Home from Vacation!

So, I know some of my readers, friends and family were pretty shocked that we left for a vacation last weekend.

We honestly did not know that we'd be able to go. Not just because of finances, but more because of timing, work, other commitments, etc. I didn't feel comfortable spending the money on this trip before Christmas, because I wanted to have a certain amount of money in savings (aside from what we'd be spending on the trip) in addition to what was already there prior to buying plane tickets to go.

We prayed on it. I was kind of irritated that Robert kept praying for God to provide the finances for it, because for me, it was about so much more than the money. But, I figured he was praying from his heart, and after a couple of weeks (and right before Christmas), I decided that I needed to let this thing go. If we were able to go, it would be because of a clear answer from the Lord.

The next day my boss gave me a Christmas bonus totaling the exact amount that would meet the mark I wanted in savings before we left.

We did wait a week or two before purchasing the tickets, and we did miss out on about $60 of savings, but I still think that it was okay.

Our flight from Bellingham was infinitely better than flying out of Sea-Tac. I would never, ever say that the security measures are too great. However, I don't feel wrong to say that getting held up in lines for 3 hours last May was really irritating, and I was upset that we missed our flight because of a lack of workers there. I am the first to say that blessings abounded from that set-back, though - we got to see our cousins John & Deborah, who welcomed us to their home in Napa when we would have otherwise had to sleep in the airport, and I got to see a lot of Napa (I've always wanted to go there).

After having been in 4 airports since then, I can honestly say that we've never experienced the problems we did last May. But I still get anxiety every time we go through security about it. This trip helped me to relax and be more patient as well. I also planned to have no coffee 24 hours before we left (those of you gasping, stop, hahaha), to help with the nerves and anxiety. It helped a little bit, but it wasn't a cure-all. I think we'll have to take several more trips in order to get rid of those I-might-miss-my-flight fears completely. And I'm okay with that for now.

So, we flew down to Las Vegas last Saturday. Fran & Richard picked us up from the airport, we got to hang out with them for the whole day, and then Mom & Dad Crombie & Ashley flew in later that night. (I promise, more in-detailed blogs of each day will follow soon - this is just a brief re-cap!)

We went to The Grand Canyon, where I got my first National Parks Passport! I was so thrilled! That also meant I got another state crossed off my list! (So far, I've been to: Washington (duh), Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Florida and Hawaii). I'd like to see Idaho and Montana in the next couple of years. Probably Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico after that. Or the east coast. Whatever we decide, and whenever God provides, I guess.

We saw most of the big hotels on the strip: The Bellagio, The Mirage, Treasure Island, Planet Hollywood, The Venetian & The Palazzo, Harrah's, The Wynn and we even got to see Sam's Town and Fremont Street!

Anyway, I'll blog each day as soon as I have time. We're working crazy hours this week, and have a wedding next week. I'm the Matron of Honor, and Robert is the Best Man. Please be patient, I promise to get this done faster than our Waikiki trip! :)

Also, I want to give a BIG thank-you shout out to our good friend, Bryce, who faithfully house-sat for us, watching out for the safety of our home and belongings while we were gone. This lifted a big load of stress off of us, and we were able to enjoy our trip much more knowing that the house was in good hands! Thanks, Bryce! (PS - thanks for setting up our DVR to record my girlie shows, lol!)

Stay tuned!

One Week In!

Well, we are exactly one week into the new year, and I decided to write a post about my progress on my goals so far, as well as some other random stuff.

So, I have only not made the bed once. This feels like such a HUGE accomplishment, since we are so busy right now! (Even though this isn't always a goal of mine that I post, it's always something I try to do every single day).

I am completely caught up on my Bible reading, and have even decided to go through my One Year Bible. (It's NLT, which is not my favorite translation, but I have several other Bibles and this awesome resource  if I need it). So I'll be starting that tonight or tomorrow.

I've decided to clean out the kitchen - completely. From the dishes to the plastic food containers, from the counter tops to the pantry. I really am not sure when I'll do this, it may just be a springtime project. But I am vowing to do it.

I've also made my January calendar  and even my Day Planner Pages (these are really simple, very plain; I designed them in Microsoft Word!)


I'm hoping this will help me be better about my schedule and keeping track of things like piano lesson tuition payments, when my own music lessons are, commitments besides work, etc.

To be honest, right now I feel like our schedules do have wiggle room. Some people have said they feel like Robert and I are "too busy," and that we "do too much stuff," but we really feel like we won't be able to do all the things we do for too much longer - we do plan to have kids in the near future!

Also, I designed my day planner pages to have "Weekly Goals" on each week. This will help us reach our financial goals, keep up on projects around the house, and hopefully keep us accountable!

I feel like way more of an organized wife and person, really, when I have my day planner all figured out.

I'm kind of stuck on how to design the cover, though, since I just print out my pages, 3-hole punch them and stick them in my 3-ring binder with a view finder on the front. Any suggestions?

So, anyway, right now we are off to Fred Meyer to do our weekly shopping (hopefully, there won't be too many people there right now!), and then we're coming home to watch a movie or some shows and relax.

How are you doing on your goals so far?

3 Days In!

I'm three days into my goals, and so far caught up on my Bible reading! YESSSS!!! How are you all doing? Need encouragement? Right on track?


I just finished the January issue of my church's newsletter, too. So that feels pretty great! (It usually gets published on the first Sunday of the month, but since that was a holiday, I had to move the deadline out).

Goodnight!

January Goals/ December Update

Wow, I cannot believe it's time for this monthly post! December went by so quickly!

I want to encourage all of my readers, friends, family and anyone else who's just stopping by today: If you have a New Year's Resolution, make sure it's reasonable. I don't even know that I want to really set any "resolutions," because I'd like to see how my January goals go first. Maybe in February, I'll re-evaluate. But for right now, I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. Maybe I'll have February resolutions! Anyone with me? :)

So, here's the update on my December goals:



Get all decorations up & finished by Sunday, Dec. 4th - Nope. 
All Christmas gift-making done by Dec. 20th (includes wrapping) - Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. So no. 
Make all wrapping paper & bows this year - No. But I didn't buy any, either. 
Stay on track with my calendars, schedules and day planner - No, sadly. 
Keep sheets ironed on regular schedule - Yes! For sure! 
Do a better job of organizing the kitchen now that the pantry in the garage is done - No. :( 
Dust some baseboards (leaving this one open-ended) - Yes!
Contribute more to the family income (since it's already happening) - Yep!
Stop dwelling on negative comments, thoughts or actions - Yes! Still a work-in-progress, though. 
Get more into eBay selling again - Not really. 
Dust on a regular basis instead of when I feel like it - Yes! At least once a week!
Keep up on vacuuming - No. Too difficult to keep up with in December. 
Try not to get bogged down with things that don't matter - Yes, but again, a work-in-progress. 
Draw the picture I've been wanting to draw for years and finally get it done, framed and in the house - Not yet. 
Stay current on our budget and savings plan (we've been achieving great goals, and have reaped excellent rewards so far!) - Yes!
Seek wise counsel when I need it - Yes!
Find a way to encourage one person every day this month - I don't really think I did a good job on this. 
Be 5 minutes earlier to everything - No. :(
Find a reason to remember what this season is really about every day - Yes!
Work on what Auntie told me to :) - Yes! Feels so much better, too. 




January goals are as follows:

Read 4 Psalms and 1 Proverb daily. Record progress in day planner.
Keep ahead of Bible Studies and readings (I participate in 3, so this will be a challenge!)
Be 5 minutes earlier to everything (Especially now that I'll be returning to my second job at H&R Block for Jan. - April).
Put all Christmas decorations away before Jan. 15th.
Stay on track with my calendars, schedules and day planner.
Make a kitchen re-organization plan and stick to it.
At least 5 eBay listings per week.
Jurisdictions done on a regular basis; not sporadically.
De-clutter common areas
Keep bathrooms clean
Stay on track with Fly Lady
Be more disciplined in spending/ savings habits.

As Keri told me many months ago, "Yay for goals! Let's get stuff done!" I'd LOVE to hear what your goals are, feel free to post them here!!