Ok. I'm a slacker with this blogging thing. I don't know how my friend Kara manages to blog with a newborn. I'm struggling to blog with older kids. Phew. But school has started now, so maybe now I can get back on track. I will have more pockets of alone time...maybe.
I haven't stopped doing my three. Well, at least two of the three. The workout thing has fallen behind again. But school has started now, so maybe... ;) There is always something, right?
I don't have but a sec. But I wanted to recommend two books...one that I've read and another that I'm in the middle of reading.
1. 7 by Jen Hatmaker (I think I may have already mentioned this one)
2. The Missional Mom by Helen Lee
Soooo, good! Be ready to be shaken up!!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The Noisy Rabbit...and other things
1. So I am behind on my working out this week, but its only Tuesday. I'll go tomorrow to the Y. I'll blame my hubs for the slack. He said getting in shape was more about what I eat than how much I work out. Sooo, I've been going on that these two days.
BUT...I am trying to eat better. I am trying The Noisy Rabbit (google it. I'm to tired to link it, and I can't remember the exact address anyway). It is a program that allows consumers to purchase produce cheaper than you usually purchase it at the grocery store. I signed up for a trial basket, and I pick it up tomorrow. Soooo excited to try this out! I'll try to remember to post up a picture of my basket.
2. I have also not started the book of questions with the hubs. I promise to get on that.
3. I also have nothing new to add about children.
Maybe I shouldn't try to blog when I am so tired. I'll try again later.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Seeking Direction
Here is where I am on the 3 Step Thing or Whatever (I really need to come up with a better name...)
1. So I have completed week 3 of my workout plan. Next week, the plan changes up a little. I think I may try to add another day of cardio as well. We have Wii Fit and Wii Fitness Coach so I guess I should utilize it, right? Otherwise its useless junk, and I should give it away or sell it (more on this in a minute). I haven't really lost any weight. Maybe a pound.
Wahoo.
I do think I am a little stronger. I plan on upping my weights next week, too. But, this is a process, and I'm going to stick with it. I am!!
2. Some of the stuff in the marriage challenge is kind of cheesy. Like, number 9- imagine how it feels to be in your husband's shoes. Now, maybe for some people this actually helps their marriage...I guess I'm supposed to think about it, and then I will appreciate him more. But, I already do. He works outside in the 1000 degree SC summer heat. I appreciate him! (as I blog in my air conditioned house sipping my cup of water flavored with Mio). Anyways, I really like the ones that require action. Like, do not use sarcasm with your husband today. It really is work for me to follow through on this one.
I want to work on our communication. Not to hone in on spilling our guts and getting in touch with our feelings (my husband is wayyyyy better at that than me anyway), but for us to actually talk more instead of vegging out at the TV all the time with our faces stuck to our phones and the TV all at the same time (how do we do this people?). I want us to talk more about silly things and what we want to accomplish for God as a family...as individuals, more about each other really. I have a book of questions that I bought a long time ago so I plan to work on going through this with him at night.
Rules:
a) we have to be facing each other to answer
b) no simple answers like yes, no, maybe...or grunts
c) we both have to answer the questions
We also need to finish that book we started reading together....
3. Oh, children. Lying children. Any suggestions on this? Once one of them learns to do it so well the others follow suit. I had a plan in place for this a while back, but it wasn't very affective. So, what have you got people? I know that kids lie...either because of fear of getting in trouble or for some gain, but what if they lie just to lie? Opinions, advice, stories...? Whatcha got?
Finally, to the title of my blog today. I am currently reading the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker.
And it is kicking my tail.
I highly recommend it if, you are like me, and you like it when God wrestles with you a bit. I am realizing just how ridiculous I must look to people who have nothing. I say I love Jesus, but look at my life..filled with useless junk, waste, trash, frivolous things that I thought I needed...meanwhile there are people in my hometown starving.
This book is about Jen's (I can call her Jen because she gave me a shout out on Twitter. We are friends.) "experimental mutiny against excess". She picks seven areas of excess and dedicates a month (7 total) to each one. Its like a fast of material things. I plan to do it with a team of friends when the bible study comes out in December. I'm nervous.
But this next statement is going to sound totally contradictory to that...so hang with me people.
We are getting a pool in our backyard.
Ok...I know. You are calling me hypocrite right now (why does this word have an "e"? Doesn't it make the i long? I digress). But hear me out.
We had already begun this before I started reading the book...(sounds like a good excuse). AND, now that I'm reading it, M and I are really trying to seek direction on how God may want to use the pool. Yes, God use the swimming pool. I've called some of the ministers at church and offered it up for whatever they may need (it will be done in a couple of weeks), and I do want them to use it for their purposes. But that's the easy way out. We, as a family, need to figure out how God can use this pool. I can already say that our original plan was to have the pool here so that all of our kids' friends would want to come here. We wouldn't have to worry about where they were and who they were with in the summertime, because they all would be here.
But now, I view that differently. Yes, I hope that plan works out, but what can we do to ensure that we are a light for those kids who may not know Him? AND, how can we pray over our kids that they would seek out kids that need some loving on and need to hear about His love? So...I'm seeking direction on this.
1. So I have completed week 3 of my workout plan. Next week, the plan changes up a little. I think I may try to add another day of cardio as well. We have Wii Fit and Wii Fitness Coach so I guess I should utilize it, right? Otherwise its useless junk, and I should give it away or sell it (more on this in a minute). I haven't really lost any weight. Maybe a pound.
Wahoo.
I do think I am a little stronger. I plan on upping my weights next week, too. But, this is a process, and I'm going to stick with it. I am!!
2. Some of the stuff in the marriage challenge is kind of cheesy. Like, number 9- imagine how it feels to be in your husband's shoes. Now, maybe for some people this actually helps their marriage...I guess I'm supposed to think about it, and then I will appreciate him more. But, I already do. He works outside in the 1000 degree SC summer heat. I appreciate him! (as I blog in my air conditioned house sipping my cup of water flavored with Mio). Anyways, I really like the ones that require action. Like, do not use sarcasm with your husband today. It really is work for me to follow through on this one.
I want to work on our communication. Not to hone in on spilling our guts and getting in touch with our feelings (my husband is wayyyyy better at that than me anyway), but for us to actually talk more instead of vegging out at the TV all the time with our faces stuck to our phones and the TV all at the same time (how do we do this people?). I want us to talk more about silly things and what we want to accomplish for God as a family...as individuals, more about each other really. I have a book of questions that I bought a long time ago so I plan to work on going through this with him at night.
Rules:
a) we have to be facing each other to answer
b) no simple answers like yes, no, maybe...or grunts
c) we both have to answer the questions
We also need to finish that book we started reading together....
3. Oh, children. Lying children. Any suggestions on this? Once one of them learns to do it so well the others follow suit. I had a plan in place for this a while back, but it wasn't very affective. So, what have you got people? I know that kids lie...either because of fear of getting in trouble or for some gain, but what if they lie just to lie? Opinions, advice, stories...? Whatcha got?
Finally, to the title of my blog today. I am currently reading the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker.
And it is kicking my tail.
I highly recommend it if, you are like me, and you like it when God wrestles with you a bit. I am realizing just how ridiculous I must look to people who have nothing. I say I love Jesus, but look at my life..filled with useless junk, waste, trash, frivolous things that I thought I needed...meanwhile there are people in my hometown starving.
This book is about Jen's (I can call her Jen because she gave me a shout out on Twitter. We are friends.) "experimental mutiny against excess". She picks seven areas of excess and dedicates a month (7 total) to each one. Its like a fast of material things. I plan to do it with a team of friends when the bible study comes out in December. I'm nervous.
But this next statement is going to sound totally contradictory to that...so hang with me people.
We are getting a pool in our backyard.
Ok...I know. You are calling me hypocrite right now (why does this word have an "e"? Doesn't it make the i long? I digress). But hear me out.
We had already begun this before I started reading the book...(sounds like a good excuse). AND, now that I'm reading it, M and I are really trying to seek direction on how God may want to use the pool. Yes, God use the swimming pool. I've called some of the ministers at church and offered it up for whatever they may need (it will be done in a couple of weeks), and I do want them to use it for their purposes. But that's the easy way out. We, as a family, need to figure out how God can use this pool. I can already say that our original plan was to have the pool here so that all of our kids' friends would want to come here. We wouldn't have to worry about where they were and who they were with in the summertime, because they all would be here.
But now, I view that differently. Yes, I hope that plan works out, but what can we do to ensure that we are a light for those kids who may not know Him? AND, how can we pray over our kids that they would seek out kids that need some loving on and need to hear about His love? So...I'm seeking direction on this.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
1 week down, 11 to go...
First of all, HAPPY FOURTH!
1. For the workout plan I chose, that is. I found a 12 week workout plan. It is really a plan for lifting weights, but I have also added cardio to it. I absolutely HATE going, and I HATE doing it, but I do love how I feel afterwards. I know that I should probably go three days a week (instead of the two that the workout recommends), but hey, I am at least going right?!? I am also really trying to eat better. I am a sucker for sweets so that denying myself so much of what I like is really hard for me to do. (I don't mean that I shouldn't let myself have any sweets. I need to cut back on the amount!)
So, that is what I have done for the first thing on my improvement plan. I also have been reading Priscilla Shirer's blog on Mondays. Monday is for mothers. This week we were challenged to do something for ourselves. Still have to figure out what treat I'm going to do for me.
2. I've also gone to the same blog for Wednesdays (Wife Wednesdays) to be inspired on how to be a better wife to the hubs. I am behind on my 30 day marriage challenge, so I need to get back on track. I need to leave a note for M...one that speaks life into him (that part is from the blog challenge).
3. M and I have started tackling some of the behaviors that have gotten out of hand with our kids. I was telling some of my girlfriends last night that this third step comes as a result of recurring sin in my life. I keep doing the same thing over and over. I keep getting angry and frustrated at the behavior (because I keep dealing with the behavior in isolation), and in turn, satan allows bitterness to take over...especially in my relationship with O (my bonus child - I don't like the word step). I felt the Holy Spirit tell me that saying I was sorry over and over again was not really showing true repentence. I felt that I needed to have some things in place to help me not continue in my sin. So, we have been thinking about some of the behaviors, their roots (because some of them are results of our behavior), and the direct, non-negotiable consequences for these behaviors. I have found that the order actually helps O (something I really already knew about kids), but so far it is a much harder road for G, my 4 year old. But, I knew that the learning curve would be hard at first. This also helps me, because I know what the consequence will be ahead of time so my anger/frustration is subdued. I really feel that this will be the first step in creating a more peaceful atmosphere in our home.
So that is where I am this week :)
1. For the workout plan I chose, that is. I found a 12 week workout plan. It is really a plan for lifting weights, but I have also added cardio to it. I absolutely HATE going, and I HATE doing it, but I do love how I feel afterwards. I know that I should probably go three days a week (instead of the two that the workout recommends), but hey, I am at least going right?!? I am also really trying to eat better. I am a sucker for sweets so that denying myself so much of what I like is really hard for me to do. (I don't mean that I shouldn't let myself have any sweets. I need to cut back on the amount!)
So, that is what I have done for the first thing on my improvement plan. I also have been reading Priscilla Shirer's blog on Mondays. Monday is for mothers. This week we were challenged to do something for ourselves. Still have to figure out what treat I'm going to do for me.
2. I've also gone to the same blog for Wednesdays (Wife Wednesdays) to be inspired on how to be a better wife to the hubs. I am behind on my 30 day marriage challenge, so I need to get back on track. I need to leave a note for M...one that speaks life into him (that part is from the blog challenge).
3. M and I have started tackling some of the behaviors that have gotten out of hand with our kids. I was telling some of my girlfriends last night that this third step comes as a result of recurring sin in my life. I keep doing the same thing over and over. I keep getting angry and frustrated at the behavior (because I keep dealing with the behavior in isolation), and in turn, satan allows bitterness to take over...especially in my relationship with O (my bonus child - I don't like the word step). I felt the Holy Spirit tell me that saying I was sorry over and over again was not really showing true repentence. I felt that I needed to have some things in place to help me not continue in my sin. So, we have been thinking about some of the behaviors, their roots (because some of them are results of our behavior), and the direct, non-negotiable consequences for these behaviors. I have found that the order actually helps O (something I really already knew about kids), but so far it is a much harder road for G, my 4 year old. But, I knew that the learning curve would be hard at first. This also helps me, because I know what the consequence will be ahead of time so my anger/frustration is subdued. I really feel that this will be the first step in creating a more peaceful atmosphere in our home.
So that is where I am this week :)
Monday, June 25, 2012
Ok, I have my three!
I totally just typed my blog post for today...an awesome one I may add...and then, accidentally deleted. I don't think I have the time or memory to repeat it, so...here is a much shorter, not nearly as awesome version.
My three things. They aren't really steps. Just topics for me to focus on.
1. Myself:
At this time, it means getting back in shape (ugh, so mad that I deleted all that stuff!) No, I don't think God is saying lose weight, but my mind is preoccupied with myself and how I look instead of Him. So, I need to take steps to right that. Started today on a 12 week plan, and I have started clean eating.
2. My Marriage:
Found this 30 Day Marriage Challenge that I started today. I had to ask M what I could help him with today.
3. My Family:
M and I need to come up with some consequences for some behaviors that have started popping their ugly heads up here at home. I plan to look over Kevin Lehman's book, Have A New Kid By Friday for some ideas. iMom also has some great printables for that as well. I think there is a 30 day mom challenge, too.
So there you have it. My three..er topics. I'll keep you posted :)
My three things. They aren't really steps. Just topics for me to focus on.
1. Myself:
At this time, it means getting back in shape (ugh, so mad that I deleted all that stuff!) No, I don't think God is saying lose weight, but my mind is preoccupied with myself and how I look instead of Him. So, I need to take steps to right that. Started today on a 12 week plan, and I have started clean eating.
2. My Marriage:
Found this 30 Day Marriage Challenge that I started today. I had to ask M what I could help him with today.
3. My Family:
M and I need to come up with some consequences for some behaviors that have started popping their ugly heads up here at home. I plan to look over Kevin Lehman's book, Have A New Kid By Friday for some ideas. iMom also has some great printables for that as well. I think there is a 30 day mom challenge, too.
So there you have it. My three..er topics. I'll keep you posted :)
Friday, June 15, 2012
Three...three steps
Ok, so thanks for all the help and ideas on coming up with a topic for my blog.
Not.
But that's ok. I have had some time to reflect, pray, and listen. I am still not sure exactly what this will look like or how it will turn out, but right now I'm probably going to start rambling.
I think a lot. I ponder what is going on around me, what God is doing, what I should do for Him, how do I become a better wife, a better mom...how do I lose weight, decorate my home cheaply, lead people effectively at church, meal planning cheaply, read books, bible study, oh my the list could truly go on... I'm not a perfectionist, but I am an overachiever (are they the same?). If I can't knock it out of the ballpark I don't want to do it (well, I have trouble saying no...which means I'm always trying to knock everything out of the ballpark). And so, because of this awesome God-given character trait (I smile since it is usually managed, inappropriately, by me) I am left feeling very unsatisfied with unfinished projects, unattempted projects or that I have failed in some way. Things have to be awesome all the time.
Its very draining.
I want things to change. But how much?
I pondered this as I sipped my Mocha Coconut Frappacino on the way home a few days ago.
I want to lose weight. But how much? (again as I sipped my Mocha Coconut Frappacino = 410 calories) I started thinking. I want all the results, but I don't want to work for it. It applies with everything.
I want my children to speak respectfully and too edify each other, but am I practicing this myself.
I want my home to be decorated on a dime, but am I willing to save up...shop for deals, and wait?
I want to set aside time to do meal planning, but I do I want to stop watching TV to do it?
Again, the list goes on. So, then what? How bad do I want things to change? I feel like during my prayer time today that God was saying none of it would change until He showed me where I needed to change myself. And I kept feeling that there were three...three steps, but even now I am not sure what those are.
I'm hoping that as my fingers tap on this keyboard that I will receive divine intervention...literally. Still waiting on that. So, until I truly know what it is God is doing, I'm going to read a book called "Only You Can Change Me" by Kay Arthur that I bought a long time ago, and never read. Maybe the three things are in there? And that is what I'm going to blog about.
Got it? Me neither, but I guess it will just look like my journey through what God is doing. I am not sure how often I'll blog, but I hope to do it at least twice a week. Please pray for me as I begin to be more in tune to God and His voice. I know that Satan will be on the prowl. He already is.
Not.
But that's ok. I have had some time to reflect, pray, and listen. I am still not sure exactly what this will look like or how it will turn out, but right now I'm probably going to start rambling.
I think a lot. I ponder what is going on around me, what God is doing, what I should do for Him, how do I become a better wife, a better mom...how do I lose weight, decorate my home cheaply, lead people effectively at church, meal planning cheaply, read books, bible study, oh my the list could truly go on... I'm not a perfectionist, but I am an overachiever (are they the same?). If I can't knock it out of the ballpark I don't want to do it (well, I have trouble saying no...which means I'm always trying to knock everything out of the ballpark). And so, because of this awesome God-given character trait (I smile since it is usually managed, inappropriately, by me) I am left feeling very unsatisfied with unfinished projects, unattempted projects or that I have failed in some way. Things have to be awesome all the time.
Its very draining.
I want things to change. But how much?
I pondered this as I sipped my Mocha Coconut Frappacino on the way home a few days ago.
I want to lose weight. But how much? (again as I sipped my Mocha Coconut Frappacino = 410 calories) I started thinking. I want all the results, but I don't want to work for it. It applies with everything.
I want my children to speak respectfully and too edify each other, but am I practicing this myself.
I want my home to be decorated on a dime, but am I willing to save up...shop for deals, and wait?
I want to set aside time to do meal planning, but I do I want to stop watching TV to do it?
Again, the list goes on. So, then what? How bad do I want things to change? I feel like during my prayer time today that God was saying none of it would change until He showed me where I needed to change myself. And I kept feeling that there were three...three steps, but even now I am not sure what those are.
I'm hoping that as my fingers tap on this keyboard that I will receive divine intervention...literally. Still waiting on that. So, until I truly know what it is God is doing, I'm going to read a book called "Only You Can Change Me" by Kay Arthur that I bought a long time ago, and never read. Maybe the three things are in there? And that is what I'm going to blog about.
Got it? Me neither, but I guess it will just look like my journey through what God is doing. I am not sure how often I'll blog, but I hope to do it at least twice a week. Please pray for me as I begin to be more in tune to God and His voice. I know that Satan will be on the prowl. He already is.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Help me decide what to write about...
I have no clue what to blog about. There are so many interesting blogs out there today, and I guess I'm not sure what people are interested in reading any more...or if I have anything to talk about that would be interesting to other people...so
If you have any ideas...especially if you know me, and let me know of something that you would like for me to blog about...books I've read, things I do with family...I don't know. Leave me a comment if you think of something.
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