Weekly Goals

This week could've gone better in the goal reaching...but it could've gone worse too! =)
LAST WEEKS GOALS
Self:
-Read two books this week.
-Listen to a Podcast a day 
-Workout club (2X a week) and take a longer run 2x a week 
-Drink 101.4 oz of water a day.
-Eat better
-Work on Project Life album
-Next seven days in 21 Days to a Disciplined Life

Marriage:
-Date night 

Kids:
-Spa Night
-Pizza and movie night
-Family fun day

Family:
-Family Bible Night on Saturday

Spiritual:
-Complete She Reads Truth/Women Living Well study daily
-Write in gratitude/prayer/happiness journal daily
-Attend Sunday service
-Friday Bible study/playgroup
-Create a 'war room"

Home:
-Next three challenges in 31 days to a clutter free home (got to keep plugging away at this!) 1. front porch decorated for fall, 2. Juliette's room and closet, 3. Master bath redecorate 

Work:
-Set up Hoover dam field trip
-Get class registered on Khan Academy
-Grades and LP by Wednesday
-Library shelves labeled
-Aims/DRA done
-Running club 

Sports/Kids Activities:
-Get karate, 4H, and rock climbing on the schedule

Leukemia:
-Alex lemonade stand
-Gold socks for football team
-Daily cancer kid for September awareness

THIS WEEKS GOALS
Self:
-Read two books this week.
-Listen to a Podcast a day 
-Workout club (2X a week) and take a longer run 2x a week 
-Drink 101.4 oz of water a day.
-Eat better
-Work on Project Life album
-Next seven days in 21 Days to a Disciplined Life

Marriage:
-Date night 

Kids:
-Spa Night
-Pizza and movie night

Family:
-Family Bible Night on Saturday

Spiritual:
-Complete She Reads Truth/Women Living Well study daily
-Write in gratitude/prayer/happiness journal daily
-Attend Sunday service
-Friday Bible study/playgroup
-Draw  circle 40 days of prayer challenge

Home:
-Next three challenges in 31 days to a clutter free home (got to keep plugging away at this!) 1. front porch decorated for fall, 2. Juliette's room and closet, 3. Homework area

Work:
-Set up Hoover dam field trip
-Grades and LP by Wednesday
-Library shelves labeled
-Aims done
-Great NV Bulletin board
-Presidential Fitness Award 
-Study Island set up

Sports/Kids Activities:
-Get 4H, ballet, and rock climbing on the schedule

Leukemia:
-Alex lemonade stand
-Daily cancer kid for September awareness
-Work on Cancerversary

My "War Room"

http://warroomthemovie.com/about

From the award-winning creators of Fireproof and Courageous comes WAR ROOM, a compelling drama with humor and heart that explores the power that prayer can have on marriages, parenting, careers, friendships, and every other area of our lives.

I have not gotten to see this movie yet but hope to soon (anyone who knows me, knows how much I adore Priscilla Shirer!!) The thing I am hearing from everyone is how it encourages people to make prayer a priority in your life. 

This past year I have prayed more than ever. I have my prayer journal, but I wanted something that would catch my eye throughout the day. I have committed to people to pray for them and their kids. I do not want to take that commitment lightly. 

Enter my "War Room" AKA a spot on the floor, in a corner of my classroom. I hung a little white board, got my 31 organizer and put my prayer and some Bible study supplies in there. Now, when I commit to pray I can put it on my board and be reminded throughout the day. Above this is a list of the kids in my class so I can pray for them before our school day begins. When I take the first minutes of my work day (before my contract time just FYI!) to sit in my war room and pray I have noticed a huge difference in my attitude. 

I also am more purposeful in my quick prayers during the day. I want to be a woman who looks to God and expectantly waits for His miracles! I also started the Draw the Circle: 40 Days of Prayer today. I want to focus on my prayer life. 

Things we are loving...

The best Easter present ever! My mom got us a Ninja. I use it every single day to make smoothies. This is  my kids favorite smoothie; a rainbow smoothie. Organic, frozen pineapple, mango, strawberry, banana, and Winder Farm orange juice. Ready in minutes! I love that it makes a huge serving size that is enough for all of us. 

 I ordered Winder Farm coffee for the first time this past week. It is DELICIOUS!! 

Winder Farms Juicing Box and Fruit Box

We love our Winder Farm deliveries. This week we tried out the fruit and organic juicing box. I thought it would make my life easier...

The selection was not great nor was the quality...especially for the price! I will be back to Bountiful Baskets next week.

Live and learn. All our regular favorites are still awesome though!

Day 20 Laundry Room: 31 Days to a Clutter Free Home

I am just getting all my dark secrets out in the open! My house is pretty organized EXCEPT our clothes. It seems it is the area that never has had a working system. I am happy to report I got 15 bags of clothes out of the house this weekend. I am hopeful that will help KEEP the clothes organized. 

The BEFORE laundry room...yikes!

The after...

The last closets to do are Juliette, Jamie, and the downstairs closets. Then it is to the remaining clothes and trying to find a good system that will keep the laundry organized...until next week! 

Day 19 Master Closet: 31 Days to a Clutter Free Home

OK, this is tough to share. I have probably not gone through my clothes really well...ever. My closets state of affairs was pretty rough. 

The Before...

 This is the after pile that is going to be donated.

 Here is the after closet. This is pretty amazing as I had clothes in Juliette's closet as well that are now out of hers and all in this one.

As you can tell I am a Madame Chic ten item capsule wardrobe failure. BUT I am free of about 1,000 items! So that is progress. I only have in this closet things I actually wear. Maybe I can get on board the 200 item wardrobe. =) Regardless from purging Thaddeus closet, half of Juliette's and mine I have ten trash bags of clothes to donate. 

Day 17 Thaddeus' Closet: 31 Days to a Clutter Free Home

The before of Thaddeus' closet...yikes!

Thirty minutes later, Thaddy and I got it down to a capsule wardrobe of only things he loves! Drawers are organized and all the clothes that do not fit are...

Ready to be donated! Two kid closets done one to go. And she is the easy one! =)

21 Days to a Disciplined Life: The first seven days

"Do you find yourself making “all-or-nothing” plans for transforming your life, and then three days later you crash and burn under the weight of your plan?"

I took a few things away from the first week of this challenge; Start small, focus on one habit at a time, plan for obstacles, be realistic, and stay positive.

I am SO like the quote above...all or nothing. This slow, steady progress thing is new. 

We have been in school for about 21 days now, so I feel like those habits are going well...early rising, breakfast, homework, after school activities, dinner, baths, clean up...the daily habits of life. I am ready to add some more intention to my days. I do not want weeks to go by that I just got through. I want to GROW even in this busy season.

She wants you to pick one major project and divide it into bite size pieces. I do not really want to work on a huge project right now, so I am skipping that part and focusing on adding new habits instead. She says in the book it is better to add three new, life-long habits in a year than trying to add thirty just to crash and burn. If I can look back next year and see new habits that enhance my life, I will be happy! 

My choice new habits I want to focus on are spiritual/Self growth and physical fitness. I have these as weekly ongoing goals, but they always fall to the bottom of my list. This week they are going to be a focus.

I put these things in my planner everyday, but they are the first to go. No longer. I am in a good routine and ready to add them in starting NOW!

I WILL (She suggests banishing the words "I'll try") workout four times this week, drink 101.4 oz of water, and eat healthier (I know that is not a "smart" goal but I know what I mean=)

I WILL attend church on Sunday, complete my daily Bible study and gratitude journal, create a "war room" and focus on my prayer life, meet for our Friday playgroup/study, and do our family Bible night on Saturday.

I WILL continue to read two books each week and listen to a podcast everyday. I also WILL write on this blog everyday as it makes me very happy.

I NEED these things to become habits so I can be all the "me" God created me for.

Buy the book for yourself and start your own 21 day challenge:

http://www.amazon.com/21-Days-More-Disciplined-Life-ebook/dp/B009UGKEC4

**Update...I read the whole book and it had very good advice. I did not find enough, at this time, new to write a whole post about the remaining 14 days. Good book though if you need some guidance on completing a major project using baby steps and getting more discipline into your life!**

Weekly Goals

I had a rough goal completion week...glad a new week is coming!

LAST WEEKS GOALS
Self:
-Read two books this week.
-Listen to a Podcast a day 
-Workout club (3X a week) and take a longer run 2x a week 
-Drink 101.4 oz of water a day.
-Eat better
-Work on Project Life album
-Start 21 Days to a Disciplined Life
Marriage:
-Date night (Gorman football game)

Kids:
-Spa Night
-Pizza and movie night
-Family fun day

Family:
-Family Bible Night on Saturday

Spiritual:
-Complete She Reads Truth/Women Living Well study daily
-Write in gratitude/prayer/happiness journal daily
-Attend Sunday service
-Get home Bible study/playgroup going
Home:
-Next three challenges in 31 days to a clutter free home (got to keep plugging away at this!) 1. front porch decorated for fall, 2. Homework Area 3. Thaddeus' room and closet. 

Work:
-Set up Hoover dam field trip
-Get class registered on Khan Academy
-Grades and LP by Wednesday
-Library shelves labeled
-Aims/DRA done
-Running club 

Sports/Kids Activities:
-Get karate, 4H, and rock climbing on the schedule

Leukemia:
-Alex lemonade stand
-Gold socks for football team-Daily cancer kid for September awareness

THIS WEEKS GOALS
Self:
-Read two books this week.
-Listen to a Podcast a day 
-Workout club (2X a week) and take a longer run 2x a week 
-Drink 101.4 oz of water a day.
-Eat better
-Work on Project Life album
-Next seven days in 21 Days to a Disciplined Life

Marriage:
-Date night 

Kids:
-Spa Night
-Pizza and movie night
-Family fun day

Family:
-Family Bible Night on Saturday

Spiritual:
-Complete She Reads Truth/Women Living Well study daily
-Write in gratitude/prayer/happiness journal daily
-Attend Sunday service
-Friday Bible study/playgroup
-Create a 'war room"

Home:
-Next three challenges in 31 days to a clutter free home (got to keep plugging away at this!) 1. front porch decorated for fall, 2. Juliette's room and closet, 3. Master bath redecorate 

Work:
-Set up Hoover dam field trip
-Get class registered on Khan Academy
-Grades and LP by Wednesday
-Library shelves labeled
-Aims/DRA done
-Running club 

Sports/Kids Activities:
-Get karate, 4H, and rock climbing on the schedule

Leukemia:
-Alex lemonade stand
-Gold socks for football team
-Daily cancer kid for September awareness

Gorilla Gym

https://gorilla-gym.com/

Thaddeus was gifted a Gorilla Gym for Christmas. It has not gone ONE day without being played on. It was such an amazing gift (it was really all he wanted for Christmas) so I wanted to share what an amazing toy it was! 

There are five components of the Gorilla Gym You can use them alone, or as our models display =) you can combine different pieces to make it never-ending fun. They are easy to switch and the kids do it all by themselves.

 This helped Thaddeus stay in gymnastic strength even when he couldn't make it to the gym. Also, it causes no damage to your doors! It truly is an amazing toy!

 The swing is probably the favorite.

This is how Thaddeus can do thirty pull ups. All day long he walks by and does ten. He has gotten SO strong by using this consistently to do pull ups!

Day 16 Thaddeus' Room: 31 Days to a Clutter Free Home

I did not take a before picture in Thaddy's room, but it needed some love. He had gathered a lot of cards and posters that needed to be hung up, so he and I spent an hour on Sunday cleaning and sorting his belongings and displaying all the love people had sent him over the past year. We read through all the cards and posters. We have so much support; it was very nice to reread all of the kind messages.

His shrine to the Gorman Gaels =)

Every eight year old needs a sit up bench in his room...those six pack abs do not just happen people! Also, his "Buttcracker" a gift from my sweet forever friend. 

So many sweet people have made posters and cards for Thaddeus. He loves seeing them hung up now where he can enjoy them.

My sweet friend Shannon made Thaddeus this future Gorman Gael sign for his birthday. He wanted it to be the first thing you see when you go in his room. 

 Since Thaddeus was little he has enjoyed playing with those little people sets. Though he has gotten rid of all his other toys he still has all of his sets and plays with them quite often still.

Next is his closet...yikes!!!

Day 15 Christian's Room and Closet: 31 Days to a Clutter Free Home

So I started this over the summer, but I am determined to finish this series at SOME point. I am just plugging away as time is harder to come by for organizing during the school year. I hope to be done by Christmas now. Then I can take two week at Christmas to do another deep clean (as the whole house will be clutter free) and start 2016 in such a great place.

Anyways, this weekend was Christian's room...Now I chose his room because he regularly de-clutters his room and only keeps the things he loves. So I sort of cheated, as I just had to get rid of a few things. =)

I love his space. It is very "him." and he takes such good care of all of his belongings. He has his little office in the corner and his trampoline...

And all of his Harry Potter camp stuff safe and sound waiting for next summer. 

I wanted to share his capsule wardrobe. Jennifer Scott is all about a capsule wardrobe and Crystal Paine encouraged me to eliminate decision fatigue in the area of clothing. So I started with Christian. In his closet he only has what he can wear right now. He has 10 pairs of shorts, 10 shirts, his hockey warm up gear, and 1 swimsuit. His undies, undershirts, and socks are in his drawers. He can easily chose his own clothes and everything feels less overwhelming. Next is Thaddy's closet! 

IPSY #2

https://www.ipsy.com/share/favproduct/

I LOVE IPSY! $10 to make me try new things in the make up department. I am not very adventurous with my makeup routine, so this monthly bag is extra fun! Plus I like the "Glam Bag" I get each month to keep the goodies in. I have found four new things in my past two deliveries that I will continue to use. It also has encouraged me to watch some makeup tutorials to see how to use the items in my bag (highlighter and contouring is new to me!) I will look like a Kardashian in no time! In my mind at least. =)

Makeover Your Mornings Day 11-14

makeoveryourmornings.com

Day 11 Diet and Exercise: Do not let your own nutrition and fitness fly out of the window. Find time; even 15 minutes. I started a workout club that is meeting at 3 PM three times a week at my house. It will keep me accountable to work out. I also am going for two long runs on the weekends. I want to enter another Spartan Race in the Spring and maybe run a half marathon in the early Winter. I have been prioritizing drinking water and eliminating caffeine (not coffee just any other caffeine) but I struggle with making myself eat properly. I have to focus on that. I feed my family and I just do not want to eat too. I need to eat when they eat. That is a goal of mine. Eat better consistently.

Day 12- Eliminating Decision Fatigue: Try to come up with systems that will take care of things without you making another decision. I am doing this by coming up with capsule wardrobes and getting a breakfast and lunch rotation going. I also, try to set things up before bed as much as possible so no choices need to be made in the morning crunch time. This keeps the morning very calm and running like a well oiled machine. Clothes are laid out down to shoes, socks, and accessories, backpacks packed the night before lunches mostly packed... This way my mind can stay in its happy place without becoming fatigued one hour into the day.

Day 13 Dealing with Failure:  Remember failure shows your trying. If you NEVER fail, you are not pushing yourself! When you do fail ask what went wrong? What can I tweak or do differently to be successful in the future? When starting this new morning routine there will be times things do not work out. Don't give up! Next, do not fall prey to the comparison trap. What works for one family and woman will not be the right fit for another! Do not compare. We are each special and unique and each of our routines should show that!

Day 14 Success: I loved the way this course made me think about the various components of my day. Now to stick to all the plans I made! I have already gone through the course three times just to keep my mind thinking about it. It is quick and easy to do. Watch for sales...there was just another $10 sale!

Weekly Goals

Last weeks Goals:
Self:
-Read two books this week. (ONE)
-Listen to a Podcast a day 
-Prepare capsule wardrobe for fall (REALLY hope to get to this goal this week!)-Start my workout club (3X a week) and take a longer run 2x a week
-Drink 101.4 oz of water a day.
-Eat better

Marriage:
-Date night (Jamie went to the World Championship of Wrestling with Thaddeus instead =) 

Kids:
-NYS ID's
-Spa Night
-Pizza and movie night
-Family fun night UNLV football game (Jamie and Thaddy went on a date this night instead =)

Family:
-Family Bible Night on Saturday

Spiritual:
-Complete She Reads Truth/Women Living Well study daily
-Write in gratitude/prayer/happiness journal daily
-Attend Wednesday Bible study and Sunday service

Home:
-Next five challenges in 31 days to a clutter free home  1. front porch decorated for fall, 2. Homework area, 3. Christian's room and closet, 4. Juliette's room and closet, 5. Thaddeus' room and closet. 

Work:
-Open house on Thursday
-Set up Hoover dam field trip
-Get computers set up/cords taped
-Get class registered on Khan Academy
-Grades and LP by Wednesday
-Library shelves labeled
-Aims/DRA done
-Running club 
-Read to Feed

Sports/Kids Activities:
-First football game
-Get gymnastics, karate, 4H, rock climbing, Girl Scouts, ballet, and Christian's Hollywood kids on the schedule. 

Leukemia:
-Order prescriptions
-Alex lemonade stand
-Daily cancer kid for September awareness


THIS WEEKS GOALS
Self:
-Read two books this week.
-Listen to a Podcast a day 
-Workout club (3X a week) and take a longer run 2x a week 
-Drink 101.4 oz of water a day.
-Eat better
-Work on Project Life album
-Start 21 Days to a Disciplined Life
Marriage:
-Date night (Gorman football game)

Kids:
-Spa Night
-Pizza and movie night
-Family fun day

Family:
-Family Bible Night on Saturday

Spiritual:
-Complete She Reads Truth/Women Living Well study daily
-Write in gratitude/prayer/happiness journal daily
-Attend Sunday service
-Get home Bible study/playgroup going
Home:
-Next three challenges in 31 days to a clutter free home (got to keep plugging away at this!) 1. front porch decorated for fall, 2. Juliette's room and closet, 3. Thaddeus' room and closet. 

Work:
-Set up Hoover dam field trip
-Get class registered on Khan Academy
-Grades and LP by Wednesday
-Library shelves labeled
-Aims/DRA done
-Running club 

Sports/Kids Activities:
-Get karate, 4H, and rock climbing on the schedule

Leukemia:
-Alex lemonade stand
-Gold socks for football team-Daily cancer kid for September awareness

Makeover Your Mornings Days 7-10

http://makeoveryourmornings.com/

Day Seven: Accountability Partners- Crystal encourages you to find an accountability partner to text, email, or Facebook when you wake up, and then after you complete your morning routine. I live with my partner; Jamie. We are in the school routine so we are ready to start getting up a bit earlier and try to get our Bible study in before school. We will be holding each other accountable this week. If that doesn't work I will find a texting buddy. I would also like to get my mind going by writing a blog post in the morning. It is something I really enjoy and I would like to do it first thing so it does not get pushed out of my day. 

Day Eight: To Do Lists- Crystal suggests you break your to do list into three categories; your "Big Rocks", must dos, and want to dos. She reminds us to not overwhelm our days with long lists of to dos. Be reasonable. It is better to have fewer goals and accomplish them all, than have too many goals and feel like a failure. 

My "Big Rocks" for this season of life are going to be Bible reading, exercise (this will be done in the afternoon though), and daily self care through reading, looking presentable always, and blogging. 

My "Must dos" are wake kids and assist in dressing (I know but I do! How else can I make sure they have clean teeth and faces and brushed hair!!), supervise breakfast and lunch packing. Leave for school at 7:05 AM. 

My want to dos will never happen during my morning routine. I know this about myself and I am OK with that. I am NOT a morning person so getting all of this done is a miracle for me! 

Day Nine: Nail down your morning routine- When you are working through how your morning will go...it should excite you. You should LOVE your mornings (Not the getting up...surely nobody likes that part?) If you wake up FOR your day and not TO your day (Kat Lee of Inspired to Actions favorite line!) you are laying the groundwork for a happy and successful day. My first moments should "nurture my heart and soul" (through Bible reading and prayer), my mind (through blogging), and also tending to the needs of my family by getting myself fully ready for the day (hair, makeup and all). Many would include exercise here, but I cannot get up a second earlier! This is scheduled in my early afternoon hours right after work. 

Here’s what my current routine looks like:
✓ Wake up around 5:45 am 
✓ Make coffee 
✓ Read my Bible, pray, and write in my Gratitude Journal.
✓ Work on blogging.
✓ Get dressed

Day Ten: You are ENOUGH- What lies do you tell yourself over and over? Write these lies down and then write a truth next to them. You can free yourself from the words you have on a never-ending loop playing in your mind. These words hold you back from leading the life you were created to live! 

In this season of my life I have learned how to have more control over my mind. Things that used to worry me...do not anymore. I am better at taking my thoughts captive and giving my daily worries to God. My bigger worries are a different story and a different battle. I am thankful for the strength of mind this hardship has given me and my family. 

You are the only you that ever was. God made you perfectly you...for a purpose. Do NOT listen to anything that tells you otherwise. You are perfect, and beautiful in God's eyes!

Stitch Fix #4

This is what I got in my 4th Stitch Fix...

I had asked for jeans and black pants for work and some blouses. The jeans are AMAZING. I mean I have never had a pair on that I love this much! I hope they wash and wear well. 

I thought I would hate the striped shirt but it fit great and looked amazing on (and was super soft...bonus!) 

The purse...please I am a sucker for a purse! I am going to suggest though they send me more jewelry pieces as I have enough purses and I have ADORED all the jewelry the stylist has sent me so far.

The flowered shirt and black pants... I do not LOVE them. BUT with the 25% for purchasing all five pieces it makes them under $15 each so I am debating keeping them or sending them back. I will probably use my full three days to decide. The flower shirt fits nice and feels great...but it is flowered (that is what I get for telling my stylist I am a teacher; an ugly flowered print shirt lol.) The black pants I am worried will not do well in the laundry and I am not sure about the length. TBD on these two! 

Overall another Stitch Fix success! I LOVE when I get the email that my Fix is on its way! Try it! For $20 (which gets applied to any purchase you make) it is TOTALLY worth the fun!

https://www.stitchfix.com/