Welcome 2016

Here at the beginning of the year people think on the past year and make resolutions for changes.. -- or refuse to make resolutions because they are just setting themselves up for failure. I am more of this camp. However, we are in a season of change again so I have to look at things and make some decisions.



This season is coming to an end. I will be returning to home pre-schooling my son. There were many thing involved in this decision that I won't be getting into. One thing is certain though, I have to replace my income ASAP.

I will be returning to my Teachers Pay Teachers store development. I am excited to see the growth of it without any assistance from my end, so I am really excited to see where it can go with some work. I will also be continuing to build my Jamberry Nail Wrap business. I am working with my Team Manager and I will be hitting goals with that as well.

I would love to say that I am going to have new blogs to post EVERYDAY! Let's be honest, I am going to my best.

This season has shown me two things. One, I can actually embrace change when I am not afraid. Two, I thrive on routine - that takes my short attention span into account.

Looking forward to seeing where 2016 takes us!

February 2015 Check In

Although this is my scripture for this year I feel like I am a bit on a downward slope.  

I know where it stems from - I felt like I was following the Lord to do something that I am currently doing. It is not turning out at all like I had envisioned. Seeing that most things never turn out the way we envision when God is involved, that doesn't surprise me.  What is surprising me is that this turn took me from weekly time with a group of my friends and I am not feeling God in this at all. I made a commitment and I am going to see it through. I just keep praying that I start to see God's plan in it.

There has been what seems like a lot of inner turmoil lately and I am just not sure why. 

When I look over my goals for January, I am ... ehhh. Some were good and met, others were not because of life.

Just checking my growth in social media -- I am surprised by the growth. SO that is encouraging. I wanted to increase my 10 total sales in the store and I well exceeded that as well. 

I feel like my biggest accomplishment was actually my goal to shower in the morning and "get ready for the day".  I haven't done that this week or most of last and I think that actually has the biggest impact on our days. When I wait to shower until after I work out I go all day just feeling bleh ... so what was meant to be motivating to get me to work out is not working. Now I am just going to set other goals for working out. 

I realized I never shared last months goals with you all, so I will do that for February on Friday.

So there are adjustments that need to be made all the way around and areas where things need to define the focus.  All in all our month of -- just get through it (payday is coming) -- we survived. 

Purpose and Intentions - 2015 Goals

As I am getting ready to write a post about my first year selling on Teachers Pay Teachers I was looking at some of the changes that I have made that are ... actually bringing in results!

I am going to share some of these with you today.

When I talked about where we are going in 2015 I mentioned I set some goals, but I didn't really go into much detail on them.

Here is the big one with sales:

With one of my techniques right there too.  Putting the big goal in writing and setting smaller goals to help get there! I like seeing the countdown to reach the goal too. I have been known to say things like ... hey are you going to be the one to put me over the sales goal? on Twitter and share a product that would put me there.

Logically I should have a goal of 2k this month. HOWEVER, I have yet to sell over 150 in one month. There are things that I need to get moving to even think about a month of 2K. Now granted, God can do anything and I am not going to limit him.  I also know myself and I would be sitting here moping come February 1st that I didn't hit that goal.

Then I have my second life line.  I am old school and cheap.  It's okay that I am cheap I would have to be altering anything I purchase to make it work perfectly for me anyway.

In here I have all my plans, ideas and sketches. Then I have this bad boy.

Yes, Teachers Pay Teachers gives you a great list of products. I needed to take that list a step further. I wanted a place where I could know exactly what I have for each product. Does it have an updated cover? Does it have a pinnable image other than the cover? Have I blogged about it and have in use pictures? It's a To-Do List and Tracking Sheet in one! It is amazing!

This works much better than my last option ... the ever going list.

My second life line has a friend - this is my Social Media Binder. Yep a whole binder for it! Mostly because I don't need to take this with me. If I am doing the serious marketing part of my job I am stationary. The on the go stuff, that is the engagement of the communities. For that stuff I have this little guy in my planner.

When I do stuff on my phone I can just mark it on here and then I can transfer it to the tracking sheet in the binder when I sit down to do my marketing.

Back to the binder! I have several things going on in this beautiful thing.

Social Media Tracking - weekly, *Not Pictured monthly goal tracking*

Pinning Party Tracking - Great for keeping track of what parties you are participating in and results.
Room for before and after stats.  

Rule tracking of the all the boards I am part of.

Sheet to track exactly what I pinned to the board. I like to pin in a certain way,
there will be more about that at a later time.

This one is by product. There is product information at the top and pin tracking down the side.

Being consistent with marketing, pinning and increasing my social marketing has increased sales. I can't tell you how much, or how, but I can tell you this ... when I don't do it, my sales show it.

Want them? Click on the picture. They are free.  Since they are free come back and rate them after you have used them.

I know it's late and I need to update last week's goals.  I didn't do great on them at all.  However, I have a new idea on how to get more done.  Go back to the basics.  I went back to the kind of planner I have loved.

I started it for my To Do List, but I am going to do the same thing for my goals.

So, here is my big work goal for this week.  To have more colored lines than white lines.

Yes, my to do list is 6 pages long.  That is because it is categorized with my plates. Plus I am writing this late Tuesday, there have been 3 lines added to that first picture already!  

Make It Happen Monday - Week 23

Praise the Lord, I have been able to get so much done already today.  Even with not too great of naps.

What are we up to this week?  When I wrote it out it seems light, but maybe I will get it all done then.

Faith:
Pin God 1st - working our way through 1 Peter.  Don't know what Pin God 1st is?  Head over to Cravings and check it out.

Wife:
Real Reasons - text (we have phone again), Facebook, or a note -- 3 x this week.
Work our marketing consulting schedule and schedule him some appointments.

Mama:
Preps for Summer Camp (first year of summer camp for the kids! I am more stoked then they are)
Preps for Preschool (hopefully I will get this done by the end of the day Tuesday for this week)
Reward System for Little Miss

Domestic Diva:
Storage Unit Run - to take things over there and change out some toys.
Laundry
Grocery Shopping
Chore List for both Miss and Mister.

Sara:
Go for a walk 3x this week.
More water or Crystal light than soda -- even though today has been a nothing but Diet Pepsi kinda day. :(

Career:
15 calls per day, scheduling for next week.
Post the Pirate Party Plans
Post the Mustache Cake
Add the Mustache cake to the slide show
Quest for Christ Review
Marketing Plan for articles and posts
Schedule all written posts with links and pictures.

Make It Happen Monday Week 22, {Update}

Last Week:

Faith:  Honestly, I just wanted to be tuned-in to God this week.  Sometimes we get so filled up with the check this box, check that box.  I wanted to just be sure that I am tuned-in to HIS channel.

• Pray for balance and revelation about where I have time to adjust things.  {Quiet Time has been hijacked by a 18 month old who hears us getting up and then wants to get up too!}
• "Never Cease Praying"
• Do our best to stay on the map this week and be willing to be guided and be willing to do what is needed.

Wife:  Our marketing job is the one that is going to be the changer, that or Sweets and Soirees.  So, right now I need to be working on both.  My big fear is that I won't have anyone to watch the kids.  I have been trying to figure that part out, but I have been doing it backward.  I need to get the appointments then figure out what to do with the kids.  

• Put a note in Hubs lunch twice this week. (Fail, because I didn't even make his lunch twice this week.)
• Develop expectations for working our marketing job.
• Real Reasons on Facebook at least twice (Fail. Only, once)

Mama:

• Pray for revelation on what they are missing.  Too many tantrums from both of them lately.
• Make adjustments to our summer schedule so we can go spend 2 weeks with Grandma and Grandpa - I know the changes and now I just have to send the email.
• 3 walks this week {this is more for Hickman #5, but the kids really love it too.  Could it be that we end up at the park most of the time?}
• Make sandbox.

Domestic Diva

• Clean the bathroom
• Take out the trash
• Clean family room (I dusted most of it last week).

Sara

• Get a schedule that works for me getting work done.  I am tired of living like this.  It's time to Make It Happen.  House by November 1 here we come. -- Now to just consistently work the schedule.  Even if that means dealing with cranky kids to get them back on the right schedule.
• For every pop I choose to drink I must drink 2 "bottles" of water.  -- Some days yes, but most no.
• Evaluate where we are at the big goals that we wanted to accomplish and make adjustments.

Friend:  I keep beating myself up on this one.  I want to be a better friend, I am so focused on my own issues that my friendships fall to the side.

• Pray for friends - as they come to mind.  
• Send them a message, or write it down they came to mind and email them when I get a chance that day.

Career:

• Get all contacts into the spreadsheet
• Call in to Sales Call on Tuesday Morning
• Finalize the plan that I started over the weekend to get most done and hit goals.
• Assign deadlines to ongoing tasks.
• Schedule written posts
• Determine what is going where for the writing
• Put the word out there for guest bloggers in July.
• Market articles and posts daily. -- Totally hit 3 days!  That is a huge improvement for me.  
• Link up with at least 3 blog hops and link parties.  -- One day I linked up with 2 or 3, I need to do this more.

Make It Happen Monday week 22

Let's be honest.  I haven't been all that consistent with Make It Happen Monday.  Things have been really up in there air, flying by the seat of our pants this month.  There were weeks where I said, okay, I am getting this, this and this done.  Just to wake up and Hubs say, hey, I want you to come with me today.  And we would be gone for 6 hours.  

Life changes again and Hubs has a job out of the house 8-5, Monday through Friday.  Now we are trying to figure out the schedule again. We have a week of him being gone under our belt, now it is time to get back in the swing of things.  Life must return to normal.  I must live as if I am not living here.  I must live as if we are living on our own.  If we live like we are on our own we will not need to make tons of adjustments again when we are on our own.  

So what does that mean for Make It Happen Monday?  

It's time to Make It Happen!  

Faith:

• Pray for balance and revelation about where I have time to adjust things.  {Quiet Time has been hijacked by a 18 month old who hears us getting up and then wants to get up too!}
• "Never Cease Praying"
• Do our best to stay on the map this week and be willing to be guided and be willing to do what is needed.

Wife:

• Put a note in Hubs lunch twice this week.
• Develop expectations for working our marketing jobs {He's an acts of service guy}
• Real Reasons on Facebook at least twice (days other than lunch)

Mama:

• Pray for revelation on what they are missing.  Too many tantrums from both of them lately.
• Make adjustments to our summer schedule so we can go spend 2 weeks with Grandma and Grandpa
• 3 walks this week {this is more for Hickman #5, but the kids really love it too.  Could it be that we end up at the park most of the time?}
• Make sandbox.

Domestic Diva

• Clean the bathroom
• Take out the trash
• Clean family room (I dusted most of it last week).

Sara

• Get a schedule that works for me getting work done.  I am tired of living like this.  It's time to Make It Happen.  House by November 1 here we come.
• For every pop I choose to drink I must drink 2 "bottles" of water.
• Evaluate where we are at the big goals that we wanted to accomplish and make adjustments.

Friend

• Pray for friends - as they come to mind.  
• Send them a message, or write it down they came to mind and email them when I get a chance that day.

Career:

• Get all contacts into the spreadsheet
• Call in to Sales Call on Tuesday Morning
• Finalize the plan that I started over the weekend to get most done and hit goals.
• Assign deadlines to ongoing tasks.
• Schedule written posts
• Determine what is going where for the writing
• Put the word out there for guest bloggers in July.
• Market articles and posts daily.
• Link up with at least 3 blog hops and link parties.

Wow this seems like a long list this week.  I am up for the challenge!

Make It Happen Monday - Week 16 goals and updates

This is the second week that I am posting goals and updates as the same.  I think I will be going back to my old format.  Updates in their own post and this week's goals in their own post.  I think I am more accountable to myself if I do it that way.

But here it is:  The plan for week 16 was ...

Faith:

• Pin God 1st (Challenge posted over at Cravings - Desiring God in the Midst of Motherhood)
  We were doing really good until the weekend hit. We are a few days behind now, but we will get caught up and keep going.  It has been important for both Hubs and I.  Little Miss has even asked me, "Mommy can you read out of your bible."  I love it!
• List of blessings I would like.
  Yes, God knows our desires and our wants.  I just needed to get it off my mind of all the things that I think I want right now.  After I made my list I added ... "God your plans are always better than my plans.  Your blessings are bigger than I can imagine.  I am willing to wait for your timing because I know that it will be better than I can imagine, but some of these I need faster than others. 
• Set a date for our small group to start. 
  I am super pumped that my friends Erin, Missy and I are starting a small group this Friday.  The kids are going to get to play while we study the bible.  I can't wait!
• Get up for quiet time 3 times this week. {Fail}

Mama

• Playdate {Fail}
• Preschool 3x this week.
  This is something that Little Miss is really starting to enjoy.   She has even starting asking for it.  Posts will be coming about our preschooling adventures.  

Domestic Diva

• Laundry
  Well ... it's all clean - all except 2 baskets are folded ... and none is put away.  I swear laundry is the never ending chore.  I think I need to pick up the praying while I fold it makes it almost easier to get it all done.
• Meal Plan {Fail}
  While we were grocery shopping the other day we were talking about how or lives are easier and shopping is smoother when we have a better plan.  Must start this up again.

Friend

• Send a card to a mom to encourage her. {Fail}
• Update Birthdays on Calendar. 
  I used Facebook to update the birthdays of friends and family that I want to start sending birthday wishes too.  The written card, note, letter is becoming a lost art - it makes people feel so good to get real mail.  This is something I want to be better at.

Sara

• More water than pop {fail}
  I have way to easy access to pop and I fail at this often.
• Bed by 10pm if not working, 11 on work nights. {fail}
  I did; however, turn the computer off at 10pm every night.  That SO helped me sleep better.  I also read before I went to bed most nights.  Also, very helpful.

Career Goals:

• Follow up with all cards/contacts from last week
  We finished them up today.  We have had some success with the approaches we are taking.  We thank God for it all!
• Attend all training seminars this week.  {Fail - work and family dinners get in the way, we need to get a better plan for this.}
• Watch emailed trainings {Fail}
  We have watched them all before, we just wanted to brush up on some things.  We were pretty busy last week with appointments that we couldn't fit this in.
• Resize Demo screen shots for tablet.
  Started this project.  A little more involved than I thought it would be.
• Determine what pictures are uploaded that still need posts.
  Made the list and Post Development Pages for each of them.
• Get daily 'tasks' done 3 times this week. {Fail}
• Business card review.
  This is in progress.  Found some contacts and hope to get this done this week.

Make It Monday - week 17

I think we are on week 17.   Yeah, that's how much things are melting together.

Okay, I went to check, it is week 17.  I should have posted this on Monday but I never got around to it.  So here it is ... This week's goals.

Faith:

• Pin God 1st
• Read 1 chapter from Proverbs each day - out loud with Hubs
• Quiet Time 3x this week

Wife: 

• 3 I love you because's
• Dress and Make Up just for the family (earlier than just leaving for work on work days) - 3 times this week.

Mama:

• Outside playtime as much as possible. 
• Preschool 3 x this week
• Letter printables and coloring pages for quiet time for Little Miss.

Domestic Diva:

• MEAL PLAN (those caps are for me and yes you can yell at me if I don't get it done.)

Sara

• More water than pop
• Walk 3 times this week
• Yoga 2 times this week

Friend

• Cards/emails for people who have birthdays next week.  No birthday's send out a card to at least one mom friend and one other friend
• Get birthday calendars into planner

Career:

• Get Hickman Five "tasks" done 3 times this week - daily work has been nearly impossible!
• Set 4 appointments this week.
• Schedule a post for each day this week.
• Increase Yahoo views by 300
• Call all new contacts as they come in.
• Cake flyers and business cards
• Party and Cake website - start at least
• Finish at least 1 review.

Tune in next week to see how we did!

Make It Happen Monday Week 15 Goals and Updates

For some reason I just forgot to write last week's post.  This will be the goals and updates in one.  If I like writing it this way it might become the new way of doing things. 

Faith:

• Pin God First Challenge  (Daily)
  Score! We have done pretty well with keeping up on this.  We have fallen a day or two behind, but we got caught up.  This really is starting our day on the right foot.
• Quiet Time (3x this week)
  Big fat fail.  I have found that I just need to quit giving into sleep and get up!  Things seem to be getting out of control and we need more God.  We need to invite God in more is probably the better way to put it.

Wife:

• Real Reasons 3 times this week on Facebook or Twitter.
  Big Fat Fail.  I was getting really good at doing this for him, then we had some issues with a girl from the past and I quit doing it.  Well, I need to start doing it again.
• Dress for Hubby/Family 3 times this week - including makeup
  I planned to do it for the family three times.  I was able to twice.  Another reason why I just need to start getting up earlier.

Mama:

• Preschool 4x this week
  We only did preschool 2 times this week.  One of the days we did 3 activities though, so does that count?  
• Outside playtime AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
  We played outside 2 hours on Tuesday - bubbles and sidewalk paint
  We went to the park on Wednesday - it was the first picnic of the year
• Playdate on Friday while Mama's at work
  They were able to go play with Devon on Friday.  It was talked about for 3 days leading up to the playdate.  Fun was had by all!

Domestic Diva:

• Meal Plan and Grocery Plan
  Big Fat Fail.  
• Laundry
  I had washed most of it, but it is still sitting in baskets to get folded and put away. 

Sara:

• Walk 3 times this week.
• Water goal 3 times this week.
  Same goals as last week and I failed... again.

Career:

• Follow up on the business cards that Hubs initially contacts.
  We didn't even really start deciding that I needed to help with this until Wednesday.  We have  A LOT to follow up with.  
• Get another review done. 
  I still have until Tell Me About it Tuesday to get it done (and I am writing this on Friday night)
• Edits to Yahoo! articles
  Score!
• Link and publish articles once Yahoo! articles are published
  Score!
• Draft any posts that are on Post Development Pages
  Oops!
• Find a Business Card Review/Giveaway
  Still looking, found a few contacts.

Maket it Happen Monday Week 14 Updated

I was doing great about keeping track of my goals and blogging about it.  Then March happened and I feel off the track.  Now, we are doing whatever it takes and we are going to keep our butts in the chair and make this thing happen.  God willing of course.

Faith:

• Pin God First Challenge  (Daily) {Part of the challenge is to really think about what jumps out at you - reading it, then reading it aloud, then writing it down.  The writing it down part does not fit into my routine right now.  We are reading this together as a family before we get started each day.  And that is a big thing for us.}
• Start each day with our expectations and invite God into them. {Although we have been having expectations, we aren't verbalizing them.  We need to verbalize them.  There is life and death in the spoken word}

Wife:

• Real Reasons 3 times this week on Facebook or Twitter.  {Fail}
• Dress for Hubby/Family 3 times this week - including makeup {Fail}

Mama:

• Late week playtime schedule by Wednesday.  {We didn't plan anything, but we went to the park Thursday, Friday and Saturday - Sheer Fabulousness}

Domestic Diva:

• Meal Plan and Grocery Plan {yeah, I need to get on that}

Sara:

• Walk 3 times this week. {Fail}
• Water goal 3 times this week. {Fail}

Career:

• Finish eBook Reviews.  I am so far behind! {I have one done. :( }
• Real plan to work Echo Daily. {Worked it out with Hubs}
• Develop site for cake and party planning business. {Added cakes to the site, not own site yet.  Still planning on how to tackle the party planning side of things.}
• Business cards and flyers for cake business. {not yet}
• 10 face to face contacts for Echo Daily. {This is Hubs part, not mine - maybe in time I will be doing it too}
• 50 phone calls for marketing.  {with combined efforts}

{Make It Happen Monday} Week 10

What happened to Week 9?  We are adjusting to Hubs being gone and guess we just lost track of the week.    

He is not handling his new job all that well.  He's running into all the house where people just aren't home.  He has no number to leave them for call backs and he is just frustrated.  He is finding out that his hours are not as flexible as they made it sound and it is looking like I am going to have to quit my job and we might not even be able to take this class at church.  He gets to see the kids for an hour or two in the morning and then when he gets home they are already in bed.

This is where Mommy and God are going to have to come together to meet his needs.  So could you just pray for us.  Pray that God reveals to us what we can do to make this the best situation for everyone.  Thank you.

How are you doing with your goals for 2013?  Has life got in the way?  It has a little for me.  I'll be honest.  Take a look at how we are doing here.  This weekly feature is really helping me keep my goal of Living Intentionally With and On Purpose in the front of my mind.

Faith {yes, I list this first so that I remember to keep God first in all things.}

• Morning Quiet Time 3x this week
• Work on Memory Scripture:  Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
• Update prayer list and pray for those on it.
• Catch up on 52 days.

Wife:

• Real Reasons Love Notes - 3 times this week.
• Get dressed for him 3 times this week.  

Mama:

• Preschool Activities 3 times this week.
• Adjust schedule with kids to maximize Daddy Time.
• Out of house playtime 2 times this week.

Domestic Diva:

• Meal Plan and Grocery List
• Dust Family Room
• Laundry {for some reason I have a mountain to put away}

Sara:

• Pop around lunch only.
• Work out 3 times this week.
• 30 minutes of reading 5 times this week.

Friend:

• Email or FB them when the come to mind as many times as possible this week.
• Reply to all emails that I have received.  

Career:

• Hit my "work" schedule 3 times this week.
• Write for 300 minutes (5 hours)
• Finish 40 days 
• Start and get 1/2 way through No Shame
• Reply to all emails
• Make a decision about Marketing Consulting Position
• Look into Bible Giveaway

Make It Happen - February in Review

We are two months into 2013.  I am glad to say that it is not more of the same.

First of all, if you would like to get to know us a little better and what are goals are for 2013 you can read about our Big Picture here.

Looking over these bigger goals at the end of the month is something that I will keep us on track to accomplishing them.  That way I won't forget something that I put on there and I can make sure we are Living Intentionally with and on Purpose.

So overall how are we doing in 2013?

Blessings:

• Hubs started a new job!  It just started this week and it has been a bit of a challenge because the training seems to be by the seat of the pants.  All in all it has been a blessing and God has been there to work out all the little hiccups.  God has to be in it all because day one of training the mission statement was being discussed and the last point was ... "To honor God in all that we do."  Ahhh, working for a privately owned company has its perks.
• Staying with the in-laws has given us morning access to a car most days.  This has been a huge blessing when it comes to getting to playgroup and running minor errands.  
• A friend of ours is blessing us with a carseat.  We won't have to keep changing Little Mister's seat.  
• Staying here as been quite smooth.  Much, much smoother than anyone could have anticipated.  We have been able to figure out a budget and a game plan to get us to the next season of life.  My prayer over it is that God is in it with us and that we are not just trying to make something happen for ourselves.  
• We might have found a strategy to get Little Mister to stay in childcare while we are at church -- Bo Bo {his blanket my mom made him when he was first born}.  I am so thankful for this because we are going to be starting a class at church and he has to stay in childcare 2 hours on Tuesday nights.  

Challenges:

• Still have not completely healed from the miscarriage.  I have had friends pray with me and lay hands on me while praying, but it's still challenging because I really just want this chapter to be over.  To be slightly transparent - I want to be able to be intimate with Hubs again.  {TMI?  Sorry.}
• Little Miss is super struggling with #2 on the potty.  {Again too much information-sorry!}.  We are giving this up to the Lord.  There is nothing that we can do to get into her head that it's okay to go on the potty.  She feels the urges, she knows the difference, she asks for a diaper to do it and will do it in the bathroom, just not on the pot.  So there is a head issue going on, so we are just praying for her.
• Little Miss and Little Mister have been fighting a lot more than usual.  That is something we are going to have to work out.  

What about the Big Picture Goals?

On the accomplishing side:  

• We have signed up for the Alpha class at church and it starts in 2 weeks!  It's a 10 week course and I am really excited that we are doing it together.  
• I am doing well with the "Real Reasons" - I have been leaving most of them on Facebook.  Now that I will be making him lunch I will be able to leave him notes in other places too!  
• Meal Plan for Monday through Friday and eating at home has been working really well.  Especially with the addition of Freezer Meals.  {Post coming soon}
• Our goal to follow God's plan is one that is hard to measure, but we definitely are praying about our decision more and listening more to that small still voice.

Things to work on more: 

These are my big goals for the first 6 months of 2013, so they all need to be worked on to be accomplished. There are some that I think I could be doing better at.

• Rules and Consequences need to be stepped up.  See that last challenge.  -- hmmm, just a thought.  
• My time in the Word needs to be increased and worked on.  I am in the word, but it's not as consistent as I would like.  God will also lead me to great content to share with all of you.  
• We haven't seen our friends in quite some time.  Something we could try to be better at.
• Enforcing our schedules.  I have created them all, now they just need to be enforced.  Again - that last challenge.  
• Now that Hubs and I have some money coming in we can now also start working on making sure we have date nights and {ABD}'s once a week.  
• Thought I would have at least one book finished by now, so I also want to pick up on that.

Reading:

• Crazy Love
• Case for Christ
• Spiritually Stronger in 40 days {Review coming soon!}

On the Docket:

• No Shame Only Power {Also will be reviewed}

{Make it Happen Monday} Update Week 8

After updating the goals from last week it would appear that it was not that productive a week.  Truth is I am feeling really good about the week we just had.  It could be that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting so bright.  

Things that happened that were not on this list.  We set up a plan on how we are going to move forward with getting back on our feet.  We are very thankful that we have family to stay with at this time and that it is going so smoothly.  We are going to be disciplined and act as if we have a full load of bills.  We are going to set up our budget and keep it.  That way when we find a lease option down the road we will have already been working our plan and it will be a super smooth transition.  We just pray that God helps us stay on the plan and we don't get caught up in all the excitement.  

I also found my list of goals from the beginning of the year.  I wrote them out and now have them in my planner so that I can keep a better tab on what I want to get done.

Faith:

• Get caught up on 52 days devotional. Not caught up, but closer to it.  Got a whole week done.
• Get caught up on Online Bible Journey.  Big Fat Fail
• Read 5 chapters in Isaiah.  I did better this week, but still missed the mark.  I only read 3.
• Journal 3 x this week. Again, better, but only 2 times.  I find that I journal when things seem super stressed out and I need to sort things our more so than just journal.  

Mommy:

• Enforce our schedule and start getting everyone back into the swing of things.  Decided to push this back one week and take advantage of the last week with Daddy home with us.  
• Schedule play-dates on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Completely forgot I wanted to do this.  OOPS!
• Figure out what our next strategy for potty training is going to be.  Still searching.  We added if you try you get a Dora Coloring Sheet to color WITH markers.  We took away bedtime back scratches.

Wife:

• Get dressed with make-up just for him 3x this week. I worked a lot this week, but I made sure to get up and get mostly dressed (meaning the top half of the outfit and jeans - still super cute and then change pants right before leaving) right away those days.  He got to have me all day looking good.  I even hit 4 days!  Go me!
• Plan {ABD} for one night this week. Although this was a miss we did make plans for our anniversary in September.  Something to look forward to and motivation to exercise.

Homemaker:

• Dust the family room.  ( I know if I were reading that I would be saying to myself - that's it?  I don't know the last time this room was clean clean.  It might take me all week.)  Yep, straight up skipped this.  It will get done sooner or later.  
• Keep the kitchen cleaned up.  It stayed pretty cleaned and organized.  Just getting a little tired of our different standards of cleanliness.  Is it so hard to just wipe up your missed cheese shreds?

 Friend:

• Let's try this again - email 1 or 2 friends who have reached out during this season of our lives.  I thought about two people while I was doing my 52 day devotional.  Instead of saying to myself.  This is the enemy trying to keep me off task I thought, maybe this is God prompting me to reach out.  I emailed them both right when I thought of them.

Sara:

• Read 30 minutes a day for me.  I didn't read nightly.  In fact I only read two nights.  I did one night sit down and watch a movie just for me.  It was even a movie I knew Hubs would not really enjoy.  One Night with the King was on TBN.  So although I didn't read I did take time for me and it's not getting crossed off because I didn't do it, I also don't see it as a fail.

Career:

• Write for at least 7 hours this week.  The goal is one hour a day, but I am already behind.  I should be able to make it up though.  - Ha Ha! 60 minutes.  I have figured out a schedule for myself that should work well with the kids and with a little help from Hubs I should be able to get writing done.     I was trying to write while both kids were in full play mode.  That does not work.  
• Next section of the e-book. - Worked on it, but not complete.  
• Final edits to e-book that I am about to publish about Easter.
• Voices! Marketing three times this week.  I didn't do any marketing at all last week.  I did take time to get a plan in place.  Hopefully I will be able to work the plan.
• Five Marketing three times this week.
• Update pictures and link up appropriate posts to the pics {goal 15}
• Reviewing:  Leggings Post will go live Tuesday  Found that I will not be getting compensated for this post, so I am debating posting it at all.
• Reviewing:  Read at least "14 days" in current book for review.  I think I am up to Day 18. This is a super fast read and I hope to have it done by the end of the week.  Since I have a second one that I need to get started on.

{Make it Happen Monday} Week 7

Hey friends!  It is that time again, Make it Happen Monday.  A day late, but I have news ... I have been able to connect to the wireless here and now I will be able to get so much more done!  I am stoked.  

We have made some decisions about our living situation and we are getting back into our old swing of things.  Praises to the Lord that things are turning around. 

Faith:
- Post last week's Online Bible Journey by Wednesday.
- Read 52 Days devotionals as they come each day.
- How much in Isaiah can I read?

Mommy:
- Determine the schedule we are going to use with the kids.
- Plan playdate for Little Miss with her besties.
- Make the kids clean up their toys before bed. 

Homemaker:
- Meal Plan for the month.  A month works so much better than a week at time for us.  One week at a time is just too much work for this Mama.
- Keep cleaning up the levels we live in. { Already dusted the entertainment center and reorganized. }
- Clean the kitchen - see about way to restack/organize to make some room in the pantry and a cabinet.

Wife:
- Love notes - 3
- Get as much daytime fun as possible since Hubs starts working out of the house in 2 weeks.
- Get completely dressed (yes I have been living in sweats and yoga pants on non-work days) 2 times this week. 

Sara:
- Bed by 10:30 non-work nights.
- Finish Crazy Love 
- Yoga 2 times this week. 

Friend:
- Email one/two friends that have reached out during this season.

Career: 
- I am just going to forget about calls for the next few weeks.  Reception is a problem with our cells right now.
- Finish the next section of the e-book.  
- Make some changes to e-book since missing out on some holidays.
- New content 4 days this week.
- Focus on Marketing and Traffic for articles.
- Write and publish 3 new articles this week.

{Make it Happen Monday} Week 6 Update

It was a rough week and I am not even really sure why.  I am thinking that part of it is that I am letting Hubs be on the computer as much as possible since he was looking for a job.  He has found one. { Praises to the Lord! }  Hopefully we will be able to work things out better so that I can be on the computer more.  Also if we can get the wireless working on my netbook things would be SO, SO much easier.  

Faith:
- 3 chapters in Isaiah (it seems like I am posting this same goal every week, but that just might be the longest book in the Bible!  I am about half way through it.)
- Read Nehemiah.  Our new series is going to be working through this book and I am excited.  { After the introduction service on Sunday, this series is going to be just what I need to build a strong, spiritual house after this rough season in our lives. }
- Morning quiet time 3 times this week. { Anemia is really kicking my butt.  Since the miscarriage I have been anemic and the fatigue is getting to me. }
- Online Bible Journey posted on Sunday.  { Partly because of the computer issues, partly because of the issues of kids this week. } 

Mommy:
- Special quiet time with Little Miss during nap time to get the most work done possible. { The kids have been sleeping in and only taking one nap, so there has been no morning quiet time this week.  We did go to the storage unit to get some new toys to help cure some of the boredom issues we have been having. }
- Enforce our schedule to ensure productivity. { Big fat fail - mama has been tired. }

Homemaker:
- Meal plan to eat at home all week. { Although we had a plan nights I worked eating at home didn't happen.  I guess this is a good thing since grocery shopping also didn't happen to the fullest extent that it needed too. Praise the Lord for jobs that we will be able to start getting our own groceries again soon.}
- Keep bedroom cleaned up now that everything is put away.  { Living in a small space makes this very easy - Now that the laundry is all put away it is not such a momentous task to keep it all put away. } 
- Make kids clean up before bed, they have gotten out of that habit. { We were able to get this done one night. Now that we have more toys here it will have to happen more.  Even nights mama has to work. }

Wife:
- 3 notes/FB posts real reason I love him and am thankful for him.
- Make-up and hair one non-work day. { No excuses, just a fail. }

Sara:
- 3 nights of reading prior to bed for relaxation. (This can be from the Bible, not books.) { It was mostly from the Bible, but it was nice to get some non-screen time. }
- If weather permits walk the dogs twice this week. { Weather permitted, but there was no way this was happening.  One of my over ambitious goals. }

Friend:
- Email at least one friend who reached out during this season of our lives. { Every time I thought about this I could not get on the computer. }

Career: { Big fail on most of the work goals this week.  Need to take time on the weekend to make a plan to get things accomplished.  Also adjusting to working a couple nights a week. }
- 30 calls 4 days this week. 
- Finish one section of the upcoming eBook.
- New content 4 days this week. { Thanks to taking one day to schedule all the posts. }
- Market articles at least twice this week. 
- Concentrate on traffic twice this week.

{Make it Happen Monday} Week 6

It is time to get a real grip on things.  Our living situation has really been controlling us for the last 4 weeks.  It is time for The Hickman Five to take control and stop letting our circumstances control us.

Faith:
- 3 chapters in Isaiah (it seems like I am posting this same goal every week, but that just might be the longest book in the Bible!  I am about half way through it.)
- Read Nehemiah.  Our new series is going to be working through this book and I am excited.  
- Morning quiet time 3 times this week.
- Online Bible Journey posted on Sunday.

Mommy:
- Special quiet time with Little Miss during nap time to get the most work done possible.
- Enforce our schedule to ensure productivity.

Homemaker:
- Meal plan to eat at home all week.
- Keep bedroom cleaned up now that everything is put away.
- Make kids clean up before bed, they have gotten out of that habit.

Wife:
- 3 notes/FB posts real reason I love him and am thankful for him.
- Make-up and hair one non-work day.

Sara:
- 3 nights of reading prior to bed for relaxation. (This can be from the Bible, not books.)
- If weather permits walk the dogs twice this week.

Friend:
- Email at least one friend who reached out during this season of our lives.

Career:
- 30 calls 4 days this week.
- Finish one section of the upcoming eBook.
- New content 4 days this week.
- Market articles at least twice this week.
- Concentrate on traffic twice this week.

{Make It Happen Monday} Week 5 Update

So how did we do this week with posting the goals late in the week?  

Week 5: 

Faith: 
- 3 to 5 chapters in Isaiah
- Post the Online Bible Journey on Sunday (Psalm 136) - posting today.
- Listen to 2 teachings from Joyce Meyer on DVD

Having access to only one computer that we can get online with is really effecting writing, blogging and posting.  Adjusted goal for next week.  Work out a plan for this.


Wife:
- 3 Notes to Hubs about real reason why I love him, things I am excited about with our future and things that build him up during this stressful time.
- Make up and hair just for him - not because I am going somewhere (the only time I have been looking presentable lately.)

Fail and Fail.  Our living situation is really just effecting a lot in our lives.  We need to accept what is going on and roll with it.  Not let it control us.  We are not living very intentionally right now.  This is not acceptable.

Homemaker:
- Make sure that there is an easy meal Friday night when Hubs has to cook.
- Get laundry folded and put away.  (It's already clean for this week.)

Mommy:
- Be consistent with Little Miss when it comes to her sass and the consequences.
- Try and figure out what is going on with Little Mister.  Approach with love, not annoyance - no matter how tired I am or what time of the night/morning it is. 

Little Mister has just been not feeling well this past week making things worse than usual.  He wasn't eating well and not sleeping well.  He is now feeling better and in turn acting a little better. 

Sara:
- Try to fit in a coffee date with a girlfriend.

Fail. I have not been a great friend.  In fact we learned about friendships in church yesterday and this is also somewhere where I just need to be more intentional.

{Make It Happen Monday} Week 2 Update

How did you do on your goals this week?  Are you staying on track to reach your big goals?  I want to print my big goals out and keep them in my planner.  That way I can look at them in a moments notice.  

Here were my goals from last week:

Wife 

- watch a movie with Hubs before Friday.

- make a meal that Hubs wants.

It was really starting to seem that Hubs and I were each doing our own thing.  Like right now, instead of doing something together he is playing the Wii and I am writing.  So we really needed to connect.  The same night that I made something he wanted we Redboxed the new Ice Age movie.  It was a good movie.  

Homemaker 

- living situation has me cooking for more people than before, but that is okay I guess.  Continue to eat at home the rest of the week. (We have already eaten at home Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  We went out for lunch on Tuesday, but we had a gift card to where we were going and spent NO MONEY)

We at dinner at home every night this week.  We even had the option to go out to eat on Thursday, but choose to stay home and try to get back to a normal life.

Mommy 

- help Little Mister adjust to our new living situation, love on him instead of get annoyed with him.

Little Mister is doing much better when he is spending time with just Daddy.  When Mommy is around he is crying and wants to be held just to squirm out of my arms.  Not sure what is going on there.  

Sara 

- take time to read for me

Making sure to take time for me to read has helped with my stress level.  I am even reading a pretty heavy book, but it's working.  I am reading "Case for Christ".  It makes me sleepy when I read it so I think it is going to have to be my out of bed reading book if I am ever going to get it read.

Faith 

- post the Online Bible Journey on Sunday and keep up with reading plan.  

- Read 3 more chapters in Isaiah.

I am excited about the Online Bible Journey I am leading here on the site.  Sunday's post is ready to go and scheduled.  

Friend

- 2 messages to 2 different friends on Facebook or Text.

- Return phone calls and texts from last week when phone is working.

Each week I have found that I am wanting to start the conversation with friends, but it falls aside.  I have also found that I am not the best at responding when things come through.  That is more important than being the one to initiate, responding to the initiation.  Goal for next week.