Thursday, December 31, 2015

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!



I LOVE the beginning of a new year! Henry and I chose January 1 as our wedding date because of my ridiculous obsession with it. I have this thing for new beginnings, when I feel that all things are new.

I don't think it is isolated to the start of a new year. I love the start of school. I can remember even as a little girl the excitement of a new school year.....the new bottle of glue, the fresh notebook paper, the nice sharp pencils. Ha! That sounds crazy but I love everything about new things.

It is also this thought that refreshes me when I think of the blessings of the Lord. How I always need a new morning, another helping of mercy, a "do-over." A verse that sticks with me is Lamentations 3:22-23The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness.

Big praise there!! Thank you Lord for new beginnings and then more new beginnings when I've messed those up too.

I am a list maker and a goal setter. I'm the person who reads blogs and ebooks about goal setting every year. I ponder on goals. I scribble goals. I finally come around to what I think I'd like to work on. According to many people who know far more than I do, Crystal at Money saving mom (who I think is my personal friend) and Zig Ziglar (Henry's friend), the benefits of setting goals are astounding.

I had a little trouble going between goals and dreams as I whittled the pool and the RV off of my list. (Boo!) But this is what I came up with for 2016:

Goal #1 Spiritual Goal: To live as if living for the Lord

My plan includes: Faithfully doing a daily Bible study, Joining a midweek Thrive class at my church and taking the kids to Kidzpointe, Hosting a once a month friend group to grow Christian friendships, making Sunday a day of rest

Goal #2 Family Goal: To grow closer

My plan includes: Making sure we eat at least three meals each week SITTING DOWN together, Having a date night with Henry at least once a month, either Henry or I having at least an hour of one on one time with each child each week

Goal #3 Health Goal: To feel and act with more energy

My plan includes: Read books that inspire me, Focus on a positive attitude, Walk at least a mile each day, implement healthier eating habits

Goal #4 Financial Goals

Our plan includes (this is a team effort): using cash for most purchases during the month, saving at least 3 months expenses, replacing Henry's vehicle, and continuing to fund at least one vacation this year
Even cash envelopes look more appealing with pretty titles!


Whew!! So....I have a lot of work to do. What's that they say? A goal that is not written down is just a dream! I HAVE GOALS!

Happy New Year!!!

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Winning Christmas Presents

I probably do not want to know how much money I have spent on presents that were tossed to the side and never looked at again.  They usually can be found later in a pile with parts of tape and wrapping paper still hanging on!
This year, I felt like I knew the girls a little better and they have more definite likes and interests.  Compared to years past, I didn't spend as much money on Christmas gifts.  However, we got several things that seem to be a big hit with the girls!
Most of my purchases were made on amazon.  I LOVE me some Amazon Prime!  One of our favorite gifts that the whole family is enjoying is the tile lock scrabble game that we got.  We have played it multiple times a day.  The twins can't spell well yet so playing with them might make you want to throw it through the front window   requires a little patience. :)  It is especially fun for LG.  Henry and I may or may not have played a game alone after the kids were in bed last night.  I told him that we were going to make awesome old people!
Hands down, the most favored gift of all the girls is a cardboard box!  Shocker!  This one actually comes in the form of a playhouse and it has been a HUGE hit!  The girls love them.  I ordered them back in the summer when they were on Kidswoot.com for $19.99 but I would probably pay amazon's price now that I know how much they love them.   They have decorated them and love to hang out in them with their toys and play.  
Of course, we had to throw in some babysitters  electronic devices.  But once again, amazon came through with $35 kindles.  Henry downloaded a program called freetime which allows him to set a time limit, as well as an on and off time.  This has really taken care of the five more minutes that some kids (not mine, of course) might argue about.

So, it's time to begin my Christmas shopping for next year!

HO, $ HO, $, HO $ 


This post contains an affiliate link.  When you purchase the product via the link above, I receive a small percentage.  Thanks for your support.