My Proudest Moment

One year ago yesterday I did something I never thought I would do, ever. 

My proudest moment was when I ran my first half-marathon. This was such an awesome experience for me, because I set my mind to something and worked everyday to reach my goal. Also I got to run it with my dad, which makes so incredibly happy. His mindset was if I could do it so could he. Running was not my thing. I did not like it. With time I began to look forward to my daily workouts. I learned to respect to running, even when I wanted to give up. 

Running this with my dad is one of the best things I’ve done with my life. Even when we didn’t speak, we were cheering each other along. We were able to push each other to be better. I am not going to lie there were days where he kicked my butt! Thank you dad for doing this with me, I love you!

On August 29th, 2014 we did it. We ran 13.1 miles up a freaking mountain(remind me to never do that again). We started it together and we finished it together. 

After that I know that I can do anything if I set my mind to it. 

xoxo,

       MK

Inside My Planner

My planner is my life. I would be lost without it, I'm not even sure I would remember my name. I have been like this for a few years now, everyone has a way of keeping up with things, this is mine. I have tried a few different types of planner (here, here) and I mentioned in a earlier post that I was looking to invest in a Erin Condren this year. Well I didn't that. I began to struggle that I was carrying both my planner and blogging notebook but still didn't have everything wanted. So I took on the enormous (literally over 40 hours of work) task of making on my own planner. It was so worth it, I AM IN LOVE.

For the cover I picked out scrapbook paper that I like, added some stickers on the to personalize it. Then I had the sheets laminated at Office Max.

As soon as you open the cover there is a two pocket folder that I made out of card stock. In the front pocket I store all of my stickers and washi tape strips. I safe the back folder for important paper that I may need that day or in the near future. 

At the beginning of each month I have a goals page. I don’t know about you but having something written down makes me more likely to do it. I’ll be flipping through my planner and it reminds me what I want to accomplish this month and helps me stay on track. At the end of each month I plan to go back and reflect on how my goals went for the month.

Next is the monthly view, this one is partially planned out. I like to use wash type to mark out any traveling or days that I know are going to be completely booked. I also put wash type on the side to give the page some extra color. I really like using colored pens in my monthly spread because I don’t use as many sticker there. 

Since I made my planner the weekly view is customized to fit my lifestyle. Each is split up into morning, day, and night. I found this world best for my current schedule. I also have a spot to keep track of my water intake, sleep, and excise. This helps me because each time I look at my planner I can remind myself of the healthy choices I want to make and keep track of how I am doing. The lines at the bottom of the page are flexible lines, sometimes I put what I’m going to put for dinner, other times its something I am grateful for or a happy memory from the day. I like it not being set in stone (i mean ink), because it allows me to go with whatever I am feeling that day. I have a do to list on the side where I write things I need to get done that week but aren’t really scheduled. Also something that I don’t do that most people with planners do is color code things. I found it way to hard to keep up with I was always forgetting what color went with what activity and it was just a mess. I really like the organized chaos that comes with not having a color code. 

At the end of each month I have a place to keep my budget. This being the first year I really having to keep track of the money I spend and how I spend it this is super helpful. I have a page for bills that i need to pay and I write down when I pay them so I don’t have to worry about them anymore. 

I have three pages for expenses. I just write down everything that I buy and how much it cost so at the end of each month I complete my budget graph so I can see where I am spending all of my money. Again because I made my planner its customized to mr and has a Maci spot in the budget graph. 

The last page in each month is a notes page so I have somewhere to jot down notes on…well really anything. 

After all twelve months I have notebook in the back for blogging. I keep my post idea and planning back there. This alleviates the need for me to carry around both a planner and I blogging notebook, which makes my load lighter. 

My stickers and wash type are from all over the place. Some of the stickers I had left over from my last planner, some are from the Create 365 line, other just from the craft store, and the dollar store.

Although making my planner was a lot of work it was completely worth it because it is exactly what I need and want! I hope that is inspired in some way shape or form. 

xoxo,

        MK

How to be a Morning Person

With school starting soon I thought I would share some of my tips and tricks for having a better morning. Doing these things puts me in the right mind set to take on the day!

Drink Coffee
- Yeah, yeah don't do that. Caffeine isn't good for you, but hey, you are trying to be a morning person and nothing is going to wake you up faster than a quick cup of coffee. Honestly I don't feel like myself without my coffee in the morning...(cough cough...addict...)

Establish a Routine
- I cannot stress this enough. It will make it a thousand times easier to get up at 7 am if you always get up at 7 am. You need a sleep routine so your body knows when to go to sleep and when to get back up, but it goes farther than that. Create a before bed routine as well. This will allow your body to know when it is settling down for the night. Use your favorite face wash, put on some comfy pajamas, and read a good book. Just let your body wind down.

Have a Good Breakfast
- This will give you something to look forward to each day. I am ten times more likely to be happy when I am about to eat good food. Even if you have to make it the night before to save time in the morning, it is worth it. So whether its a smoothie or oatmeal, eat a yummy breakfast. Seriously though just looking at this smoothie bowl makes me want it to be breakfast already.

Pick Out Your Clothes the Night Before
- This will  your morning so much it isn't even funny. I have late too many time to count because I couldn't decide what to wear or I decided I hated everything in my closet. Having your clothes picked out will allow you to relax and let you look forward to putting on your cute clothes in the morning.

Go Outside
- The fresh air and sunshine does wonders for your sleepy eyes. Luckily for me Maci makes sure that I go outside as soon as I wake up every morning, but even if you don't have a dog just go outside and look around, be thankful.

Exercise or Stretch
- I know this is not realistic for everyone and certainly not every morning, but getting your blood pumping is such a wonderful way to wake up. The endorphins make me happier and I feel as if I can think clearer afterwards. So even if it is just for 5 minutes, do it.

Make Your Bed
- I feel like such a hypocrite typing this. I never, never make my bed, but I am working on it. If you make your bed you are less tempted to climb back for "just 5 more minutes." The real kicker for me is you feel so much more important at night getting into a made bed then an unmade bed. Its awesome for self-esteem.

Plan Your Day
- When you wake make a To- Do list or write down all the things you have to do that day. For me knowing everything I have to get done that day relaxes me, it makes me feel more in control of my day. This will also keep you more organized.

Don't Snooze
- For me this is a daily battle, sleepy mind vs. real me. Very day the I win I feel so much better about myself. This is a mental game every time you press snooze your trick your mind into thinking you are really going back to sleep which makes you even more groggy when you actually have to get up in ten minutes. So get up the first time.

Choose Music over Tv and Social Media
- This gets your mind in the right mind set. When you look at social media earlier in the morning you immediately are comparing yourself to others and are thinking enviously, but when you listen to music you give your self time jam out and be yourself before facing the real world.

xoxo,
        MK

My Favorite Books

Books take you on a journey, teach you a lesson, open your mind to new things, explore your heart in ways you never thought possible. This is a list of all my favorite books. There is no genre or age limit, just stories to fall in love with. There is literally something for everyone in here, pun intended:)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 

The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna

The Giver by Lois Lowry

An Awesome Book of Love by Dallas Clayton

Room by Emma Donoghue

Kisses from Katie by Katie J. Davis

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Anthem by Ayn Rand

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by Willian Joyce

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

Paper Towns by John Green

Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt

xoxo,
        MK

My List

I believe everyone has a list– a list of things they want to do in their lives. I also believe most people will not even do half of the things on their lists. So this is my (current) list. It will change with time, but the point is that I want to document all of these things as I do them as a way to help me keep a record of my goals in life. Life is about living...like really living.

Travel Aboard

Go on a Mission Trip 

Get a Tattoo

Go Backpacking

Make Money Blogging

Have 100 Followers

Get Married

Run Another Half Marathon

Go Scuba Diving

Go Rock Climbing

Go to Europe

Publish a Book

Sleep Under the Stars

Drive Coast to Coast

Go to a Murder Mystery Dinner

Start a Blog (February 2015, here) 

Pay a Strangers Bill

Take a Photo Every Day for a Year

Visit all 50 States

Get Fit, Stay Fit

Complete my Random Acts of Kindness List

Be a Vegan for Two Weeks 

Get 100,000 Page Views on my Blog

Dye my Hair Blonde

Be Brave ( here, here) 

Let go of a floating lantern

See the Northern Lights

Read 5 Books in One Month

Be a Mom

Have a Yes Day 

Adopt a Puppy (Maci, February 2015)

xoxo,
         MK

A Day in My Life

My life is changing quickly, maybe a little too quickly. As excited as I am for college and starting a new chapter in my life I am positive I will miss how my life is now. I cannot even believe I will not be living at home in two weeks! This is crazy. So as a way to remember this summer and see all the changes that are taking place in my life I decide to document my whole day in pictures. In a month or so I want to do this again to compare them. These photos aren't perfect but they really capture my day.

Maci bringing her bone outside, even through I told her to leave it at the door

Breakfast

Packing for nannying

Feeding Maci 

The boys were still asleep when I got there, no joke they walked down stairs like two seconds after I took this

Planning out my day

Coloring while the boys do homework. My favorite part of the day!

Luckily the boys like my favorite video game from childhood. 

At the pool with the kids

Leaving work for the last time

Sitting on the couch with my Mom after work

Getting ready, laughing with Haley and Ashley

Taking photos for the blog

Ashley playing in the grass while Haley helps me take pictures

Ashley riding in the cart

Taking Mae on a walk

At a family friends birthday party

Blogging before bed

xoxo,

         MK