It's been a hot minute since I've made monthly goals, and I'm itching to do it again. I'm also feeling very realistic about how easily days fly by and how my to-do list can be pushed back for more important things like taking care of myself and my family in the most basic ways {shower? food in the house?}. So, I'm setting some reeeeeally loose goals for May. Think of it as more of a wish list of sorts, mmk?
wake up// Waking up before Caleb is one of my favorite things ever. And it would be a heck of a lot easier if he didn't insist on waking up at 6:15 half of the time! Child, what is your deal?? But anyways. I was doing amazing at this while I was pumping and then until I came down with some sort of something a few weeks ago. And I fell of this wagon and let his little giggles and wiggles become my alarm clock. No more! My quiet time reading my bible and praying in the morning is so good for me.
plan a party// But a suuuuper low key one. My child is turning 1 in June and that is fun and cool. But I don't want to play host for an entire weekend or stress myself out. I want to celebrate this last year with a few people, eat some good food, and take some funny photos of my kid's face in his cake. Hold me to it!
go on walks// Indiana sucks in the winter, at least for taking walks. And it totally shows off in the spring. And my dogs are wild. And I can always use the exercise. So here's to taking lots of walks!
plant stuff// After 3 years, I've learned what I love/hate in my garden. What works and what doesn't. I want an earlier harvest than usual, so I reallllly need to plant in the next week or so. But that involves bribing my husband to help me pick up a gagillion tons of topsoil. Ok, that's an exaggeration. But at least 6 bags. But the tomatoes! And fresh basil! And squash! It will all be worth it.
What's on your wish-list this month? Let's all agree to try to get stuff done, but to also give ourselves lots of grace!
Happy May Day! I don't mean to be a broken record, but where is the time going? This is hands down the fastest Spring of my life. April seemed to be over before it really even started, so I was surprised to look back and see how well I did with my goals for the month! To be honest, I had kind of forgotten about them so it's even more impressive they got accomplished. I have big plans for May, since it's my last month in a while without being super large and in charge {read: full term} or adjusting to a newborn. Here's how I did with April's goal and what I'm working on this month::
//Lent// This one was carried over from March, and I did a little better with it. Much more consistent time in the Word focusing on the Lenten season and Easter and much, much more time spent praying for specific people. Not perfect, but better than last month!
//exercise// Yes! It's so hard {mentally} for me to avoid running these days, but I'm loving my afternoon gym sessions and walks with the pups. I'll take what I can get these days, especially since I think the pregnant waddle is in my very near future!
//baby's room//
Gah! I loved this one. I had secretly hoped to get more than just our wall stencil and matted print done in April, but I set my goal low. You know, to set myself up for success. Well, those two definitely got done, along with finding some fun knobs for our dresser/changing table, painting and hanging some bookshelves and a mirror, and getting lots of organizing done.
//baby things// So, this baby is coming pretty soonish. And I like to have things planned and my ducks all in a row {as much as possible}. So, this month I want to make sure we take our hospital tour, order our nursery chair, and take care of the last few things on our registry {swing, car accessories, boppy cover, etc}. Also, I need to make myself some burp cloths! I've made tons as gifts lately, but keep putting off my own.
//date Justin// Since this baby really is going to be here soon, I want to be extra intentional about quality time with Justin. May is a really crazy month for him, so I want to squeeze in some breakfast dates and evening walks to just enjoy each other before things get really crazy this summer.
//garden// I'm still planning to garden this summer, just taking a more simple route than usual. It seems like the threat of frost is finally gone in Indiana, so I want to pick up my baby plants and get them in my plot really early this month. I'm hoping for an early harvest this year!
Do you set monthly goals? What are you working on this month?
Time is absolutely flying. How in the world is it already April?! I mean, I'm not complaining. Who doesn't love Spring and warmer weather and plans for what's shaping up to be a really good next few months!? Before we get to this month's goals, let's recap March:
//garden planning// Admittedly, I was pretty late on getting this one done. As in, it happened the last day of the month. But, I did get my seedlings started inside! I made some tweaks to my garden planning to make it more doable when I'm super large and in charge this summer, but still started some flowers by seed. I can't wait for them to bloom in a couple of months!
//baby projects// I had so much fun with this one. I made lots of burp cloths for friends and made baby boy's quilt! I still have a few little projects to do, but I got the biggest one {quilt} out of the way and I love it!
//Lent// Ok, I failed at this one. 100% failed. I had such great intentions, but I really didn't make good on my goal to spend time praying for a different person each day. I feel pretty terrible about it, but what's important is that I get my booty in gear this month.
//Lent// Obviously, this one is on the list again this month!
//exercise// With sunshine and warmer weather and an ever-expanding waistline, I don't have much excuse to not get outside or to the gym at least 4 times a week this month. And it's such a stress reliever for me!
//baby's room// I can't wait to share the plans we have for baby boy's room with you! This month I want to get a painting project done {read: cheer husband on while he does it} and make or order a custom mat for a print that doesn't quite fit into the frame I bought.
What goals have you set for this month?
How are you embracing the warmer weather that's {hopefully!} here to stay?
Hellooo March! I'm so excited for warmer weather {temps above zero!} and sunshine. February was long and snowy and cold, but I still managed to be super productive and tackle each of my Up & Doing goals. Now onto this month's!
//finish quilting//
Its ridiculous how proud I am of this one! I think within 2 days of posting this goal, I finished up the whole quilt in one sitting! I was surprised by how much easier and less daunting it was compared to last time around. It turned out pretty cute {but far from perfect!} and seeing my niece use it is just the cutest thing. Now on to baby boy's quilt!
//start planning// Done! We kept it pretty basic, but I had so much fun. Planning and dreaming up baby's boy's space in our home and lives is just too fun!
//Bible study// I did pretty well with this! Minus the few mornings where I hadn't sleep more than a couple of hours and honestly needed to just rest in bed a bit longer before starting my day {I'm looking at you, terrible pregnancy cold}- I got in really good time in the Word each day. And I'm looking forward to beefing it up with my Lent goal of praying for a specific person each day!
//garden planning// It's almost Spring! Despite the coldest, snowiest winter Indiana has ever seen {literally, we broke records this year}, it has to warm up eventually! I was a few weeks late on starting my transplants last year, which just meant I waited longer to have some fresh veggies on my table. But I imagine I'll be rather large and in charge come June, so I want to get a head start on our transplants and overall garden plans this year!
//baby projects// I have a pile of fabric waiting to be made into burp cloths and shopping to do for baby boy's quilt. Also, I might try to make a really simple infinity scarf/nursing cover this month.
//Lent// Lent officially starts today, and this year I've decided to spend time praying for a specific person each of these 40 days. It seems kind of lofty to me, but here's to hoping I stick with it!
What goals are you working on this month?
Doing anything special for Lent or to get ready for the warmer weather?
Only one day left to enter the Golden Hour Revelry giveaway! Be sure to check it out if you haven't already!!!
I'm so excited to be doing monthly goals again. I mentioned last month that I needed to feel productive after feeling so blah for a few months, and I can't even begin to say how much having these goals has helped. Especially since last month was a long, snowy, cold, frustrating one. Hey Spring, if you're listening, feel free to head this way anytime now.
Here's how I did with January's goals::
//get back to the gym// Nailed this! It was much more of a challenge than I expected to adjust my mindset from working out hard and pushing myself to listening to my body and being ok with slower and shorter workouts. But I've been to the gym at least 3 times a week and am excited to keep this up as long as I can this pregnancy.
//start quilting// Technically, I didn't get this done until yesterday. But better late than never! Our heater was broken for a few weeks, so doing much more than bundling up and staying on the couch was just hard to do. But! I finally cut and pieced the front of the quilt. And I love it so far!
//focus at work// Well, this one was stacked against me. With 8 snow days so far since Christmas break and at least one 2-hour delay each week...it has just been hard to feel like I'm back into a work routine. Spring and normal weather have to come back eventually, right?
And here's what I'm working on for February!
//finish quilting// I'm on such a roll with my niece's quilt and now I can't wait to start one for our baby! I plan on doing the basting, quilting, and binding to finish it this month. Actually, I hope to get most of that done this weekend!
//start planning// I know we still have plenty of time until baby gets here, but since we find out the gender soon, I want to start planning. We'll probably head to Buy Buy Baby and Target to register sometime this month.
//Bible study// Ironic that I just posted about this a few weeks ago, right? Lately I've just been extra tired in the mornings and getting out of bed is so hard {I blame it on my extremely cuddly husky}. I've been lucky to get in more than a handful of mornings reading the Bible and praying. And I hate that. This month I'm going to work on making myself get out of bed even just a few minutes earlier. If I can't do it now, how will I do it when I'm a sleep deprived mom to a newborn this summer??
Are you working on any goals this month?
Any registry tips or must haves for me?
Can I just say how excited I am to get back into my monthly goals?! After a few months of doing little besides sleeping, fighting nausea, and sleeping some more {all in the name of cooking up a baby!}- this girl is in need of some goals. And feeling productive. I need to feel productive!
So here's what I've already started working on for this month::
//get back to the gym// Right about the time we found out we were expecting, I had just fallen into a really good workout rhythm. That's just how those things go. I remember logging a few miles and weights in somewhere during week 5 and feeling all smug, like, look at me working out and staying fit while pregnant! Ha. Two days later I couldn't stomach anything more than saltines. Joke was clearly on me. But, hello second trimester and rumored energy! My goal is to get to the gym or take a 2-mile walk at least 3 times each week, probably working my way up to that by the end of the month. Girlfriend gets out of breath easily these days. Can you imagine when I actually have a big ole belly?!
//start quilting// Many {many, many} moons ago, I made my baby nephew a quilt and had grand plans to do the same for my niece before she was born. She's 1 1/2 now. Fail. But, I really want to make our baby a quilt. And how can I justify buying new fabric and planning a new quilt when I have one ready to go already? So, my goal this month is to cut and piece! Basting and binding might make next month's list. I'm not getting crazy here.
//focus at work// That sounds silly, I know. It also kind of implies that I haven't been focusing at work. Not the case. But I have felt like I've been in a giant haze basically since mid-October {read: first trimester} and add to that the weird schedule I had all of December with traveling and holidays and such- I just feel disjointed at work. And like I could use a really good refocus. So this month, I want to do that. If we're getting specific and you care to keep me accountable, I want to get one family therapy session in a week and exceed my billings hours at least twice this month. Riveting, right??
After take a summer break from my Up & Doing goals, I'm ready to jump back in! Well, ease back in, if we're honest. I'm not getting too crazy with this month's goals. I look at it as setting myself up for success, mmk?
//Buy an alarm clock// Guys, I think I have FOMO. At least in the mornings. Ever since college, I've used my phone as my alarm clock. That equals email and social media checks before I even empty my bladder in the a.m. No beuno! My goal is to keep my phone charging in the living room over night and use an alarm clock to wake up instead.
//A new morning routine// I've gotten pretty spoiled with a slow wake up, take my time kind of routine over the last year. No more! I have to be up more earlier these days and I want to find a good routine that fits and sets my day off right.
//Host a wine night// Wine. Cheese. Bread. Girlfriends. Sign me up!
Ok. So I can't be the only one getting back to setting goals! What's on your plate this month??
//run five mile// Just, no. This didn't happen. But I logged 11 over the holiday weekend?? Totally counts.
//make sorbet// Sort of. I'll share my 'recipe' tomorrow...
//go on a summer date// Score! We dominated this one. Indians game. Meals out. Discovering new trails around the city. This was clearly my fav.
Summer seems like a good excuse to take a break, which I inadvertently did with my goals in June. I've said it a dozen times, but last summer was such a wash. I've found myself really just trying to enjoy every bit of sunshine and summer-y goodness this year, I think to make up for last summer. The best way to keep doing that, I've decided, is to put my Up & Doing goals on hiatus- just until summer comes to an end. When September rolls around I may start a little link-up for these monthly goal posts.
Until then, cheers to summer and sunshine!
//run 5 miles// Pretty self-explainatory.
//make sorbet// I'm in love with my KitchenAid mixer. Have we discussed this? I'm getting more comfortable with the ice cream attachment, and am on to bigger and better recipes. Have any great sorbet recipes for me? {Hint: orange is my fav}
//go on a summer date// We live in such a fun city, and for the first summer in years, we'll really be around to enjoy it. Maybe a minor league baseball game? Concert on the prairie? So much room for activities! {Name that movie}
As a side note, I've noticed lots of bloggers are doing monthly goals these days. I really love blogging about my three goals each month because, well, it keeps me accountable. But I've also gotten tons of encouragement and ideas from bloggy friends. It made me think- would anyone be interested in a monthly goals link-up? Discuss.
//go hiking// We had plans to go to Turkey Run this month, but got rained out. So that was a bummer. But we were more active than ever and logged a few miles each day with the pups {I got in 22 walks/run with them!}. I'm calling it a win/win.
//get licensed// Who knew it cost $15 for two measly passport photos?? And $10 for a transcript?? And $50 for an application fee?? Not this girl. It took me two weeks to get over those annoyances and bite the bullet, but my application to sit for my exam is officially sent off! Now I'm just waiting to get approved and schedule my exam.
//cheer up the deck// We nailed this one! I bought two oversized planters, filled them to the brim, and am in love. My smaller planter is also in full bloom, along with our gorgeous {low maintenance!} clematis. So much gorgeous color makes my heart happy. After we get the deck stained {I'm looking at you, rainy season}, we'll fill our flower box.
//go hiking// Well, that's self-explainatory. We have a favorite state park that we like to meet up with friends at, and I want to try some close to home as well.
//get licensed// Its been a year since I received my Master's, but since getting a new job last Fall, I never sat for my licensure. {face palm} Its embarassing. I've been dragging my feet. No more!
//cheer up the deck// We may have tackled front yard landscaping, but the backyard will have to wait until next year. My mom picked up an adorable flower box for me at Ikea a weeks ago and I want to get it filled with bright summer blooms to bring some color to our deck.
Pretty basic goals, but I know they'll feel so good to accomplish. {especially that whole license thing!} Let's do this, May!
::Run more. I DID IT!!!! I ran at least 8 miles all but one week in April. Holla! I've lost a few pounds and am getting some (but barely) endurance back. It feels so good and I'm excited to stick with it.
::Create&Declutter. I made progress! I purged my closet and reorganized and found/possibly convinced J to make a new headboard. It takes time and money and lots of begging Justin to help me. But we're chugging along!
::Garden. I successfully started lots of seedlings inside (and have extras! Who needs tomato or green pep starters?). They grew so well (except for you, Mr. Zucchini.) and I transplanted them all into my garden plot yesterday. I'm growing 11 different veggies/herbs and some flowers, too. I'm so excited and much more hopeful for this year's crop! Eek! Fresh veggies and cut flowers.
After a month of royally sucking my goal-achieving, it felt great to get shiz done! April was good and I can't wait to get started on May's 3 things.
So, clearly March was no bueno in the goal department. Here's to hoping April is much, much better!
:: Run more. Once upon a time, I was kind of a runner. Somewhere in my late high school, early college years I fell in love with the sport and ran a lot. Then I got a little sick, had a little surgery, started a full time job- and kind of fell off the wagon. But I'm determined to ease back in. Slowly but surely, I'll be a runner again. So, my goal is to log 8 miles a week this month. A baby goal, for sure.
:: Create/declutter. I'm determined to tackle our bedroom, pallet headboard or not! This will be the month.
:: Garden. Its gardening season! I want to get all of my seedlings started inside and ready to transplant by the end of the month. Eek! Fresh veggies...here I come! {ps. any good suggestions for garden flowers? I have some room left in my plot and want some blooms!}
And since we're a few days in, I should let you know my goals are already off to a good start. I've been jogging, finding new headboard ideas, planning to purge our bedroom this weekend, and have all the supplies to start my seedlings tonight! April, let's do this.
Hi, my name is Katie and I kind of sucked at my goals last month.
Yup, totally sucked. I did so well in January and February, but not so much in March. So lest you thought I was super woman {really? Let's get you checked out if you ever thought that}, now you know I'm not. I probably took the dogs on a total of 10 walks the whole month. {No thanks to you, Mr. Snowstorm} I actually did really do some planning for our bedroom and went so far as to round up some pallets to build a headboard. But then they were impossible to break down and I lost all momentum. We need a bed, people. Fail. The Spring Swap helped a little with my goal to connect offline, but I still have a few packages waiting to be finished up {Sorry, Tatiana!}. Womp womp.
But I'm not wallowing in my misery. Its April! A whole new month! With temps in the 70's! What's not to be motivated about?
Its taken me a bit to come up with some goals for March. February was so good and full and stretching. And it kind of set the bar high for March, you know? So I've kind of decided to go a completely different direction this month. And since its taken me a week or so to drum up some goals I'm committed to, I've got to get my boot-ay in motion to make up for the week or so I've missed!
Instead of focusing on specific goals from three broader areas (me, him, them)I just chose goals that I really to work on in general. Sometimes you have to divert, you know?
Walk the dogs. Yes. I literally mean I need to walk my dogs. I'm living on the wild side this month, I know. Ever since we moved into our house {over a year ago!}, we've gotten out of the routine of walking our pups. And Lord knows they miss it. And need way more exercise than just chasing unfortunate ducks & rabbits around our yard. And hey, I can definitely use more exercise. So, my goal is to walk them every other day. Don't judge me daily dog walkers- I'm easing my way back in!
Spice Spruce up the master. Guys, our master bathroom is lame. At best. Its definitely the last-on-the-list room for everything {decorating, organizing, cleaning, etc.} While we don't have tons of moolah to pour into making it cute, I really want to do something. Maybe move the dog crates? And put some clothes away? That alone would make it classier. So, my goal is to make it a room we love. Shop our house, organize a bit, rearrange, and maybe buy a few small things or hang a frame or two.
Connect offline. Thanks to Lauren, I've got a new favorite blog. And it's inspired me to be more intentional about taking internet friendships offline. I really how internet-dating-ish that sounds. But really, I connect with a lot of you on a regular basis through commenting and emailing every once in a while. Maybe even a Twitter shout out here and there. But I want to connect in real life! Pen and paper, text message type of connecting. That's part of the reason I love the Spring Swap- it gives me a chance to get to know a handful of bloggers and connect that way. So, I am going to be intentional about connecting with other bloggers this month. First, through the Swap. {you can help me out by joining in the fun! I'd love to get to know you better and help you connect to other bloggers in real life!!!} Second, just by taking a few online friendships offline. Eek, I'm so excited!
I am finding that I totally geek out each month with the whole goal-setting habit I'm creating. I love it. I feel productive. There's forward motion, growth, and well, fun stuff. Do you have goals for this month? I'd love to hear them!
I set some sort of broad, general goals for February. To be honest, I wasn't sure how they'd pan out. But goodness, am I happy with them!
By the time January came to an end, I realized that I needed to seriously shift my focus. I know that it's different for everyone, but for me, blogging and social media in general can be a slippery slope to comparison and discontentment. And more likely than not, it serves as something that draws me further from where I want to be with Jesus rather than closer. Hello. Not okay. My heart's been really introspective lately, and to really focus on where my treasure lies {or needs to lie!} and literally focus more what God says about my life- I needed to shut it down. Not worrying about posting and more importantly, about reading others' blogs helped me to just quiet down a bit. To step back and remember what matters. It was a really good break friends. A really needed break. I'm sure my focus will get off track again, but right now I'm feeling really good with blogging and where I'm at.
Speak love. I really worked on this in February. On loving Justin intentionally with my words. And while it's difficult to measure exactly, I think I was successful. I found that being intentional about it and just being mindful of my words created a more loving spirit within me- which led to much sweeter words.
I may be most excited about my goal to build community. Eek! I'm so excited. First of all, I worked on the community I already have around me. I hopped on a plane and visited a sweet friend. I reminded myself why working on the friendship I already have is so so important. But I also stepped out a bit. I had some girls over for a crafternoon. {which was WONDERFUL, by the way} I also asked lots of ladies about starting a book club. And was shocked at how much interest there was! I may have mentioned it to too many people, because realistically it will only work best if the group stays relatively small. So, we're starting next week. Books have been bought, meals have been planned. And we're so excited. I sit around a lot waiting for others to initiate something or ask to join something that's already happening. But after talking with all these ladies about the book club, I realized how everyone else seems to be doing the same. I'm so glad I just asked.
I'm so happy with how my goals went last month. I'm so thankful for a really intentional month to regroup and refocus. I have the best husband, and I hope I can continue to work on loving him with my words. And it goes without saying that I am so excited for our book club to start!
Ps. Don't forget to sign up for the Spring Blog Swap! We have a great turn out so far :)
I feel really good about my January goals and am excited to tackle some new ones this month. I've spent a lot of time thinking and planning for each of them. They look much different than last month, and are a little bit more lofty. But I'm already excited about how they're turning out- and we're only 3 days into February!
Shift my focus. Quite simply, I need a break from blogging. I could probably list ten solid reasons for this, but they all come back to my need to refocus. So, this month I am taking a step back and literally shifting my focus. You won't see me posting much around here or commenting on your blog, either. But you will see some truly wonderful friends of mine filling in for me when I'm gone. So I hope you will still stop by, and get to know them! And when March rolls around, hopefully I'll be back in action and more focused than ever! In the meantime, I'm still alive. Email me or follow me on twitter and instagram. Let's stay connected, just in less surface-y ways than my blog :)
Speak love. This one is big. And needed. Last month, I worked on loving Justin more through serving him in our home. And it was really wonderful. This month, I know I need to focus on the words I'm speaking to him. Its so easy to fall into a comfortable way of talking to one another- and I want to check myself and the words I'm saying to him. I want to speak life and love. Words are powerful, and I want to intentionally work on loving Justin with my words this month.
Build community. For months, or maybe even a few years now- its been on my heart to start something. Specifically, with ladies. This summer, I was in the process of starting a book club, but then some of the girls got sick and we had our miscarriage...so it got put to the back burner. I'm still itching to get a group of ladies together for fun and (here's the cheesiness) fellowship. I think I sit around too much waiting to be invited to things other women have planned...and I want to stop being lazy and plan something myself. Whether its a book club (thats in the works!) or just a wine night- I want to build something.
Do you have goals for this month? Or resolutions that you're still working on? I'd love to hear!
1. Serve more. You might want to ask the hubs, but I think I did a really good job of this! After the few week or so, it kind of became a habit and I didn't keep track of whether or not I cleaned one thing each day. But I can for sure say that our living room, dining room, and kitchen have been consistently clean for the past month. And we've loved it!
2. Be healthier. Phew...this one was a challenge for sure. Getting up before the sun on the coldest days of the year is no fun thing at all. But I did it! Some weeks I went more than 3 times, the first week I only went 2x. I saw progress and am excited to continue this habit.
3. Be more intentional. This one was so easy! I love sending letters and actually send them out a lot...I had just gotten out of the groove over the last few months. It was great to get back into the habit of doing it and I sent out tons of mail lovin' this month!
So the verdict is that I love setting goals and am definitely doing this again next month. While I am excited to share my February goals- they will bring some changes to this 'ole blog. Good changes, for sure.
How's your new years resolution going? Or did you set some goals? Its never to late to start :)
