Welcome to my weekly update post where I share my weekly goals each week. These goals are based (somewhat) on my yearly goals for 2021, with some extras thrown in depending upon the week and what other short-term goals I have.
But first, a little peek into last week…
If you want to see an adorable video of the babies together, go here. People ask us often what kind of relationship the babies have with each other… this video sums it up. They get so excited every time they get to be together and they have this special bond with each other. It’s the sweetest.
Note: If you are new around here, this sweet little boy came home from the NICU to live with us when I was 35 weeks pregnant with Kierstyn. He was with us for a little over 8 months while his mama worked so hard to get healthy. He went back to her full-time in December and they are both doing so well!
We are humbly grateful for the privilege of being part of their story through foster care… and so honored his mama allows us to continue to be a part of his life on a weekly basis right now. Our family and our home is forever changed because of this sweet boy and his mama.
I just can’t believe how much progress he has made! To think just 6 1/2 months ago we had set a big goal for him to learn how to hold his head up when on his tummy and to learn to roll over! Now he’s pulling up and cruising around furniture and going up and down stairs!!
It is such a gift that we still get to be in his life! He usually comes over at least one or two days per week to hang out while his mom works. We look forward to babysitting him every week.
We took the legs off the foosball table a number of months ago in order to move it through a doorway and the babies love it so much that we haven’t put the legs back on!
If you need some salad inspiration, I’ve been sharing my salads almost every day over on Instagram Stories.
Jesse and I loved doing one of the Date Night Boxes this past week. It was a Cruise Ship Escape Game — and we were so happy that we managed to “escape” in half the time they allotted us! (Psst! You can order a Date Night in a Box from Happily for just $20 right now. Get the details here.)
Happy 16th birthday to the girl who made me a mother! You are one of my favorite people and I couldn’t be more proud to be your mom! 
This past year was a big one for you: you traveled to Suriname without us (and got stuck there for a few extra days due to the borders closing!), you spent countless hours (many of them in the middle of the night!) helping with the babies, you got your first real job, you learned how to drive, you took the PSAT and continue to get stacks of letters from colleges, and you made it through a wild year with so many unknowns with a quiet peace and confidence.
Thank you for all the late night talks, the funny memes, the inside jokes, the crazy sarcasm you bring, the thought-provoking questions, the many amazing (and hilarious!) friends you introduce us to, and for enduring our endless teasing.
Most of all, thank you for how deeply you love Jesus and others. You are one of the most loyal and caring people I know — and I’m positive all of your friends would agree.
I’m so grateful for you and can’t wait to see what God has in store for you this coming year!
P.S. Also, how are you 16?! Thank you for reminding me all week long that it’s only 2 more years until you are an adult. 
Last Week’s Goals
Personal Goals
1. Log 8,000 steps/day = 56,000 steps for the week.
2. Finish 3 books: Mama Bear Apologetics, Secrets of a Charmed Life, and Keep the Doors Open.
3. Fill out my habit tracker every day.
Home/Family Goals
4. Read 10 pages of A Boy’s War as a family. Read 5 chapters of The Trumpet of the Swan to Kierstyn.
5. Whole House Clean Out spaces to go through/organize/declutter: Storage room in basement.
Work/Blog Goals
6. Finish a Q&A article I was asked to do for a magazine feature.
7. Get download page set up for the appendix of the book.
8. Work on outline/details for Yell Less, Love More Challenge for February.
Fun Goals
9. At home date night with Jesse.
10. Do a craft project.
This Week’s Goals
Personal Goals
1. Log 8,000 steps/day = 56,000 steps for the week.
2. Finish 4 books: Mama Bear Apologetics, Keep the Doors Open, The War That Saved My Life, and As Bright as Heaven.
3. Fill out my habit tracker every day.
Home/Family Goals
4. Read 10 pages of A Boy’s War as a family. Read 5 chapters of The Trumpet of the Swan to Kierstyn.
5. Whole House Clean Out spaces to go through/organize/declutter: Bonus room/game closet.
Work/Blog Goals
6. Set up giveaways with other bloggers/social media friends for book launch.
7. Get download page set up for the appendix of the book.
8. Work on outline/details for Yell Less, Love More Challenge for February.
Fun Goals
9. Have a family Super Bowl party.
10. Birthday party for Kathrynne (we’re renting a movie theater — something that is only $99 for 20 guests!! We thought it was a great socially-distanced option for her friend group!)
