On setting goals

Around Thanksgiving last year as I thought about 2014 and setting personal and family goals, I decided that setting monthly goals would help me stay motivated throughout the year and avoid feeling overwhelmed. {I've mentioned this before, but just so it's clear, I started this idea BEFORE reading, "The Happiness Project." ;) }

I figure since it's the middle of the year, this would be a perfect time to write about the past goals I've completed, or almost completed. 

January - Family History: I dove into FH and found 14 ordinances I could take the temple! I enjoyed working with my grandma to figure out how I could help. I visited the FH center at our church several times during the month and received a lot of help from those that work there. I was so excited to print out family names to take to the temple. 

February - Visit the temple weekly: It's crazy how quickly the weeks fill up with social activities, service opportunities and meetings. I couldn't have done this goal without Aaron. Several times he'd walk in the door from work and I'd run out the door to the temple. Aaron and I were able to go together once. It's amazing how happy I felt visiting the temple each week. I noticed a difference in myself as did Aaron. And, I loved even more that I was able to take my own family names to the temple. I cried multiple times.

March - No sweets: This is a goal I almost completed. :) I ate a piece of pie on pie day (I organized a playgroup and a friend brought a pie and handed me a piece. I caved.) I also shared 1/2 a cupcake with a friend on her birthday. Aaron claims I need to complete this goal again!!

April - 50 sit-ups each day: It worked best if I did the sit-ups the second I woke up. We went to Utah in April for 10 days and there were some day I missed, not on purpose, but I would wake up the next day and realize I completely forgot!

May - Physical health: I've always gotten headaches when I'm stressed, but since I was getting headaches about two times a week, I decided to visit the Dr. and see what she had to say. After several visits, we both agreed that I was getting bad tension headaches - I had horrible back labor and with nursing and my posture, the headaches wouldn't go away! I visited the physical therapist 4 times in May and used peppermint essential oils and I've felt so much better. I'm serious, Aaron and I are believers in essential oils now. 

June - Visiting Teaching: I visit teach 7 people each month and lately, I've just been sending a quick card or e-mail. I've made it a goal this month to do all that I can to visit each sister in her home. I have one week left. Fingers crossed I can get to 5 people next week! 

I've already decided that for July I'm going to make Christmas stockings for our family {we didn't have any last Christmas!} One month I want to focus on learning the guitar so I can play Christmas songs during the holidays. {Remember Coursera? I enrolled in a guitar class, but unenrolled two weeks later because I was so behind and we were going to ND for vacay. Hopefully I'll do better next time!} One month I'd love to play through all the songs in the Hymn book. I also plan to read/listen to The Book of Mormon in a month. Maybe for October I'll work on getting all our Christmas shopping done and writing out our Christmas cards!

It really has been a great year and I feel motivated to keep improving!

In other news, Eli and I visited a splash park on Wednesday for the first time. He loooooooved it! We both did and had the whole place to ourselves! I think we'll go at 4:30 p.m. from now on. :) 

Have a great weekend!