March 3 in 30 Challenge- Week 2

It's time to check in for week two of the March 3 in 30 Challenge at AP Freewriting!

Eat 3 Meals per day with the family: Well...I definitely had more meals with everyone than I would've had otherwise! I will say that breakfast may be the easiest meal to eat together. Everyone gets what they want for the most part. Lunch is usually a choice between a simple sandwich or leftovers from dinner, so my son is sometimes not so keen about participating. Thankfully, my daughter will pretty much try anything. My son on the other hand, has been quite picky lately. That makes dinner trickier. But, generally speaking we've been pretty good about eating dinner 'round the family table.

Plan a Date Night Each Week: I think I should get an A for effort on this one! My husband is big into music (being a worship leader and all). Well, I did some major searching for something unique that he would be interested in (and free or low cost) and came across a free concert at a local church (we had never heard of the artist, but she did have music on i Tunes), and the other option I came across was hearing one of the members of Hillsong as a guest speaker at another local (mega) church. I presented both options to my husband, and we ended up going shopping for our date. I was a little bummed that we didn't do something new, but it was a good shopping trip, so I guess I can't really complain. We spent time together and that's what counts.

Declutter for 15 Minutes per Day: I actually did pretty well with this one! I didn't manage to do it every day, but I definitely feel less cluttered! I'm just excited to have made progress.

So, how did you do? Are you on track with your goals for the month?

3 in 30- Goals for March

I cannot believe that February is almost over! It is a shorter month, but it felt super short for some reason. I noticed over at AP Freewriting that it's now time to make some new goals. I opted out last month, as I blogged about a few weeks ago, but I'm back this month!

This past month has been more orderly for me, even though I didn't actually set any real goals. For this past week or so, I've been sticking with my daily routines, and that has been really helpful. I'm not as prompt about doing things as I would like, but for the most part, they get done. So, I feel ready to aim a little higher!

Here are my goals:

1. I want to start eating three meals per day with the family, because it seems like we just kind of eat on our own all the time. My son wakes up, he asks for food when he's hungry, then my daughter gets up...I fix her something else to eat whenever she seems hungry, and I eat sometime after that usually. We don't usually have a regular "lunch time" per se. Dinner time is not that big of an issue, but I do want all of us to sit at the table together each night. I wanted to create more structure in our meal times, but also cultivate the habit of spending meaningful time together. Also, I won't feel like I'm constantly in the kitchen if we have distinct meal times. I'm sure I'll discover other benefits to doing this, but even if I don't, I think I will experience more order in my day. I really need that!
2. Next, I would like to create the habit of spending 15 minutes per day de-cluttering/tidying up. I do this from time to time, and I'm always amazed at what a difference it makes. I feel like creating this habit will help make it easier to maintain order (there's that word again!) around the house. I don't like to feel overwhelmed when I look around. 
3. Third, I want to plan a date night each week with my husband that is either free or low-cost. The expense issue is not quite as important as the intentional time with my husband. We used to be pretty good about making it a point to spend time together alone, but you know how it is...you just get caught up in doing other stuff, and it gets pushed aside. 

Anyway, that's what I'm up to! What are your goals? Are you taking part in the 3 in 30 Challenge?

3 in 30 Challenge: Week 2

This is the end of week two of the 3 in 30 Challenge! This month is flying by already!

An update on my goals:

1. Have my quiet time before computer usage and chores each day.

I've been doing pretty well with this one! With the exception of one day, when my 15 month old woke up way too early (she usually sleeps in- like a teenager!) But I still squeezed in my quiet time later when she went down for a nap.

2. Spend 15 minutes each weekday getting our master bedroom in order.

No progress here. Unless I manage to do it after I write this- which I still may do. I've really just forgotten to write it down on my list- which for me, actually making a list is a step in the right direction.

3. Drink 64 ounces of water every day.

I still haven't really been keeping track. Though I do feel like I've been better about drinking water in general, I know I'm not drinking as much as my goal states- 'cause I'm not running to bathroom every hour! I got some great tips to remember to drink enough water in my comments last time- take a look if you need some help in that area too!

What about you? Are you any closer to reaching your goals this week?

3 in 30 Challenge: Week 1

Checking in! For those that don't know, each month, you are to set 3 goals that you will complete throughout the month. This challenge is hosted by Ashley at AP Freewriting 101 and Meghan at The Tuckers Take Tennessee.

Here are my goals for January: 

1. Have my quiet time before computer usage and chores each day.
2. Spend 15 minutes each weekday getting our master bedroom in order.
3. Drink 64 oz of water each day.

Well...I've been kind of a slacker with my goals this week! With one exception: on five out of seven days, I actually had my quiet time before I turned on the computer or anything. That has really been a good thing for me!  Too often I will get on the computer first, and then before I know it, everyone will be awake. 

Today, I actually started keeping track of my water intake. That goal is not that easy for me right now, because I haven't really been thirsty! I used to be really good about drinking enough water, but probably in the last six months or so, it's been difficult for some reason. I just haven't wanted to drink water. Hopefully this challenge will help get my body used to drinking enough water, and that way it will just be second nature for me. 

And, I'm sort of bummed to admit that I only spent one afternoon in our master bedroom this week getting it in order- but I actually spent closer to thirty minutes, and I was surprised at the progress I was able to make. I unpacked two big boxes (we just moved at the end of November) and started arranging some furniture.

Hopefully next week I'll be able to report that I've been more diligent in making progress toward reaching my goals for the month!

What about you? How are your goals for January coming along?