The month is racing by all too quickly. Twenty-fourteen has been a challenging year already, but the house is slowly getting back to normal. The kids are out of school today, and I thought it might be a good morning to check-in on how my resolutions are going…

1. Stress Less: Well I’m not doing so well on this one. This week has been stressful, and I’ve had insomnia most nights. One of the stress triggers has been the plumbing repairs. The repairs have been made, so that should be one less item to stress about.

2. Be Content: I’m doing o.k. with this one, I’m feeling good about where I am at, and my hobbies are keeping me busy.

3. Craft More: I’m easily keeping up with this one. I spend a bit of time in the mornings working on a new crocheted throw for the downstairs. I spend the evenings upstairs still working on a new crocheted blanket for our room.

4. Spend Less: This one is tricky… I haven’t felt like shopping (at all), and I’m putting off trips going to the store more and more. The only bad thing is when I finally get out to the store, it seems like I’m spending more than I would like to get the house re-stocked. I need to work on this one, and find a happy balance.

5. Take Better Care of the Kitchen: So not happening, especially this week with the plumbing woes. I have a pile of dishes with my name on them. I really need to work on this one too. Now that the water is back on, this goal seems attainable.

6. Practice Patience: Again, this one needs work. I think this resolution goes hand in hand with stressing less. This week has had it’s challenges, and my temper hasn’t cooperated. I’ve tried to be patient, but the house troubles really tested me.

7. Speak Less and Listen More: This one I am doing fairly well at. I might seem a bit quiet, but I like it.

8. Take More Walks, Mia Included: Not keeping up with this one at all. The weather has been cold, and crazy Kansas windy. I am getting on the gazelle most mornings, so at least that is a little bit of exercise.

9. Keep A Tidy Home: I’m doing o.k. Some rooms are tidier than others. I’ve picked up supplies to get the boy’s room back into shape.

10: Be A Creative Homemaker: I’ve been stretching my supplies, and re-using items on hand to decorate the house. This resolution is going pretty well.

I also set a goal of reading at least twenty books in 2014. I’m keeping up with this goal easily. I finished my third book last night. I’m anxious to get started on the fourth book today.

How are your 2014 resolutions coming along?

Wow, this month has flown by. There has been school programs, school parties, days off school, baking to do, and family to celebrate Christmas with. I’m sure there was some other stuff going on this month too.

It was a fantastic fun-filled month!

The kids are out of school, and the clock is ticking down to Christmas. There is still a lot to be done. This week is going to go by in a hurry.

Today we need to get to the store, and grab all of the Christmas cooking supplies. This year, I’ve decided to serve appetizers around lunch-time, and there will be plenty of desserts too.

Tomorrow I’ll be cooking ahead what I can, and I’ll be giving the house a good clean too.

I’m looking forward to Wednesday though. Christmas morning will arrive extra early, and we’ll have family heading our way too. The kids are already so excited. I hope to get to spend time relaxing with family, and catching up with everyone too.

Miss Agnes was up bright and extra early today. She was excited to take the homemade Sugar Cookies to Dylan’s class, and she was ready for Christmas break to begin.

Today the weather has turned chilly, and there is snow and ice on the way. We are relaxing a bit this morning, and enjoying the quiet while we’ve got it.

I am so ready for Christmas break to begin. It is fun having everyone home, and getting a little break from early mornings too.

There is still a lot to be done before Christmas day, and lots to bake too. Better get to it.

I’m looking forward to the weekend. I am hoping to have the rest of the laundry caught up, and the dishes caught up again too.

My hubby and I are doing much better. No more nausea, but just exhausted. Thade and Agnes are still having troubles with a bit of the tummy bug, but Dylan is back at it.

I’m slowly getting back to the normal routine… I’m happy to be back in the kitchen. This time I’m making ahead lots of soups to freeze just in case we need them. I’ve been baking just a bit too.

I really hope this is the last of the flu-bug…

The kids are down to just six days of school left until Christmas break, and holy moly I am not ready at all. We’ve got to stay healthy, and celebrate!