Heather's Goals for 2013

I looked at the defination of a resolution & I looked at the defination of a goal.
For resolutions, we bacisally see a firm decision to do or not to do something. With goals, its something we are aiming for.
Around the first of the year, we always see people making resolutions. Ive done the same thing before but they have never really stuck. Ive always become disappointed because of this.

This year, I want goals. I have things I want to achieve but if I dont have the time or ability to do everything I aim for, I dont want to be a disappointment to myself.

Completing the 30 Day Challenge had my list out some(10) goals that Id like to accomplish this year. I want to expand on them a little bit more so I know specifically what I want from myself & maybe others know what to expect. I also want to list more because I surely have more than 10 things I want to aim for, even if they are small.

So, here are some of my goals for 2013. The first 10 were done for the challenge, after that Im adding them now. They are in no order of importance, though!

1. Read more - I LOVE LOVE LOVE reading. When I was younger it was Goosebumps or Harry Potter (lame, I know LOL). As I got a little older I expended my interests but its always been something Ive enjoyed. Having children, a husband, work, school...that all takes up a lot of time - time that I love spending with them..But Im realizing that the older I get, Im losing myself. I dont really do things I enjoy or put effort into myself because itsput into other people. So, one of the things Id love to do to get back to enjoying myself and my interests will be to read more.

2. Make SSgt - Ive been in the military 5 years now. Ive tested twice for SSgt but to be honest, I never wanted to make it. I was pregnant, wokint 12-14 hour shifts. All I kept thinking was "why would I put more responsibility on myself by making the next rank". People mentioned money, but really, the amount that it increases wasnt enough to make me want it. Now, with so much time in, being the person at this base the longest, people look to me for the answers. Im being held to those standards, even without the pay. Its now time to buckle down and make that extra stripe, so Im paid for what my effort is.

3. Become DONA certified - This....this has many steps to it, really. In this realm, I have goals to become a doula that is available for the pregnancy, labor and delivery, post partum as well as becoming a lactation consultant, a sonographer and in my current area of placenta services. After 5 pregnancies, a miscarriage, a stillborn (after induction) and 3 beautiful daughters, I can say that I absolutely love pregnancy. I love labor and delvery, breastfeeding...I love it. BUT I also know that at some point it has to come to a stop for myself. I cannot continue to pop babies out. There is a limit for me. But the part of me that urges to help others and the part of me that loves this aspect of being a woman and motherhood match up so well. This is something that will take many years. Im not ignorant enough to believe I can achieve all of this, while working, raising children, married, etc. etc. But by breaking it up into steps and taking things day by day, I believe that becoming a birth doula is a great way to begin my journey.

4. Accomplish my CCAF - Im SO close to this one, I know I can do this by the end of the year. I have 2 classes. TWO! untill Im finished. I have one management and my math. So, technically I have probably 3 classes to take (because Im re doing my math) but that is completely manageable within a year.

5. Own a home - This is something we are currently looking into. We are tired of renting. Pretty much throwing our cash in the trash and helping other people. Im tired of not being able to decorate or not wanting to do certain things because its not "my house". This is something that I feel Im going to have to settle in some way because of. Either the location or the house itself. We want a home that is not right on top of another one, yet doesnt look like garbage. I wouldnt mind renovating a bit, but I would hate to end up like those people on Love It or List It who said they would renovate and 10 years later still havent done anything.

6. Become more organized - I want to become financially, mentally, physically organized. I want to have the house on a cleaning schedule - but one that I actually keep up with. I want to get a financial plan set up, more than what we have now. I want to have a schedule that I work out. I want as little surprises as possible.

7. Love myself - Lets just say, that right now, I just dont. I dont like my health, my fitness, my attitude...There really isnt much that I can say that I do like. I forget things often and cant keep up with the things I do get done.This needs to change. I want to focus more energy on myself, while still keeping the family afloat. I want to start going tanning again, I want to have some type of hairstyle I love, make up that I have and love. I need a new wardrobe. I need to get into better shape for my health and appearance. I want to be happy alone, with family. I want to rely and need only myself to be satisfied. I want to have better anger management and better memory. The physical things are easy to "fix" its the inner workings that are going to take a bit more time and working. many of my other goals seem to reflect here. A skill/hobby, getting into shape, starting school, becoming organized, accomplishing school and certifications...I feel like all of that has to come in to play in order to love myself. & I plan on working on all of this. If at the end of the year Im not 100% where I want to be, but I do see changes, then I will be happy!

8. Spend more quality time with Family - This is a big one for me. While I cannot control other people, such as my husband or make my children want to spend time with me...I sure can try haha. They dont like a nagging mother or wife so Id like to find things we all enjoy to do together. I decided that I would be doing at least one craft a month with my girls. I think they will enjoy that. I plan on watching more tv and taking them outside more. Im not sure what to do with the husband. He cheats at games ;) and he enjoys things that Ive never really known about before we married. So, even after 6 (almost 7! OMG) years, we still have learning and forming to do in order to make the quality time work for both of us. I do feel that it is obtainable though, and I will make this work. Our entire family and structure depends on this one.

9. Develop a skill/craft/hobby - There are so many things that I have seen and wanted to be able to do. Crochet. Make bows. Paint. Photography. Sewing. Digital artwork. Bicycling. Hiking. Swimming. Running. Working out. Cooking. Blogging. Couponing. So many things, yet I dont have the resources. I dont have the money to buy the equipment/crafting materials or I feel like I dont have the time or the talent. I want to find mu nicht. When Im lonely and everyone else has plans or isnt interested, there HAS to be something I can do to entertain myself that I will enjoy. Blogging is one thing that I really found that I enjoy since life has gotten hectic. This is the place that I can talk and show things that people can go and look at. Noone has to look at this, therefor Im not nagging anyone and not boring them. I would like to find other things though...And Im hoping that this year, especially with moving back to Ohio, some of my old hobbies can come back to life!

10. Develop financial security - Right now in my name I have about 3 open credit accounds with limits on them. I want these paid off. I want to be able to use them responsibily and in smart ways if I do decide to use them. I want to continue to grow my mutual fund and grow my retirement fund/life ins policy. I want to create savings for events and savings that we can access easy for emergencies. I want to develop better self control. I want to not have to live month to month or be able to go out on a whim and buy something Id love. Id like to have the money to back us up when something goes wrong with the house. I want to have the money to pay for the truck and trailor our family wants. I want the money to put my kids into activies and to do crafts. I want to get my husbands accounts paid off. This is a huge one for me. Growing up my parents didnt teach me anything about money. I was talking to my mother the other day and called her out on it. Her excuse was that she never had anyone else show her what to do properly. I DO NOT want my children to learn the way we did. I still need to figure out (and soon) ways to teach them and help them (mostly Adrianna right now) how to manage their finances, their credit and their future.

11. Get into better shape/lose some weight - This has kinda already been mentioned, but I want to lose some weight(fat) and get into better shape (knowing my weight may rise if I gain muscle). I submitted my coaching paperwork for Beachbody yesterday. I want to take this and run with it. I need to look at the Beachbody programs again and decide which I want to start. I plan to begin Shakeology in the beginning of next month. I want to start (Im currently trying, I still have slip ups, but thats okay) eating better. I have seen the results friends have been coaching with Beachbody and using Shakeo and have had amazing results. I just need to stay focused.

12. Start schooling for sonography (as long as it fits my work schedule) - I plan on getting in touch with Kettering College very soon. I plan to see if my work schedule will work for their classes. If it does, I intend on starting the pre reqs for Sonography once I get to Wright Patt and submitting an application to the Sonography program once I complete those. If their schedules wont mesh with mine, then I need to decide what I want to do right now. I am going to complete my CCAF for sure. Whats after that, if sonography doesnt work is most likely my doula certifications and possibly the gridwork for a small business my husband and I have been discussing recently.

13. Increase my credit - Right now, due to my past decisions, its not the greatest. Through paying off debt and using our credit cards responsibility, I hope to increase my credit. Im sure this is going to take some time but if I can accomplish one part of this, this year - Ill consider it a success.

14. Develop education for our children (Financial, etc) - Something I just thought of as I was writing this. I guess its not something that Im just thinking about. Its more like something that I need to research ideas on and figure out what I want to do exactly. Im sure Ill post more information on this later :)

15. Establish a new website - Thats all I want to say about this. Once I get it organized and up and running, Ill post more about it!