A Stable Beginning

Saturday, January 1, 2011

I am a list maker. I like to have things written down in front of me so I can physically check them off when done. I admit that sometimes my lists give birth to new lists, but that just keeps things interesting right? Sprittibee says “Lists are living, breathing, always-changing reminders of things that you don't want to forget about... things that are important to you.” and I couldn't agree more.
Today I am linking up my list of 52 things with Spritiibee’s Big Fat Annual List. I think my list is manageable and compact. So without further adieu here is my list.

52 Things for 2011

daily time with God ~ prayer journal
Read the Bible in 90 days
find a new doctor & go
start running
join a church service group
simplify our life
de-clutter & organize the house ~ donate or giveaway
drop the last of my baby weight
go back to school
re-learn my Stenography theory
read a book a month (or more)
be writing at least 80 wpm on steno machine by the end of Dec.
learn to digiscrap and do a page a month
complete 2011 project 365
menu plan weekly
paint/decorate each of the girls room
paint/decorate the master bedroom
do the Love Dare for my Lt.
get caught up with grading/recording/personal portfolios
create our long term course of study for the high school years with Marie’s input
attend state homeschool conference
stick to motivated moms chore planner
read 5 homeschool related books
purge emails/ yahoo groups ~ keep inboxs cleaned
work on photography skills
add weekly art projects to curriculum
plant garden
teach girls to sew
sell WA State house
encourage/help Marie create label/creations
weekly tot school/preschool posts
start and maintain family home management binder
print digital photos ~ put inside albums
learn to use iPod
Let go of the 4 star Admiral position and let the Lt. lead (so excited to relinquish this now that we are completing our 4 years of sea duty and heading to shore duty- 4years/4, 7 1/2 month deployments)
cook more from scratch
keep kitchen counter clean daily
make window coverings
have a monthly date with the Lt.
go on 6 fieldtrips
steam clean the carpets
make my 2011 Christmas cards
set up and use Homeschool Tracker +
use checkbook register instead of relying on my superb memory :-)
make checkbook registers for the girls
modify budget
organize/catalog books
sew new cloth napkins
establish regular bedtime routines
learn Photoshop
build better relationships
do something for ME monthly

What are some of your goals for 2011? Link up at Sprittibee’s and share your list.

Friday, December 31, 2010

A year in blogging review

It’s been a blessed year! The Lt. completed his 4th deployment in 4 years (come on February-SHORE DUTY here we come!!!), McKenzie had her eye surgery, each of the girls made great strides in school and sports, and we all lived to see another birthday.
I saw this great way to reflect on my year of blogging posted over at Tracy's and knew I wanted to participate. Simply post the title or first sentence of your first blog post from each month. Add a favorite picture from each month, even if it doesn’t match up with post. In my case because of my sometimes sporadic posting I did the first post of the month.
Here I go…

My year in blogging review

January ~ 365 ~001

February ~Sleeping baby

March ~ Life

April ~ WannaBe

May ~ Hi!

June ~Chosen

July ~ Happy 4th of July

August ~ Wordless Wednesday-almost

September ~ I eat books

October ~ A new fiscal year

November ~ Candy Day recap-full of pictures

December ~Wordless Wednesday

From the fullness of His grace

we have all received one blessing after another.

~John 1:16

Here’s to blogging more regularly in 2011.

Happy New Year!!!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Bible in 90 days

I am starting my journey to get closer to God and taking another shot at reading the Bible in 90 days. Yep, I started out really strong earlier this year Jan. 2010), but by day 30ish I was falling behind. The Lt. was recently deployed and I was feeling the pressure of being a single mom for the next 6 months with 5 kids and everything that comes with that. So, I fell off. But I am dusting myself off and starting anew Jan. 3rd.

This is part of my word for 2011…to GRoW in my walk with my Savior. To have that close intimate relationship with Him. I plan on getting back into the routine of having my daily quiet time at 5 AM. By rising at this time I can spend time with the Lt. before he leaves for work and also have complete quietness until 7AM when the girls awake.

Have you ever wanted to read the entire Bible? Well, here’s your chance. 90 days…1 hour a day…Are you game???

Hop on over to Amy’s from Mom’s Toolbox there’s still time to sign up.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

my word ~ 2011

It's that time again…a time to look back at the past year and evaluate our progress. Our successes and our short comings. A time to look forward to a clean slate of the New Year.

I have spent the last few days thinking of one word that will describe what I want to accomplish in the upcoming year of 2011. I wanted to find the perfect word that would summarize my whole theme. Yet, I kept coming back to four areas of my life that I want to improve on. I wrote them down and pondered on them for some time. Then, in the middle of a sleepless night I realized that my theme word was right before my eyes all along.

simpLify

grOw

serVe

lEarn

image credit: smashingapps.com

1 John 4:19 ~ We love because He first loved us.

All of these words are strong, tangible, action words that I will go into more depth on within the coming weeks as I start to put my goals into action.

What’s your word for 2011?