30 by 30~ January

So here it is, my last "30 by 30" post before I turn 30 29 (again). I am proud of the things I got marked off, although there are several I should have worked harder at. These monthly posts were a great motivator to me & I am in the works of coming up w another goal type post that will keep me accountable in 2014. Stay tuned & thanks for following along w me!


Blog Related:::
1. Host a blog give away. DONE. I held 1 in early June to celebrate my 250th post. I also had a giveaway in October for national breast cancer awareness month!
2. Host a guest post. DONE. For World Breast Feeding week I "interviewed" a friend, Ruth Nelson. Read about it here.
3. Keep up on blog series I have started (Happy Homemaker Monday, 2 on 2 & Pinterest Projects) Took off all of December & some in January but hoping to get into it :)

Home Related:::
4. Organize & de-clutter every room in the house month by month. Before our move I de-cluttered a lot.
5. Make several different household products. I tested several ways to clean w vinegar here is Part 1 and Part 2 , Foaming Hand Soap. and Dryer Sheets
6. Cook something for my freezer at least once a week. This month: refried beans, mini-banana muffins, almond butter brownies, cookies, waffles, individual baked oatmeal
7. Have a garage sale. DONE. Happened in April. I made about $70 and I sold things using Facebook & have made $99 in 1 week. :)
8. Add 'curb appeal' to our home (shrubs,grass, flowers, stone work etc.) Didn't do & won't happen now that we moved
9. Plant something I've never planted in my garden. DONE.We planted strawberries!
10. Hang an outside clothes line  Didn't do & won't happen now that we moved


Family Related:::
11. Go on a few dates w/ Kenny. Anniversary dinner at 157, Dish in July Mid-October we went on a lunch date to Pikks in Valpo. December we went to his Christmas dinner & in January we went to Valley in Valpo, delicious!!!
12. Plan a Shipshewana, IN trip. DONE.We went mid-August.
13. Plan something special for Ken's 30th birthday (September) DONE!
14. Document the year through pictures/Be more intentional w/ new camera Didn't do so good w this one
15. Take girls to the zoo. DONE.We went for Father's day.
16. Teach Cora the the letters of the alphabet. Here to admit she knows some letters but not all of them.
17. Open saving accounts for girls
18. Get back on track using coupons, price matching, staying w/i our weekly grocery budget So Far, So Good
19. Go on a family vacation DONE. WE WENT TO FLORIDA FOR 11 DAYS IN MARCH!

For Me:::
20. Lose baby weight (I'll do this slowly b/c I'm nursing. I will not start a crazy diet plan. My plan is simple: eat healthy, walk & give it time!) DONE!!!
21. Treat myself to a manicure OR pedicure. DONE. Went w/ some friends in May
22. Do something totally different with my hair, DONE. read this post.
23. Do something special for my 30th birthday (in February)
24. Create & implement a daily cleaning schedule Didn't do this, which is ok bc w our move I would have needed to change it if I had ;)
25. Start journaling my bible reading time. I need to get back into the routine of following Priscilla Shirer's 5 Ps of bible study.

For Others:::
26. Do something neighborly for at least 2 of my neighbors. We took Key Lime Cookies to our neighbors Jim & Rose & we also delivered a dozen sweet corn to another neighbor.
27. Get more involved in our Preschool program at church. DONE.
28. Teach at least 1 friend how to pressure and/or water bath can DONE. I pressured canned w my mom
29. Be a bell ringer for Salvation Army during the Christmas season. This didn't happen :(
30. Act out at least 3 random acts of kindness (No plan for this- I will wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me) These happened :)

30 by 30~ October

Blog Related:::
1. Host a blog give away. DONE. I held 1 in early June to celebrate my 250th post. Yay!
2. Host a guest post. DONE. For World Breast Feeding week I "interviewed" a friend, Ruth Nelson. Read about it here.
3. Keep up on blog series I have started (Happy Homemaker Monday, 2 on 2 & Pinterest Projects) So Far, So Good!

Home Related:::
4. Organize & de-clutter every room in the house month by month (Ex: May= our master bedroom, June= Cora's room, July= Living room etc.) The rooms are coming along and it feels great to be decluttering & organizing.
5. Make several different household products. I tested several ways to clean w vinegar here is Part 1 and Part 2 & made Foaming Hand Soap. This month I made dryer sheets read what I did here
6. Cook something for my freezer at least once a week. This month: took it easy this month. My freezer is plenty full...
7. Have a garage sale. DONE. Happened in April. I made about $70 I have sold things using Facebook & have made $99 in 1 week. :)
8. Add 'curb appeal' to our home (shrubs,grass, flowers, stone work etc.)
9. Plant something I've never planted in my garden. DONE.We planted strawberries!
10. Hang an outside clothes line


Family Related:::

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11. Go on a few dates w/ Kenny. Anniversary dinner at 157, Dish in July Mid-October we went on a lunch date to Pikks in Valpo :)
12. Plan a Shipshewana, IN trip. DONE.We went mid-August.
13. Plan something special for Ken's 30th birthday (September) DONE!  
14. Document the year through pictures/Be more intentional w/ new camera
15. Take girls to the zoo. DONE.We went for Father's day.
16. Teach Cora the the letters of the alphabet
17. Open saving accounts for girls
18. Get back on track using coupons, price matching, staying w/i our weekly grocery budget So Far, So Good
19. Go on a family vacation DONE. WE WENT TO FLORIDA FOR 11 DAYS IN MARCH!

For Me:::
20. Lose baby weight (I'll do this slowly b/c I'm nursing. I will not start a crazy diet plan. My plan is simple: eat healthy, walk & give it time!) DONE!!!
21. Treat myself to a manicure OR pedicure. DONE. Went w/ some friends in May
22. Do something totally different with my hair, DONE. read this post.
23. Do something special for my 30th birthday (in February)
24. Create & implement a daily cleaning schedule (I have seen tons of these online but none work for me. I need a personalized one)
25. Start journaling my bible reading time. I am in 1 Peter. I am following Priscilla Shirer's 5 Ps of bible study.

For Others:::
26. Do something neighborly for at least 2 of my neighbors. We took Key Lime Cookies to our neighbors Jim & Rose & we also delivered a dozen sweet corn to another neighbor.
27. Get more involved in our Preschool program at church. DONE.
28. Teach at least 1 friend how to pressure and/or water bath can DONE. I pressured canned w my mom
29. Be a bell ringer for Salvation Army during the Christmas season (I wanted to do this this past Christmas but thought of it too late & couldn't get it scheduled)
30. Act out at least 3 random acts of kindness (No plan for this- I will wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me)

30 by 30- September

Blog Related:::
1. Host a blog give away. DONE. I held 1 in early June to celebrate my 250th post. Yay!
2. Host a guest post. DONE. For World Breast Feeding week I "interviewed" a friend, Ruth Nelson. Read about it here.
3. Keep up on blog series I have started (Happy Homemaker Monday, 2 on 2 & Pinterest Projects) So Far, So Good!

Home Related:::
4. Organize & de-clutter every room in the house month by month (Ex: May= our master bedroom, June= Cora's room, July= Living room etc.) The rooms are coming along and it feels great to be decluttering & organizing.
5. Make several different household products. I tested several ways to clean w vinegar here is Part 1 and Part 2 & made Foaming Hand Soap.
6. Cook something for my freezer at least once a week. This month: Lemon blueberry bread, stuffed shells, applesauce
7. Have a garage sale. DONE. Happened in April. I made about $70
8. Add 'curb appeal' to our home (shrubs,grass, flowers, stone work etc.)
9. Plant something I've never planted in my garden. DONE.We planted strawberries!
10. Hang an outside clothes line


Family Related:::
11. Go on a few dates w/ Kenny. Anniversary dinner, Dish in July
12. Plan a Shipshewana, IN trip. DONE.We went mid-August.
13. Plan something special for Ken's 30th birthday (September) DONE! I planned & pulled off a surprise party for Kenny Labor Day weekend. He was so surprised & it was a great night!
14. Document the year through pictures/Be more intentional w/ new camera
15. Take girls to the zoo. DONE.We went for Father's day.
16. Teach Cora the the letters of the alphabet
17. Open saving accounts for girls
18. Get back on track using coupons, price matching, staying w/i our weekly grocery budget So Far, So Good
19. Go on a family vacation DONE. WE WENT TO FLORIDA FOR 11 DAYS IN MARCH!

For Me:::
20. Lose baby weight (I'll do this slowly b/c I'm nursing. I will not start a crazy diet plan. My plan is simple: eat healthy, walk & give it time!) DONE!!!
21. Treat myself to a manicure OR pedicure. DONE. Went w/ some friends in May
22. Do something totally different with my hair, DONE. When I wrote this list back in March I was thinking something like red highlights, I've never done red before. Or maybe the trendy, ombre. Wow, what I didn't know then was that my dear friend, Jenna, would be diagnosed w/ breast cancer. If you haven't heard about my new hair cut read this post.
23. Do something special for my 30th birthday
24. Create & implement a daily cleaning schedule (I have seen tons of these online but none work for me. I need a personalized one)
25. Start journaling my bible reading time. I am in 1 Peter. I am following Priscilla Shirer's 5 Ps of bible study.

For Others:::
26. Do something neighborly for at least 2 of my neighbors. We took Key Lime Cookies to our neighbors Jim & Rose & we also delivered a dozen sweet corn to another neighbor.
27. Get more involved in our Preschool program at church. DONE. We picked a new curriculum & my schedule is allowing me to volunteer room. Love those preschool aged kiddos :)
28. Teach at least 1 friend how to pressure and/or water bath can (Who wants this to be them?!?!) During my Indiana Trip I pressure canned beans w/ my mom. But I think she may need another lesson!
29. Be a bell ringer for Salvation Army during the Christmas season (I wanted to do this this past Christmas but thought of it too late & couldn't get it scheduled)
30. Act out at least 3 random acts of kindness (No plan for this- I will wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me)

30 by 30- August

Blog Related:::
1. Host a blog give away.  DONE. I held 1 in early June to celebrate my 250th post. Yay!
2. Host a guest post. DONE. For World Breast Feeding week I "interviewed" a friend, Ruth Nelson. Read about it here.
3. Keep up on blog series I have started (Happy Homemaker Monday, 2 on 2 & Pinterest Projects) So Far, So Good!

Home Related:::
4. Organize & de-clutter every room in the house month by month (Ex: May= our master bedroom, June= Cora's room, July= Living room etc.) The rooms are coming along and it feels great to be decluttering & organizing.
5. Make several different household products. I tested several ways to clean w vinegar here is Part 1 and Part 2 & made Foaming Hand Soap.
6. Cook something for my freezer at least once a week. This month: Peaches, cookie dough, 6 dinners, 11 individual burritos, &  PB&J
7. Have a garage sale. DONE. Happened in April. I made about $70
8. Add 'curb appeal' to our home (shrubs,grass, flowers, stone work etc.)
9. Plant something I've never planted in my garden. DONE.We planted strawberries!
10. Hang an outside clothes line


Family Related:::
11. Go on a few dates w/ Kenny. Anniversary dinner, Dish in July
12. Plan a Shipshewana, IN trip. We went mid-August when I was home for a week! So much fun!
13. Plan something special for Ken's 30th birthday (September)
14. Document the year through pictures/Be more intentional w/ new camera
15. Take girls to the zoo. DONE.We went for Father's day.
16. Teach Cora the the letters of the alphabet
17. Open saving accounts for girls
18. Get back on track using coupons, price matching, staying w/i our weekly grocery budget So Far, So Good
19. Go on a family vacation DONE. WE WENT TO FLORIDA FOR 11 DAYS IN MARCH!

For Me:::
20. Lose baby weight (I'll do this slowly b/c I'm nursing. I will not start a crazy diet plan. My plan is simple: eat healthy, walk & give it time!) Work in Progress- 4 lbs. to my pre-pregnancy weight!
21. Treat myself to a manicure OR pedicure. DONE. Went w/ some friends in May
22. Do something totally different with my hair
23. Do something special for my 30th birthday
24. Create & implement a daily cleaning schedule (I have seen tons of these online but none work for me. I need a personalized one)
25. Start journaling my bible reading time. Started in May w/ 1 John, worked by way through 1,2,3 John & now I am in 1 Peter. I am following Priscilla Shirer's 5 Ps of bible study.

For Others:::
26. Do something neighborly for at least 2 of my neighbors. We took Key Lime Cookies to our neighbors Jim & Rose & we also delivered a dozen sweet corn to another neighbor.
27. Get more involved in our Preschool program at church Work in Progress
28. Teach at least 1 friend how to pressure and/or water bath can (Who wants this to be them?!?!) During my Indiana Trip I pressure canned beans w/ my mom.  But I think she may need another lesson!
29. Be a bell ringer for Salvation Army during the Christmas season (I wanted to do this this past Christmas but thought of it too late & couldn't get it scheduled)
30. Act out at least 3 random acts of kindness (No plan for this- I will wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me)

30 by 30- July

Blog Related:::
1. Host a blog give away. I held 1 in early June to celebrate my 250th post. Yay!
2. Host a guest post
3. Keep up on blog series I have started (Happy Homemaker Monday, 2 on 2 & Pinterest Projects) So Far, So Good!

Home Related:::
4. Organize & de-clutter every room in the house month by month (Ex: May= our master bedroom, June= Cora's room, July= Living room etc.) The rooms are coming along and it feels great to be decluttering & organizing.
5. Make several different household products (hand soap, dryer sheets, different cleaners) I tested several ways to clean w vinegar here is Part 1 and Part 2 I also tried homemade Foaming Hand Soap.
6. Cook something for my freezer at least once a week I'VE ADDED: Zucchini bread, chopped rhubarb, homemade butter rolls, corn, lasagna & pieogies
7. Have a garage sale Happened in April. I made about $70
8. Add 'curb appeal' to our home (shrubs,grass, flowers, stone work etc.)
9. Plant something I've never planted in my garden. We planted strawberries! They won't produce this year but Hey gotta start sometime, right?
10. Hang an outside clothes line


Family Related:::
11. Go on a few dates w/ Kenny. Anniversary dinner, When we were home in mid-July the girls stayed w Grandma & we went to a nice dinner at the Dish.
12. Plan a Shipshewana, IN trip.
13. Plan something special for Ken's 30th birthday (September)
14. Document the year through pictures/Be more intentional w/ new camera Not doing as well as I had hoped. I am just NOT a picture taker. My iPhone is so handy, although the pictures are not the quality I want for these days w/ my precious babies.
15. Take girls to the zoo We went for Father's day. It was fun! See the picture below
16. Teach Cora the the letters of the alphabet
17. Open saving accounts for girls
18. Get back on track using coupons, price matching, staying w/i our weekly grocery budget etc. So Far, So Good
19. Go on a family vacation DONE. WE WENT TO FLORIDA FOR 11 DAYS IN MARCH!

For Me:::
20. Lose baby weight (I'll do this slowly b/c I'm nursing. I will not start a crazy diet plan. My plan is simple: eat healthy, walk & give it time!) Work in Progress- 4 lbs. to my pre-pregnancy weight!
21. Treat myself to a manicure OR pedicure. DONE. Went w/ some friends in May
22. Do something totally different with my hair
23. Do something special for my 30th birthday
24. Create & implement a daily cleaning schedule (I have seen tons of these online but none work for me. I need a personalized one)
25. Start journaling my bible reading time. Started in May w/ 1 John.  I am following Priscilla Shirer's 5 Ps of bible study.

For Others:::
26. Do something neighborly for at least 2 of my neighbors. We took Key Lime Cookies to our neighbors Jim & Rose & we also delivered a dozen sweet corn to another neighbor.
27. Get more involved in our Preschool program at church Work in Progress
28. Teach at least 1 friend how to pressure and/or water bath can (Who wants this to be them?!?!)
29. Be a bell ringer for Salvation Army during the Christmas season (I wanted to do this this past Christmas but thought of it too late & couldn't get it scheduled)
30. Act out at least 3 random acts of kindness (No plan for this- I will wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me)

Zoo on Father's Day.

30 by 30- May

Blog Related:::
1. Host a blog give away I am planning a give away for my 250th blog post! Which will be coming very soon...Stay tuned!
2. Host a guest post
3. Keep up on blog series I have started (Happy Homemaker Monday, 2 on 2 & Pinterest Projects) So Far, So Good!

Home Related:::
4. Organize & de-clutter every room in the house month by month (Ex: May= our master bedroom, June= Cora's room, July= Living room etc.) The rooms are coming along and it feels great to be decluttering & organizing.  
5. Make several different household products (hand soap, dryer sheets, different cleaners) I tested several ways to clean w vinegar here is Part 1 and Part 2
6. Cook something for my freezer at least once a week I'VE ADDED: MINI CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA MUFFINS,  ZUCCHINI BREAD, CHICKEN ENCHILADAS, SWEDISH MEATBALLS, BEEF ENCHILADAS (The crossed out items I made, put in freezer but have already pulled them out and used)
7. Have a garage sale Happened in April. I made about $70
8. Add 'curb appeal' to our home (shrubs,grass, flowers, stone work etc.)
9. Plant something I've never planted in my garden
10. Hang an outside clothes line


Family Related:::
11. Go on a few dates w/ Kenny For our anniversary we went to 157 in Valpo. My mom watched the girls. It was a nice dinner out!
12. Plan a Shipshewana, IN trip.
13. Plan something special for Ken's 30th birthday (September)
14. Document the year through pictures/Be more intentional w/ new camera
15. Take girls to the zoo
16. Teach Cora the the letters of the alphabet
17. Open saving accounts for girls
18. Get back on track using coupons, price matching, staying w/i our weekly grocery budget etc. So Far, So Good
19. Go on a family vacation DONE. WE WENT TO FLORIDA FOR 11 DAYS IN MARCH!

For Me:::
20. Lose baby weight (I'll do this slowly b/c I'm nursing. I will not start a crazy diet plan. My plan is simple: eat healthy, walk & give it time!) Work in Progress
21. Treat myself to a manicure OR pedicure See picture below
22. Do something totally different with my hair
23. Do something special for my 30th birthday
24. Create & implement a daily cleaning schedule (I have seen tons of these online but none work for me. I need a personalized one)
25. Start journaling my bible reading time Started this month w/ 1 John. I have been getting up w/ Ken at 5am to be sure to get some quite time in before the girls wake.

For Others:::
26. Do something neighborly for at least 2 of my neighbors We took Key Lime Cookies to our neighbors Jim & Rose.
27. Get more involved in our Preschool program at church Work in Progress
28. Teach at least 1 friend how to pressure and/or water bath can (Who wants this to be them?!?!)
29. Be a bell ringer for Salvation Army during the Christmas season (I wanted to do this this past Christmas but thought of it too late & couldn't get it scheduled)
30. Act out at least 3 random acts of kindness (No plan for this- I will wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me)

#21 was to treat myslef to a mani or pedi. Last week the Mom's Life leadership team went to get pedis as an end of the year celebration. Blessed to have these ladies in my life!

30 by 30- April

Today is April 30th so here is an update on my "30 by 30" list!

 

Blog Related:::
1. Host a blog give away
2. Host a guest post
3. Keep up on blog series I have started (Happy Homemaker Monday, 2 on 2 & Pinterest Projects) SO FAR, SO GOOD!

Home Related:::
4. Organize & de-clutter every room in the house month by month (Ex: February= Evie's room, March= none, April= quickly go through each room, May= our master bedroom etc.) EVIE'S ROOM IS DONE.
5. Make several different household products (hand soap, dryer sheets, different cleaners)
6. Cook something for my freezer at least once a week I'VE ADDED: COOKIE DOUGH, BEEF VEGETABLE SOUP, SLOPPY JOES, BAKED OATMEAL, TACO MEAT, MEAT SAUCE, MINI CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA MUFFINS (The crossed out items I made, put in freezer but have already pulled them out and used)
7. Have a garage sale HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEKEND. I MADE ABOUT $70
8. Add 'curb appeal' to our home (shrubs,grass, flowers, stone work etc.)
9. Plant something I've never planted in my garden
10. Hang an outside clothes line


Family Related:::
11. Go on a few dates w/ Kenny
12. Plan a Shipshewana, IN trip.
13. Plan something special for Ken's 30th birthday (September)
14. Document the year through pictures/Be more intentional w/ new camera
15. Take girls to the zoo
16. Teach Cora the the letters of the alphabet
17. Open saving accounts for girls
18. Get back on track using coupons, price matching, staying w/i our weekly grocery budget etc. SO FAR, SO GOOD
19. Go on a family vacation DONE. WE WENT TO FLORIDA FOR 11 DAYS IN MARCH!

For Me:::
20. Lose baby weight (I'll do this slowly b/c I'm nursing. I will not start a crazy diet plan. My plan is simple: eat healthy, walk & give it time!) WORK IN PROGRESS
21. Treat myself to a manicure OR pedicure
22. Do something totally different with my hair
23. Do something special for my 30th birthday
24. Create & implement a daily cleaning schedule (I have seen tons of these online but none work for me. I need a personalized one)
25. Start journaling my bible reading time

For Others:::
26. Do something neighborly for at least 2 of my neighbors
27. Get more involved in our Preschool program at church
28. Teach at least 1 friend how to pressure and/or water bath can (Who wants this to be them?!?!)
29. Be a bell ringer for Salvation Army during the Christmas season (I wanted to do this this past Christmas but thought of it too late & couldn't get it scheduled)
30. Act out at least 3 random acts of kindness (No plan for this- I will wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me)

30 by 30

My friend over at Grass Green Design compiled a list of things she wanted to accomplish before she turned 30. I loved the idea so I decided to do one too! {I turn 30 on February 4, 2014}
I have been thinking of all these things in my head for sometime now. This post gets all my thoughts & ideas down on paper! Hopefully, since I am sharing my list w/ you, I'll feel more accountable to attain it!  My list consists of things that need to be done throughout the whole year some quick & easy others will take more time.
I am looking forward to being more intentional in 2013 with my actions. Read along with me as I mark items off my list!

In no particular order:::

Blog Related:::
1. Host a blog give away
2. Host a guest post
3. Keep up on blog series I have started (Happy Homemaker Monday, 2 on 2 & Pinterest Projects)

Home Related:::
4. Organize & de-clutter every room in the house month by month (Ex: February= Evie's room, March= Cora's room, April= Our bedroom etc.)
5. Make several different household products (hand soap, dryer sheets, different cleaners)
6. Cook something for my freezer at least once a week
7. Have a garage sale
8. Add 'curb appeal' to our home (shrubs,grass, flowers, stone work etc.)
9. Plant something I've never planted in my garden
10. Hang an outside clothes line


Family Related:::
11. Go on a few dates w/ Kenny
12. Plan a Shipshewana, IN trip.
13. Plan something special for Ken's 30th birthday (September)
14. Document the year through pictures/Be more intentional w/ new camera
15. Take girls to the zoo
16. Teach Cora the the letters of the alphabet
17. Open saving accounts for girls
18. Get back on track using coupons, price matching, staying w/i our weekly grocery budget etc.
19. Go on a family vacation

For Me:::
20. Lose baby weight (I'll do this slowly b/c I'm nursing. I will not start a crazy diet plan. My plan is simple: eat healthy, walk & give it time!)
21. Treat myself to a manicure OR pedicure
22. Do something totally different with my hair
23. Do something special for my 30th birthday
24. Create & implement a daily cleaning schedule (I have seen tons of these online but none work for me. I need a personalized one)
25. Start journaling my bible reading time

For Others:::
26. Do something neighborly for at least 2 of my neighbors
27. Get more involved in our Preschool program at church
28. Teach at least 1 friend how to pressure and/or water bath can (Who wants this to be them?!?!)
29. Be a bell ringer for Salvation Army during the Christmas season (I wanted to do this this past Christmas but thought of it too late & couldn't get it scheduled) 
30. Act out at least 3 random acts of kindness (No plan for this- I will wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me)


Do you have a list? Want to make one & link up with me?