it. It reminds me of what the world is missing and why I am thankful to have a relationship with God to guide me in His way and His path for me.

Jan 14 to 20

131. Gabriel sleeping 6 hours
132. Having a plan for the day
133. School going well with 3 kids
134. Jamey and Lillian both eager to learn
135. Getting caught up on Russian lessons
136. Getting the kids drawers organized
137. Writing some
138. Reading the Word
139. Time to pray alone
140. Block party at the Ivey's house
141. Connecting with more Sojourners
142. Gabriel sleeping almost 6 hours again
143. Getting all school stuff done and snack before playgroup
144. Walking to playgroup
145. Having new people and others that haven't been in awhile at playgroup
146. Coffee with Dawn
147. Jim getting to pick up some bonus hours
148. Taking dinner to Caroline
149. Cooperating kids for bed
150. Early bed time
151. BSF
152. Working with the kids this morning
153. Jim having lunch ready when we got home
154. Getting a little cleaning done
155. All 5 of us napping for a couple hours!
156. Eating dinner with Reuben while the rest slept
157. Helping Jamey with spelling (one of his favorite play activities)
158. Reading "Excellent Wife" to Lillian
159. Saying Psalm 23 with my kids
160. Easy bed time!
161. Finding out Amir is coming home! We serve a great God!
162. God teaching me about scheduling and prioritizing my time
163. Learning to really enjoy the life God has given me
164. Going to water aerobics
165. Being encouraged by Mandy Groce
166. Being challenged everyday by life
167. Time to really pray in the car
168. Feeling the Holy Spirit moving mightily in me
169. Getting 5 days of school done this week!
170. Getting 5 days of Russian lessons done this week
171. Journaling a little every day
172. Learning more about time management
173. Jim getting to work more extra hours
174. Having Jim home and a fun Friday evening
175. Watching Jamey learn to draw
176. Spending time reading to Lillian
177. Having time to talk with Jim
178. Getting to read more this week
179. Preparing for a new semester of SWI
180. Meeting new women whom I can encourage and encourage me
181. God's grace
182. Writing Group
183. Praising God with other believers
184. Learning to really rejoice in others successes without comparing
185. Jamey spontaneously giving Gabriel kisses all day
186. Lillian using the toilet!!!!!
187. Getting lots of free ebooks this week
188. Family getting here safely
189. Getting a blog post done
190. Keeping up with Bible reading this week!
191. Seeing Becca baptized this morning!!!!!
192. Learning more about God's sovereignty
193. Yummy lunch
194. Spending the afternoon with family and friends
195. Having fun conversations
196. Watching Lillian mimic worship
197. Having Jamey and Lillian learn more about baptism
198. Watching a Falcons game (even though we lost)
199. Learning from those younger than me
200. Jamey and Lillian playing together
201. Kids going to be easily
202. Reuben mostly walking!
203. Gabriel growing and getting stronger
204. Teaching Jamey to use the camera
205. Having all 4 kids in the room during a Russian lesson

JOY

Last Friday at MOMStogether we talked about Joy! What a great way to start the year and be encouraged in the Lord.

Be joyful always. Pray continuously. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

These verses have always been encouraging to me and they were the basis of our discussion. As our speaker  pointed out we are commanded to be joyful ALWAYS. But how do we do that? By praying continuously and giving thanks in all circumstances. It is an attitude of the heart.

The catch? We must have Jesus to have joy! If you have been in the Christian seen for awhile you have likely heard the acronym Jesus Others You to represent joy and this was reiterated in our discussion. To punctuate this point our speaker told us that without the J all you have is Oy, which is a Yiddish expression that means "whoa is me"! How appropriate is that? Because it is so true, without Jesus, whoa to us! We must have Jesus to have joy! The J is necessary.

How does Joy compare to happiness? In discussing with our small group we realized it depends on your understanding of the words, but for the purpose of the talk Joy is everlasting and based on Jesus. Happiness is temporary and based on circumstances. Another way to look at it is joy is the foundation and happiness is an expression of joy.

What gets in the way of joy?
Bad choices, Busyness and Bad days are a few examples. I am quite sure you can think of more.
Bad choices are fairly self explanatory. When we made bad decisions we are straying from the Lord and it will diminish our joy.
With busyness we need to evaluate our time. Pray about what you put in your schedule. If your day is filling up and there is no "J" there is a problem! Where does Jesus fit in your day? I was also encouraged by being reminded of allowing a little "Y" time. Even if it is just 15 minutes to journal, read, paint your nails or something else you enjoy, it can seriously help. I am learning this.
As for bad days, Jesus told us these would come. Many times these are not up to us. Things happen that we cannot control. When we have bad days it is ok to cry and feel emotions. It is how we respond to these days that is telling. Remember that pain is evident, misery is optional.

How do we protect and project joy in our homes?
Put on the armor of God: Ephesians 6:11-18
The armor of God calls us to stand strong in the Word and defend, not retreat. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can do that, which fills us when we pray, read the Word and seeks God's face.
Renew your mind: Romans 12:2
When we become a child of God we are given a new mind. Again we need to pray and read the Bible to renew our minds so that they are like Christ.

We also protect ourselves by not comparing and following God's plan for our lives. We are not somebody else. We are who God has made us; a unique individual made in His image. Therefore, our lives will not be the same as someone else.
Ask God what is not honoring Him in your home.
Pray continually!

We each have a unique opportunity to cultivate joy in our homes! Ask God how you can do that today.

I hope that I will project and cultivate joy in my heart and in my home. How about you? What's keeping you from experiencing God's joy? How can you project joy in your life and home?

Jan 7 to 13

61. Arising early and spending time in the Word
62. Staying on a schedule this morning
63. Starting school by 8am!
64. Having children ready and eager to learn
65. Jamey wanting to read
66. Lillian wanting to read
67. Jamey wanting to write
68. Reuben almost walking (up to about 50% of the time)
69. Gabriel growing
70. Reuben saying Hi and waving
71. Getting errand done in an hour
72. All 4 kids napping for 2 hours at the same time
73. Getting to Journal
74. Writing!!!!!
75. Blogging
76. Rising early with stamina
77. Playgroup
78. Meeting new moms and reconnecting with others after the holiday season
79. Fellowship
80. Starbucks with Dawn
81. Sisterhood
82. Getting to take the kids to the pool
83. Lillian sort of trying to swim
84. Reuben chilling in the water
85. Date night with Jim!
86. Indian food and frozen yogurt
87. Gabriel mostly cooperating while out
88. Gabriel liking the Ergo
89. Seeing Jamey learn so much so fast
90. Trying out BSF! (excited to see what all God will teach me through this)
91. Meeting new people
92. More time to write
93. Member meeting
94. Getting to talk to many Brothers and Sisters
95. Gabriel participating in member meeting
96. Free childcare
97. Yummy food
98. Having Becca to help rally the troops in chaotic situations
99. Quiet moments
100. Bible reading
101. Being able to get up early after little sleep
102. Seeing Jamey read his first word by himself
103. Jamey loving on Gabriel and wanting to hold him
104. Jamey and Lillian learning to share and work together
105. Reading to all my kids at the same time
106. Lillian asking me to read "Excellent Wife" and handing me the Bible turned to Proverbs 31
107. Hearing Jamey say Psalm 23:1-4a with little help and God preparing a "coffee table"
108. Getting 4 days of school completed this week
109. MOMSTogether
110. Sisterhood
111. Having conversations with people in the waiting room of the Doctor's office
112. The Lord removing fear
113. Learning about JOY
114. Being encouraged by others
115. LOTS of free E-books
116. A nice relaxing day at home
117. Getting some organizing done
118. Writing a little
119. Bible Study
120. Playing as a family
121. Reuben giving Gabriel kisses!!!! (HUGE blessing)
122. Gabriel becoming more alert
123. Visiting Erin and Amir and seeing Amir doing well
124. Watching the Falcons win a post-season game
125. Being reminded we are created to enjoy a life with God
126. Finding a great deal on the high efficiency light bulbs
127. Getting an overall plan together for the week
128. Having a daily schedule thought out for Monday
129. Seeking how to enjoy life with God
130. Being able to take everything to God

10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman

This song is such a beautiful reminder of what we were created to do: bless the Lord and worship His Holy Name! It is things song that inspired me to not stop at 1,000 gifts in 2013 but to see out every blessing and find 10,000 reasons to praise the Lord and thank Him for His goodness. 

How about you? How many reasons can you find to bless the Lord and worship His Holy Name?

Bless the lord oh my soul

Oh my soul

Worship his holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name

The sun comes up 

It's a new day dawning

It's time to sing your song again

What ever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the lord oh my soul

Oh my soul

Worship his holy name

Sing like never before 

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name

You're rich in love and you're slow to anger

Your name is great and your heart is kind

For all your goodness i will keep on singing

10,000 reasons for my heart to find

Bless the lord oh my soul

Oh my soul

Worship his holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing your praise unending

10,000 years and then forever more

Bless the lord oh my soul 

Oh my soul

Worship his holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name

Bless the lord oh my soul 

Oh my soul

Worship his holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name (repeat 3x)

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name (repeat 3x)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ

Jan 1 to 7

1. Living to see another year
2. Getting to sleep extra this morning
3. Having a nice family day at home
4. Watching the kids play together
5. Having some one on one time with Reuben
6. Jamey responding well to correction
7. Seeing God's grace at work in all of us
8. Free e-books
9. Free planning printables (seriously they are every where! Not good for someone who wants to see all their options :) )
10. People who are a head of me in life that I can glean from
11. Hearing from a couple of friends in other countries
12. Getting some cleaning and straightening done
13. Jim getting stronger and able to wrestle with all the kids at the same time
14. Reading to Lillian
15. Snuggling with all my kids
16. Reuben giving kisses
17. Having a girls movie night with my sister while Jim went out with the guys
18. Getting a day of school done
19. Having kids who are eager to do school
20. Jim ending up with another day off of work
21. Women's prayer
22. Having one of our current workers at women's prayer
23. Getting to spend some time talking with Anastasia
24. Growing closer to precious sisters in Christ
25. Running a couple errands by myself
26. Feeling to Holy Spirit increasing in me again
27. Learning how to pray more for my husband and kids
28. Making it until 5pm without turning on the TV!
29. Learning to enjoy my kids more
30. Learning more grace with others and myself
31. Finding out Jim will be switching to a WOW position at work!!!!!
32. Getting to spend some time with Asmaa and Sarah
33. Free Pizzas!!!!!
34. A meeting for Sojourn artist and writers (very encouraging)
35. Meeting Jennifer and talking with her
36. Catching up with Shannon
37. Quills coffee
38. Being reminded that everything under the sun is meaningless without Christ
39. Being reminded that if God wants us to do something that it is meaningful if done for His glory
40. Jim getting up with the kids so I could sleep in!!!!!
41. Getting mostly organized this past week
42. Watching Jamey marvel at Gabriel
43. Jamey loving on his siblings
44. Lillian wanting to read
45. Left over food
46. Gathering with brothers and sisters to pray
47. Hearing God answer specific prayer requests
48. Being reminded that God loves His children and responds to our requests
49. Brownies, amazing chocolates and hot chocolate
50. Managing to get meal planning done before going to bed
51. Staying on task with the cleaning calendar this week
52. Getting the kids involved with cleaning
53. Reuben beginning to show some interest in Gabriel
54. Enjoying a snow day
55. Jamey making a snowman
56. Staying on my Bible reading plan
57. Being able to get some sleep even with kids getting up early
58. Having children who want to do puzzles
59. Having children who want to play together
60. Hearing God's voice

Women's Prayer

Today several women from Sojourn gathered to pray for our workers and the world. This time was such a blessing as we shared each others lives and things from the lives of those serving our God in the world. Not only did we pray for our workers but we prayed for Asia as we know the Holy Spirit is moving there. It was a pleasure to have one of our workers from Asia with us as well as a worker who is preparing to go and a Sojourn member who is from an Asian country.
If you are a woman at Sojourn let me encourage you to be a part of these meetings. Even if you do not know the workers, it means so much to them to know that we are lifting them up monthly together. God moves when His people pray!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

I cannot believe it is already 2013! How the time flies. I am thankful to begin the new year with a healthy family and am looking forward to getting back into a routine. I am excited to have some tangible goals for this year and some great resources to help me stay organized with a family of 7. The Lord has really been working on my heart to live the life He has called me to live and showing me that I need a plan to help me do that. I must be open to Him changing my plans at any moment, but I know He has called me to do certain things and has shown me areas where I need to grow and change for His glory. Will it be easy? Probably not, but I am excited to learn and grow this year.

So with that I would like to share some of my goals for this year as accountability and to hopefully encourage others who may be seeking to make goals but need some help in doing that. I am still growing in this area, but others writing about it has helped me, so hopefully me writing mine may help someone else.

At http://www.motherhoodonadime.com/living/30-day-challenge-finally-writing-my-mom-mission-statement/
I learned about writing a mom mission statement, which I attempted and want to share first.

My Mission:
To wholeheartedly follow Christ and bring Him glory by:

• Seeking Christ daily
• Loving, respecting and encouraging my husband
• Loving my children and teaching them the ways of the Lord
• Supporting those working for the Lord through prayer, encouragement, resources and talents
• Seeking to share Christ with those around me
• Encouraging and educating women
• Using my time talents and resources wisely

I went through a lot of questions that brought to light a lot of things I need to work on, but after already praying over goals for the year I decided to mostly stick with what I had already thought about as they are things that seem to be where the Lord is leading me right now. I also want attainable goals so I do not immediately get discouraged and give up. 

Spiritual

• Read through the entire Bible in a year following a chronological reading plan
• Memorize a verse a week (for full disclosure I am starting with verses that I have previously memorized but have lost full memory of)
• Spend 30 minutes daily concentrated on prayer and Bible reading
• Continue to record daily blessings to cultivate thankfulness (Goal is 10,000 things)
• Praying throughout the day for specified things (still developing lists and plan for this)

Personal

• Read a book a month apart from SWI matrerial
• Journal 5 days a week
• Write (working on books) 5 days a week
• Finish my first fiction book
• Write 3 blog posts a week
• Continue to meet once a month with writing group
• Have one day a month for personal retreat time to pray, read the Bible and write
• Complete Level 1 of Rosetta Stone Russian
• Begin working on a Christ-centered prenatal/delivery/postnatal education

Marriage

• Go on a date once a month
• Go on one overnight trip away
• Read together for 30 minutes once a week
• Discuss and plan the week to come on Sunday afternoon

Kids

• Take each child on a "date" once a month
• Spend individual time with each child at home once a week (at least 20 minutes)
• Work on memorizing Psalm 23 with Jamey and Lillian
• Finish current Pre-K curriculum with Jamey and Lillian
• Continue going to playgroup on Tuesdays
• (I need to develop more educational goals, so I guess a goal for this year will be learning to do this for next year)

Homemaking

• Begin a garden planting at least tomatoes (hoping to do more)
• Try 1 new recipe a month
• Keep up with cleaning calendar 
• Develop general cleaning schedule

Health and Fitness

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes 3 days a week
• Lose 30 lbs

Ministry

• Continue hosting Women's prayer once a month
• Email workers once a month
• Send 2 encouraging notes a month

And weaving through all of these areas is the goal of consistency. My desire is to be consistent in all I do for all of us. I can tell a huge difference in all of us when we are planned and know what's coming and the days are somewhat predictable. I know that God will bring whatever we need to bring Him glory and grow us in His ways. 

May God bless you in 2013 and make you more like Christ everyday!