So, in case you guys missed the announcement hidden in this post, I figured it was time for a little bit of an update. Also, it’s June, so we need to do a Resolution Update since we’re now halfway through the year. We’ll start with that and get to the announcement later.

I know we just did one at the four-month mark, since I was late getting that up. It should have been done at the three-month mark, but oh well I guess. Here’s to getting back on schedule, even if there isn’t much change.

Here’s the initial post about our 2013 resolutions, and the last update, for comparison.

1. Take a vacation that’s at least a long-weekend long. We went to Texas in April, recapped here and in the video below, and we’ll leave for our summer trip in a little while to do some more exploring. We’re also hoping to take a trip this fall, but we’ll see how we are with vacation time when we get there.

Have to visit more cities to add some pins to our DIY travel map!

2. Keep the kitchen counters clear by developing the habit to always put dirty dishes directly in the dishwasher. (Unless of course, the dishwasher is full or running.) I’m going to mark this one down as being halfway accomplished. I now do this at least twice daily, so at lunch time, the breakfast dishes, if there are any, go in, and after dinner, the supper dishes go in. I still have relapses, but we are on the way to this becoming a habit!

3. Replace the basement door and enlarge the storage shed back there. Soon-to-be-started. We’re in the planning stages. It’s the first big thing we’ll tackle after finishing the ever-growing garden. 

4. Organize the built-ins and vanity in the hall bathroom, the built-ins in the hallway, and even the kitchen cabinets. I’m afraid the kitchen may have gone backwards…and the bathrooms too. I’m getting myself motivated to start this soon. I’m gathering ideas and supplies. Really. I am. 

5. Build the kitchen table and refinish the chairs and bench. Well, still no major progress here. I have hopes of it getting started soon, though.

6. Buy a dresser for our master bedroom.  Done!

7. Visit a financial planner to set up maternity leave/retirement/tax savings plans for this self-employed writer. (Half?) done. We set up a small account for me, and understand my self-employment tax better now, and we recently went over Wyatt’s retirement plan and changed a few thins. Still more work to be done as we are always looking to the future.

8. Plan how to best functionally use the basement. (Maybe make some progress down there with painting, but I don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves.) We’re in the thinking stages. 

9. Clean and organize the two basement storage rooms and the garage. It got better right before the garage sale…and then it got worse again. More to come later.

10. Find a home church where we can finally find a family of believers to really belong to. Still in progress. Frustrating, tiring progress, but we’re still hopeful.

11. Read 10 things that are already on the bookshelf, combined. I think the current total is 3 down, 1 in progress, and 4 selected for the future.

12. Write five things that are just for me. I tried this one last year, too, but didn’t accomplish it. Here’s to second chances! I have several things I’m thinking about. Sometimes I think this blog should could, since it really is a passion on mine. We’ll see…

13. Speak each other’s love language in a big way at least once a week. Progress…

14. Have a real dinner party four times this year. Appetizers, games, sitting at the table… Friends or family guest lists yet to be determined. This one seems to be on hold until the table is done…but now that it’s warm, we can maybe do this outside?

15. And the last one’s from Wyatt, “Write one blog post every month.” He’s totally rocking this one! Here’s a few of my favorite posts by Hubs:

• June: Map Pinboard
• May: Porch Light Caps
• April: Building the Garden Boxes
• March: Curtain Work
• February: Mirror Fix-up
• January: Replacing a Ceiling Fan
• Bonus January Post: Fixing the Honda

So there’s our resolution update at the halfway point for this year. And now for the other update:

For those of you that don’t know, I’m going to be running a marathon this year! Yup, a full marathon. It’s crazy and scary and slightly stupid (according to some) but I’m excited about it. Even more excited than I was to run the Color Run last year.

Not only do I have this crazy goal to accomplish now, but I know I’ll be in great shape heading into the winter since the race isn’t until late fall…

I’m trying to be as smart as I can about my training because the last thing I want is to have an injury of some sort. Hopefully I can figure out a way to make it across the finish line, injury-free. We’ll see I guess. I’m up to a long run of 8 miles (that’s my plan for tomorrow) and I’m hoping to work up to 20 miles or so by race day.

How are you going with your resolutions? I want to see or hear some updates! Also, have you ever run a marathon? I’ll take all the advice I can get!