Spring To Do List

 

 

I am not even going to update my Winter To Do List....I didn't accomplish hardly anything on it.  I know, I know.  But  I am giving myself grace and starting over.... and being a little more generous with my goals.

 

 

1.  Really decorate my deck this Spring/Summer.  I plan to enjoy this space alot.  I am planning an herb garden in my side area as well. 

 

2.  I have 10 scarves that I plan to make. 

 

3.  Get back to cooking and not just eating convience foods.

 

4.  Enjoy Katie's last Musical and Prom

 

5.  Plan Zoey, Cass, and  Kate's Graduation Party...oh dear....

 

 

Update 12 of Photo Challenge

 

81/365  Loved all the streaks this morning

 

 

82/365  Decisions, Decisions......

 

83/365 Beautiful girl singing a solo at church on this day

 

84/365  I would have loved to have seen this busy back in the day

 

85/365  Real life...homework and dirty dishes...



Update 11 of Photo Challenge

I created this with my Beautiful Mess App.....cuteness

 

 

71/365  Signs of Spring

 

72-75/365  I was not able to take pictures for a few days so here are a couple of my fav snap chats from the girls during this time.

 

 

76/365 my Bible pic with some effects from A Beautiful Mess App

 



 

77/365 These made the afternoon a little sweeter

 

78/365  Ugghh, this little patch of snow was just hanging on, even with several warmer days and some rain. 

 

79/365  A short but very profound book in God's book

 

80/365  Wow, I love these smiling faces!!



Update 10 of Photo Challenge

I am still taking pictures but uploading them has not been in my time frame. So here is a catch up....

63/365

 

What my work sometimes looks like :)  Love to read !!

 

64/365  My favorite type of bridge

 

65/365  I am also a fan of Graffiti as long as it isn't offensive.   Mine would never look as pretty though.  

 

66/365  I can't wait to get some flowers blooming!!

 

67/365  Weed or not, it is green amongst the brown.

 

68/365  Cousins :)

 

69/365  Beautiful Alumni Clock outside of the Library

 

70/365  Even though the drive to work was a little scary, the fog with the sunlight was Gorgeous!!



Do I Love My Now?

If I were to be quite honest.....no, I do not.  My oldest babe is getting ready to graduate, one middle is going to be in high school, one still in Junior High (and definitely in the stage of thinking I am a complete pain), and my baby is going into 3rd next year.  They change so much in 2nd.  I was looking at her the other day and she is definitely getting that older elementary look, the gnarly mouth from losing/getting permanent teeth, boxy body build, etc.  I am sad.  I know how tiring the other stage was when they were younger, but I would go back in a heartbeat.  I am feeling displaced.  I am also feeling regretful that I was not able to get back to being a stay at home mom before the other stage ended and this one started. 

 

 

However, I do love all the people in my now.  I have good friends, I have made some more good friends recently, and my family is the bomb.  I enjoy all of my children (even the ones who don't always enjoy me...he he), and this stage  has given Doug and I some new freedoms to do things together.  Plus, my wardrobe is more vast now that clothes and shoe sharing is in the mix.  I probably am more trendy now than I have been in quite some time :)

 

 

This is just another season in my life and I will look back on it with fondnes as well, and the upside is that I get more sleep now a days. 

 

 

Join the Jill Savage blog hop and let others know about your "Now"



Lent 2014

 

 

Well we had Fat Tuesday and then Ash Wednesday last week.  I usually try to sacrifice or "give up" something during the time between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  I am not Catholic but have always felt that this is an amazing act to prepare your heart for the Easter weekend.  However, I usually make this a food product and usually find that I cheat, make excuses for cheating, and then harbor guilt for the remainder of this time.  Now is that really preparing my heart?  So this year is different.

 

 

Jesus came to take my burdens away, not to give me more.  This year I am sacrificing my burden and truly accepting his gift of Grace and Unconditional Love.  I have "sacrificed"  my rights to this grace for many, many years.  I have prayed and believe in my heart that God will be glorified by this new sacrifice.  The difference being that after Good Friday, I will not be taking this burden back.  This years sacrifice will be a permanent one.  This years sacrifice will be life changing.  This years sacrifice will never measure up to his sacrifice for me, but will please him and bring him honor and will change the lives of the people around me.  Thank you God for speaking to my heart.

  

Update....10,000 Steps

Well I am still working on getting to that 10,000 steps a day.   I am planning on really celebrating (not with a cupcake) when I get there.  I am now trying to always walk on one of my breaks and starting to on both.  I have found that I slow down when I get home after work, so this is where my focus needs to be to get more steps in.  This is my progress so far.

 

 Day 6- 6233

Day 7- 7376

Day 8- 6335

Day 9- 4606

Day 10- 5247

Day 11- 2130
Day 12- 7540
Day 13- 7556
Day 14- 5823
Day 15- 9141
 

No matter what, I am moving more than I was and that is a "step" in the right direction.

Update 9 of Photo Challenge

 So these are the newest....

 

57/365 A beautiful barn at sunset

 

 

58/365  A surprise pretzel heart. Dorky but it made me smile.

 

 

59/365  I wonder, who lived here and what woman loved and called this place home?

 

60/365  A trim and bangs by mom.  I was putting that Cosmetology degree to good use.

 

61/365  Horseshoe Bend is full to the brim.

 

62/365  Happy Birthday to me.  Dreamcicle and Strawberry cupcakes decorated by The Cake Lady....yummo

 



3 of My Favorite Young Reader's Books on 3/3

In honor of 3/3 I am sharing 3 of my favorite young readers books.  All three of these are appropriate for Junior High/High School age as well as adults who like a quick read.  My girls have all read them and even my "I don't like reading" girls have enjoyed these.  In fact, my oldest daughter has read So B. It at least 5 times.  If she is in the mood to read (very rare) she picks up this one.  She is the reason I read it and I was hooked.  It is definitely a more than once read and I would love to read a sequel or series of this one.  The characters are so enchanting.  So grab a copy and a nice hot beverage and Enjoy!!

What I learned in February

 

I learned.....

 

My Vitamin D is at an all time low (self-diagnosed).  I need me some Sun!!! I may have to break my "never gonna fake bake again" pledge from two years ago.

 

That I am ready to make some changes in my life.  I want to have a heart for missions in a new way.  I am opening myself up for God's leading.

 

I am too sedentary (thank you fit bit) and am going to move more.  I also think this with help with some mood issues.  Your welcome family :)

 

If you read too much (because you are stuck inside) you will develop eye strain.

 

Shopping does not make me happy like it used too.  Thank you God for this eye opener.  Your welcome finances.

 

I do not give myself enough grace or time to work through my losses.  Time to deal with some old baggage. 

 

I am sad Katie is graduating.  I thought I was doing fine with it, but honestly it makes me sad.  Really sad.

 

Since starting the picture challenge, I notice things that I didn't before.  It is a new day dawning. I may have a new hobby.

 

There is beauty in snow and in winter.  There is hope in February. 

 

and most importantly....don't leave vinegar in your van to expand and leak.  The smell will NEVER leave.