2023 How Did I Do?

I ended 2023 making my revised miles goal. I would not have gone to the gym without that motivation, so even though I didn't get my original mileage, I'm glad I stayed motivated to hit the new target. Your goals should be lofty enough to motivate you but not leave you feeling defeated. 

My work life, mom life and personal life all got busy at the back half of 2023. I don't expect that to stop so I set my 2024 goals with that in mind. Still challenging myself to grow and be intentional but not overdoing it to where I feel bad. It's a delicate balance, I think I have it down. We shall see! 

This last week has been great family time! Once again K-State gave us the week between Christmas and New Year's off. I was able to get those last miles run, spend time with family in South West Kansas and I tried to complete a Ted Lasso marathon in two days. Turns out you need more than two day! Did make it to season three, so that is something. 

Ready to get back to work tomorrow and start working on some exciting projects for 2024. Hope you all had a good New Year celebration and are ready to rock 2024! 

2023 Read 24 Books: 17/2419

I'm November I added Who Owns the Ice House to my read books for the year. It was for work but that still counts! I will soon be verified to do an entrepreneurial facilitation using the lessons taught in the book. Should be fun! 

I ended the year with 17.5 books. Not as many as I wanted, I must stop my Netflix habit before bed. When I'm reading at night instead of watching a show I am winding down and getting to sleep at a good time. I need more of that. 

2024 Goal 18 Books 

I think 1.5 books a month will be great progress and I have a daily habit set for 20 minutes of reading. Should make this very achievable. 

2023 Run 760 540 Miles: 551/760 540

In December I ran 53 miles to give me 550 for the year! I lost steam mid way through the year but I ended strong! 

2024 Goal 600 Miles

My secondary goal is to not hurt myself. If I accomplish that, the 600 miles should be easy! 

2023 Money Goals: 

• Pay Mortg. principle down 5K  Done October! 
• Replace Windows  
• Create Backyard Oasis
• New Paint and Floors in my bedroom Done May! 
• New Garbage Disposal  Done Feb!

2024 Money Goals: 

I like having my Money goals, because if you don't have a plan for your money it will just disappear without your input. Might as well use it on things that we need. 

• Replace Windows
• Down payment on New Car
• Pay Mortg. Principle down 4K
• Hit my Savings Goals for the year (My savings will actually be less than it is now, but that is because I was saving for the windows. But I do have an end of year goal!)

 

2024 Healthy Habits:

My new initiative this year is to instill a healthy habit each month and stack them on top of each other. I actually started at the end of Dec. of drinking 8 cups of water a day. So starting today I'm adding stop eating two hours before bedtime to my water habit. Hopefully at the end of 2024 I will be making healthy choices automatically. 

Seeing family out west is a great part of Christmas!

Toasting the New Year at Jazzhaus in Lawrence with one of my favorite
additions from 2023!

Getting one last photo opp before the mall takes it down!

Hi Cadence!

Passing our love of Play Nine to the Stiles clan. 

Our admirable start to our Ted Lasso Marathon.

Merry Christmas!

 Today was Christmas at the Manor. The schedule was Gifts, Cinnamon Rolls (french toast for Alex) and Christmas episodes of "The Office." Check, Check and Check! I think the boys had a good Christmas here, they still have about three more to go. LOL 

I got Alex a big gift this year, so he only got one. He has been wanting a PS5 all year, now he is ready to roll.

Daryl got some hoodies and a really nice cologne he has been wanting. Beware, this teenager is looking and smelling good! 

They also got stockings full of not chocolate,  because they wold rather have salty snacks. Santa delivered. We have almost two more weeks of holiday break, so the fun isn't over yet! Wishing everyone else a happy holidays! 

Alex had an infusion on Saturday, and they go 
so well now, he takes a nap during them. Progress!

Another Title: Band Mom!

 Alex is giving me hope that I still have a chance at being a marching band mom! He is playing trumpet for the second year and it liking it. He even practices at home so I'm thinking this could happen. Al's winter concert was last night and the sixth graders played first then the "big" band (7th and 8th graders) played. It is amazing the difference in what the two groups can do. 

I thought Alex's group sounded pretty good but the big band was amazing! Per usual I can't see Alex when the band is playing. He is in the second row but even in the first row he would be behind his music stand. So, before they started playing I went to the side and called his name to take a picture. I did this in 5th grade and it was NO problem. Well, middle school is different. I love the face I'm getting in the picture. It for sure says, "Mom, don't ever do this again!" 

I was reading his face correctly because when we got home he said, "Mom. don't ever do that again!" I promised...I just hope I remember...LOL! 

That face! LOL 

Can you see Alex?! This is why a mom has to do, what
a mom has to do! 

New Title Aquired: Wrestling Mom

 On Saturday, Mom and I packed up and headed to Emporia to watch Daryl wrestle for the VERY FIRST TIME! I want to start by saying trying new things is scary and I couldn't be more proud of Daryl for trying a new sport in High School. 

This was a JV tournament, but most of the boys had been wrestling for years. I didn't know what to expect so Mom and I were there at 8:45 for the 9am start time. We pulled up the website with the pairings and Daryl got a Bye in the first round. He wrestled for the first time at 11:45am. LOL 

That's ok because Mom and I were learning a lot. Mostly, because the family sitting beside us from Emporia were teaching us the ropes. Their son Kolton also helped me cheer and yell when Daryl was wrestling. I told him to tell me what to say, and he did! We were so lucky to be sitting where we were, Daryl got three times the cheering section thanks to our new friends! 

Daryl had two matches and lost both, but he did great and scored points. He was actually winning his first match in points when he got pinned. He did so good! 

I did learn that wrestling involves lots of snacks. For Daryl and the supporters. I will be better prepared for next time! I hope we get to see our new Emporia friends at the next meet! 

Deck the Halls!

 Oddly enough, there are no Christmas decorations in the hallway...hmmm. But the Living Room and Dining room are decked! 

Alex started bugging me to put up the tree about two minutes after we got home from Thanksgiving. I waited until we were snowed in on Sunday to drag everything out of the basement. He helped me for a solid 15 minutes before he went outside to play in the snow. 

I don't know why I put off decorating. Once everything is up, it's perfect! I love the lights...just feels like Christmas now. Will I get lights put up outside of the house?! I don't know, the snow is going to have to melt first!  

Love to display my KU ornaments that I receive from 
my mom. A new one every year!

My Santa collection with my Christmas cactus!
It is officially "no playing in the living room" season!

The boys hand knit stockings and my 
ceramic Christmas tree! 

Alex was in charge of plugging in the tree!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 I can't stress how nice it is to have my family back in Kansas! Asa and Diane hosted all of us at their home in Hays, and it was a great day. 

We were missing Canyon 😞 but don't worry Bud, I ate enough for you too! For lunch the Stiles kept up our holiday family tradition of having one Chinese meal. I will never forget Asa stirring the rice while it was boiling! I yelled at him that you can't do that! Turns out the rice was perfect. Who knew?! 

For Thanksgiving dinner everything tasted so good. I forgot to take a picture of my plate, that could have been the wine we had been enjoying since lunch. I blame Charlie, I was over served! Lol

Thanks again Stiles for having us all over, I vote you host Thanksgiving every year! 

Only minus two cousins. No one was brave enough 
To wake up Cadence! 

Alex is serious about the fruit pizza!

My babies!