Update

Just checking in to be accountable for some of my New Year's goals.

READING

Two days late but I did finish How People Change and Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands. Both excellent reads, but I'll have to admit I'm partial to How People Change. Both books will be books that I'll be continuing to go back to.... marking in them some more, taking more notes, referencing the recommended scriptures, and continuing to digest their information and counsel.

Great challenges and convictions were shown to me through reading these books.

For March, my reading goal is to read the book The Peacemaker by Ken Sande. I only have one book a month scheduled on my reading list until August, but if time permits and with no particular goal date, I'm adding Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens to my reading list. It is also a book by Paul David Tripp.

Also, I'm continuing to read Proverbs monthly. Two months down, ten more to go. I also continue to read the Psalms chronologically. I should be finishing those by the end of March. Then the next book I want to read through and study is James. (then Romans)

REVELATION SERIES by Ryan McKee

I've listened to all the messages to the churches, except Sardis. So, I still need to download that, and then progress to the next part of the series. Great series and highly recommended.

EXERCISE

Haven't been as consistent as I would like. Been shredding, but I missed several days. However, I'm happy to report my eating is getting back under control. (somewhat) :-D

Maddie is begging me to get the new Jillian Michael's DVD: Ripped in 30, and I think I'm going to do it. It looks beastly, but something I think I would like to challenge myself to conquer. I'll keep you posted.

CRAFTS

I finished my Swiffer cover. I haven't worked on much more than that. I do have a Christmas gift I need to pick up working on again. Can't say much about that, as it is for a family member and some of them read this blog, so let's just say, if you want to encourage me....say, "Get busy, Mary!"

HOMESCHOOLING

On another note, if you are a homeschooler and looking for a grammar program, may I suggest to you, Analytical Grammar. What a great program. My daughter is parsing and diagramming sentences, and also doing some summarizing. She has a better grasp of the mechanics of gramar more than ever before.

I don't have time in this blog to tell you everything I love about this program, but go to their site with a cup of hot coffee or tea, and plan to spend some time watching the videos about their products. My daughter actually said, "I love diagramming." WOO HOO! Not since Peace Hill Press published their four levels of First Language Lessons, have I been this excited about a grammar program. I LOVE First Language Lessons, and I think there is NO BETTER elementary grammar program for homeschoolers....or any child, for that matter. I've not had anything to recommend for those who finish FLL except Abeka, which, let's face it....it NOT for every child. So check out Analytical Grammar.

Valentine Dinner

On Friday evening, we had a pleasant time at the Valentine Dinner for the Young Married's Class at our church. We are grateful that even though we are not young and have been married almost twice as long as some of the couples in the class, that they welcome us into their fellowship. :-)

The teens from our church did all the serving for the banquet. They did such a wonderful job! Our server Sharon W. was most excellent!

Of course, my two favorite servers were: Maddie and Marcus

The newlyweds to be in our family looked spectacular.

Thanks to all the hard work our Sunday School class teachers did in planning and decorating. The cooks prepared marvelous food. The servers waited on us so graciously. The clean up committee did a fabulous job! A fun night was had by all. :-)

I'm going green

I wouldn't say I'm really going green, but one small effort.....

I do like my Swiffer mop, but hate buying the refills sheets for it. When I saw the pattern for this cover, I immediately wanted to make it. I'm very proud of it, and to top it off....I did it completely on my own. No phones calls or email requests to my crochet mentors for help. This was a start to finish effort of my own.

One contribution to going green....not purchasing the refill sheets anymore.

Also, when this cover is sullied, I can take if off, turn it wrong side out and use it some more before washing it in the washing machine. I have one cover made and I'm working on a second.

I love how crocheters are so ingenious. The leaders in the field come up with some of the best and cutest ideas. Those who come up with these concepts --then write ---then share the patterns ----for FREE, are part of what makes crochet a great hobby. People are always so willing to help!

FINISHED!

This weekend, I was able to finish Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams. YAY! Now on to the next two books on my list. They need to be finished by the end of February. Whew! I hope I can get it done!

First up: How People Change followed by Instruments in the Redeemer's Hand.

On another goal related note, I did read the book of Proverbs this month. I'll be reading it again during February along with continuing to read Psalms chronologically. :-D

A Baby Coocoon

So, here is my latest finished project. I made it for Baby James. However, he weighed over 9 lbs. so I'm not sure he'll be able to fit into it; but...he will have a keepsake. :-)

Checking In.

So the new year is a time for goals. I have challenged myself in several different areas. (See post New Year-New Look for reference.)

Let's see how I'm doing:

Bible Reading: I'm on track with reading Psalms (Chronologically) and Proverbs by the end of March. Actually, if I stay on track I will have read Proverbs three times by the end of March.

NANC Reading: I still have not finished Competent to Counsel. UGH! I have not devoted the time to it like I should since I didn't make the goal I had set for myself by finishing it before the new year. So, I need to whip that out. I do still want to have read How People Change and Instruments in the Redeemer's Hand by the end of February. I need to step it up on this. I want to read every counseling text book on the NANC recommended reading list by the beginning of August. These books include: Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams, The Christian Counselor's Manual by Jay Adams, Counseling-How to Counsel Biblically by John MacArthur, Seeing with New Eyes by David Powlison, The Peacemaker by Ken Sande, and Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul Tripp. All the while working through Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie. (Basic Theology will NOT be finished by the beginning of August) :-D

Revelation series: I'm behind on listening to the Revelation messages from Mamre Baptist Church. There is something wrong with the volume on either their end or my end and so I'm not able to just listen to them while sitting at my computer. I'll have to put them on my MP3 player and listen so I can get the volume loud enough for me to understand. So, I need to work on that one.

Exercise: I set the goal of doing the 30 Day Shred again along with the new ab DVD by Jillian Michaels and going to spin class. I've been doing the 30 Day Shred. I need to work on fitting the ab video into my workout routine. I have done it twice, but need to be more consistent. It is a great routine. I do like it.

The spin class is another story. Mickey is changing shifts, so he will be home with me during the mornings when spin class is going on. I do not want to commit myself to being out of the house three mornings a week when that is supposed to be when we are having our devotions and prayer time together. SO...for now, spin class is out.

(However when he's out of town...I'll be heading to spin class in the mornings.) :-D

Crafts: Crochet projects are on target and maybe soon I will be able to post a few pics. We'll see....

My new favorite crochet resource, besides the Internet is Crochet Today.

Did any of you make any goals/resolutions for 2011? Are you staying on track? Are you giving yourself time to evaluate how you are doing and where you need to make adjustments?

Until next time.

~MAK

Cleaning....

So, I'm cleaning today. I like to clean on Fridays. I like to have the house nice for the weekend. We are having some people over tonight, though and I feel like I haven't cleaned in forever. With the holidays here and the girls visiting, I haven't done anything like I normally do. I feel like I'm playing catch up.

What are your cleaning routines? Do you have a set day you clean the whole house, or do you clean a little bit every day? Do any of you follow www.flylady.net ?

Just curious.