Watch Out Goals, I Am Kicking Your Butt!

Accountability: responsibility to someone or for some activity. You're what keeps me accountable on my goals so here's the update:

1) Be debt free except student loans! We did it! With a series of events that only God could have orchestrated we have paid off all our debt except our students loans. Can I say it again? We are debt free except our student loans!!! I thought this day may never come. No more car payments, no more credit cards bills. Our student loan debt is HUGE but that will come in time too.

2) Become homeowners. Progress towards this goal is also going extremely well. We were pre-qualified for more than 1.5 times the maximum we wanted to spend and the pre-approval for our desired maximum mortgage is all set. Now all we have to do is find the right home. Nate thought he might have found "the one" but after touring it with 2 of my friends he wasn't 100% sure so I am headed out there soon to look at homes with him. We hope that whirlwind trip will end with us putting an offer in on a home.

3) Be ready to start trying for a baby. Like I said last time this goal has been delayed a bit and it will likely be spring 2012 before we're ready to start trying but I am okay with that.

4) Run a half marathon. With all the changes going on in our lives right now this goal is on hold but you better believe I fully intend to accomplish it by the end of 2011.

5) Eat healthier, exercise more, lose 10 pounds. Eat healthier, maybe, ... I am definitely eating less and trying to make what I eat be meaningful. I still eat some unhealthy things but I am snacking less and trying to make my food throughout the day mostly healthy. Exercise more, yeah not so much. Lose 10 pounds, I did! I still can't believe with minimal effort that I have lost 10 pounds since the beginning of the year. I can really tell a difference in how my clothes fit and I now weigh less than I did when I met my hubby. Goodbye last stubborn 2 pounds, you won't be missed!

6) Attend Sunday morning worship at church at least twice per month. I am totally kicking this goal's butt too. 3 times in February and 3 times in March. This past week's sermon was really great and I left there full of energy and ready to tackle the week ahead of me.

7) Post new blog content at least 3 times per week. Well, yeah, not so much!

8) Manage my time better. Be more on time. Not sure I am managing my time better, maybe a little bit but I continue to make a conscience effort to be on time to things. While I don't always succeed, I would say I am more on time now than I was before.

9) Save more money. Spend money wisely. We have built up our savings so far this year but not because we've been wise spenders. I need to scale back my discretionary spending in a big way. Living apart has been a big adjustment in many ways, including hubby and I both spending too much money. Good thing it is short-term!

10) Travel to my heart's content. With all the changes, new job for hubby, my job ending, moving, buying a house, etc. the travel plans for 2011 are looking bleak. Does flying to Colorado to house hunt count as traveling? Not exactly what I had in mind when I listed this as a goal.

Monday Mingle

Today I am participating in Eighty MPH Mom Monday Mingle, where we "chat" via vlog, answer some questions and mingle. Head on over to see all the minglers.

Put Some Hussle In Your Step

Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we were all the same? Different personalities, different upbringing, different ways to see the world, it truly makes this life interesting and enjoyable.

We've been having a long term problem in our house that has recently come to a head. My youngest is 8 years old and in 2nd grade. This girl does not know how to hussle! Each simple task she needs to do takes her 10 times longer than any of my other children. She also loves playing up her place as the baby of the family. While she is very capable she prefers to act helpless and have me, her dad, or her other siblings do everything for her.

To complicate things further my two older kids (both 10) are extremely responsible. I know subconsciously I sometimes hold Phoenix to the same standard as her older siblings which I know is unfair. We have tried to set reasonable guidelines for self-care, homework, and helping around the house. I have a responsibility chart that has magnetic stars that go up each morning, afternoon, and evening, so the kids can see exactly what needs done. The kids are then rewarded for completing their chores by an allowance of 50 cents per day. If they do not complete their chores they are not paid for the day. If they do not complete their self-care and picking up after themselves responsibilities they lose their electronic privileges for the next segment of the day.

Now this all sounds good in theory but putting it into practice each day can be challenging. I'll admit I haven't been strict about always enforcing consequences. My youngest does not know how to hussle and it creates problems. Honestly a lot of times I have no idea what exactly takes her so long. My older two say she, "messes around" but I don't know exactly what that entails. I think she just picks up toys and starts playing with them instead of putting them away. It recent weeks it has taken her over 30 minutes to simply get dressed, a time frame I cannot fathom. Last week we had several evenings where it took her over an hour and half to get ready for bed. My last straw was one school night last week it literally took her over 2 1/2 hours to get ready for bed. Even with taking a shower the whole process should take no longer than 1 hour. My older two are usually ready in 30-45 minutes.

I know other moms have "slow-poke" children on their hands too. What do you moms do to encourage your children to get moving. How have you added more responsibility to your children as they have gotten older? Any advice, or suggestions would be much appreciated!

Raw Emotion

Today's a tough day for our family. The kids and I had to say goodbye to hubby. For a good part of the next three plus months we are going to be living apart, he in Colorado, starting his new job, the kids and I back here in Maryland finishing out their school year, our lease, and my job. Difficult doesn't even begin to describe how the next few months are going to be for our whole family.

I am a very logical person and not overly emotional, sure I get upset but I don't cry easily. Saying goodbye to the person you love so much, is very, very hard. I walked around all morning with this knot in my stomach, a mix of worry, stress, and sadness. Nate isn't just my husband, he is my partner in life and my best friend. I share everything with him and truly enjoy spending time with him. I just love him so much it makes my heart want to explode, just thinking about it.

The kids also had to say goodbye to their daddy today too. I was already at work but hubby said it went ok. Both girls cried, not my son, the expected response, given their personalities and genders. The next few months are going to be really hard on the kids too. Tonight my plan is to do something fun with them and take them to dinner, hopefully something to take their minds off missing their daddy.

I know it will all be worth it in the end. My hubby is starting a wonderful job, pretty much his dream job. He is already a homebrewer and he now he gets to turn his hobby of brewing beer into a career. I couldn't be happier for him or for our family. His job is also in our home state of Colorado, in the number one city in Colorado we wanted to live in. We'll soon be close to family and long time friends again and I can't wait for that either. Houses are more affordable in Colorado and we'll be able to purchase our first home. Our time here in Maryland has been great for us in many ways and we've accomplished many financial goals, like paying off both our car loans and all our credit card debt. Having that burden lifted off our shoulders feels amazing.

My logical side says, "don't worry, it'll be ok, military spouses do this for a year at a time, stop whining" but my emotional side says, "I miss my hubby and I don't want to have to live apart". I'll try not to whine or complain too much over the next few months but I am hoping June gets here quickly. At least he'll be able to fly home a couple times, hopefully the first time in a few weeks. Until then I'll be busy packing, and hiring movers, and cleaning, and getting us approved for a mortgage, and finding us a house, oh yeah and living as a single mom to 3 kids. Maybe I'll be too busy to be upset for too long! Wish us luck and please keep all five of us in your prayers over the next few months, we're going to need it.

The Wind In My Hair

I love the feeling of the wind blowing in my hair. I love being outside, breathing in fresh air, feeling the sunshine on my face.

Winter has felt long and cold this year. Although we didn't get a repeat of the blizzards of 2010 I was ready for spring to arrive.

Sunday was a great break from the cold. It was one of the first days in awhile that the snow had all melted off the sidewalk, the sun was shinning, and you could be outside without a coat.

I have been a huge slacker in the running department lately. Since I ran my 10K race at the end of November I have run less than 10 times. The thing about running is I love it so much! It makes me feel alive. It makes me feel great. I just can't get enough of it but when the sidewalks I run on are covered with snow and temperature outside makes you shiver just to think about it, it zaps my motivation. Add in the busyness of a family of five and you have a recipe for minimal winter running.

The kids have been begging me to take them on a run. Ever since they ran the kids race at my 10K they can't wait to start training for an run a 5K themselves. The only problem with running with 3 kids is you have to find a low traffic area to run. Near our house there is a great trail through the woods but that means it is shady and the snow is slow to melt.

On Sunday, even though I honestly did not feel like running, I laced up my running shoes and took all 3 kids with me to go check out the trail and see if they snow had melted enough for us to run. We were all pleasantly surprised when we got to the trail it was snow-free, mostly dry, and full of other runners, bikers, and families.

Once I started running my attitude changed. Instead of feeling unmotivated and lazy, I was quickly reminded why I love running so much. The wind in my hair, the sunshine on my face, breathing in the fresh air. Needless to say, it was just what the doctor ordered!

I thought the kids would whine the entire time and not make it very far but I am proud to say they ran 2 miles and walked the last mile with little to no whining. They could've made it further if I pushed them but I was happy with our accomplishment for the day.

I think I may have found myself some new running buddies. Makes finding a babysitter while I run a non-issue if the kids come with me.

My next race is in less than 2 weeks. It is a 5K, a distance I am very comfortable running. I am running it with one of my friends and it will be her first race. We have yet to run together to train, which makes me sad. I hope we can squeeze in 1 or 2 training runs in before the race. I am not running the race to win, only to have fun with my friend so my plan is just to keep her pace and have fun. Oh and drink some green beer at the end since it is a St. Patrick's Day race!

So happy spring has made an appearance here in Maryland and I hope it sticks around. Here's to lots more running in the coming months!