Spencer Update

August-December 2017 Spencer update.

Moana

The favorite princess from 2017 was Moana.

The Easter Bunny brought Elizabeth a necklace, but just her.

He didn't know that it was going to be a fight to the DEATH for the necklace...

It lead us to a search for another one...

Which caused us to travel to Florida to purchase said necklace...

Tangible Goals 2018

1. Organize family photos and prints from 2010-forward.  Place in boxes as needed.
   
   I bought the boxes.  I placed all the photos and the boxes in the same general area.  We are part of the way there...
   
2. Print and hang portraits for our home.
   
   I need to order a print from each photo session we have had with Denise.  I will begin to look at that as we get closer to Spring... not in a rush.
   
3. Paperwork for family secured in safe (purchase safe).
   
   Paperwork all in the same spot in our home, but not in a safe yet.
   
4. Prepare home for foster care/adoption process.
   
   We have begun this process and we are working towards our steps in this process.
   
5. Track expenses closer than usual and put aside additional 401k savings.
   
   Tracking expenses.  Have an appt to meet with financial adviser soon.
   
6. Find a family service project to complete.
   
   Any ideas from you all about this one?  It is a struggle...
   
7. Research furniture renovations and complete the pine furniture first.
   
   I bought some chalk paint ( I should say I invested in some chalk paint because that stuff ain't cheap) and have been painting things.  I will continue to update pieces through this year. 
   
8. Buy a new dining table for our kitchen.
   
   Table  ordered.  :) 
   
9. Buy a new mattress!
   
   Maybe soon!?

Goals Update: 3 Months Into 2018...

1. Unpack the house and be completely settled by January 15th. Including all furniture purchased, and all junk tossed out.
   Still a work in progress, but it will be done this year.  We have made so many trips to donate things and for the most part, this is done.  I still need to purchase some furniture and organize my office space.
   
   March update:  two rooms still in shambles.  Getting so close though.  I have a few more things to purchase for one room to be done and then I will work on the last room!  My priority is to organize my office before Spencer's party! 
   
2. Fill out paperwork to foster/adopt and meet with agency by  end of January. 
   I have a contact.  This is in the works.  More to come on that later.  
   Paperwork done.  Signed up for an intake class... 
3. Print family pictures to hang on canvas. Goal=1 new portrait a month during 2018.
   I ordered ONE this month!  Yay!  By the end of 2018 we should be well documented!
   
   Nope.  I guess I need to get this rolling...
   
4. Take more photos with my camera and document our lives in real time via blog 2 times a month.
   Nope.  Not this month.  I'm using wrestling season and our MOVING as my excuse.  But I will update our blog one more time with a vision plan for each new room soon!
   
   I will repeat my last month... I did nothing via camera and minimal blogging. 
   
5. Create 10 goals that can be TRACKED and checked. As in, tangible numbers with multiple check points. So I have a numerical goal. Or something of the like...
   I'm working on a few personal development goals that I will track this year.  I'll post those later on!  
   
   Created goals.  Will update that ASAP.
   
6. Exercise 3 times a week.
   Not this month.  February.  It is in the plans for February.  I did however, move a lot this month.  Never have I ever walked so much moving things!
   
   Not a bit.  None.
   
7. Streamline the finances and housekeeping process. Not sure how this will work, but I want to continue to hit the Dave Ramsey plan hard and start envelopes by end of January. So maybe that’s my REAL goal. Track expenses and income through Jan-Feb. with envelopes in place beginning March.
   Our payroll changed.  I paid off the majority of our debts.  I am printing envelopes today.  Laminating planned for end of the week.  Budget hit hard in February.  Goal is to PAY OFF truck by end of 2018.  2019=student loans GONE.
   
   I find myself still adjusting to our new pay periods.  I have moved several of our bills and payments to the later month...  It is ridiculous to think about how much of an adjustment this has been for me.  For us. 
   
8. Plant bulbs by end of Feb. and draw landscape plans.
   Just got my last shipment of bulbs this weekend.  I will buy some more and start planting this weekend.  I am so excited!
   
   Got a good bit of the bulbs in the ground a few weeks ago and plan to do some more digging this weekend, actually.  We are in the midst of the last cold snap before Spring, so I'm hoping to get everything in the ground and safe before the warm weather really comes! 
   
9. Clean out closet and donate/sell seasonal wardrobe excess by end of March. As we approach spring/summer completed by end of May.
   Done.  I did this already this month.  I will hit the kids closets after our Disney trip and revamp their stuff.  I also need to update some of their summer clothing.  I see a serious Sam's shopping trip this month!  
   
   We did a massive overhaul with the kids and their closest before our Disney trip last week.  We cleaned out a LOT of things and then donated a lot.  I did take a few bags to consignment sales and that's always a fun way to make some extra!
   
10. Plan 2018 & 2019 vacations. Brainstorm ideas for 10 year vow renewal...
    I think we may go to a new spot just us 5 this summer.  And I have started working on our vow renewal plans.  I'm thinking small.  Just our family and our closest buddies for that... more details to come later!
    
    Our summer vacation this year will be a trip to Jekyll for an FCA camp and we are super excited to spend a few days with Godly families and make new friends.  We are going to shift some of our summer plans to Spring Break and visit our South Florida family!  I cannot WAIT to see Jeff and Ellie and LR again soon!  It will be a good time to visit Poppi too!  I also have two friends I'm hoping to see in the Pompano Beach area!