The New Year?!

                      

We've rushed full force into 2015, and I still find myself writing 2014 on almost everything! We've been talking and discussing the plans for our future, and we been telling the boys that we may have to move. They've had a variety of opinions on that subject varying from where they'd like to move to whether or not their friends can move with them. Currently they've decided that they would like to move back to Alaska or move to the beach in Florida! (Talk about opposites!) There was a time when I had a definite opinion about what I wanted, but as time as progressed I find myself open to a whole new world of ideas! :) 

The month of March will be here soon, so I figure I should share my goals, plans, and dreams for 2015! :) In case you're wondering, I did have this written once a few weeks ago, but it was accidently deleted. Oh well! 

I had a coffee date with a few close friends in January, and we all shared some of our goals and resolutions for the new year. My goal would be to accomplish everything on my list, so I'm writing them down for accountability and rememberence purposes. 

I divided my goals into several categories. I have spiritual, physical, educational and financial goals. I'm very much a list oriented person (just ask Roger), so dividing them down will hopefully give me a greater chance of accomplishing those goals. 

First of all, I have my spiritual goals. 

1) Read through the Old Testament. I followed our church's Bible reading schedule last year, and I read through the Bible in a year. However, I realize that I really need to take some additional time to study in the Old Testament. So, I'll be working through the Old Testament. This will hopefully allow me time to really focus on what I'm reading...a challenge in my house at times! 

2) I've also chosen four parenting books to read. A few are ones that I've read, but need to re-read and a few are new ones to me. Those titles include "Wild Things", "Fit to Burst", "Don't Make Me Count to Three", and "Desperate". 

3) I've also picked out two books on spiritual growth for me. Those include "Lies Women Believe" and "Her Name is Woman".

Secondly, I have some physical goals that I would like to see accomplished. 

1) I'd like to reach my goal weight by my birthday and maintain. (I have about eight pounds to go.) 

2) I'd like to run a half marathon again. I ran one on 2012, and it's on my list of goals again this year. Finding the time to squeeze in a run or two is a challenge for me. Roger is extremely supportive and helps me in any way he can, but he has a lot on his plate right now too! :) 

3) I'm working on cutting soda out of our house. I don't mind if we have it for a special treat for someone's birthday, but I don't want it to be regularly in our home this year. I've decided this not only for my health but for the health of my family.

Thirdly, I have an educational goal. Yeah, I only have one right now! :) 

1) I'd like to take a class on something. I don't even know for sure what I'd like to take it on. I'm very interested in nutrition, our bodies and how God designed us. But, I'm also open to taking a Bible class, a concealed gun carry class, or a class on technology. So, I have lots of possibilities I just need to find one...perferably cheap or free! :) 

Fourthly, I have a few financial goals. These are the ones that Roger and I have talked about in length...mostly because of where we are in life right now! :) Our options as far as what we can actually accomplish are a little limited right now, but the saying is "Fail to plan = plan to fail". So when Roger does get a job, we have a list of what we'd like to accomplish. 

1) Read a book on personal finance. This is one that I can start on now, and then implement the things that we read as we can. 

2) Pay off the credit card. It has been sort of a necessary thing to have one these past months, but we are working at becoming debt free again. 

3) Go back to using the envelope system. About two years after we were married, we read a book by Dave Ramsey on personal finance. We started implementing the envelope system in our budget. Basically, you divide up your budget and put cash in the envelopes for the month. When you're out of money in that envelope, you have to stop spending. It worked out well for us, and it was simple enought for us to use. Once Roger has a steady job again, our goal is to go back to using our envelopes. 

That is the gist of my goals for 2015. I know that some of you have much longer or much shorter lists, but this is where I plan to start. And since it's already almost March, I'll give you an update on how it's going. :) 

I've been working through the Old Testament. I'm starting the book of Leviticus. I'm almost done with my first parenting book, "Wild Things". This book was about raising boys, and it was very insightful for me! 

I haven't seen the scale budge much this month, but it hasn't gone up lately either. :) I've picked out a half marathon training guide, but I haven't actually started the training program...yet! I have cut down on our soda intake; and we did have some for Chandler's birthday, but it's been minimal for all of us. 

I haven't even looked into an educational class, mostly because I'm a little consumed with homeschooling right now! We are on day 126 of school, and the books are getting skinnier! Yay!!

And as far as personal financial goals, I haven't even started! So that's where I'm at...how are you doing on reaching your goals for 2015? 

Family Memories!

Last weekend we had the opportunity to go up to northern Wisconsin to visit some friends of ours. The Hargrave family has a beautiful home on a lake, and they graciously invited our family to spend a few days there. My parents came along also, so the boys had a "field trip" day to experience ice fishing, winter activities, and the great outdoors! 

We left around 9:00 a.m. on Thursday morning, and arrived at the Hargraves shortly after lunch time. After spending several hours in the car, the boys were all anxious to get out an play. Rick and Carla has two little girls, Hattie and Holly. Chandler was very excited about fishing, so that was the first thing he wanted to do! Since Rick enjoys ice fishing as well, he was ready to go with bait, lines, tip ups, and the ice shack. The boys all pulled on their winter gear and headed out the door! Emma is getting to the age where she realizes that she's getting left behind! However, by the time Emma was dressed to go outside, the boys, Hattie,  Holly, Rick, Roger, and Papa, were already across the lake at the ice shack. Emma and I wandered around outside for a bit enjoying the beautiful weather before heading to the ice shack. It was a long walk for short little legs...and a lot of extra weight to carry, but we made it. The boys already had several tip ups in the lake, and they were anxiously watching for the tip up to spring up! Emma and I stayed out there for a bit, but after about twenty minutes, Emma was ready to go back inside. Wyatt, Travis, Emma, Hattie, and Holly, all climbed aboard the ranger for a ride back to the house. Garett and Chandler were the die hard fisherman that were waiting to catch a "big" one! 

Garett and Chandler stayed out most of the afternoon with Rick, Roger, and Papa. However, when they came home for supper,  Garett had caught a big northern fish! He was so excited! They had caught a few other fish as well, but Garett caught the biggest one. We feasted on fish for supper, and enjoyed great fellowship with our friends and family. 

Friday was spent almost entirely outside with sledding, feeding chickens, playing in the barn, ice skating, ice fishing, tubing, and fun. By the end of the day, we had several worn out children! :) 

It was a great few days with some dear friends, and I'm thankful for the memories we made with the kids, family, and friends. Rick and Carla have encouraged our hearts with their hospitality and love for our family. It was a good weekend. 

Update on other events:

Now that Roger has passed his instrument rating, he's working in getting a commercial rating. He's been spending a lot of time studying for the written part of the exam, and once he's ready to take that, he will probably go back down to Florida. His time in Florida should be only about ten days this time, and then the real job hunt begins! Roger has been scoping out a few jobs, but we don't have any concrete leads yet. He really has to have this commercial rating done before the majority of the resumes can be accepted. Please pray that he will be able to get all of this done efficiently. Time is not on our side, and we need to get a job that will support our family soon. Roger would like to be done with his rating by his birthday which is March 22. Will you please pray that this will come to fruition with us? 

Thank you, 

Sarah