{Goals: One week later}

Time to check in on how those New Year's Resolutions are going.

We're just one week from New Year's Day, so most of us are still probably rocking and rolling on our goals, but checking in here and there is good to keep me motivated.

Here are the big 3 goals (condensed version) that I've set for myself this year:

• to listen to my body, intentionally. 
• to intentionally give myself structured down time. 
• to challenge myself to share more of "me" with those around me. 

How am I doing so far?

I'm focusing a lot on making sure to listen to what my body wants, nutritionally, and in regards to activity and rest.  I've cut back on my evening munching quite a bit, choosing instead to find something to drink before heading straight for the chips and salsa.  I've found this week that much of the time when I feel like I'm getting hunger signals from my body, that they are actually thirst signals.  I just haven't learned to recognize them as that.  So I'm choosing to try getting something to drink first, and then to wait before I head for the munchie cupboard.  So far, I feel like I am making better choices, which will eventually lead me into better health.  I also focused this week on really listening to when my body is saying it is full, and not just continuing to eat because my mouth wants more.  This part is REALLY difficult for me.  It is really easy for me to overeat when things taste good, because I just want MORE!  Taking my time when I am eating and stopping when I'm full (not overfull) has been a good challenge for me this week.  Teaching my body not to feel deprived or disappointed when I don't have just one more helping will definitely be a process.

Giving myself some structured downtime has also been going well.  My plan is this:  when I get home from work, I take about 15 minutes to have some downtime.  This can be resting, checking social media, chatting with family members if they are already home. Depending on how my day at work was, my daily workout sometimes falls into "me time" and sometimes I have to make sure I get it in after I've had some other form of rest, before I move into the tasks or plans for the rest of the evening.  These can be household tasks, Oula or church things that need to be taken care of, or even leftover stuff from work that needs to be done.  The key for me is that I've scheduled in more downtime at the end of the evening.  From 9:00 on, I've given myself freedom to stop working on "scheduled things" and move into something of my choice (usually reading a book).  So far this week, I've been able to remind myself of that scheduled "unscheduled" time, and have been able to move ahead with things I need to focus on, instead of retreating into a book at the first moment I get home.

Extending myself to others has already been a challenge this week.  Heading back to work after winter break is always a little challenging, because I go from having a ton of free time, to almost none, especially not at times when other people tend to be available (9:00 gets a little late to hang out, haha). So I feel that lack of contact with others.  And if you read my last blog post, then you already know that I'm still struggling with a lack of confidence that people actually want to hear what I have to say.  I'm working on it.  I knew going into this that this goal would be the most challenging one for me.  I wasn't even sure I wanted to put it out there, but sometimes just saying it makes the difference between thinking and doing. 

So how am I going to focus this week in each goal area?  Here are some thoughts:

Eating/Wellness:  Continue with daily workouts, and do one thing each day that physically affects Oula (work on a new song, practice old songs, do flexibility training, etc.).  Continue to listen to my body, and focus this week on staying hydrated instead of reacting to dehydration.

"Me" time:  This week I'm going to try to limit my social media "browsing".  When you write a blog (and are trying to be more intentional about actually writing a blog), and promote small businesses through social media, this can be a time sucker and a pitfall.  Which is why my focus this week will be to limit my browsing time. 

Sharing:  One area I've been working on is how to reach out to young moms/wives with meal planning.  So, one focus this week will be to begin putting some feet to some brainstorms I've had about how to go about doing this. 

How about you?  How are your goals and resolutions going?  What are you focusing on this week to achieve your goals?

xo~
Becca

Playing catch up...

That's what I feel like we've been doing for the last couple of weeks. My last day with kids at school for this school year was Tuesday, June 8th. Our kiddos' last day was Friday, June 11. Since then, we've been running around going crazy, trying to get some stuff done that was sadly neglected during the school year. So now I'm going to play a little more catch up, and catch everyone up on what's been happening with the Montana Meeks...

First, we've been contemplating getting a dog. We've looked around and just haven't found the right match yet. We'll keep you posted when we do.

I've been spending a little bit of time poring over decorating magazines, trying to get some inspiration to jazz up my home a little bit. With any luck, my pal Jami, will come and help me sometime in July. She's amazing and her home is super adorable. I'm sure she can help me be creative with items that I already have!

My summer classes are going well so far. One is just about to wrap up, and the other is just kicking into gear. Over the next few weeks I have some serious work to do, but then I'll be able to enjoy some time (August) to kick back and relax without having to think about assignments being due, or reading really, really dry stuff!

This week, we are getting ready to re-roof our house, if the weather cooperates. This is a project that we have been planning for since last September, making sure that we had the money saved and everything in place to make it happen, so it is a great feeling to know that it is finally coming together!

I've been working a little bit on and off, and trying to get caught up on laundry and housekeeping in between everything else. I'm also starting a new workout program today, so watch for another post about that later today.

In the midst of everything, we were able to get away for a short camping trip. Michaela was at a friends house for the evening, and Jon and I decided to take the other two camping over a Sunday night. We went down to Bass Creek. Monday we took a nice hike up to the reservoir before heading home. It's been a pretty rainy summer so far, so we have had to take advantage of the sunshine when we get the chance. Here are some pictures from our trip:

This is the perfect s'more in Becca-land.

These were supposed to be baked potatoes, but they got a little overdone.

Bethany...

The kiddos...

Next stop on the catch up list:

Fix the dishwasher (it broke yesterday, part will be in tomorrow...)

Clean the fridge (Be afraid, be very afraid....)

'Til next time,

Becca

Just a little update

The last few months have flown by, and true to form, I've been neglecting my little blog again. I did manage to get some pictures posted, as you can see! My friend Kylie inspires me. Her blog is so cute and she posts to it almost every day. Maybe when I grow up I can be more like her. :)

As far as my update, we are all great. Gabe is getting over a cold, but the rest of us are all healthy. I cannot believe that Gabe turns twelve (!!!) on Thursday. Time is flying by!

My class is going well so far, and you can keep up with me and what I'm doing in class by visiting my other blog. It's called Madame Librarian. You may or may not find it to be interesting.

On the creative side of things, I started a braided rug yesterday. I love the new floor, but I do need a couple of rugs for wiping feet off, especially by the sliding glass door when we come in dripping from the hot tub. I have enough fabric scraps laying around that I decided to make one. Besides, I love the homemade look of braided rugs. I'll be posting pics as soon as it is done.

The girls are still enjoying their Irish dance classes, and will be performing around town on St. Patty's day. They are coming to my work, which is very exciting for me, since I can't take off the day to help chaffeur. This way I still get to see them perform!

Jon has been busy trying to finish up the vocals on a couple of songs, and now he's written a couple more that will have to be recorded. I'm super blessed to have such a talented husband! Anyway, I think that's probably about it for now.

'Til next time,

Becca