March: Goals for 2010 Update

In case you missed my first post on "My list" for 2010...Here is an excerpt....
First of all, I should start by saying I don't get into making unrealistic life changes. I know that for me my list needs to include things I am committed to changing, thing I have been working on already, and realizing I am a busy wife, mommy, and home schooler that just can't "Do it all". That doesn't mean that I didn't set some high achieving goals ....just that I kept my list limited.
I decided that dividing goals into categorizes was the way to go for me. As we go through 2010, my hope is to keep you informed in a very transparent way on how God is using those goals to mold me throughout the year. I plan to bring you up to speed on what is happening around The Gaertegang household and how "the list" is panning out......My purpose?
To give God the glory for everything, inspire you to set your own goals, and make myself accountable for the things I put on my list.

Spiritual:
#1 Continue to be consistent in God's Word daily. I have not been consistent this past week for some reason. Jumping back on the daily schedule asap!
#2 Study my Bible in conjunction with a concordance commentary, so I can a deeper understanding.  
I have done some looking around and discovered that at this point I feel my Study Bible is sufficient. So I am marking this one off the list.
#3 Begin prayer journaling again. I am also marking this one off the list...been doing it since January...loving it!
Homeschooling:
#1 More read aloud time together. Okay so I am giving myself an F in this department! Since the older ones can read so well on their own...I rarely find myself reading to them....Lazy on my part though. I read to the younger ones OFTEN.....I give myself an A in that department!
#2 Continue "NO worksheet Wednesday" & Make Friday our test day 
I am marking this one off the list also...Our school schedule goals have changed a bit for the end of the year....so I hope to pick this up again next school year because the boys really enjoyed it.
#3 Consider using a Unit Study next year
 I think I must be on a "marking off the list rampage"! I decided to dive into this goal a little early with the Butterfly Unit Study...then we went right into the Green Thumb Unit Study. TWO thumbs up!
 Chores:
#1 Make myself a checklist of my household jobs...so I can better track what needs to be done. DONE
#2 Keep the boys encouraged/disciplined on their chore lists. We have not been following a "list" per say but the boys have been doing very well at helping out and keeping up on their chores.
#3 Do all things big or small with a servant's heart. This is a daily choice. Failing some days, but trying to keep in the thoughts as I go throughout my day. I do think I have well in this area this past month...More positives than negatives I think!
Financial:
#1 Continue to faithfully tithe and be generous when led.  Check!
#2 Be very conscious of how we spend God's money and what we spend it on. Did okay I would say...went over budget...I hate when that happens! That is the beauty of another month...you start over with a fresh start...smile.
#3 PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE!!!! ohhh to be debt free....can't hardly wait!!!
We ended last month with around 65 % payoff...We didn't move at all this month. Lance's ortho appt. made sure of that! We have also been taking care of some small maintenance items around the house as well.....There is always next month!
Parenting: Same as last month

#1 No yelling (Sometimes I feel like that is only way I am heard, not a good excuse though) Doing great with this, still a work in progress though.
#2 More patients...hence the no yelling issue. I feel the Lord has blessed me with a great peace this past month. He has been gracious in dealing me an abundance of patience.
#3 Do all things in LOVE....listen attentively....play more! Doing well in this area. Playing....love it!
Kitchen:
#1 Continue to learn more about cooking from scratch..Don't burn myself out...I have found in the area of my life...as well as others...it's all about being intentional. I have marked on my calendar the days of the week I need to make things. Example: 4/7 make pizza crust.....4/10 make butter rolls 
#2 Continue to cook meals ahead whenever possible to help with time issues. No one Big cooking day happened last month liked I wanted. I did do two smaller cooking days..cooking a week's worth of meals at a time. A HUGE time saver in the end. I am wanting to continue this especially now that we are spending so much more time outside.
#3 Keep collecting healthy budget friendly ideas. No new ideas lately, but I am reading more on organic foods and such. I was blessed with FIVE free coupons from Organic Valley to try any of their Dairy products for FREE!! I have not used any yet...I just finally got them picked up. I will keep you posted on my thoughts about it.

Marriage:
#1 Monthly date nights. We were over achievers this month...TWO date nights! Love when that happens...
#2 Get away at least once a year! Still nothing in the works...focusing on other priorities for now.
#3 Being a happy helpmate at all times. Working on it....

Hobby:

#1 Create a space for my hobbies (somewhere?) DONE!!
#2 Send a stamped card twice a month.I totally "Rocked It" this month with stamping cards...enough that I should have no problem meeting my quota for the rest of the year!! 
#3 Quilt once a month. I quilted little this month...so slow progress on my lap blanket. Plan to kick it in high here this month and make some progress!
#4 Blog for fun...to document my family....not feel pressure (from myself) to keep a certain schedule. Doing great in this area. Had lots of fun with giveaways last month...Have a couple planned for April. I totally enjoy documenting our family fun and adventure on my blog...
 
DANIELLE

February: Goals for the New Year Update!

  In case you missed my first post on "My list" for 2010...Here is an excerpt....
First of all, I should start by saying I don't get into making unrealistic life changes. I know that for me my list needs to include things I am committed to changing, thing I have been working on already, and realizing I am a busy wife, mommy, and homeschooler that just can't "Do it all". That doesn't mean that I didn't set some high achieving goals ....just that I kept my list limited.
I decided that dividing goals into categorizes was the way to go for me. As we go through 2010, my hope is to keep you informed in a very transparent way on how God is using those goals to mold me throughout the year. I plan to bring you up to speed on what is happening around the Gaertegang household and how "the list" is panning out......My purpose?
To give God the glory for everything, inspire you to set your own goals, and make myself accountable for the things I put on my list.

Spiritual:
#1 Continue to be consistent in God's Word daily. I am still reading in Psalms. I continued to be consistent this past month.
#2 Study my Bible in conjunction with a concordance commentary, so I can a deeper understanding. Still progress with getting anything. I have not been to town to even look.
#3 Begin prayer journaling again. I am loving every second of my intimate time when I write letters to God each morning.
Homeschooling:
#1 More read aloud time together. We did great in the first half of the month...then not so great in the later part of the month.
#2 Continue "NO worksheet Wednesday" & Make Friday our test day Since we are getting to do Tuesday coop classes, we have not been doing our regular Wednesday routine with no worksheets.
#3 Consider using a Unit Study next year
 We did complete a short butterfly unit study. We enjoyed it very much, and hope to do more in the near future.
 Chores:
#1 Make myself a checklist of my household jobs...so I can better track what needs to be done. DONE
#2 Keep the boys encouraged/disciplined on their chore lists. Failed to keep up with lists this month...gonna hop back on the wagon and keep on keeping on!
#3 Do all things big or small with a servant's heart. This is a daily choice. Failing some days, but trying to keep in the thoughts as I go throughout my day.
Financial:
#1 Continue to faithfully tithe and be generous when led. I feel this is a such a personal issue, and I also feel it is not needed for me to share with you how much we gave or to where we gave....seems to easy for it to be taken as boastful...which is not at all what we represent. We do feel we were faithful this month.
#2 Be very conscious of how we spend God's money and what we spend it on. I wrote out a budget this month (which I do almost every month). I have been tracking every dime we spend and have been keeping running totals in each category. In order to meet our ambitious financial goals this year I feel this step is an absolute need.
#3 PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE!!!! ohhh to be debt free....can't hardly wait!!!
Okay, so I thought last month was incredible to pay down the mortgage another 12.5%. I can hardly even tell you without overwhelming emotions that the Lord has enabled us to reach 65% payoff of the remaining balance!!! (our tax refund was a healthy boost) 
Parenting:
#1 No yelling (Sometimes I feel like that is only way I am heard, not a good excuse though) Doing great with this, still a work in progress though.
#2 More patients...hence the no yelling issue. I feel the Lord has blessed me with a great peace this past month. He has been gracious in dealing me an abundance of patience.
#3 Do all things in LOVE....listen attentively....play more! Doing well in this area. Playing....love it!
Kitchen:
#1 Continue to learn more about cooking from scratch..Don't burn myself out...Having fun..still cooking from scratch..learning more all the time.
#2 Continue to cook meals ahead whenever possible to help with time issues. Hoping to do a BIG cooking day in March.
#3 Keep collecting healthy budget friendly ideas. Ongoing....
Marriage:
#1 Monthly date nights. Yahoo..we went on a date night this month...dinner and saw the movie Dear John (which I loved!!) We already have two date nights on the calendar for March!!!
#2 Get away at least once a year! Nothing planned at this point...
#3 Being a happy helpmate at all times. Need to keep working on it..again a daily choice.
Hobby:

#1 Create a space for my hobbies (somewhere?) DONE!!
#2 Send a stamped card twice a month. I am an over achiever in this area this month! I stamped 2 baby cards, 2 misc cards and a couple birthday cards!!!!
#3 Quilt once a month. I already shared with you the new quilt project I am working on....
#4 Blog for fun...to document my family....not feel pressure (from myself) to keep a certain schedule. Doing great in this area. Excited for lots of giveaways in March!
 

DANIELLE

January: Update on 2010 GOALS!!

 In case you missed my first post on "My list" for 2010...Here is an excerpt....
First of all, I should start by saying I don't get into making unrealistic life changes. I know that for me my list needs to include things I am committed to changing, thing I have been working on already, and realizing I am a busy wife, mommy, and homeschooler that just can't "Do it all". That doesn't mean that I didn't set some high achieving goals ....just that I kept my list limited.
I decided that dividing goals into categorizes was the way to go for me. As we go through 2010, my hope is to keep you informed in a very transparent way on how God is using those goals to mold me throughout the year. I plan to bring you up to speed on what is happening around the Gaertegang household and how "the list" is panning out......My purpose?
To give God the glory for everything, inspire you to set your own goals, and make myself accountable for the things I put on my list.

Spiritual:
#1 Continue to be consistent in God's Word daily. I am currently reading in Psalms right now, and have been very consistent this past month.
#2 Study my Bible in conjunction with a concordance commentary, so I can a deeper understanding. I got some great advice on some different study options to do with my daily reading. Now I just have to decide which one to go with.
#3 Begin prayer journaling again. I have also been faithful in writing in my prayer journal!
Homeschooling:
#1 More read aloud time together
#2 Continue "NO worksheet Wednesday" & Make Friday our test day
#3 Consider using a Unit Study next year
This month there is a reading program going on at the library and so we have been constantly reading! I am so thankful for the fun we are having..older children reading to the younger ones, having one on one reading time with all of them....so rewarding!
Wednesday's! We are enjoying the mix-up in our week.
Haven't did anything with considering Unit Studies....no in a hurry on that one.
Chores:
#1 Make myself a checklist of my household jobs...so I can better track what needs to be done. DONE

#2 Keep the boys encouraged/disciplined on their chore lists. Failed to keep up with lists this month...gonna hop back on the wagon and keep on keeping on!
#3 Do all things big or small with a servant's heart. This is a daily choice. Failing some days, but trying to keep in the thoughts as I go throughout my day.

Financial:
#1 Continue to faithfully tithe and be generous when led. I feel this is a such a personal issue, and I also feel it is not needed for me to share with you how much we gave or to where we gave....seems to easy for it to be taken as boastful...which is not at all what we represent. We do feel we were faithful this month.
#2 Be very conscious of how we spend God's money and what we spend it on. I wrote out a budget this month (which I do almost every month). I have been tracking every dime we spend and have been keeping running totals in each category. In order to meet our ambitious financial goals this year I feel this step is an absolute need.
#3 PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE!!!! ohhh to be debt free....can't hardly wait!!!
We made incredible progress and paid down the mortgage 12.5%...  

Parenting:
#1 No yelling (Sometimes I feel like that is only way I am heard, not a good excuse though) I am excited to share with that I feel like we have made such giant step in right direction in this area! Let me tell you that is ALL God at work, because I know I can NOT to this without HIM.
#2 More patients...hence the no yelling issue. I also feel the Lord has blessed me with a great peace this past month. He has been gracious in dealing me an abundance of patience. I was just telling someone the other day that normally this time of year I am pulling out my hair for Spring to get here so the kids can get out and play. I have not felt that in the least bit. Yes, we have tense times during some days, but I know that God is blessing our house.
#3 Do all things in LOVE....listen attentively....play more! I have played more, I have taken more time to listen, and taken more time to discipline in love before "the eruption occurs".
Kitchen:
#1 Continue to learn more about cooking from scratch..Don't burn myself out...I have been enjoying my time in the kitchen...but the clean up, not so much! I also wish it would just clean itself after I am done. I have tried several new recipes this past month...liked some...not so much others.
#2 Continue to cook meals ahead whenever possible to help with time issues. I have used all the meals in the freezer now...so I need to plan a day of more freezer cooking!
#3 Keep collecting healthy budget friendly ideas.
Marriage:
#1 Monthly date nights. FAILED! No date night!
#2 Get away at least once a year!
#3 Being a happy helpmate at all times. Need to keep working on it..again a daily choice.
Hobby:

#1 Create a space for my hobbies (somewhere?) DONE!!

#2 Send a stamped card twice a month. I just got my space set up and organized so I now hope to send some soon.
#3 Quilt once a month. I have not quilted yet...again I just got my space again... I did sew Julia a new blanket...which she helped me with!
#4 Blog for fun...to document my family....not feel pressure (from myself) to keep a certain schedule
 

DANIELLE