Goals and Distractions

So here it is Wednesday night (well technically early Thursday morning) and I just realized I never did my goal update and for this week, I am not going to. Why you might ask? Well, I have been too distracted from my goals to even attempt my goals. So I made a new permenant goal....

No More Distractions!!!

What kind of distractions do I mean?  I mean the "my child is sick so I slack on everything because I feel that gives me perfect opportunity to do nothing but snuggle on the couch". While yes, I love to snuggle on the couch with my babies, especially when they are sick and need me so much, doing it for 5 days and letting everything slack is completely ridiculous. I lose all motivation and then I kick myself in the pants because I have to play catch-up with everything!! And if you are a mom, you know that playing catch-up is probably one of the worst things you can do to yourself.

I mean the "let me hop on Facebook to send my husband a quick note and then lose an hour because I have to read who hates their spouse, who is leaving FB because of drama (only to return in 24 hours asking if anyone missed them) or stare at my friend's/family's beautiful pictures, wishing I was closer to hug every one them!!" Taking a class in social networking has been an eye opener for me. I knew I loved Facebook but I have suddenly realized I am consumed with it, so not a good thing. So I am challenging myself to one hour of Facebook time a day and that is only if as much work as I can do for the day is completed. I even came up with a way to basically yell at myself.....

Surprisingly, it worked today. I got so much accomplished and feel good about myself as I get ready to head to bed.

So distraction tried to take over my life, let's see if I can kick them out or if I will get too distracted!! LOL

Goals Check In

It's MONDAY!!!! The start of another week and time for this week's goal challenge update!!! How are you doing with your goals?

My goals and their status:

Daily:
1) Fill in the kids chore charts to help them earn their allowance. We did awesome this week. Noah is saving for a special toy and the chat has sparked a whole new level of helpfulness!!! Yay!!
2) Continue the "no video games" during the school week with the exception of Noah's use of Reading Eggs. A success this week!! We will be moving from Reading Eggs to a new program sent home from his teacher this week.
3) Limit TV time to no more than 2 hours per day (with the exception of sick days) Didn't do too well this week since I am on break from school. I am playing catch up on my DVR.
4) Work with Jordan one hour per day on educational activities Starting out slow with this but at least we have started. She does a workbook when Noah does his homework.
5) Spend one hour per class each day on my studies even if my homework is done for the week. Time to get started on this, break ends on Tuesday!!
6) Have Noah review his sight words 3 times daily. Up to twice a day, shooting for three!! 
7) Read the Bible to the kids Going great and the kids are even more into than they were before
8) Read my Bible and devotional book (shooting for twice a day) Started reading my Bible again which is good

Weekly:

1) Stick to a cleaning and maintenance schedule for the house Got my schedule all printed out but didn't even touch it
2) Start working out regularly, at least 3 times a week I have my goal set to start on Tuesday. I can do it.....I hope!!
3) Eat out no more than once per week: Did great on this one. Decided to not include our ritual pizza night in with this.
4) Attend church  Went Saturday night and missed it so much these last few weeks!!
5) Send something to Hubby: card, letter, picture, boxes, anything EPIC FAIL
6) Work on Noah and Jordan's handwriting at least 3 times a week Finally got this one going too!! Yay
7) Try to blog 3 times a week if not more Another epic fail!!

Monthly: 
1) Try one new place every month, even if means driving out of town: Not looking promising this month unless we go someplace new when we go up to VA at the end of the month

2) Buy birthday cards for the month at the beginning of each month and address and stamp them immediately. I actually don't have any Feb. birthdays in my family so I am good on this

Short term goals:

1) Have family photos printed and framed 

2) Print out picture for bedroom and frame 

3) Send out TS business email about ending business I posted about this on my FB group page. I need to send out an actual email.

4) Have Little Man reading stage 1 books without help before the Hubby's return in the spring
5) Purchase new washer and dryer: Bought, installed and used several times already!!! Love them!!
6) Get the garage organized prior to Hubby's return Thanks to my awesome friend, this is closer to completion than ever before!!
7) Organize recipe binder
8) Organize household binder
9) Get DVD's situated (DVD case, labels and get rid of the boxes!!)
10) Purchase new vacuum
11) Start preps for Hubby's homecoming!! (So excited to write this one) Ordered the printed signs, now time to get the stuff to make the homemade signs. Anyone know were I can get the markers for the windows in our van?
12) Start planning our vacations for the year. Texas at the end of April (hopefully without kids if we can arrange it), Disney at some point and possibly a week in Gatlinburg!!
13) Plan Jordan's 4th birthday party (is she really turning 4???): She decided on the theme, now figuring out the venue

Long Term
1) GET OUT OF DEBT!!!! (The cards in the freezer is working so far...lol) Cards are back in the fridge!! 
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: 10 1/2

Getting my goals started again!!!

Wow, I can't beleive I haven't done a goal update since the end of November!!! December was such a crazy month for us. By the time I got to NY for the holidays, I was literally exhausted!! I slept so much while I was there but it was nice to relax. But now it is a new year which means time to get focused again!! As you all know, I am participating in a goal challenge started by my friend at USNchic Goals. Every Monday, I will post an update of my goals and how much I accomplished. I would like to encourage you to set goals for yourself and keep track whether by a blog, a Facebook note or good old pen and paper. Everyone needs a goal or two in life, gives you something to work for!! 

My goals and their status:

Daily:
1) Fill in the kids chore charts to help them earn their allowance. We were doing great with this before the holidays hit. We start again today and the kids are actually excited about it!!
2) Continue the "no video games" during the school week with the exception of Noah's use of Reading Eggs. This will be a struggle since Noah got used to playing on his DS a lot while we were in NY. I guess I will have to put my foot down about it.
3) Limit TV time to no more than 2 hours per day (with the exception of sick days) After today, we will be starting this again. The TV has been on a lot lately.
4) Work with Jordan one hour per day on educational activities She got a lot of school work activities from Christmas so we will be working on this one
5) Spend one hour per class each day on my studies even if my homework is done for the week. I am on break this week but I am trying to a least read some so I can stay ahead of the game.
6) Have Noah review his sight words 3 times daily
7) Read the Bible to the kids We slacked off on this on vacation but we are starting up again tonight.
8) Read my Bible and devotional book (shooting for twice a day) see above

Weekly:

1) Stick to a cleaning and maintenance schedule for the house Got my schedule all printed out. Starting it today!!
2) Start working out regularly, at least 3 times a week
3) Eat out no more than once per week
4) Attend church
5) Send something to Hubby: card, letter, picture, boxes, anything
6) Work on Noah and Jordan's handwriting at least 3 times a week
7) 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 I had them out by the 15th, 5 days late isn't too bad

4) Have Christmas shopping done prior to Dec. 17th this so did not happen!!

5) Send out TS business email about ending business I posted about this on my FB group page. I need to send out an actual email.

6) Have Little Man reading stage 1 books without help before the Hubby's return in the spring
7) Purchase new washer and dryer
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 I started this over the holidays. We are both struggling to get through the first book.
14) Purchase new vacuum
15) Start preps for Hubby's homecoming!! (So excited to write this one)
16) Start planning our vacations for the year. Texas at the end of April (hopefully without kids if we can arrange it), Disney at some point and possibly a week in Gatlinburg!!
17) Plan Jordan's 4th birthday party (is she really turning 4???)

Long Term
1) GET OUT OF DEBT!!!! (The cards in the freezer is working so far...lol) Christmas did not help this goal what so ever!!
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: 6 1/2