1)Preserve more food than I did last year.
Last year I picked 57.5 pounds of Strawberries, 15 pounds of blueberries, a couple pounds of raspberries and 10 pounds of peaches, and lots and lots of apples. I would like to do at least twice as many strawberries, because we are out of jam already. I never ended up canning the peaches or any pears, so I want to do quite a bit of both this year. Also more applesauce and apple related goodies, along with learn more about freezing our harvest from the garden.
2) Plan and save for at least 2 family vacations
Last year we did two camping trips, one beach trip and a Seattle trip. Aimee and I just made our reservations for a camping trip this summer. Other possibilities are a beach trip, a trip to southern Oregon to go to the Wildlife Safari in Winston, a trip to Crater Lake, and I would love to get up to Spokane and see my brother and Kami.
3) Sign Killian up for a couple summer camps/classes
Killian can get really bored during the summer, even if we are out doing activities most days. He did an after school class through Mad Science in October, so maybe something else through them, maybe OMSI, a farm camp, or something through the rec center. I don't want to sign him up for too many things, just what he is most interested in learning more about.
4) Take Killian out to the outdoor BMX tracks.
I need to get him a chest protector first, but I know he would really enjoy this. And if he doesn't, at least he had a chance to try.
5) Spend more time with our family
Most of Matthews family lives within 15 minutes of us, but we only see them for special occasions like holidays. This year I would like to get together with them more, maybe for BBQs in the summer, and a trip to the beach together would be really fun.
6) Get last years blog posts printed out into a book form
Having already looked into this a little, I think its going to be harder than I thought it would be. I cant find anywhere that I can just import the blog to be printed out, so that leaves me with two other ideas, both of them very time consuming. But the biggest reason that I do this blog, and stuff it so full of trivial stories and photos, is for my kids. I want to print out each years blog posts into book form, and keep them for the kids to read about their childhood. So many things get forgotten with time, even now when I look back at old posts I find things I had forgotten that we did. I think this would be a really cool family heirloom to pass down.
7) Get more personal with my blog
I always shy away from getting personal here, and usually stick to posts about the kids and what we are up to as a family. I find myself second guessing what I write, and worrying about what people reading this might thing. I would like to move past that this year, because I really do enjoy getting out feelings and thoughts, and I think it would be an interesting to see changes and growth in myself.
8) Make more of our own food
Not just gardening, although I hope that will be a big part of our lives this spring through fall. I would love to make enough bread that we don't have to buy any at the store. I recently read about making your own pasta, and that intrigues me. I found recipes for crackers too! I think that would be fun to try. I want to try more new recipes, and also to start finding things that are good to make ahead and freeze. That way on the nights when we are rushed or I just cant think of anything to cook, I can whip something out of the freezer.
9) No more Soda! Or fast food!
Soda is my biggest weakness. I know how horrible it is, yet I keep on drinking it. I grew up in a house where it was more common than water, and I don't want my kids to get hooked on it too. Rowan doesn't usually drink anything but water, and Killian drinks mostly water or OJ. But I should lead by example, so I will start drinking more water this year, and eventually wean myself from soda. Also, no more fast food. I will sometimes stop to get the kids McDonalds out of convenience, but I hate doing it. Its a waste of money, and of course its not healthy at all. I wont say we will never go, but I would like it to be a very infrequent occasion.
10) Take a class/learn something new
I think it would be nice for Matthew and I to each pursue an individual interest this year. I would like to take a class on gardening or sewing, or anything homesteady in nature.
11) I want to start sewing again
Matthew bought me a really nice sewing machine last year, and I haven't used it in at least 6 months. I am teaching myself to sew, so its taking some time. I would like to learn how to follow a pattern and then make Rowan dresses, both the kids PJ pants, aprons for cooking, and bags and purses for me.
12) I want to start dating again
Matthew of course! Aimee and I have talked about doing a childcare exchange, and I really need to get that figured out with her. It would be so nice to have an actual date with my husband once in a while, time alone without the kids to reconnect with this wonderful amazing man I married.
13) Find fun activities to do with the kids
I have already started a list of day trips that we can do as a family, and I would like to find fun little fairs and events to take them to throughout the year. I need to find a good source for that stuff.
14) Frugality
I think that compared to the average American we are pretty frugal already, but I am going to challenge myself to go that next step. There are so many places we can buy used. I get canning jars from goodwill, used books from Powell's, and about 75% of Rowans clothes from places like Pass it on. I would like to find a good place to get everyone else clothes, as well as stuff for around the house. Craigslist is my friend :)
15) Limit TV and video games/computer games
To 30 minutes a day for each of them for computer or video games, and one or two 30 minute shows for Rowan. That's going to be hard...she has been watching more TV than I care for lately. I can actually see the kids losing their creativity and imagination the more time they spend in front of the TV. Scary. Exceptions would be family movies, and learning shows, like How its Made, or How did that get on my plate (a very cool show, the kids love it!) Oh, and no more TV after dinner....board games, playing legos/toys or other fun family things.
16) Work on our house
Inside there isn't much to be done...painting the bathrooms, and bedrooms is on the list, getting blinds for Rowans room, fixing or replacing the bathroom fan in the master, and some minor caulking. I guess there are bigger things, like replacing the bathroom vanities, but that can wait. There is much more I want to do outside. I would like to take out the bushes in front and plant 1-2 fruit trees. We want to replace the rock to the side of the patio with something, and then build a stone fireplace out there. Replace the deck. Add some more fruit trees in the back.
17) Spring cleaning
I want to purge the house of things we don't use, don't want, and don't need. Then organize the garage, get more stuff up in storage, and set up the workbench area for the guys so they can build stuff this summer.
18) Get in better shape/health
Its probably a bad start to have this one so far down the list! I haven't taken good enough care of myself since Rowan was born, and I miss the energy and healthy feeling that comes with regular exercise and eating better. I also want to set a good example for the kids, and get them moving more. When the weather gets better, I want to start doing our nightly family walks again.
19) Garden
We need to get the roses and blackberry bushes torn out, make three new beds, make compost bins, and get trellises made. Then plan out the garden, get seeds/plants, and get started growing.
20) Lighten up
I am the strictest parent that I know. In some cases I don't mean to be, I am just turning into the overprotective sheltering mother example that I had. Other times I do mean to be...nothing annoys me more than parents who let their kids run wild with no attempt at manners, usually while the parents look the other way. AUGH! I want my kids to behave respectfully in public and in other peoples houses/businesses. But other than that example....I really need to lighten up. My goal this year will be to say yes more than I say no.
21) Contact an old friend
She was a huge part of my life for a long time, and I think about her and her family often, and want to tell her Hi...but I am a little nervous about the reaction I will get. Gotta think on this one!
22) Fourth of July
I want to do a Fourth of July party this year. Our neighbors have said they get a bunch of Washington fireworks every year, and I want to get more than we did last year. Our house is perfect for parties, with the yard and the cul de sac, and I really enjoy to plan stuff like this.
23) Cross most of the things off this list
Heh. That's pretty self explanatory. I am just making stuff up now.
24) Let go of my expectations
Of myself, of other people, my kids.....and just let things work out the way they are going to work out. I invest myself emotionally in everything I do, which can do more harm than good in a lot of situations. I would like live in the moment, instead of always thinking ahead and expecting things to happen a certain way.
25) Keep blogging!
I love being able to record our memories, see the ways we are growing as a family, and have a place to put down my thoughts and ideas. I hope you enjoy visiting here, and watching our family life unfold!
Last year I picked 57.5 pounds of Strawberries, 15 pounds of blueberries, a couple pounds of raspberries and 10 pounds of peaches, and lots and lots of apples. I would like to do at least twice as many strawberries, because we are out of jam already. I never ended up canning the peaches or any pears, so I want to do quite a bit of both this year. Also more applesauce and apple related goodies, along with learn more about freezing our harvest from the garden.
2) Plan and save for at least 2 family vacations
Last year we did two camping trips, one beach trip and a Seattle trip. Aimee and I just made our reservations for a camping trip this summer. Other possibilities are a beach trip, a trip to southern Oregon to go to the Wildlife Safari in Winston, a trip to Crater Lake, and I would love to get up to Spokane and see my brother and Kami.
3) Sign Killian up for a couple summer camps/classes
Killian can get really bored during the summer, even if we are out doing activities most days. He did an after school class through Mad Science in October, so maybe something else through them, maybe OMSI, a farm camp, or something through the rec center. I don't want to sign him up for too many things, just what he is most interested in learning more about.
4) Take Killian out to the outdoor BMX tracks.
I need to get him a chest protector first, but I know he would really enjoy this. And if he doesn't, at least he had a chance to try.
5) Spend more time with our family
Most of Matthews family lives within 15 minutes of us, but we only see them for special occasions like holidays. This year I would like to get together with them more, maybe for BBQs in the summer, and a trip to the beach together would be really fun.
6) Get last years blog posts printed out into a book form
Having already looked into this a little, I think its going to be harder than I thought it would be. I cant find anywhere that I can just import the blog to be printed out, so that leaves me with two other ideas, both of them very time consuming. But the biggest reason that I do this blog, and stuff it so full of trivial stories and photos, is for my kids. I want to print out each years blog posts into book form, and keep them for the kids to read about their childhood. So many things get forgotten with time, even now when I look back at old posts I find things I had forgotten that we did. I think this would be a really cool family heirloom to pass down.
7) Get more personal with my blog
I always shy away from getting personal here, and usually stick to posts about the kids and what we are up to as a family. I find myself second guessing what I write, and worrying about what people reading this might thing. I would like to move past that this year, because I really do enjoy getting out feelings and thoughts, and I think it would be an interesting to see changes and growth in myself.
8) Make more of our own food
Not just gardening, although I hope that will be a big part of our lives this spring through fall. I would love to make enough bread that we don't have to buy any at the store. I recently read about making your own pasta, and that intrigues me. I found recipes for crackers too! I think that would be fun to try. I want to try more new recipes, and also to start finding things that are good to make ahead and freeze. That way on the nights when we are rushed or I just cant think of anything to cook, I can whip something out of the freezer.
9) No more Soda! Or fast food!
Soda is my biggest weakness. I know how horrible it is, yet I keep on drinking it. I grew up in a house where it was more common than water, and I don't want my kids to get hooked on it too. Rowan doesn't usually drink anything but water, and Killian drinks mostly water or OJ. But I should lead by example, so I will start drinking more water this year, and eventually wean myself from soda. Also, no more fast food. I will sometimes stop to get the kids McDonalds out of convenience, but I hate doing it. Its a waste of money, and of course its not healthy at all. I wont say we will never go, but I would like it to be a very infrequent occasion.
10) Take a class/learn something new
I think it would be nice for Matthew and I to each pursue an individual interest this year. I would like to take a class on gardening or sewing, or anything homesteady in nature.
11) I want to start sewing again
Matthew bought me a really nice sewing machine last year, and I haven't used it in at least 6 months. I am teaching myself to sew, so its taking some time. I would like to learn how to follow a pattern and then make Rowan dresses, both the kids PJ pants, aprons for cooking, and bags and purses for me.
12) I want to start dating again
Matthew of course! Aimee and I have talked about doing a childcare exchange, and I really need to get that figured out with her. It would be so nice to have an actual date with my husband once in a while, time alone without the kids to reconnect with this wonderful amazing man I married.
13) Find fun activities to do with the kids
I have already started a list of day trips that we can do as a family, and I would like to find fun little fairs and events to take them to throughout the year. I need to find a good source for that stuff.
14) Frugality
I think that compared to the average American we are pretty frugal already, but I am going to challenge myself to go that next step. There are so many places we can buy used. I get canning jars from goodwill, used books from Powell's, and about 75% of Rowans clothes from places like Pass it on. I would like to find a good place to get everyone else clothes, as well as stuff for around the house. Craigslist is my friend :)
15) Limit TV and video games/computer games
To 30 minutes a day for each of them for computer or video games, and one or two 30 minute shows for Rowan. That's going to be hard...she has been watching more TV than I care for lately. I can actually see the kids losing their creativity and imagination the more time they spend in front of the TV. Scary. Exceptions would be family movies, and learning shows, like How its Made, or How did that get on my plate (a very cool show, the kids love it!) Oh, and no more TV after dinner....board games, playing legos/toys or other fun family things.
16) Work on our house
Inside there isn't much to be done...painting the bathrooms, and bedrooms is on the list, getting blinds for Rowans room, fixing or replacing the bathroom fan in the master, and some minor caulking. I guess there are bigger things, like replacing the bathroom vanities, but that can wait. There is much more I want to do outside. I would like to take out the bushes in front and plant 1-2 fruit trees. We want to replace the rock to the side of the patio with something, and then build a stone fireplace out there. Replace the deck. Add some more fruit trees in the back.
17) Spring cleaning
I want to purge the house of things we don't use, don't want, and don't need. Then organize the garage, get more stuff up in storage, and set up the workbench area for the guys so they can build stuff this summer.
18) Get in better shape/health
Its probably a bad start to have this one so far down the list! I haven't taken good enough care of myself since Rowan was born, and I miss the energy and healthy feeling that comes with regular exercise and eating better. I also want to set a good example for the kids, and get them moving more. When the weather gets better, I want to start doing our nightly family walks again.
19) Garden
We need to get the roses and blackberry bushes torn out, make three new beds, make compost bins, and get trellises made. Then plan out the garden, get seeds/plants, and get started growing.
20) Lighten up
I am the strictest parent that I know. In some cases I don't mean to be, I am just turning into the overprotective sheltering mother example that I had. Other times I do mean to be...nothing annoys me more than parents who let their kids run wild with no attempt at manners, usually while the parents look the other way. AUGH! I want my kids to behave respectfully in public and in other peoples houses/businesses. But other than that example....I really need to lighten up. My goal this year will be to say yes more than I say no.
21) Contact an old friend
She was a huge part of my life for a long time, and I think about her and her family often, and want to tell her Hi...but I am a little nervous about the reaction I will get. Gotta think on this one!
22) Fourth of July
I want to do a Fourth of July party this year. Our neighbors have said they get a bunch of Washington fireworks every year, and I want to get more than we did last year. Our house is perfect for parties, with the yard and the cul de sac, and I really enjoy to plan stuff like this.
23) Cross most of the things off this list
Heh. That's pretty self explanatory. I am just making stuff up now.
24) Let go of my expectations
Of myself, of other people, my kids.....and just let things work out the way they are going to work out. I invest myself emotionally in everything I do, which can do more harm than good in a lot of situations. I would like live in the moment, instead of always thinking ahead and expecting things to happen a certain way.
25) Keep blogging!
I love being able to record our memories, see the ways we are growing as a family, and have a place to put down my thoughts and ideas. I hope you enjoy visiting here, and watching our family life unfold!