100 Things About Me

100 Things About Me
1. I am not happy about growing older.
2. I am a stay at home mom
3. and some days I think I may go crazy or cry! ...okay, maybe lots of days.
4. I DESPISE Spiders and Snakes!
5. I love collecting cookbooks with pictures...the ones without pics are useless to me!
6. I love to cook and try new recipes.
7. I prefer Dunkin Donuts coffee to Starbucks. (I think Starbucks is way over-rated.)
8. I have no idea where I learned to cook, but I am not bad at it...if I do say so myself.
9. I am tired of moving! but we are supposed to do it AT LEAST ONCE MORE>
10. I want to sew and reap a successful vegetable garden.
11. I would really like to have another dog...or two.
12. I love to read but have little time to do so.
13. My favorite type of book is Christian fiction.
14. One of my favorite childhood memories is laughing and singing into brushes with my mom.
15. I would love to write a book.
16. I actually feel sorry for movie stars and musicians
17. I think the public obsession causes egocentric issues
18. which in turn give them a lack of reality.
19. I hated college.
20. I wanted to be a soap opera star when I was in high school.
21. I am thankful for how much my mom loves me...
22. it was my first glimpse of self sacrifice...
23. I talk to my mom on the phone almost every day.
24. I have 0 siblings.
25. I have a bachelors degree in Environmental Science.
26. I have a reoccurring dream that I did not earn my degree because I failed one class.
27. I LOVE to laugh.
28. My spiritual gift is hospitality.
29. I'm not a morning person.
30. I wish Amy , Chris and Micah (Sister/Bro in law and nephew), my parents and Russ' parents lived in our neighborhood.
31. I used to teach aerobics.
32. I love being a mom, but do not feel like I am a very good one.
33. I would love to have a boat.
34. I drive a minivan...and have no issues with not being "COOL".
35. I would love to learn to play golf with my boys. (It sounds more appealing than hunting)
36. I would love to go on an RV road trip to the midwest.
37. I would also love to try snow skiing.
38. Though I could not handle another child, I still grieve not having a daughter.
39. But I know God is in control and His plan is better than mine.
40. I would love to play tennis on a regular basis.
41. I will not spend more than $20 on a purse.
42. I love the beach, it relaxes me.
43. I think the most amazing moments in my life have been the four moments when I met each of my children
44. Happiness to me is LOVE. (love of God, love of spouse, love of children, love of family, love of friends, love of giving)
45. I love roller coasters.
46. I hate scary movies.
47. I have a fear of the nighttime.
48. I believe that God was very present in the meeting between Russ and I
49. and that He blessed our marriage.
50. I believe Russ is truly my soul mate
51. We met on a blind date.
52. I am not the same person I was in high school and college...
53. I was very self serving then...
54. Now I am a child of God
55. and I am forgiven.
56. I hope anyone who knew me then, could forgive me now.
57. My favorite restaurant is Nami Japanese Steakhouse. (unfortunately, it is only located in Pembroke Pines, FL)
58. My favorite store is SuperTarget. (but we don't have one in SC)
59. Hearing the prayers of my children is one of the most precious things to my ears.
60. I would love to have my own business or business product.
61. I love making great memories with my family.
62. I'm not allergic to anything.
63. I love smell good things...shower gel, candles, fresh laundry, room spray.
64. I like going to Goodwill.
65. I love new clothes.
66. I would buy a new outfit daily if I could.
67. I love playing games...
68. not so much when I have to constantly explain the rules.
69. I wish we could take a real family vacation every summer.
70. I think personal hygiene commercials are a little odd.
71. I LOVE to bake.
72. The Herwig Family is the closest thing to family we have known (that is not actually family)
73. I do not believe in regrets...the things I have done, have made me who I am today...which has required a lot of repentance, but none-the-less has taught me a lot.
74. My favorite ice cream is chocolate chip and mint chocolate chip from Baskin Robbins. (I think it is due to the memories of my Granddaddy and Granny Byrd that are tied to it)
75. I love rainy days
76. when my whole family is home together with no place to be.
77.I love to sing
78. though I am not great
79. I love music
80. I live in comfy pajama pants at home.
81. I love to dance
83. I like to fish...just not to touch the bait or the catch.
84. I would love to go on a horse and carriage ride with Russ for a romantic date night.
85. I hated being pregnant
86. though I am a sad that I will never be again. I feel like it is saying goodbye to a stage of my life (which I also mourn...YOUNG ADULTHOOD)
87. I am blessed by GREAT in-laws and talk to my mother-n-law almost every day.
88. I worry about being a parent of a teenager.
89. I am not interested in going on a cruise.
90. I think the best things in life ARE free...
91. Beaches, Steel Magnolia's and The Notebook are three movies that make me gut wrenchingly sob... the love and loss of friends, the love and loss of children and the love and loss of a soulmate.
92. If I could hang out with one person in the entire world for one uninterrupted day...it would be... still thinking... maybe the President , not because I like him...but because I am not a fan.
93. I love watching Funniest Home Videos with my kids.
94. Guess what...my kids aren't perfect...and I am not ashamed of that...
95. I am convinced when my boys have kids (their wives) that they will have ALL GIRLS
96. I AM FORGIVEN!!!!!!!!!!!! Have I said that already? :)
97. I am so thankful that God called and I answered.
98. I love Jesus
99. And I’m going to heaven when I die.
100. Because He saved me.

101 Goals in 1001 days:

I saw this on a couple of other blogs and was inspired. So here it goes...

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.


Some common goal setting tips:


1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.
2. Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.
3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.
4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.
5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

Here are my goals for the next 1001 days!

101 Goals in 1001 Days

Health
1. Lose 25 pounds by my birthday. (September 21, 2010)
2. Participate in a 5K race for a cause...with my mom.
3. Exercise 4x's per week for at least 2 weeks. (One week and one day down three days to go to meet this goal).
4. Don't eat after dinner for 30 days.
5. Do 50 sit ups without stopping.
6. No sodas for 2 weeks.
7. Drink 48 ounces of water/day for 2 consecutive weeks.
8. Take vitamin daily.
9. Eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day.
10. Try a new vegetable.
11. Join the gym and GO!
12. Run a mile without stopping.

Spiritual
13. Complete two personal Bible studies per year.
14. Prayer journal every day for 1 month.
15. Lead a bible study at my home and invite someone who does not go to my church.
16. Read one spiritual growth book-not about parenting!
17. Memorize 50 scripture verses.
18. Review memory verses twice a week.
19. Read through the Bible in 2 years.
20. Share my passion for Christ with a stranger.
21. Complete the 30 Day True Woman Challenge
22. Complete Beth Moore David devotional
23. Complete the Passion of Christ by John Piper


Personal
24. DO a photo journal for Blake.
25. DO a photo journal for Landon.
26. DO a photo journal for Gavin.
27. DO a photo journal for Holden.
28. Paint bedroom.
29. Paint boys bathroom.
30. Paint master bathroom.
31. Paint front bedroom.
32. Decorate and furnish back patio to make it suitable for entertaining.
33. Read 10 books before the summer.
34. Go one week without clothes left in my room waiting to be folded and put away...in other words, do it IMMEDIATELY!
35. Keep my van clean-really clean for 1 consecutive month. (Maybe this will happen closer to the end of my allotted time when Holden is more accountable)
36. Find an effective organization system for coupons or find out from Kris Hughes.
37. Organize freezer with baskets.
38. Go one week without arguing with my children.
39. Be friendly and talk to a person in a checkout line.
40. Go one week without complaining.

Family
41. REREAD Love Languages for Children.
42. Start a family devotion time once a week.
43. Pray with the boys every night for 30 days.
44. Respond to my children with a soft answer for 7 consecutive days.
45. Read one of Blake's favorite books and try to share that story with him. (He likes weird books!)
46. Plan a family fun night that does not include tv.
47. Read a book to children every day for 14 consecutive days.
48. Plan one fun family activity every week for 1 month that does not include tv.
49. Reread Creative Correction to refresh on ideas to creatively deal with sibling disagreements.
50. Get new family photo.
51. Go on a date with each of my boys separately.
52. Play kickball with my kids.
53. Go camping.
54. Go on RV road trip with family.
55. Make a snowman. (not sure where, but that is not the point of this)
56. Start and keep a journal of the cute things the kids say and do.
57. Make my bed everyday for 30 days.
58. Go one week without raising my voice to my children.

Marriage
59. Start once-a-month date nights and do for 3 months.
60. Start doing nightly devotion and prayer time with Russ again.
61. Go on a date and don't talk about the kids.
62. One overnight date a year.
63. Greet Russ at the door or driveway everyday for 2 weeks...I am pretty sure we may need medical treatment on day 4, but hey, I think it is worth a try!)
64. Thank Russ once a week for something specific that I usually take for granted (ex:working, playing with the kids, helping me) for 4 consecutive weeks.
65. Planning a surprise outing for Russ and I.
66. Complete the 30 Day Husband Prayer Challenge.
67. Go to the beach in the evening for a walk with Russ... :)

Friends
68. Go on a girls weekend with Emily.
69. Go on a girls weekend with anyone else who wants to go with me.
70. Ask a friend how can I pray for them.

Financial
71. Do or create something that will earn a little extra income for my family just so I can feel a part of helping in that way.
72. Buy groceries for someone who cannot afford them.
74. Only eat out once a week.
75. Save for Christmas budget.
76. Pay off loan.

Just Because
77. Write a letter to a government official regarding an issue I feel passionate about.
78. Tour 3 college campuses with the boys.
79. Go to a battle reinactment at Boone Hall.
80. Sponsor a college student or 2.
81. Do a kind gesture anonomously and for no reason.
82. Write a letter of appreciation to someone I appreciate.

Household
83. Dust entire house once a week for 2 consecutive months.
84. Clean out entire refrigerator and freezer.
85. Organize recipes.
86. Steam vac the carpet in the whole house.
87. Clean inside and outside of glass doors.
88. Mow the yard once a week for 1 months.

Just for Fun
89. Take 1 quality picture a day for 30 days.
90. Join a book club.
91. Grow fresh herbs.
92. Grow a vegetable garden.
93. Bake something for each of the boys' classmates.
94. Make lettuce wraps.
95. Make a quilt.
96. Get a massage.
97. Learn to make jewelry with all my supplies I got 2 years ago! :)
98. Make a new recipe once a month for 6 months.
99. Make dinner for my neighbors.
100. Volunteer at the homeless shelter at least once!
101. Buy myself a new outfit in celebration of completing my 101 goals!!!

Start date: November 6, 2009
Completion date: September 2, 2012

Whew! This is going to be challenging and fun! I should add one final note: as a Christian, God can and probably will change some or all of these goals as He sees fit. So, pretend that there is a "God willing" after every one of these items.