My Resolutions - Look Back for April

 

My List

Personal:

1. Start an exercise routine and stick with it - Still keeping up with this resolution.  I have had some hiccups as far as I got into skipping workouts for various reasons.  I try to reassure myself that I am still doing well and that I must give myself leeway since it is a fact that I have little ones that sometimes are going to get up in the night.  So, I try not to beat myself up about it and just take each day as just that....a new day.  Not sure what I plan to do for exercise once this round of Ripped in 30 is complete.  I have a few ideas, which I will share with you next month.
2. Cut down/out sweets - yeah......umm......STILL Not doing so well on this one. But there is a Meal Plan with Jillian Michaels. It has been on my "to do" list for.....a while..... to go check out. But.....yes, ok ok ok, I kind of been procrastinating on this some more. I will......I think....have this started before next update.
3. Join/participate in a Book Club - I have been participating in "Booking It" on Lifeasmom.com. I have started the book Finding Your Purpose As A Mom by Donna Otto. However, I must admit that I am having trouble getting into this book. And since I am supposed to have this completed by the 10th I better get cracking.
4. Blog regularly (at least weekly) - Still been staying on top of this. Quite proud of myself. I do still plan on doing more family updates (including Easter)

Family:  

1. Do a monthly "Date Night" with Norm - We did get to have a date night here at the house for our anniversary. It was nice to have some quality time with him. I really enjoy our date night and hope to make this a true priority. We currently have the 28th booked for our next date.
2. Increase playtime with Renae and Dakota - This has also improved even more.  But, I need to be more persistent with my 4am wake up.  Whenever I get up later then the chores creep into when Renae gets up and therefore.  I don't have as much time to play.  These times are so fleeting that I don't want to miss any of it.  I am looking forward to Mother's Day and just focusing on the children and being the best mom I can be.
3. Do a mommy/Renae date once a month - Sadly this still hasn't happened.  But I will try to place it as an official date for this months calendar.
4. Increase teaching with Renae and create a teaching plan - I was much more focused for this past month.  Renae seemed to really enjoy the Garden Preschool Pack that we did.  And we are now almost through the Robot Preschool Pack.  I am noticing that she can do more and more letter recognition so I think I must be making some impact.  Next week we will be starting the Knight/Princess Pack and I have a feeling that this is going to be a favorite since she is very much into anything princess right now.  I will be sure to do a post on this later this month.  We have also continued with the Garden Challenge so be sure to check back at the end of the month for the latest update on that.

Home:

1.  Create a cleaning schedule and stick with it - I feel that the new schedule has been working out well and that I have been able to tackle all of the house maintenance as planned.  For next month I hope to make extra projects completed on Fridays.  I will be making a plan of action for a list of priorities and I will see if I can accomplish this along with everything else.  Wish me luck!
2. De-clutter -  Sadly, I have not gotten much headway on this.  I plan on sticking with the previous plan of the 15min. daily closet clean up.  Meaning, I set a timer for 15 min (usually during nap time) and whatever I can get done in 15min. is what I get done. Once that timer goes off......I stop. Which I really think could work.......if I actually did it. :/
3. Get more indoor house plants and keep them alive for one year - This hasn't happened. In fact, .....I kinda struggling to not kill another one. However, the outdoor plants.....they are still alive!  Yeah me!
4. Create a homemaker binder - I have done this and been keeping up with it since January. I plan on posting this in more detail this month. (actually planned on a post for this last month......opps)

Financial:

1.  Decrease eating out - I don't believe that I did as well with this last month.  So I am going to try harder again for May.  Going to try and keep up with the no eating out challenge that is done on couponingtodisney.com to keep me accountable. Wish me luck! There is even a random draw for $50 gift card at the end of the month!
2. Start using envelope system (David Ramsey) - Ok....still not doing yet.  But I once again will try to put this in place.  If at first you don't succeed.......
3. Create/stick with a budget - Again, I could be a lot more focused on this. I think if I did put the envelope system in place I would be better at sticking to the budget. But I was also guilty of buying items like plants and such without actually "budgeting" for them. So, I will try to focus more on this.
4. Increase savings/have a fully funded emergency fund - This is now complete!
5. Restart Investments - This is officially kicking in next week!
6. Start college funds for the girls - This is also going to be kicking in next week!
7. Start increase in payments for house pay off - This hasn't happened as of yet.
8. Save for new car for Norm - .....nor has this
9. Cut grocery budget in half - .....again, see above with problems with my envelope system.

So not as impressive a report as last month.  I think I will print this post to keep me focused on my goals.

All in all, I think I did pretty darn good with my resolutions. Yes, room for improvement, but not too shabby.....if I do say so myself!

I made this list with the thought that most of this needs to be done by the end of the year. Not necessarily started on January 1.

Next update for June 1st

How about you? Did you make any resolutions? If so, how are they coming along? What are you doing to keep your motivation?