If you want to keep up with the reads that give me pause all week long, follow my Weekly Reads board on Pinterest. If you want to follow along with my personal life, you can follow me on Instagram. Make sure you subscribe to Grace Notes, the weekly encouraging newsletter to read exclusive content not found here on the blog and to never miss a post!
Early morning snuggles are the BEST!
Welcome to the new Weekly Review Review feature!
As I did some planning and thinking about how I wanted to structure the blog this year, I knew from some of your feedback earlier in the year that you loved reading more of the “behind the scenes” posts. So I’ve decided to combine a few different posts (Goals with Grace, Links to Love, and other real life posts) into one new weekly feature.
Every Saturday morning I’ll use the space to share an update on my weekly goals, as well as a weekly recap including things I’m loving, reading and highlights on the blog.
I hope you love this new weekly feature!
I think this will be a great place to reflect, share and also to hold myself accountable (something I was talking about yesterday). Plus it’s also a spot I can share more real life posts with you.
So without any more hesitation, let’s jump into the first edition of The Weekly Review!
Goals with Grace
Last Week’s Goals: (Goals from the end of December)
Family Goals {Motherhood & Marriage}
Take Christmas photos of the kidsContinue Truth in the Tinsel and other Advent activitiesCelebrate Christmas together as a family
Homemaking
Daily complete 75% of theMotivated Mom’s Checklist- Begin sorting and organizing photos for yearly photobooks.
Personal Health and Wellness
Exercise at least three times- Finish reading Breaking Busy, and
Say Goodbye to Survival Mode (I’m re-reading this one as I prepare for New Year planning). Evaluate priorities and plan for New Year by creating goals and reevaluating my mission statement
Spiritual
Continue the She Reads Truth Advent study
Blogging
Finish ALL writing projects for the year2016 blog and business planning
This Week’s Goals:
Family Goals {Motherhood & Marriage}
- Write a love letter to my husband
- Trip to the library with the kids
Homemaking
- Daily complete 75% of the Motivated Mom’s Checklist
- Place photos in 2015 photobook one (Winter and Spring/Summer)
Personal Health and Wellness
- Walk 13,000 steps a day (I’m using my new FitBit to monitor my steps)
- Exercise at least 3 times
- Read for 30 minutes everyday (you can see what I’m reading below)
Spiritual
- Comple She Reads Truth Bible readings for each day
Blogging
- Write 500 words everyday
- Work through three lessons in current eCourse
What are your goals with grace for this week?
Head here to see the goals I set this year based off my one word of Wellness.
Weekly Recap
This week we was a rough week!
We were still recovering from the busy holiday season, Jack’s first birthday and the cold the worked it’s way through each member of the family. As we’ve worked to get back into a “normal” routine after Christmas, my house is also recovering from post-holiday syndrome too!
Birthday cake… I think he liked it!
Seriously though… laundry has been piled up, new toys cluttering the living room floor because we haven’t organized them yet, random Christmas decorations left to be put away, a refrigerator that really should have been cleaned out a week ago, and just bits of clutter all over the place.
First snow of the year so of course we had to build a mini-snowman and sled down the small slope in our front yard!
Thankfully life is beginning to settle and with the help of my trusty cleaning accountability, the house is starting to resemble a little bit of order again! Have you recovered from the post-holiday madness yet?
What’s On My Nightstand
Wednesday evening I finished the first book of 2016!
I had attempted to start The Memory Weaver last fall but just couldn’t get into it, I think because of all I had on my plate. The story sort of goes back and forth a bit between the main character’s present time and memories. When you are first starting to read, it’s a tad confusing until you really get into the story. Over New Year’s weekend as I was recovering from my cold, so I camped myself out in my big comfortable chair and started reading.
This time I did get captivated into the story. I can’t say it’s the best historical fiction book I have ever read but it did draw me in. Based off the true accounts of the early pioneer missionaries who traveled out west in the 1800s, The Memory Weaver was a story of overcoming past trauma, breaking free from parental expectations and a story of faith. It was a good read and while I read it quickly (mainly because I had the time), I can’t say it was a quick read.
I’m also finishing up Strong and Kind by Korie Robertson of the Duck Dynasty Family. I have personally never watched an episode of Duck Dynasty but obviously I am aware of the family and know who they are. This is a good book about thinking what types of character traits we want to instil in our children and why. It’s definitely not the best parenting book I have ever read, but it does have some good points. Some I’ve even shared with my husband.
Yesterday I picked up my very last haul of library books. One of my reading goals this year is to not check out any new books or purchase any until I have read through the HUGE stack of books waiting impatiently to be read on my bookshelves.
I’ll admit, this will be a HARD goal but since I have a slight issue with collecting books I really want to read but then not actually reading them in a timely fashion, I really need to read what I have.
So my planned final library haul for the year includes The Bridge (I watched the first part of the Hallmark movie over Christmas and was disappointed they won’t be sharing the conclusion until next Christmas! I couldn’t wait that long to find out what happens), Against All Grain: Delectable Paleo Recipes to Eat Well & Feel Great
Links to Love
7 simple ways to read more this year :: Modern Mrs. Darcy
5 Important Reminders for When Starting New Habits :: The Unabashed Life
13 Real Resolutions for Moms :: The Better Mom
When you know what’s right but you have no desire to do it :: Arabah Joy
10 Resolutions Every Mom Should Make (There’re Not What You Might Think) :: Becky Thompson
I Haven’t Written in My Journal or Opened My Bible in a While :: Intentional By Grace
Favorite Instagram
Our New Years Baby… a year ago he began his life with 7 long days in the NICU, today he is happy, healthy and full of energy. Happy 1st Birthday to our sweet little Jack, he completed our family and has brought so much joy to our lives. We couldn’t love him anymore! #firstbirthday
On the Blog
This Week
The Spiritual Discipline of Wellness
A New Year, New Look & a New Team
Be More Intentional with a Priorities Based Mission Statement
One Year Ago
Kick Start Your Health in the New Year
Two Years Ago
What I’m Working On
Tomorrow I am so excited to announce a brand new year long series here on the blog all about creating a haven at home! This is not written from an expert standpoint (you read about the current state of my home above, right?). I’m writing and working through this series because I NEED IT!
So stay tuned for the big announcement tomorrow afternoon!
What were your favorite reads and happenings this week?
If you want to keep up with the reads that give me pause all week long, follow my Weekly Reads board on Pinterest. If you want to follow along with my personal life, you can follow me on Instagram. Make sure you subscribe to Grace Notes, the weekly encouraging newsletter to read exclusive content not found here on the blog and to never miss a post!
**Affiliate links may be used in this post meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. You can read my disclosure policy here. Thanks for supporting CHK!
The post The Weekly Review {January 9, 2016} appeared first on Creative Home Keeper.