cook results - february

Like Jill, I did ok, but could have done better. For the first part, I'm embarrassed to admit that I had a hard time coming up with ideas of how to serve Jason better. I did do a few things, like a few times I put a special treat in his lunches and one night I played his computer game with him (which he always wants me to do, but I rarely actually do it.)

For the second half, I really needed that, so thanks Jill. I too apparently have a temper, and prego hormones and lack of awesome-sleeping do not improve those moods. Throughout the whole month I tried to work on that aspect. I didn't do great 100% but there were multiple times that I found myself on the verge of lashing out and I remembered the goal and contained my frustration and smiled instead. (Obviously it wasn't a genuine smile.... but a 4 year old doesn't know the difference yet!)

I too found that the days I either didn't read my scriptures or hadn't yet at that point it was harder for me to stay non-raunchy.

PS I probably won't print off March's scripture and hang around the house, since my weight gain is inevitable... and yes, a little depressing.... but I am working on making better snacking and exercise choices. So, thanks Steve for reminding me that just because I need to gain weight, I don't know to gain bad weight.

Swenson Results for February Goal

Well once again I didn't do as good as I had originally hoped I would. My ULTIMATE goal was for Steve to do lots of nice things for me.He tried. I tried as well, but I could have done more. I did write down some of the nice things I did (i.e. take him lunch, make him breakfast, get his clothes for him, and clean up his HORRIBLY messy closet that I vowed I would no longer clean). Even though I didn't do awesome I was definitely more aware of trying to serve him and also noticing what he does for me.

The second half of my goal was mainly for me. I have a temper. I get really angry. And it all comes out too often. I actually did pretty good on this one, until the last night of the month. I lost it. :( It was the worst day of the whole month and it also happened to be the one day we didn't have our early morning scripture reading. I didn't want to get out of bed and I didn't hear any of the kids awake, so we didn't do it. Big Mistake! I really think that starting our day off right has a huge influence on everyone. If we really want to live by the scriptures then we really need to read them everyday. It truly does make a difference.

Steve's March Goal

I would like to take my text for this topic from the Old Testament. We are told to liken the scriptures unto ourselves.

Unfortunately, I can liken Deuteronomy 32:15 unto myself: "but [Steve] waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness..."

The other day as I was tucking Kari into bed she told me that I had four chins. Preston's nickname for me is "Fatty Daddy." It has been reported by an independent 3rd party observer that, in my recent feeble attempts at dieting, I have a tendency to starve myself most of the day and then stuff my face with cheese continually from the moment I get home from work until I go to bed. These are not good signs.

Over the next month, I would like to be able to liken Isaiah 17:4 unto myself: "and in that day it shall come to pass that the glory of [Steve] shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean."

I would like to set a goal for each of us to eat healthier and get some regular exercise for the month of March. I would say that the goal is to lose weight, but I am afraid that Jason would float away like Mary Poppins, so I will let everybody set their own specific goals that are appropriate for their individual circumstances.

Remember, bikini and speedo season is only a few short months away!

strawberries

I only ended up ordering the strawberries since we didn't have enough desire for anything else.

Here are your totals:
Mom: 2 cans $26
Ronda: 4 cans $52
Leesa: 4 cans $52
Jill: 3 cans $39
Sally: 4 cans $52

They will be delivered to my house, so I can coordinate with you however you want in order for me to get them to you... some may take a while... we'll make it work.

Jill's February Goal

Okay, so I decided to do the goal this month instead of Steve. He will do March instead. I actually have two goals that I would like to do this month. The first one will be done from February 1-14 and the other one will be done from the 15th-28th. Since this is the "LOVE" month I wanted to do something that would show our families how much we love them. My first goal is from 3 Nephi 14:12. "Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law of the prophets." Each day I want you to find a specific "extra" thing you can do for your spouse. We all want to be loved and pampered but I don't think we always serve our spouses the way we want to be treated. I also want you to write down the 'extra nice' thing you have done and share a few of them when the month is over.

For the second half of the month the goal is based off of two scriptures. Proverbs 21:23: "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles." AND Proverbs 15:1: "A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." For this goal I want you to consciously think of what comes out of your mouth to your spouse and your children. So many times I find myself yelling at my family and the situation only becomes worse. During these two weeks I want you to always think of these scriptures when you are about to speak unkindly and try to use different words and emotions when talking. I also think that writing down these experiences in a journal will help remind us of the importance of kind words. I really feel that if we apply these scriptures to our lives our homes will be a happier place to be and we will be happier as families.

2010 scrapbook page

I just want to report my progress on the scrapbook pages for 2010. I have the main idea in my head, but I still need to print the pictures and create the pages, but it is in progress.... I'll send them out when I get them finished.

Change in monthly goals.

Just so you all know, I changed the Family Goals post for everybody's month. It is posted on the last post in 2010.

New Idea for 2011 goals.

I have an idea and you can all shoot me down if you want to. This year the Primary theme is "I Know the Scriptures are True." We have been taught throughout our lives that we should not only read the scriptures, but follow them as well....since they are the words of the prophets. Well, I was thinking that it would be fun and interesting if each of our goals was based on a scripture. For example: The scripture could be 2 Nephi 32:9 "But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of they soul." And the goal could be; "This month as you make daily decisions pray more for the Lords guidance in all that you do. Ask more faithfully what he wants us to do rather than what we think we should do."


Anyways, just let me know what you think. I think we could gain a greater testimony of the scripture if we actively tried to apply them to our lives.

Jill's 2011 Resolutions

Well I finally sat down and made my resolutions for the year. We did it tonight as a family. We found our goals from last year and see how we did on them. Needless to say, not very well. I did do a few of them, but there is definitely room for improvement. I too, like Leesa and Sally, have been a slacker with morning prayer, so that is one of my goals as well. A few other of my goals are these: to read the Ensign each month, to get 100% visiting teaching, and to attend the temple at least four times. There are a few more, but I don't' need to share them all.

We also set some goals as a family. I've been thinking alot about what we can do to make each day go smoother. Our mornings are absolutely crazy and hectic. So each school morning we have decided to get up at 6:45 to have family scripture reading and morning prayers. If we have done it at least 90% of the time we get a reward at the end of the month. (The kids chose to eat at Subway if the goal is completed.) I really feel that our family needs to do this to start our day of right and give the kids a chance to see their dad each morning. Hopefully it will be successful and an enjoyable time for each of us.

sally's resolutions

Ok, so if we're going ahead with this, I'll share mine too.
1. First off, I need to repeat my ONE from last year, since I failed to do it. I want to put together a memory like book about Grandma Elsie, Livia's namesake, for Livia to have when she is older. I'll probably do a snapfish or shutterfly album. My neighbor did one for her husband last year and it turned out great. I just need to get a lot of help from Jason's dad, which is part of the reason I didn't finish last year (or barely start for that matter.)

2. Secondly, like Leesa, I've really struggled with the daily scripture study. Kids sure make it difficult to have some quiet time with any book, especially the scriptures. So we've been waking up earlier for the specific purpose of personal scripture time. Thankfully Jason is doing the same goal, so we can support each other in it.

3. And last of all, I want some sort of regular schedule or routine throughout my day and week. Obviously with kids it needs to be flexible, but I'm hoping if I have certain things scheduled in to my day every day more will get done and I'll feel like I had a productive day when I go to bed. The weekly part is like Monday I do all the laundry, Tuesday I mop, Wednesday I clean the bathrooms and Thursday I organize something. (since there is so many things that need a little organization, I think I'll have plenty to do all year.) And Friday will be either a break, or catch up time.

Please hold me accountable!! It's so easy to make excuses and just let things go back to how they were before.

Leesa's 2011 New Years' Resolution

I'll go first I guess.
I've decided to try to read my scriptures everyday. I know...it sounds pitiful...I know I should be doing it everyday anyway, like all my sisters probably already do. But, it's always been hard for me to do consistently.
I remember a few years back Dad told me he made that a goal for himself and he was very proud to say that he did read some scripture every day, even if it was a little bit.
Dad, you've been a good example, so I'm going to try to be like you!
I've also decided to have the goal of saying my morning prayers everyday. I know, I know...another one I should already be doing. Somehow having kids coming in my room in the morning waking me up and immediately needing something from me makes me forget!
(I'll let Dan write his own.)
ps I thought of doing the goal of not eating chocolate, but decided this year wasn't the year to do it. We'll see if that actually EVER happens! At the end of my life I'd like to be able to say, "I've gone a year without eating chocolate!" Someday...or year.

family goals

I think Ronda has a point, unless dad wants to still do January. If he doesn't, how about instead of a goal this month, we each post at least one of our New Years Resolutions for all to see. That way we will be more accountable for it and more likely to achieve it. What do you think?