New Year.. New Goals

Last year around this time, our 6th deployment was looming. I decided to make the deployment a growing experience instead of sulking in things I couldn't change. I made this visualization board and left it hanging in places I would see it everyday. I then tucked it away the past few months because I felt that I had accomplished most of what I had set out to do last year. On my board I hoped to have a happy homecoming with my Marine. That happened! I set out to start swimming and get healthy. Although the pounds did not melt off and frustration set in, I finally found a local trainer and program that I love and I am seeing my body change everyday! I spent a lot of time talking to God to led me to a better relationship with him and to lead me to where he wanted me to go in my life. That led us to a new church and me applying and getting accepted to USC Master in Social Work program! I revamped my blog and had a goal of reaching more women. Women who were mothers, wanting to get fit, going through deployments, or just needing inspiration and advice. My blog to date has had 57,000 hits. Some days I am amazed that I get 150 plus visitors! We scooted off to Cancun for a post deployment trip. It was so much fun and so glad we got that time to reconnect. My book writing has been put on the back burner with all the writing I have been doing for my grad program. It is still a goal for me. I also want to develop a nonprofit for military families. Financial health is the biggest goal for the next year. Going from a two household income home to a one has been an adjustment. ( I left my real estate career when AJ was activated.)

This year: 

I hope to create a more functional, simplified life through organization. I have been an iPhone/ smart phone user for years. I really got into keeping my calendar on my phone. But as the boys get older, AJ shares in driving, and our lives get busier... I set out for a new solution. I am going back to a paper planner, a large calendar on our fridge, and reminders on our phones for when AJ has to run the kids. I was forgetting appointments, losing schedules, and going to the wrong places for kids activities. As I prepare to be out of the house 16 hours a week for my internship, it all has to be in order. I loved this free printable one at I Heart Organizing, but after I priced the cost for materials, I decided to go with Erin Condren's Life Planner. I can't wait to get it! 

I will continue to work on my fitness and clean eating ( as I devour this piece of turtle pie in front of me).

Source: kalynskitchen.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

Now that my husband is home and should be here the rest of the year. We are going to work on our financial health TOGETHER. Because we got married at the age of 18/19 and he was constantly leaving, I did the bills. I also made the important decisions. I feel like a lot of the struggles we have had financially is because of decisions I have made is because we were not doing it together. I am super cautious and have a lot of emotion in paying bills and buying things. I think that AJ would take that away and be stricter on paying things off and keeping a budget. One idea we are excited about is this one I found on Pinterest. We will put away every $5.00 bill we get this year. At the end of the year we will do something fun with the money.

Source: thefairlyoddmother.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

We want to continue to work on our Faith and incorporate it more into our family and our kid's lives. I want to spend more time really getting to know their hearts and talking with them. I also want to work on money with them and responsibility. We have incorporated this system in our house. We set up savings accounts for them and will directly put their money in their accounts, minus the money for church/ charity. I will share my templates in another post.

Source: 71toes.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

   

I want to continue to balance my grad school career with my families needs. I have found a passion in Social Work and am so excited that I will be working at the local hospital and primarily in oncology and the ER. For my blog I want to really connect with my readers. I have so many people that just stop by. But, I want to really make connections with you all. If you stop by... please leave me a note or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram!