Life is good

The title pretty much says it all.  Life is good.  As of September 3, I started a whole new list of goals (similar to the goals I set and accomplished during my Last Year of your life challenge) I want to accomplish this year.

Personal goals:
1.Finish my memoir.  I know I have been saying this for a while now, but I think it will be the final nail needed for closing up the past and leaving a complete record for my children if they desire to know any of it.  To be honest, it might even be something I might try and publish, but for now the goal is to finish the last year or two worth of chapters.
2.Learn to use and be comfortable with my air brush.  yup, that's right.  My awesome boyfriend invested in a very fun (and expensive) tool to help me further my cake business and add to my skills by learning how to use an air brush and color things with food coloring.  I am very excited about it, but still need to start practicing.
3.Visit someplace new.  There is so much to experience and I am the type of person who stays where I am comfortable , so this year, at least one, I will visit someplace new. 
4. Teach/complete a full year of pre-school for Dorian.  Well as you can see so far I have been successful in this one.  However it takes A LOT of prep work, which is worth every minute of it, but I also know I still have lows and little motivation at times, so this goal give up on me or on Dorian.  we have only completed two weeks so far, but it has already been such a blessing.  Our schedule  is reliable and set, creating an easier day for both me and the children.  I feel validated in contributing to the lessons and proud as my children thrive and learn.  Even my one year old can point at an A, say it is an A and then go a, a, a.  However, it would be great to have your support every once in a while just to get the encouragement to keep going :)
5. Maintain a size 12 pant size and a size medium shirt size.
6. Create enough pieces (crochet) to sell at a craft fair.  I am always making baby blankets for friends and dresses for my daughter.  Matt has very lovingly expressed on several occasions that he feels I have a talent people would want to purchase.  I have sold several pieces in the past to know what it sat a quality I could sell and be proud of.  Matt said I needed to get enough to sell so that he can get me a booth at a craft fair.  I think it is a great goal to fill some tv time with the kids and expand a craft I already enjoy that I thought this was a great idea.
7.Do FHE every week.  Sadly, I am already slacking on this one. I need to learn to make this easy and not as elaborate as preschool or it will never get done.  I am thinking we will start by discussing the articles of faith and why they are important and finding a way to incorporate it into our bedtime routine.
8. Attend the temple at least once a month.  Now this is something that I already do, but it is important enough I want to keep it a priority.
9. Make a trip.  There are serveral places I would like to visit (TX, TN, IN) and I feel I will never do it unless I commit (hence the goal).  Plus I am hopping to take Matt with me as my mom recommends a road trip with a boyfriend or girlfriend as you spend 24/7 with the person, helping one see capability and or stressors to work on.
10. Experience 5 new things I have never done before.  As you know, I spent all last year working on Cherish 2.0 so why not add new experiences to the new upgraded model, which in the end just furthers the upgrade.

Matt and I made several shared goals we plan on working towards together, and while I will not share them all, here are the two I am most excited about:
1. Read the Old testament and Book of Mormon all the way through: having only started 5 days ago I am already behind.  Matt has already finished Genesis while I am just now getting to Genesis chapter 30.
2. Get married.  Yes, that is our goal.  This is something that will take some time as we are still learning and taking our relationship slowly, but in terms of thinking ahead this is something we both want.  Both Matt and I want to be sealed in the temple for time and all eternity, but Matt, having been newly baptized will have to wait until March/April until that is even possible.  We are at the step in our relationship where we are beginning to discuss the future and all that it will entail and we are both very excited about it.

My relationship is going very well, my kids are happy, healthy and learning, my business is taking off and I am happy with my spiritual goals and achievements, that life is good. I still have some personal trials (including my health, that prayers would very much be appreciated) but the trials at this point pale in all the things I am blessed with.  I love you all so much and feel so blessed that you take the time to read what I write.