2021 goals and commitment

 Happy New Year!

   We are back from a lovely Christmas break in Maine. According to the rules of our school since the kids left the state they need to attend class virtually for 2 weeks. The first week is going okay with each day bringing its own hiccups.  

   I have again set several reading goals for myself for the year, but have decided lifestyle-wise monthly commitments may increase success and follow through.

Reading:

• I plan to read 60 books over the year. 20 of which from my own bookshelves. To help with this goal I am joining the Unread Shelf challenge again hosted by Whitney.  
• I plan to read 10 from the 20th Century project hosted by Ashley of The Big White Farmhouse
• Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge this year a 'pick your own path' of many options of which I have picked some that overlap with the other two and some that have my stretching my reading muscles a bit.

Lifestyle :

• In January after my morning coffee till dinner, I'm only going to drink water
• I will aim for 8,000 steps a day
• Strength train 3x a week

2014 in 12 snaps!

1) January and someone is one!

2) February and lots of snow!!

3) March and someone is 6!!

4) Happy Easter!!

 5) Teaparties were held in May

6) In June we moved into our new house

7) In August we went to the beach

8) In September Lisbeth became a first grader!

9) Also Liam turned 4!!

10) Happy Halloween!!

11) We traveled to MA to remember and give thanks for my father-in-law and all those who serve.

12) Ending the year giving thanks for a warm, happy home to begin the new year in!

Please head over to House Unseen for more 12 in 2014!!

13 in 2013

Quick Takes #149

1. So how is 2014 treating you so far?  So far it is crazy here; nothing like getting ready to return to work, while your husband is revving up a big project, while cleaning-up from Christmas, while celebrating a first birthday...while surviving an Arctic Vortex!!
2. My Saint for the Year selected for me by the Saint Generator is Saint Angela Merici whose primary mission was teaching young women ~ yup sounds about right!  Seriously excited to learn more about her and see where her help brings me.
3. Word for the year I'm still working on but in the meantime still working on gratitude; I met my goal of recording 500 gifts on my 1000 gifts app last year; and am curious to see how long it will take me to reach the 1000 gift mark.
4. My mom is safely home from her trip to visit family and spend Christmas in Belgium.  She had a wonderful time and I'm enjoying see the pictures and hearing the stories about my cousins and their children ~ and my chocolate drawer is restocked!!
5. We had a nice little family party for Caitlin this week on her actual birthday where she got to feast on a birthday cupcake.  She will get another chance this weekend with our Church family.
6. Since the Giants (Charlie) did not make the playoffs and the Eagles (Elisabeth) went out on the first round we are now a house united.  Go Patriots!!!
7. Kid Shot: I think she liked her cupcake

Please head over to Conversion Diary for more 7 Quick Takes.

13 for 2013: A year in review

Linking up with Dwija and sharing 13 pics about 2013

January:

The year that started off great with Caitlin joining the family!

 February was all about family love!!

In March Elisabeth officially became a handful!

April brought Easter and an attempt at a family photo

 May, a road-trip back to Rhode Island to celebrate a cousin's graduation and my 40th birthday!

 In June we were able to (finally) welcome Caitlin into the Church.

July ~ Summer Days and holiday parades

August ~ Beach Trip!!

In September someone started Kindergarten and 

someone turned 3.

 October: Halloween Fun!!

November: Lots of yardwork ~ Lots of fun!

December: Time again to enjoy Christmas Fun

Quick Takes # 122

1. Prayers for our sponsor Jen of Conversion Diary, her baby, and family as they deal with hospitalizations and pregnancy complications.
2. Still here ~ still pregnant! The baby clearly wants a January birthday and has no respect for due dates.  Have discussed with the midwife when best to issue eviction notice ~ probably some time next week.  Updates as warranted, prayers welcomed!
3. Thanks to visiting grandmothers, managed a date night in celebration of our anniversary.  Good food & conversation and came home to find 50% of our extra-uterine children asleep. 
4. Spent a lovely New Years Eve at home with both our moms enjoying a three course fondue dinner (family tradition in C.'s family), some football and watching the ball drop.
5. Having again consulting the Patron Saint Selector on Conversion Diary was given Saint Benedict for 2013, it has been awhile since I've read the Rule of the Benedictine Order but remember much of the daily schedule is about balancing prayer time and work.  Yay! I think his intercession and wisdom will be most useful in the months to come.
6. Have not settled on a word for the year ~ but Rae of There is no wealth but life may have given me my motto for the year ~ Wait out the bad days, give thanks on the good days and never let go of hope.
7. Plans for the weekend: get car inspected and start cleaning up Christmas stuff ~ or you know give birth.

Please visit Hallie's place Moxie Wife, who is hosting this week's Quick Takes while Jen (now home) recovers.

Quick Takes #98

1. The "why's" who have previously been a polite guest occasionally seeking my attention has in the last couple of weeks become very insistent, persistent and on occasion loud.  Hoping its stay with us is coming to an end soon.
2. Still have not decide on my word for the year (nothing seems quite right yet) have really enjoyed read posts such as this, this and this.
3. Our lovely host's Saint Selector selected St. Louis for me. Don't know much about him despite having been confirmed in a parish bearing his name.  When I then tried again with the intention of my children and my parenting St. Therese de Lisieux came up, she I know.
4. Our family room needs to be repainted due to water damage from a roof leak and our contractor just  told me that he can't match the border and to select a new one.  I'm trying to view this a chance for a nice change ~ but I really like border.  Can't decide whether to look for something close or make a clean break.
5. Happy Epiphany!  Due to C.'s schedule King's Cake will most likely wait for the weekend.  Another tradition I know get to share with my littles.
6. The answer to the question "Will Liam walk by Christmas/New Years?" is no, but given the interest he is now showing in being up on his feet and with only one of our hands for support, I'm thinking any day now.
7. Plans for the weekend: Putting the Christmas boxes back in the shed and trying to restore some order before the construction craziness starts.  Have a good one!

PLease visit Conversion Diary and enjoy the rest of this week's Quick Takes.