2016

Well, I am two weeks late with this post. 2016 has started off well. I actually haven't been posting because I have actually been doing things! It feels pretty good. I have been thinking a lot about goal setting. I usually try to set some sort of resolutions every year, but rarely do they stick. I really want this year to be different. I want to say that I going to get in shape and actually get in shape. Or say that I am going to do laundry every day and actually do that laundry. So far, I am off to a pretty good start in the workout department. I have been slacking on the laundry. There definitely is a difference between making a resolution and setting a goal. I am trying to do a better job of setting concrete goals rather than vague resolutions.
 So what makes a goal? I remember talking a lot of about this in my Strategic Management class. Companies that succeed have a clear mission or goal. What are the characteristics of a clear goal? According to Dave Ramsey, who I love listening to driving to and from work, a good goal is specific, personal, measurable, attainable and in writing. What does that look like? For our family, one of the goals this year is to completely fund our emergency fund of 6 months of expenses. That meets the specific requirement. It is personal because it directly affects our family's well-being so it puts internal pressure on us to get it done. It is measurable because we have an exact number that we are trying to reach. It is an attainable number that we can save for and we have set a realistic time frame for reaching that goal. Lastly, it is in writing and both myself and Scott see it on daily basis. For me in writing also means a visual chart. I love to check stuff off or to color things in so I made a little thermometer chart to color in as we get closer to the goal. That for me has been the kicker for staying focussed really pushing me to save and work hard on finishing.
I am trying to translate this to my physical goals. I want to be in better shape next January than I am now. I don't really care about losing weight but I know that I could be stronger. I am still struggling with how I want to define this goal. Right now, the best metric I have is how many times a week I do something physically active. I am shooting for 4 times a week right now. To motivate me and give a visual reminder, I am coloring in the days on the monthly view of my planner. Each day that I do a workout of some kind I color that day in my planner. It gives me an overview of how active that month. I like seeing the all the days that are colored in and letting the blank days be that little kick in the pants to get me going. When I look down and see a lot of blanks days it stops me from getting complacent. I am hoping that building these little reminders into my routine will motivate me stick with my goals this year and make some progress.

Is 2016 off to a good start for you? Do you make goals/resolutions each year? What keeps to you motivated?

Christmas Blues

Merry Christmas! Sorry for the radio silence. We have been busy, busy with get togethers and being lazy bums. The post Christmas blues have set in. If you haven't noticed by now, I have a bit of an existential, angsty streak. Usually, I channel it into gloomy music and chocolate consumption but now I have blog so it is funneled here. Like I have said before, I love the Christmas season, however, I don't particularly care for Christmas day. I am remember as I kid, wondering why everyone seemed to be happier and more excited about Christmas day than me. The excitement from ripping opening packages seemed to dissipate much quicker from my soul than it did for my siblings. It used to bug me but as I grew and matured, I just assumed that it was a part of my personality and kind of brushed it off. So what if I don't get that excited on Christmas morning? I have a ton of fun leading up to it and I can be happy with that. It wasn't till this year after listening to the first two parts of this teaching series did I really come to grip with my melancholy nature. The lectures are on Ecclesiastes, which is like the Intro to Philosophy book of the Bible. It deals with the meaningless nature of life. (Sorry that I am a creating a downer here, hang with me.) I can't really explain it so I really have to suggest that you listen to it. I finally have a peace about being a little down on Christmas day. The hype is fun and I love getting into the spirit but in the end it is ok to be a little sad. If you ever feel like you can't "enjoy" life like everyone around you, I highly recommend you listen to all five parts. It will be a breath of fresh air to your soul. 

Sorry for the tangential rant. 

Merry (blue) Christmas! 

Over the Weekend: Chilly

(via pinterest)

Baby, it's cold outside, finally! I wore a sweater this weekend and it was glorious. So, Christmas is this Friday. My brain is reeling a little. It feels like we look forward to holidays like Christmas all year and then they just sneak up on us right at the last minute. Weren't we just stuffing ourselves full of Thanksgiving dinner last week? I am attempting to soak up every last bit of the season that can. I made some progress on my #christmas checklist. 

1. Pick out and decorate tree. Check!
2. Take a family Christmas photo
3. Watch White Christmas. Check!
4. Find a good Advent Bible reading plan for our calendar
5. Send out Christmas cards. Check!

Maybe I knock out the rest in the next few days. 

Have a great week!

Friday Wrap Up

One week till Christmas! The weather has been so warm lately that it doesn't really feel like Christmas at all. Dumb, El Nino. I think I have worn a jacket once this month. It has thrown me for a loop.
Well, here are a few things that are going on this week.

1. Star Wars. Duh. I am pretty excited though. I don't know when I will be able to see it. Movie going and babies don't mesh well but I am super excited about all the hype. It looks pretty incredible.

2. I actually made a BIG dent in my housework to do list this week. Like, I folded ALL of the laundry. I couldn't have done without the help of my trusty podcasts.

3. We have had a few setbacks in the napping department but I think we have overcome a hurdle. It seems like the little guy was getting hungry! He has been eating solids for a little over a week and I think it was the ticket to stretching the naps back out. Hopefully, the trend will hold.

Have great weekend!

Twinkle Lights

I really wanted to attempt some manual photography with our Christmas tree this year. I am sure you all have seen the enviable, glowing tree pictures that fill up your feeds this time of year. I wanted to test the waters of completely manual shooting and capture some cozy pictures. I liked how they turned out. I may try again and see if I can brighten them up a little. I used this picture and settings as my guide. My lens' f-stop will not go as low as the directions suggest, so that may have been the problem. I will probably play around with it some more.
Each time I try out something new with my, I realize how much I really do enjoy learning about photography. It is so exciting to create something pretty and know that you did it. I also really like knowing that I am learning. I am was one of those weird people who loved going to class and was actually kind of bummed when I graduated because I knew I was not going to be learning something new everyday. Adding a creative hobby, like photography, where I am a total novice has filled that gaining knowledge void. It just gives me such joy to play around and learn new things.

What gives you joy? What hobbies or activities really spark your interest?

Christmas Checklist

Every year, I have somewhat overly romantic ideas of what I am going to do for Christmas. Usually they involved carefully cards, homemade ornaments, cozy Christmas movie viewing sessions and the list goes on. I just really want to make the most of season and there seems to be a lot of pressure to really get into the Christmas spirit. This year, I am trying to take a more laid back approach and just enjoy the little festivities that come along with the holiday. Here is my mini of things I would like to accomplish and enjoy this Christmas.

1. Pick out and decorate tree. Check!
2. Take a family Christmas photo
3. Watch White Christmas
4. Find a good Advent Bible reading plan for our calendar
5. Send out Christmas cards

Hopefully, I will be able to accomplish the entire list, but if I don't it is ok. Christmas will be just fine either way.

Over The Weekend: Christmas Party Time

Just a few snapshots from our family Christmas party last night. It was a Christmas pajama party, which made for a cozy, cute time. This year, we had 5 new, squishy additions to the family. This has been the year of the baby. The youngest was born just a week ago! It makes for exciting (loud) family get-togethers. Baby was somewhat interested in unwrapping his gifts. I think next year will be more exciting for him. All the excitement and prepping is really just us the parents. A 6 month doesn't know what Christmas is. He could care less if he gets a box covered in pretty paper.

Have a great week!