Goals [and Cookies!]

I am literally down to the wire until I am no longer doing the typical seven hour work day, and I literally can't believe it. Y'all, a year ago I started pinning things to a board called 'Homeschool,' and now I'm like, aw, crud, I haven't planned a dad blame thing! This week I started reaching out to other stay at home moms, seeking some schedule and curriculum advice, and I'm not panicking {yet} but I do feel a sense of urgency to come up with a PLAN.

I know I would get REALLY good at staying in pajamas all day, not brushing my teeth until noon, failing to change the kiddos into regular clothes, and honestly, forgetting to eat lunch because I won't have a set lunch time of 11:30-noon, like I did at work. While I think I'll celebrate my independence and freedom for a few days, I really hope to set some goals and follow THROUGH. So stay tuned... because I'm sure I'll have an update for you guys in a few months {progress? Or #epicfail?} EEEK.

1. Eat breakfast [at the table] with the kids and read a devotional while they eat
2. wash my face and everyone's teeth [maybe throw in a shower?] ;) 
3. start a routine of school work with them / letters, sight words, science projects, SOMETHING...
4. read aloud daily, other than at nap/bed time
5. go for a walk or play out back before naps
6. if laundry gets done, put it AWAY. this never happens [am i the only one?]
7. eat lunch. be healthy. take care of me. 
8. if i don't make it to the gym, do at least one Suzanne Bowen workout a week
9. write for at least 15 minutes a day, whether journaling or in this space
10. cook/prepare 1 meal a week, since my husband is THE chef of the household

Goals are good, right? I never keep New Year Resolutions [I've only kept ONE in my entire life, see that Pin of my One New Pie a Month grid here!] But I think goals are important for everyone. I have a lot of dreams and visions for 2017, and I'm excited to share more of those LATER. But for now, I'd love to hear what YOUR goals are as a mama or a wife. Do you stay at home full time, work from home, work outside the home? I'll still be doing photography + blogging, so I'll definitely be working from home, but I am beyond ready to lighten my load a little bit and have my children be my *main* priority. 

DON'T GO JUST YET... because here is a brand new winter cookie recipe that you should bake ASAP. Chocolate Snowballs, which came from Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Cookies magazine.

1 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. unsweetened dark cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. orange zest
1/2 tsp. salt
2 + 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 c. miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
1 c. powdered sugar
{for the record, I would use sweetened cocoa powder OR regular chocolate chips next time, just because i like things on the sweeter side}

1. in a large bowl, beat butter w/ a mixer on medium to high for 30 seconds
2. add next 5 ingredients (through salt)
3. beat until combined, beat in flour, and stir in chocolate pieces [dough will be CRUMBLY]
4. hand-knead the dough until it's in the shape of a ball and cover.
5. chill for 30-60 minutes or until easy to handle
6. oven should pre-heat to 350
7. shape dough into 1-inch balls, place them 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet
8. bake about 15 minutes or until they're just firm and the tops aren't glossy
9. cool on wire racks
10. place 1 cup powdered sugar into large ziplock and add cooled cookies to the bag. shake gently to coat
 

Voila! Easy first winter cookie recipe and the kids loved them.

Disclaimer: my husband totally made these. I was completely stressing out over our dog's surgery and to keep from crying, I took myself to the park for a walk and when I came back, these were in the oven. I married a keeper, guys. A real keeper.