A Worthwhile Investment?

It is rare that I have an hour alone (with my eyes open) let alone four. But a recent airline flight afforded me the opportunity to have four hours alone; no phone, internet, or television, just me. (Well just me and my iPod, I don’t do silence)

It got me thinking about time and how it is a commodity just like money. Often we focus on the things in our life we can touch – money, food, cars, stuff. We think a lot about how to better manage our money, how to eat better, how to get better gas mileage, or how to organize the school books.

I think we don’t spend a lot of time considering how we invest our time. I know for me, many times I wake up and there is already a crisis in my house. Someone has wet the bed, thrown up, or dropped a gallon of milk on the kitchen floor. Sometimes it feels like you put on your armor and jump into battle every morning.

As I sat on the flight, alone, I realized I want to be more intentional with my time. What is most important to me? For me it is:

  • Faith
  • Husband
  • Kids
  • Family
  • Homeschool
  • Friends
  • Church

Do my days reflect my priorities? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I have found that if  my priorities get mixed up my days don’t go very well. Whenever I try to put something first that shouldn’t be the day falls apart.

Twenty years from now what time investments will have big returns? My portfolio needs an adjustment, how about yours?

Some Things Money Can’t Buy

I was watching this video my friend Jen posted this morning and it reminded me that there are some things money can’t buy.  In today’s society many people work very hard for their next raise, promotion, or opportunity. Obviously supporting a family should be a priority, but what our kids need most from us is not our money, it is our time.

A good way to find out what your kids think your priorities are is to ask them what they think you like to do the most. How would they answer that question: would it be talking on the phone, watching television, cooking, crafting, taking pictures, spending time on the computer, or would it be spending time with your family?

With some hesitation I decided to ask my children this question on camera. I didn’t tell them the question ahead of time, I just called them in the room and told them to be honest. This is what they said:

My littlest one said I like cleaning up the most. I will admit I definitely love a clean home, but I don’t want that to be what my daughter thinks is most important to me. Obviously I have some work to do is this area.

Time with your children is FREE. It costs nothing to read a book, play a game, take a walk, tell a story, color a picture, make a blanket fort, or look for bugs. The best part is that even though it is free, there is an amazing return on your investment. Ask your kids what they think is most important to you.  It might be time to diversify your investment.

2009 Goals ~ January Update

How is everyone progressing with their 2009 goals? I am sure by now there are some goals that need tweaking, others that need to be eliminated and a few that can be crossed off! This month was less productive for me since we spent most of it on vacation. The baby is coming in less than 3 months so I need to get moving on some of these goals if I want to accomplish them!

Here is my updated list for 2009.

Books to Read

Family Goals

  • Family Bible time 5 nights a week – Getting there, about 4 times a week.
  • Family game night once a week
  • Exercise more as a family – ha! not a chance in 20 degree weather!
  • Family read alouds

Financial Goals

  • Purchase 15 passenger van (cash) by April 2009 – saving like crazy!
  • Fund IRA
  • Braces for child #3 half-way funded by end of the year
  • Cut grocery budget by $50 a month – scratch Jan- spent half the month on vacation
  • Live on half our income/ save or invest other half
  • Save for short term goals: vacations, homeschool materials, gifts
  • Start commission system for the kids
  • All extra money goes into house fund

Homeschool Goals

  • Restructure Bible time revamped high school, still need to work with the younger kids
  • More read alouds/ less silent reading
  • Research curriculum changes for 2009/2010 school year
  • Homeschool – Preschool with 4 yo three days a week doing school almost every day w/ her
  • Once a month library trips w/ kids
  • Create system for organizing past and future books

Homemaking Goals

  • Follow Motivated Moms Planner doing well so far click here to win one for yourself!
  • 30 meals in the freezer by April 15th
  • Create bi-monthly meal plans and shopping trips created 30 days of meals
  • Organize Clothing Bins
  • Paint/ refinish pantry cabinet
  • Involve the kids in meal planning/ prep
  • Incorporate more whole foods/ purchase less prepackaged foods in meals hot breakfasts in Feb!
  • Plant container garden
  • Enter all addresses into the computer
  • Try two new recipes a month
  • Room by room de-clutter and clean-out (one room a month should take me to 2010) Kitchen almost done

Personal Goals

  • Return to pre-baby weight by August 2009
  • Learn to knit
  • Make most of 4 yos summer clothing
  • Make cloth diapers
  • Make baby sling
  • Finish 3 aprons
  • Go to bed 1/2 hour earlier and get up 1/2 hour earlier getting up earlier but not by choice! I think I have pregnancy insomnia!
  • Take vitamins every day check!
  • Have all Christmas shopping finished before Thanksgiving

Places to Visit

  • Florida had a great trip, scroll through my blog for lots of pictures!
  • Williamsburg
  • Blissdom leaving in 6 days!
  • HEAV Convention registered!
  • West Virginia going in a few weeks!
  • Outer Banks

Spiritual Goals

  • Read through One Year Bible working on it
  • Increase time in prayer
  • Faithfully keep a journal haven’t started this yet 🙁
  • Make attendance a priority at church functions if we can keep the kids healthy!
  • Reach out to those who are different from me at church

Please link up your 2009 Goals progress! I would love to see how everyone is doing!

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The fine print. Make sure you link to your goal post, not your home page so everyone can find your goals easily. Link back to this site so others can join in. Try and visit some other participants and encourage them in their goals! If you don’t have a blog leave your goals in the comment section.
For more goal accountability visit Biblical Womanhood.