101 Goals in 1001 Days

Start Date: March 1, 2011
End Date:  November 26, 2013 



The Mission:
Complete 101 preset goals in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? 
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing certain tasks.


I saw the 101 in 1001 Challenge on a friend's blog and I decided to try it for myself, to see what kinds of things I wanted to accomplish and motivate myself to complete them.  Looking at my goals, I realize how much I have done in recent years that I never thought I could do.  Some of my goals seem simple and I am looking for more consistency and some of them seem lofty and will really make me stretch...but hopefully one by one I can complete them.


I will blog periodically about my progress to highlight key events or things I have learned.  :)
So...here is my list!  
Black=Goal
Strikethrough=Completed
Red=Update info
Blue=In progress
Highlight=New Update

Health 

1. Exercise 3 times per week for six months [Started running 3X per week in March]
2. Run a 5K  [I ran 3.2 miles in Beach to Bay on 5/21/11!  My total part in the relay marathon was about 4 miles and I walked the rest]
3. Lose 15 pounds [Completed 2/4/11...I had to start myself with one completed goal!]
4. Lose 15 more pounds [I DID IT!!!  Completed 5/9/11]
5. Go one month with no soda
6. Don't eat out for 1 month (excluding traveling)
7. Fit into all pre-pregnancy clothes [Several shirts and one pair of pants...getting there!]
8. Successfully transition into Lifetime Maintenance phase of the Atkins diet [Still trying to figure this out]


Personal Enrichment
9. Go one week without watching TV
10. Do my hair and makeup every day for one week  Completed 3/9/11
11. Get a manicure  [ALMOST got one one the WB trip-but too expensive!]
12. Write in my journal every day for 1 month
13. Write a song
14. Write a thank you note for every gift I receive
15. Bear my testimony in church 4 times per year [0/11]
16. Join a choir
17. Learn something musical
18. Write a book
19. Learn to eat a food I thought I didn’t like
20. Read a book for fun
21. Start painting again; Create one wall-worthy painting
22. Take a cake decorating class
23. Take a dance class
24. Take a self-defense class
25. Play softball for fun
26. Personal scripture study every day for 1 month [I've been going strong for 1 week]
27. Read the New Testament  [I am enjoying reading this during Sunday School this year, but I'm not truly reading through it again, yet]
28. Read the Book of Mormon
29. Read the D&C/POGP

Professional Development

30. Start another graduate degree or take specific graduate courses
31. Prepare for CPA exam
32. Open/own my own business
33. Lead a workshop or seminar
34. Start a local couponing blog
35. Start a resume writing service
36. Join a professional organization
37. Become a lactation consultant

Home & Provident Living

38. Own a home
39. Proactively budget family finances
40. Pay off our car
41. Be 100% debt-free
42. Remember to bring at least 1 reusable bag to the grocery store for shopping trips [I did this once.  I have plenty of bags now, I just have to remember to bring them!]
43. Get a new bedroom/dresser set  May possibly be getting one from my grandpa. Updated 4/27/11.
44. Change my own oil
45. Start a savings account
46. Build a year’s supply of emergency storage  [I updated our 72 hour kit in June.  I have a year's supply of toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, and lotion, salt and diced tomatoes, and quite a bit of beans and peaches.  But that's it so far!]
47. Invest in stocks
48. Grow and eat my own vegetables
49. Have a garage sale  [Thinking of doing this soon!  Anyone want to do it with me?]

Becoming a Domestic Diva

50. Cook a new recipe once a month [3/33]  Updated 7/1/11
51. Learn to sew a new project twice per year [1/5]  I sewed some pillow cases!
52. Finish Grant’s Birth scrapbook [I have just a few more pages to go!!!]
53. Finish Grant’s first year scrapbook
54. Come up with 20 ideas for date nights [1/20] 
55. Create custom scripture study journal
56. Make a quilt
57. Plan out and follow menus for one month
58. Completely redecorate a room
59. Learn to crochet
60. Blog about our family activities once at least month [5/33] Updated 7/1/11
61. Scan in all old photos [Scanned in "dating" photos 2003-2005, updated 3/3/11]
62. Compile all mission letters into a book
63. Organize filing cabinet with family paperwork
64. Go to a flea market and purchase at least one unique item for the house
65. Put all physical photos in albums
66. Set up an organized store system for my favorite recipes
67. Organize/Convert all music to mp3s
68. Organize Church/scripture study notes
69. Get all photos in one place

Service

70. Compliment a stranger once a week [2/143]  Updated 4/3/11
71. Invite 10 individuals to learn about the gospel [0/10]
72. Help build a Habitat for Humanity house  [I did this on 6/18/11.  It was really fun and I would love to do it again!]
73. Buy a person in need lunch
74. Buy something off an anonymous Amazon wish list for someone.
75. Donate clothes I no longer need  [Got rid of 2 trashbags full of clothes when we moved, Completed 4/15/11]
76. Teach someone a skill I know
77. Donate blood
78. 100% Visiting teaching [1/33]
79. Perform a conscious act of service towards my husband and child once a week [5/143]

Family Goals & Fun

80. Family prayer daily for 1 month  2 weeks and going strong, updated 7/1/11.
81. Go to the Temple twice or more per year [2/6]  I got to go in March and May with friends.  
82. Complete family history research on 10 individuals in my family tree and compile data and documents electronically [0/10]  7 Names with Birth/Death info; Updated 3/3/11
83. Organize a free/cheap date night  
84. Visit 3 cultural sites/local attractions per year [0/8] 
85. Do an ‘Explore Corpus’ date night
86. Take Grant to the Zoo
87. Take Grant to the Aquarium  [We took Grant in June.  He LOVED it!!!]
88. Read books to Grant at least 3X week [15/429] Updated 7/1/11
89. Visit NASA
90. Get a dog
91. Have another baby
92. Visit all great-grandparents' grave sites
93. Go to a state I’ve never been to before
94. Go on another cruise
95. Hold a real family home evening at least twice per month [3/286]  We're 3 weeks down and going strong!
96. Go fishing with James
97. Finish watching LOST series
98. Have a picnic at a park
99. Move to a different city
100. Go skiing or snowboarding
101. Go camping once a year as a family [0/3]

Has anyone ever done a challenge like this before?  How did it go?

H

Sick baby

Grant was sick last week and it was so sad to see him like that!  There wasn't really much wrong other than the fact that he had a fever.  He didn't want to eat or play very much.  He just wanted to be held.  Also, he didn't want to walk when he felt sick, only crawl.  My poor baby.  I love taking care of him and to be able to comfort him, but we were sure happy when he was feeling better and being his happy self again. :)

One Year checkup & Communication

We took Grant to the doctor yesterday because he had a fever.  Since he got an ear infection a few months ago with a fever as the only symptom, we wanted to rule that out as early as possible.  It turns out that Grant probably just has a cold.

Since we missed our one-year checkup, they asked us about Grant's development and took his measurements.  His measurements are still in about the same percentile.  He is 30 inches long (50%) and 19 pounds (<10%).  Although I do think the weight measurement was a little off due to him not eating as much the previous 24 hours while being sick and feverish.  When we weighed him at home last week, he was 21 pounds.  So either way, he is still a slim boy!

One thing that bothered me was some of the developmental questions.  Grant still has not said his 'first word' yet, doesn't really point to things, wave, or hand you specific objects when you ask for them.  The doctor acted surprised and I felt really embarrassed that he had not met his 'milestones' yet.  Was something wrong with him? Were we bad parents for not teaching him enough?  Are we doomed forever?  Haha.

After I had some time to pout, James and I started talking and researching information online.  We determined that a lot of babies don't talk at 12 months and it isn't really a red flag until they are 15-18 months.  And although Grant doesn't communicate in those specific ways we were asked, he DOES communicate in other ways.  He also does things that other babies don't do at his age.  He is walking really well and has very strong physical development.  Some articles say that some baby boys are more inclined and interested in physical development, and the language development comes later.  Hopefully they are right!

So here is a list of ways that Grant communicates:

• He will walk over to an object he wants.  If he cannot get it, he will reach with his hand and grunt (we read online that grunting actually is a way that babies communicate).
• If he wants to be picked up, he will walk or crawl over to you and put his hands high on your leg, or tug/pull on your pants or shirt.
• If you hold out your hand, he will give you 'five.'  Yesterday I tested him and I verbally told him to 'give me five,' but I did not hold out my hand.  He still tried to do it, so that tells me he does understands the language and it isn't just a visual prompt from an extended hand.
• He understands 'nurse,' and 'milk,' and gets happy and smiles when you say it
• He makes LOUD clicking noises (I have never heard a baby do that before, so James and I told ourselves that it is a special little quirk)
• When you roll a ball to him, he will push it back
• He will kind of yell if he wants food or attention

So, he hasn't talked yet...but he will.  So James and I are going to spend more time playing with him and telling him what objects are, and asking him to give it to us or tell us what it is.  We will also spend less time with the TV on so Grant won't get distracted by it.

All I know is it is an awful and scary feeling to realize that your child might not be developing normally.  We feel confident that Grant is on track in his own way, but at first hearing this, it really hurt.  I want to do what is best for him and be the best parent I can be.  I don't want to let him down.  Being a parent really is a huge responsibility.  We WILL do better at helping him learn to talk!  :)

p.s.  Grant got his one year pictures taken! Click HERE to see them.

Video of Grant's first year

I forgot to post this slideshow that we put together for Grant's first birthday last month. It has some of our favorite pictures and songs that make us think of him. It is kind of long, but I couldn't narrow down my favorite pictures! Oh well. :)

We love you, Grant!

Valentine's Weekend

James and I got to go on a great date this weekend...we hadn't been out together in a while! We did something really fun and unique and I am so glad that we did. We drove downtown and did a Segway tour of downtown Corpus Christi. We booked the tour through SegCity which is a new business in town. I HIGHLY recommend them! The tour was interesting, informative, and FUN!

When we showed up, they showed us how Segways worked and gave us a little tutorial. When I saw how fast they could go, I admit-I was freaked out! I thought for sure I would not go faster than 1mph. But then they let us get on the Segway and try it out, and very slowly showed us the mechanics of making them move.

It is very easy to move them and after a few practice runs it feels very natural and almost intuitive. The shop is right alone Shoreline so we just buzzed across the street to the seawall to start our tour. It was a little chilly but not too bad. What was interesting was how many people were STARING at us. I mean, just flat out STARING, like we were some kind of alien freaks. And so many people stopped to comment and wave, being so excited to see us buzzing around the streets on these things.

We followed to seawall and noted the solar system display. There are a series of posts and models of elements in our solar system that are placed along the seawall according to scale. So that was cool to notice as we went by.

Towards downtown we learned about a few sculptures and developments nearby. There are 3 weather vanes close to the American Bank Center that are representative of the starts in Orion's belt. There are also special plated manholes throughout downtown that represent the other stars in the constellation that when viewed from above, look like it does in the night sky! We thought that was pretty cool.

Then we toured Heritage Park which was really neat. There are a series of historical homes that have been relocated to the area and restored. They are beautiful! We learned about historical aspects of each one.

After that, we got to have some FUN on the Segways. There were some concrete sidewalks and open areas near the art center and we went 'Segway skiing,' basically weaving in and out of pillar structures like downhill skiiers to on the slalom runs. VERY FUN! We kept trying to go faster and faster with the other people who were touring with us. We also went to the T-head areas and raced up and down zigzag handicapped ramps. And boy...it is fun when you get to go really fast down a straight stretch! They only go up to 12mph and won't let you go faster than that, so it is still not very scary. We went around the marina and zipped between different boat areas and pointed out cool stuff that we saw.



Anyway, after that, we ate downtown at a steakhouse called Katz 21. Even though we had reservations, we had to wait FOREVER! I had a gift card, though, so we didn't want to leave. Once we were seated, the food was delicious. We had a wonderful evening together and it was so nice to reconnect, although we did miss Grant while we were gone. Thanks to our wonderful babysitters who allowed us to get out for a few hours! We had a wonderful Valentine's weekend. :)

To my Valentine

Here is a fun little Q&A I filled out for my Valentine, James!

The first time I really knew you were for me:

when you held me when I cried.

Something you do that is peculiar that I find really adorable is:

not drink from straws in restaurants.

The time I felt closest to you was:

When we have prayed together. Also being able to see you right before we were married in the temple.

A song that reminds me of you:

Margaritaville and anything Jimmy Buffet!

One of our most romantic times together was:

the first time I saw you after you had come home from your mission. You were waiting at your house for me to arrive, and when I got there you had flowers and were playing a George Strait CD for us to dance together to.

When we were first getting to know each, I tried to impress you by:

Trying to make you laugh at work by telling jokes about the customers and Ms. Chau.

A story I love to tell others about you:

how we met at Whataburger and you helped me get hired there. And how you used to make fun of the flirty guy who showed me the 'art of making a shake.'

A sad or difficult time we shared together was:

being apart from each other on our missions. It was difficult, but I know it brought us closer and we are so blessed for serving.

Ten words to describe you:

Unselfish

Your top five most admirable talents are:

I love to make you...

Smile. When you smile, it makes me know you are truly happy and it makes me love you even more!

I love that you ALWAYS tell me you love me and give me a kiss every day.

I love that you NEVER give up on me, and are never unkind to our son.

Your most appealing physical feature is:

Your big, blue eyes. I have always gotten lost in them!

My favorite place to hang out with you is:

At 'our booth' at Whataburger.

Your most impressive talent is:

your musical talent. I think it's amazing how you can pick up and switch between guitar, piano, and saxophone.

I enjoy doing this together:

watching movies and eating home cooked meals together.

It is so much fun to watch you:

move heavy stuff. You look sexy!

My favorite facial expression that you make is:

the faces you make when you are playing with the baby.

A nickname I love to call you:

And a little reminiscing on all the good times we've had...I LOVE YOU!

Grant turns ONE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANT!

I can't believe it. My baby is ONE now. How did this happen? How did time pass so quickly? I feel like it has been the blink of an eye. He's gone from a couple cells to a sweet and innocent newborn to a thriving, happy, and very ACTIVE little boy! He is still my darling and will ALWAYS be my baby. That I know for sure!

The major milestones he has achieved are becoming more expressive with his sounds and movements, eating more table food and wanting more of what we are eating, and taking his FIRST STEPS on his actual birthday! It took him a while to feel confident enough to take a step on his own, but he is getting more and more brave every day. He has no taken probably about 8-10 little steps all on his own now, even without prompting from us! He is also EXTREMELY curious. He wants to look at, touch, and do everything that we do. He also really enjoys throwing things. He threw his bottle at the lady in front of us at James' graduation, oops!

He is a very, very determined little boy. If he wants an object, he will do everything in his power to get it. This is how he is learning to master new feats like climbing on objects, squeezing into small spaces, and pulling dresser drawers out, tipping over trashcans, ripping books apart, and reaching up higher and higher every day. It is scary realizing all the things he could get into that could hurt him. But it is exciting to watch him learning and seeing his little mind work and try to figure things out by the look on his face. He is a little problem solver, for sure! And in the cases where he cannot get what he wants...he will let you know how he feels about it by screaming or crying! James says the combination of determination/lack of patience mirrors my personality...he's probably right, I do get frustrated easily! haha.

He growls. Makes 'pterodactyl' noises. Flicks his finger over his mouth to make a "Beebbuubbbeebbb" noise (like the cartoons!). No official words yet, but I think he is getting close to saying "dada." We are pretty sure he already knows what dada and several other words mean.

We celebrated his birthday by having friends and family over for a party at our house. It was a blast. Grant played with his cousins and other babies and all the adults exchanged stories and visited. The highlight of the party was watching him play with his cake! He was a little timid with it at first, looking at us like he might get in trouble for touching the cake, but when we started feeding it to him, he got the idea. Before we knew it, he was going to town and getting mush in his hands, eating it and examining it. We let him go at it until he started throwing cake on the ground, lol. My sweet little angel. I love him!

Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with us, and to everyone that sent their well wishes!

We love you Grant!

For those who haven't seen it before, I have recorded the story of Grant's birth here.