Compared to January, February was a harder month, but it was still a good month.
There were a number of discouraging things that happened and multiple dear friends are going through very painful circumstances/carrying heavy burdens and my heart hurts so much for them, so those two things coupled with a fairly heavy work load and being snowed in for a week, contributed to me feeling stressed, burdened, and discouraged for a lot of the month. You may have felt that some in my writing here.
In the middle of my discouragement, though, I felt so much blessing because some of my dearest friends rallied around me and spent a lot of time talking, listening, praying, and just encouraging me. And by the grace of God, I felt much more peace, calmness, and joy by the end of the month.
I’m also grateful that the sunshine has been out some this week. It’s amazing what a difference that makes!
Here’s an update on how I did on my goals for 2015 in February:
My 12 Goals for 2015
Marriage
- Read 1 book per month on marriage.
- Read in January: 52 Ways to Wow Your Husband
- Read in February: From This Day Forward
- Write at least 1 love note to Jesse each week.
- Done in January
- Done in February
Motherhood
- Read at least 1 book aloud to the kids per month.
- Read in January: James the the Giant Peach
- Read in February: The Imagination Station Book 15 & The Cricket in Times Square
- Write 1 love note to each child every month.
Myself
- Complete all She Reads Truth 2015 Bible Studies + memory work.
- Done in January — I absolutely loved the John study!
- Done in February — I really enjoyed the Esther study and am soaking up the Lent study.
- Read 1 fiction book per month.
- Read in January: What Alice Forgot
- Read in February: I started two fiction books, but didn’t get either finished. Does it count that I read two fiction books to the kids?
MoneySavingMom.com
Hire a local personal assistant.
- Done! And I’m so grateful! My new assistant, Ashley, started last week and she’s already been a huge blessing to my life!
- Launch 2 courses (we’re planning one for spring and one for fall — stay tuned!)
- We spent hours and hours of time working on the first course, Makeover Your Mornings. We’re beginning production/filming of it this week and we’re quite stoked. I think you’re going to LOVE it!
- Launch our new product line (slated to soft launch in the summer).
- Release my third book (slated to come out November 2015).
- We’re now in the midst of copy-edits. Yay!
Money
Increase last year’s overall giving totals by 10% in 2015.
- Part of my going to South Africa was to investigate the possibility of our family personally supporting the work of Take Action. After coming home, we both felt this was the direction we were supposed to take and our partnership with them will allow us to meet this goal. We’re so thrilled with what God is doing there in South Africa and, for those who have joined us in this through the #TenDollarTribe.
- Finish funding our Rental House #3 Savings Account (we’re beginning the year at 35% funded).
- This goal is currently on hold while we’re in the process of saving up enough to fully fund both of our IRA’s for this year.
How are you doing on YOUR goals for 2015?
If you set goals for this year, I’d love to hear how you are doing on them! Leave a comment telling us about your progress on them or leave the link over to your blog post about them. Here’s to a year of living with purpose, intentional, impact, and meaning!
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
I’m sorry you’ve been going through a tough time. 🙁 I hope things look up and you start feeling better soon.
Summer says
Reading your goals and accomplishment thereof is always so inspiring to me! February was a bit rough here too…thank the Lord for new blessings every morning and dear friends/spouses to help us walk through the valleys! May March hold exciting new ventures and inspiring engagements! 🙂
Sally says
Thanks for sharing these, Crystal! I’m always so inspired after reading your goals! I’ve been trying to post my health related goals on my blog, and the accountability has been huge for seeing these goals through!
Sally says
(Sorry that I asked a question and then ended it with a period instead of a question mark. I tried to correct it but it was too late)
Sally says
Thank you for posting this. Where did you get your personalize stationary. I love the colors and design. I’m trying to get better about writing notes and sending them to people and love the idea of getting cute stationary. It might help spur me into writing more.
Crystal Paine says
I got it from Erin Condren. I had earned some credit with their Give $10, Get $10 deal and used it for these. I love them!
Lana says
What a blessing friends are in those times of discouragement. I am so glad you have those people in your life.
Our goals for 2015-
Twelve big loads of excess stuff to the thrift store-we have done two and so are on schedule
Get a new gutter system installed on our house so the my husband does not have to get on the roof and clean gutters anymore-done
Find a helper for our yard maintenance-done
Work toward paying cash for several large home improvement projects that need to be done-paid cash for the gutter system and now we find we need a new roof and we do have the cash for that
Remember to get away and rest and not let our home and property projects own us, they will be here when we get back!-one 4 night getaway in February
Crystal Paine says
I love this goal especially — such an important reminder:
Remember to get away and rest and not let our home and property projects own us, they will be here when we get back!
Lacey says
My goal was to quit smoking (after 9 years of being a smoker) and it has been over 2 months since I smoked :)))
Crystal Paine says
I am SO proud of you!!! Way to go!
Lacey says
Thank you!
Lana says
Way to go!
Lacey says
Thank you!
Anne says
Awesome Lacey! Way to go!
Shanda says
This year I have made the declaration to become debt free. As of March 3, 2015 I have paid off $5209.20!!! No more credit card debt! Super excited and gazelle intensed to complete this journey!!! Thank you for your continued inspiration!
Crystal Paine says
WOOHOO!!!
Jen says
I’m so glad you wrote about She Reads Truth a few months ago. I started right before Esther. I’m also loving the Lent reflections and Scripture. They are written so well! I love it comes to my e-mail so I remember Scripture time- if I have time to get on the computer, I know I have time to pray! No excuses then 🙂
Thank you!
Crystal Paine says
I am SO glad you’re enjoying She Reads Truth! Yay!
Alana (@ I have a Future and a Hope) says
I love reading your goals. They really do inspire me to do better in my day to day life. I feel like I need a huge white board hung in the middle of my living room so I can always have my goals in front of me. It is so hard for me to remember my goals, life gets in the way to much. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I am so grateful that my goals inspire you! Have you considered either blogging your goals or finding an accountability partner? Both things have been very helpful to me in keeping me more on track and reminding me to actually follow through with the goals I’ve set. Just an idea… 🙂
Anne says
I made great progress. My New Year’s resolution was simple: to develop habits to improve my heath. In January, I quit biting my nails. I’m happy to report I’ve maintained this! In February, my goal was to plan and track my eating for all meals and snacks to focus on healthier, more intentional eating. I’m happy to report I’ve lost 6 or 7 lbs since I started. I have about 10 more to go! I found I was doing A LOT on mindless eating!
In March, I plan to be in bed reading at 8:30pm and turn my lights off at 9pm. I’ve been cranky from too much stress and not enough sleep.
I’m proud that I maintained and developed new habits even though we made a huge decision last week. My husband was facing lay-offs at his current job in Seattle and was offered a fabulous job in the Portland, OR suburbs. We’re planning to move mid-March. I’d appreciate prayers that we find a suitable and affordable rental home when we visit this weekend.
Crystal Paine says
Wow! I’m so impressed and inspired by you! Way to go!
And I just prayed for you to find a home this weekend and to have clear direction there.
Anne says
Thank you for your prayers!
Last year I had TWENTY goals. I was so discouraged, I quit looking at them in the spring! I began to realize how my daily life is made up of a series of habits; I know if I change my habits, I can change my life!
Gina says
Those are some amazing goals, Crystal! Congratulations on your progress. 🙂
I haven’t updated my progress but here’s a link to my goals for the year:
http://www.onemomsguide.com/2015-goals/
Thank you for sharing your progress, it helps keep me motivated and encouraged.
Crystal Paine says
You are so welcome!
amanda@lifeasmrsemerson says
I am just looking forward to life getting back to normal. I’ve had bronchitis for 2.5 weeks! I am always so thankful for your weekly goals post Crystal. I usually sit down and jot down 10 goals for the week on a post it note and it really helps me to focus for the week. It also helps me to stay balanced by having a goal in a variety of different categories. 🙂
I listed this week’s goals here on my blog: http://lifeasmrsemerson.blogspot.com/2015/03/10-goals-for-this-week.html
Crystal Paine says
I’m so sorry that you’ve been sick! 🙁
Brandy says
You’re doing great, Crystal! Thanks for this post. It reminded me to evaluate how I did last month! Weight loss goals- down 2lbs. I didn’t get to reach my workout goals due to the weather, snowdays, & illness. I finished the book I was reading so I’m at 2 out of my goal of 8. Started reading Love Languages for Children. Also had a tremendous financial victory! We reached our 6 month income savings goal! Last year at this time we were $13,000 in debt! Considering my husband actually has been getting paid less than usual the last 2 mo & I’m a SAHM, it seems surreal still. God is so good!
Crystal Paine says
Woohoo! That is AMAZING that you hit your 6-month income savings goal! I’m so proud of you!
Emily says
I love reading your goals…always so motivating!
Here is my March Goal list & February Recap:
http://www.morningmotivatedmom.com/march-goals/
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for sharing!
Jenny @ Women With Intention says
I love how you simplified your goals this year but yet they’re so specific! I have learned so much about setting goals from you the past few years! :). My February goals were also not quite as significant as January but I think that’s normal. I’m always the most excited in January so get extra accomplished!
Crystal Paine says
Here’s to hoping for a great month of March for both of us!
real life living says
I worked on organization goals in February, for March, I am doing a Make-Your-Own series for the month. I made yogurt today and will be posting this week. I am going to have a variety of DIY projects…. Even homemade sprinkles!
http://reallifehomestead.blogspot.com
~Tiffany
Crystal Paine says
I love this! Thanks for sharing!
Mridu at Life is Organized says
Crystal, I am SO stealing your motherhood goals. 😉 Love them! Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂 xo, m
Crystal Paine says
You go right ahead and steal them. They are free for the taking! 🙂
Victoria says
I don’t feel like I made as much progress on my goals in February as I did in January mostly due to the weather. I think I was able to run once outside and it is really hard for me to get through a long run on a treadmill. Plus they closed the gym for 3 days to put in new machines, and I love those machines… but that cost me 3 days to work on my 100 miles a month mileage goal. So I finished with just 84 miles done. However in January I ran 106 miles so if I carry the extra 6 over I am only 10 short and hopefully with better weather coming soon (OH HOW I HOPE IT IS) I can make that up and get back on track to run 1200 miles total this year. http://snailpacetransformations.com/10-goals-for-2015-update/
Crystal Paine says
I’m cheering for a great March for you! I know you can do it!
Kelly S says
I enjoy your goal updates. I find encouragement and sisterhood here 🙂
http://mrsdisciple.com/setting-goals-for-march/
Crystal Paine says
I just love the community here, too!
Jodi says
We were blessed in February to be able to achieve some of our big yearly goals, like a new roof. This was definitely through the grace of God!
We also had a large unexpected car repair that pretty much wipes out reaching any other household goals for the year. 🙁 So I’m just going to have to be super creative in addition to frugal!
http://www.realitychickorganization.com/?p=215
Crystal Paine says
I’m so sorry about the unexpected car repair. 🙁