Another year has come and gone. Of course I didn't accomplish all I wanted to in 2011, but that won't stop me from making a new set of goals for 2012 :) Each new year is like a chance at a fresh new start. A chance to do things better, try harder, reach farther, grow stronger.
My goals for 2012:
* Continue to grow in my faith. Reach out to others through Sunday School, church, and Bible Study. Be consistent about reading the Bible and praying.
* Exercise more. Lose 20 more pounds.
* Take the next steps on our journey to become more self-sufficient. I am planning to plant more of fewer items in my garden this year. I want to can/freeze more than I did last year - especially as our kids are growing and eating more. I would like to reduce our food budget as well as our dependence on the grocery store. I also plan to start milking 2 cows this summer so I would like to learn to make cheese and start saving money to build a new barn.
* Live as frugally as possible. Kevin is having shoulder surgery in August and will not be able to work for 4 months. We need to have enough money saved up by then to live without income for 4 months (as well as pay the hospital bill).
* I plan to work hard on consistency this year. The one area I fail is in keeping a consistent schecdule, a consistent positive attitude, and having consistent consequences for my kids. I start with good intentions, but that is as far as I get.
* I want to spend more time reading and working on projects for myself. I have a lot of started projects so I want to finish them and start some new ones I have been excited about trying.
What are your goals/resolutions for the new year?
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas....
everywhere we go....
We finally have a little snow on the ground. Just a light dusting - nothing crazy - but enough to make me happy! We have 5 Christmases planned for our family with today being the first one :)
Today the kids opened their present from each other. Since they (and I) knew these would most likely be toys we decided to open them this morning and let them spend the day playing with their new toys. I like to space the gift opening out so they can enjoy each gift as they receive it, before moving on to the next one.
Saturday morning (Christmas eve) the kids will get to open the presents from us. We stuck to simplicity this year. We got them a John Deere farming board game to share. The boys are each getting their own copy of the newest Wimpy Kid book (they don't even know it's out yet - so it will be a great gift) and Montana is getting a Barbie DS game. Barbie games seem hard to come by so when I saw one on Black Friday for a great price, I snatched it right up. For their main gift each of our kids are getting a "coupon book". I didn't want to buy the kids toys for Christmas and I wanted something that would last all year so I had an idea to make them coupons to use all year. There are 52 in each book and they will be allowed to use one per week. Some of them are for simple things like no chores for a day, a bag of chips, or a day off of school. Others are for bigger things like going to a movie at the theater, staying the night in a hotel, or going to the pool (in the summer). I am really excited about this gift and I hope they will be too. The anticipation is killing me!!!!
Saturday night we will celebrate Christmas at Kevin's grandparents home. We will have soup for supper followed by opening gifts. Kevin's grandma is a wonderful cook (like most grandmas) so we really look forward to this tradition each year.
Sunday morning we will go to Sunday School and church. I absolutely love it when Christmas is on a Sunday - it just makes it seem so much more special. After church we will go to Kevin's dad's home and celebrate Christmas with Kevin's dad & stepmom, his 2 sisters and their husbands. No one else in Kevin's family has children so this is usually our biggest Christmas. I happen to know that they are getting some pretty cool gifts this year since Kevin had to help assemble the bicycle and mini-bike :)
Next week we will be back to school, but that doesn't mean Christmas is over for us!! New Year's weekend we will celebrate with my side of the family. This is where all the cousins are so this is usually our loudest, craziest, most chaotic Christmas (I love every minute of it!). My dad and mom, 3 sisters (and 2 husbands) will all be there, plus all 11 of our kids ranging in age from 11 months to 12 years old. We will most likely spend all day Saturday at my parent's home (and probably part of Sunday). It will be really great to have everyone there at the same time since it doesn't work out very often.
I am really looking forward to Christmas and spending time with our families. Christmas is the most joyous season of all. Knowing that our Savior was born to free us from all our sins fills my heart with warmth. If you don't know Jesus, Christmas is the perfect time of year to meet him - as a baby in the manger!
We finally have a little snow on the ground. Just a light dusting - nothing crazy - but enough to make me happy! We have 5 Christmases planned for our family with today being the first one :)
Today the kids opened their present from each other. Since they (and I) knew these would most likely be toys we decided to open them this morning and let them spend the day playing with their new toys. I like to space the gift opening out so they can enjoy each gift as they receive it, before moving on to the next one.
Saturday morning (Christmas eve) the kids will get to open the presents from us. We stuck to simplicity this year. We got them a John Deere farming board game to share. The boys are each getting their own copy of the newest Wimpy Kid book (they don't even know it's out yet - so it will be a great gift) and Montana is getting a Barbie DS game. Barbie games seem hard to come by so when I saw one on Black Friday for a great price, I snatched it right up. For their main gift each of our kids are getting a "coupon book". I didn't want to buy the kids toys for Christmas and I wanted something that would last all year so I had an idea to make them coupons to use all year. There are 52 in each book and they will be allowed to use one per week. Some of them are for simple things like no chores for a day, a bag of chips, or a day off of school. Others are for bigger things like going to a movie at the theater, staying the night in a hotel, or going to the pool (in the summer). I am really excited about this gift and I hope they will be too. The anticipation is killing me!!!!
Saturday night we will celebrate Christmas at Kevin's grandparents home. We will have soup for supper followed by opening gifts. Kevin's grandma is a wonderful cook (like most grandmas) so we really look forward to this tradition each year.
Sunday morning we will go to Sunday School and church. I absolutely love it when Christmas is on a Sunday - it just makes it seem so much more special. After church we will go to Kevin's dad's home and celebrate Christmas with Kevin's dad & stepmom, his 2 sisters and their husbands. No one else in Kevin's family has children so this is usually our biggest Christmas. I happen to know that they are getting some pretty cool gifts this year since Kevin had to help assemble the bicycle and mini-bike :)
Next week we will be back to school, but that doesn't mean Christmas is over for us!! New Year's weekend we will celebrate with my side of the family. This is where all the cousins are so this is usually our loudest, craziest, most chaotic Christmas (I love every minute of it!). My dad and mom, 3 sisters (and 2 husbands) will all be there, plus all 11 of our kids ranging in age from 11 months to 12 years old. We will most likely spend all day Saturday at my parent's home (and probably part of Sunday). It will be really great to have everyone there at the same time since it doesn't work out very often.
I am really looking forward to Christmas and spending time with our families. Christmas is the most joyous season of all. Knowing that our Savior was born to free us from all our sins fills my heart with warmth. If you don't know Jesus, Christmas is the perfect time of year to meet him - as a baby in the manger!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
'Tis the Season
Christmas is coming. The "countdown calendars" remind me daily how close we are getting. The tree is up & decorated with presents all around it. The only thing missing is a white, snowy covering on the ground. I shouldn't complain (or probably even mention the white stuff) as this winter/fall has been exceptionally mild so far. Although I don't like ice, wind, or cold, I do love snow. It makes me feel cozy and happy - all snuggled up in my house enveloped in a world of white.
I didn't send Christmas cards this year - it seems to be a fading tradition around here - between the time & cost I just don't seem to get it done - so here's the "Christmas Letter for 2011".
We did make it through our first semester of school and, for the first time in a long time, we aren't even very far behind. I was more relaxed on the scheduling this year, but I was also more consistent on getting our work done each day. We are still using the Alpha Omega curriculum and the kids seem to be liking it. We did switch our Language curriculum a few weeks ago - I didn't think they were getting much out of the lessons and they all hated it. I am happy with how the school year is progressing and all that they are learning so I am looking forward to the second half of the school year.
Montana just celebrated her 9th birthday, which means by BABY is halfway to adulthood. That's scary to me. Although I hope the next 9 years will go slower, I know they won't. I better take advantage of every moment. She is still in to the girly things- makeup, jewelry, fancy clothes, dolls, purses, decorating, crafts, etc. I love that about her. We are working on a couple sewing projects and she finds plenty to do to keep her busy.
Wyatt turned 10 this year and he is definitely an animal lover. He cares a lot about the calves, chickens, lambs, dogs, & cats. He is also getting more into electronics and computer games. He has finally done some growing and so far has managed to remain taller than Montana :) He is still quiet & shy, but don't be fooled - underneath he can be quite the antangonizer and troublemaker! I so love his character!
Wichita is 12 - the last year we will be without a teen in this house for a very long time. He is still into computers & gaming, but also enjoys shooting targets with his BBGun and/or bow & arrow. He likes to be industrious and busy with his hands. I love that he is such an engineer. He is a lot like Kevin. He is outgoing and absolutely loves going to camp in the summer. I think we will send him to robotics camp for 4-H this year and start channeling that energy and ingenuity into something constructive.
Kevin started the year out trucking and then ended up working for a good friend. He really enjoys the job at the fertilizer plant. He isn't doing the same thing day in and day out. Versatility is very important to him. He is still working away on his '57 Chevy and I can see real progress :)
I am still loving living on the farm. My milk cow Dixie, along with the many other animals, keep me busy, but I love it. I also am working on my first ever quilt. As the kids get older, they are able to do much more for themselves, especially in the way of school work, so this frees me up to do some of the things I want to do. I have devoted a lot of time this year to learning to eat healthier and changing what we put in and on our bodies. I enjoy learning new things and especially learning old things (like how things were done long ago) and trying to incorporate those things into our daily lives.
God has blessed us in many ways. We have all grown spiritually, physically, & mentally this year. I looking forward to what he has in store for us in 2012.
God bless each of you! Merry Christmas to you all!!
I didn't send Christmas cards this year - it seems to be a fading tradition around here - between the time & cost I just don't seem to get it done - so here's the "Christmas Letter for 2011".
We did make it through our first semester of school and, for the first time in a long time, we aren't even very far behind. I was more relaxed on the scheduling this year, but I was also more consistent on getting our work done each day. We are still using the Alpha Omega curriculum and the kids seem to be liking it. We did switch our Language curriculum a few weeks ago - I didn't think they were getting much out of the lessons and they all hated it. I am happy with how the school year is progressing and all that they are learning so I am looking forward to the second half of the school year.
Montana just celebrated her 9th birthday, which means by BABY is halfway to adulthood. That's scary to me. Although I hope the next 9 years will go slower, I know they won't. I better take advantage of every moment. She is still in to the girly things- makeup, jewelry, fancy clothes, dolls, purses, decorating, crafts, etc. I love that about her. We are working on a couple sewing projects and she finds plenty to do to keep her busy.
Wyatt turned 10 this year and he is definitely an animal lover. He cares a lot about the calves, chickens, lambs, dogs, & cats. He is also getting more into electronics and computer games. He has finally done some growing and so far has managed to remain taller than Montana :) He is still quiet & shy, but don't be fooled - underneath he can be quite the antangonizer and troublemaker! I so love his character!
Wichita is 12 - the last year we will be without a teen in this house for a very long time. He is still into computers & gaming, but also enjoys shooting targets with his BBGun and/or bow & arrow. He likes to be industrious and busy with his hands. I love that he is such an engineer. He is a lot like Kevin. He is outgoing and absolutely loves going to camp in the summer. I think we will send him to robotics camp for 4-H this year and start channeling that energy and ingenuity into something constructive.
Kevin started the year out trucking and then ended up working for a good friend. He really enjoys the job at the fertilizer plant. He isn't doing the same thing day in and day out. Versatility is very important to him. He is still working away on his '57 Chevy and I can see real progress :)
I am still loving living on the farm. My milk cow Dixie, along with the many other animals, keep me busy, but I love it. I also am working on my first ever quilt. As the kids get older, they are able to do much more for themselves, especially in the way of school work, so this frees me up to do some of the things I want to do. I have devoted a lot of time this year to learning to eat healthier and changing what we put in and on our bodies. I enjoy learning new things and especially learning old things (like how things were done long ago) and trying to incorporate those things into our daily lives.
God has blessed us in many ways. We have all grown spiritually, physically, & mentally this year. I looking forward to what he has in store for us in 2012.
God bless each of you! Merry Christmas to you all!!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
And the Winner is.....
I did my chores. Ran errands. FINALLY settled down with my cappucino to watch the live finale of Biggest Loser and guess what? I can't watch it online. I can watch clips, but not the whole show. Ugh. NBC you irritate me. After watching the clips though, I have to say I am not terribly disappointed to not be able to watch the show. What a let down.
John ends up winning the whole thing. He is just not a very likeable contestant and I was so hoping Antone would beat him. I didn't expect it, but I still hoped. Since I knew the hopes for Antone were low, I was really counting on Vinnie winning the at home since I had picked him to win the whole show. Not so. He got beat by 3 pounds. 3 POUNDS cost him $100,000. Can you believe that? Worse than that is that he got beat the ONE person on the show I dislike most - Jennifer. Anybody would have been better than her. I'm really disappointed in the finale. It wasn't the end for the season I was hoping for.
There is one redeeming grace though. I watched the preview for Season 13 and not only is Dolvett still here but it appears that it is JUST Bob and Dolvett. That means no Anna!!!! That makes my day. I don't mean to sound horrible, but Anna just isn't Biggest Loser material. '
So with Season 12 in the books, we add another group of contestants to the Biggest Loser family. The drama resumes in January and another group of people are already on the ranch, sweating off pounds, learning to live healthy, and changing their lives.
John ends up winning the whole thing. He is just not a very likeable contestant and I was so hoping Antone would beat him. I didn't expect it, but I still hoped. Since I knew the hopes for Antone were low, I was really counting on Vinnie winning the at home since I had picked him to win the whole show. Not so. He got beat by 3 pounds. 3 POUNDS cost him $100,000. Can you believe that? Worse than that is that he got beat the ONE person on the show I dislike most - Jennifer. Anybody would have been better than her. I'm really disappointed in the finale. It wasn't the end for the season I was hoping for.
There is one redeeming grace though. I watched the preview for Season 13 and not only is Dolvett still here but it appears that it is JUST Bob and Dolvett. That means no Anna!!!! That makes my day. I don't mean to sound horrible, but Anna just isn't Biggest Loser material. '
So with Season 12 in the books, we add another group of contestants to the Biggest Loser family. The drama resumes in January and another group of people are already on the ranch, sweating off pounds, learning to live healthy, and changing their lives.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
$10 off any order
If you join Vitacost you can receive $10 off your order of any size. They have TONS of items under $10. They also offer free samples to choose from available for several different products. If you join and then share the link with a friend you will get another $10 when they get their $10!!
Click here!
Click here!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Biggest Loser Season 12 Week 12
Technically it isn't week 12, but that's what they call it. The contestants all went home for a few weeks and then EVERYONE came back to compete in the marathon. The winner not only guaranteed themself a spot in the final 3 but also won $25,000. There were cash prizes for 1st through 5th places. As revealed in the preview last week, Ramon won first place. He was followed by Courtney, John, Jessica, & Patrick. Four out of 5 were from the young group and John has become a powerhouse of strength and endurance. I just hope he can stay the course and keep the weight off - sometimes the fiercest of competitors end up gaining it back because the competition, which was the main motivation, is over.
Vinny didn't pull through for me as Biggest Loser so I still have hope for him in the at home contest.
Final Three are John, Antone, & Ramon. I fully expect John to win, but would love to see Antone (or even Ramon) pull out the win. Antone has been one of Bob's favorites from the beginning I think and he would be a great person to win the title. I can't wait to see the live finale next week (even though I can't watch it live). Of course, I am also excited for Season 13 to begin in January. I love watching the transformation the contestants go through as they lose weight and ultimately change their lives forever. It really motivates me to get moving and get healthy.
I have made a lot of changes in my family's eating habits that I completely attribute to this show. I also lost over 20 pounds this summer. I want to continue to improve our health and lifestyle - especially to set a good foundation for my kids to build on.
Vinny didn't pull through for me as Biggest Loser so I still have hope for him in the at home contest.
Final Three are John, Antone, & Ramon. I fully expect John to win, but would love to see Antone (or even Ramon) pull out the win. Antone has been one of Bob's favorites from the beginning I think and he would be a great person to win the title. I can't wait to see the live finale next week (even though I can't watch it live). Of course, I am also excited for Season 13 to begin in January. I love watching the transformation the contestants go through as they lose weight and ultimately change their lives forever. It really motivates me to get moving and get healthy.
I have made a lot of changes in my family's eating habits that I completely attribute to this show. I also lost over 20 pounds this summer. I want to continue to improve our health and lifestyle - especially to set a good foundation for my kids to build on.
Monday, December 5, 2011
November Projects
Remember when I told you I was making November NON-procrastination month?
Remember that?
Well, good.
Then you will also remember that I did NOT say that about December ;)
Therefore the fact that I have been meaning to write this post for a week does not matter!
Right?
Right!
I did do quite well in November. Montana & I finished our latch-hook project and matching pillows that was meant for a Christmas gift last year. And guess what?!?!? She drew the name of the person she was going to give it to AGAIN this year! YEAH! I also got a cross-stitch project done that I had been working on for.....um....well.....ummmm..... I can't remember how long. Several Christmases and birthdays have passed for the lady it is intended for, but it is done and even framed!! Woo Hoo!!! I got another little cross-stitch project almost finished (just need to outline). I also got 2 of my 4 hats knitted. Kevin's is orange and Montana's is pink & brown.
I thought maybe I would get a few more projects done in December, but then Kevin bought me a quilt kit which I just HAD to start on RIGHT AWAY!! I know I won't have it done anytime soon, but I've always wanted to make a quilt so I am excited to see how it goes!
Remember that?
Well, good.
Then you will also remember that I did NOT say that about December ;)
Therefore the fact that I have been meaning to write this post for a week does not matter!
Right?
Right!
I did do quite well in November. Montana & I finished our latch-hook project and matching pillows that was meant for a Christmas gift last year. And guess what?!?!? She drew the name of the person she was going to give it to AGAIN this year! YEAH! I also got a cross-stitch project done that I had been working on for.....um....well.....ummmm..... I can't remember how long. Several Christmases and birthdays have passed for the lady it is intended for, but it is done and even framed!! Woo Hoo!!! I got another little cross-stitch project almost finished (just need to outline). I also got 2 of my 4 hats knitted. Kevin's is orange and Montana's is pink & brown.
I thought maybe I would get a few more projects done in December, but then Kevin bought me a quilt kit which I just HAD to start on RIGHT AWAY!! I know I won't have it done anytime soon, but I've always wanted to make a quilt so I am excited to see how it goes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)