Goal Setting

There are two major things on my mind these days. Lose weight, and save money. I think pretty much every American has this goal. I thin k I have had these goals my entire life! Sometimes I do very well; then it all disappears! Be it gaining back the weight, or having to spend the saved money on something unexpected.

I have been successful in the weight loss department this time around. So far, since May, I have lost 30 lbs total. I have fallen off the wagon a bit upon returing to Utah. I got out of a routine, and I am just starting to get back into it. So far this week, I lost another pound. I have continued to eat well, splurging every now and again, so I didn't gain any weight. Work and Carson also provide me with a bit of physical activity. However, not to the degree I was getting this summer. I began to do Zumba again daily, and I am feeling better! Less tired, more motivated. I want to stick to my goal!

As far as finances are concerned, things just are not working out like we planned. We wanted to move in with Devin's parents because we assumed the cheaper rent would save us quite a bit of money. Our goal was to have a little extra spending money, and at least $300.00 a month leftover to put into savings for a down payment on a house. I was also thrilled that I would be making more money in a new district. Well, life happens. The extra money moved me to a higher tax bracket- no extra in the check. Gas is more expensive since I have a commute. Carson ended up having to go to daycare. There goes anything "extra" and our savings account. Fabulous! We were in a bit of a tough spot, not sure what to do! We had enough for our needs, but we wanted to be responsible and save as much as we could so we wouldn't have to resort to credit cards and so that we could get a house when Devin graduated. I was really stressed out for a few days. I was really upset, too. I prayed and prayed for a solution. Devin fasted on Sunday. We had a righteous desire, so we decided to turn to the lord for help. I feel like we were immediately blessed. We had some friends give us suggestions. Devin decided to try to donate plasma. He went on Tuesday, and the process took 5 hours- (riding TRAX, screenings, bloodwork, physical, the actual donation, and back on TRAX) We were so glad that he qualified! Also, it didn't make him feel sick afterward, and didn't bother him. It just so happens that the clinic is right next to the U of U, and since he can donate twice a week, he will go after school. That money every month (for as long as he can handle it) will be the EXACT amount we wanted to put into savings. Devin considered getting a job, but we would need something VERY flexible because of our hectic schedules. I am so glad this worked out! Also, yesterday, during a meeting, it was brought up that they needed after school tutors, and the pay would be significant, and the hours would be extremely flexible. I automatically volunteered. I can't express how blessed we feel. I am grateful that things are working out, and I hope that they can continue to.

 

                                                  

I think that if you have goals, you need to have a plan. It is always nice to say, "Oh yea, I want to do this this and this," and then not follow through. How can you? You need a starting place, and you need to have realistic goals. My weight loss goal is 7 lbs a month, but the main goal is making sure I work out at least 20 minutes a day, and make smart choices. For money, the main goal is to save every month, but we have to be more conscience of our shopping decisions, driving decisions, entertainment and so on. If you can set little goals along the way, it can help you accomplish your main goal much more quickly! I won't be sad if I only loose 2, 4, 5 whatever lbs each month, as long as progress is made. I won't mind if we only get $100 in savings because progress is made.

 Maybe this doesn't work for everyone, but for me it is important or I would go crazy and feel like I failed every time. I don't want to spend every month feeling like a failure, because then I would want to quit and give up on whatever it was I was trying to accomplish in the first place. I have learned that from past experience, and this is what works for me. I am curious, what works for you? What have you found that works best? Any input is always appreciated!

Alicia

Carson: 15 months old

Holy cow. I have a 15 month old! Time is going by so quickly! Time flies when you are having fun, blah blah and all of the other standard issue sayings that go along with this.

Carson,

You are so dang funny! You are a walker now, so you think it is fun to run around and spin in circles. Last night you ran right into a wall, bumped your head, and knocked three pictures down. You cried, but once your picture was back up, you pointed and said, "Bubba!?" and then made the rounds with mine and daddy's pictures as well, acting as if nothing happened! You are pretty tough, but we are finding that you aren't fond of some of grandpa's halloween decorations when it is dark! During the day you think that they are funny and say, "ooooooh!" But when the lights are off it isn't very funny! You start to panic and run towards us or if we are holding you try to turn your body as far away as you can or you will point in the opposite direction of the dropping, talking skeletons, as if you want us to get you out of there! Fast!
You still love Snickers! Every time he enters a room you say, "hi doggie!" It is so cute. You still walk over to him and hug him, and you are getting softer when you pet him. The only downside is you have started to pet me and daddy on the face, which is kind of funny. :)
A thing that drives me nuts is that you are so attached to your daddy! You two have this thing where he says, "baby?" and you reply, "daddy!" I try and try and TRY to get you to say mama or mommy, and you shake your head no, or call me "baba". NO! I am mommy! I know that you know this because you called me mommy every day last month! I don't know what has changed but I can tell that you are doing it on purpose to drive me nuts. :) Yesterday, you would say "mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........................aaa?" Then giggle. I can tell you are just trying to bug me. :)

You are so cute when you waddle around. We just got you a pair of Tiny Toms and you like to walk with them on. Whenever we return from somewhere or we are in the car, you take them off. You like to peel the velcro back and forth!

Whenever I am sad, like I was Thursday when your great-grandma Nancy was diagnosed with cancer, you walk up to me, hug my leg, get on my lap and cuddle. I appreciate that about you. I can already tell that you are going to be such a sensitive, funny, loving boy- just like Daddy!

You have started to hit, and this month you and I got in a bit of a fight. You hit me in the face very hard a few times. I told you to put your hands down and to be nice with your hands, but you kept hitting. So, I smacked you back! Not very hard- you giggled. And continued to hit me. We went back and forth for a bit, and then I yelled at you. You looked at me, and your little lip quivered, and you started crying! You wrapped your arms around my neck and snuggled in. Even though I was upset, it was so sweet to have you cuddle up like that! We borrowed a book on having nice hands called, "Hands Are Not for Hitting" Hopefully that will help with your new favorite activity.

You are pretty much off baby food now. You occassionally have rice cereal in the morning, but you love waffles with yogurt and fruit! Your new favorite thing is corn with ketchup. Yuck! You were being a stinker and wouldn't eat any of your veggies so I decided to add some ketchup to your corn. It was inspired because now you will eat it every day! I figure it is better than no veggies at all, right!? You will always eat if chicken nuggets are involved. I don't think you should eat them every day, but your dad and Grandma disagree. I don't want you to be a picky eater like your dad was! You need variety. I promise you will thank me later!

I picture you saying, "Thanks mom!" Like in the chicken nugget commercials, every time you get them. I am glad you like at least one thing!

We would like to say "Thanks Carson!" For finally sitting through sacrament meeting with out being a terror last week. We appreciate it. :)

You are so big! And so loved! Always know that. We hope you never doubt or question how much you are adored!

Love,
Mommy (and Daddy, too!)