Helping Haiti

I've been blessed by all of the bloggers sharing how they are going to help the Haitian people. There are so many ministries and non-profit organizations trying to help that little country. I prayed over the past couple of days since I normally run to aid anyone in need.

I encourage anyone who reads this to please pray for those people in Haiti - and for the aid that is going there to get to the people that need it.

If you are looking for an organization to give to - that is responsible and led by the Holy Spirit - I can't recommend CrossWorld missions enough.

Personally, my family and I have been strong supporters of Crossworld Missions for years. The organization is amazing, spirit-led, country empowering. That's one of the attributes I love about this organization. They have missionaries, a seminary, and a school in Haiti and are keeping their website updated on how to pray or give.

Please join me in praying for the missionaries of CrossWorld specifically. If you are led to give monetarily, there is an opportunity to do so on their website.

Bonus Fundraiser:

I will donate 25% of all my Arbonne sales to CrossWorld missions for Haiti. Please purchase items on http://www.dfw.myarbonne.com/ or by contacting me via email Marie (at) myarbonne.com

I will be finishing up an MBA program in the next 17 weeks. I will be raising money for Haiti until I graduate at the end of May. I'll keep info on how the Haiti fundraiser is going in the sidebar (I have to figure out how to do that). I'll also keep you posted on how I'm striving to save money and keep managing our home.

January Goals

Last year, I started posting my quarterly goals, and only did so for the second quarter. I worked all year on number #1. The goal of getting Chad to take more vitamins/eat more veggies. I think a lot can be said for buy-in on that one. Just like the corporate world, you cannot make anyone do anything you want just so you can reach your own goals. They need to see the WIIFM (What's in it for me). And they have to "buy-in" to the idea.

Ultimately, I was able to get chad to reduce his coffee consumption by adding FRS to his diet, and he is drinking a small V8 juice at work everyday. He takes the Hybrid Vitamins, but not regularly.

The other 2 goals were reached and exceeded for us. I've reduced our weekly budget to under $80/week including disposable diapers. AND the kids ate almost all home-made babyfood for their first year.

Now we get into the first year of toddlerhood. What are my goals?
*** To enjoy this year. ***

I've heard people and seen people and been the person who has not been nice to toddlers. I want my kids to see how much I love them, how proud I am of them, and let them be babies for this last bit of their infancy.

I know that isn't a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) goal, but it is still a goal for me. :-)

so here are my goals (in no particular order)
1. Prioritize my marriage (plan date nights, keep a list of sitters)
2. Enjoy my kiddos (let them be kids, laugh with them, cuddle and play with them)
3. Finish my MBA by May 23, 2010
4. Successfully kickoff my at home business June 2010