Goal Check In #5 and small update

Well it is Monday again and time for our goal check in. I am not even going to bored you with the details since I only accomplished one goal this past week!! It was such a horrible week as far as sticking to the goals but it was an awesome week overall. I was so productive and so ahead on everything, it was very nice!!! I have noticed that as the weeks go by, because I am trying my hardest to accomplish these goals, I am a lot more organized than I normally am. I am not so scatter-brained, which is a wonderful feeling!!

With the Christmas holidays coming up and my term for school entering it's 6th week of 8, things are definitely going to get busier but that is ok with me. I am actually excited to get through the next few weeks since it means I get to see my Mom and family. I am beyond excited to see my nieces!!! We are all looking forward to being surrounded by family for the holidays especially with Hubby being gone. I imagine it will still be rough but it will be nice to be near people who can give me a hug when I need one!!

We made it past our 100 day mark and more and things are good. We have rougher days than others but overall it has been ok. Deployment sucks all around but we are getting by. Thankfully the last month went by so fast with all we had to do and this month will go by even faster!! I am looking forward to the Christmas holidays!! Let's pray though that things don't slow down once January comes!!!! LOL

Goal Check In #4

It's goal check in time again!! As you all know, I am participating in a goal challenge started by my friend at USNchic Goals . I feel like I accomplished a lot this week but it looks like no many are goal related!!!

My goals and their status:

Daily:
1) Fill in the kids chore charts to help them earn their allowance. Actually completed a whole week this week and the kids enjoyed getting their allowance. It has definitely sparked a new level of helpful around here!!
2) Continue the "no video games" during the school week with the exception of Noah's use of Reading Eggs. Doing well with this despite Noah's protests
3) Limit TV time to no more than 2 hours per day (with the exception of sick days) Had a few extended TV days this week due to the sickies visiting but it was needed for my sanity!!
4) Work with Jordan one hour per day on educational activities I am trying to at least read to her more.
5) Spend one hour per class each day on my studies even if my homework is done for the week.
6) Have Noah review his sight words 4 times daily I am changing this to 3 times a day and it will be a perk if we hit 4. We normally successfully do 3 times!!
7) Read the Bible to the kids Doing this daily and we all really enjoy this!!
8) Read my Bible and devotional book (shooting for twice a day) I did horribly this past week. I still said my prayers and did my devotional book at night but other than the Bible reading with the kids, mine was only opened once.

Weekly:

1) Stick to a cleaning and maintenance schedule for the house Tried out the new schedule. Really liked it but it was hard having sick kids. I did what I could and plan on trying to be more consistent after our trip to ATL!!
2) Start working out regularly, at least 3 times a week
3) Eat out no more than once per week Did great with this this week!! Only ate out once!!
4) Submit one box a week to Thred Up
5) Attend church
6) Send something to Hubby: card, letter, picture, boxes, anything
7) Work on Noah's handwriting at least 3 times a week
8) Try to blog 3 times a week if not more I got two done this week, not counting check-in, so it is a start!!

Monthly: 
1) Try one new place every month, even if means driving out of town

2) Buy birthday cards for the month at the beginning of each month and address and stamp them immediately.

Short term goals:

1) Have family photos printed and framed 

2) Print out picture for bedroom and frame 

3) Get Christmas cards done and sent out by December 10th

4) Have Christmas shopping done prior to Dec. 17th

5) Send out TS business email about ending business Why can't I bring myself to do this one?

6) Have Little Man reading stage 1 books without help before the Hubby's return in the spring
7) Join a women's group or women's bible study
8) Get the garage organized prior to Hubby's return Thanks to my awesome friend, this is closer to completion than ever before!!
9) Organize recipe binder
10) Organize household binder
11) Get DVD's situated (DVD case, labels and get rid of the boxes!!)
12) Write out Christmas lists for purchased gifts and gift ideas so I don't over-purchase or miss anyone!! I am working on this one. I swear I am missing someone!!!
13) Start working on reading list with Banana

Long Term
1) GET OUT OF DEBT!!!! (The cards in the freezer is working so far...lol)
2) Complete my Bachelor's degree with a minimum of a 3.5 GPA
3) Start my Master's degree immediately after completing my BA. No break from school!!
4) Plan a vacation with my husband yearly, just the two of us. We tend to lose who we are when we become parents and I think it is important for us to recapture that. Even if it for a few days, it needs to be done!!
5) Learn to speak a different language. I am leaning toward French but think Spanish is the best bet especially if I plan on teaching someday.


Goals Completed since October 27th, 2011: 2 1/2

Oh, the humanity!!!

So I put up our Christmas tree on Monday....

Yes, I put it up 10 days before Thanksgiving and man alive did that sparks some comments on Facebook. None of them bothered me but they did make me laugh, particularly when I was told that every tree lit before Christmas indicates an elf killing a baby reindeer!!!! I know all the comments were made in jest but it really got me to thinking....

Why do people make such a big deal out of someone putting their tree up before Thanksgiving?

Moreover, why don't they make a stink when people comment about how they started their Christmas shopping in June? Or how they are almost done with their Christmas craft projects and it isn't even December? Or how they already have their Christmas cards printed out, ready to mail? Can someone explain to me the difference?

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what you have, I am thankful all year so why do I need one day to celebrate that. I thank God every day for the blessing he bestows on my life. My life has such an abundance of blessings and I have no right not to be thankful each day of my life.

One of the blessings I have in my life is an extremely busy schedule and when I get a break in that schedule, I am going to take full advantage!! Princess was sick, which forced us to be home, my house was clean so I thought what better time than the present!! The ironic thing is that my tree reminds me of all my blessings and all that I am thankful for in my life. Each ornament has a story, a memory, a reason for being on my tree. I do not have a "picture-perfect" tree with all matchy-match ornaments, bows, white lights and perfection. I have a hodge-podge tree filled with fun ornaments that remind us of so much like the 1976 "Baby's First Christmas ornament" or the USS Carney Ship ornament or the flip flop ornament from VA beach 2007 or our additions from last year, our three personalized Mickey ear ornaments from our trip to Disney.

I like to decorate for Christmas early for a variety of reasons but the main ones are to remember special moments and to focus on the importance of this time of the year. It is a time of the year to go out of your way for people, to have a smile on your face regardless of circumstances, and to bring as much joy and happy to others as you have been given in your own life. I am overly blessed and I want to remind myself to share those blessings with others. The most important reason is because my Savior was born on this special day and I believe birthdays should always be made extra special!!!

So for those “anti-Christmas before Thanksgiving” people out there, just remember this…..for every Christmas gift purchased and every craft completed before Thanksgiving, that is one baby elf that dies…..LOL!!!

Happy Decorating all, no matter when you do it!!

Protocol

So every November I take part in the great Facebook thankful status' adventure. Last week at some point, I remember being thankful for our health care but I am far from thankful for it this week!!!

On Sunday, Princess started to run a fever after a weekend of the runny nose, coughing yuckies. Since we have been dealing with ear infections a lot over the last several months and she told me her ear was bothering her, I decided to make her an appt. for first thing Monday morning. It worked out well since I had to be there for Little Man's asthma follow-up. Once we get there and see the doctor, we discover alas no ear infection, so they decide to do a rapid strep culture on her. 20 minutes later, it turns out to be positive so antibiotics here we come!!

At Little Man's follow-up appt, I ask the doctor if they could do a culture on him to be on the safe side. I have a busy few weeks ahead and I don't need sickness dragging out forever. She hims and haws but does one (I think mainly because she knows if she didn't I would turn right around and make an appt for him for one). She tells me if I don't hear from her by close of business on Wednesday, then he is good to go. I then ask her if I should get one done too and she said no, that he more than likely doesn't have it since we are both asymptomatic so not to worry.

So Tuesday rolls around and Princess is home so she can get her 24 hours of antibiotics on board. My phone rings and low and behold, it is the doctor's office telling me that Little Man has strep also. So I get off the phone with her and proceed to call my own doctor to get a culture done on myself. I go in to the Naval Hospital (again), get it done and again get told that I more than likely won't have it since I am asymptomatic!! While I am there, I grab Little Man's antibiotics.

Which brings us to today. I feel fine, no cold symptoms what so ever but wouldn't you know it, I get a phone call around 1:15 from my doctor telling me my culture came back positive for strep!! So off the the Naval Hospital we go (for the third time) to pick up yet a third antibiotic!!! Can you even imagine how annoyed I am????

So here are my thoughts....if a child tests positive for strep, wouldn't it be smart to test the entire family considering the close proximity they have with each other? And if a child or adult can't go to school or work with strep because it is so contagious until antibiotics are on board for 24 hours, why do doctors think that a family who lives in a small 1500 square foot home couldn't possibly pass the germs on to each other??? And when are doctors going to start listening to patients or parents versus what they learned in textbooks? This makes 3 times this year that I was told that either myself or my child couldn't possibly have something because we are asymptomatic!!

Seriously, if they would have done all three on Monday, it wouldn't have wasted so much of my time!!! Next time (hopefully there won't be a next time but if there is), I am going to be insistent about it!!!

Goal Check In #3

So it is that time again....goal check in time!!! As you all know, I am participating in a goal challenge started by my friend at USNchic Goals . My last check in was better than the first so let's see how I did this week.I am going to steal USNChic's idea to better organize the goals so it is easier to keep better track of them.

My goals and their status:

Daily:
1) Fill in the kids chore charts to help them earn their allowance.
2) Continue the "no video games" during the school week with the exception of Noah's use of Reading Eggs. Doing well with this despite Noah's protests
3) Limit TV time to no more than 2 hours per day (with the exception of sick days)
4) Work with Jordan one hour per day on educational activities
5) Spend one hour per class each day on my studies even if my homework is done for the week.
6) Have Noah review his sight words 4 times daily
7) Read the Bible to the kids
8) Read my Bible and devotional book (shooting for twice a day)

Weekly:

1) Stick to a cleaning and maintenance schedule for the house We have the schedule up and working to stick to it this week
2) Start working out regularly, at least 3 times a week
3) Eat out no more than once per week
4) Submit one box a week to Thred Up
5) Attend church
6) Send something to Hubby: card, letter, picture, boxes, anything
7) Work on Noah's handwriting at least 3 times a week
8) Try to blog 3 times a week if not more

Monthly: 
1) Try one new place every month, even if means driving out of town

2) Buy birthday cards for the month at the beginning of each month and address and stamp them immediately.

Short term goals:

1) Have family photos printed and framed 

2) Print out picture for bedroom and frame 

3) Get Christmas cards done and sent out by December 10th

4) Have Christmas shopping done prior to Dec. 17th

5) Send out TS business email about ending business

6) Have Little Man reading stage 1 books without help before the Hubby's return in the spring
7) Join a women's group or women's bible study
8) Get the garage organized prior to Hubby's return Thanks to my awesome friend, this is closer to completion than ever before!!
9) Organize recipe binder
10) Organize household binder
11) Get DVD's situated (DVD case, labels and get rid of the boxes!!)
12) Write out Christmas lists for purchased gifts and gift ideas so I don't over-purchase or miss anyone!! 

Long Term
1) GET OUT OF DEBT!!!! (The cards in the freezer is working so far...lol)
2) Complete my Bachelor's degree with a minimum of a 3.5 GPA
3) Start my Master's degree immediately after completing my BA. No break from school!!
4) Plan a vacation with my husband yearly, just the two of us. We tend to lose who we are when we become parents and I think it is important for us to recapture that. Even if it for a few days, it needs to be done!!
5) Learn to speak a different language. I am leaning toward French but think Spanish is the best bet especially if I plan on teaching someday.


Goals Completed since October 27th, 2011: 2 1/2

Goal check in #2

So it is that time again....goal check in time!!! As you all know, I am participating in a goal challenge started by my friend at USNchic Goals . My last check in was so-so Check in #1 so let's see how I did this week.

My goals and their status:

1) Come up with (and stick to) a cleaning and maintenance schedule for the house: It is done, typed up and I am starting it today. I hope it works out for me!!!

2) Start working out regularly, at least 3 times a week: Making my chiropractor appt. this week. I need to stop putting it off!!!

3) Spend one hour per class on homework or my studies daily: Still maintaining the two hours per day but I do need to allow myself a "break day" or I am going to burn myself out.

4) Utilize Facebook during the morning and at night IF ALL THE WORK IS DONE!!!!: I am getting a little better with this one....

5) Spend 1 hour per day doing learning activities with Princess:Honestly, haven't worked much with her. Things have been crazy busy so I need to refocus and set time aside for this.

6) Continue the no TV before school/daily activities and focus on making after dinner no TV time also: Life without TV is becoming more commonplace in our house. The TV was only on yesterday to watch Wizard of Oz last night and we didn't even finish the movie (only watched about an hour of it). My DVR is like 97% full, that is how little I watch TV.

7) Have Little Man reading stage 1 books without help before the Hubby's return in the spring: So proud, we are doing really good with this. He is getting to where he can sound out words too!! I hope I have at least one reader on my hands!!

8) Send a card or letter to my closest friends and relatives on their birthdays rather than just wishing them a Happy Birthday on Facebook or sending them a text message. And actually mail it on time!!!!: Yea, another epic fail this week. I got a little further though....they are addressed. LOL


9) Eat out only once per week (not including pizza night). Since the Hubby has been gone, it has been easier to eat sometimes then cook: Did pretty decent with this last week. Grabbed some Wendy's one night because of another fundraiser for Little Man's school and went to lunch yesterday but other than that, we have bee eating at home. It is a start!!

10) Stop being sporadic with the kids chore chart. Hold them accountable and ensure they receive their reward for doing a good job (10 cents per covered box): Another epic fail!!

11) Read the Bible nightly and my devotional book twice daily. Still having a hard time getting up early enough to read. I need to go to bed earlier....

12) Join a women's group or women's bible study: Still trying to find one that fits for me

13) Submit one box a week to Thred Up. We have way too many clothes in bins in the garage!!: Still haven't touched this one

14) Get to garage organized prior to Hubby's return. Anyone want to help with this? This one is still extremely comical every time I read it!!My cheesehead said she would help me out with it but I don't think she has an idea what she is getting into.

15) Try one new place every month, even if means driving out of town Well technically we are trying a new place this month. We are headed to Atlanta in a few weeks to go visit one of my besties!!

16) Work with Noah daily to improve his handwriting: Still working on it!!

17) Mail Hubby something once a week until he returns. Even if I don't have boxes to send him, send him a letter, card, picture, something tangible!! Mailed out 3 boxes this past week and already started on the next ones!! 

18) Try to blog every other day even if I don't have much to say (do I ever have not much to say?): Didn't even think about blogging until today. I need to set a reminder for myself!!

19) Fold all the socks in my sock basket. For those who know me, if I achieve this, it is a major coup!!   I am so proud that I can cross this one off my list. I HATE folding socks but I got it done!!



20) Reorganize my closet an the kids closets. Things are getting pretty messy in there!! This will be done by next week. Mine and Princess' are done and I am working on Little Man's today.