2013 Goals

The annual tradition of 'GOALS' instead of resolutions continues for 2013 in the Miller household.  We did pretty good at meeting most of our 2012 family goals, kids goals and Brian's goals.  A review of my own was pretty disappointing... but with some introspection, time in prayer and some good talks with Brian, I've realized that it is probably because I'm spread too thin and expect to be super-mom/wife/woman/worker/teacher/counselor/cleaner/server, and all the other hats that come with the territory.  Something has got to give, and it's usually myself.  We're going to do a bit better this year, and thus, my personal goals will remain pretty much the same so that I can actually accomplish them... because they are really important to me, however mundane or 'normal' they seem.

2013 Family Goals:

• All Miller Family Trip (we had such a great Disney Trip, we'd love to hang out all together again!)
• Legoland Trip (we have 3 free kids tickets earned from summer reading program at the library!)
• Service projects as a family
• Keep up on Bible Reading with kids
• Couple's get-away--keep our marriage good!
• Continue Awana for kids, and serving there
• Re-establish jewel jars for chores and family cleaning
• Kids savings 10%... build in systems & places for giving, saving, and blow money
• Us savings 10%, giving 10%, build up emergency fund
• Refinance house
• Family recreation at least 1 time a month--Yosemite, bikes, hiking, etc.
• 1 day pass is open, drive over
• Zeke to Hume?
• Take kids fishing
• 1 flower bed revamp
• Small group camping trip
• Christmas party
• Playdates for kids (at our home)
• Get house buttoned up for future opportunities

We have some set for each kid and each of us, but I only will blog my own:

• Exercise at least 3x per week
• Goal weight by summer
• Curtains in dining room, kitchen and Emmy's room
• Quiet time at least 3x per week
• Prioritize
• On top of organization of paperwork, savings, documents, taxes
• Support Rachel & Mark with baby girls
• Be intentional about: -hobbies (finish Ethan's baby book) -time with friends -supporting Brian in efforts for invention and his hobbies -time with my kids
• 'Finish' decorating and house organization in each room

So, there you have it... family and personal goals for 2013!  Here we go!!!

Year in Review 2011/2012

Our Year in Review this time around was done over yummy coffee drinks in the car on the drive down to Fresno for a friend's new year's eve birthday party.  The kiddos were engrossed in a movie, so Brian and I were able to get a lot down... though I know I'm still finalizing the goals I want to set for myself in 2012.  Thought I'd get them down while I can... the college starts back up this week, so as of Tues, I'm hitting it full speed again!

2011 in Review:
*got heater installed and working (8 years in the making!) * Ethan started preschool, Emmy started kindergarten and Zeke started 2nd grade--all getting great reviews from teachers! * Zeke was in his first bus fight * Avila in June * Family camping in Santa Margarita w/ mishap of no San Simeon reservations--Leonard's joined us for the first time * Kirsten's Capitola Girls/Scrapbooking weekend * Couch!!! * Emmy can read! (Hop on Pop) * Legoland for Ethan's 3rd birthday * Kirsten took Emmy to Disneyland for her 5th birthday * Purchased fake Christmas tree this year * B & K weekend getaway to Capitola over Thanksgiving weekend * Bri entered his 1st beer brewing competiton * Bri bought Tundra & loves it * Cousins Staci and Danielle got married * Brian backpacking FUG pass * Cousin Nathan born-Kirsten got to go be w/ Melissa to help * finished front fence and gate * Ethan got his tonsils out * Brian was voted one of SHS's 'most inspriational teachers' * Organization & decor in the house! * Bri & Zeke to San Fran mission * fostering kittens and then a forever kitty--Anakin * Emmy--1st yr of soccer, loves dress-up, decorating, make-up, dolls, and her cat * Ethan loves trains (Hiro!), talking up a storm, super cute and funny ('spankin' butt) * Zeke totally into Legos, Star Wars, Wii, and tetherball, soccer team was undefeated (but still no goal for him), super good at computers, math and reading, was awarded Sparky of the Year in Awana * Christmas with folks and Grammy B (for the first time I can ever remember--too bad she won't remember it!) * Zeke & Emmy learned to ride bikes w/ no training wheels * and so much more....

Goals for 2012:
* Build fairy garden for Emmy
* Service projects as a family
* Keep up on Bible reading (Story) w/ kids (and adults, too!)
* Add bedroom for Emmy w/out borrowing money to do it
* One weekend away (for B & K)
* Continue Awana, Ethan to start Cubbies in fall
* Ethan to be part of the family--dinner time, help clean, in own bed all night more consistently
* Family recreation 1x per month--bike riding, hiking, Yosemite, pass drives, etc.
* Drive over Sonora Pass first day it's open after winter
* Start savings--college, general, big trip in 2013
* Ethan into soccer in Fall
* Sponsor another child... Gabriel at For His Children orphanage in Quito

There are some personal goals I have set for myself as well, but I think the main one goes along with my 'one word' for the year, for which I have landed on "PRIORITIES."  Brian's goal for me this year is that I wouldn't spread myself so thin and then get frustrated about my lack of time, energy, etc.  I want to be able to have time to do the things I need to do, to spend time with those I love, and to do the things I enjoy, to be able to sleep more, to have more energy for my family, less time on the computer, have fun with friends, scrapbook more (I only got to do this 2x last year!), and to be more creative with my home and children.  So, if I say 'no' to you for something or don't return a phone call right away... don't take it personally and just know that I'm probably playing with my kids who are only this little right now, or I'm folding their laundry so they can have clothes to wear tomorrow, or I'm listening to my husband dream up his next invention, or I'm grading papers for my students who are finding their way in college, or.... taking some time to myself to regroup so I can do it all again tomorrow!!!

Year in Review

Each year since we’ve been married, Brian and I sit down together at New Year’s with yummy coffee drinks in hand to review our past year and set goals for the new one.  The past couple of years, this process has spanned a couple of days beyond New Year’s Day, mostly cause we have a lot of little people distracting us from our reflective bonding moment, but we persist in doing it because it is so rewarding to us.   We walk ourselves through vacations, events, ministries, projects, people, hard times, good times, and significant things that shaped us, grew us and filled our hearts and our calendar.  We literally filled an entire 2 pages worth, but some of the highlights from 2010 for us were…

* Every one of our parents here for Christmas * Sting at Hollywood Bowl * WICKED weekend in San Francisco for 10 year anniversary, including Calumet Photography class and time w/ the Pfeiffer’s * Camping in San Simeon & Mammoth Pools * Avila Beach w/ Brian’s folks * Zeke starting 1^st grade, 6^th birthday Mario party, becoming a huge Star Wars fan, losing teeth and broken nose * Emmy as a flower girl in her Aunt Michelle’s wedding, birthday celebration trip to Sea World, learning how to do monkey bars & flips on trampoline * Ethan’s fun personality, new words (hi-ya!), and snuggles * Grandpa Al’s 85^th birthday * Grandma Ruth’s 100^th birthday celebration and then her passing 3 weeks later * Kirsten joined gym & Brian started running again * Brian backpacking trips out of Tuolumne Meadows and Cleo’s Bath * both of our jobs being solid and rewarding * and so many more… including other loved one’s highs and lows, but they are their stories to tell =)

We also review the goals we set last year and determine if or how they have been accomplished, and then set new ones to bring in the new year with intention.  We were very pleased to discover that we had done a pretty good job on the family goals for 2010 and stepped it up a bit for this next round.  We also have individual ones, but those aren’t necessarily public information!

2010 Family Goals:

1. Review Awana material consistently with kids—Brian does this regularly at night and each weekend

2. Organize—got a desk area set up and working efficiently, got TV cabinets built (now they need to be finished in 2011!), system for laundry room/clean laundry, garage is clean & organized!

3. Get 8 seater car—purchased Sequoia in May… so happy with it and all the carpooling we can do now!

4. Develop cleaning/chore routine with kids—Jewels are working well!!!

5. Keep up nightly Bible reading & prayer time with kids—on a regular basis!

6. Recreation 1x per month—not perfect on this one, but much better this year

7. Investment in Bible Study group—relationships have grown, especially amongst the guys through trips together and figuring out good meeting plan.

8. Service as a family—help at ATCAA Food Bank with small group once a month.

2011 Family Goals:

1. Recreation as a family 1x per month

2. Continue ATCAA and add at least one challenging service project as a family

3. Add bedroom for Emmy w/o borrowing money to do it

4. One couple’s get-away (anniv?)

5. Plan marriage retreat/conference for small group at conclusion of Solomon study

6. Kitten foster care for Sonora Cat Rescue

7. Help kids build good friendships—playdates, etc.

8. Get all the painting done outside and in

9. Start kids college funds

10. Kids growth stuff: Ethan big boy bed, potty training; big kids learning to ride bikes w/ no training wheels; Emmy learning to read and soccer in fall; Zeke into activity (karate?)

I already am looking forward to see how God works in our lives with this new year.  It is our prayer that God’s hand will be on us, guiding us and blessing us as we seek His will for our family and our time and purpose on this Earth.