Is it fall already?

 The weather is definitely changing!  It's actually been a little brisk in the mornings, and we haven't turned on the window air conditioning lately. I see people mentioning pumpkin spice on Facebook, and even though I'm a fanatic....I'm not ready to dive into fall just yet. We have one last summer get together at the park this week and we are going through a big transition in our family in the next couple weeks.  But after that....you better believe I've been dreaming of what my husband likes to affectionately call the season where "fall just puked in our house" because there is fall decor everywhere! ;-)

I was surprised when I saw my last goals posting was 2 months ago!  I think it was because I wanted to accomplish a few more things before posting about them.

Goals:

1. Read 12 books this year 

Update: I finished Cozy Minimalist Home, Peter Pan, Sacred Holidays, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle , Farmer Boy, Faith, The Life Giving Parent , The Middle Matters, and The Prairie Homestead Cookbook.

9 books is pretty good for being the end of August! 

In my ''to be read pile' are Mother Culture by Karen Andreola,  It's all Under Control by Jennifer Dukes Lee, and Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic. 

These have been relaxing reads and easy to pick up for a quick moment. Loving the Little Years is written from a mom in the trenches with 5 little ones of her own. She writes of real life stories, and inspires me to shepherd my children's hearts. It's All Under Control reminds us we don't have to keep a tight grip on life and it's ok to breath. :-)

2. Explore the alphabet with my preschooler: Goal completed. 

I've been thinking on how to develop our "Morning Time" or Morning Meeting. Each day during breakfast, the kids and I read the Bible and pray (between cleaning up messes, grabbing more food, telling the kids not to stand in their chairs...you get the picture). On my 'good' days :-) I try to add a bit more to it. Currently we've been reading the Action Bible which is written as a comic book, and a poetry book. We just started some basic reading lessons this week(Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons), so I'm excited to see how it goes!  

3. Identify 5 plants/tracks:

Update: Technically.....my goal is completed. But is learning about nature ever a completed goal? I think not. We've been enjoying the flowers in our yard lately. 

Spiraea

4. Get rid of 50 things: 

Update: Completed!!  The total will be much more than 50, but I stopped counting. 

5. Learn to make more things from scratch.

Update: While I can't think of anything new I've made, I did get some new cookbooks! From Freezer to Table and Love Real Food  My favorite enchilada recipient is from the Love Real Food book and I've heard great things about the Freezer to Table book! 

6. Prepare for secret project: News coming soon!  That's why you haven't heard much from me on Instagram lately. I've been busy preparing for this secret goal. :-)

7. Blog/writing (I have ideas…but life seems to take all my time)

Update: At least I'm writing each week...mostly. It definitely is life giving to be able to write. 

8. Finish 2nd kids baby book and do the 3rd kid’s book: no updates....just wishful thinking.

9. Clean out freezer and use up pantry (you know all those unmarked surprise dishes you find in the back of your freezer? yah….)

Update: The freezer is significantly emptier!  

10. Do 10 projects with the little ones. 

Update:I feel like our zoo trips, library visits, nature walks, planting the garden, watering the deck plants, riding bikes, visiting the spray park, playing games, and coloring should count for this goal.

Honestly, this "secret project" has taken over our thinking lately, so forgive my lack of goal completion. I promise it is worth it.....and someday we'll get back to 'regular programming' (whatever that looks like). ;-)

Sojourning with you,

 Felicia

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