Our Maggical Days : 2014

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

2015 Resolutions

I just finished a post about my 2014 resolutions, and I am THRILLED that most of them were a success in my opinion. I am very thankful that I have been pointed and diligent in those areas. This year brings a new set of goals. I would like to list them.

1. Financial Health
This is a hard one. It truly is. I have struggled this year with making healthy, smart, responsible decisions with our money. My photography business is successful and it's tempting and easy to spend it. This year, God truly convicted my heart about how I treated money, and I was quick to come under his submission. Christmas was a hard season in regards to this, but I have already made some steps to be sure that 2015 will bring us a healthy financial situation. I am not saying that we will be rich, or buy a brand new BMW, I am saying, we will save before we spend, think ahead, stick to a budget, and be thoughtful and good stewards. This will be hard, but I am resolved.

2. Hospitality
I believe that this is already a strong point in my life, but, I would like to be sure that I am opening up my home on a regular basis and that anyone and everyone knows that they can come through our door whenever they want and stay as long as they need. I want to serve good bread, and awesome food, and enjoy getting to know people that I don't already know very well.

3. Craving God (not food!)
I read a book in 2014 called "Made To Crave" that CHANGED MY LIFE! I want to read this book at least two more times this year and apply what it says. I want to CRAVE my LORD more than I crave a starch, pasta, or sweet.

This year, I don't have as many smaller tasks and think that my 2015 goals are a little more gradual and hard to check off. :) I can use all of the encouragement and prayer possible.

2014 Resolution Results! MOST of them were kept!!!!

Last year, around this very time of the year, as it is for most people that make habits out of making resolutions, I made a few resolutions. And I really tried to think of some things that were important to me, and to succeed at doing them. To refresh, these were my resolutions for 2014:

To refresh memories, these were my resolutions:

1. To be more mindful about sending "Thank You" notes to my friends and family who have blessed us.
2. To blog more often. Last year, I only blogged 15 times in the year total. I can't even believe how sad I am about this! :(
3. To make healthier food choices (the typical resolution)
4. To print more pictures of us
5. To have family pictures taken
6. To stay more organized.

I would like to talk about how I have done on each resolution this year.

1. To be more mindful about sending "Thank You" notes to friends and family.
I have actually done really great at this, this year. I have certainly missed a few people, but for the most part, I have sent a lot. And it has been so awesome to write these things down each and every time we are blessed by a family member or friend. We could look back and see how people have loved us and served us this year. I will for certain keep this going!

2. To blog more often.
I have blogged more often. Double than in 2013. But still only 33 times. Agh! I can't say that I want to be sure that I double it again, but I do not want to let it go quite yet.

3. To make healthier food choices.
At the beginning of 2014, I weighed 191 pounds. And today, I weigh 172 pounds. This is due to healthier eating, and due to exercise. I am really happy about this weight loss, and I do have a long way yet to go. I went to the gym very faithfully especially through the Spring and Summer months, and have slacked off a good bit once it got colder. I am ready to go for it. By this time next year, I would like to be in the upper 150's as a realistic goal, but that is information for another post.

4. To print more pictures of us.
I have done two good printing orders this year, which is the most I have done, ever. I am pleased with this.

5. To have family pictures taken.
This is a fail. I hired TWO photographers, and both of them didn't work out. I am disappointed but we have made due.

6. To stay more organized.
This has been a success. I have really used my Emily Ley planner, used Elle & Company printable inside it, My Martha Stewart coupon and gift card binder, and have stayed organized. It has gotten out of control a time or three but I have been QUICK to quickly reclaim organization. I have also kept organization in my pantry, drawers, and the tot school room. I am really excited to keep going in 2015.

As I grow as a woman, and mother, and wife, homemaker, daughter, and friend, I want to always be bettering myself to better represent the gospel, and I do believe that tackling some of these goals has helped me spiritually this year. Stay tuned for a separate post discussing my resolutions for 2015!

Monday, November 10, 2014

YouTube Channel Challenge

For a long time now, I have been contemplating doing daily short videos of our family. Late last month, our church family lost a dear member and friend, and it has really affected me in innumerable ways. One huge was is how I cherish and document our days together. You never know when you will want to go back and watch videos of your precious child and family. So, I have decided to do daily short clips.

https://www.youtube.com/user/SMaggiful?app=desktop

Please go Subscribe to our YouTube channel! WE would be so thankful to have you join our ride together!

Friday, September 12, 2014

A Few Beach Pictures!

This past August, Daniel and I joined my mom for a beach trip! It was a fun week away, and Daniel had an awesome time!!! I can't wait to post more pics, but these are all I could do for now.

We have been to the beach with my mom twice now with Daniel with us, and he and my mom have a tradition to collect sand and beach shells and rocks. They put it in a little jar, and we bring it home. The pictures below are the two of them doing that together!!!