I decided that I didn't want it to be a full year from my last post so I thought I would write something today. It has been a crazy last 12 months. So much has happened in our scrappy little life that I am not sure where to begin. So instead of dwelling on the past 12 months that were not that great I would like to focus on the future and pick up from where I  left off. Here is to a new year with new hopes and dreams!

Goal #2 - Relationships

It is March, and I feel like I am getting my first goal under control. I have managed to go to seven of the eight bible study sessions and I just signed up for another study. I have really enjoyed it. I have a lot to continue to work on, learn and grow with but I feel like I am at least taking positive step in the right direction.

My second goal for 2011 is to work on my relationships with my family and friends. It seems that I am always feeling guilty about not getting friends called back, not making enough time to get that email sent. It just seems that there is never enough time to get everything done.

One of my problems is that as soon as I get on a phone call everyone in my household needs something. It amazes me that I can be doing nothing, and they are doing their own thing, but the second I go to do something else they all want my attention.

 

My goal is to be able to say this statement and believe it. "My family and friends know that I love them because I show interest in their lives by staying in touch with them through visiting, phone calls, letters, and emails."

 

Actions I plan to take:

• update address book, phone numbers, and emails
• set up blocks of time on my calendar to make those phone calls
• talk with my husband and son about these blocks of time that I need to take to stay in touch with the people I care about
• work on getting a new cell phone plan so I can have more minutes during better calling hours.
• I also need to work on not feeling bad about randomly calling to talk to people for a short period of time or scheduling times with them.

I recently read a study that people my age have a hard time with this particular thing, especially with their friends because it is a time in their lives where we are the caretakers putting others needs above our own. It then went on to say that by the time the kids our out of the house we will reconnect with those girl friends that we maybe didn't see and talk to as much as we had wanted to in our 30's. That gave me hope but it still doesn't take away the guilt. We will see what happens, looking forward to reconnecting with some fun and important people.

Goal #1:Spiritual Life

I took a class a couple of years ago called "Create A Year of No Regrets" with Christine D. Hegstad, Ph.D and it was a great class with many ideas on new ways to think. (Her website is http://www.meaning-and-purpose.com/)  However, I failed becauase I didn't follow through with what was taught to me. So I thought that this year I would blow the dust off the handbook and try again. I took the time to sit down and really focus on what I want to accomplish in the next year. It too about two hours which in the scheme of things isn't really that much time. The first goal I am focusing on has to do with my spiritual life. It seems that I am making less and less time for God these days. It isn't anything intentional, but I am also not doing any intentional to stop it.

My goal is to work on my relationship with God and teach my son Owen about the importance of having a strong relationship with God.

Charlie and I signed up Owen for Sunday School in the fall which he has been attending and seems to be enjoying it. I am planning on continuing this with Owen, but also working on taking him to church with me when Sunday School isn't in session.

I also have signed up for an eight-week bible study through my church (A Quick Journey Through the Bible) and I went to the information session last Thursday night. I am a little nervous about doing this, as I haven't ever done something like this before. The people were wonderful and they are so excited about taking this journey together.

Lastly, I am working on being more present when I am at church on Sunday's. I don't seem to have a problem going to church, that is something I have been doing. I have a problem of being present there mentally. I have a tendency to let my mind wonder about what the day and week will bring me. I want to mentally be more present with God on Sunday mornings.

I feel like I am well on my way with my first goal of my spiritual life. Now onto goal number 2 my life with my husband, son, family and friends.

Happy 2011

Happy New Year! I hope that all of you are doing well and enjoying the new year. So far my 2011 has proved to be relaxing and very lazy! I spent yesterday lounging at my sisters house with family, eating, playing games and napping. Some of my very favorite things! Today hasn't been quite as non-productive, but at about 4:30 p.m. I thought I had better get up and at least start some laundry.

As I think about the new year ahead several things pop into my head about what I would like to accomplish, change, and do. However, from several years of experience (and some good organizational classes in 2010) I know that by just writing them down without a plan they will not be fully accomplished. So instead of feeling miserable at the end of 2011, I thought I would try something different. Not only am I going to write goal/resolutions that I want (and will) to accomplish, but I am going to have a plan attached to them. I am going to find and use resources that will help me with my goals. By breaking down the goals into a plan helps me see the small wins with the big one at the end.

I am planning on sharing these with you over the course of the next couple of weeks and I would love any suggestions at this time to help me stay on track. Next to making a plan of attack is having the love and support of the people around you. Charlie and I are planning on having a "family meeting" this week to talk about these goals and what we want to accomplish as a whole this year. I am looking forward to it.

Make your own photo slideshow

LOAD October 2010

My friend Mimi talked me into do LOAD again...I have already failed and haven't uploaded every day, however I have totally decided to set my own challenge. I am still doing, and loading 31 layouts this month, even though it won't be one a day. Here is a sampeling of just a few of the layouts that I have done this far for LOAD.





Sorry that the photos aren't better...poor lighting on my part.




I am at the Point of Grace crop today, vending Tastefully Simple, however; I am going to plan on closing up shop here in an hour or so and then getting my crop on. Looking forward to it.

GO HAWKS!

Scrapbooking+State Fair=Big Bucks

I told my husband that he can no longer complain that my scrapbooking doesn't "payout"! I explained to him that I got a check from the Iowa State Fair for my ribbons, his face lit up excited to hear what this was all about. I then told him that my $8.00 check would be going to more supplies and he better not disagree! He just started to laugh and said that would be fine! I am not making fun, it is very nice that the ribbons get payout, I just didn't know they did so it made me chuckle when I saw this.

However, Memory Bound in Ankeny did generously donate gift certificates to the winners as well...so I do feel like my scrap booking paid out a bit! Despite what my husband says or thinks! :)

I am including to this post a few of my favorite pics from this years trip to the Iowa State Fair. It was fun but boy it was HOT!