Last year, about this time, I did some self evaluating and wrote this post about goal setting.  It is a really good post (If I say so myself) with good ideas about setting and achieving goals and how I was going to try to be more successful in 2018.  It is now time for me to report to you how I did and how I plan to improve in 2019. 
     After writing the post about goal setting, I shared another one with you about my own, specific goals.  I started out stronger and for longer that I have in years past, but I did struggle after my schedule changed when I started taking care of my granddaughter.  But, I did see a lot of progress in many areas, so I am calling my method a qualified success!  After all, any progress is a success and since it was my first year trying my planner method, I can give it a few tweaks and keep trying. 

My 2018 Goals and Progress Made: 

     Spiritual Goals-

    Preparedness Goals-

     Home Improvement Goals-

     Blogging Goals-

     So, all in all, I feel like I was fairly successful last year and hope to make this year even better.  I mean, who says that you have to have a year deadline on your goals?  No one, that's who!  I am going to hone in on my goals and keep at them! 
      This past week, we found Happy Planners at Micheal's for 60% off! This is the time of year to look for deals on calendars and planners.  Alicia got a large planner and mine is the smaller one.  I found them on Amazon, and I also found that you can get a hole punch that fits the Happy Planner pages so that you can add your own personalized pages to your planner. That would be perfect for me to add journaling pages to my planner. I also love how each month has a place to list goals.  That will be great for making short term goals that will lead to being successful on my larger goals. 

    How did you do on your goals this year?  Have you had any successes that you are really proud of?  Let us know in the comments!  

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     It is amazing how quickly 2018 has gone by! Looking over our past posts is pretty fascinating for me because much of what has happened in our lives is recorded here on our blog.  There is a lot of living going on, and a lot of learning and growing. That is what I love about doing this blog with my daughters and with the support of the rest of our family.  The growth and fun is all so apparent. We cover for each other when times are tough and we encourage each other in new endeavors.  I am so proud of my family and I appreciate all of you, our readers, who stick with us and give us ideas and encouragement as well!  Thank you so much for being here! 

     So, barring any sudden surge in activity over the next few days before 2019, here are our top 12 posts from the past year! These are the ones that have had the most engagement when they have been found on Facebook.  (Please be sure to like our page!) 

1. I am pretty proud of #1 on the list because I took a lot a ribbing about the cheesiness of this video from my siblings! Ha Ha! But, that was the point!  This is the post about Dollar Tree carrying Hallmark Cards! You can't beat .50 for a greeting card. 
2. Who doesn't love a baby story? And this one about Emily's birth is especially sweet.  Renny's "How to Grow a Human" post was very popular! 
3. Our 3rd place post was written by Alicia's husband, Adrian! He is from Ecuador and we have a number of his recipes on the blog already, but this time he actually cooked and wrote the post as well! Thanks Adrian! His post, Ecuadorian Arroz con Menestra y Carne & Plantain Cake actually has two recipes for you to enjoy. 
4. In December I shared the Gluten-free Brownie Recipe with you.  I am telling you, it is the best! Others must have thought so as well because it came in fourth! 
5. Many people are looking for a good side hustle they can do to make a little extra income. (Or a lot of extra income.) LIndsey shared some great resources on this popular post. 
6. Maddy and I went to Disneyland and I made a copycat recipe of the Beef Poutine I had at the Red Rose Tavern.  It is really good! We are thinking we should make it tonight! 
7. At Easter Time I shared my sister-in-law's traditional Portuguese Easter Bread.  It was so nice to think of her as I made it. 
8. Another Ecuadorian Recipe post made it in the top 12, and once again, you get 2 for the price of 1.  And since the price is free, that is a bonus! Both of these recipes use shrimp! Yum! 
9. Numbers 8 & 9 are actually tied. This post is a couple of years old but received a lot of attention this year.  Florida Fudge.  Do I need to say more?  It is the hands down best fudge ever. 
10. Numbers 10 & 11 are also tied!  At #10 we have the post where we share a simple way to make Disney bounding shirts.  Since Maddy and I were off to Disneyland for 5 days, we made these to be in the spirit of the trip while we were there. We had lots of compliments. 
11. I made this MIxbook Photo book about my family and blogged about it.  Since it tied with the Disney shirts, maybe I should make a photo book about our Disney trip! 
12. And last but not least is Maddy's tutorial about making your own ears to wear in Disneyland for your Disney trip.  These things will save you a ton of money and we got loads of compliments on ours. 

    There you go! If you missed any of these popular posts, go ahead and click on the links and check them out, or just take a trip back down memory lane with me.  We are gearing up for all new activities and adventures in 2019 and we hope that you will continue along with us! 
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    Reading Christmas books with your kids is a wonderful past time this time of year.  Many of these adorable books help kids to understand the meaning of Christmas and feelings present at this time of year. I always enjoyed adding something new to our family Christmas library each year and I love sharing our books with my grandchildren now.  If you haven't added any new additions to your collection yet this year, We have some selections for you to check out.  Many of them are still available on Amazon Prime, ready to be delivered today or tomorrow.  Or, you can get them on Kindle.   

Many of my grandchildren LOVE Daniel Tiger!  I love the lessons taught on the TV show.  This Christmas board book is sure to please! 

I was introduced to The Little Blue Truck when my grandson Adrian was born.  There is always a sweet message in these books.  This one is a board book with twinkly lights! 

Another board book! This one is a sweet rhyming book that tells the animals roles in the birth of the Baby Jesus. 

Cool Pete the Cat teaches that having the Christmas Spirit is groovy! 

When I was a kid, it always seemed sad to me that hibernating animals missed Christmas! Ha Ha! This story addresses what would happen when a Bear Stays Up for Christmas! 

This is the story of how a tiny mouse's actions affect many! It has a 5 star rating! 

The humor and word play in this book have made it a family favorite for years! 

This is a story of friendship with beautiful illustrations!  It is the one my husband is reading to my grandchildren in the photo! 

The Christmas Wish was on the New York Time's best seller list.  Beautifully written and illustrated, it reminds me of a Jan Brett story.  It is about a little girl who wants to be one of Santa's  elves and what she does about it. 

Speaking of Jan Brett, one of my favorite children's authors, here is a treasury that will be a wonderful addition to any Christmas collection.  It is a great price for a collection of 7 of her most beloved stories. 

If you love LIttle Women the way we do, here is a picture book that takes a sweet moment from that novel just to help you celebrate Christmas.  If you have a child just about old enough to read the novel, this picture book would be a nice introduction to it. (And, the novel would be a great Christmas gift!) 

Similarly, there are a number of special Christmas picture books pulled from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books.  The simple joys of the holidays in those early settler times are heart warming. 

Finally, this story, The Littlest Angel has been around for a long time.  I grew up with it and we have owned a copy for a long time.  But, just recently I was reintroduced to it by a wonderful storyteller who brought new meaning to the story for me in the beautiful way that she told it.  The message in the book is so sweet.  I began searching Amazon after hearing the telling of the story again after all of these years so that I could give it to my grandchildren and I learned that it is out of print! But, there are copies available, but they are pretty pricey!  The investment is well worth it though for the beauty of this story.  You won't find stories like this one written today.  

     I hope you will look for some quiet moments to sit and enjoy some reading time and to feel the magic this year that reading a Christmas story can bring. 

​And here are a few awesome last minute reading gifts: 

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     If you are looking for a simple and delicious little something new to serve as an appetizer, this combination of seafood with the hearty potato really hit the spot.  It isn't often that an appetizer gives me that hearty feeling of eating something substantial.  But the goodness of the potatoes with the cheese and the wonderful taste of the crab make these something special. As a matter of fact, I made some a little larger and my husband and I ate them as a meal! 
       

Crab Stuffed Potato Appetizers

Here are other appetizer ideas: