Speeding Along

I cannot believe we are already 1/4 of the way through 2013.  It is the beginning of another month and time to update the progress on my goals for the year.

Financial Wellness 

By the end of 2013, we would like to pay off over 20% of the current outstanding debt on our house.  To do this we will need to continue to work together with our finances  find more opportunities to earn and save more money.  We have also considered looking at selling our house, since we probably have a larger house then we really need. 

UPDATE:  We are still on pace to do this and more.  We updated our financial records and made some progressions and are on pace to be able to be complete debt free by April 2017.   I will also begin teaching my 3rd FPU class through my church on Sunday, April 8th.

Occupational Wellness 

One of my goals this year is to have portfolios prepared for every one of my students showing their specific progress based on the Humanities IB-MYP Objectives for 6th grade.  In order to do this, I will need to continue to stay organized and make sure to be given specific and meaningful feedback on all major assessments throughout the year. 

UPDATE:  We have not had a major assessment since my last post, so this is still on tract to be completed.

Physical Wellness 

I have many physical wellness goals this year.  One of my goals is to participate in an organized run/race every month of 2013.  Another one of my goals is to complete the entire week of RAGBRAI in July. 

UPDATE:  I have an appointment to likely schedule surgery tomorrow.  This I hope will be step in the right direction for my broken foot to heal so I will be able to be ready to participate in RAGBRAI in July.

Environmental Wellness 

One of my goals in 2013 is for William to complete the "Leave No Trace" requirements for cub scouts to learn the importance of taking care of our environment. We will work with William to learn to be intentional with doing things outdoors and indoors to help protect our planet. 

UPDATE:   William had almost completed all the requirements.  Our goal is to finish them by the April pack meeting.  We just need the weather to cooperate to be able to create a Leave No Trace service project and then he will create a poster to demonstrate his learning to display at the next pack meeting.

Intellectual Wellness 

IMy goal for 2013 is to read at least 100.  As Charlie Jones said, "Five years from today, you will be the same person that you are today, except for the books you read and the people you meet."  I want to read some good books, so that I can be a better person five years from now. 

UPDATE:  I have currently read 29 books in 2013 and am working on several other ones.  I am ahead of the pace needed to meet my goal right now by 4 books.  I have slowed down my reading a little with other things going on, but am still on track to complete my goal by the end of 2013.

Emotional Wellness 

I will continue to blog about my throughs and feelings at least once a week throughout 2013. I will also post additional content on my blog's facebook page.  

A friend shared a great idea on facebook that our family has decided to put into action in 2013.  We will be keeping a "Good News Jar" to write notes of all the good things happening this year to open up and read on December 31st, 2013.   

UPDATE:  I have written more notes in the Good News Jar as well as started to create a journal of 1000 Gifts.  You can read more about this on a previous post.

Spiritual Wellness 

After finishing reading the Bible again in 2012, I plan on starting over in 2013.  In addition to reading the Bible, I will be using Tony Dungy's The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge for my personal quiet time in 2013.  Another spiritual wellness goal of mine for 2013 is to begin weekly devotionals as a family at least 5 days a week using Bruce Wilkinson's Family Walk.

UPDATE:  I have continued using my two devotionals for personal time and feeling a stronger connection with God.  In March we decided to split the family devotionals into one that is for Marriage that Anna and I are completing together and one for William.  It is going well and hope that we can continue to put God as the first priority in our lives.