January--Goal Update

1. Plan a weekly menu.
   Menu planning is my sweet spot.  I can do this and grocery shop like it is my job.
   
2. Organize all tax paperwork.
   I hate taxes.  I love getting my money back, but I hate taxes.  I have it all piled up in the dining room to work on and one day I will actually work on it.
   
3. Clean out master closet and dressers.
   I started in my closet area and dresser as well.  I still have some work to do since I have a 4-6 size range of clothing to choose from.  I also have a LOT more than I actually need.
   
4. Clean out master bathroom cabinets & organize them.
   This was actually kinda fun and it didn't take me very long.  Expired medicine and cosmetics take up a lot of space in cabinets...  I love having a 'clean cabinet.'
   
5. Begin cleaning out the playroom closets and  storage dormers.
   We lost a pretty expensive Christmas gift this month, so the playroom got searched by default.  I also reorganized all the toys into bins and encouraged my kids to keep it clean that way!  It is so much easier to find the toys when they are in the right place!
   
6. Exercise 20 times this month.
   Nur.  That's a NUR from me.  I didn't even come close to this.
   
7. Start process of ceiling repair in kitchen.  Either hire a contractor OR DIY.
   Nope.  Moving this to February since we have a break from school and I hope to get it done then!
   
8. Clean giant window at front of house.  Caulk it.
   I need a giant ladder that's clean... anyone?  Once I get that ladder I can get this done!
   
9. Print a canvas of the latest family photo session for the living room.
   Printed.  Ordered.  On the way!
   
10. Select a color theme for the MK & dining room.
    I have decided to do a light blue/green and grey theme for both.  I'm excited to get this done in the spring!
    
11. Research cruises for family in 2018...
    Nope.  But I still have a ton of time for that.  I decided I should wait for the wrestling schedule to be released so I can compare times to cruise departures, etc.  

I like the idea of breaking this down monthly.  I need to compare my yearly goals to this monthly list and do the difficult/important things first.  I know the things that take up a lot of time need to be done early too!  

He's seven.

This kid of mine.

I posted this picture a few months back and I can't help but love it a lot this week.

He turned seven this month.

That is more than one hand...

It requires two hands to indicate his age now.

He lost 3 teeth in the month of January, technically one weekend.

He just got notice that he has tested INTO the gifted program in our schools.

He's a genius, no denying it now that we have proof.

I love watching his kindness on display for others.

He is cautious and calculated with every move he makes.

He follows the rules and is motivated to do all the things.

I love watching him with his sisters.

He wrestles tomorrow and I'm already a nervous wreck.

Seven years ago this month I was learning about love.

I had no idea what it was like to be a parent.

I was terrified and still am, most days.

But if he's the first edition, then we are doing alright.

He's my favorite boy in all the world.

Budgeting and Menu Planning

I recently had a friend who asked me how I planned our menu and what I did to prepare our food.  I had some time over my break from school to think about it and I decided to blog about it.  It goes much farther than our menu to embrace our whole lives and what we do each week.

1. I look at our calendar and plan our menu around our weekly activities.  In this season of life we have wrestling two nights a week, gymnastics one night a week, and at least one other night when we are busy!  So I plan to cook at least 4-5 nights a week.  I adjust leftovers and pizza night around our lives.
   
2. I stick to at least 2 things I already know how to cook and don't make plans to learn new things until I'm ready... so weekends are times I try new dishes!  I adjust my schedule so the EASIEST things to cook (crock pot meals) are on my busiest days or the days when I know I will be tired... Mondays and Thursdays usually win!
   
3. I plan the meals.  I examine our pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what we have on hand.  After I have taken stock at home I make my grocery list.  Sometimes I plan my menu around what we already have on hand.  I am trying to develop the habit of using the foods we have instead of trashing them...   Sometimes I notice that I already have a whole meal on hand (spaghetti noodles, sauce, and venison in the freezer) so I only have to buy a salad and bread.
   
4. I make my grocery list for meals and recipes.  I also take stock of the kids' lunch stash and their breakfast items.  I like to make breakfast on the weekends, so I look at that too.
   
5. I know this all sounds like a LOT of steps, but I think I probably spend 20 minutes doing this whole process.  I bring my laptop into the kitchen, pull up my Google calendar, and compare it to the wall calendar.  I begin my Walmart grocery pickup list while I'm in the kitchen!
   
6. Once the menu is made and my meals are planned, I begin the process of prepping for them.  Sometimes I make freezer meals ahead of time, but mostly I prep the day before or the day of.  If I have a lot of leftovers I make a freezer meal... or have it for lunch that week too!  :)
   
7. I put away the groceries after the pick up day and then write our dinners for the week.  I adjust the menu as needed once the week starts.  Sometimes what I planned for Tuesday actually works better for us on Wednesday, etc.  Either way, I have all the ingredients on hand to make the meals for the week.
   
8. Sometimes I have to adjust plans as the week unfolds and we have to move a meal to the next week.  I try to be flexible.  I also try to keep my grocery budget to $100 a week or less.. that includes the household goods and the cleaning supplies...
   
9. "Shopping" in my pantry, fridge, freezer before going to the grocery store or even making a list helps me save money AND time!

January 2017 To Do List

1. Plan a weekly menu.
   
2. Organize all tax paperwork.
   
3. Clean out master closet and dressers.
   
4. Clean out master bathroom cabinets & organize them.
   
5. Begin cleaning out the playroom closets and  storage dormers.
   
6. Exercise 20 times this month.
   
7. Start process of ceiling repair in kitchen.  Either hire a contractor OR DIY.
   
8. Clean giant window at front of house.  Caulk it.
   
9. Print a canvas of the latest family photo session for the living room.
   
10. Select a color theme for the MK & dining room.
    
11. Research cruises for family in 2018...

Goals: 2017 edition. Intentional Chapter.

Read a devotional book and complete Bible studies as the year goes along.  I just began 'Draw the Circle:  The 40 Day Prayer Challenge' and it will take me through the end of January.  After that I will be INTENTIONAL about reading The Circle Maker and then the book about praying circles around my children.  I know that prayer for my family will never be done.

Grow crops this summer, well really just tomatoes and possibly cucumbers.  I will be INTENTIONAL and get seedlings started in April so I can have food by summertime!  But don't tell anyone who lives in my neighborhood because they are against the HOA rules...

Clean out/organize one room a month, including the closets in each room.  I will post my list of rooms next week so I can be INTENTIONAL about scheduling time for them in the coming months.  I know that purging items from each room is such an awesome feeling, plus we are able to get rid of SO MUCH tiny baby/kid stuff.

Purchase new furniture via living room.  Sell antiques.  I am beyond ready to have some established pieces in my living room.  I'd like to create/find some functional storage pieces for the space.  It is really small and the seating is awkward, so it makes it challenging.  I am going to have to be INTENTIONAL about shopping for it or finding plans to MAKE it.

Repair ceiling in kitchen, repair the wall in the master bath, major yard renovation to grow actual grass in the front yard.  None of this will take large amounts of time, but it may require large amounts of money.  The yard will be the biggest cost of money AND time.  I will have to plan the yard starting in February so we can be INTENTIONAL about getting good dirt and grass.  

Run/exercise 3 times a week.  I feel like this is the biggest struggle of my life.  I know it will make me feel better and be a positive force in my life.  It will make all things better and I know that, but MAKING time for it is my struggle.  I should alter my goal so that it says MAKE TIME TO EXERCISE 3 times a week, which really just means I have to GET UP EARLY and I hate that.  Get over it Carrie.  Grow up.

Become a Mary Kay sales director.  I will work my business 3 times a week for the entire months of January thru March.  If I am INTENTIONAL about working the business then my goal will be a reality.

Quit teaching... must complete the sales director goal first...

Pay off all credit cards.  We have been INTENTIONAL about this for the last few months, but I need to be more disciplined about the process.  The Dave Ramsey plan is moving us in that direction and I've been planning that for us for months!  

The following lists are just things we have on the agenda at no particular time or in no particular order.  We had some of them on the agenda for 2016 but ended up repairing the chimney instead.  Just the 'wish list' if you will...

Home Updates 2017

Trees beside driveway and in back yard need to come down...

Concrete driveway must be repaired

Deck built?

Paint my room--my office

Paint dining room--green and grey

Paint entry way--same grey as dining room

New blinds--Hayes, kids bathroom, playroom, my room/office

BONUS MONEY 2017

Gun

Glass door for front porch

Built ins in living room

Paint shutters, front door, and awning

Desktop computer

Head board master bedroom

Planning Ahead

So, I've been blogging since 2009.

I've made a few lists of things to do since then.

Some of my things have gotten done and some of them are still on the to-do list.

The next calendar year has a few new goals.

I've removed some of the ambiguity of the goal list.

I am proud to say that I am working really hard to get myself ready to work.

I've never really felt like LIFE is work, but I realized that I want to work.

I like ME better when I work.

I like my life better when it is planned.

So my 2017 to-do list will be posted soon!

I try to put a lot of thought into what I want to make better each year.

I love my life, but I know I can do a better job of being ME.

Big DREAMS loading y'all....

Big Dreams!

Goal Updates: March 2016--more like April.

1. Grow produce this summer.  Start a plan in March and proceed forward with tomatoes and peppers for the summer.  I think I can handle two things.
   
   I should start that now, right?
2. Clean out and organize one room each month.  It will break my little hoarder/sentimental heart to trash some of the things, but it needs to happen.  Starting in the girls' room tomorrow morning.  Closet and drawers need attention.  Hayes' room is in February.  Bathrooms upstairs in March... that's my first quarter done...
   
   I am making major progress with this goal!  Playroom done.  Kids clothes done.  My closet done.  Working on the rest of the house a little at a time.  We got a MAJOR upheaval in April since my sis and bro in law are going to be sharing our space for a bit... So we had FORCED cleaning out of some space.  It was MUCH needed.
3. Paint the rooms... living room, office, dining room... and patch the ceiling kitchen.  While you're at it, let's just go ahead and fix the wires in the living room too., okay?  And purchase new furniture for the living room.  I decided all house updates had to go in the same goal, so I'll have to also repair the master bath wall/ceiling as well.
   
   Living room done.  Dining room next.  Ceiling patching and repair and repaint in June.  New furniture was gifted to us in April!
4. Exercise for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week.  Dance parties in the living room count as cardio.  Running counts.  Weighted toddler carry time does not count.
   
   Yeah, no.
5. Become a Mary Kay sales director.  I desperately want to work a job with some flexibility for my family.  I also really like Mary Kay and the company.  Products are good, company philosophy is good, and the atmosphere is positive.
   
   Still a legitimate goal.  Still working towards it.
6. Plan a trip to Disney for 2016.  Purchase a $100 Disney gift card each month to start piling money away for it.  Kroger fuel points AND a Disney trip.  Two birds;  one stone.
   
   Nope.  Not yet.  I'm only 4 months in, so I can start now... right?
7. Complete a Bible reading plan.  I'm looking at a few, but I'm open to ideas and suggestions people!
   
   I'm a spotty reader at best.  I still love Jesus Calling and I read it sporadically... at best.
8. Schedule a fun date with Daryk each month.  I'd really like to call it my Groupon event... I would love to buy a Groupon/Living Social/Scout Mob date and go do something different each month!  January and February are so difficult because of wrestling, but we can figure something out!
   
   We do this by default, but not as organized as I would like for it to be!
9. Plan and HOLD 5 Mary Kay Skincare and Glamour classes each month.  Who wants to come over and play makeup with me!?
   
   Still working towards this as well.  I need to up my MK game.
10. Develop a family routine/plan and follow through with it.  Weekly plans in progress now...
    
    This seems impossible, but I will keep working towards this goal and complete it eventually.

My new mom BFF

When I realized Hayes was starting kindergarten (much to my personal mom dismay) I began to pray for his peers.  I began to pray for their parents and asked God to bless me with a friend to share worry and joy with.  I began to ask God to send Hayes good friends with good homes and good parents.  I could not have ASKED God for a better set of FRIENDS for Hayes.  I could not have asked God for a better friend for myself either!  Hayes was blessed with two wonderful besties in kindergarten;  Lexi and Rex.  Their families are fantastic and the social life the three of them have at school is equally awesome!

I have enjoyed everything about getting to know Rex's mom and I really enjoyed spending time with her!  We have spent a few nights, days, weekends chatting and letting our boys play!  The connection with another mom has been great.  To share worry and doubt and success with each day and week has been wonderful!  I am SO grateful for the time we have had together and I have begun praying that Hayes will be able to share the next few years of school with the same wonderful peers!

First, you apologize.

On Saturday we had a rainy day at home.  We gathered ourselves up, went to run some errands, and spent time with Kitty.  We came home, had lunch, and cleaned the playroom.  Well, some of us cleaned the playroom.  Some of us argued with each other about it.  Somebody talked back to me and I lost it.  All the cool mom composure I had, it was gone.  Adios.  Bye.  BYE.

I yelled with enough frustration to scare someone.... myself and my son.  I absolutely had a come apart.  It was shameful.  I literally chased him to his bedroom and shut the door so I could gather my thoughts.   I gathered them quietly in my own room.  Prayers with tears and sad realizations that I need the Lord to guide me in all aspects.  All.  Aspects.  Parenting isn't excluded.  I am not an expert.

I went back to Hayes and asked him to sit with me on his bed and I apologized.  

"I didn't mean to yell at you like that and I'm very sorry.  I should have talked better to you and not yelled.  I just got really angry because you didn't do what I asked you to do and you talked back to me.  But I am sorry I yelled at you."

I am so thankful for the spirit of forgiveness.  I am thankful that my children embody the spirit of forgiveness and model that for me.  My mother displays the 'world's most forgiving' spirit possible.  I inherited that from her.  Hoping to pass that along to my sweet people as well.

Parenting is not for the faint of heart.  It is not for the weak or weary.  It is not easy and it is not always sunshine and rainbows.  I love that job even if I fail miserably.

The truth.

Ok.
So this one is bound to ruffle some feathers.
I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, but this has GOT to come out.
This corner of the www is mine and you don't have to come back to read again if you don't want to.
I won't get my feelings hurt, promise.

About a month ago-ish I buried my grandmother.  And I loved that woman, with all my heart.  I loved all the things she did with her life.  She was a champion fighter and she fought a long hard battle.  She stayed a lot longer than I ever imagined she would and I feel like she got a whole life's worth.  She was a strong lady and I admire her wit.  She spent hours, days, weeks, and sometimes months in a hospital bed due to her illnesses.  They were plenty and enough to knock all of us down sometimes, but she fought with grace and a little bit of sass until the end.

The funeral service was lovely.  The memorial at the funeral home was lovely.  I felt as though the funeral was a lie.  The pastor rambled along about how she was a woman of God and how she showed His love and lived for Jesus.  Well folks, if she did that, I never saw it.  I never once saw His love or life in her.  I never heard her speak His name.  If we questioned her relationship with Jesus and her thoughts on heaven... it was a quick response of 'I'm a good person and I've never killed anyone, so I'm going to heaven.'

Quite frankly, that's not how it works.  Now, I cannot speak of her salvation because I was never courageous enough to ask her about it.  But I should have been.  I did not and I'm ashamed of that.

But I'll tell you something I learned while sitting in that pew in that little white church in the middle of nowhere Alabama....

I learned that when a pastor gets up at my funeral I want him to ramble about all of those things I mentioned above and I don't want ANYONE in that audience to have a doubt about what he's saying.  I want to shine so bright for the Lord that there is no question about how I feel about Him and how I display His love.  I am trembling while typing this at my computer y'all.  This is hard stuff.  To sit at your grandmother's funeral and have your heart ripped apart because God is using that woman to teach you from beyond, it is powerful.  Maybe she did know Him.  Maybe she did believe in Him and trust Him with her life, but y'all.  I never saw it.  Not in my childhood, not in my adolescence, and not as an adult.

I love that woman so much.  Her humor was perfect.  She cussed like a sailor and she was a joy to be around.  She embodied family and the glue that held it together.  Her legacy is a million miles long and I am so grateful that she was here and able to meet all my babies.  How fantastic is that?  She had 12 great grands... I think.  Forgive my math... It isn't the best.

The bottom line is that I do not want there to be a single doubt, not a tiny bit of hesitation about my life.  My words, my deeds, my songs, my work, my actions, my choices, my habits, my books, my family; my whole entire life.  I want it all to bring glory to Jesus.  And when I die and people are at my funeral (sans body--no casket for this girl) I want the truth to be so evident that nobody even needs to talk about it.  It just is.

My boy

Sunday this week Hayes turned 6.

S-I-X

Six years ago we were on our way to Northside via 285 in all the bumpy lanes.

Six years ago I planned to have an unmedicated delivery.

Six years ago I learned that I wasn't always in charge.

Imagine that?

I was in labor for 3 days before I made it to the hospital.

I was in labor for about 12 hours after my water broke before the c-section began.

I wasn't planning on a c-section, but my kid was ready.

He arrived at 6:23 pm and rocked our world.

It was the longest day ever and I was so grateful to finally have him.

2016--incoming.....

I typically start each year with a list of goals in mind.  I'm good at writing the goals.  I am terrible at actually achieving the goals.  I blame my mother.  She's a great project starter.  She's not a great finisher.  I'm working to teach my kids to start AND finish things.  I'm convinced it will take me until I DIE to do so... BUT I'm wildly determined to make that happen, so I am going to do it.

1. Grow produce this summer.  Start a plan in March and proceed forward with tomatoes and peppers for the summer.  I think I can handle two things.
   
2. Clean out and organize one room each month.  It will break my little hoarder/sentimental heart to trash some of the things, but it needs to happen.  Starting in the girls' room tomorrow morning.  Closet and drawers need attention.  Hayes' room is in February.  Bathrooms upstairs in March... that's my first quarter done...
   
3. Paint the rooms... living room, office, dining room... and patch the ceiling kitchen.  While you're at it, let's just go ahead and fix the wires in the living room too., okay?  And purchase new furniture for the living room.  I decided all house updates had to go in the same goal, so I'll have to also repair the master bath wall/ceiling as well.
   
4. Exercise for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week.  Dance parties in the living room count as cardio.  Running counts.  Weighted toddler carry time does not count.
   
5. Become a Mary Kay sales director.  I desperately want to work a job with some flexibility for my family.  I also really like Mary Kay and the company.  Products are good, company philosophy is good, and the atmosphere is positive.
   
6. Plan a trip to Disney for 2016.  Purchase a $100 Disney gift card each month to start piling money away for it.  Kroger fuel points AND a Disney trip.  Two birds;  one stone.
   
7. Complete a Bible reading plan.  I'm looking at a few, but I'm open to ideas and suggestions people!
   
8. Schedule a fun date with Daryk each month.  I'd really like to call it my Groupon event... I would love to buy a Groupon/Living Social/Scout Mob date and go do something different each month!  January and February are so difficult because of wrestling, but we can figure something out!
   
9. Plan and HOLD 5 Mary Kay Skincare and Glamour classes each month.  Who wants to come over and play makeup with me!?
   
10. Develop a family routine/plan and follow through with it.  Weekly plans in progress now...
    

My reason for goals, for my job, for my Mary Kay business, and for breathing.
I love those littles.

And my husband, but he's not pictured.

2015 Re-cap Goals. Update. Laugh.

Goals for 2015.

1. Lose the last bit of baby weight and keep it off this year, possibly forever.
   My body has been in a constant up and down lbs. battle since mid 2009.  Pregnancy, baby, pregnancy, baby, weight loss, baby, better weight.... to be continued.
   
   This did not happen.
     
2. Declutter the house, one room at a time.
   Now that we have reached the 'last baby' stage I feel like we will be able to gradually remove things that are no longer being saved for 'later.'  I will also be able to remove my 5-6 size range wardrobe and focus on a smaller selection of clothing.  Advocare and exercise will help.
   
   We are working on this, but have made major progress this year!  Onto the last phase soon!
    
3. Finish decorating the living room, buy new couches/chairs, and paint that room.
   Finally.  We have lived there for almost 3 years.... long enough to have painted the rooms.
   
   Yeah, no.  Put that on the new list of 'honey-dos'...
   
4. Become a Mary Kay sales director by April.
   This will require multiple steps, but it is a goal... with a deadline.  And that deadline opens up so many other doors that I can barely stand it.
   
   Not that one either. but MAN, I'm ready for it.  This year.  Is.  My.  Year.
   
5. Organize my home office and my 'room' at the house.
   The craft room/office/crap room needs a face lift.
   
   Done.  Next, paint.
   
6. PLANT FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES.
   
   I planted flowers.  Half done.
   
7. I want to unplug myself once a month for a whole weekend and just be Carrie the mom, the wife, the cook, the cleaner, the house keeper.... and not respond to calls or texts or emails or any social networks. I feel like doing that in spurts makes me rely on that a lot less to entertain myself.  I look forward to it.
   
   I think this needs re-evaluation.  I did spend more intentional time in 2015, but I don't think I'm satisfied with the things that happened
   
8. Disney fund growth.
   Deposit a consistent amount monthly into the account for our 2016 trip.  :)  I'm hoping for a February or Spring Break trip!
   
   I depleted the fund for our LAST minute trip at Thanksgiving.  Give me a minute and I'll load those pictures..
   
9. Establish a fitness routine that I can maintain with my mommy lifestyle.
   I am 100% certain this will mean me buying a treadmill or something before it happens because I'm not going to the gym.  I am also 100% sure this means I will be exercising in the early morning hours because that is the best time for me.
   
   This did not happen.  At all.  I actually QUIT the gym.  I have GOT to work on that.
   
10. Actually complete tasks I start.
    
    This is going to be a LIFE LONG GOAL and nothing I will accomplish in 2016 either...

Overall, I need to work on setting attainable goals and creating a plan to achieve them.  I have great goals in mind, I just need to work on my plans to make them happen.

My girls

Did I mention that as soon as we got back from North Carolina we ran real fast to my aunt's house for a giant family gathering with our cousins from far away?  

This diva took her time playing and enjoying a cold beverage.

Though, she takes her time doing pretty much everything.

And this diva is just TOO happy to function normally.

I tell people all the time that she's not a real baby.

She's not.

She is this happy about 90% of the time.

I love being their momma.

I love their spunk and their HAPPY.

I love Libby

I love this one.

She is challenging and difficult.

She makes me question my sanity, daily.

She asks more questions than I would care to answer, EVER.

She likes to change her clothes about 950 times daily.

She prefers to wear dresses.  Ewww.

She likes all the bling, lipstick, and accessories she can find.

She loves with an intensity like nobody I've ever known.

I wish every human being had the manners she did.

So polite for a 4 year old...

For the love....

How can I not enjoy her?

Vibrant, joyful, vivacious, and loyal.

Those are the best adjectives for my favorite middle child.

Libby J

I woke up to her yelling one morning.  It was well before the time to get up.... but I couldn't ignore her or pretend like this was hilarious.  

"Mommy, come look at me!  My bottom fits right in here!"

How do I get mad at that!?

Fab Frogs

This sweet girl sure gives me a run for my money.  This is her delightful Mother's Day Tea at ELC.  The kids make the food and lots of sweet things for us as well.  It is really an awesome deal.  We love going and I really enjoy seeing how proud she is.  Her attitude at school is spectactular.  I did tell her teachers that she should not be in charge of any surprises, ever.  She told me every single detail about the food and the arts & crafts the day before the 'tea' happened.  

Here is a picture of us last year at her tea.  She was a ladybug last year and is a frog this year.  Mind you, the pictures are always her idea, but I'm grateful she likes me well enough to take pictures.

This is her BFF Delilah.  She loves this girl with some serious intensity.  I am grateful that they were able to spend time loving each other this year.  Delilah's Aunt Steph is reading to them.  She was so patient with them and so kind.  

And these ladies are her rockstar teachers.

They help with boo-boos.

They assist with potty training and accidents.

They provide guidance, for her in the classroom, and me outside the classroom.

They love her.

They were so kind and told me that the 4s teachers would likely fight over who gets to teach my 'delightful child'.....

All I could do was LAUGH like a crazy lady because my delightful child is so hard to deal with most days.  She is sunshine and rainbows when she chooses to be.  She is challenging and stubborn when she is not sunshine and rainbows.  She loves SO hard and she is so kind....

I am forever grateful to these lovely ladies.

Mother's Day 2015

I love my church.

The tagline for the Mother's Day photo booth was that 'mom's love pictures.'

And boy, do they.

We had just spent time Saturday night having pictures made with our awesome family photographer Denise, and Daryk thought he was exempt from this on Sunday.

Wrong.

Please note the crazy smiles on Daryk and Hayes' faces...not real smiles.

And Libby looks confused.

And Spencer looks like she's lost.

But I am so happy.

Goal Update: Halfway Done

I feel like I should preface this by saying that I've never in my life been much of a goal setter or achiever.  I mean, if you don't SET goals you will likely not achieve them.  Duh.  I was inspired by a dear friend of mine to set goals and achieve the a few years back.  I have also been disciplined with my Mary Kay training to set goals and dreams for myself.  Goals are dreams with a deadline... and dreams, are just that, dreams.

Goals for 2015.

1. Lose the last bit of baby weight and keep it off this year, possibly forever.
   My body has been in a constant up and down lbs. battle since mid 2009.  Pregnancy, baby, pregnancy, baby, weight loss, baby, better weight.... to be continued.
   
   I am slowly but surely working on this one.  I do technically have about 10 lbs to go to get to my 'prebaby/husband' weight.  I am about 99% sure that if I actually made time to exercise regularly, I would lose those last few lbs.  Summer schedule includes early workouts so that I can do that.
   
2. Declutter the house, one room at a time.
   Now that we have reached the 'last baby' stage I feel like we will be able to gradually remove things that are no longer being saved for 'later.'  I will also be able to remove my 5-6 size range wardrobe and focus on a smaller selection of clothing.  Advocare and exercise will help.
   
   Declutter Cochran Casa has begun.  We are gradually working through each room.  This summer the focus will be the kids rooms and closets!  Also, my closet.  Yikes.
   
3. Finish decorating the living room, buy new couches/chairs, and paint that room.
   Finally.  We have lived there for almost 3 years.... long enough to have painted the rooms.
   
   Painted the front entry and bathroom.  Done with the girls' room.  Working on living room completion as well.  Planning to paint the rest of the front entry and living room this summer.  I cannot WAIT to brighten up that room!  
   
4. Become a Mary Kay sales director by April.
   This will require multiple steps, but it is a goal... with a deadline.  And that deadline opens up so many other doors that I can barely stand it.
   
   Not in a director suit, but actively recruiting and building my team.  I will be seeing an aubergine suit this fall.  I am CERTAIN of it.
   
5. Organize my home office and my 'room' at the house.
   The craft room/office/crap room needs a face lift.
   
   Yeah, still working on this goal.  I plan to do some summer cleaning and move things to the basement so that my office can move out of my dining room into the craft/crap room.
   
6. PLANT FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES.
7. I want to unplug myself once a month for a whole weekend and just be Carrie the mom, the wife, the cook, the cleaner, the house keeper.... and not respond to calls or texts or emails or any social networks.
   I feel like doing that in spurts makes me rely on that a lot less to entertain myself.  I look forward to it.
   
   Planted a LOT of flowers and bulbs this spring.  I have so much fun planting things.  Truly love that part of being a homeowner.
   
8. Disney fund growth.
   Deposit a consistent amount monthly into the account for our 2016 trip.  :)  I'm hoping for a February or Spring Break trip!
   
   Disney fund hasn't grown at all.  But debt payoff has been fierce.  I know that Disney will come easier once debt is gone.  Shooting for a Christmas with Mickey trip in December!
   
9. Establish a fitness routine that I can maintain with my mommy lifestyle.
   I am 100% certain this will mean me buying a treadmill or something before it happens because I'm not going to the gym.  I am also 100% sure this means I will be exercising in the early morning hours because that is the best time for me.
   
   Summer 2k15 will be the first time the exercise has happened regularly.
   
10. Actually complete tasks I start.
    
    Done.  Starting to be more diligent about completing things.  Life skills people.  Life skills.

Chin Up

A long time ago in a far away land I met a girl named Brooke.  We shared the same math class in the 7th grade and we both loved our sarcastic teacher.  There was a competition between classes to fundraise or donate something, so our teacher gave us a mission to create a taunting song for the other class.  And we did.  I'll never forget that being the beginning of the friendship that lasted for 20 years.  13 years later and she's still a dear friend.  We were running buddies in the 8th grade and then pen pals in high school when she moved far away to Mechanicsville, VA.  I found those letters this past weekend in my 'high school trunk' in the basement.  She is a huge supporter of my life and my little people.  She is a fantastic lady who served our country in the Air Force and now she delivers jokes for a living.  She is a delightful human being and I'm glad to call her friend.

This is Delilah.  She loves my girl and my girl LOVES her.  They both share a love for messy hair, messy food, and a hatred of excema.  I hope they are friends forever.