the year that was 2013

I've spend a few minutes here and a few minutes there thinking about this past year and reflecting on my goals.  I'm excited to start planning some new goals for 2014 and to use some new tools to make it a more productive year.

One big thing I've realized is that I need my goals posted in the house somewhere.  I'm not even sure the last time I looked at my goals from this last year, so no wonder I didn't accomplish them.

Also, 2013 was the year of very little sleep.  For about 1 month there, we got decent sleep but then the teething started and it's been rough.  And I can survive and parent relatively well on little sleep, but lots falls by the wayside when sleep is limited.

But, here are my goals from the last year and how I did on them.  17/30 completed isn't too shabby for a year with a new baby:

family
1. weekly date nights with mike (starting in march)- we probably had 1 or 2 the entire year.  but this is a big priority for us in 2014
2.  read a marriage book-didn't read one but maybe marriage counseling counts?
3. attend vandecasteele family reunion in july
4. camp for 1 night as a family
5.  day trip to denver as a family-zoo in october
6. attend at least one of the basement house show series concerts
7. keep family blog up to date and turn into photo books-big slacker here, but I'm pretty caught up now, so hopefully photo books in 2014
8. family pictures in June & December-got them done in December
9. complete 2 intentional activities with hudson each week-big miss here, but the activities we did do were fun!
10. nurse miles for 1 year-probably my proudest accomplishment and also the one that took the most time
11. potty train hudson
12. learn how to use the grill

spiritual
13. attend tuesday morning bible study*-finished the Vanguard study and then started attending Bible Study Fellowship
14. memorize romans 1, 8 & 12*
15. count 1000 gifts*
16. find somewhere to volunteer-I crafted with Restored Innocence for about 3 months

personal
17. exercise 2x/week (jan-march), 3x/week (april-june), 4x/week (july-sept), 5x/week (oct-nov)*-just laughing at this one
18. drink 80 ounces of water each day*-maybe 80 ounces of coffee each day
19. complete a 30 day sugar fast
20. complete 2 week long media fasts-i think i got one done
21. read 2 books a month*-i read a bunch but probably not 2 each month
22. wake up before the boys once miles establishes a consistent sleep pattern (april?)*-ha! consistent sleep pattern.  what's that?

home
23. develop weekly cleaning schedule*
24. plant a garden
25. paint something for the living room wall
26. bake all of our bread*-did great until I stopped eating bread and then I got a bit lazy with this one

craft
27. sew something for me or the boys 1x/month*
28. rebrand camera cases
29.  fully stock etsy store and keep it stocked
30. wear only clothes i've made for a week (jeans excluded)

Cozy Cameras Giveaway

Happy Giveaway Day!!!

****Congratulations Laura! You are the winner of the camera case.  Check your email for details.

 I'm linking up with sewmamasew.com to give away one of my camera cases.

Winner receives 1 camera case of their choice from cozycameras.etsy.com.  Which one will you choose?

Details:
Winner will receive 1 Cozy Camera case from cozycameras.etsy.com.  Winner can choose from any of the ones currently listed.  Open to U.S. residents only.

Enter using the rafflecopter below


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lately

ahhh poor neglected blog.  If only there were a few more hours in the day.  Specifically while the kiddos were sleeping.  There's a lot of baby chasing and car vrooming these days, with a little bit of sewing thrown in there.

A little pattern testing for ImagineGnats.  Love the Meridian Cardi which is now available.

Ran out of my first spool on thread on the serger.  

My camera cases are now available in Spices of Life Gift Shop in Denver.  We stopped by to see the shop after a trip to the zoo.  It's such a cute little place with amazing gifts.

I participated in 2 craft shows this fall.  The first was at Pine Creek High School.  It was a very successful day.  My cases were actually my best sellers, which was a bit surprising to me.  The 2nd show was the Farm and Art Market at Ivywild School.  It was great to get to know the other vendors there.  Not as successful sales wise, but a great experience and an honor to be chosen to participate.

A little behind the scenes of life these days.  The little guys naps are all over the place so I fit in sewing and photo shoots whenever I can.  And the chickens love to come help.

Come back Monday for a giveaway (hint hint...what do I spend most of my time sewing?)