February's Tasks

I rocked my tasks in January as you saw in my previous post. Since I'm on such an amazing role I want to keep my progress going. Remember, my word for 2017 is FOUNDATION. For the first time in my life I truly feel like I'm building my life up from the very bottom. My Powersheets have been such a fundemental piece of my success. That prep work was the key. I also have to say the Powersheets Facebook group has been such a blessing. Well without further ado....

February's Tasks

1. Read the books of John and Matthew from the Bible. This task goes to my greater goal of getting in the Bible more so that I can build my relationship with God. My original task for this month was to read Romans but I finished it before January ended. 

2. Pay off 2 medical bills. This task goes to my 2017 goal of becoming more financially stable. Those bills may be two fifty dollar bills but hey that is something.

3. Write down a list of possible passions or callings. Another one of my goals for this year is to explore what my true passion or calling should be. I want to be more involved in something but I feel that I need to focus on one area. Not only will I be making this list but I'll be praying about it as well. Maybe in previous months I can dip my feet into different ones to find the right fit. One of my true passions is my job. I'm not looking for a new job but I'd like to have something that drives me outside of my work. Currently, that is parenting. Yes, I blog but I'd love a passion or hobby to add more substance to my life and to give me more to blog about. 

4. Write out a plan for my tax refurn. This is another task that goes with my goal fo becoming more financially stable. Should I start a savings? Should I pay off one big medical bill? Should I do half and half? I've got some major thinking to do. Last year I called around and asked what was the lowest they would take if I paid cash right then. I paid off two big bills that way and also did some shopping.

5. Post on blog twice a week. I love blogging but deciding to lean into Jack this year has taken away from my blogging. I'm okay with that but one of my goals for this year is to cultivate my relationships with friends, including you, my sweet blogger friends.

6. Write one piece of snail mail a week. This task also goes with my goal to cultivate my friendships. There is nothing like getting a sweet piece of paper mail. I enjoy picking out my stationary and taking out the time to write the words. It has been such a pleasant experience so I want to keep it going this month also. 

7. Bake heart shaped cookies with Jack. One of my goals is to create intentional memories with Jack. Jack LOVES to bake and we actually made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies this past weekend. I hope to make several of these heart cookies and share with others.

8. Write prayers down on paper. I heard about this idea and thought it was really cool. I want to see how my prayers become answered or how they change. I think it is also a great way to focus on gratitude because you can't pray without giving thanks. 

I also wanted to include my list of to dos. These aren't necessarily related to a goal but things that need to be done to move me forward and possibly towards a future task.

To Dos:

• Clean out my car
• Buy Valentine gifts for my mom and Jack (done since I've written this). I've already gotten Jack's classmates and teachers taken care of. I also got my dad something. My co-workers gift came in today and my Secret Pal gift will be delivered soon.
• Cancel Netflix
• Drop off clothes and shoes that were weeded from our wardrobes (using Give Box Back)
• Research waterbottles that measure water intake
• Move treadmill into a more usuable location
• Research or talk to a lawyer regarding changing Jack's last name (Met with a lawyer 1/31)
• Read another motivational book (Reading Grace Not Perfection was so uplifting and I'd like to read another book that was helpful in achieving my goals). I'm thinking about The Fringe Hours. Any suggestions?
• Sign up for a 5K my friends and I are doing in April to support our friend whose son lives with Sickle Cell

Well guys, that is what I have so far. I hope to have another successful month where progress is made. I believe that each of my tasks will help me continue to build that strong foundation I'm wanting. 

Do you have one major task that you want to accomplish this month?

How I Built a Stronger Foundation in January

My 2017 word foundation was in the forefront throughout the month of January. I built my goals and to do lists around asking myself "is this helping me build a strong foundation for us?". There were so many things that I added to our lives and some things I stopped doing. I want to share those with you today. I want to document this foundation and all of my accomplishments. I truly believe 2017 will be the year of great change for us.

What I've accomplished in January:

Relationship with God:

• I read the book of Psalms. I actually finished it on the 24th so I've decided to move onto the book of Romans. I figure February is a short month anyways so I'll need these extra few days. 
• I've been praying more often and being intentional in my prayers. My biggest prayer is "I want God's will to be done". 
• I haven't been going to church. I'm full of excuses, mainly weather. We did good for awhile but got off track. Going to church and belonging to a church community is important to me so I need to make it a priority. 

Finances:

• I check my bank balance every single day and write it down.
• I paid off two medical bills.
• I did my taxes and now have to start thinking about how to use my refund.
• I deleted some of my favorite shopping apps from my phone.
• I unsubscribed from the shopping emails I get.

Relationship with Jack:

• I got on the floor and built many of train tracks.
• I played puzzles, Pop the Pig, Trouble, Candyland (even when I didn't want to).
• I jumped on the trampoline and we had a leaf fight.
• Jack and I baked cookies several times. The kid loves to be in the kitchen!
• When Jack gets frustrated I would not yell but talk to him in a very soft voice. 
• We snuggle often and especially when he starts to get super active. Today he said, "Mama wanna watch Dinosaur Train and snuggle?" Oh yeah sweet child.
• I've read Pete the Cat too many times to count.
• I've let Jack help me with chores.
• I need to put my phone down more. I'm bad about checking and responding to a text message even in the middle of playing with Jack. The other day we went outside to play and I decided to just leave the phone in the house.
• I've taken less pictures which has been bittersweet. I love having pictures but I know how good it is to be in the moment. 

Health and Wellness:

• I went to the doctor and got on Paxil. The best thing I could have ever done!
• I've been drinking more water but I still struggle with this one and am looking to buy something to measure my water intake that isn't too bulky.
• Walking more. For some reason I stopped using my Fitbit. I think I just stopped wanting to wear it. Regardless, I have been making a point of walking more. 
• I've been sending snail mail to friends to help cultivate those important blogger and in real person friendships. 
• I've been checking in with two important Facebook groups. I want to build these relationships with my blogger friends and my Powersheets group. Both groups are so encouraging! 
• I've asked a new Powersheets friend to be my accountability partner. She is so encouraging and I love being able to just text and say "I'm not feeling it today". 

January went so well that I'm excited for what February will bring. I have some great goals planned and some habits that I want to continue. I can feel our stronger foundation coming together. I can't wait to see all the amazing things that will happen for us in the following months. 

Give Back Box

If you are anything like me I find it difficult to know where to take items I no longer need. I live in a small town and we have zero donation areas. Even if I did live in a town where they take donations it would still take more work than Give Back Box.

This is how it works:

1. You fill an empty box with items you want to donate.

2. Go to the website to print a prepaid shipping label.

3. Attach the label to the box and take it to the post office.

When you fill out the information it picks the nearest donation center. If you include an email they will send you a tax receipt for your items.

I just wanted to share this cool thing that I found and I hope it helps with all of your donation needs. It is also reusing old boxes. I order a lot from Amazon. As soon as I empty my Amazon box I go around and fill it up with unwanted items. I print off the ticket right away and box it up. I keep all my boxing up materials in one area. Within a few days I always need to go to the post office so I drop my box off then. Super easy!

Have you ever used Give Back Box?