May Resolutions Update

Happy Cinco DeMayo! 

I'm still scratching my head and wondering how it's already May and that we have 11, yes ELEVEN days of school left! I mean, that's pretty fabulous news! 

So, at the beginning of the year, I set out with several resolutions for 2016, and each month, I'm documenting my progress and sometimes lack thereof. But, I also want to keep myself real and accountable, and I knew this would be a super good way for me to do that, and also to remotivate myself each month!

I received an email last week from Jon Acuff- have y'all heard of him? He's an author and motivational speaker, and developed the 30 days of Hustle program. He wrote in that post, about how people have already given up on their New Years Resolutions and that by May, we're all like "it's May- the year is almost half way over, and it's too late to start now!" (I'm obviously paraphrasing a bit!) But, his point was that it's never to late to start (or re-start) something that you've set your mind to. Thus, his 30 Days of Hustle program. He also said in that post, that this best month to work on your goals, is that month! And, it's common to give up on your goals, but who says we have to be common?

You guys, that post totally re-motivated me in to remember how much of the year that we still have left! I don't want to look back in December, and think "wow, I wish I would have started sooner!" I want to start right now, every month, and even if I've failed- which you'll see that I have. That I'll be able to pick up right then and there and start all over again. 

So, here goes- my little recap of the month of April. 

1. Study Scripture: Once again, I'm failing miserably here. The other day, I did read one of the Bible studies on my Bible app, but that was about it. I'm hoping that this summer, when we're home every single day, that I can carve out intentional time and dive in to God's word. As always, the girls and I listen to Christian music radio in the car, and my prayer life is major intense right now.  I was thinking last Friday, in a rather defeated state of mind, that friends are super hard to come by in this time of my life. , and that's another story for another day, but this song popped in to my head, and I had to remember that I am loved, and that sometimes when I feel that other's aren't loving me, that I still need to be loving them in return. Spiritual music totally speaks to my heart. 

Fun fact: the lead singer from Stars Go Dim is also our worship pastor. 

2. Kick Toxins To the Curb: This month may have been a little more difficult in the food department. As I said before, I feel like we've been very successful at cutting out common toxic items in our home- from shampoo for the girls, body wash, laundry detergent, deodorant, dish soap, cleaning agents....... we don't burn candles, and we definitely do not use air fresheners and them smell of every day perfumes and scents now make me want to hurl and give me an instant headache. I am buying more organic products than I have before, but sometimes it's really hard to not grab a can of Cream of Chicken soup and cook a casserole that I'm craving. It's quite an adjustment cooking from scratch, or just eating grilled chicken and veggies. 

3. Exercise, Eat Healthy, Say Good-bye to Coke &Sugar.  So, just like last month, I've been using  my FitBit and most days I'm able to get  to 10,000 steps. And, for the last two weeks, I've been able to go on at least a 2 mile walk/jog/run three times a week, and I'm following it up with a Ningxia juice pouch. At the beginning of the year, I had committed to walking/running a total of 1,000 extra miles this year, and I haven't been counting and I've pretty much given up on reaching 1,000. I mean, I do have a lot of the year left- so I don't want to say never, but, I'm also being realistic! If I can just keep up with my evening runs, then I'll be happy! I'm doing fairly well giving up coke. I have been trying to either cut out coke or sugar each day. I can't do both, but if it's a "no coke" day, then I'll treat myself to a little something sweet, and if it's a "no sweets" day, then I may have a coke. I am finding myself turned off at sugary sweets- skittles, candy, things like that, but chocolate is still a weak spot. And, I am still super good about limiting my soda to only one glass when I do have one and I definitely don't have one every day.  I'm telling y'all, this area is a struggle and it always has been for me. 

4. Rock My YL Biz: I shared last month, that I hit the rank of Silver back in February! My team is growing and I have the goal of reaching Gold by the end of the year. But, I'm also remembering that I didn't start this business to make money! I decided to try the business side, because I found a company and a product that I 1,000% believe in, and I'm seeing first hand benefits for myself and my family. To me, that health and wellness by far exceed any amount of money I could ever make. Not only, that health and wellness for myself, but for my friends, my family, and everyone in between! 

5. Serve Others: In April, I was able to donate a  Young Living gift basket to the Tulsa Babywearing Organization. I loved being able to wear my babies in the Ergo, and even now, I still can wear Adalyn, and I'm all about the ease of babywearing. So, it was exciting to be able to donate to a cause that is near to my heart. And last week I church, I decided to volunteer in the children's program again. Last spring, I volunteered in the two year old classroom, and then they asked for volunteers to be yearly, and I didn't feel like I could make the commitment. When I walked in to church on Sunday and saw the sign up, I knew that I wanted to commit to serving again, and I was overjoyed when the newborn class wasn't full and there was still a spot for me to serve! I can think of nothing better than rocking brand new babies and giving moms a break on Sunday mornings! 

6. Take Time for Family & Say No: April was SO much fun! Our first two weekends were busy with birthday parties, but we went to a baseball game, explored a local Cherokee village, and had tons of time playing outside, going on walks, and being together. DJ and I also squeezed in a date night to the Carrie Underwood concert.  I have absolutely loved that time with my family! 

As far as "saying no", well, I am really good at telling my kids no, but I am NOT good at telling other people no! I tend to over commit, and then stress out, but I'm a people pleaser and I do not want to let anyone down. So, chances are, if you ask me to do it, I'll tell you yes! 

7. Be Debt Free: I'm happy to report that I was able to pay more toward the credit cards and savings account this past month than I have in a long time! It felt good to pay toward things, put money aside, and still feel like I was okay with buying extras!  

Like, a few new dresses! 

8. Finish House Projects: Right now, I'm feeling pretty good about our house projects! The front yard is finished, dining room- check, kitchen- check, office- check, Gretchen's room- check, Megan's room- check...... However, I still need to buy curtains for our master bedroom, and we need new chairs for the living room and a coffee table. I have finally decided that I did not need an end table, which I had been struggling with, but I figured that if I went with a coffee table, that an end table wasn't needed. But, I have no idea what sort of coffee table that I want! Wood, glass, an ottoman...... there are too many options! I also told myself that this summer, we needed to complete Adalyn's big girl bedroom, so I'm debating on if we want to tackle that project which will include painting, putting up her big girl bed, and figuring out how to decorate it and what theme to use. I'm leaning toward ballerina's, because she loves her ballet baby, and then I've thought about horses because she loves those too! We also have Megan's old quilt which is floral and a little shabby chic, but the more I think about it, the more I don't want to use it. Just as I think we're finishing up, new projects pop up! 

So, that about wraps up how I'm doing on my goals for the year! Remember, if you created goals for yourself, don't give up! We still have 36 weeks left this year!