Midterms

We are way past the midpoint of the year, but I thought I'd better check in on my resolutions and see how I'm coming along. This is purely for my own personal edification/chastisement. Feel free to skip the reading today!

Physical:

1. Lose weight-I have made some progress in this area finally. I am 15 lbs. from my goal weight. I hope to have it off by Emily's birthday. Grade=B-

2. Work on my style-Well, this totally depends on the day. Like yesterday I woke up in the mood to just wear my yoga pants all day long. So I did. Well, until I got too HOT and had to change into shorts. And today, after our morning outing I promptly changed out of my cute madras skirt into black palazzo pants circa: pregnancy with Drew. But, overall, I think I've made some major strides in this area. I hit the jackpot when I stumbled upon Lindsay Ferrier's style blog She's Still Got It. Unlike most style websites, it's by a mom on a budget for a mom on a budget. I've gotten some great tips from her. And have her to blame for a considerable upswing in my spending...

As far as the lipstick goes...not so good. I have remembered more often than, say, last year, but still, poor showing. I did wear some Burt's Bees yesterday.

Grade-A

Mental:

I have been reading A LOT this year. Currently I am about 35% of the way through Big Dan's favorite book "The Killer Angels" about the Civil War. I was making good progress until some of the books I had on hold at the library came in. I have to read those up right quick, because other people are waiting on them. I am currently reading FIVE books. I'm not sure what's going on, but I feel like i have to read every book I can think of RIGHT NOW. Like some classes in college, this category is a total gimme. Grade=A+

Spiritual:

I think I am most proud of my consistency in this category. I have actually maintained the plan to read the Bible through by the end of the year!! I know this is not that big of a deal to some people, but it's a HUGE deal to me. There have been times when I have had to do some catching up, but I've never been so far behind that I couldn't. And, I'm LOVING it . I love the chronology of it all. I'm learning TONS.

Currently I'm on a Lisa Whelchel binge. Yes, that Lisa Whelchel. Blair from "Facts of Life"!! Bizarre or what? But, it turns out that she has written several books targeted to young, Christian moms and I am really loving how practical she is. She gets what it's like to be slightly nuts at all times and still want to grow in your faith. It's the first time that reading a mom book like this has made me feel like it's ok to just do the little I can. I think this is a message God is trying to get across to me. In fact, in my Bible reading last week I came across this verse:

"He tends his flock like a shepherd; he gathers his lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; he gently leads those who have young." Isaiah 40:11.

Did you catch that last part??? "He gently leads those who have young." You may think I am a kook, but those words were life to me. It is like he is saying, "I get it. I know your season. I'm still leading, but I understand we need to go slower."

As far as the "stirring" that I was feeling several months ago, well, I guess we all know what that was about! Three days a week of serving three year olds, coming right up!

Grade=Ummm...I feel kind of weird grading this section!

House and Home:

1. Cook one new dish for dinner each week: FAIL. Although, I will say over the last month, I've done some better in the cooking category. A lot of days, though, Big Dan gets home later and isn't really hungry for dinner. And because I've been trying to shed some lbs., I've been eating very plain items. So. Maybe some other season. I did learn to cook a MEAN steak this year. I think that might count for everything.

2. Ha! I haven't even been motivated to pull out any magazine recipes lately. Ha! So...A+++ on this one! I am cooking a new recipe from Southern Living sometime this week. Baby steps.

I've picked up some good habits around the house that make up for my lack of cooking. (See, the beauty of grading yourself if you can give random extra credit at any time!) I have started folding my clothes straight out of the dryer (thanks to the tip from Kristin) and this has REALLY cut down on my ironing. Although, right now I have three items laying on the ironing board needing to be ironed and every day I just look at them. Also, I do housework for 30 minutes after the kids go down for nap and for 30 minutes after they go to bed (if I need to). It's amazing what gets done in just that one hour's worth of time. I've also been a purging maniac and have gotten rid of a ton of stuff. Add to that, that Big Dan is keeping the family room under control and Drew is getting some lessons in cleaning up after himself, we've added a *little* more sanity to the home front.

Grade: C+


I'm not sure what all of those average out to, but can I just say that I've never been very good at keeping resolutions and I feel pretty proud that these items are still on the forefront of my mind? Which is saying something considering what a mental case I am. I'm just happy I didn't forget about them all together!