Disclosure: I received a free copy of When Baby Becomes Big Sibling in return for this review. Great news I was also provided a copy to giveaway too! Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. All opinions are 100% mine.
I have been following Paula Rollo from Beauty for Imperfection and Blogging on the Side for a while now. It all started when she won a month sponsorship and I got the privilege of reviewing her blog Beauty for Imperfection. When she started Blogging on the Side with some other bloggers I loved that blog too. Paula is one of the most inspiring bloggers that I have read. She is so encouraging that every time I visit her blog or get a post in my email I feel better.
When Paula announced that she had published her first ebook I knew I had to read it. Especially since the book was about integrating a new baby into a family with a toddler. I just went through that 5 months ago and I think one of the reasons our transition has been so smooth (relatively :)) is because of the great advice I read on Paula's blog in posts like Preparing Big Brother for a New Baby, and 8 Ways to Help a Toddler adjust to the New Baby.
When Baby Becomes Big Sibling
did not let me down. It was as inspiring and encouraging as I expected it to be. Filled with practical advice and lots of humor this book is a great read for anyone who is about to have their second child (or third, or fourth, or tenth), or anyone considering having more children, or even anyone who has had more than one child. I found myself nodding my head a lot thinking she described my experience perfectly. And it was an easy read. I finished it in about an hour (partly because I couldn't put it down :)). I am very glad that I got a chance to read this book, I will probably reread it multiple times for encouragement and ideas, especially if we are blessed to add another member to our family.
Here are a few quotes from the book:
And Paula was gracious enough to provide a copy of When Baby Becomes Big Sibling for one of you lucky readers to win! This copy is PDF only. It is not a kindle copy. If you want a kindle copy you will have to go here
to buy one. If you would like the chance to win a PDF copy enter through the rafflecopter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received a free copy of When Baby Becomes Big Sibling in return for this review. The giveaway copy was provided for free too. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. All opinions are 100% mine.
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Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
5 Random Questions 22
I love answering random questions, and I love reading other people's answers to random questions. So I thought that would make a fun series. I will answer the 5 questions in my post and you can answer them in the comments. We can all get to know each other better, how much more fun can you get?
So here we go 5 Random Questions:
1. What type of music do you like? I like Christian music, mostly worship or fun upbeat songs, I also enjoy some non-christian upbeat music
2. Have you ever been skinnydipping? nope
3. How many Pillows do you sleep with? 1 under my head, 4 propping up my knees and feet
4. What position do you often sleep in? On my back
5. What do you wear to bed? PJ pants and a t-shirt
I can't wait to read your answers!
Questions Source:
So here we go 5 Random Questions:
1. What type of music do you like? I like Christian music, mostly worship or fun upbeat songs, I also enjoy some non-christian upbeat music
2. Have you ever been skinnydipping? nope
3. How many Pillows do you sleep with? 1 under my head, 4 propping up my knees and feet
4. What position do you often sleep in? On my back
5. What do you wear to bed? PJ pants and a t-shirt
I can't wait to read your answers!
Questions Source:
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Diane Cantrell Book Blast - 2 great books and a $100 giveaway! sponsoredish
I was provided an entry in the giveaway in return for posting this.
It's time for another book blast! Check out these two super cool books I have for you. And dont forget to read all the way to the end because there is also a $100 giveaway (amazon gift card or paypal cash)! Check it out!
Title: Riley's Lost Tooth
Author: Diane Cantrell
Illustrator: Heather Castles
Publication Date: February 16, 2010
Publisher: Brown Books Publishing Group
Number of pages: 24
Recommended age: 4+
Summary: Oh no! One of Sunday's very favorite humans, Riley, has lost her tooth! But where did it go? How did she lose it? Why does no one besides Sunday seem to care? It isn't long before the tooth fairy steps in and tries to teach the pups all about growing up. Join Sunday and her two puppy-pals, Precious and Mr. Lee, as they try to hunt down . . . Riley s lost tooth!
Title: Good-bye Baby Max
Author: Diane Cantrell
Illustrator: Heather Castles
Publication Date: February, 2008
Publisher: Bridgeway Books
Number of pages: 32
Recommended age: 4+
Summary: Mrs. B's class excitedly awaits the birth of three baby chicks. When Max is unable to crack open his shell, the children's loving teacher assists them in expressing their feelings of loss and planning a special good-bye.
Contest runs: January 20th to February 19th, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Diane Cantrell and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Copyright © 2014 Mother Daughter Book Reviews, All rights reserved.
It's time for another book blast! Check out these two super cool books I have for you. And dont forget to read all the way to the end because there is also a $100 giveaway (amazon gift card or paypal cash)! Check it out!
About the Books
Title: Riley's Lost Tooth
Author: Diane Cantrell
Illustrator: Heather Castles
Publication Date: February 16, 2010
Publisher: Brown Books Publishing Group
Number of pages: 24
Recommended age: 4+
Summary: Oh no! One of Sunday's very favorite humans, Riley, has lost her tooth! But where did it go? How did she lose it? Why does no one besides Sunday seem to care? It isn't long before the tooth fairy steps in and tries to teach the pups all about growing up. Join Sunday and her two puppy-pals, Precious and Mr. Lee, as they try to hunt down . . . Riley s lost tooth!
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Author Website
Book Trailer for Riley's Lost Tooth
Title: Good-bye Baby Max
Author: Diane Cantrell
Illustrator: Heather Castles
Publication Date: February, 2008
Publisher: Bridgeway Books
Number of pages: 32
Recommended age: 4+
Summary: Mrs. B's class excitedly awaits the birth of three baby chicks. When Max is unable to crack open his shell, the children's loving teacher assists them in expressing their feelings of loss and planning a special good-bye.
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Author Website
The Buzz
Riley's Lost Tooth: "The book is well written and the illustrations are beautiful. The book will definitely appeal to all children (including children at heart like this reviewer) and their parents / grandparents / elder siblings and other care givers. The book is strongly recommended as a good gift that is educational and also entertaining." ~ 5 Star Review, S.V. Swamy, Amazon
Good-bye Baby Max: "This book is amazing! I have given it as several gifts to my friends with children. It is very well written and the illustrations are fun and colorful. This book it a great tool to help parents and teachers talk to children about loss of a pet and a loved one in general. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!" ~ 5 Star Review, Dawn N., Amazon
Good-bye Baby Max: "This colorful, hardcover children’s title Good-bye, Baby Max (Bridgeway Books, Texas, 2007) by Diane Cantrell & Heather Castles is special in its purpose of teaching an invaluable lesson: that of properly saying the final farewell to a loved one who is no more ... Diane Cantrell has created a very purposeful book for children-one that is at once a story, a poem, and a healthy course of helping children get over grief. The book’s illustrations by Heather Castles are very appealing to a child’s imagination. There is a good deal here in Good-bye, Baby Max to learn for children ages 4 to 8 years and the 32-pages book is a must read for all kids of this age category." ~ Ernest Dempsey, Book Corner
Good-bye Baby Max: "I bought this book to help my nieces and nephews deal with the loss of a beloved pet. The storyline and illustrations were used as a springboard to discuss their own loss. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has young children and is looking for a way to help them cope with a loss in their lives." ~ 5 Star Review, Jeanne B., Amazon
Good-bye Baby Max: "[Good-bye, Baby Max] is a tender story about death, a tough topic for young children. Kindergarteners eagerly await spring and the hatching of the class' three chick eggs. But one chick, Max, dies. What ensues is a gentle exploration of grief and its many expressions -- from tears to songs to artwork. At the end, the surviving chicks' peeps encourage the children to embrace the living without forgetting the dead." ~ Michele Siuda Jacques, Detroit Free Press
About the Author: Diane Cantrell
Diane Cantrell began her career in education teaching Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Transitional First Grade. She also worked as a counselor providing assistance to parenting teens in a local school district. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Diane has provided therapy for adults, families, and children in agencies and private practice settings. As part of her private practice, she offers parent training to her clients and to parents in local schools. Diane is presently writing and publishing children’s books as well as provides counseling services to adults and children in her private practice, Life Designs Counseling. Diane’s time at Fort Sam Houston I.S.D. provided inspiration for Good-bye, Baby Max. The book, which is based on a true story, describes how Ms. B helps her kindergarten class cope with the loss of a classroom pet. At the time Diane wrote the book she was working with many children who were experiencing a great deal of loss in their lives. Her hope in writing Good-bye, Baby Max was that the story would help parents, children, and other caring professionals begin talking about losses rather than responding to their losses from a state of fear. Her second book, Riley’s Lost Tooth, was written for her granddaughter, Riley as a Valentine’s Day present. Mr. Lee, and Sunday are main characters in the book as is Precious, who died before the book was written. When Diane is not involved in writing or listening to people’s stories, she enjoys being with her husband, Rich, and their two dogs, Sunday and Mr. Lee. Diane and Rich live in San Antonio, Texas.Website | Twitter
* $100 Book Blast Giveaway *
Prize: $100 Amazon Gift card or PayPal cash (winner's choice)Contest runs: January 20th to February 19th, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Diane Cantrell and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Copyright © 2014 Mother Daughter Book Reviews, All rights reserved.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
5 Random Questions 21
I love answering random questions, and I love reading other people's answers to random questions. So I thought that would make a fun series. I will answer the 5 questions in my post and you can answer them in the comments. We can all get to know each other better, how much more fun can you get?
So here we go 5 Random Questions:
1. Have you ever been famous? No
2. Would you like to be a big celebrity? No, I wouldn't mind this blog becoming well known, but I wouldn't want to be one of those celebrities that are followed everywhere.
3. Would you ever go on Big Brother? I'm not sure what that is, I think its a TV show? If so, then no, I don't want to go on it.
4. How big is your TV? Umm, not huge but bigger than it used to be, I would be fine with smaller but we got this one free. I have no idea what it's number size is.
5. What is your most essential appliance? Probably the oven, no, the fridge, I'm not sure how we would keep the food safe without it. I have plenty of others I wouldn't want to live without but that one I really wouldn't know how to replace in our current culture without huge ice blocks.
I can't wait to read your answers!
Questions Source:
So here we go 5 Random Questions:
1. Have you ever been famous? No
2. Would you like to be a big celebrity? No, I wouldn't mind this blog becoming well known, but I wouldn't want to be one of those celebrities that are followed everywhere.
3. Would you ever go on Big Brother? I'm not sure what that is, I think its a TV show? If so, then no, I don't want to go on it.
4. How big is your TV? Umm, not huge but bigger than it used to be, I would be fine with smaller but we got this one free. I have no idea what it's number size is.
5. What is your most essential appliance? Probably the oven, no, the fridge, I'm not sure how we would keep the food safe without it. I have plenty of others I wouldn't want to live without but that one I really wouldn't know how to replace in our current culture without huge ice blocks.
I can't wait to read your answers!
Questions Source:
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Emeals Review & Paleo Bacon Wrapped Shrimp - sponsored
This post is sponsored by eMeals, read last paragraph for more info.
Save 15% Off Your Order at eMeals.com! Use code Dinner15.
I first heard about eMeals several years ago when going through a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace course. It sounded like an interesting idea but in life's busyness I forgot about it. A while later I was looking for a way to save money on food and streamline menu planning and I found a deal on groupon so I signed up. You can read my review from that time here. I was reintroduced to eMeals when they sponsored a giveaway for me last year for my 1 year blogiversary. I realized a few months ago that it could really help me with something I have been working on. You see my family and I are trying to transition to a paleo style of eating (if you haven't heard of that I will talk more about it in a later post) and I didn't have the slightest clue how to do that. I couldn't even think of one meal that fit into the parameters. I knew that eMeals paleo meal plan and grocery lists would help me transition with ease. I have since found many other resources as well but I wanted to tell you about this one.
eMeals is a super awesome meal planning site. They provide you with a weekly menu plan and categorized shopping list. The shopping list is set up to be easy to shop aisle by aisle in the store. You can get your menu plan on their website, have it emailed to you, or get it through their ipad or iphone app.
Not interested in paleo? They also have tons of options for the meal plans. They have classic, clean eating, paleo, low carb, slow cooker, low fat, low calorie, portion control, simple gourmet, Mediterranean, natural and organic, gluten free, and vegetarian. Whatever diet or food lifestyle you choose for your family eMeals can help you by providing meal plans to simplify your planning. You can find out more about the meal plan options here.
If you made a New Years resolution to lose weight, eat better, or get more organized eMeals can help you. Also they have a New Years, New You challenge going on right now which offers a 1 week menu either clean eating or paleo for Free!
If you want to save money eMeals can help you because having a plan helps prevent impulse buys at the grocery store, and helps prevent waste because you are using the food you buy.
If you want more time eMeals can help you because you don't have to spend time making a menu, or trying to decide what you can make for supper with what you have (or run to the store for a missing ingredient).
If you have small family eMeals can help you because they offer each meal plan for 2 people as well as for families with 4-6 people.
If you want to spend more time together as a family, eating home cooked meals, eMeals can help.
If you need suggestions for lunch and breakfast, eMeals can help you because you can add a lunch, breakfast, or dessert plan onto your regular meal plan (this is an additional cost).
If you have trouble keeping on task at the grocery store or want to send someone else to the store eMeals can help you because the grocery lists that go with the meal plans are very user friendly and easy to hand to anyone to pick up your groceries.
Basically eMeals can help you!
Oh and you can save money right now - Save 15% Off Your Order at eMeals.com! Use code Dinner15.
Anyways, on to the recipe. This recipe and picture are provided by eMeals. I haven't tried it because I don't have any bacon (I know I am a paleo failure for not having any bacon :) ) but I want to. It looks sooo yummy!
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp With Garlic Oil
18 slices of bacon, halved
36 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon water
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons sliced garlic
Cook bacon in a pan until it is cooked but still soft and pliable.
This post is a piece of my being a part of the eMeals blogger network. I was provided a free meal plan to facilitate this review. The links are also affiliate links. Buying a meal plan through my affiliate links will not change the price for you, but it will help support my family so I can continue to provide free content on my blog. If you are a blogger and are interested in joining the eMeals blogger network email me or post a comment and I will get you info for how to sign up.
Save 15% Off Your Order at eMeals.com! Use code Dinner15.
I first heard about eMeals several years ago when going through a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace course. It sounded like an interesting idea but in life's busyness I forgot about it. A while later I was looking for a way to save money on food and streamline menu planning and I found a deal on groupon so I signed up. You can read my review from that time here. I was reintroduced to eMeals when they sponsored a giveaway for me last year for my 1 year blogiversary. I realized a few months ago that it could really help me with something I have been working on. You see my family and I are trying to transition to a paleo style of eating (if you haven't heard of that I will talk more about it in a later post) and I didn't have the slightest clue how to do that. I couldn't even think of one meal that fit into the parameters. I knew that eMeals paleo meal plan and grocery lists would help me transition with ease. I have since found many other resources as well but I wanted to tell you about this one.
eMeals is a super awesome meal planning site. They provide you with a weekly menu plan and categorized shopping list. The shopping list is set up to be easy to shop aisle by aisle in the store. You can get your menu plan on their website, have it emailed to you, or get it through their ipad or iphone app.
Not interested in paleo? They also have tons of options for the meal plans. They have classic, clean eating, paleo, low carb, slow cooker, low fat, low calorie, portion control, simple gourmet, Mediterranean, natural and organic, gluten free, and vegetarian. Whatever diet or food lifestyle you choose for your family eMeals can help you by providing meal plans to simplify your planning. You can find out more about the meal plan options here.
If you made a New Years resolution to lose weight, eat better, or get more organized eMeals can help you. Also they have a New Years, New You challenge going on right now which offers a 1 week menu either clean eating or paleo for Free!
If you want to save money eMeals can help you because having a plan helps prevent impulse buys at the grocery store, and helps prevent waste because you are using the food you buy.
If you want more time eMeals can help you because you don't have to spend time making a menu, or trying to decide what you can make for supper with what you have (or run to the store for a missing ingredient).
If you have small family eMeals can help you because they offer each meal plan for 2 people as well as for families with 4-6 people.
If you want to spend more time together as a family, eating home cooked meals, eMeals can help.
If you need suggestions for lunch and breakfast, eMeals can help you because you can add a lunch, breakfast, or dessert plan onto your regular meal plan (this is an additional cost).
If you have trouble keeping on task at the grocery store or want to send someone else to the store eMeals can help you because the grocery lists that go with the meal plans are very user friendly and easy to hand to anyone to pick up your groceries.
Basically eMeals can help you!
Oh and you can save money right now - Save 15% Off Your Order at eMeals.com! Use code Dinner15.
Anyways, on to the recipe. This recipe and picture are provided by eMeals. I haven't tried it because I don't have any bacon (I know I am a paleo failure for not having any bacon :) ) but I want to. It looks sooo yummy!
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp With Garlic Oil
18 slices of bacon, halved
36 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon water
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons sliced garlic
Cook bacon in a pan until it is cooked but still soft and pliable.
Combine honey and water in a large bowl. Add shrimp, and toss to coat. Sprinkle with pepper.
Wrap one piece of bacon around each shrimp. Divide shrimp evenly among 6 skewers.
Preheat broiler. Place skewers on a baking sheet; broil 3 minutes per side or until done.
Combine oil and garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook 4 minutes, or until garlic begins to brown. Drizzle over cooked shrimp, and serve additional oil alongside shrimp for dipping.
Combine oil and garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook 4 minutes, or until garlic begins to brown. Drizzle over cooked shrimp, and serve additional oil alongside shrimp for dipping.
Doesn't that sound delicious?
This post is a piece of my being a part of the eMeals blogger network. I was provided a free meal plan to facilitate this review. The links are also affiliate links. Buying a meal plan through my affiliate links will not change the price for you, but it will help support my family so I can continue to provide free content on my blog. If you are a blogger and are interested in joining the eMeals blogger network email me or post a comment and I will get you info for how to sign up.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
5 Random Questions 20
I love answering random questions, and I love reading other people's answers to random questions. So I thought that would make a fun series. I will answer the 5 questions in my post and you can answer them in the comments. We can all get to know each other better, how much more fun can you get?
So here we go 5 Random Questions:
1. Have you ever built a snowman? Yes, I love playing in the snow!
2. Have you ever been sleding? Yes!
3. Have you ever flown a kite? I havc tried, I have never been very successful
4. What colour socks are you wearing? Dark Pink
5. If you could live anywhere, where would that be? Right here, I love my town, being close to family, my church family. I would not choose to live any where else.
I can't wait to read your answers!
Questions Source:
So here we go 5 Random Questions:
1. Have you ever built a snowman? Yes, I love playing in the snow!
2. Have you ever been sleding? Yes!
3. Have you ever flown a kite? I havc tried, I have never been very successful
4. What colour socks are you wearing? Dark Pink
5. If you could live anywhere, where would that be? Right here, I love my town, being close to family, my church family. I would not choose to live any where else.
I can't wait to read your answers!
Questions Source:
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
2013 Goals in Review
In December 2012 I wrote a list of 100 goals for 2013. The reason I chose 100 goals was because it was my 100th post and I thought it sounded like a good idea. I knew when I wrote it that I would not get all of them done. I knew that, but it is still a little discouraging to see how much I didn't get done. But I also know that one main reason that I didn't get things done is because I got pregnant. When I wrote this list I didn't know that I was pregnant. I wrote this in early December and found out on Christmas day that I was pregnant. So the entire year that I had to fulfill the list I was either pregnant or had a newborn. That definitely changes your ability to get things done. It is also interesting to see the goals that are no longer goals for me anymore, that are no longer even on my radar for goal setting, or that I find silly. Anyways, if you are still interested (and I assume you are or you wouldn't have read this far) here are my 100 2013 goals and how I did at accomplishing them. I will be posting my 2014 goals soon, and trust me there will not be 100 of them :).
Long Term
1. Pay Off House (working on it, and doing well, thanks to God)
2. Save up and either add on to current house or buy a new house with cash (this will have to wait until we get the house paid off I think)
3. Have good relationships (this is doing pretty good for the most part :) )
4. Have more children (we had #2 this year, so doing fine :) )
5. Serve the community and world (I don't feel like I am doing enough, but I do a little)
6. Continue as a Stay at Home Mom (check, so far)
7. Home school our children (still planning to)
8. Be Organized (I am trying to get together a household binder, but this one is slow going, organization is hard for me)
9. Have book(s) published (not yet, maybe one day)
10. Express myself through Art (not as much as I'd like, but I did get my craft area organized, that's the first step, the second step is find time to)
11. Travel (we went on 1 vacation last year, any others were not possible because of having baby 2)
12. Be more positive (I think I am doing better)
13. Have better posture (not doing great, but occasionally remember)
14. Be healthy (working on it)
Personal
15. Go to bed by 11 pm (didn't do well on this one. I have a hard time because frequently if I go to bed at 11 I wont fall asleep for an hour or two, so I feel like I might as well be up working)
16. Get up by 9 am (Doing better at this, the boys usually wake me up between 8 and 9, on the few occasions that they let me I happily sleep past 9)
17. Only check email during email time (I haven't yet established an email time, so not happening so far, but in the spirit of the goal, I am doing better at not wasting as much time on email, it helps that I started unsubscribing from emails I don't really need to be getting)
18. Think about (and adjust) my posture twice a day (didn't do well at all)
19. Write down one good thing someone else did every day (I totally forgot about this goal)
20. Listen to WBCL's midmorning program one day a week (did well on this for a while, but not any more. I used to listen when I was working in the kitchen or around the house but for some reason it is not streamable on my ipad and it would be a pain to turn on my laptop just to listen, so this one has fallen off my list)
21. Enter at least 20 sweepstakes per week (I stopped doing this because I didn't have time, maybe I will start again later if I find it worth it again, there are many things more important right now)
22. Make a To Do List (Did about average on this)
23. Make my own laundry detergent (still hasn't happened yet, but I have all the ingredients)
24. Try at least 1 pin per month (I haven't kept track of this, but I do try new recipes fairly regularly)
25. Make schedule cards or personal binder (didnt get it made, still hoping to)
26. Find out how to publish a children's book (haven't had time to work on this)
27. Attempt to get the Children's books I have written published (same)
28. Write 1 more Children's book (nope)
29. Learn how to publish ebook (I have read a little, but not enough)
30. Write 1 ebook (thought of ideas, but nothing written yet)
31. Read 2 books on parenting toddlers (umm, I don't remember if I have read toddler books, I have read several on random child/teen issues/ parenting)
32. Read at least 1 relationship book (I am pretty sure that I have done this)
33. Read at least 1 spiritual book (Also pretty sure I have done this, I don't keep track of everything I read because I read tons of books)
34. Clean up email so I don't spend so much time in it (have been working on this, seems like no matter how many I unsubscribe from there is always more, but it is way better)
Family
35. Do devotions as a family after supper every day (we kinda fell away from this, we need to get started again)
36. Go to at least 1 Moms and Munchkins event every month (unfortunately Mom and Munchkins is no longer happening :( )
37. Go on at least 1 family vacation (we took a weekend away :) )
38. Go away for the weekend at least 4 times (We went on 1, the others didn't happen because of the pregnancy, most of Mr. Random's pto was used for after the delivery and Christmas, and about half of the weekends this year we couldn't go away because it was too close to the delivery or we had a newborn)
39. Paint the back room in the basement (Mr. Random did that several months ago)
Marriage
40. Have 2 date nights per month (I would say we did this about 2/3 of the time)
41. Go on at least one vacation without Little Man (This didn't happen, but we are planning to go in February)
42. Go on a marriage retreat (didn't happen)
43. Read one book together with Mr. Random (this didn't happen)
44. Do The Husband Project (didnt happen this year, maybe next)
45. Go to at least 3 ballroom dances (We did a dance at our church talent show, but other than that, no)
Children
46. Spend 15 minutes a day just playing with Little Man (I do play with him probably more than 15 min a day, but not in one chunk of time like I was wanting to yet)
47. Read at least 1 book to Little Man every day (If he brings me a book I read it to him, but I haven't been offering to read to him. This means that some days we read the same book 30 times and others we don't read any.)
48. Have Little Man try 1 new food every week (having him try more than that some weeks, and he is doing a lot better at branching out to new foods!)
49. Have at least one photo day per month (I do not even remember what I meant by this, but I do take pics and videos of both of them regularly)
50. Have one Mother/Son date night every other month with Little Man (haven't started this yet but we are hoping to srt this soon, we meant to start a few months ao, but with the busyness of the holidays and sickness it hasn't happened yet)
51. Let Mr. Random go on one Father/Son date night every other month with Little Man (same)
52. Write down Little Man’s new schedule (check)
53. Begin preschool with Little Man (I have started reading to him more and he "helps" me with cooking and such so he has been learning a lot of new stuff. I would like to find a curriculum for 2 year olds for next year, so if you know of one let me know)
54. Find information on home school groups for preschoolers (haven't yet, but I should)
Extended Family/Friends
55. Get together with each side of the family at least once a month (most months we did, some months didn't because of different people being out of town, but we did as much as we could)
56. Get together with aunts to scrapbook once a month (that fell apart because of busy schedules, I would love to start again this year, we'll see)
57. Have people over 1-2 times a month (we didn't do get on this, but did some)
58. Visit my Sister at least twice (We didn't, hoping to this year)
Spiritual
59. Do my devotions 4 days a week (I did pretty good at the beginning of the year, but I have had a really hard time getting back into it since little man 2 was born, hopefully with the holidays past and Little Man 2 a little older I can get back into it)
60. Go on time to BSF (what is on time, really?, obviously didn't do well on this)
61. Finish this year's BSF lessons (I got about half of them done so far I think)
62. Sign up for BSF for next year (check for signing up for this year, I will have to wait untill the end of this year (goes by school year) to sign up for next year)
63. Continue being involved in family group (check!)
Serving
64. Write at least 1 note of encouragement every month (I forgot this one, so I didn't get it done)
65. Take in a Foster Child (this one stopped being a possibility when we found out we were expecting again. With the first pregnancy I was put on couch rest at the end, and the second time I was on semi-couch rest at the beginning. We knew that if I couldn't take care of myself and our child we shouldn't take on someone else's child, we will see if God leads that way again, it is up to him)
66. Volunteer outside of the home at least once (I didn't have the opportunity to do this. I have volunteered for our church community several times, but I was hoping to do something more)
Health
67. Maintain my weight through the holidays (I don't remember for sure, but I think I did pretty well on this even though I was pregnant :) )
68. Exercise at least 3 times a week (I did not get this done very often)
69. Fill out the Calorie Counter every day (I stopped doing this while I was pregnant, I havent started again because we are headed toward Paleo and we have no need to count calories with that)
70. Lose 10 pounds in 2 months (This one and the next one stopped being goals the minute I found out I was pregnant)
71. Lose 50 pounds in 1 year
Financial
72. Work on budget 2 days every month (I did pretty well on this, I am a few months behind right now because of Holiday craziness but I did pretty well on this most of the year)
73. Calculate how much extra we need to pay on the house to have it paid off in 3 years (I am not sure if three years will happen because the new tax codes hit us hard, but we are on a good track to get it paid off in 6 years or less)
74. Go through the Dave Ramsey course again (Mr. Random didn't think it was necessary this year since we did it the year before)
75. Pray and talk to other leaders about teaching a Dave Ramsey course (haven't started this process yet)
76. Get the house on a mortgage from the bank (check!)
77. Give generously as God prompts
78. Continue to tithe 10% of gross income
79. Continue to put at least 5% of income in Blessings fund
80. Build up to 15% of our income going into our retirement funds (we are holding steady at this point)
81. Continue to pay extra on the house
82. Save up and pay cash for a new air conditioner when it goes out (working on saving up)
83. Save up and go on a big vacation next year or the year after (didn't happen last year, maybe this year)
Blogging
84. Write 2-3 posts per week (I think I am averaged 1-2)
85. Apply at least 1 of the Six Sister’s ways to grow my blog every week (didn't get this done)
86. Write posts at least 1 week in advance (My weekly Sunday post is written in advance, other posts I sometimes get scheduled in advance)
87. Plan out posts at least 1 weeks in advance (didn't happen)
88. Host a biweekly linky party (I decided to cancel it because it was not getting enough traffic to be worth my time)
89. Contact 1 company a month about sponsoring my blog (didn't happen)
90. Post 1 Let's Talk post a month (I posted a few)
91. Post at least 1 recipe per month (didn't do well on this)
92. Post 1 Swagbucks post a month (didn't do well on this either)
93. Post at least 1 product review per month (I posted some)
94. Write 1 guest post every other month (didn't happen)
95. Post a giveaway at least every other month (I had a couple :))
96. Host a big linky/giveaway party for my 1 year blogiversary (I did, and it was great! although a lot of work :))
97. Make a Blog Binder (didn't happen, I need to start working on it again)
98. Read the Six Sister's 10 ways to grow your blog book (haven't read any in several months)
99. Find some sponsors for/Save up and go to a blog conference this year or next (Didn't happen last year, maybe in a couple years)
100. Grow my blog to at least 200 pageviews per day (I got over that for a while, but with baby and holiday business my posts have fallen off and so have my pageviews)
Well there you have it, obviously I got nowhere near doing them all, but it was good to review, it gives me ideas as to what I need to focus on next year.
Did you made any goals this year? How are you doing with them?
Sunday, January 5, 2014
5 Random Questions 19
I love answering random questions, and I love reading other people's answers to random questions. So I thought that would make a fun series. I will answer the 5 questions in my post and you can answer them in the comments. We can all get to know each other better, how much more fun can you get?
So here we go 5 Random Questions:
1. Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? I have played a few small jokes, but in general I don't do practical jokes, I think a lot of them are pretty mean, and I wouldn't want it to happen to me so I don't do it to others.
2. Have you ever been the recipiant of a practical joke? A few small ones, but nothing big, because most of my family knows I dont really like it.
3. What would be your best achievement to date? Being a good wife and mother
4. Do you prefer baths or showers? I prefer baths, but since having kids I rarely have time, so most often I take showers
5. Do you prefer towel drying, blow drying or natural drying your hair? I towel dry and then let it dry on its own, I don't like spending my scant time drying my hair, plus it takes forever for my hair to dry because it is crazy thick.
I can't wait to read your answers!
Questions Source:
So here we go 5 Random Questions:
1. Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? I have played a few small jokes, but in general I don't do practical jokes, I think a lot of them are pretty mean, and I wouldn't want it to happen to me so I don't do it to others.
2. Have you ever been the recipiant of a practical joke? A few small ones, but nothing big, because most of my family knows I dont really like it.
3. What would be your best achievement to date? Being a good wife and mother
4. Do you prefer baths or showers? I prefer baths, but since having kids I rarely have time, so most often I take showers
5. Do you prefer towel drying, blow drying or natural drying your hair? I towel dry and then let it dry on its own, I don't like spending my scant time drying my hair, plus it takes forever for my hair to dry because it is crazy thick.
I can't wait to read your answers!
Questions Source: