Reflections on Dreams and Goals for April 2023

 

April is wrapping up, and I am excited to see how the dreams and goals came together throughout this month! Here's a recap for you...

ONE. Make plans for Ryan’s Easter basket and birthday celebration. Our Easter week ended up being much busier than I realized it was going to be. (Note to self for next year: start earlier on basket prep!) But I did get his Easter basket gift figured out prior to the actual day, so we will call that a win. And though Ryan’s birthday didn’t fall on a day we were able to spend together, we still celebrated in the ways we could, and I loved the chance to spoil him even more!

TWO. Update driver’s license and get library card. I have to say, this visit to the BMV was one of the most painless I’ve ever experienced! I was in and out in no time, and the photo was even fairly decent. I’m officially updated to my new address, which meant…I could go get a library card! I went to the library on one of the days I knew my friend would be working, and she took such good care of me. She signed me up, gave me a tour, and set me free to explore and make my wish list!

THREE. Figure out plans for outdoor plants. We had a few Saturdays at home this month, which was such a blessing. During one of them, I combed through the garage and pulled out the planters we own, so I could figure out where I want to place them. That also helped me know what kind of sun/shade each would get. I have them all placed in their new homes, and I love how it turned out! And though we had nothing to do with this part, it’s been fun to see what plants were in the landscaping already and popped up when spring came to stay!

FOUR. Figure out our birthday getaway plan. Early in the month, we decided where we are going for this year’s birthday trip, and we chose our dates. Then I was able to move on to picking out what we should do while we’re gone! I think it’s going to be a fun little trip.

FIVE. Begin freelance writing project. I was able to interview my friend who lost her son to stillbirth, and I made careful notes about his story. She sent me her pictures and extra things she wants me to include, so I was ready to begin writing. I will begin the actual writing part soon. I need to have a stretch of time, and I haven’t had one yet.

Other notes from the month:

·         Ryan and I participated in several things at our church during Holy Week, and all of them were rich in meaning for us. Our small group did a seder meal, and we went to four different events at church relating to Easter.

·         Ryan sang in the church choir for the Good Friday service and also for Easter morning, and he really enjoyed that. I was the narrator for the Good Friday service. It’s been a while since I wore my narrator’s hat, and it was good to do that again.

·         We hosted our first local friends at our home this month. We had dinner with one of our couple-friends one night and then hosted our small group the very next night!

·         Ryan has been making great progress on organizing the garage. It was such a mess after our move, but he’s getting it slowly figured out. I helped with some of it, but this is more in his wheelhouse than mine, so I’ve left it mostly to him!

·         I attended a planning meeting for a women’s conference I’m speaking at this summer. I helped with this conference last year, so it felt good to have some familiarity with it!

·         We were able to put some final touches on our bedroom and guest room, which means we can check that box off the list and take the “after” pictures!

·         I set up my new day planner, which will begin in June. I’ve already filled in some days of commitments and am excited to see the story it will tell as it goes.

·         This weekend, our little buddy is staying with us, and we are excited to have him. It’s been a while since our schedules (and his) made that possible, so this is a blessing!