Good-Bye January!

HAPPINESS PROJECT UPDATES:

Well, January was a complete success in regards to reaching the goals I set in January. The only time I got a little behind was when I was dealing with broncitis, I was taking care of Joe who was home sick with Strep (twice!) or when Joey got a puking bug for a day, then a fever he couldn't beat for the next 2 days...but even in the midst of illness, vomit, bloody noses (which happened simultaneously with vomit), and the usual blow out diapers and spit up of a newborn...I remained, well, Happy!

Here' what my goals where, which I accomplished on a daily basis consistently:
(I have a goal chart with check marks to prove it!)
DAILY GOALS:
Water, Laundry (atleast 1 load a day), Ice (we don't have an ice machine), Note (wrote a note and mailed it to someone), Bible, Book (reading Purpose Driven Life, which has daily devotionals), Journal (1 sentence a day), Joe (just do something nice for him), Sleep, Exercise

Now, to be honest, exercise is just not happening daily, but I'm pleased with the effort. Additionally, I have a 2 month old, so sleep is not like 8 hours straight, but I DO feel rested and that's because I am getting to bed at 10pm (most nights) and getting up at 7am (most mornings).


MY ONE SENTENCE JOURNAL: (Some highlights of this month)

1/1/11
I had a migraine tonight, so Joey left a note on my pillow that said "I Love You" to make me feel better.

1/2/11
Morgan admitted that the pee smeel on the couch was an accident she had "But it was way back when I was 3" (She just turned 4 on Dec. 29th!)

1/7/11
Went to see Butler play CSU tonight with Joe and realize I am SO FAR from the person I was in college - by God's Grace.

1/9/11
We were about to watch AFV for our Family Night and the rule was, Everything in the Romper Room needed picked up and put away. Of course, the only items left were Morgan's piles of fairies and dress up clothes...we called for her and FINALLY she came out of JJ's room with tools tucked everywhere into her PJ pants..."What? I was working!" was her excuse for the delay.

1/19/11
Joey was sick today - temp of 102 - after throwing up...he said "I love you, mom" - I guess he was just glad I was by his side.

1/20/11
I want to always remember the sweet smile and bright blue eyes of my 2 year old baby boy JJ.



1/24/11
I heard the 6pm Butler bells, in the quiet, downstairs, holding a FINALLY sleeping baby, while Joe played with the other 3 upstairs.







1/27/11
Jameson poured a whole bag of Cocoa Roos on the family room floor - Mr. Destructo - and I adore him.




MONTHLY GOALS:
Book (Purpose Driven Life)
1 on 1 with Joey - I coached his final game of the season for basketball at Tab. (Joe had Strep) We lost, but I think Joey thought it was pretty fun to home mom on the sidelines!
1 on 1 with Morgan - we did some grocery shopping and of course, had a milkshake
Family Activity - AFV (it's a tv show), Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune (Joe is Alex in Jeopardy and Joey is Pat in Wheel of Fortune)
Help in Joey's Classroom - on 1/31 I helped with "Snow Day" - just in the knick of time!
Date Joe - we went to Terre Haute for a Barbershop event that was super fun. Rip Chord and the wives of Rip Chord enjoyed a day together in Terre Haute.











Well, Good Bye January...Hello February...which is LOVE month for the Happiness Project! Feb. goals will be my next post!

Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!

Jackson is 2 months old!

Jackson is 2 months old now!
My, how time flies!
We have had quite an evenful month of figuring out what to do with this little one of ours. From not getting enough to eat, so supplementing...to now, after an unexpected doctor's visit...I've been OVER feeding him! (he was having lots of congestion and trouble breathing when laying flat on his back or tummy)
So the relux issue is solved and our sweet boy is doing great!

He's sleeping from 9pm to 5am, with a little fussing around 1am...but just needs a few pats and is back to sleep in no time.
He's 13.75 lbs

He naps 3 times a day, but that is often in his car seat out of necessity following along with his big brothers and sister.









We have had LOTS of snow lately...which keeps us inside quite often...but Jameson and I got outside to shovel the driveway, while big brother and sister were in school and JT was napping! He didn't want to ride in the sled, but he sure loved moving the snow around with his broom and shovel - such a great helper! (and quite cute in his snowsuit, I might add!)



Only half-way through the month, but the Happiness Project of Megan's is in full swing - it's going great! Here is one small way to track the goals set for the month...



So far, the only time I have not checked off a goal (laundry was the only one!) was because I had broncitis for 2 days this week..but even that is back on track! I must say, even amidst the sickness, I still felt happiness with my children, when the house was maintained, and when I got to read Purpose Driven Life and even just one sentence from the Bible...I'll be adding additional goals and things to focus on in February...so stay tuned!

Enjoy the day today!

Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!

The Happiness Project - January

I have truly found happiness these last few days...in just not having as much stress! It's amazing how I feel more patient, feel less overwhelmed, and enjoy my children!

Here is what I have committed to doing DAILY:

I start my day, throwing a load of laundry into the washer...which usually means, I am taking a load out of the dryer to carry it back upstairs...so far I have stayed ahead of the laundry and am doing just 1 to 2 loads a day. (BIG IMPROVEMENT and WAY LESS STRESSFUL to manage)

I empty the ice tray - and now we have so much, I think I can skip that task on the weekend!

Drinking water has been super easy. (three 24 oz waterbottles a day - which I carry with me everywhere I go)

Christmas has made it super easy this month, to send out a note to someone I care about (thank you notes galore right now!)

Doing something extra special for Joe (even if it's just coffee in the morning) has been a pleasure to do - but I need some more creative ideas...

Reading the bible has been quite rewarding...I have come upon scriptures that support my efforts - of gaining more patience, loving others, and seeing God's gifts right in front of me that sometimes I have missed- because I am too tired, frustrated or overwhelmed..

I have journaled a daily sentence, that I think I will add to this blog once a week. They have consistently been funny things one of my kids have said or done.

And I am reading Purpose Driven Life (last time I read it was 2004 - before kids!) and it has reminded me daily that my happiness is not really the focus, it's Jesus! Interestingly enough, the very first day of My Happiness Project, the first sentence of this book was: "It's not about you!" which was a very good reminder that although I am taking actions to increase MY "happiness", ultimately, my life should be focused on glorifying God in all I do...which I must say, is much easier when I'm not stressed out and impatient with my kids!

Another suggestion in the Happiness Project book is the create lists - so here is mine:

JUST DO IT:
-Take a cart in at the grocery store (or from another person to spare them the burden of taking it back)
-Be OK with who I am now (for example, I am a mom of 4 and that's about it - but, I'M OK WITH IT!)
-If you can't find something, CLEAN (specifically, pacifiers!)
-PRAY constantly
-Require a "Singing Voice" when necessary (from you OR your children!)
-Write Thank You Notes
-Take friends treats
-Wear cute underwear
-Paint your toes
-Plant a bigger garden (or compost in the meantime)


Find Happiness today!
Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!

MY Happiness Project

What is your New Years Resolution for 2011?

I am not a big fan of “Resolutions”…I’d consider myself much more “Goal” oriented. It’s the athlete in me (which was in my previous life before kids!)

So, as 2011 begins, I am thankful that I read a great book called:
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.



It is an account of the year she spent testing the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happier.

On January 1, she started her happiness project, and each month, she pursued a different set of resolutions: to get more sleep, clean my closets, quit complaining, sing in the morning to her two daughters, read Aristotle, start a blog, remember friends' birthdays, imitate a spiritual master, keep a one-sentence journal. The book The Happiness Project weaves together philosophy, scientific research, analysis, and real-life experiences as she explains what worked for her—and what didn't. (I copied this paragraph from her website): http://www.happiness-project.com

I must say, I have been inspired by the idea of creating happiness within your life through setting small goals each month and building on them. And those small goals, I might add, are realistic, “check off a list” kind of things that you probably have thought of doing all along.

Now that the realization of having 4 children has set in (our baby boy is just 7 weeks old)…It became very clear to me that I needed to get EFFICIENT with my day. The littlest of things add up to BIG jobs if you don’t stay on top of it…specifically, LAUNDRY!

So, MY Happiness Project has began with some lists of “Things to do” Daily, Weekly, and Monthly…just sitting down and thinking through what I want to do was a huge step...then checking them off my list has, well, made me happy!

But here’s the short list of what I hope to do each day:
My 365 List
-Read Bible (even just a verse)
-Begin a load of laundry as soon as I get downstairs in the morning
-Drink 64 oz of water
-Empty the ice tray (we don’t have an icemaker)
-Write 1 sentence in my “One Sentence Journal” – something that made me smile that day (an idea from the book)
-Write a note to a friend
-Do something nice for Joe

My 52 List (my weekly list- I am sure I will add things later):
-Family Fun Night
-Exercise (hopefully this happens more than once a week!)
-Cook a new Recipe

My 12 List:
Monthly, there will be a new focus or key word to think about:
January - Energize (Sleep more, exercise, organize)
February – Love
March – Lighten Up (Parenthood, Enjoy Now)
April –Make Time for Friends
May – Pursue a Passion
June – Be Serious About Play
July – Contemplate Heaven
August – Pay Attention
September – Retreat/Getaway
October – Money *my husband wishes I started the year with this one 
November – Go Love (serve)
December - Review

Some of these were the same as the authors, some just for me.

Additionally, I want to read a book each month, so if you have a suggestion that coresponds to the topic of the month, let me know!
JANUARY - I am reading (again) The Purpose Driven Life

I encourage you to be proactive with starting this New Year with a few goals to bring you happiness! Maybe even consider reading the book!

Want to know how My Happiness Project is going? Visit my blog every once in a while.

Happy 2011! May it be full of many blessings and much happiness for you!

Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!