September Goals

Can you believe that August is already behind us?  I don't know about you, but I am thrilled that fall is in sight.  This is my favorite time of the year, and yet it is the beginning of the busiest.  Our oldest daughter started back to "preschool" this week.  She will turn 3 and her baby sister will be 1 next month, so we have a party to plan and cakes to make.  Then there are those little holidays--Thanksgiving & Christmas-- that are quietly sneaking up on us!  All I can think is: I've got to get planning!

I have decided to try something new.  Instead of living day-to-day, to-do list to to-do list, I'm going to be visionary.  Ha!  If you know me, then you know I'm not very forward-thinking, more of a "here and now" person, but I'm afraid that if I don't nail down some goals for myself, October will be here and I'll have nothing to show for it.  So, here are my goals for the month of September: 

1. Daily devotional every morning before the kids are up.  That means I have got to get up!  Some mornings I am just plain lazy.  Those are also the days nothing goes right.  It's best, I have found, to begin the day in the Word and in prayer.  Plus, I am starting a new Bible study next that requires daily work, so I have to buckle down!
2. Exercise two times a week, minimum.  I will repeat: I am just plain lazy.  My body isn't getting any svelter (is that a word?) or slimmer, so I've got to get it movin'!  I'm thinking walks at the park with the kids, maybe a hike through the woods, or perhaps I will finally break down and join a gym.  I hate to spend the money, but my health is pretty important and I ain't gettin' any younger! 
3. Read more.  Since I started blogging, I have noticed I am reading significantly less literature and entirely too much internet content and magazines.  Not that I don't read good quality online material, but it can't replace the classics and the Bible.  My goal is to read 4 books this month: (1) A classic, (2) Christian/Spiritual, (3) Homemaking/Mothering, & (4) Fun.  I am thinking (1) Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, (2) The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, (3) Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic, & (4) Anne of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery.
4. Begin planning girls' birthdays and party.  I have already started a Pinterest board with ideas but really need to nail down some details (menus, presents, the cake, etc.).  We will be having a combo-birthday, but I want to make it special for both girls, even though Cora is still a baby.
5. Plant our fall garden.  Yesterday, I posted on the status of our garden and plans for the fall.  I'm looking forward to getting the soil ready and, hopefully, planting kale, lettuce, spinach, and broccoli next week. 

That's it for now!  I am thinking I probably need to be realistic in the number of goals I set for fear I will fall flat on my face and not accomplish a thing!  At least it's a start.  :)

Each week I will post how I am doing, for accountability's sake, and, if you like, feel free to post a link to your own goals for September or leave a comment below.  I would love to see what you have going on this month.

Happy September 1st!