Goal Review

As July comes to a close and the year is more than half over, I thought it might be good to take a look at the goals I set back in January and take stock on how I'm doing. 

Recognize my need for divine help:

I don't know that I'm doing this as well as I did while pregnant, though there are still plenty of daily reminders of my weaknesses. We've been working on not yelling or hitting, and everyone in the family has had their fair share of time out's. I know I need help being patient with the boys, because on my own I am quick to get frustrated. My constant prayer is that I can see my children as the Lord sees them and learn to appreciate the stages they are in.

Recognize the answers to my prayers:

I've been praying for a while now to increase my self discipline, to truly be my own master; to act and not be acted upon. A couple weeks ago I had a truly horrendous gall bladder attack - the worst yet. I've never had one while not pregnant and at first I was pretty depressed about it. But as I've again altered my diet, I've realized it is an opportunity to practice restraint and choose to make sacrifices. I really believe this trial is an answer to prayer.

We recently fasted with Abraham in mind. He's been such a handful and I just haven't known what he needs. During our fast I felt the Lord's love for him and sensed his potential and what he can become. I felt he needs more consistency, both in discipline and routine, and that he will thrive when his successes are recognized and applauded. It was a great gift to be given a brief glimpse of God's love for one of His children and an answer to heartfelt prayer to know how to proceed with him.

Recognize blessings and accomplishments:

Despite the chaos I so often feel around me, I have been blessed with tender moments when I am so in love with my children. I look at them and am amazed that they were entrusted to my care and keeping. Little Mercy, especially, keeps me in awe of her perfect little fingers and toes and eyelashes and smile. I can't believe I made her. I am grateful for the body I've been given, however bothersome it may be at times. It made three beautiful babies and that is a blessing.

This morning the scale read 119, the weight I was when I got married. The diet I had to follow in response to the gallbladderitis and gestational diabetes played a major role in this accomplishment, but I've made choices and worked toward this goal on my own accord as well. Now it's time to focus less on weight loss and more on exercise and getting fit.  

Recognize ways to create similarly positive experiences for my family:

I feel like I've spent most of the year just trying to get from morning to night, a couple hours at a time. I have not done as much in the way of outings and activities as I would like, but we have our moments. We've been reading together more, working on little art projects and going on walks. Scripture reading together has been very consistent, and both boys are able and willing to pray several times daily. We are helping them set goals and encouraging them to work towards them: Hyrum is working on writing his name and Abraham has actively started potty training. Matthew and I are striving to improve our communication and planning our date nights ahead of time. Working together on the house has also brought us closer together.