scraps of me...

Bookworm

I've been a bookworm lately. Reading. a lot. My library card (and sometimes even the kids') are maxed out and our basket is overflowing.

I've been reading...

Mysteries/Crime novels.
--James Patterson
--Janet Evanovich

Cookbooks.
--Cookies
--Muffins
--Healthy Snacks

Crafting books.
--Sewing
--Embroidery
--Home Decorating

Inspirational books.
--Simply Living
--Weight Loss
--Family Memory-making

Kid's books.
--The Lightning Thief
--The Penderwicks
--Beautiful Picture Books'

I'm relaxing. I'm taking the time to make reading a priority in my day.

However, I've been gathering for some time now.

information.
recipes.
ideas.

I feel like soon, this season will come to an end. I feel motivated to DO something.

Sew a skirt...or maybe some curtains.
Bake some muffins...or make a yummy snack to share.
Create a scrapbook layout...or try out digital scrapping.
Make some memories with the kids...start a new tradition.

I'm inspired. :)

Oh, and if you want to see the actual books I'm currently reading, check over in the sidebar. You can also join in on Goodreads, and then we can be "friends" and I can see what you've been reading too.

Keeping Life Simple

I recently read this book. I saw a post on Stacy Julian's blog about it and requested it from the library the same day.

It was light. Fun. Inspiring. And I typed up quite a long list of ideas that I want to remember. Like...

• Create time for the things you care about most.
• Enjoy what's in front of you.
• Surprise your kids by not reacting to them the wayt hey think you will. Bend. Learn to be flexible.
• You have more control over your time than you think.
• Try treating the Sabbath as a true day of rest.
• Bake bread. Get your hands in the dough, work out some frustrations, watch it rise, punch it down, and then relax and enjoy the sweet smell while it bakes.
• Listen. It's easy to fall into the habit of listening to what other people have to say only so you can come up with a response.
• Make a wish list.
• Slow down...even if you're in a hurry.
• Step outside before you're ready to go to bed and look up at the starry sky.
• Think of things that you've always done the same way and try, instead, to wander down an alternate path.
• Remember that a figt need not be an object.
• The art of being wise ist he art of knowing what to overlook.
• Never confuse movement with action.
• Dry your laundry outside in the sun.
• Delegate.

and the most profound one to me, personally...and was the very first one in the book...

• RELAX YOUR STANDARDS.

To me, this doesn't mean that I have to settle. I don't have to lower my standards to a level that I'm not comfortable with. It simply means I need to loosen up...relax them...just a little. Let some things slide. Don't expect perfection. It's okay.

Good Enough...

I have so much I want to blog about...mostly as a result of the "Girl's Day" Erin and I had last Saturday. I feel such a jumble of thoughts and ideas floating around in my head...but I'll try to sort it out so it'll make sense.

I think the Proverbs 31 devotional I received in my inbox today has helped the sorting process. It helped me simplify things. To see things in a new light.

The devotional was all about fighting the instinct to give up right before crossing the finish line. Completing what you start. Not settling for "good enough". Not living with mediocrity.

Like putting the laundry away instead of just piling it on your dresser.
Like loading the dishwasher as your day goes on instead of waiting until the sink is overflowing.

I quickly realized that I've been saying "That's good enough." for far too long. No wonder I feel like I get nothing accomplished. No wonder I feel like my "work" is never done. No wonder I feel like a failure too often.

For me, personally...it means...

finishing this weight loss journey I've been on for the past few years.

working on my "Projects to Conquer" list that's grown way too long.

finishing our school year strong and not getting lazy with our lessons.

staying focused and not allowing the computer, tv, or phone calls to distract me from what I should be doing.

making the time to have an intimate relationship with Christ in every area of my life instead of just in the "important" or "big" areas.

choosing to keep my priorities in their proper places.

changing my good intentions (which I have a lot of) into action.

This summer is going to fly by. I want to make everyday count. I want to play and have fun. I want to make memories. I want to push myself past mediocrity. I want more.

I'm still not sure exactly what my plan is to accomplish all of this...but I'm willing to try. Starting today. Doing something.

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me,
if only I may FINISH the race
and COMPLETE the task the Lord Jesus has given me..."
Acts 20:24 (NIV)

Is it Saturday?

During the past week or so, Erin and I have had a few conversations about priorities: husbands, school lessons, daycare, taking care of ourselves, etc. We're both feeling slightly overwhelmed lately and burned out.

During the summer, most of our daycare kids go part-time since they're teacher's kids. And while our kids still have about a month and a half left of lessons...we're still ready for this new season.

This Saturday, we've decided to take a break. To take a day just for ourselves.

The plan?

1. Meet at the library to drop off one of our cars.
2. Hit a few garage sales, and maybe a thrift store too. Bargain therapy!
3. Go back to the library. Talk. Brainstorm. Plan. Create fresh routines. Fresh perspectives.
4. Grab something yummy for lunch.
5. And finally, off to grocery shop before heading home.

I can't wait! Especially after the crazy week I've had.

Is it Saturday yet? :)

05.18.2010

Things that are making me smile today...

• our freshly mowed yard
• sleeping last night with the windows open
• good books
• doing 25 minutes on the eliptical
• new shower gel
• Troy made the bed this morning
• finding neat online homeschool resources
• throwing away the leftover frosting from Meghan's bday (instead of eating it by the spoonful)
• google calendar
• the kids getting their lessons done before lunch
• a freshly scrubbed bathtub
• baby drool and giggles
• the kids guessing what flavor their mystery airheads are
• coconut lemongrass scentsy
• no poopie diapers so far. lol.
• oatmeal w/bananas and vanilla yogurt
• new songs on my ipod
• Kaitlin's first creative writing story
• dinner already in the fridge
• the fact that we have nothing going on tonight!!

Let it Go...

I'm not sure if many of you know...but I'm pretty picky about our home; keeping it picked up...putting things where they belong...clutter: non-existant (most of the time).

I've relaxed a lot since we've started homeschooling...

But before the day ends, there are certain things that need to be done.

1. All toys picked up and put away (in the daycare room, bedrooms, and living room)
2. All the dishes need to be washed, and usually put away as well.
3. All the laundry needs to be put away (not just taken to your bedroom...but actually put in the drawers where they belong)

I've always thought that doing all these things will give me a fresh start the next morning.

But this week...

I haven't picked up any toys in the daycare room. So, if they don't get picked up by the kids before they leave, it hasn't gotten done.

Last night, I didn't wash dinner dishes. *gasp!* Troy was busy putting in our new mailbox and installing the girls' new bedroom door. I was busy editing 4 months worth of photos. Then we curled up on the couch to watch "Blindside". (great movie, btw!) It was 11 pm when I realized dishes didn't get done...and yet, I chose not to do them thanks to Troy's prodding.

And laundry...well, I haven't had much to do this week at all...but let's just say that what I have had to do hasn't been done with my normal efficiency.

And guess what?

The daycare kids actually like it when their toys are where they left them the day before. They can pick up playing right where they left off.

The dishes didn't take any more time to do this morning then they would've last night. And I only had to fill the sink once, instead of twice.

The laundry? It's surviving...even if it is a little on the wrinkled side.

And more importantly...the house is still standing. Troy still loves me. It's all getting done eventually. And if anything...I'm more relaxed...moving at a little bit slower pace.

Nice, huh?

Maybe I should try it more often...letting things go...

Toast Day

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Austin, Meghan, and Kaitlin write in their journals. A few weeks ago, I found this website that has some fun journal prompts on it. Some are a little too indepth for them, Kaitlin especially. But today's was a fun one so I thought I'd share.

Today is "Toast Day".  What is your favorite topping for toast?  Explain to someone how to create this "toasty" treat.

Toast is a breakfast staple around here...usually with a fried egg and a piece of fruit. It's eaten almost daily by all 3 kids.

So for their journal entries...

Austin decided to invent a new recipe. Butter, peanut butter, honey, and chopped walnuts.

Meghan's favorite is with butter and strawberry jam.

Kaitlin likes her Daddy's "Recipe"...butter, peanut butter, with a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar.

They wrote out recipes, complete with "how-to" instructions and a picture of their toast.

My favorite way to have toast? It's hard to choose just one....but I guess my all-time favorite would be with lots of butter and homemade blackberry (or any kind of berry) jam. Mmmmmm.

**How do you like your toast?**

02.23.2010

So I doubt anyone has noticed...but I've been unplugged...disconnected...from my blog for awhile now. I needed to.

Blogging had become a chore...just one more thing to add to my to-do list. One more thing that seemed to go undone...day after day.

Or if I did say "yes." to making time to blog...then it meant that I had to say "no." to something else. That usually meant time with my family...time to exercise...or simply time to relax.

I'm still not sure what blogging is going is going to look like from now on for me. I even contemplated giving it up all together.

I've contemplated my reasons why I first started blogging years ago...why I've been blogging lately...and why I truly want to be blogging.

Recently, I've found a way to work exercise back into (most of) my days...I'm hoping to do the same for blogging. I just need to figure out where and how it fits into my day-to-day life...amidst the homeschooling, daycare kids, housekeeping, and family time.

But I do know for sure...that I can't just stop or quit. :)

01.09.2010

Sometimes I just need to pray.

Sometimes I just need to think.

Sometimes I just need to write and journal.

Sometimes I just need to talk it out.

Sometimes I have so much going on in my head that I do a little of all four.

Like right now, it's a jumble...

• my one word for this year (an idea of scrapbooker, Ali Edwards)
• which relates to my "one thing" from lifechurch.tv
• which also relates to a lot of my 101 things

I feel like I should have had all of this sorted out before January 1st. But who says that you can't have a fresh start half way through January...or at any point in time for that matter?

I can't wait to share bits and pieces. As soon as I do a bit more praying, thinking, journaling, and talking.

05.19.2009

A few weeks ago, Troy and I watched Jim Carrey's movie "Yes Man".

It was good. romantic. funny. But most of all...thought provoking.

**If you haven't seen it yet - you might want to stop reading this post now. I'll probably spoil it for you.**

Jim Carrey plays a man named Carl, who is negative and critical in every aspect of his life...romantic relationships, friendships, career, etc. He says 'No!'. He makes excuses.

One day, he bumps into an old friend who hands him a brochure to a conference that would change his life. It's a self-help program centering on the simple word, "YES!".

Carl attends, still feeling quite skeptical. The leading guru singles him out and the crowd chants "NO MAN!NO MAN!NO MAN!" every time Carl answers with negativity. But eventually, Carl says 'YES!' to saying "Yes." to new situations and opportunities in his life and the crowd went wild.

Carl soon discovers the magical power of 'yes'. However, he misunderstands the essence of the program by saying 'yes' to everybody and everything and every circumstance. And all too soon, things begin to backfire and his life begins to unravel.

In the end, he finds the balance of truly living while still maintaining some limits and showing discernment in what he says 'yes' to.

After it was over, I had an epiphany.

I'm a "NO MOM!"

I say 'no' to just about everything regarding the kids. And if I don't flat-out say 'no' - then it's a 'we'll see.' or a 'maybe later.'

I suck the fun out of each and every day...and it's purely for selfish reasons.

"Mom, Can we play outside?"
"No, I don't feel like doing baths again."
"Mom, Can I paint?"
"No, I don't want a big mess."
"Mom, Can ________ stay the night tonight?"
"No, I'm too tired to have any extra kids."
"Mom, Can we go to the park?"
"No, I have too much to do in the house today."
"Mom, Can I help you cook dinner?"
"No, I'm in a hurry and just need to get this done."

NO MOM. NO MOM. NO MOM. NO MOM. NO MOM.

I can hear the crowd chanting.

But did you notice what all my 'reasons' center around...or maybe I should say who? Me!

I can be so selfish with my time...with myself. It's sad.

But on the flip-side...I don't want to make the same mistakes Carl did by saying 'yes' to everything. I still need to be the mom. I still need to set limits, teach them right from wrong, and share my past mistakes and consequences with them.

I think it's all about dealing with my own selfish and negative tendancies. I think it's all about finding the balance between being a 'No Mom' and a 'Yes Mom'.

I contantly ask myself, "Will it matter in 10 years?"

Will it matter that I had to take the time to give them an extra bath or that they played outside in the fresh air, discovering nature?
Will it matter that there's a spot of paint on the floor that I can't get clean or that there's hand-painted masterpieces hanging on the wall?
Will it matter that I had a few extra kids stay the night or that I encouraged my children's friendships?
Will it matter if the laundry is caught up and the house is cleaned or that we went to the park to swing and play together?
Will it matter that dinner was 10 minutes late or that the kids learned how to prepare one of our favorite recipes?

I'm trying. I'm slowing down. I'm thinking twice before I answer. I'm saying 'Yes' more than I ever have before. It's good.

Am I Still Here?

I recently read this article titled the same as above.

Ironically, I saw a link to it posted on twitter by artsy22.

Why is this ironic?

Well, because the article is about looking for validation in the online world.

This has been on my mind a lot lately.

Why do I Twitter?

Why am I on Facebook?

Does anyone even care?

And if they do...why does that matter so much to me?

I think I'm slowly realizing the answers to these questions.

I twitter and facebook simply because 'everyone else is doing it.'
Because I want to be a part of the 'cool club'.
Because ultimately, I want to feel accepted.

It's stupid. (but don't tell my kids I said that...they think 'stupid' is a bad word. hee hee.)

Christ loves me.
My husband loves me.
Our children love me.
My family loves me.

Why do I need more than that?
Why do I still feel the need to seek for something more when everything I've ever wanted (unconditional love and acceptance, a husband, a family, etc) is right in front of me?

And even more ironically - these online social communities that I depend on so much to give me some kind of validation are actually sucking up so much time from my day that I'm gradually disconnecting from the people who really care about me, love me, and accept me.

And yes, I'm ashamed to admit it, this even includes my relationship with Christ.

At what point did the people on my computer become more important than the people in my life? more than Jesus?

It seems so silly to me now that I've taken the time to type it all out in the open.

No wonder I don't have time to pray, read my Bible, journal, play with my kids, exercise, eat right, scrapbook, sew, blog....all these things that I long to do.

So today, I'm making a choice. To not check Twitter or Facebook. To not check my emails 100 times.

Today, I'm going to do something else. I'm not sure what yet...but I'm sure it'll come to me. :)

*Disclaimer: This post is in no way meant to offend anyone who is on twitter or facebook. I truly enjoy everyone's status updates...I just can't let it take over my life anymore. I need to live...truly live.