Goals

Month 2 of 12: Why Staying the Course Is Braver Than Starting

“Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”
— Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

How fitting as we step into month two of twelve.

It’s easy—almost exciting—to write goals down on paper at the start of a new year. Fresh pages. Big intentions. Hope feels abundant. But I recently heard something that stopped me in my tracks: by day nine of the new year, most people have already given up on their goals. Day nine. That’s barely enough time to break in a new planner.

There’s even a name for it.
The second Friday of January is known as Quitter’s Day.
Anyone else not know about this?

Only about 8–9% of people actually stick with their goals all year. That’s less than one out of ten!

Wow! That sounds exactly like the kind of courage Atticus Finch was talking about.

Real courage isn’t loud or flashy. It’s not the perfectly executed plan or the viral success story. It’s choosing to keep going when motivation fades, when progress feels slow, and when you already know this won’t be easy.It’s continuing—not because you’re confident—but because you’re committed.

You don’t have to be in the top 1%.
You just have to begin… and see it through.
Real courage isn’t rooted in confidence—it’s rooted in obedience. Scripture reminds us that perseverance is formed through endurance, not ease. We don’t keep going because we’re certain of the outcome, but because we trust the One who called us to begin.Say that last sentence again ,write it down and remember it❤️

Faithful steps—especially the unseen ones—matter. God honors consistency more than perfection, and He meets us in the quiet decision to stay the course, one ordinary day at a time.

As we step into month 2 of 12, I created a simple Courage Check-In Reflection Sheet to help you pause, reset, and gently refocus—without guilt or pressure.

It’s not about doing more.

It’s about staying the course in what truly matters.

[Download the Printable Reflection Sheet Below]

Still time. Still purpose. Still worth continuing.

Gathered thoughts, Goals

Starting the Year Slowly: Rest, Prayer, and Intentional Living

Is it ever too late to reset the year ?

Absolutely not.

Month one is behind us, and February arrives with pink hearts, quiet reflection, and space to breathe.

I’m thankful I chose rest over rushing—soaking in family moments, friendships, and prayer before jumping into plans and goals.

Instead of sprinting into 2026, I slowed down and asked God to guide every step. That pause changed everything.

Are you easing into the year… or racing ahead? Either way, may this year be filled with moments worth treasuring ❤️

hiking, pnw, Review, travel

The Ultimate Family Stop After Exploring the Gorge ~ Thunder Island Brewing Co

Mountain View from the patio

Looking for the perfect post-hike stop in the Columbia River Gorge? Thunder Island Brewing Co in Cascade Locks offers Mountain View’s, craft beer brewed with adventure in mind, and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re coming off the trails near Bridge of the Gods or just exploring the Gorge with your kids, this spot is the ideal place to unwind, refuel, and take in those incredible river views.


This is one of our favorite stops when we are hiking in the Columbia Gorge area. The restaurant/ Brewery is beautiful and who can resist a staircase that reminds you of Dog Mountain? Love it!

Always the more difficult ! Love this reference to Dog Mountain



They offer a great mix of food .. burgers to tofu ! We were pleased with the many choices and having such a large group it really was great we could all order something we liked.


Thunder Mountain Brewery Co perfectly captures what we love most about the Pacific Northwest: community, craftsmanship, and the great outdoors. Whether you’re winding down after a family hike or planning your next mountain adventure, this cozy brewery is the perfect place to raise a glass to good trails and great company.

Disneyland, travel

Fall in Love with the Magical Details of Disneyland ✨

Some of the most beautiful pics of Disneyland are in the smallest details ✨

Discover the hidden magic of Disneyland — from tiny design details to secret nods that make the park feel so enchanting. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, these Disneyland details add extra pixie dust to your trip!

Goals

Resolutions Check In ⏱️

Cultivate Planner

Resolutions checkin.. how are you doing for 2025?
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This year, I planned and scheduled a quarterly refresh of our resolutions to go along with my cultivate quarterly refresh . Yay! For already having it on the calendar 🙌 This way it lets me look at our year 3 months at a time instead of the whole 12 months at once which was great! Our family was able to see some goals we achieved for the year and to also remember what we were all working toward.
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Another fun way to stay motivated was making these vision boards with friends at the start of the year. I keep mine posted on the front door so I can see it everytime I leave . A good reminder of how I want this year to look and what I am working toward.

Vision Boards



Have you ever looked at your year as quarters or do you regularly review your goals /resolutions ? Share your tips below.. I would love to hear them.

Gathered thoughts, Review

Gathered Thoughts

It’s that time again to start planning and this year for my home management and family life , I chose the @the_happy_planner @disney planner✨
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I am loving the layout and the beautiful dividers for the month. Since this planner will be mostly laid open on my counter all day every day, I knew I wanted it to be pretty to look at so I would want to actively use it.
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Oh and did I mention that it might give off the slightest princess vibe? Ok it TOTALLY gives it off and with so much of this world trying to tell us what we aren’t it is such a sweet reminder that we are Princesses and it reminds me of my identity in Christ and how He sees me.. as a princess! So yes I’ll take that any day💜