Coffee Date-Currently

If we were having a coffee date...

 you would surely notice my red puffy eyes...

I would tell you I'm going to see the doctor today, 

this allergic reaction or whatever it is

 is making me crazy...

I cannot figure out what is causing it!

If we were having a coffee date...

I would tell you the first week back to school was not bad...

and I still really dislike teacher inservices...

I'd rather be in the classroom with my kids.

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd show you my new jeans...

$2 at the thrift store and a little alteration...

makes me love them!

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd tell you about the boys having arguments 

about scientific terms in the kitchen...

I love my house of thinkers...

so blessed to have these boys.

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd tell you we've been getting in more veggies

and I've hit the treadmill everyday...

working on my goals has been good!

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd tell you the new shop has had a lot of traffic...

I can't wait to get some sewing time in this weekend!

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd hug you and say,

"Your turn.  Catch me up on you!"

Until next time,

 

 Joining up with Alissa

Joining up with Casey

Coffee Date ~ Goals

If we were having a coffee date...

I would be telling you about my goals for the new year.

I have many things I want to accomplish this year for my health,

for our nutrition, for our finances, for our businesses, for my career, 

for my children, and for our home and garden.

If we were having a coffee date...

I would tell you I need to lose some inches and get back to being more active.

Hard workouts and more bike riding need to find a place in my life again.

All of the changes at school have messed with my energy level and I'm not happy about it.

Since I have a handle on having such a bigger class now I really need to get back to exercising everyday!

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you we need to up our real food game.

We need to have more veggies in our diet and focus on sticking to the meal plan.

I need to make sure to fill the basket with veggies 

when I am at the market and have good things to dip them in for the boys.

I would tell you I've gotten lazy about this and it has to change!

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you we paid off two little debts last week and our car should be paid off by the fall.  I would also tell you I hope we can work hard and get it paid off way before that! 

Since Kenny lost his county job things have been tight, but we're learning more everyday about budgeting and weighing wants verses needs.  The faster we get this debt paid off the faster we can get old debts gone too!  That is exciting to me!

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you Kenny is working hard to help build this new business!  His boss values him and they are both excited about the future of the company.  It is so exciting watching their enthusiasm! Someday they will be making a living doing what they love.  It's not paying much yet, but isn't that how all new businesses start?!?

I would also tell you I hope to build up Amy's Monkeys this year.

I am working to make good choices and get systems in place to help make me more productive.  I want to increase traffic and build my brand.  I would also tell you I would love to do another craft show event.  We had a blast at the last one and I learned so much! 

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you I am going to apply to teach in the town where we live.

This one scares me to death!  I am very comfortable at my current school, but commuting has just gotten to be too much.  I feel like the teachers at my boys' school are the cream of the crop and I am nervous about not being good enough.  I have to get over the insecurity and get my application finished up and turned in!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I am excited about homeschooling Lukas and Zackery next year.

They need more and I am itching to search out the best ways to stretch their minds.

I want them to finally be challenged instead of just being given more work to do!

I am also excited Nikolas gets to finish up at the same school he began with in kindergarten.

That kind of stability is an awesome thing!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you about plans we have for the house.

New paint for the inside to lighten everything up is first on the list.  Five years of the current color is more than enough.  I'm ready for change.  If we can manage it I'd love to get the floors redone too!

Wood floors are my dream, but some of the laminates are so pretty and the prices are so much more affordable.  I would love to have floors that aren't so yucky, because builder grade carpet stinks!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you we need to tackle the backyard and get the garden situated.

With grocery prices rising we need to take advantage of this big old backyard!

It probably won't take much to get it in shape, but we need to start soon!

If we were having coffee...

I'd hug you and thank you for listening to me 

ramble on about my plans, hopes, and goals.  

I hope your dreams and goals come together too!

Until next time,
 


Joining up with Alissa

Joining up with Casey

{2012}

This year was a time for changes and things finally falling into place for my little family.
 I can safely say 2012 was a good year in my house.

I think I have finally found my voice and my style...

all of a sudden I am not holding back when something is not right. 

It's kind of liberating and terrifying at the same time.  

 Don't get me wrong, I have always spoken my mind (ha),
 but it was much softer
 and usually much more mild than what I was actually thinking! 

My style has become more colorful and full of texture...
in the clothes I am wearing and the little changes that we're making in the house.
I am loving all of it...
thrift stores and Pinterest are so good to me!

This I added another candle to the birthday cake...

rounding up to 40 now {yikes}.

We added a nephew to the ranks...
he is keeping all of us on our toes.

My boys are becoming such amazing men...
when strangers compliment us on our "obvious" parenting and family centered lifestyle...
can you say tears in my eyes and happiness in my heart?!?

Kenny has found his grove with his microcontrollers...
helping to build a brand new company doing something he loves...
it's not just a job for him anymore...
happiness and pride trump a big paycheck any day!!

Amy's Monkeys is becoming more of a business than just a hobby...
getting to make things that other people want to pay for...
really?!?
It's amazing to me that my creations and love can help keep me in fabric and pay a few bills!
This year brought more confidence in what I do...
quality and detail are so important to me and others have complimented both in my products!

Living on what we have and planning for what we need were big milestones for us this year.
Dave Ramsey's common sense approach has finally, really taken hold.
We're not perfect, but we have such a better handle on all things financial.
Having a plan and working the plan has been so empowering!
Hopefully we'll gain some more traction and knock out more debt in 2013.

So 2012 we really liked you!

2013 we're ready and we're expecting another great year!

 Until next time,

 

{grace}

I love the idea of anchoring the new year to a word...

a fresh word that encompasses all your hopes and dreams and goals for the year.

This year I have chosen...

grace

 image source

Grace for myself, grace for my family, grace for my friends, and grace for this crazy world.

I need to remember to extend myself grace in knowing that it is okay that I do not get everything done, 

grace that there will be dust on my furniture on most days,

grace that the floor needs to be swept more often than I get to it,

grace that I don't get to every activity I hope to get done in my classroom,

grace that I can be grumpy with my family,

grace that they can be grumpy with me,

grace for people around me because I do not know their stories,

grace for all of us.

I am hoping this new year continues pushing us forward in the positive direction we have been moving,

but I am giving myself grace in knowing that it may not always be a smooth road.  We've encountered many bumps along the way, but I do feel we have found our groove as a family heading in a better direction.

Extending grace to myself and those around me...

a new challenge for this type-a OCD girl,

 but it is needed and wanted at this time in my life.  

New goals, fresh hopes, and mile high dreams...

Hello 2013, I've been looking forward to you!

Until next time,

Joining Casey

Joining with Layla and Kevin

Hello 2012!

Quite frankly I was ready for 2011 to be over.  It was a rough year for me, but I learned a lot along the way.  We had too many funerals and not enough income, but we survived and maybe, just maybe came out stronger.  At least that's what I'm counting on as 2012 rolls gently into motion.

My life hasn't been all hard, it's actually been pretty good in a lot of areas.  Kenny and I continue to grown stronger in our marriage and in being a team every day.  Our boys have blossomed even more than I could have imagined!  Character and perseverance have shown up in these young men and it's been awesome to witness.

My hope for the new year is to keep on keeping on.  I am more focused in the last week on taking time to exercise and eat well.  I cannot just go through the motions anymore I need to live life on purpose.  I am trying to be more aware of all that I am doing and how that is making my life flow.

My goals this year are still milling around in my mind, but soon they will find themselves listed for all to see.  The accountability in posting my goals makes all of them seem more concrete and obtainable.  Maybe you all can be my accountability partners?!?

So today I am left with ideas and peace and hope for a fresh new year.  Another chapter in my life and many more happy days to come.

Until next time,

Pure Happiness

Yesterday I canned plum jam for the first time!

Let me just say it was wonderful and not too hard and totally worth it!

Z and I processed about 10 pounds of plums and came up with 26 pints!
I am in love with canning!

It is so amazing to know that we used the best ingredients in something that will be feeding our family for a whole year! You want to know what all the ingredients were for our beautiful jam?!? I know you want to!

Here's the list...be ready it's really long...

plums {From our backyard tree!! YAY!!}
demerara (raw cane sugar)
fruit pectin
water

Yup, that's it! No junk. No bizarre chemical compositions. Just the good stuff.

I am so excited. Now I have to get my hands on some concord grapes!

Well I am off to finish processing our beautiful plums that were grown with sunshine and water!



Have a great day!

Until next time,

Goals for 2010

Happy New Year! I am so excited for 2010, I know this will be an amazing year for my family! I was trying to sit down to figure out what I thought were the most important goals for our family and myself, but I was struggling until I checked my email. I used a list from Tsh over at Simple Mom to help me get some much needed structure for my goals for 2010. She has a free downloadable list of questions to help you ring in the New Year with a plan!

This is what I came up with for myself and my family. K and I still need to fine tune it, but I think it is a solid start!

Personal growth goals:

1. Trust my ability and don't downplay my successes. I struggle with looking at the growth or improvement that is happening in my life. I don't want to come off as arrogant, but I do need to remember to celebrate my own successes.
   
2. Get my portfolio together and try to get a new teaching position in the school district in my town. This makes me nervous because I am comfortable where I am, but the commute is too much anymore. I need to just get over my insecurity and go for it!
   
3. Continue reading as much about nutrition, frugality, and parenting as I can. I love reading anything that will help me to make my family thrive even more!
   

Physical Health Goals:

1. Use the park and my neighborhood to become more active. Try to ride my bike 3 or more times per week. I love riding and I need to make time to go for a ride.
   
2. Encourage the boys to go with me as often as possible. Play outside with them at home or at the park.
   
3. Continue to cook everything I can from scratch. Making sure I am using whole foods to guide my cooking choices.
   
4. Use our garden for nourishment and as a form of exercise. Having my hands in the dirt always makes me feel good! K and I need to sit down and plan out exactly what we want to grow this year and how much of everything. I can't wait!
   
5. Hopefully by this time next year we will all be leaner and have more energy with the changes we have been working on already.
   

Marriage and Family Life Goals:

1. Continue to take time to sit and talk with each other. Communication in 2009 was so much better than ever before, I can't wait to see how we do in 2010!
   
2. Have a date night once a month once K starts his new job.
   
3. Try to get K to be in the room when I am reading books at night to the little boys. We all love it when Dad is in the room with us too.
   
4. Plan another trip to Legoland, but include the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park this year. L and N are so into animals I think they would love it!
   
5. Plan a couple of hiking trips in the mountains near us this spring, summer, and fall.
   
6. Clear out the garage with a yard sale in the spring. Until then continue decluttering all of the rooms in the house.
   
7. Get better bookshelves for the boys' rooms and repaint the rooms.
   
8. Help Z to organize his space in a way that works for him. Remove one desk and replace it with a bookshelf.
   

Goals for my Children:

1. I want them to continue to thrive in the classroom. Make sure they are understanding all of the concepts taught and prep them for state testing.
   
2. More physical activity at home. Walks to the park, bike rides, scooter rides, playing tag.
   
3. Get them a high quality microscope for use after their explorations.
   
4. Continue to have them try new foods and expand their palates.
   
5. Continue to work on problem solving without adult interference.
   
6. Teach them how to do more tasks around the house. (Many hands make light work.)
   

Financial Goals:

1. Set a firm budget and stick to it. Once we know K's new salary it will be much easier to set specific goals.
   
2. Pay cash for everything. Have an emergency fund fully in place.
   
3. Continue to bargain shop for anything we need. Stock up when we find a good deal.
   
4. Look for ways to make extra money, but not take too much away from family time. Sell things we don't use or need. This helps make money and clear clutter, I love it! Maybe start I can start an Etsy shop and K continue working on his internet development company.
   
5. Pay down debt as much as possible this year. Focus on credit cards and cars.
   
6. Continue investing.
   

Well there you have it! My goals for 2010 are not too farfetched, so I think we will be able to tackle a lot of them as a family pretty easily.

For more New Year's goals visit Life as Mom. I'm linking up with the Happy Housewife too for Goals 2010 Link-up.

Until next time,