Goals-short term

Every one has goals, whether they put that into term or not. Whether they be short term or long term. Goals are. Good thing to have, and re-evaluate them every so often. Check off the ones you've completed & add new ones, see how far away from one you may be, or to see if you've lost track completely. That's my problem. I loose track or loose focus. Which, is not a very good thing. I let life get in the way, and I shouldn't. I have three main focus in my life. My spouse, my kids & myself. I usually put myself last, but not anymore. My health is important. I usually neglect my husband due to my kids, and honestly that's a terrible mistake. Think about it, if you & your spouses relationship isn't right, how are you teaching your kids anything? (Just my opinion) My kids always want me. I'm the favorite when it comes to my husband & I. I believe most stay at home moms would agree. They are with me, always, I'm the one during the day that gets them what they need, want & so much more. But, that needs to change. They need to see that daddy loves them just the same & is here for them too. Straying from topic, my apologizes- goals. I wanted to write out my goals & share them with my readers. Gain some encourgement, opinions & feedback. So- here it goes. 

My fitness goal- I've always been overweight. I used to eat when I was sad, board, or just thought I was hungry. I had this obsession I guess, with eating. None of it was healthy, no portion control, no cares- nothing! No one ever knew my true weight. I always got teased in school. It bothered me, but I never saw anyone that truly cared about their body so I thought, "this is it; I'll be like this forever" I got married, had 3 beautiful, handsome sweet boys- my biggest was 8 pounds 9 ounces & that was my first! My last was 8 pounds 4 ounces & Gabriel was my smallest, at 7 pounds 9 ounces... This year, I found Advocare! I found out, I don't have to always eat, or eat unhealthy, and water is super yummy! I'm just over 2 weeks soda free, and I'm so happy! I've lost an inch in 4 areas, so four inches in all & I've lost 2 pounds! I have a few goals in my fitness area- to be a size 14 before Isaiah's 1st birthday. I have 4 months! I can do this! To go a full month with no soda! I'm two weeks down, only 2 more to go!! & to work out 5 days a week to the Thirty Day Sherd, because I need a structured routine to keep me going (day 1 complete) These may seem simple to some, but to me, these things aren't easy, and don't come easy to someone who's overweight. I want to be a healthy mom, not just a fit mom, but healthy & I want to show my kids that being healthy is easy, and rewarding! Next....

My wifely goal- I would like to read Gods word every morning with my husband. Pray every morning with him, before he goes to work, and make us breakfast at least 5 days a week. I would like to show him that I can handle my household duties & my workout duties no problem. I would like for him to see in my actions that I love him & I want to encourge him more. I want him to know every day that I'm proud of him. I want to pack his lunch every morning and put little love notes in it or encouging words in it. I want to wake up with him every morning without being grumpy. I want to kiss him at least 3 times a day! I want him to feel like he's the luckiest man around. 

My kids- let's start with Isaiah, he's simple for now. Isaiah needs a structure(ish) schedule. I want to feed him 3 times a day if he lets me along with his nursings. I want to read to him at least twice a day, and I want to pray with him twice a day. Gabriel, I want to sit down with him twice a week and work on letter recognition, saying his abcs not singing & coloring. I want to teach him scriptures, during these times & pray with him. I want to read to him several times a day & cut out the television. I want to encourge active play, & really how he learns. I want to be more aggressive with potty training & have him potty trained before he's 3- I have four months. Elijah, I want to sit down with him 3 times a week work on writing, sight words, and numbers-writing them & counting higher. I want to teach him Gods word & pray with him twice a day, and read to him as well. I'd like to start morning walks after breakfast & cut out television with him too. I want to make it a rewards system. I want to teach him responsibly- just haven't figured that one out yet.

I know this may seem like a lot, but if I get up with Matthew, do my workout, eat breakfast & do my daily housework, being able to focus on the boys after they wake up, will come easy. Will I be tired? Yes! Lately I've been going to bed shorty after 8:30, but it's been great! I think I can do this. I will update on my progress in a week, and we'll see how much I actually did. I know my first week will be rough, and maybe even my second week, but I'm determined to do this! I love my family, and myself and I want some changes happening in this house! 

Elijah can write his name 

Sweet Isaiah 7.5 months 

Gabriel can take naps, when he's super tired 😉

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Struggles

It's hard sometimes to find a balance. I'm a wife, mom, and a friend. Each of those go into other catorgioes such as, lover, caregiver, kisser of the boo boos, a listener, a shoulder to cry on. I've stopped trying to find myself, because I already know who I am. I am, Mandy, I'm twenty-four years old, a wife of seven years to a husband that I struggle to have intimacy with-mostly my own fault, I'm never in the mood, or I'm too tired. I'm a mother to three little boys, a four year old whom begs to go to school and due to our stupidity in finances over the course of six and a half years, we can't afford to pay for preschool, and he's too smart for free preschool in the area. A two year old who is so tender-hearted and just wants love, but acts out because he's still learning, and doesn't fully understand that their are consequences for being "bad" or not obeying, or being disrecwprful. A four month old, that only desires love, food, and to be cleaned. I am a friend to a lot of people who just need me to listen to their problems, to need some kid free time from there own rugrats. 

I find it hard sometimes to relay on God for everything. He says to bring my burdens to him, that he'll carry them for me, that they are no longer mine. But, I feel as if I must carry these due to my own stupidity. Thankfully my husband and I have come to the conclusion that we haven't been finically smart, and we saw this before it was too late. Now, we are paying for it. I'm babysitting, making cash to pay for things, to put towards debt, we are using all of our tax return to pay off what we can, hopefully everything credit card wise and have a little left over to put in the bank to prepare for life outside the military, because that will be coming sooner rather than later. We are trying to eat healthier, and exercise together. We are trying to figure out if we want another baby, or if we should wait, wait a lot longer than our usual gap. He's ready, he says. But I've noticed his patience isn't what it used to be. Things with number four will be different, much different than number two and three and different than number one. 

My husband desires a daughter. Badly- we've had a girl name for over three years now. It's perfect for our family, but I know that if it's another boy, he will be upset. He will feel like he can't make me happy, because of course, most women want a daughter as well, but I will feel

Like I've let him down too- I think before a fourth is conceived, we should do a lot of praying and seeking Gods counsel. 

Everything I've spoken of tonight is struggles I deal with on a daily basis. Even more struggles than these, these are just ones I'll share tonight.