Christmas!

Christmas was wonderful! Despite waking up riddled with anxiety when I realized it was Christmas Eve.  Thankful the anxiety began to abate as I crossed a couple tasks off my to-do list and heard this song by Toby Mac as I headed to work at the church.  I turned it up super loud and let the joy of Christmas wash over me and made it a point to remember that it WAS CHRISTMAS! The lists didn't matter, if things didn't get done...so what.  It was Christmas just the same.



It was a merry holiday indeed. The Church service was wonderful. It is my favorite service of the year. Pastor Eric's message urging us to remember to keep Jesus and Christmas in our herts year round. To keep him the focus of our life not just on Christmas.

After Church we went to Mom and Dad's.  Food and laughter abundant. I am so thankful for this family God has blessed me with. 















Mikayla got this pickle tshirt from Aunt Laura.




Ryan got this new toolbox, complete with new tools!  It used to be Poppie's toolbox, then Daddy's now it is all Ryan's.


Hannah's "American Doll".  She wanted an American Girl doll, this is the Target version but she loves her all the same.  Hannah says she looks just like her! She named her Anastasia.


The Mister in his new Packers Hat. :)



My new running jacket and Castle Calendar! I can hardly wait to hang it up in the kitchen! Bring on January!! ;)

Hoping you and yours had a very merry Christmas as well.

Christmas Cookie Round Up

I have been baking up a storm the past couple days. Oh how I love Christmas cookies! I am so sad that due to schedules and circumstances my buddies and I were not able to have our annual Christmas Party and Cookie Exchange. Here is the round up of cookies and recipes I have made this year.

• Red Velvet Cookies
• Raspberry Ribbons  (A family favorite, this is one my Mom almost always makes at Christmas time)
• Gingerdoodles (Two favorite cookies combined Gingersnaps and Snickerdoodles. Rhett and Mikayla insist on calling them Snickersnaps.
• Roll out cookies
• White Chocolate Chip Cookies with Peppermint Glaze (Seriously think these ones need a shorter name!)

A favorite Christmas Song...this one always makes me smile =)

year of running... 2013

I came across this blog link up this morning. How was your year of running?  Right now I am feeling like a fake and a fraud.  My running this week as been nonexistent. :/  At best it has been once a week lately. It makes me sad and grumpy to think about it.

I feel like {at times} the Christmas season is swallowing me whole.  But today is a new day.  I am seeking His joy and not going to get bogged down with the details.

I started running in June.  So really I have only been "a runner", for 6 months.  Not the whole year.  And if you told me last January that I would start running, and run a 5K this year, I would have laughed out loud.  But I did!

Here are my 2013 answers...

What was your:

• Best race experience? I ran my first 5K (and only race to date) August 17 in Erie, PA with my sister and some cousins :) It was fantastic, we had so much fun. And hope to make it an annual tradition.
• Best run? This random November Run; it was snowing {kinda}.  There was nothing super incredible about it, but its the first one that came to mind.  I remember it vividly and it still makes me smile.
• Best new piece of gear?  I was ridiculously excited to find my fleece lined running pants/leggings whatever at Marshall's  =) A bargain and have got me out running the handful of times I have made it outside this season.
• Best piece of running advice you received? Don't give up.  Even now, I am feeling like a fake and fraud, as I previously stated.  But I am not going to quit. I am going to get out there and run some more. A lot of times I don't feel like a real runner.  Especially when I find myself reading and following marathoners.  Those girls are "real runners".  But am learning that it doesn't matter.  Running can be a solitary thing.  I don't need to compete against anyone but me.  As long as I am out there, I am moving forward.  Getting stronger and healthier everyday (I hope).
• Most inspirational runner(s)? My cousin, Kelly and my sister, Laura.  I could not have run the race without my sister by my side.  Learning my cousin was running a half marathon was what truly got me started on my running journey.  I figured if Kelly could run a half, I could at least attempt a 5K.  And even the day of the race as I was huffing and puffing along beside my sister, I kept thinking Kelly is running 13 miles right now...surely I can do 3! 
  Also drew a lot of inspiration from Kelly over at I am running this, hers was the first running blog I started reading :)  I still read it religiously every time I see a new post.
• If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? Press On.  This has not been an easy year in any way, shape or form.  It has stretched me, I have grown stronger.  I have learned sometimes you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Press on, don't give up, keep moving forward.  You  will get there. ;-)

I was excited this morning to find a new challenge starting in January.  I think I am going to start again with the Couch to 5K program.  I have been such a slacker.  Winter is doing me in and it hasn't even really started yet!  Hopefully I won't be totally back at square one.  I am going to sign up as a "beginner", which is a challenge to do 10 miles per week. Which at this point will be a huge jump.  But I can do it. ;-)


 

One Hour Bread

Seriously!

Yesterday I came home from work, set about making soup for dinner.  Time was getting a bit short and still wanted bread to go with dinner.

Eureka! I remembered the One Hour Bread made in pampered Chef's Deep Covered Baker.  I decided to give it a shot.

It came out perfect, golden brown and delicious!

1 Hour Bread

•  5-6 cups all-purpose flour (you can substitute whole wheat flour for 1 or 2 cups) 
• 2 tablespoons dry yeast 
• 2 tablespoons sugar 
•  1 teaspoon salt 
•  2 cups hot water (120° to 130°) 

*Mix 4 cups of the flour with the yeast, sugar, and salt. Pour in hot water and beat 100 strokes, or three minutes with a mixer. Stir in additional flour as needed until the dough is no longer sticky. Knead 8 minutes. (I use the dough hook on my kitchen aid mixer). Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp towel. Let rise 15 minutes. Punch down and shape into a large loaf. Place the dough a deep baker that has been oiled. Cut a slit about 1/2 inch deep along the top and several small slits on either side of the first slit. It will look a little like a branch with leaves when you are done. Put the lid on the baker and place in a COLD oven. Turn oven to 400° and bake for 40 minutes. Don’t peek at it. You just have to trust that it is doing what it is supposed to. Remove the lid and bake an additional 10-15 minutes to brown the top 

This is the soup I made last night too.  So good! {Click on the picture to go to the recipe}.

Christmas perhaps...means a little bit more.

 

I have thus far been reminded by two people already this morning to rejoice, look for the JOY of Christmas. Christmas Day is going to come, whether or not I am "ready" for it.  When it comes down to it, the things that we stress over-- usually don't really matter.

Its about Jesus.  The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp has been a treasure and bright spot in my mornings this December.  A definite reminder to focus on the things that really matter.

Its about family.  I am looking forward to lots of family time.

When it comes down to it, everything else fades away.

from The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp

Read Miles & Blessings blog this morning as well.  Another perfect reminder.

Some JOYS to count~

• Christmas Shopping with my Mom and Sister <3
• Mikayla's desire to cheer up a friend
•  got a few more stocking stuffers ;)
• Sunshine
• the beauty of freshly fallen snow
• being able to park in our garage
• soup and fresh baked bread

Tonight I hope to bake a bunch of Christmas cookies!  I have been perusing pinterest to find the perfect assortment. :)  My goal is to make enough to make three cookie trays, one just for munching now ;) one for our Christmas Dinner at Mom's and one for Christmas Day :)

I have been thinking about My Happiness Project... Here is the start of my list... I can not believe the in less than two weeks it will be 2014.

I will not complain about the snow. I will not complain about the snow. I will not complain about the snow!  This was my mantra today. :P   I think I mostly succeeded.  I am trying really hard to stop complaining.  To stop sighing.  To remember to look for the good.

Tonight I made a Taco Braid for supper.  As I was making it I remembered one reason why I rarely make braids.  Mine always come out looking sloppy and wonky.  But as we always say we are "Pampered Chefs...not Perfect Chefs!"

While rings and braids were pretty much a Pampered Chef staple, the recipe I used was via pinterest and not the pampered chef recipe per say.  The recipe can be found at 3 Moms and a Kitchen.  I pretty much mashed up the PC recipe and the blog recipe.  She had lots of pictures on her blog-- if you are the type that needs a tutorial ;)  I also made a printable version or the recipe...click HERE to see it.

 

Taco Braid

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
• 1 can of RoTel (I used the cilantro and lime one, it was pretty spicy)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

In a skillet, brown 1lb of ground beef with onion and garlic.  Add taco seasoning and RoTel.

Roll out crescent roll onto baking sheet. Mend the perforations.  Cut crescent sheet on both sides 1inch apart.

Put cooked meat mixture in center of cut crescent sheet.  Top meat with cheese.  (I forgot the cheese and sprinkle it on top after I sealed up the dough...again...Pampered NOT Perfect!)

Fold crescent strips over meat mixture and press the strips together to seal the braid.

Bake at 350^ for about 20-25 minutes.  Crescent dough should be turning a nice golden brown.

Serve with sour cream, and additional taco toppings if desired.

Tonight was Ryan's Holiday Concert.  Postponed from last night due to winter weather {I will not complain about the snow! ;P} They did a great job.  I always enjoy being at their concerts.  I love how much my children love music.  I am thankful we live in a district with such a great music program and great music teachers.

Hannah and I are reading Christmas Stories for Bedtime.  She read most of the story to me tonight.  I am getting such a thrill out of watching her become a reader.  I love that she loves reading.  She says Mrs Shepard {her teacher} really turned her onto reading.  

The other night as we finished reading she turned to me and said "I really love how the author wrote this! What is the author's name?"

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Hard to believe its been 7 years since this ray of sunshine joined our family.

She brings such joy to our home.



 Birthday Cupcakes ready to take to school.

Birthday pancake :) She thought it was pretty crazy that I stuck a candle in her pancake!

Birthday Dinner... SUBWAY!

After dinner we had to head over to church for play practice.  We surprised her downstairs after practice with cupcakes!

Look for the GOOD

Today was a struggle.  I was thinking about groceries. The housework that needs done. The gifts I somehow have to find time to buy.  The Christmas outfits that need to be purchased.  The Christmas jammies I want to make but probably won't.

My body is tired.  My spirit is weary.

I need some hope. Some perspective.

I drove home thinking of all the things I needed to cross of my list.  I felt more tired.

I came home.  I started putting away groceries.  Talked a little with Mikayla. {She is trying out for the Spring Musical tonight}.  Texted my Mister, offering to make dinner a half hour earlier so we could eat together as a family.  Turned on KLOVE, a bit louder than usual.  My spirit started to lift.   

Look for the GOOD, I heard.

As I look around my home I see much evidence of the family who dwells here.  Its far from perfect but it is home.  And I am blessed.  I will look for the good.  I will be thankful.  I will purpose to be joy filled instead of weary and empty.

The JOY of the Lord is my Strength. Nehemiah 8:10

• So I am thankful for today.  
• For this Christmas season.  
• That I could get Ryan's saxophone to school on time. 
•  For the quiet, peacefulness of the church today.  
• For a multitude of  answered prayers.  
• For chats with my eldest daughter.  
• That I can take her to try outs tonight.  
• That tonight is a night to {mostly} be at home.  
• That we can eat dinner as a family.
• For this little cutie, who turns 7 tomorrow.
  
• For all the family and friends who came to her party 
• Dreams of maybe living next to a best friend.

Thank you Father for reminders to look for the good that is all around.  To believe in the good in people around me. Thank you for answers to prayers.  Thank you for Christmas.

My heart is so sad and heavy.  There are just no words.

Yesterday after school Mikayla walked in and told me her teacher had been in a serious car accident.  I had heard about the accident and was shocked to hear it was one of Mikayla's teachers.  She had Ms Hyland for two years, 7th and 8th grade for Social Studies.  She was one of the nicest teachers, Mikayla told me.

This morning I heard the news that Ms Hyland passed away.  My heart aches for her family.  For her students.  My prayers are with them, that God would wrap them in his love and comfort and guide them through this tragic loss.

Last night was the High School Holiday concert.  It was dedicated to Ms Hyland.

The concert was phenomenal. The video below shows Mikayla's Concert Band performance from a couple weeks ago, as well as the Concert Choir from last night.

Christmasy Things

It is starting to look like Christmas at our house. Slowly we are pulling out the decor, getting into the festive holiday spirit.

I am enjoying my advent studies. This week is the week of Hope.  I feel like Hope is something I need this week. Life just has a way of weighing you down.  I am thankful that God is always there to lift me back up.  Praying today, for a dear friend in the hospital.  Its scary how quickly life can be turned upside down.

Hop on over to Ann Voskamp's blog and watch her video from Sunday, on HOPE. It spoke life to my soul.

We decorated the mantle this morning, and got out the Veggie Tales Nativity set. There is just something about the glow of Christmas lights. :-)

Yesterday morning I snapped this on my morning run.  It just made me happy to be outside, being thankful to be alive, healthy and strong.

I have officially started my Christmas Shopping as of yesterday. I am trying hard not to be overwelmed by the swiftness of the Day approaching.

One week from today my precious Hannah Mae will be 7 years old.  Does not even seem possible.  Sunday we will celebrate with family and friends.

<3 Baby Hannah coming home from the hospital <3

Christmas IS Coming

I can not believe tomorrow is December first and the beginning of Advent!  It seems like the days and weeks are so long and yet time is flashing by so fast I can hardly catch my breath!

I love Christmas time.  I love everything about it, although I am guilty of losing the joy of the holiday and getting far to caught up in the hustle and bustle and STRESS of the season.

This year I want to take a step back.  Not get caught up in the stress of not having enough money.  Not worry so much about the presents.  The gifts are generally discarded, lost or broken after Christmas morning anyhow.  Don't get me wrong, I love giving and receiving gifts as much as anyone.  I just think more emphasis needs to stay on the reason for Christmas.  More joy needs to be taken in the people around me this season and not the THINGS.  I want to savor this season and not get so lost and wrapped up in the busyness of it all that before I even know what's happened its February!

I have two Advent plans I am excited to start tomorrow.  One is The Gift by Ann Voskamp.  Mom gave me the book on Thanksgiving.  :-D I can hardly wait to start reading it.  The other is by Good Morning Girls a blog I sometimes follow.  I enjoy their online studies.  They also linked their advent devotional series with youversion which I am totally excited about.  I can read it on my phone no matter where I am.  For the Good Morning Girls one you do have to subscribe to it via email in order to get the extras.  Its totally worth it though.  I find I am less likely to forget about it if it is in my inbox, plus they have links to printables like a Bible bookmark with the reading plan.  The Bible study guide and prayer journals.  Also extras to do it with your kidlets if you want.  The advent one especially has activities for kids as well as alternative activities for young kids.  Check it out!

I think when I get home from work today I will haul my box of Christmas decorations up from the basement.  Clean my house and start transforming it into a Holiday Haven.

What are you doing this season to keep the focus where it should be?

Here is a little Christmas Treat for you to kick off the season. The song I used in last years Holiday Video is Christmas is Coming by Jason Gray.  I heard it on my way home from work last night, it fills my heart with JOY and anticipation... As I have written this entry I have already watched this video like 5 times.  So thankful for my family, friends and memories!...and my dog ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just finished my October video.

Watching my videos and reading my gifts makes me incredibly thankful! :-)

Have a blessed day all!



Just in case you missed them you check out my past videos here

contentment

Today my heart is happy.  I am overflowing with happiness, joy, thankfulness. I am excited for thanksgiving tomorrow.  Getting to spend it with some of my favorite people.  For the Thanksgiving Eve service tonight.  That cozy home feeling I have when I am with my church.  For texting all day with my best friend, silly things, plans, hopes.

I am thankful today for getting to sleep an extra hour, and then spending time in the Word with my coffee.  When I went out to start the van I was kicking myself a little for not going for a run.  The road was relatively clear and at 34 degrees the air felt almost balmy ;-) ;-)  But I think I needed to sleep and devo time even more than a run.

But I did go out this afternoon for a 2 mile run/walk. I have really been slacking on my Pile on the Miles Challenge.  So far I am 12 point something miles with only a few days left in November. I kinda feel like I am starting over as far as running goes.  But I am trying to not beat myself up over the days I don't get out but work harder on running more and doing other things when the weather truly does keep me indoors.

Last week sometime I got a postcard at the church for a 5K in January.  It benefits the Rescue Mission. It peaked my interest. I checked out the website and posted the it on the bulletin board.  Tonight after the Thanksgiving service I was chatting with my mom in front of the board and half joking asked if she wanted to do it with me ;) We could even just walk it, I said.  She didn't laugh out loud at me.  And I really, really want to do another race so I am thinking maybe...maybe...and if I could get even one person to say they would do it with me, I might have the guts and accountability to follow through.

Some of my favorite moments from the past week or so.....

Packing Operation Christmas Child boxes at Church

Mikayla's band concert

 
Hannah's Girl Scout Investiture; she was so happy and proud 

 
Her new badges ;-)

Making thanksgiving cookies with Hannah and Makenna.


First Real Snow of the Season

friends, near and far

This morning the thanksgiving challenge I have kinda sorta been following on facebook, was for friendship.

I am so thankful for the friends in my life. There was time I was incredibly lonesome. How thankful I am that is no longer the case.

I am thankful to have wonderful friends right in my family.  Now that I am grown, I realize how blessed I am to be part of the family I was born into. Loving, supportive, close knit. My mother and my sister are truly two of the most precious people in the world to me.  I hope that legacy carries on with my own girls.  My dad and brother are pretty great too.

I am thankful for the friends at my church.  New and old, people who have become as dear as family.

This past week I was feeling sad.  It seems life as become too busy for true friendships.   Friends become transient, fading in and out of our lives.  Because of circumstances.  Seasons changing. Distance. Sometimes there is nothing that can be done.  Being a former military family, we have friends scattered across the country.  Some we are in occasional contact with, others it feels as if they are only memory.  I am thankful for Facebook that makes it easier to feel connected (at times) even though miles are stretched between. I can see my friends' children grow up.  Kids I haven't seen since they were toddlers, some I have never seen in person.  Now growing into young men and women.

I love this time of year when we get Christmas cards. Letters and pictures from far away friends.  :) I have one friend from our time in AZ, who now lives in Texas.  Oh how I wish she still lived next door to me! Hers is almost always the first holiday card I receive and one of my favorites to read. I remember the day I found out I was expecting Hannah I got an email telling me she was also expecting number 3.  Our girls, who don't know each other at all are exactly one month apart.

I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have all my dear friends gathered in one community.

I was invited out for coffee on Friday night.  I almost said no.  I was tired.  I feel like I am constantly running. I didn't really want to go do one more thing.  But in the end I did go. And am so glad I did.  We talked about nothing in particular.  Just sat around for a couple hours at our local DD sipping assorted hot beverages, chatting and laughing.  I urge you, make time for your friends.  I am thankful on Sunday morning I had time to chat and reconnect with another friend.  Even though sometimes it feels like it, I know I am not alone.  Even though we are often all running in different directions I know they are there.  That we can call, txt, message or just get together for a cup of coffee and nothing has changed. And it feels like home.

look up

Boy was I having some issues this morning.  I awoke cold, tired and a little bitter.

Everything made me want to scoff and scowl, from seeing people's thanks on facebook {yeah, seriously} to seeing men putting up the Village Christmas decorations as I drove to work. 

My heart felt sad and hurt and I wanted to kick and scream and lash out at everyone else. Or better yet just go back to bed, pull the blankets over my head and just wait it all out.

One concept from The Happiness Project kept running through my head.  Act the way you want to feel.  Did I want to be bitter and grumpy?  No. Could I control the under lying issue that I knew was triggering these feelings?  No.  What could I do?  Enjoy this beautiful sunny {albeit chilly, but it is November after all} day.  Choose gratitude and joy.  Pray.

On my drive to work, I also saw a cross. Actually it was the shadow of a telephone pole on a roof.  But to me it was a cross, it was a sign and a whisper to my heart from Jesus himself. You are not alone, I am here.  Just let go, it will be ok.


So today I am thankful.

• Mikayla helping Hannah to learn the Girl Scout Promise
• Seeing my girls excitement
• the Mister making plans for our Date Night
• going for a run even though I didn't want too, 1.63 more on my #POTM2013
• reading some encouraging blogs
• Butternut & Apple Soup for lunch
• its pizza night
• there is no where I have to go tonight

 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good,  reject every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians  5:16-22 niv

this guy

Apple picking this Fall

I am profoundly thankful for my husband. I am thankful for all 15 years of our marriage. Even the really rotten ones. They made us who we are today, and I appreciate the love we share all the more because of them.

He does so much for our family. For me.  Works so hard.  I know I at times take him for granted. But I love him.  I appreciate everything he does.


Last night we got to have a sweet little unexpected mini date.  He went fishing right after he got home from job #1.  Just has I was about to walk out the door to take Hannah to Girl Scouts, he called.  He forgot his pedometer in his pants pocket, could I grab it and he would meet me at Girl Scouts before he had to go to job #2.  I expected him to show up, grab his do-hickey and head right off to work.  Instead he showed up, DD in hand.  We stood in the hallway and chatted while Hannah was at her meeting. Sipping our glorious hot beverages.  It was wonderful.  Time, I think we both needed. ;) Hopefully, this weekend we will be having our real date, that was post-poned due to last weekends illnesses :P


The week we met...Lake Champion, 1996


Wedding Bells, 1998

snow run

See that white stuff? Yup it was snowing. Not a lot, but it was snowing.  And it was pretty darn chilly, 28 degrees according to my phone. Next time I most definitely will not walk out of the house without my gloves.  I had two layers on my bottom half and three layers on my top half.  I was pretty comfy and toasty as long as I kept running {except for my hands}.  It felt great to get out and run.  I felt awesome.  At one point though  the negativity threatened to over take.  As I frequently do I began to think why the heck am I running?? This is so stupid! So pointless! So HARD!!!!

Ah ha! I caught myself and changed my inner dialogue.  I love running! And I love running because...

• its good for me
• its making me stronger
• it clears my head
• I love to be outside
• I love the way I feel after

As I began to say these things to myself instead, the run got easier.  I felt mighty and triumphant.  When I came to my turn around I thought about going on a bit, decided not.  I did have to get to work after all... As I crossed into my driveway, for the first time felt like I wanted to keep running, not oh my gosh thank God I am home! ;-P I am counting this as a triumph and a sign that I am stronger than I think.  A sign that maybe just maybe I want to train for a half sometime still to be determined.

Another confession, I really got caught up in reading about the NYC Marathon recently.  To the point I am toying with the idea of putting it on my bucket list {sometime WAY out there in the future}.  It sounds crazy and impossible.  But 6 months ago the thought of me running at all was laughable.  So who knows.  I will keep running one step at a time and see where the road takes me.

I am behind on my Pile on the Miles challenge :(  Various reasons some of them mere excuses.  Others valid, like the whole family coming down with the dreaded stomach bug last week.  Blech.  I am still gonna try and make it.  Keep plugging along, step up my game a little bit.

According to my Runstatic App

• for the week I am at 1.6 miles (just today so far)
• for the month- 7.23 miles
• which means I still have over 42 miles to go...

I am thankful for--

• strong legs that can run
• winter hats
• a good chat with my dad
• talking with my brother on the phone
• feeling better
• time to finally reconnect with my Mister
•  Mik's chicken pot pie and pumpkin cookies...seriously holy yum! ;-)
• a church family who prays
• leftover stew and hot coffee

Piano. Check.

So today I finally finished cleaning the piano.  I feel so much lighter! I get so sick of junk just sitting around. :/ The piano is a major dumping ground for things that either don't have a home or people just can't be bothered to put away.

As I stated yesterday I started reading The Happiness Project. (She also has a website... http://www.gretchenrubin.com/) I am still only a couple chapters in.  But the first chapter alone left me wanting to give my house a major overhaul.  To just clear out the unnecessary junk and clutter.  A couple things from the first chapter that stuck with me were

1. To do things that just take a minute...NOW! Not put them off until later.
2. Take ten minutes to tidy up in the evening before bed. 

Simple right?

I was excited upon posting my blog yesterday to learn another friend is also reading the book.  I encourage you to pick it up too ;) I am already thinking that although the book I am reading is a library book, its one that should be purchased and added to my personal library.  I am thinking about what I might need to tackle and change as I embark on my very own happiness project...

Before:

After:

With in minutes of the piano being clear, Hannah was seated on the bench trying to pick out "Mary had a Little Lamb". :D

Looking for tips on what to do with all those winter hats, mittens, gloves, etc...currently they are stored on the top shelf of the coat closet.  Not a good place.  Its a hassle to get them down.  The boxes are overflowing and usually ended up cascading all over the place ever time they are taken down.

Also our closet in the master bedroom is in need of serious help.

These two things are at the very top of my list!

Sound Body, Sound Mind

 

What do you do to take care of your mind? This was today's question is a fitness challenge I am taking part of on FB.  The short answer is my faith, I suppose.  It is interwoven into pretty much every aspect of my life. Every morning I have coffee and devo time.  That is spending time reading my Bible, praying, journaling.  Sometimes I read an additional faith based book as a companion to my Bible reading.  I definitely draw strength from my church family has well.  I am thankful for the family God has planted me in.

Monday night at our women's ministry meeting we talked about the legacy of our group.  It was such an affirmation to me to hear how the other ladies view our group. Some of the comments were these...

• caring- reaching out to those in need
• LOVE
• people you can count on
• mentoring
• Light of God's Love

I think running is also becoming a way I take care of myself emotionally.  Even though it is physical exercise.  Just the simple act of being outside makes my soul happier, more at peace.  This morning was such a beautiful day.  You can't tell it very well from this picture but behind the clouds the sky was the brightest, most glorious blue.




Last night I also began this book. The Happiness Project. I had it on hold at the library already when I realized my sister was reading it too. I am eager to dig in. This year my word as been Joy and at times its been a bit of a struggle. But God is teaching me, showing me, that I can be happy, joyful, content no matter what my circumstances.

So I keep on.  Keeping my eyes open for all the little things which add up to a big thing... JOY.
Here are a few from just this morning

•praying for a friend
•a night with nothing to do
•snuggles on the couch
•chatting with my mr on the phone
•morning hugs
•being able to vote
•new read from the Library
•Hannah's singing
•candles

Taking care of yourself mentally and spiritually is just as vital as taking care of yourself physically. How do you find your happy?