How To Follow Through With New Years Resolutions

Write it down.

Writing your goals down and looking over them daily or weekly is so important.  Otherwise a month goes by and you've been so busy you haven't even thought about them.  Pull out your sticky notes, or calendar and write them down where you'll see them.

Make a plan.

Making a plan to back up what you've written down is key.

If it's a trip you want to take, open up an additional account at your bank.  Name it your travel account and put money into it each month, or anytime you have a bit left over that you didn't spend from your budget the previous month.  Throw that in as well, and watch it grow little by little.  Just make a plan that's doable.  If you do nothing to see your goal through, the trip you want to take won't happen.

If you want to become more organized, what's your plan?  Just because you want it, doesn't mean it's going to happen.  You have to make it happen.  What's your plan? 

If you want to lose 10 pounds, then you have to make a plan to see it through.  The weight isn't just going to drop off without work.  What's your plan?

Get back up
If you are kicking yourself in March because you didn't stick to any of your resolutions, get back up.  Just because things haven't worked out for a month or two, doesn't mean you have to wait or should wait until January again.  Dust yourself off and get back in the game.  

New Years Resolutions, get all the blame and a bad name to boot.  All because we decide one day that we want to lose 10 lbs, take a family trip, and become more organized, etc.   Then the next day, we go back to our busy lives and chaotic schedules and later become frustrated that none of our New Years resolutions are playing out like we wanted them to... but we didn't put a plan in place to see them through.

I found this on Pinterest, and loved every single thing on the list.

My biggest personal goal this coming year is to ride my indoor bike.  I don't like to ride it at all, but if I don't build up the strength in my knees I could one day be looking at knee replacements like my mother has had, and that is not something that I want to do.  My knees aren't the best already, so riding a bike is the best thing for them, along with leg exercises.  

I am going to do my best.  I will probably start off slow and easy because, well... I'm out of shape, but I'm going to do it.  I might even post updates every once in a while to keep me motivated and held accountable.

I love January!  It's like a brand new notebook or a freshly sharpened pencil.  It's the perfect time to get our stuff together and get busy.

Life comes flying at us sometimes, and we don't always get a say in how things go.  But... for the things that we can control, lets make them great.

Will you be making New Years Resolutions?

Also, I'd love to hear any other advice you all might have for following through with them.

 

Looking Back On 2015

  2015 is coming to a close, and I'm feeling very blessed looking back on this past year.

I know everyone does them, but I thought it would be fun to do a review of the last year.  I think it's fun to look back and see what we've been up to. 

January

 In January we took our older two kids to a Seahawks game.  Emma isn't a fan yet, so she stayed with her Aunt, who loved on her and spoiled her silly.

I got to meet Tiffany, who I've gotten to know through blogging.  Crazy how blogs can bring about friendships.  I would never have imagined meeting up with someone through the internet.  These are the very things we warn our kids not to do, right?!  Haha!  ;)

February 

In February calving season started.  It's a family affair watching all the Mama cows.

Jesse played basketball, which was a lot of fun to watch.  His team played during the high school boys half time.  The big boys were so good to them.  Encouraging and cheering them on.  It was really neat to see.

Us girls, made a quick trip out of town for Orthodontist and hair appointments.

March

 In March, we flew down to Palm Springs to visit Dan's parents for the week.

When it's cold and snowy in Montana, I can't think of many places I'd rather be, than in a desert, sitting pool side, enjoying a cup of coffee on a warm sunny morning. 

 

April

In April the weather started to warm up and we took advantage of it.

We started getting things cleaned up and taken care of outside.

 We also enjoying sitting back out on the deck at one of our favorite places to eat in town.  After a long cold winter, it feels good to get outside and enjoy some warm sunshine.

 May

In May, Dan and I got away for a night out at the Davenport in Spokane.  We celebrated our anniversary a little early.

We loaded up our camper and went camping for one weekend.

We also got together at my parents house to help sort and brand cattle. 

This isn't my favorite, but it had to be done.

My family also got together to celebrate my great Aunts 90th birthday.  I love when we all get together.  It's so much fun, and there's always lots of laughing with this crew.

June

 In June, we started up with swimming lessons for my younger two kids.  Since my sister works, I also took my nephew with us every day, since he was in the same lessons.

Dan and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary.

Also in June, this girl of mine turned 13.

I love these babies of mine. 

July

In July, we played on the water a lot.

We spent a lot of time up at Flathead Lake with my in-laws.

We played on the water over the 4th

 My brother in law, loaded all of us girls on the boat with our tubes, and dropped us off upstream.  We spent hours out on the water without kids or husbands and had the best time.

August

In August, the cows came home.  Stopping traffic along the highway, opening gates, herding them in... again a family affair.  ;)

We played board games and enjoyed lazy summer days before school started.

At the end of August, Emma Jean turned 8!

September

 My Mom, sisters, and I enjoyed a little weekend getaway with some shopping and dinner out.

The kids headed back to school.

And then Dan and I headed to Europe.  It was my first trip overseas, and it was amazing.

We visited Sweden first and then headed to Finland.

October

 In October, Jesse finished up soccer, with his team taking home 1st place.

Gracie ended her volleyball season, and headed straight into basketball

And I turned 33.

November

Jesse turned 11, and this is the year of no smiles.  If there is a camera around he will avoid it at all cost.  If he is forced to look at the camera, you can bet he won't smile.  Oh well.

And this cutie of mine, turned 40!!!!

Where have the years gone?

December

The month of December flew by.  We decorated our house, attended the kids Christmas concerts, and made a quick trip up to visit Dan's family right before Christmas.  Its been such a whirlwind.

We spent an afternoon sledding up on the hill,

and enjoyed Christmas with family.

They say, "The days are long, but the years are short."

Well, this year just flew by.

Here's to another great year!

Be Blessed, 

Christmas 2015

 Christmas Day in front of my house... These are my people.  I'm so thankful for each one of them!

Saturday, we drove up behind my grandparents old house and went sledding back below the power lines.  I love that in 3 minutes we can leave our house and feel like you're in the middle of no where.  

I'm really hoping that all this snow sticks around for a while.  We're ready to head back out and play again soon.  Looking through all these pictures, I can't help but count all my blessings.

I hope you had a great Christmas as well.

Be blessed,