Insane Goals: December 2013 Update & Closing Thoughts

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Last January I wrote a crazy-long list of goals for the year.  Each month I looked over the list and wrote an update on my accomplishments and disappointments.  I haven’t posted an update since the end of September.  Today I want to share what I accomplished in the past 3 moths and my closing thoughts for the year.

October-December Accomplishments:

1. The children knocked over my jewelry box and everything went flying.  That forced me to organize it.  It was hard, but I got rid of some things that I hadn’t worn in years.  Ultimately, I would like to replace my jewelry box with another kind of organizing system, but the year did end with things looking better than it started.

2. I scraped away at some gunk that had  built up along the inside of my dishwasher.  It was gross.  The whole thing could probably use a cleaning, but this is the only part that I can clearly see that was disgusting.

3. I FINISHED A PHOTO BOOK!!  The year 2009 is done!

4. I’m over half way finished with the book 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker and guys… it is good!

5. We had Grace’s “4 year” picture and Noah’s “18 month” picture taken together.  They are adorable.

Closing Thoughts on 2013:

House Goals: Cleaning with two little ones while trying to run a blog and write a book is hard for me.  There is always something more fun to do or someone demanding more attention from me.  Cleaning is just not a natural gift/talent/hobby of mine.  *sigh*  However, there will always be dirt so it is something I need to continue to work on.  Maybe I’ll do another Just Clean Something Challenge in 2014.

Photo Book Goals: Maybe I should just stop taking pictures.

Food Goals: The biggest change I made this year was how I think about breakfast.  I used to eat boxed cereal 99% of the time.  Now I almost dread eating it.  Do you want a breakfast revolution in your house?  My friend Beth wrote a fantastic breakfast cookbook.

Book Goals: I’m pleased that I read all of the books on my list except one.  Honestly, I spend a lot more time reading picture books or blogs than I do “real” books these days.  I’m ok with that.  Grace even completed the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” project at our library in less than 10 months this year!   Noah reached the is half way finished with 500 books.  I’m so proud of them.

Grace & Noah Goals: I don’t read to Noah daily, but I’m getting better.  I had Grace’s pencil holding technique looked at by a teacher and she said it wasn’t perfect, but it is pretty close.  I’m pleased with how we did on their goals this year.

General Goals: My only true disappointment is that Nate and I didn’t go on monthly date nights.  We can feel it.  It is so important for us to have that dedicated alone time.  This is one thing that must change in 2014.

The BIG One: Writing my eBook was so much harder than I expected.  I made a lot of progress, but I still have a lot of work ahead of me.  I’m hoping to release the book in the next several  months.

2014: I’ve loved creating these insane lists of goals over the past several years, but I’m going to take a break from blogging about them.

You can see my complete list of goals below.  Also included at the very end of the post is a collection of all of my previous lists of Insane Goals.  Browsing my lists could help you think of things to add to your own list of goals for 2014.

My 2013 Insane Goals

House Goals

• Organize & Declutter: office, Noah’s closet, kitchen steps, kitchen cabinets, attic, basement, upstairs bathroom, my night stand
• Hang Pictures: dining room, Noah’s room, Grace’s Room, master bedroom, upstairs bathroom, downstairs bathroom, living room
• Install a Radon Mitigation System
• Fix the Microwave
• Reorganize my Jewelry
• Follow my Cleaning Checklist
• Deep Clean the Dishwasher
• Spring Clean All Rooms: living room, dining room, kitchen, downstairs bathroom, laundry room, stairs/hallway, Noah’s room, Grace’s room, master bedroom, upstairs bathroom

Finish Photo Books

Food Goals

• Experiment with my Bread Machine
• Make a Meal Directory
• Think Outside the Cereal Box
• Grow Something
• Can & Freeze: salsa, pickles, blueberries, jam, applesauce, corn

Books to Read

• Bright from the Start by Jill Stamm
• 7 by Jen Hatmaker
• Platform by Michael Hyatt
• A Barn for the Harvest – written by my pastor in honor of our church’s 30th anniversary

Grace & Noah

• Read Grace’s devotional book daily at nap time.
• Eliminate Grace’s daily potty training accidents.
• Re-teach Grace the alphabet.
• Teach Grace to hold a pencil correctly.
• Read to Noah daily.
• Breastfeed Noah for 12 months.
• Buy & Install a new convertible car seat for Noah.
• Have Noah’s 9 month, 12 month, and 18 month pictures taken.
• Have Grace’s 4 year picture taken.

General Goals

• Write a note of appreciation/thanks every month.
• Have monthly date nights with Nate
• Invite someone over for supper or dessert every two months.
• Use & Enjoy our Gift Cards!
• Create & Complete a Summer Fun List
• Create & Complete a Festive Fall List
• Mail out the my “girlfriends notebook”
• Put an emergency kit/bucket in the van
• Keep library fines under $5 for entire year.  Current total: $8.20
• Watch Downton Abby Season 1, Season 2, & Season 3

The BIG One: Write an eBook.

Need some inspiration for creating your own list of Insane Goals?

• 2011 – My very first list of Insane Goals
• 2011 – Insane Goals Summer Edition
• 2012 – Preparing for Baby Edition
• 2013 – Same list as above, but with more details

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