Focus on the Family: July 2010

Family Time....quality time together.

* Family Outings (hiking, bookstore, movie, bowling)
* Celebrate Independence Day
* Family Trip to Denver
* Movie Night


Kid Time....play and preschool.

* Go to Baby Animal Farm
* Get a library card
* Computer Time
* Practice writing letters
* Write letters to Grandparents


Me Time....cuz if Mama ain't happy....

* Read Naturally Thin by Bethenny Frankel 
* Read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
* Restart The Shred
* Girls Night Out before Shannon's Baby arrives.


Couple Time....all because two people fell in love.

* Celebrate our 7th Wedding Anniversary without getting pregnant.


Home Time....it's where the heart is.

* Declutter and plan for possible imminent move


Gratitude:

This month I'm thankful that Keith and I were able to get away for a little vacation together. When you have small children and life is stressful,  it's hard to really connect with your partner. The every day gets in the way and next thing you know it's been weeks months since you've made love watched Young and the Restless or had a really good conversation with each other. I hope that no matter where our path leads...we'll always be able to take a little vacation and reconnect with each other. I think it's really important for all parents.

Focus on the Family: June 2010

Wow...May sure went by fast. Next thing you know I'll be back from San Francisco and wondering what happened! I wasn't very good about getting things done my list last month but having surgery kind of messed everything up.

Family Time....quality time together.

• Family Outings (bookstore, movie, bowling)
• Celebrate Father's Day
• Plant herbs
• Bake something together

Kid Time....play and preschool.

• See Shrek The Movie   Toy Story 3
• Get a library card
• Practice writing letters
• Really Start Geo-Caching (one per week)

Me Time....cuz if Mama ain't happy....

• Read Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth 
• Read Love, Loss and What I Wore by Ilene Beckerman
• Restart The Shred
• Girls Night to see SATC2

Couple Time....all because two people fell in love.

•  2nd Honeymoon to San Francisco

Home Time....it's where the heart is.

• Declutter and plan for possible move
• Americana Theme for Summer
• Start planning for Christmas

Gratitude:

This month....I'm grateful for my husband. He did an amazing job of taking care of me and our kids while I was laid up getting my wisdom teeth removed. It's not easy for me to relinquish control but he made it easy. With all of the uncertainty we're dealing with...it sometimes feels like Me and Keith against the world. One thing I know for sure...we're good at taking care of each other. 

You're my bread when I'm hungry

You're my shelter from troubled winds

You're my anchor in life's ocean

But most of all, you're my best friend.

~Don Williams...You're My Best Friend

Focus on the Family: May 2010

April....about drove me crazy!  Thank goodness I had somewhat of a plan (aka Focus on the Family) or I might have spent a good part of the month curled into a ball in the corner of my living room behind the leather chair.  Between Easter, Alex's trip to Denver and his birthday and all of my dental appointments....I'm wiped out.  I have some downtime coming up in the form of oral surgery which will likely knock me on my butt for a few days.  Calvin will be taking full responsibility for the children, house and well...everything for three days.  I'm hoping to catch up on all of my reading...if I'm awake.

Family Time....quality time together.

• Family Outings (bookstore, movie, bowling)
• Celebrate Mother's Day
• Plant herbs
• Bake something together

Kid Time....play and preschool.

• National Children's Book Week May 10-15
• Visit the library Get a library card
• Practice writing letters
• Start Geo-Caching (one per week)

Me Time....cuz if Mama ain't happy....

• Read Love, Loss and What I Wore by Ilene Beckerman
• Get Dressed Every Day...photograph and post
• Finish Dental Work...Wisdom Teeth Removal (May 13)
• The Shred
• Girls Night to SLC

Couple Time....all because two people fell in love.

• Date Night...Dinner and Belly Dancing at local Greek Restaurant
• Plan our 2nd Honeymoon to San Francisco (June!)

Home Time....it's where the heart is.

• Declutter and plan for possible move
• Americana Theme for Summer
• Start thinking about (and making notes) for Christmas

Gratitude:
This is going to sound silly...but this month I'm grateful for coffee.  I know you were probably expecting me to get all deep like I have the last couple months but I've decided that sometimes it's okay to stop looking at the big picture and just focus on something small that brings you joy.  For me, it's coffee.  I look forward to enjoying that first lovely mug of hot liquid first thing every morning, sometimes it is the only thing that gets me out of bed.  I love that it brings me and my lovely friends together and the excitement of trying new kinds of coffee at little shops and making new friends.

Focus on the Family: April 2010

What a great month March was!  The weather was nicer and the kids actually got to play outside a few times, we celebrated Mallory's birthday and St. Patrick's Day and we've been getting out regularly with our friends.

I've failed miserably at reading books.  But since I've worked time into my routine for this...I expect vast improvement this month.  I'm also starting some other new routines to help me around the house...things that don't take more than 15 minutes.  They involve two of my problem areas...laundry and dishes.


Family Time....quality time together.

• Family Outings (bookstore, movie, bowling)
  
• Read more books
• Celebrate Easter (color eggs, egg hunt)
• Celebrate Alex 4th Birthday 
• Celebrate Earth Day (crafts, stories, songs)
• Bake something together 
• Read Your Child's Strengths 

Kid Time....play and preschool.

• Tea Party with Mallory and our friends 
• Play date in SLC with Chrisy
• Visit the library Get a library card
• Start Geo-Caching (one per week) 

Me Time....cuz if Mama ain't happy....

• Get a Pedicure 
• Read Love, Loss and What I Wore by Ilene Beckerman
• Finish reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families

Couple Time....all because two people fell in love.

• Thursday Night Movie/TV night (No World of Warcraft allowed)

Home Time....it's where the heart is.

• Clean and Organize Alex's Room
• Fold and put away laundry same day it's washed
• Do dishes after lunch and dinner, put away before bed

Gratitude:

I really had to think hard to figure out what I'm thankful for this month.   The tone of our house has changed recently because of the uncertainty of our future.  We're reluctant to make plans and Calvin is so busy working that we aren't spending a lot of time together.   There is an underlying tension...and I can't seem to bring more peace to my home.  The planner in me is all discombobulated and uneasy.  So...this month....I'm thankful for music.  Music always manages to make me feel better and can make whatever I'm dealing with not seem so hard.

Just Dance

What plans are you making for the month? Stay on track! Write a post with your goals for the month and link up.

Focus on the Family: March 2010

We did great with our plan last month!  I'm loving how this is helping us stay connected and making sure we do everything we can to make the month great.  I just need to spend more time reading....

The kids loved our holiday breakfast for Valentine's Day and decorating the house was fun too.  I'm looking forward to Easter and I need to come up with some fun things to do...I think they will really love searching for eggs this year.



Family Time....quality time together.

• Family Outings (bookstore, movie, bowling)
  
• Read more books
• Celebrate St. Patrick's Day (crafts, stories, songs)
• Decorate the house for Spring (and Mallory's party) on March 12th 
• Bake something together 
• Read Your Child's Strengths 

Kid Time....play and preschool.

• Mallory's Birthday Party! 
• Play date with friends
• Visit the library Get a library card 
• Puzzles
• Incorporate new routine

Me Time....cuz if Mama ain't happy....

•  Night Out with friends
•  Read Love, Loss and What I Wore by Ilene Beckerman
•  2010 Simple Living Book Club

Couple Time....all because two people fell in love.

• Thursday Night Movie/TV night (No World of Warcraft allowed)
• Date Night....March 5th  
• Oscar Party at Sara and Mike's House
  

Home Time....it's where the heart is.

• Clean and Organize Master Bedroom/Bathroom
• Finish planning Mallory's birthday party

Gratitude:

I am thankful this month for hope.  I am really believing that God has a plan for us and it's going to be fabulous.  I believe that a bigger and better opportunity is right around the corner for us and I can't wait to be able to share it with all of you!  Soon....

What plans are you making for the month? Stay on track! Write a post with your goals for the month and link up.

Focus on the Family: February 2010

**I will not be blogging The Bachelor today...I have enough drama in life that I can't even think about Jake. Plus, Lost starts tonight and I'm consumed with getting some freakin answers.**

Happy February! What an emotional day yesterday was.....I think the shock has worn off a little bit and I'm so thankful that I have this monthly reminder of my goals and plans so that what is really important stays in the forefront.


We are so excited to celebrate Valentine's Day!  We'll be decorating and doing crafts and Mommy and Daddy will be going on a date!  I'm enjoying my crafts to keep me busy and I'm excited to get into the meat of the Simple LIving Book Club selection...7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Steven Covey.
  
Family Time....quality time together.

• Family Outings (bookstore, movie, lunch date, ice cream)
  
• Play in the snow
• Decorate the house for Valentine's Day
• Holiday Breakfast on Valentine's Day 
• Read Your Child's Strengths

Kid Time....play and preschool.

•  Play date with friends
•  Visit TWO a new librarie
•  Start using the Chore Chart
•  Work on counting with Alex
•  Make Valentine Cards
  

Me Time....cuz if Mama ain't happy....

•  Time for crafting...finish felt pillow
•  Make Valentine Garland for the mantel 
•  Read Steady Days
•  2010 Simple Living Book Club
  

Couple Time....all because two people fell in love.

• Friday Night Movie/TV night (No World of Warcraft allowed)
• Date Night....February 12th AND February 28th
  

Home Time....it's where the heart is.

• Finish Bedroom Redo (FINALLY)
• Clean and Organize Living Room/Home Office
• Plan Mallory's Birthday Party 

Gratitude:

Since I started my family journal that I jot a few sentences in each day, I've been able to really focus on the positive things that happen in our day. I'm so thankful that I have two fabulous children. They have such distinct personalities and make me laugh so much. I'm thankful that I'm home with them and hope that I will always be able to devote so much time to them. It is so important to me....

What are your plans for your family this month?  What are you going to be doing to celebrate love?  Link up your posts about your plans for the month.

Focus on the Family: January 2010 *EDITED*

Happy New Year everyone! I'm excited to get started on my monthly plan for my family. I'm sure that 2010 will be an awesome year because of my attempt at being intentional and present.

Much of my inspiration comes from a website called Simple Mom. If you don't know about this fabulous resource then I recommend you spend some time there this weekend. I'm planning to participate in the Simple Living Book Club that's starting on January 25th. The first book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families and I think that will be really helpful with my plan. Here is the link to the book club. Here are a couple other links to get you started this month. 10 Questions to encourage engaged parenting and 20 questions for New Year's Eve Reflection.


Have a great day! 

Family Time....quality time together.

• Game Night...Chutes and Ladders January 16th ~ Done!
  
• Family Outing....Bowling at Fat Cat's January 2nd~ Done!
  
• Play in the snow ~done

Kid Time....play and preschool.

•  Play date with friends
•  Visit the library ~ Done!
•  Order and use DVD Letter Factory ~ Done!
  

Me Time....cuz if Mama ain't happy....

•  Sundance Film Festival (maybe)
•  Read Believe It, Be It by Ali Vincent~ Done!
•  Read Going Rogue by Sarah Palin ~ Done!
  
•  Time for crafting...make a felt pillow (still in progress)
• 2010 Simple Living Book Club 

Couple Time....all because two people fell in love.

• Friday Night Movie/TV night (No World of Warcraft allowed)
• Date Night....January 29th.
  

Home Time....it's where the heart is.

• Finish Bedroom Redo
• Organize and clean Kitchen

EDITED:  I completely forgot the last part of my monthly plan.  GRATITUDE.  This month, I'm so very grateful for my husband's job.  As happens every year, he has already started complaining about the *bills* and money that was spent; even though we cut back.  I am so thankful that we are employed and were able to celebrate Christmas with gifts and good food.  Calvin's work project is still uncertain and I'm still worried about the future but I've decided to just be grateful for what we have now and plan for the future.  One way I'll be doing this is by accepting Erin's Challenge of spending less than $100 on groceries each week.  Run over to The Many Days of the DiCarolis Family and check it out.  OH!  And she's giving away a book!

2010 New Years Resolutions

I love a fresh slate.

I've always been open to change and enjoy making adjustments to make our lives better.

This must be why I've been making resolutions since I was a teen!

Looks like I made some last year too.....

hmmmm...I didn't do very well.  Let's try again this year!

1.   Read More Books....

I'm in a nice routine right now of reading for an hour before bed.  I'm loving it!

2.   Learn to Ski...

Currently working hard to lose weight so I can do this.

3.  Lose 30 pounds....

See #2

4.  More Whoopee...

I'm planning a romantic trip with hubby, but we need to *do it* more than once a month.

5.  Take a Cake Decorating Class.....

I want to make a kickass Gingerbread House next year and I'd like to make my kids' birthday cakes....but I need skills!

6.  Focus on the Family....

My monthly plan to keep my family on track and make 2010 the best year ever! Click HERE for the details so you can join in.

So I asked Alex and Mallory what their resolutions are and here's what they said:

Alex:

1.  Eat more Pizza
2.  Eat more Grapes
3.  Love

Mallory:

1.  Be a Princess
2.  Scream more
3.  Ride my bike

Run on over to Nanny Goats In Panties and join the Resolution party! And this time...mean it!  And Linky up with Amber Filkins for Friend Makin Monday!

Focus on the Family: 2010

Did you have a fabulous Christmas? I know I did! I'm happy with my decision to take things down a knotch or two this year;  to do and buy less. The kids had a lot less presents...some people took me way too seriously and didn't send the kids ANY presents. These folks are now on Santa's naughty list....

This year has been challenging for me.  As my kids get older, they are requiring a lot more of my time and attention.  They are learning so fast and they need more of my guidance.  I've always wanted to give them the best childhood that I can and I'm committed to that more than ever.

It's also been a tough year for me emotionally.  My extended family has been broken and torn apart, and after much soul searching and discussion with Calvin, we've decided to just focus on our family and put the past behind us.  We will no longer tolerate bad behavior and sweeping things under the rug.  Our children deserve better.

I'm ready to put 2009 behind me and work on all the ways we can make 2010 the best year ever! And because I love a theme....I came up with one that explains everything that I want to do.

Here's what I'm going to do and if you like the idea...then I encourage you to make yourself a button (with your family's picture) and join me.  The first of every month...I'm going to post my goals for that month.  I'm splitting mine into categories....Family Time, Kid Time, Me Time and Couple Time.

Here's an example of what I'm working on for January:

Family Time....quality time together

• Family Outing....Bowling at Fat Cat's
• Game Night...Chutes and Ladders

Kid Time....play and preschool

•  Play date with friends
•  Visit the library
•  Work on sight words

Me Time....cuz if Mama ain't happy....

•  Sundance Film Festival
•  Read Believe It, Be It by Ali Vincent
•  Time for crafting...make a felt pillow

Couple Time....all because two people fell in love

•  date night to be announced

I'm determined to make this year happy and positive, and for us to grow closer as a family and as a couple. I've been giving a lot of thought to the kind of mom and wife I want to be and it's time for me to take action. Our kids deserve quality time with us and we have so much to teach them.  I want to live intentionally and allow them to grow and thrive.  It's my own little happiness project!

Lastly, every month....I want to focus on gratitude.  The other night, I was standing in the kitchen drying the dinner dishes and Calvin came in and told me that he thinks I'm a wonderful Mom.  I broke down in tears because sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough and the days slip away from me.  In that moment....I was so grateful that I have a loving, thoughtful and generous husband.  I'm so thankful for every blessing that has come into my life since meeting him and making him my family.  Alex and Mallory are so lucky to have him for a Daddy.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.  ~  Gandhi

Okay...so that my plan but I encourage you to make your own to fit your family and your goals.  I'd love to have us all link up so we can share ideas and support each other.  What do you think?

Just a little reminder: The days are long, but the years are short.....