Mission: THRIVE (Check-in)

When it comes time for the accountability of progress on a goal, I am the one who approaches the day with dread. "Here we go again...another reminder of how I haven't done what I said I was going to do." And then the guilt just piles on. Ugh.

But for the second month in a row - and probably for the second time in my life (January's check-in being the first) - I'm looking forward to sharing my personal goal progress. Seriously people, I am just not good at writing goals down and following through. But Mission: THRIVE has been different. I think because I was at a place in my life where I knew some things needed to change.

(Note: this photo has nothing to do with the post other than to nestle in a sweet little nugget of goodness and make me smile. =D )

Last month I said I wanted to develop a weekly meal plan and cook meals at home at least three nights a week. Check and check. Yep, got both of those done. In fact, I've found some great resources for meal planning and am now cooking at least five nights a week. WOOHOO!

Now, it may sound crazy that I'm so excited about this. But the truth is that Jerry and I have always enjoyed eating out which 9 times out of 10 equates to unhealthy eating habits. (The only time we've had this many vegetables consistently since we've been married was in the two weeks my mom was here after Alex was born. That is so incredibly embarrassing to admit, but it's true. I mean, we've been married for s-e-v-e-n y-e-a-r-s.) Now we're eating better and for less money.

I'd like to go on a slight tangent, if I may, but I promise it will bring us back to another goal update. Eating better has helped me lose all but one - count 'em ONE - pound of the baby weight I gained with Alex. Oh, and I'm not stopping there. I'm going to say goodbye to that last pound and a couple more of his friends, too.

Losing weight this past month has motivated me to pile up every last piece of maternity wear and take it up to the attic for storage. No more pulling out a shirt to hide behind when I'm having a "fat day." No sir. Those days are behind me now, and it's time to move on.

Packing up the maternity wear meant the start of getting our closets organized. And "begin organizing the house" was one of the last month's goals. See? I told you I'd bring you back around.

Now I may not have officially completed the specific goals I set - organizing the guest bedroom and the bed linens - but the master closets (we have four), the pantry, and the basement are underway, and I count that as major progress.

Evidence of the progress...

Next up, practicing skills from my photography class. Well I've been trying. I think it might help me to go back and re-read some of the lessons. And for spring to arrive. Because I can tell that I'm going to get better photos outside than in my house, and as much as I keep looking for the first buds of spring to be appearing, they just aren't yet. So I'll keep posting the pics I can get, and hopefully they'll continue to improve.

Alright, here are the couple that I haven't done so well with - finishing His Needs, Her Needs and having a quiet time every morning. I've read a little further in the book, and while I haven't had consistent quiet times, I have been reading more in my bible and some devotionals throughout the day. Not ideal, but a little bit of progress.

Before I sign off today, I just have to say how incredibly blessed I am to have Jerry as my husband.

When we got married, we had our rings engraved with a Latin phrase that translates "God has joined us." I am so glad He did. As I've worked to make some significant changes in my life, Jerry has been a wonderful supporter and encourager. I can feel our marriage strengthening every day, and God is doing some really amazing work there. Lots of praise and thanks for that.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I look forward to checking back in again next month where I will report on:

• Attempting a small sewing project
• Finishing the curtains in the guest bedroom
• Creating and implementing a cleaning schedule for the house
• Taking Alex for walks at the park on warmer weather days
• Continued morning quiet times
• Oh, and FINISHING THAT BOOK!