2013 Goals: February & March Update

I figured it might be more interesting to do these every 2 months instead of every month...it could get a little repetitive.

So, here's how I've been doing the past two months:

Goal 1: Intentional in my relationship with God

February: Still rough in this department.

March: Definitely better. 

Part of it had to do with having a week off for Spring Break, which allowed me to be much more intentional during Jack's morning nap. I crave routine and since his morning nap is so consistent, it allowed me to buckle down.

Goal 2: Date Night with Jason 1-2 times/month

 February: Jason and I went on three dates in February.

These included dinner for my birthday, a wedding for a college roommate of mine, and another dinner date to BJ's.

March: Not as great. 

We went on an afternoon date for coffee and shopping on St. Patty's Day. 

We then had one or two others on the calendar, but just weren't feeling like going out. So, we did stay at home dates...had dinner and either watched a movie or Downton Abbey. 

It's hard because Jack goes to bed so early, so if we want to go out, we have to have someone come to our place to watch him...which is harder than just dropping him off somewhere. Thankfully, we have a few different friends who said they would totally be up for hanging out at our place for an evening so we can go out.

Goal 3: Family day dates once a month

February: We went to Santa Cruz for our family day. It's just a little over an hour from where we leave, and while I've been to the beach many times, I had never been to the downtown. 
So, we had lunch and enjoyed exploring the shops. 



We were going to go down to the beach, but parking was a nightmare since it was a 70 degree day in February and everyone wanted to hit up the beach!

March: Our family outing was a trip to San Francisco. 

(One thing I love about where we live in CA is that we are a 40 minutes from the city, an hour or so to the beach, and 2-3 hours from the snow!) 

It was a gorgeous Spring day, and we enjoyed strolling along Pier 39, eating fish tacos, Ghiradelli ice cream, and doing some shopping.

Goal 4: Try two new dinner recipes a month and one new dessert/baking recipe

(Sorry, now pictures this time)

February: One new dinner recipe.

It was a maple honey mustard glazed chicken...pretty tasty.

Did a bit more new baking than cooking, which included butterfinger blondies, peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, blueberry muffins, and a strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting.

March: I tried 3 new dinner recipes.

I made Pioneer Woman's white chicken enchiladas. They were a bit bland...I think the jalepanos and chiles that we used had no spice.

I also made her homemade mac n' cheese...fail. Way too mustard-y. We threw the whole dish away. Sad.

Normally I'm all about PW, but this was a rough month with her.
So, I tried to make-up for her awful first mac n' cheese by making her fancy mac n' cheese for easter. Much better!

I also made these Southwestern Stuffed Shells via Pinterest. Pretty good.

I think I wore myself out baking in February because I didn't make anything in March.

Goal 5: Check 3 things off my 30 before 30

Nope....  

Goal 6: Blog more

I blogged eight times in February...which I think is a record for me. Haha.

For March, I will end with 7 posts. 

2013 Goals: January Check-in

For the first time (ever?), I decided to write up some goals for the year. (Click here for full full 2013 goals post).

I thought it would be good accountability to do monthly 'check-ins' here to see how I am doing.

So, here we go...

Goal 1: Intentional in my relationship with God
Still not where I want to be/should be. I did make some strides...but I'm at like a once a week place with this. Definitely need to keep working at this.

Goal 2: Date night with Jason 1-2 times/month
We finally had our first date out together without Jack!
We went to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and then walked around the outdoor shopping plaza near the restaurant. Great to have some one-on-one time...but still felt like we were missing our little man. I don't know why...since we both leave him while we are at work every day. I think we are just used to him being with us when we are out together. 

Goal 3: Family day dates once a month
We didn't do a formal day date this month...but we did lots over Christmas time, so I feel like we just got lots of quality family time in.

Goal 4: Try two new dinner recipes a month and one new dessert/baking recipe
I was the most successful here! (Maybe I need to spend less time in the kitchen and more time in my Bible!)
I made 3 new dinner recipes and 3 new baking recipes.
For dinner I made:

Trader Joe's Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken


Pioneer Woman's The Malboro Man Sandwich
 

Pioneer Woman's Meatloaf 

 My three baking recipes were all muffins (I have been really into muffins lately).

 Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins


Snickerdoodle Donut Muffins


Almond Poppyseed Muffins
(Sorry no picture...I made these twice and still couldn't get them how I wanted...I think they need more butter because they were too spongy both times)
Goal 5: Check 3 things off my 30 before 30
Nope...nothing new here.

Goal 6: Blog more
I'm still no pro-blogger, but I have made improvements.
I have 7 posts for January...which is only once/twice a week, but in all of 2012, I only had 14 posts...so I think I'm making some strides! Haha. 

We'll see how February goes!
By the way...How is it already February?!

2013 Goals

This is a week or so late...

But I normally don't do these kind of things.

However, this year I thought it would be good for me to write down a few goals for the year.

Our life is in a period of huge change right now.

And that makes me reflective.

And forward thinking.

I don't like change, but life is full of it, so I figured I'd better learn to deal with it.

And attempt to embrace it.

Which makes me think about goals...and things I want to change for the upcoming year.

Just a short list...don't want to overwhelm myself or anything :)

1. Intentional in my relationship with God

Having a baby has definitely hindered this. I've found that this has gone on the back-burner as I've started juggling life with a newborn...and then returning to work...but there are no excuses. So, this year I want to get back to that intentionality of being in the Word and having a stronger prayer life.

2. Date night with Jason 1-2 times/month

Obviously a major part of the huge change I was referring to above was having Jack. Anyone who has kids knows what a struggle it can be to find quality time with your spouse. Jason and I have not gone on one date since Jack was born. We just tow him along wherever we go, but when we do that, our focus is on Jack and not each other. Another huge change is that Jason started working part-time at our church (in addition to his full time job) and he started seminary this month. So, he is extra super busy...giving even more reason why we need to make date night a priority.

3. Family day dates once a month

We've been able to do this a good amount of times since Jack was born, and I love it when the 3 of us are out together as a family. However, now with Jason in school (and his class is on Saturday mornings), it will be harder to find time for this, so we have both talked about the importance of keeping this as part of our life in the upcoming months.

4. Try two new dinner recipes a month and one new dessert/baking recipe

I got this idea from my sister Mel, and I for sure need to start doing this. We've definitely been eating the same foods recently...and pretty boring foods. Having a baby has taken away my desire to cook, plus, Jack needs the most attention in the evenings, so we've been eating things that are super easy to prepare. This usually means boring meals. I've been really into baking though (because I can do that at any time of the day...and just enjoy it more than cooking), so I want to keep trying new, yummy recipes there. I have so many things pinned on Pinterest...need to starting pinning less and cooking/baking more.

5. Check 3 things off my 30 before 30

I don't want to forget about this. I know 3 things is not much, but it seems ambitious considering the current nature of our lives. I haven't really thought about which 3 I want to try and do...but hopefully there are 3 that are reasonable to do amidst this season of change.

6. Blog more

I'm an awful blogger. No consistency. Boring. I just don't make it a priority. But, I love looking back on my previous posts and reading about our life and the things we did throughout the year. I was huge into journaling throughout high school and college for that exact same reason. I also process through writing, so I think it will be beneficial to blog about what are life looks like as we journey this next year. Plus, I'm realizing a blog can turn into a baby book for Jack...it's a fun way to track things :)

Nothing too crazy...but I can't handle crazy right now. Just a few goals that I think will better me and our family. 

Happy 2013!