Goals for 2015

As I mentioned yesterday, when a new year begins, I prefer to set goals rather than resolutions.  I feel like this gives me a better target about what I want to achieve in the new year to better myself.  So, let's see what goals I've set for myself in 2015!

I had a hard time setting goals this year because of all the unknowns surrounding Baby Fish.  However, I tried to be realistic when setting these goals, and I think all of these are possible this year!

1. Memorize 24 verses of Scripture through the Siesta Scripture Memory Team.

I thought about setting the goal "Deepen My Faith" like I did last year, but that goal was not very specific and hard to measure.  While contemplating how to phrase this goal to be more measurable, I happened upon this post announcing the Siesta Scripture Memory Team (SSMT) on the Living Proof Ministries blog (run by Beth Moore).  

To join the SSMT, all you have to do is post what Scripture verse you will be memorizing on the designated blog post on the 1st and 15th of each month.  Then, memorize it!  That gives you 24 verses to memorize throughout the year!  Beth Moore suggests to keep a spiral documenting all of your verses for the year, and I've already gotten started with that.

My first verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, and I'm making great progress toward committing it to memory.  I'm so excited to be a part of the SSMT and feel this will be a great way to deepen my faith in 2015!

2. Be the mother God would have me to be.

This is a goal that is going to be hard to measure, but I feel that it is really important for me in 2015.  Baby Fish is set to arrive a quarter of the way in to the year, so I'm pretty sure he/she will be my major focus for the year.  

3. Run the Richmond Marathon in November.*
I'm putting this goal up here with an asterisk, and here's why:  When I started running more half marathons in mid/late 2013, I decided that I wanted to run a marathon sometime.  I also decided that the Richmond Marathon should be my first one, since I was born and raised in Richmond, VA.  It's always held in mid-November.  I debated doing it in 2014, but I'd already signed up for lots of half marathons and decided to plan for it in 2015.

Well, now I'm pregnant, and Baby Fish will arrive right around the time when I need to start training.  There's a lot of unknowns with Baby Fish's arrival (i.e. if I have to have a C-section, that's a 6-week recovery right there), and I've also read some things that running can hinder breast feeding.

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So, I AM going to go ahead and plan to run the Richmond Marathon this November.  However, the needs of my baby WILL come first, so I will not sign up for it until sometime in June.  I want to give myself time to see if properly training for the marathon is possible while putting the needs of Baby Fish first.

If I can't run the Richmond Marathon, then I'm going to set the goal of PRing in a half marathon in late 2015.  I feel like this is much more doable, even with an infant!

4. Take care of daily chores first.
I get lazy when I get home from work, and once I sit on the couch, things don't get done.  I want to prioritize the chores and housework and take care of those things first thing when I get home.  The needs of my family should come first, away, and I'm going to make that a goal for this year!  I have a plan for something that will help me with this that I'll be sure to share if it works out!

5. Meal Plan to ensure healthy eating and save money

Back when I actually did this...

I've tried meal planning before, and it really does make life so much easier.  I've also found lately that I'll buy things at the grocery store, never use them, and have to throw them out when they go bad.  I want to set the goal of meal planning in 2015 to not only make life easier on myself, but to make sure that I'm only buying things at the grocery store that will be used.  Plus, this will make my shopping trips more efficient--something that will definitely be needed once Baby Fish arrives!

I do plan to check in with these goals on the blog quarterly, so you'll see at the end of March how things are going :)

I'm linking up with the DC Trifecta bloggers today for Friday Five!  

Thank you to Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for hosting this link-up each week!  Head over to any of their blogs to see what goals other bloggers are setting for 2015.

I'm also linking up with Jill for Fitness Friday--check out her post today for a running challenge that may interest you (and has me thinking about joining in) for 2015!

Question for you: What are your goals for 2015?