This is the first year since I was 5 years old that I won't be in school at all. I've had a couple semesters off, but each year I've had at least one semester of school. I feel like this is my year to become a well-rounded human being again!
I wrote these New Year's resolutions in Jaunary, but will write about them now, because it is March, the time when my goals usually have fallen by the way-side:) I've done pretty good so far, and hope that I can continue to become the person I dream of becoming through small simple steps.
Personal Goals:
1. Work on preserving relationships...call a family member or friend each week.
(I have been trying to do this and it has been fun to talk to my brother, mom, sister and sister-in- laws more frequently. I've also been trying to call friends on my way home from work when I have some quiet time to talk as I drive down deserted country roads!)
2. Work on building new friendships...start a book club and have friends over for games.
(I started a book club with some friends in my ward. We are on our second book currently, and it was so fun to get together and have a fun night with some ladies I love.)
3. Be grateful. Write letters of gratitude to people who have blessed my life.
(Haven't done this one yet...I still have time!)
4. Buy skinny jeans.
(Not yet, I will do this when the physical goal #5 is completed:)
(Not yet, I will do this when the physical goal #5 is completed:)
Spiritual Goals:
1. Personal Scripture study daily (Doing good on this one...)
2. Couple scripture study daily (Doing good on this one...)
3. Temple once a month.
(Not doing so good, it's hard for me to leave my kids. I already work 16 hours a week, so I hate, hate, hate leaving them again. However, we are going this weekend to the temple, and I hope to do better at getting there. I know it is important.)
4. Review the conference talks on my own.
(Haven't done this one either, I am going to start when the May Ensign comes out with all the talks in it)
Physical:
1. 1/2 Marathon in May
(Doing good, on week three of my training schedule...and a long run is starting to feel SO good. The other day I actually thought "ah...an easy day today, only 4 miles!")
2. Exercise everyday...make it a part of what I always do.
(I have been doing really good on this one, and have been exercising super consistently for 5 months now. I usually exercise 4 days a week, because I don't exercise on the days I go to work. However, some weeks I get in 5 days a week.)
3. Portion control
(not doing so good on this one, but I am nursing my son, and don't really think I should be cutting calories, because I'm afraid I would lose my milk supply)
and healthy snacking
(Doing good on this one. The first book we read for book club was "the skinny rules" by Bob Harper. It really got me motivated to incorporate more vegetables into my diet. I would say I have tripled the amount of veggies I eat each day, and I love it!)
4. Wake up at 6:00 am every morning
(not doing so good on this one either...James usually wakes up at 5:00 am for a feeding, and I usually climb back into bed and sleep until 7:00...)
5. Get back to my pre-grad school weight.
(I am back to pre-pregnancy weight now, but still have about 15 lbs to lose that I put on in grad school.)
Educational:
1. Read NP magazine each month and prescribers letter each month. (yep, doing it.)
2. Always have a book I'm readying. (yep, doing this one too)
3. Read Angie's photography book, and get better at settings on my camera. (Nope. Not yet.)
Financial:
1. Save _______$ this year for a house.
(I won't put on here how much I wanted to say, but I have already reached that goal, and we are hoping to save double what we thought we could this year. We don't know when we will actually buy a house, but Dave Ramsey says to have at least 20% to put down, and around here what Dave says goes! :)
Family/Mom Goals:
1. Date night with Clark once a week.
(It is hard when you live in the country to drive 15 minutes to pick up a babysitter, drive her to my house, then drive into town for 30 minutes, spend money on gas and food/entertainment, and drive another 30 minutes home. So, we have been doing at home date nights. But we try to have at least one night a week when it is just us doing something together.)
2. Get a playgroup together for Kyson
(Done, we meet with a couple ladies from our ward once a week for play group. Kyson LOVES it!)
3. Family Night every Monday night.
(Doing pretty good on this one. We have missed a couple, but overall, a big improvement from last year!)
4. Be home with my kids more.
(Over the summer working 16 hours a week wasn't too bad. I usually could work when Kyson was sleeping, and Clark was able to be home with them. However, it was still three days a week, 6 hours of commuting, and with Clark's school schedule, we have been crazy meeting in the middle of random roads to swap cars and kids. I feel like I was always saying "hurry" to Kyson, and I realized that I was going to "hurry" away his childhood. Clark and I have been looking for ways that I could be home more. About a month ago, Clark got an interview with the hospital, and he got a job in the ICU. This is awesome because he gets full benefits, and he only works two days a week.
A couple days after he got his job offer, I got a text from a PA that I did some clinical hours with, asking me if I would consider coming to work at his urgent care. He offered me 10$ an hour more than I get right now, and told me I could work any day of the week I want, and if I need to take weeks off, it was fine. Wow. Prayers really are answered.
So, I told my current boss that I would need to be done the end of March, and I will start doing one day a week at the urgent care. Because of the pay raise, I will be making close to what I was before, plus I get to be home more, Clark has a job with benefits, and Clark is getting to know people who will hopefully hire him in one year when he graduates with his RN degree. We are so grateful for this job change, and I am so excited to be an almost stay-at-home-mom!)
1. Save _______$ this year for a house.
(I won't put on here how much I wanted to say, but I have already reached that goal, and we are hoping to save double what we thought we could this year. We don't know when we will actually buy a house, but Dave Ramsey says to have at least 20% to put down, and around here what Dave says goes! :)
Family/Mom Goals:
1. Date night with Clark once a week.
(It is hard when you live in the country to drive 15 minutes to pick up a babysitter, drive her to my house, then drive into town for 30 minutes, spend money on gas and food/entertainment, and drive another 30 minutes home. So, we have been doing at home date nights. But we try to have at least one night a week when it is just us doing something together.)
2. Get a playgroup together for Kyson
(Done, we meet with a couple ladies from our ward once a week for play group. Kyson LOVES it!)
3. Family Night every Monday night.
(Doing pretty good on this one. We have missed a couple, but overall, a big improvement from last year!)
4. Be home with my kids more.
(Over the summer working 16 hours a week wasn't too bad. I usually could work when Kyson was sleeping, and Clark was able to be home with them. However, it was still three days a week, 6 hours of commuting, and with Clark's school schedule, we have been crazy meeting in the middle of random roads to swap cars and kids. I feel like I was always saying "hurry" to Kyson, and I realized that I was going to "hurry" away his childhood. Clark and I have been looking for ways that I could be home more. About a month ago, Clark got an interview with the hospital, and he got a job in the ICU. This is awesome because he gets full benefits, and he only works two days a week.
A couple days after he got his job offer, I got a text from a PA that I did some clinical hours with, asking me if I would consider coming to work at his urgent care. He offered me 10$ an hour more than I get right now, and told me I could work any day of the week I want, and if I need to take weeks off, it was fine. Wow. Prayers really are answered.
So, I told my current boss that I would need to be done the end of March, and I will start doing one day a week at the urgent care. Because of the pay raise, I will be making close to what I was before, plus I get to be home more, Clark has a job with benefits, and Clark is getting to know people who will hopefully hire him in one year when he graduates with his RN degree. We are so grateful for this job change, and I am so excited to be an almost stay-at-home-mom!)
