2017 Goals

Morgan recently wrote on I'm an Organizing Junkie, "We have dreams that remain just that, dreams.  It's pretty amazing what you can accomplish, when you commit to organizing your goals."  As I plan my 2017 goals, I want them to be:

• Realistic – carefully consider your current season: ability and availability.
• Accountable – announce your goals, ask for support, and share your progress.
• Flexible – change, revise, and update your goals and/or methods, as necessary.

I hope that you can look ahead and take an even more determined approach with your goal setting. You can do anything that you set your mind to, and I hope that you do!

2017 Goals

• Exercise (3 times / week) and Daily Step Goals (8,000 daily; 56,000 weekly)
• In 2016, my weight was creeping back between 160-165 pounds and my ankles were swelling.  I rejoined Weight Watchers on April 27, 2016.  I have reached my goal and currently working toward obtaining lifetime membership with them.  I am amazed at how much I have toned and the inches I have lost.  Over the next five weeks, the goal is to maintain my weight between a plus / minus two pounds of my goal weight.
• Jeff and I have continued to exercise in 2016 and we both ran the Abilene Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.  We both beat our goals with Jeff finishing in 26:08.1 and I finished in 36:55.  Personally, my goal is to run three 5K races in 2017 split throughout the year to give us time to continue to train and become healthier and more fit.
• Read at least six books
• With a combination of being busy and many other excuses, I would like to read a minimum of six books in 2017 with hopes of reading more.  I have learned in 2016 to take more time for me.  I have found that I do not have to "go-go-go".  I am finishing up on Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers and plan to read her next book in the series, Her Daughter's Dream after finishing the first.
• Read my bible and continue to grow my faith
• Reality for this goal to obtained, it all goes back to slowing down, taking time for me, and spending purposeful time reading my bible, reading devotions, and taking time to learn more.  The Proverbs 31 ministry provides free daily devotionals and other online bible studies.  Last June, I ordered a study guide over the book of Numbers and did not finish it.  So with a combination of using their app, First 5, I am planning to spend more time with God.  
• My church, Cross Way UMC, is offering new classes this upcoming spring which I am excited about attending including Sunday School, Life Groups, and Illustration Journaling!

2014 New Year Resolutions

2013 sure seems it has gone by quickly.  Roland turned seventeen, Jakob turned eight, and Ashlyn turned two in 2013.  Jeff was diagnosed with Pre-Diabetes early June and through changing our diet and increasing our exercise we both have lost weight!  He went back to the doctor in October and due to our changes we made he is no longer on the diabetes spectrum.  Since his diagnosis, he has lost about thirty pounds.

I began my 5th year teaching eighth grade math and algebra.  I also finished four more classes towards my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of North Texas.  The fall semester was extremely challenging because I was enrolled in two classes, but through the help of a great husband I made it through with two A's.  I now have a 3.875 overall GPA and have only four more classes remaining to complete the degree!  My goal is to graduate with a minimum of a 3.8.

Resolutions

1. Exercise on Elliptical (3 times/week) and Daily Step Goals (7,000 daily; 49,000 weekly)
   Since Ashlyn was born in 2011, I have lost about 20 lbs.  I would like to continue to tone and lose about five to ten more pounds.  I set my goal for 7,000 steps because I am currently averaging about 5,000 steps per day.
2. Blog… Kid accomplishments, artwork, family stories, menu plans, coupon savings, etcToday, A Frugal Friend posted a daily photo challenge with daily themes.  I have done a challenge before which was called Project365.  I will do my best towards this challenge, but it correlates perfect with wanting to blog more!  
3. Read at least six books and read my Bible.
   As sad as it seems, I have not read many books in 2013 due to my crazy schedule.  I want to slow down a little and read more.  Six books may not seem like many, but it much more than I read last year.  Part of the reason I haven't read fun books in the past year was because I was reading college textbooks.  I did finish Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods recently!  I started reading a new book from Janet Evanovich, The Heist.  My goal is to have it completed by January 18th since it is due back to the Denton Library on this day.

Finished Something Borrowed now onto The Hunger Games

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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I started this book while I was pregnant and did enjoy it. I read most of the book shortly before Ashlyn was born. It had an interesting twist and love triangle that kept it interesting. I enjoy reading romance and mystery books and tend to switch back and forth.

  

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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I am enjoying The Hunger Games so far and after the first chapter it had me on the edge of my bed and couldn't stop reading!  I read another chapter and probably would have continued if it was not late!  One of my many goals is to read more and last year I did not read too much.  I like how the libraries now have books that can be loaned out for free and that makes an incentive to read a little quicker since there are due dates!

Feel free to leave me comments and recommendations on great books!  I enjoy reading romance, mystery, and police/lawyer mystery books most often.

Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne

Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jakob enjoyed listening to the story and did well comprehending what we were reading.  He remembered the character names, predicted what might happen next, and remembered general topics of the chapters!



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Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I suspected the story would not end the way I was hoping it would.  However, it was a good book.  I kept hoping the ending would change somehow, but overall the character did what was right.  I am planning on watching the movie and curious to see the differences between the two.



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Stanley, Flat Again!

  Stanley, Flat Again! by Jeff Brown

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Jakob really enjoyed this book.  It was his first chapter book and I was really impressed in how well he comprehended it!  He could answer basic questions I asked throughout and even after we finished it!

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Since we started reading this book, Jakob also created a Flat Stanley.  We sent it to my brother, Randy, in California!  Then after Randy and Nikki got married, they took it with them on their honeymoon!  So Jakob is traveling all over the place and visiting some pretty neat places!  He might get to go on a trip with Jeff's grandparents if Flat Stanley returns in time!

Jakob's "Flat Stanley" on a Sam Houston statue in DC.

Jakob's "Flat Stanley" at the captial. The star he is on is the very center of DC.

Jakob's "Flat Stanley" at the Old Supreme Court.

Jakob's "Flat Stanley" in Nikki's tomato plants in California!

Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark

  Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne




Jakob is doing well listening to this book too! He remembered the names of the characters and is predicting what will happen next!! YEAH!

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Jakob and I started reading this book a few days ago.  He is enjoying it and today told me the character names and then predicted what he thought was going to happen next!  We have been reading a chapter a night and it is exciting to see him want me to keep reading!

Almost finished with New Moon

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It takes me a while to get going on these books, but once I get time to read and start getting into these books...they are so good!

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Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great book. I am reading it to an ESL Reading classroom and when we stop, they want to keep reading! I plan on saving this author! Personally, when reading it I had a hard time putting it down. It is a great historical fiction book to read.


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Latest book read

Well, I finished reading Hitched by Carol Higgins Clark. It was interesting, but I thought it was a little hard to get into. The story line had many characters that intertwined to make a good story, but was hard to keep up with the characters especially in the beginning.

I started reading 2nd Chance by James Patterson today and it is already starting off with a bang! I love books which start from the get go with the action! Makes a much more exciting read!

I also picked up three books from Barnes and Noble the other day from their bargin area. Three hard back books for $9.99! What a deal! They are all authors I have not read yet, but story lines sounded good!

Finished The Lincoln Lawyer

I finished The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly this past Wednesday. I really enjoyed this book. If you enjoy mystery books, you should read it! USA Today reported the book in 5th place for overall sales through July 16th.