JUNE GOALS :: WHAT I ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED

+ Refinish bookshelf.  Check!  And Jordyn got to help paint it which made her dreams come true. :)

+ Workout 3 days a week.  Check -- 2-3 days a week, but I actually enjoyed the workout I did, so I'm calling it a win.  A friend is leading an outdoor fitness class at the lake Monday, Wednesday, & Friday and I'm loving it!

+ Hair cut/color.  Check!  Plus I got another mani.  Date nights with Adam will almost all at home, but better than nothing!

+ Boat with friends.  Check! 
+ Family photos.  Check! And dare I say it was pleasant?!  


+ Mail money to a friend in need. Well this is what happens when you don't check in on your goals until the month is over.  What a shame, because it's the easiest thing on the list to accomplish! :(

+2013 Photobook.  Ugh!  I have no excuse for this!  Except pure burnout.  But I WILL finish this.

5/7 -- considering how fast this month flew by, it's better than I was expecting!

MAY GOALS :: WHAT I ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED

+ Painted Counters.  Check

+ Take 3 walks a week.  Check -- bonus that I finally found a leash that works to take Lola with me!
+ Pay off the Car. Check!  Bonus that we were able to pay off a personal loan to Adam's parents from before I even met Adam {over 10 years ago!}
+ Take a bath weekly.  Technically I only took two baths, but I also got a madi/pedi so I'll count it as a win!
+ Take a walk with friends.  Check! 
+ Host Mother's Day.  Check! Another year we got to host both of our moms.  I always feel so grateful since I know many kids who are no longer able to do this.  


+2013 Photobook.  Ugh!  I have no excuse for this!  Except maybe burnout.  But I WILL finish this.

6/7 -- pretty good.  Although it would have felt so good if I could have checked all 7 off!

40 before 40

Because I love me a good list, it got me thinking about my own milestone year, with seven years before turning 40.  I started thinking about the ultimate bucket list - things I daydream about and would love to do with Adam(I will have been with him for half of my life!), or the kids (they'll be 14 & 15!!!), other people I love, or for myself.  And who knows if I'll still be writing on this blog, but I think it'd be fun to document my progress and write about the things I've experienced.  I'm sure I won't cross off all of these things and I'm even more sure this list will evolve and change as the years go by by, but the simple act of dreaming and defining them is maybe more important than the act of doing them.  

Here goes...

40 Before 40:

1. See Amos Lee at Red Rocks
2. Learn to play the piano
3. Renovate the kitchen
4. Catch up on the kids' photobooks
5. Ride RAGBRAI
6. Have less than $100k left on the house loan
7. Travel internationally with Adam
8. Teach the kids to drive a stick-shift car
9. Go to Napa with Adam
10. Donate blood
11. Take the kids on an all-inclusive beach vacation
12. Read the entire bible
13. Host a family reunion
14. Start a New Years Eve Tradition
15. Take the kids on a missions trip
16. Go to Niagra Falls
17. Buy a buffet for the living room
18. Create an outdoor space off our bedroom
19. Start a book club
20. Get t-shirt quilts made for the kids
21. Travel to 10 new states with the kids
22. Take an RV trip out West
23. See the Grand Canyon
24. Go hunting with Adam 
25. Take a hot air balloon ride
26. Try scuba diving
27. Have a meal at a 3 star restaurant with Adam
28. Fly first class
29. Go to the Kentucky Derby
30. Visit Hawaii
31. Take the kids to a Cubs game
32. Try Scuba diving
33. Buy a hot tub
34. Print and hang family photos
35. Complete a big project at work {alley art, dog park, splash pad?}
36. Organize my digital photos!
37. Become licensed in public finance
38. Take the kids on their first all-inclusive resort vacation
39. Pay cash for a car
40. Run a marathon

"You settle in.  These kids, this husband, this little life you're building...you say amen.  You are slower to tell everyone how wrong they are and quicker to gather your folks and breathe gratitude.  This is your place.  These are your people.  This is your beautiful, precious life."

-Jen Hatmaker, on getting older 

GOALS :: MAY 2020

APRIL GOALS :: WHAT I ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED

ACCOMPLISHED
+ Painted/wallpapered the elevator.  Still need to reattach the trim
+ Exercise three days each work.  I actually did this, but I haven't worked out at all this week, so....
+ Cancelled XM & cable. Check! & it feels great.  
+ Jordyn & I have been doing our nails weekly.  I've also been better about self-tanner and using Sundays to relax more, so win!
+ I finished the 2015, 2016, & started the 2020 family photobooks -- now I just need to finish the 2013 one and I'll be ALL CAUGHT UP!!

DIDN'T ACCOMPLISH
+Group Zoom w/ friends I'm so sad this didn't happen!  Mainly because it sounds super fun and so easy to throw together.  That being said, I'm walking with 9 friends on Saturday morning and I'm so excited!
+Weekly Game Night didn't happen.  However, we did play several games and taught Jordyn how to play cribbage, so I'm excited about that. 

5.5/7 -- not terrible.  Plus it's April and I'm still doing these, which is better than most years, so I'll take it! :)

MARCH GOALS -- WHAT I ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED

ACCOMPLISHED
+ Started {& finished!!} painting the kitchen cabinets!
+ Buy zero pieces of clothing.  I do have a long wishlist though...
+ I did my own shellac nails thanks to this kit.  My coworker just got this and I might have to get one for myself...
+ Take the kids bowling -- just before the world went on lock-down
+ I finished the 2017, 2018, & 2019 family photobooks -- the upside of COVID-19!

DIDN'T ACCOMPLISH
+Exercise 30 minutes per day -- fail!  I exercised 3 times.  Which is 3 times more than January, & February, so I guess it's progress.  I have high hopes to start exercising at least 3 days a week now that I'm done with the blessed kitchen cabinet project!
+Fondue night also didn't happen.  We didn't host anything this month thanks to the Corona.

5/7 -- given the craziness of the month I'm happy with that.

GOALS :: MARCH 2020

Could this be the month I actually get a photobook done!?

FEBRUARY GOALS -- WHAT I ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED

ACCOMPLISHED
+ I went to the dermatologist {first time ever -- not sure why I waiting so long!}
+ I did really, really good not making online purchases this month.  Not perfect, but the few times I cheated were on true necessities, not wants.
+ I didn't get my nails done at the salon, but I did put these press-ons on -- $5!!
+ We spent a night with our friends, the Joynts.  It was super fun to kick their butts in Monopoly catch up!  We also had dinner with the Sieferts and spent an afternoon on a party bus with lake friends.  Plus burger nights.
+ We took the kids skiing & we're headed back to the slopes today!

DIDN'T ACCOMPLISH
+ Painting of the kitchen cabinets -- again, sigh.  We did add a shelf in the kitchen, paint the AV room, & order wall paper for the elevator.  I'm hopeful that tomorrow we will get the new shelving installed in the AV closet and hang a bunch of stuff in the garage.  ::fingers crossed::
+ The dang photo books!  BUT -- I did start one out 2019 book, so it's progress I guess.  Maybe by 2021 I can be caught up! ;)

GOALS :: FEBRUARY 2020

Share one of your goals for the month below...

JANUARY GOALS -- WHAT I ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED

ACCOMPLISHED
+ Photobooks of Oklahoma, South Carolina, & Jamaica!
+ Set 2020 appointments for the family
+ Paid off Christmas
+ Planned 2020 travel & booked the RV
+ Had so much fun with Adam in Las Vegas
+ Created a birthday & address system

DIDN'T ACCOMPLISH
+ Ice skating with the kids -- crossing our fingers it will happen tonight! So technically we will do it in January! :)
+ Dinner with friends in DSM -- we got a snow/ice storm and had to cancel :( We did however have an impromptu afternoon at the marina with the lake friends and we're hanging with friends again this weekend!
+ Painting of the kitchen cabinets -- BUT we did add wallpaper & update the upstairs bathroom, replace the drains in the kitchen sink, add electricity and mount a TV in the workout room, & get the garage door fixed.  Progress.

26.2

'You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by my spirit -the Lord all powerful' - Zachariah 4:6

You guys...I did it!  In case you didn't see this on Instagram {back in October!} I finally ran a freaking marathon!  It had been on my bucket list for years and I finally buckled down and completed it!  

Just so you all know, I am not a runner.  In fact, I was the girl that got a doctor's note to get out of the mile in PE.  Yes, I refused to even run one mile in school.  I knew I wasn't going to be the fastest, so I didn't even want to try.  Sad, but true.  So if you aren't a runner but have hopes of completing a big running goal {a mile, 3k, half, full, ultra, ironman, or whatever it is!} I am here to tell you, YOU CAN DO IT!

This my my third attempt to complete a marathon.  I trained two different years, and got to the 12-17 mile training range and as soon as I got an injury I quit.  I think I was just mentally not in it & I was doing it for the wrong reasons.  I hadn't fully committed to myself at that point.  

But something clicked last July and I blocked out every single training run on my calendar for  the next12 weeks.  I made the time.  I put myself first.  I skipped out on outings with Adam & the kids, left events early, I didn't drink, went to bed early and I woke up early.  I knew I was going to finish the marathon.  I didn't care if I had to army crawl across the finish line!

It wasn't easy.  The training runs, listening to my body when I was injured, and definitely not the race.  I couldn't have done it without the support of all those people up there.  They gave up their Sunday to drive around and watch me, my sister made shirts and signs, and they all cheered me on when I was over.it.  

I couldn't have asked for better race day conditions!  For October in Iowa, it was perfect!  Unfortunately, I just couldn't get in the groove.  I had some really good runs {17 miles non without any walking} leading up to race day, so I was anticipating a good race.  Sadly, I walked more than I ran the last 13 miles, but I don't even care.  I DID IT!  Proof that you can do anything you put your mind to!

This kids running with me, listening to messages from friends & family on the Motigo app, and a whole lot of prayer helped me cross that finish line.  

Looking back I wish I could have done some cross training {I didn't do any!}  I said I wouldn't run another marathon again, but I know I could be convinced to do it {especially once the kids are old enough to stay home alone}.  I know I could beat my 6 hour 'race' time, but I'm just happy I finished. 

GOALS :: JANUARY 2020

I'm already a few days late, so this could be interesting -- haha!

*I forgot to add that I want to create at least one photobook this month.

20 for 2020

                                                                                                    

Add wallpaper to the upstairs bathroom

Block Sundays for family
Buy a hot tub
Celebrate Adam's 40th Birthday
Clean my car monthly
Complete Jordyn & Cullyn's baby books {18mo-6/7yrs}
Do some sort of self-care daily
Finish reading the bible to the kids

Monthly dates with Adam
Order a new refrigerator

Paint kitchen cabinets
Paint the elevator

Pay off all debt besides the house
Read the New Testament

Send paper mail to someone each month
Set an attainable morning routine
Spend more time on the water than last year
Start an exercise streak
Take a big trip with the kids
                         Watch the Cubbies with the kids                         

Lets see if I can do better then 58% this year! ;)

2019 Recap -- no wonder I'm always tired! ;)

Since I was terrible at making time to blog in 2019, it's probably more important than ever for me to do a little recap of 2019 if I want to stand a chance at remembering what went down.  Here a few highlights from our past year.

+ Adam started a new job in January & traveled to KC for an entire month.
+ Adam and I went to the BVI's for a week
+ I started a new job and no longer commute to DSM
+ Cullyn turned 6 and Jordyn 8
+ We sat curtside watching the Harlem Globetrotters
+ A niece graduated college and a niece and nephew graduated from high school
+ We went to STL with my family
+ I took Jordy to her first concert {JoJo Siwa}
+ Lola turned 2
+ Adam and I took the kids to Oklahoma
+ We flew to Colorado for a wedding/vacation
+ We road tripped to KC for the weekend
+ Listened to JJ Grey & Mofro in concert
+ The kids and I flew to SC with my family to see my Sister & BIL
+ Watched our niece got married
+ Jordyn started 2nd grade and Cullyn 1st
+ I ran a marathon
+ Adam and I celebrated 10 years by renewing our vows in Jamaica
+ We spent the weekend at FunCity with Adam's family
+ Adam and I took the kids to their first NFL game & spent the weekend in MN
+ I read over 50 books
+ Jordyn started {& stopped} gymnastics Cullyn started {& loves} taekwondo.  Both kids started piano.

Looking back, we spent a fair amount of time traveling {my very favorite thing!} and doing new things {flew in a helicopter, visited Colorado, ran a marathon} -- in between all of that were a million little things {sports games, runs, nightly rituals, meetings, homework, books read, practices, and everything else} -- We prioritized God, family time, and paying off debt and worried less about the state of my house and doing things out of obligation.

I'm super excited to see what 2020 has in store for us!  Adam turns 40 and we have some fun travel on the horizon!  I'm hoping to bring back the weekly date nights now that we've found our new groove.  I'm also going to start exercising in 2020 -- I know, me and 234083290846 people! ;)
Cheers to new beginnings!

19 for 2019 Checklist

Celebrate 10 years of marriage - In Jamaica!

Complete a daily devotional - Check!

Cook more dinners & meal plan weekly - Still not a ton, but definitely more!

Finish Jordyn & Cullyn's baby books {18mo-6/7yrs} -- Didn't even start!  UGH!! Definitely making this a priority in 2020!

Make a life journal - Check!

Monthly dates with Adam - Terrible!  We didn't have any sitters and Adam was working crazy hours.  I think we've got a plan for 2020! :)

Paint kitchen cabinets - Didn't start this either.  BUT, I do still want to do it, so I'm keeping it on the 2020 list!

Paint upstairs doors white - This was a bigger project than I thought, but it's DONE!

Read 50 books - Check!

Read the bible to the kids - We didn't finish the entire bible, but we made progress.
{Re}learn the Books of the Bible song - Fail! I just can't remember the song {from childhood} and can't find it anywhere online to even start memorizing it. :(

Replace bathroom doors w/ barn doors - Check!  & I LOVE them!!!

Run a marathon - Check!  By far the goal I'm most proud of!

SAVE & pay off car - We paid one car off and the other will be paid off before summer {whoop whoop!} We have also doubled our investments this year, so I feel good about our financial state.

Send more paper mail - This is the one I'm most disappointed about.  I did send more than I have previously, but I'm keeping this on the list for next year.  I hope to send something via snail mail every week in 2020.

Start 'Self-care Sundays' - I started off good and lost steam part way through the year.  That being said, I do think I've incorporated more self-care into my daily habits, so I think I'm doing okay.

Take cabinetry to garage - Check!  

Take Lola on more walks - No, and I just have to come to grips with the fact that she does not walk well on a leash.  I took her on a few walks and she nearly pulled my shoulder out of the socket once and pulled me to a belly flop another time, so I don't plan on keeping this on the list for next year. 

Travel to a new state - We visited Colorado for the first time -- & loved it.

11/19 - 58%
With both of us starting new jobs and all of transitioning to Adam's new work schedule, I'll take it.  

Now...to goal set for 2020! 

19 for 2019 Check In

Now that school is back in session, it's like the second New Year.  I love September for its fresh start, similar to January.  I thought this would be the perfect time to check on my 2019 goals for the year and see where I need to refocus. 
Progress, but a long way to go! :)

Celebrate 10 years of marriage

Complete a daily devotional

Cook more dinners & meal plan weekly

Finish Jordyn & Cullyn's baby books {18mo-6/7yrs}

Make a life journal

Monthly dates with Adam

Paint kitchen cabinets

Paint upstairs doors white

Read the bible to the kids {in progress}
{Re}learn the Books of the Bible song

Replace bathroom doors w/ barn doors

Run a marathon

Pay off car

Send more paper mail

Start 'Self-care Sundays'

Take cabinetry to garage

Take Lola on more walks

Travel to a new state
Read 50 books

At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Educated by Tara Westover
The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
Wildflower by Drew Barrymore
Unshakable by Christine Caine
Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
For the Love by Jen Hatmaker
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline
Reconstruction Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
All the Missing Girls by
Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis
Castle of Water by
At Home in the World by
A Stranger in the House by
Lie to Me by
The Family Next Door by
Summer Rental by
Heat Wave by 
25 - My {not so} Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
Crazy Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan
The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan

GOALS | MARCH 2019

We're back from vaca and I'm ready to get back on track...

GOALS Check Up | February

A refresher of my February goals...

HOME | Finish Painting Upstairs Doors White
Fail.  I still have 2/5 doors and some trim work to go.  Ugh.  I went on vacation and then was sick for a full week.  I lost all momentum.  I must make this a priority for March!

HEALTH | Get new sunscreen for vacation
Check!  I ordered a few mini bottles off Amazon to get them through airport security and loved them!

FINANCIAL | Roll over investments
Ugh!  I dread this task!  Adam and I talked about it, but have yet to take action.  :(

ME TIME | Get a mani/pedi
I did one better, I got a mani/pedi with 3 friends.  Super fun!

SOCIAL | Vacation!
Well this wasn't even a task.  Ten days in the sun, water, & sand.  Yes please!

FAMILY | Go skiing or ice skating
We lucked out and found a super warm {for February by Iowa standards at least!} day to spend on the slopes. It was a blast!  You can see some photos of it here.

DREAM BIG | Compile Clothes for a Blanket
Check!  Clothes have been pulled.  Now I just need to get them to the girl that's going to make quilts from them. :)

Let's hope now that vacation is over and I've started my new job, I can find a new routine ... 

GOALS | February 2019

February is a short month, but an exciting one for us this year!  Almost half of these are vacation related.

What are your goals for February?

GOALS Check Up | January

Here are my January goals...

HOME | Paint Upstairs Doors White
Progress.  2 of the 6 doors are complete.  In my defense, Adam was gone and I can't lift the doors so I was constantly at the mercy of friends coming over to flip them for me.  A huge pain, but I'm determined to get them done in February.  On the plus side, even with just 2 done, it's looking so much better!

HEALTH | Schedule Annual Appointments
This was a win.  I scheduled dental and eye appointments for the kids and I.  The ENT, pediatrician, and gynecologist aren't booking out that far yet. I will add this to my schedule in 3 months to see if anything else needs booked.

FINANCIAL | Discuss all Amazon Purchases with Adam
Success!  Not only did I consult with Adam before every purchase, I feel like I cut back on spending overall this month.  I'm trying hard to make sure it's a need instead of just a want.

ME TIME | Go to the Rachel Hollis Movie
Check!  I saw Made for More back in August when it first came out, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see it with friends when asked.  What better way to start the new year! :)  Bonus that we got dinner at Flavory Bistro before.

SOCIAL | Dinner w/ Friends
I had the most delicious dinner at RoCA to celebrate Alicia's Birthday!  Sadly, Adam was traveling for work, so I had to go solo, but it was worth it.  Such a fun night, even if I didn't get to bed until 1a!

FAMILY | Minneapolis weekend
I am SO incredibly sad this didn't happen.  I was looking forward to taking the kids back to the ice castles in Minnesota since we went 2 years ago!  Sadly we got a huge snowstorm {over 2 feet of snow!} on the weekend we had tickets.  I'm still hopefully will will get back, but I'm not sure when that will be.  On a positive note, we did go to A Dogs Way Home, spends lots of time outside in the snow, and had an epic Nerf gun fight.

DREAM BIG | Create a Will
Hands down the biggest win of the month!  After 8 years of transferring this from to do list to to do list, we finally completed our will!  It was a 15 minute phone call with the lawyer and a 15 minute meeting.  SO painless and it feels amazing to finally have it done!

I feel like I killed my January goals!  Hopefully February will go just as well! :)