January Stats

Reading:

Books:  12

Read Alouds: 5

Bible reading:  11 books

1000 Hours Outside--50 hours outside in the month of January

2021 Challenge--181.7 miles logged on my Fitbit

52 Hike Challenge--I ended January with 8 hikes toward my challenge.  

Resting heart rate--69--down from 75 on January 1st.  

Outside in January

One of my goals this year is the 1000 Hours Outdoors Challenge.  My personal goal is to get as many hours as possible towards that challenge.  I was surprised today to notice that I am only 5 hours short of 50 hours outdoors in the month of January!  I have been outdoors FORTY-FIVE hours since January 1st!  

I am not a cold weather person, but being a part of the 1000 Hours Outdoors Group has pushed me to dress for the weather and get outdoors anyway.  If it's raining or snowing, I usually wait for a break in the weather and go for it.  I always get around an hour walk outside and on the good days sit outside with my Bible or a book for another hour.  

Some days are pleasant and others are windy and cold and not so pleasant.  I take a selfie every day as a reminder that I am actually doing this no matter what!!!  And to have a record of this monumental accomplishment! 

Today was pretty cold, but I managed an hour walk.  Then, I asked Michael if he wanted to do his Clover Bowl practice and read alouds outside.  He had already been playing outside before and after his online karate lesson today.  He was willing, so I grabbed a blanket for my lap and it wasn't unbearable!

He brought out a snack and some hot chocolate.  

 

Proverbs Bible Journaling

 I joined a group of women a couple of months ago for a Bible study on Biblical hospitality.  We are now working through Proverbs a chapter a day using Bible journaling.  I'm actually really enjoying myself being creative and learning new lettering/journaling techniques!

Date Hike

Fort Loudoun State Park

Meadow Loop

3.25 miles

Hike #8

And a little letterboxing...

 

Fun Fridays: Firebuilding

 A couple of weeks ago, JP led the boys in a fire building lesson:

We roasted canned biscuits and marshmallows.  

This, That and Another

 

On January 9th when Michael was four years old, he asked Jesus to come into his heart.  We celebrated his spiritual "birthday" with Oreo ice cream cake.  

Daniel got his 9th place in the state of Tennessee scholastic chess tournament plaque in the mail.  

Michael created and designed a game "Dragon Quest".  He is in a constant state of updating it, so he and I played his updated version. 

I've been putting in the miles in the cold, rain and snow!  Since January 1st, I've walked 60.41 miles and logged 16 hours outside.  

Yummy black beans and rice recipes with lots of veggies!

Letterboxing

 Michael and I have wanted to get into geocaching for a while, but because of various technological issues--we have not.  Then, I rediscovered--letterboxing.  

Letterboxing is geocaching but with written clues that lead you to the location.  A treasure hunt of sorts.  Inside the hidden letterbox, you should find a rubberstamp.  You stamp your log book with their stamp and if they have included a log book in the letterbox--stamp it with your own rubber stamp.  Michael and I found some really cool stamps for our joint letterbox account.  

You can find all the information and search for letterboxes in your local area at Atlas Quest.

Our first attempt was a bust.  We looked and looked and could not locate the letterbox.  So, we set out a different day with more than one clue in our hand to try again.  Two more unlocated boxes and over an hour walking downtown, but then we found the box that went with our last clue!  

He was so happy when we finally found it!  

We found another letterbox earlier this week!  Tomorrow, we go hunting again!  

Letterboxing is a great way to encourage older kids to get outdoors any time of the year.  It builds logic and directional skills as well as perseverance!  So glad we found a new hobby to share together!