Happy weekend friends! We are gearing up for a big Ice Storm that supposedly is going to hit Sunday through early Tuesday morning and I’ve tried to stock up on all the comfort foods I can find and I’ll be stopping by the paint store to pick up some primer today to hopefully get started on a painting project in our master bedroom if all goes well. The snow I don’t mind at all. Ice is another story and it’s scary to be out and about. By Tuesday, we’ll probably have had quite a lot of “togetherness” time!
If you didn’t catch it, earlier this week I wrote about my one word for 2017 and some of my goals.
I’ve got a few, but mighty goals this year! The last couple of years, we’ve had a yearly family meeting to gain some perspective on the previous year and to map out where we hope the year ahead takes us. I found this printable {you can download you’re own copy} on Emily Ley’s blog a few years ago and it’s just such a simple, yet effective guide for a great planning meeting.
If I can be so bold, I think this has been quite a game changer in our family. It’s really helped us get a grasp on all that we have accomplished, what hasn’t worked, what has, and where we need to make changes.
You can read all about our past meetings HERE.
Last year, we had an inkling we may be moving at the time we had our meeting, but really had no idea where, when, or what that looked like. We also knew we had a baby on the way. Our goals and memories to make for 2016 made me smile looking at them again. The one and only goal should have been just to survive all the changes in store. :) A little recap:
Goals for 2016
- Setting up and following a family budget
BIG FAT FAIL. And back on the list as our numero uno this year.
- Get serious about planning and preparation in all areas of our life.
- Finish up Home Projects on our list.
Got that done in our San Diego house.
- Work on preserving our family history.
Again, nothing got accomplished on this goal and it’s my #2 for 2017.
Memories to make in 2016
- A few family trips
{how about a major trip half way across the country where you never come back?! how’s that for a family trip?}
- Set up a backyard garden
{oh, Gina, if you only knew how SO not that was going to be achieved. This one makes me laugh the most! It’s so naive and firmly planted in the idea where nothing big was to change in our lives in the upcoming year!}
- Beach Day Trips
{we got in one beach day trip right before we moved to the midwest. Jason likes to remind me every so often, “It’s just like a different sea. A sea of corn for as far as the eye can see.” :) }
Pretty much, 2016 will probably go down as one of the most memorable years in our little family’s history.
What Worked
When we looked back on what worked in 2016, there were some good, big things that happened. And only a couple of them were actionable, tangible things. We were willing to be flexible and take risks, we put more trust into God, we spent a lot of time together as a family, Jason found purposeful work that he is very passionate about, and all in all, our move to the midwest has been good.
What Didn’t Work
We did discover in 2016, to just confirm what we already suspected, is that our whole family is not great with instability. I know not many people are, but it just solidified that every one of us likes order and routine.
We’ve got some simple, but fun things planned for memory making this year but all in all, the concept of RESTORE will be at the forefront of our minds.
Goals for 2017
- Getting our financial house/management in order
- Preserving our family history
If you’re feeling a bit out of control, or if you feel like you or your family needs a bit more focus going into 2017, I highly recommend having a little meeting either with yourself or your partner in crime and get it all out on paper. It took us about 30 minutes, {it’s taken a bit longer in years past} and it’s such a helpful tool to be intentional for the year ahead. We’ve got our Family Meeting sheet up in our closet so we can see it every day and stay focused on our goals and objectives for 2017.
Here’s to a productive and full 2017!
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I love snow but am not a fan of ice at all – that is scary stuff! Hoping the weekend weather so far is just some rain. That’s what we’re having and it is utterly nasty! I am loving your word for the year, and we are definitely trying to focus on the financial part of our home as well. Hope you have a fantastic 2017!!
Thanks Trista! So far, no nasty weather, but it’s supposed to roll in this afternoon. I’m excited to have found your blog and follow along. :)