The Weekly Wrap-up: Some Good Reads (including my own) & a Few Goals

(This post contains affiliate links.)

I thought it might be time to re-introduce the Weekly Wrap-Up, albeit slightly different. I really enjoy reading people's weekly goals, so I'm posting my own goals to hold myself a little more accountable for actually doing them :)


Good Reads:

Very random, I admit, but these posts really resonated with me this week. 

10 Real Foods Women Should Eat More of For Good Health
Kitchen Stewardship
Since finding out this week that I will probably need to have a breast biopsy, I pinned this post for future reference. I probably will not eat liver regardless it's health components, but I do need to make a conscious effort to consume more of the others.

When You're a Little Too Practical
Olive Plants & Cornerstones 
Because I tend to be a "dream squasher" and children need to have the opportunity to try, even if it means failure.

If You Shop on Thanksgiving, You Are Part of the Problem
Matt Walsh for Huffington Post
Love this quote: 

"How appropriate, then, that a holiday created by our ancestors as an occasion to give thanks for what they had, now morphs into a frenzied consumerist ritual where we descend upon shopping malls to accumulate more things we don't need. Our great grandparents enjoyed a meal and praised the Lord for the food on the table and the friends and family gathered around it. We, having slightly altered the tradition, instead elect to bum-rush elderly women and trample over children to get our hands on cheap TVs."

The Real Truth about 'Boring Men' & the Women Who Live with Them: Redefining Boring
Ann Voskamp @ A Holy Experience
Because . . .

"The real romantics are the boring ones — they let another heart bore a hole deep into theirs."

Just beautiful.

My Posts this Week:

 
7 Natural Remedies for Fighting the Winter Blues




Gift Ideas for Christian Homemakers at Phenomenal Prices 



Are You Teaching Your Child Self-Denial?

 


Thankful Thursdays in November: Week 3


Goals:

• Granted it's Thanksgiving week, we will still be doing school; however, my aim is to focus on the story of the first Thanksgiving.
• Continue reading Talking Back to God: Speaking Your Heart to God through the Psalms by Lynn Anderson and praying through the Psalms.
• Run at least 2 days this week.
• Pack up Fall decor; pull out Christmas.
• Start working on our Family Yearbook & making calendars for Christmas presents. 
• Start my decluttering project. Decide where to begin!  

Do you have any big goals for next week? 
Homeschool Mamas, will you still be doing school?
What are your thoughts about shopping on Thanksgiving?
Got a great book I need to read?

Have a blessed weekend!

      

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2013 Goals Update: My Progress (or Lack Thereof)

I understand that 2013 is over half-way over. I'm behind. As usual. But I thought it was high time for me to reassess my personal goals for the year to see how I'm doing, where I've excelled (for encouragement), and where I need to pick up the slack so I can meet at least some of these goals by year-end.

 

1. Learn how to use my DSLR camera.

 

 

Oh how I love this camera. You point and click like rapid fire and voila! No more missed photos because of moving children! {If you ever have the chance to buy a DSLR, do it. There's just no comparison.} 

I am using my camera, but the learning part hasn't happened. It sure might help if I pulled out the booklet that came with it or the Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 600D for Dummies manual that my mother-in-law bought me for Christmas. I might actually have some better pictures if I did a little reading.

To Do:

• Dig out the book.
• Begin by reading the basics followed by the sections most pertinent to blogging photography.
• Start implementing what I read.

2. Read 50 books this year.

 

Okay, again, I'm slacking. I've read 18 of the 50 thus far, only 36%. However, in my defense, the books I have read are very lengthy reads. 

Plus, I've waded through some classics like Anna Karenina, Wuthering Heights, and Madame Bovary, so I'm not ashamed. Actually, I'm pretty proud of myself for being disciplined enough to put down the fun mysteries I love and delve in to some serious non-fiction works and literary classics.


 
To Do:

• Continue reading the classics. (I've got Of Mice & Men and Robinson Crusoe to read for July & August, per Quirky Bookworm's (now-canceled) challenge, which I'm still following.
• Block out time every day to read. Right now I'm spending more downtime reading blogs. Instead, I need to allot time to books and blogs, so I meet my 50-book goal.
• Find some shorter books to read to make up lost time.

 

3. Try one new recipe or craft from Pinterest a month.

 

I started the year strong (see these posts), but I decided that while I tried numerous pinned recipes every month, I didn't want to post about them every time. Instead, I created a new board called "Pinned Recipes I've Tried" where I, obviously, repin each recipe I've tried, adding comments regarding how well it turned out, if I'd make it again, how I modified it, etc. Follow me on Pinterest!

I will keep experimenting with pinned recipes and hope to try out some craft/DIY projects too.

To Do:

• Create a "Pinned Crafts I've Created" board and start working through some.

• Continue commenting on recipes I've pinned and tried and add them to the "Pinned Recipes I've Tried" board.

• Possibly add more boards.

4. Run a 5K.

Finally! One I've done! To find out what I learned from running my first 5K, check out this post. After that race I immediately started training for a 10K and ran upwards of 5.5 miles, but because I never signed up for a race, I lost all motivation to run.  But now I have a running buddy, and even though we don't actually run together, we are training simultaneously for a 10K in September. That is the motivation I need!   

 

To Do:

• Register for the 10K race.

• Continue training. I'm using the 10K Training app (Free on iTunes).

5. Keep a Family Notebook.

Failure again...sort of. Originally, I had intended to create a 3-ring binder to keep track of family activities, kind of like a yearbook. That just didn't happen. I did, however, find this great post and this one, so I decided to take a digital route (gasp!).

What that means is that after uploading new pictures to my computer, I delete blurry ones and add dates and labels for each set. For example, "Girls Playing Dress-Up" or "Our Garden in July." I also star the best pictures (a great option in iPhoto) so that at the end of the year when I create our family yearbook, I will just have to run through and upload all the starred pictures. 

 

 

Additionally, I have ordered prints of over 160 pictures taken since January that I plan to organize into a family photo album because we still enjoy those.  

To Do:

• Keep uploading, dating, and starring pictures.

• Begin researching different photo companies to create and order the yearbook in December/January. 
• Buy new photo album and insert new pictures.

6. Organize my recipes.

 

Success! As I posted back in January, I created a new binder for recipes clipped from magazines and printed off the internet. I also organized all my recipes by categories so now I can easily and quickly locate the recipe I'm looking for.

To Do:

• I have some new recipe clippings that need to be filed in the appropriate location.

How are you coming on your 2013 goals? 

 

 

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Pinterest Help for the Avid Pinner

When I declared in January that one of my 2013 goals was to try out one new Pinterest pin per month, I knew that wouldn't last long. Well, I was right. It's the end of April, and I've only posted twice about my experiences:

January:: Salted Caramel Pumpkin Muffins

Source: myblessedlife.net via Keri on Pinterest

February:: Faux Chalkboard Herb Pots

Source: craftsbyamanda.com via Keri on Pinterest

 

However, I HAVE been experimenting and want to share with you a new board full of recipes that I have pinned and tried. I thought it would be helpful for people who follow me on Pinterest to know what I've actually tried and my opinions on them. So, I'm starting with recipes.

The "Pinned Recipes I've Tried" board contains every recipe I have pinned and tried. Right now, I have 48 pins here, but as I experiment, I will add to the board.

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Keri on Pinterest

 
I have also provided a brief commentary for you, sharing my thoughts about the recipe--whether we liked it or not. Some of these recipes--like the Pioneer Woman's pizza dough, mashed potatoes, & beef stew--are now my go-to recipes that I use regularly. 

I wanted to share this information with you because Pinterest is so overwhelming. There is so much on there but not all of the recipes are good: some are too labor-intensive, some aren't flavorful, and some are just downright yuck. 

Personally, before I commit time, energy, and ingredients to a recipe, I want to know what other people have to say about it. If my kids won't eat it, then I won't fix it. It's just a waste.

So, as I make the recipes I've pinned, I will add them to my "Pinned Recipes I've Tried" board for your viewing pleasure.

And as I complete projects, crafts, books, etc., I will set up similar boards with {hopefully} helpful comments for you. In so doing, I feel good about sticking to my goal and doing something useful with the pins I've tried.

I hope this is helpful for you!

My latest pin pick:

Source: sixsistersstuff.com via Keri on Pinterest

It was a success! Not for the dieter, diabetic, or heart-conscious but delicious! It's like eating a big cinnamon roll :)

Follow all my boards on Pinterest!

What about you? Do you have a way to keep track of the pins you've tried on Pinterest? Is this even of interest to you? 

Blessings to you,

Linking up to these great parties!

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10 Things I Learned From Running My First 5K Race

Running a 5K was one of my personal goals and a family goal for 2013. 

So this past Saturday, my Dad, my husband, and I ran our first 5K race for Special Kids of Tennessee, "a Christian non-profit organization that provides therapeutic rehabilitation and professional nursing services to children with special needs." 

While I wasn't sure at all what to expect from a 5K race--I even asked a friend what I should wear :)--here are 10 things that I learned:

1. Running for a good cause matters. 

Throughout the course there were Special Kids' friends and family members holding posters with pictures of these sweet children and cheering the runners on. Every time I saw one, tears filled my eyes because God has blessed me with three healthy children. It pains me to see an innocent child hurting, and yet what can I do? Running a race to raise money for families who need services for their children feels like one way I can help. That is a HUGE motivator!

2. Recreate race conditions prior to the race. 

Since October when the time changed and we had to start running indoors, we've been working the treadmill. With three small children, taking an early morning run at 30-40 degree temperature, is just not feasible, nor is running when Daddy comes home and there's no sunlight. 

After running this race, my hips and calves ached from running on asphalt, nor was I prepared for the frigid temps that left me gasping for air at the end. Preparation is key to success, and a few practice runs on the weekends on similar terrain and at similar temperatures would definitely help in the future. 

3. Stretching good is very important. 

In all the bustle and excitement of a big race, I was distracted from doing what I needed to do and neglected to warm up appropriately. It wasn't until half a mile in that my legs started loosening up when I should've stretched while standing in the corral waiting to run.

4. Smiling while you run makes a difference.

Before the race I read countless articles on how to prepare for a 5K. One tip that really struck me is to smile. My attitude dramatically improved while running when I smiled--to the runners around me, to the volunteers handing out water, just to my self. Smiling gave me a little extra oomph to keep going. Plus, I have a lot to smile about :)

5. It's okay if your Dad beats you.

My Dad is 57 years old and in excellent shape. I didn't realize how fit he was though until this race when he bobbed back to check on me and then sprinted off. I even heard him joking with other runners who were doing their best not to stop breathing. My Dad came in 5th place in his age division. I know that if he'd wanted to, he could've finished much faster. I'm so proud of him! He truly inspires me to keep running!

6. There's strength in running among others.

Photo credit: Sheffield Tiger

The most important motivator for me to run is my husband. Knowing he's running with me--even though we may be treadmills apart at the gym--pushes me to keep going and not stop. At the race, though, I didn't stay with him because we have different paces. But the other runners surrounding me became the motivation I needed at times to persevere; they brought out my competitive side, which kept me focused on the finish line. 

7. Running is 90% mental, 10% physical.

This adage, which I think hearkens back to Yogi Berra, is true about anything you do. If you set your mind to it, no matter how weak your body, you can achieve it. Just like in natural childbirth, if you determine in your mind that you will not succumb to the physical pain but instead trust in the Lord and His ability to strengthen and sustain you, then you will succeed. 

I truly believe in this because there have been times in training when my legs wanted to stop moving and my chest felt ready to explode, but when I took those negative thoughts captive, I was able to control my body and keep running.

8. Endorphins are a powerful drug!

I think it was lunch time before I finally came down from "the high" of running and finishing a race. Before the race, I didn't think I would ever desire to run again. In fact, a few days before, my husband and I had discussed not running any more because it just wasn't enjoyable. But after the race, all I could think about was the feeling of achieving something I didn't think I would ever do. It's an incredible feeling that--once again--I can only liken to natural childbirth. Very powerful stuff!

9. I will remember my music next time.

Photo credit: AngelaShupe.com

I intentionally didn't bring my iPhone to the race because I thought it would be too big of a distraction. Next time I'm coming prepared with some upbeat tunes! I could've really used some Imagine Dragons or Foster the People to keep me going.
 

10. Yes, there will be a next time!

 Hard work pays off, and when you achieve a goal--whether it's running a 5K or whatever--you don't want to stop. Races give you something to work for and are great motivators, especially when running on the treadmill....again...is just no fun. Plus, I'm determined to stay fit and in shape because I feel so good! 

So, my husband and I are looking to up the ante with a 10K. 

What about YOU? Have you run a 5K before? What did you learn from your experience? 

Blessings to you!

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February's Pinterest Pick: Faux Chalkboard Herb Pots

One of my goals for 2013 is to try a different Pinterest pin each month. 

Last month I made these delicious Salted Caramel Pumpkin Muffins. While I was tempted to try another recipe, I dared myself to be bold and go crafty. These cute faux chalkboard herb pots were calling my name:

Source: craftsbyamanda.com via Keri on Pinterest

So, I gathered my supplies:

• 3 terra cotta pots ($1.99 each)
• DecoArt "Patio Paints" in Wrought Iron Black, Blue Jay Blue, Sweet Pea Green, & Petunia Purple ($1.99 each)
• A paintbrush for each color (you can buy a pack of 4 for $1 at Dollar Tree)
• Elmer's silver paint pen ($3.99)

 And the girls painted their wooden birdhouses ($1 at JoAnns) while I painted my pots.

So I painted two coats on each pot. Then, after the paint dried, I added black paint for a faux chalkboard finish. 

After the black paint dried, I wrote the names of herbs I use frequently in the kitchen: basil, cilantro, & chives.

I have seeds to plant in each pot, but until the weather warms a little, I'm using them as decorative pieces in the house thanks to my mom :)

I think they turned out pretty cute.

Do you have potted herbs in the house? 
If so, which are your favorites?

If you aren't already, I hope you will follow me on Pinterest for these and other fun and delicious ideas!

For other Pinterest posts, check out:
January's Salted Caramel Pumpkin Muffins

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My Personal Goals for 2013

Yesterday, I posted our family's goals for 2013. Some of my personal goals are the same, but I wanted to share some additional ones to keep myself motivated throughout the year. 

 

1. Learn how to use my DSLR camera. 

 

 
For Christmas, Daniel bought me a Canon T3i camera. I know absolutely nothing about cameras, so the Canon EOS Rebel T3i/600D for Dummies book was the perfect gift from my mother-in-law. I am hoping to save money by shooting my own pictures of our children instead of doling out the big bucks for professional photographers. I also want to take more of my own pictures for my blog. 

 

2. Read 50 books this year.

 

I don't normally keep track of the number or title of books I read in a year because other than writing them down, there isn't a good way to do it. However, Goodreads is the perfect tool for not only listing and reviewing the books I've read, but also for finding book recommendations based on my personal interests. Are you on Goodreads? If so, why not join me as a friend.

This year my aim is to read 50 books. As I mentioned recently here, I plan to take part in Quirky Bookworm's Classics Catch-Up, so 13 of the books will be those she's selected.

3. Try one new recipe or craft every month from Pinterest.

 

I don't know if you've been sucked into the black hole that is Pinterest, but I have tons of pins just sitting there, waiting to be tried out. So, each month I will pick one recipe or craft idea to make and report my findings on here. Kate suggests we start with these sugar cookie bars {yum!}. I would love for you to follow me if you aren't already.

4. Run a 5K.

 

This is not only a personal goal, but a family one as well: my husband and I are training to run together in our first 5K in the spring. I have been running since last summer when I was determined to get in shape and lose some baby weight. Now I am eager to do something with all that running, and a race just sounds fun. With my husband joining me, I can't think of a better way to exercise, lose weight, and de-stress. We're gearing up for our first 5K in March, so I'll keep you posted.

 

5. Keep a family notebook.

Not to be confused with a household notebook, a family notebook, as I see it, is a place to keep record of the activities, goings-on, and everyday life of our clan. I hate feeling like a year goes by, and I don't remember what we've done, where we've been, or how we've grown. And while I love writing, journaling enervates me--probably because I'm too detail-oriented.

I'm not really sure what my family notebook will look like, but I will post my progress as I begin to piece it together. Right now, I've procured an unused extra-large clear three ring binder with a few dividers, a spiral bound notebook, and loose-leaf paper as needed. I think having a space to add brochures from places we visit, pictures, programs, tickets, etc. will be nice. And each year I will create a new notebook to store all our memories. Plus, someone can get all creative and make a fun cover for the notebook :)

 6. Organize all my recipes. 

 

Oh, this is a HUGE project that I've been putting off and putting off forever because I honestly don't know how to tackle it. Over the years, I have accumulated recipes from magazines, the internet, family and friends, and newspaper that I threw together in a big photo album. Originally, all the recipes were divided into categories, and all my recipes were neatly organized in their place. But years and hundreds of recipes later, I've got a big fat mess.

My goal is to find a way to access all my recipes with ease as well as add more recipes as I find them. Going digital might be ideal, but I would much prefer something I can touch. It's like my problem with Kindles: I crave the feel of paper pages turning in my hands.


Whew! There are a lot more areas in which I really need to work, but I'm starting here with these six goals for 2013. Each month I will give an update of how I'm doing.

What about you? Do you have any personal goals for the new year you'd like to share?

Praying God's richest blessings on you in 2013,

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Family Goals for 2013

On a recent drive to a family Christmas event, my husband and I hashed out a notebook page of goals for our family, specific items we need or want to see happen this year. Everyone knows that the key to accomplishing anything of importance is to break down your goals into manageable, doable parts. So, that's what we attempted.

Our family's goals for 2013:

1. Kate's future schooling. Our oldest daughter will not officially start school until 2014, but I'm a planner and this is a BIG decision. We have considered homeschooling, but we aren't so sure that's what's best for the family. So some thorough research and serious prayers are necessary to find the best fit for our daughter.

2. Revising & sticking to the budget. We didn't end 2012 with a good grasp of our budget at all. So, we're calling for a do-over. Daniel has already set up a new budget for 2013, and we're back on the cash-only envelope plan. To keep us in check, we're also planning monthly meetings to discuss progress and make revisions where necessary.

3. Run a 5K. I've been running off and on since October, but at Christmas, I committed to run my first 5K in March. Daniel and my dad intend to join me. That means more frequent trips to the gym for training and some research on preparing to run a 5K. I'm excited but oh how my poor body aches.

4. Sell our house. Last year we put our house on the market and had no success. In the spring we intend to take a second run at selling our home. We've created a punch list of items to complete. Now we just have to motivate ourselves to do the painting, cleaning, and minor repairs needed.

5. Organize family photos better. I'm pretty good at taking pictures but rarely do they get organized and printed. This year I want to create an online photo album so when Christmas rolls around, all I have to do is hit print and I'll have instant gifts. My husband bought me a Canon T3i for Christmas {he's a keeper!}, and I'm using iPhoto to organize my pictures by event and date to make this goal a reality. Plus, I'm really liking Smilebox for its kids' scrapbooks.

6. Mission work. This year we really want to work on ministering to family and friends who aren't in church. There are so many loved ones whose souls and hearts we've been praying for for a while now, but this year, we want to be more vocal in sharing the gospel and more available in serving others. We've also committed to sponsor a child in Kenya through Compassion International, a mission opportunity overseas. We do need to work on hashing out more specific plans for this goal.

7. Family dates. My husband is really good about taking the girls on daddy/daughter dates every couple of months. Kate and Cora love to spend time with their Daddy, and going for breakfast at Chick-fil-A is a sweet treat. This year we want to be more intentional about our dates. We also want to let each of the older girls have one-on-one time with Daddy and Mommy. Additionally, Daniel and I are going to take a once-a-month date night ourselves, so we can spend some QT, just us.

8. Daily Bible time & lessons with the girls. Before Annabeth was born, we had a good routine going with daily "school" and Bible time in the mornings, but since May, that's been erratic at best. I'm getting myself geared up to re-start our ABC Jesus Loves Me, preschool Bible curriculum. If you aren't familiar with ABC JLM, it's completely free and really fun! My girls have loved the activities, and you can tailor the lesson plans based on the attention spans of your children.

While I have my own personal goals in addition to these that I hope to post in a day or two, these are our family's goals for 2013.

What about you? Do you set goals for your family?


Blessings to you & yours in 2013,

 

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