38 is GREAT!

Today is my BIRTHDAY! I am 38 ... hard to believe, I really don't feel 38. But then I look at my kids and can't believe how big they're getting and can't believe they're really mine so I guess I must really be 38, whether I feel like it or not. =) 

So anyway, I haven't blogged in forever and I feel bad, but life has been so, super busy lately and thankfully we only have 3 and half more days until the school year is over - then we can enjoy SUMMER! Yay, can't wait! 

I thought it would be fun to document some things about myself at 38 ... some things haven't changed but some things have. For one thing, with every year that passes I feel more and more confident in just being who I am. Not trying to be someone else, or trying to impress people, or trying to change to whats expected of me - but simply embracing the ME that God created me to be. Little things like the fact that I'm so emotional and cry so easily - so what, that's me - get used to it, it's not going away anytime soon. And that I like to change things often, not because I'm discontent, but because changes are fun and keep life interesting. I love changing around the furniture and decor in my house ... I also love changing things like my hair cut and color. Change is good. Embrace it. 

Some things I love ... coffee always tops the list. =)

Family. Friends. Reading. Scrapbooking. Taking photos. Flowers. COLOR. Decorating.The beach. Swimming. Relaxing. Watching my kids play sports. Being with girlfriends. 

Movies nights with my family. Baking. Camping. 

Sitting outside and enjoying a quiet morning.

Smiles and hugs from kids at school. 

This year I got my nose pierced! Not something I EVER thought I would do! Bob had been begging me to do it for SO long and I kept saying no, I'm not interested. Finally around Valentine's day I had been thinking about it more and thinking about how he is always SO good to me and would do anything for me. I thought that if he was willing to do so much for me, why couldn't I do this one little thing for him. I'm not gonna lie, it did hurt when they did it. But only for a little while and then it's been fine ever since. 

And I actually really like it now. 

 And can I just say how thankful I am for this guy? Later this year we will celebrate 18 years of marriage ... I have known him for more than half of my life and could not even put into words how blessed I am. I have never, ever, ever met someone as selfless as him - he will literally put me and our girls before himself in just about every single scenario. He is always going above and beyond to make sure we are safe, cared for, loved and yes, even spoiled. 

Then there is my amazing family. I am incredibly blessed to have the family that I do. This year my Mom got married to a wonderful man named Wayne and I got 6 new step-brothers and sisters along with more nieces and nephews. It's something I never expected, but has already been a blessing. And not to mention that I am SO happy for my Mom. 

This year we've all tried new things. Some good, some bad, some hard, some fun. One thing I never thought I'd do was run a 10k. Just about 4 years ago I had never run more than 30 seconds in a row. I couldn't even get a quarter mile without feeling like I was gonna die. But through Bob's encouragement and a lovely little plan called Couch to 5k I slowly learned how to build up to running a 5k ... then, last year through my friend Christina's encouragement and lots and lots of lovely miles we put in together, I finally built up to a 10k! So in the past year I have run TWO 10K's and a few 5K's as well. It's an amazing feeling to know you can conquer something like this! And in just a few short weeks Bob and I will be running in our first ever Spartan Race - I am definitely nervous but also excited to prove to myself how strong I am and how far I've come. Now if you're reading this thinking 'no way, not for me, I could NEVER do that' ... trust me, you CAN! I have a lovely friend Erin who blogs here ... go check out her posts on running, weight loss and how far she's come in all of this. Anyone can do this!

I love, love, love my girlies ... so deeply that sometimes it hurts! It hurts when they don't respect me how they should, or don't seem to care if my feelings get hurt over something they say or do or when they would prefer their friends or their ipods over me ... but more than the hurts are the crazy, amazing ways that I learn and grow through being their Mom. Sometimes I am the worst perfectionist and think it's totally my job to make sure they 'turn out right' ... not remembering that these are amazing girls, each with their own gifts and personalities and that God will see them through! He has big plans for these girls! He loves them SO much more than I ever could! Being a Mom is tough sometimes and I often feel the weight of the world on me ... but it keeps me on my knees before God, asking Him daily to watch over them and give us wisdom in raising them. And I am one proud Mama ... they are smart, beautiful on the inside and out, talented, and I am just so thankful for both of them!

Since I am such a perfectionist at heart I am always trying to find ways to improve myself. Reading articles about raising kids, reading books about parenting through the teen years, trying to find ways to become healthier and teach my girls about healthy choices, etc. I love the idea of always changing, always working toward new goals, always challenging yourself and learning new things. I have some goals for summer, which include reading a large stack of books on lots of great topics that I have sort of been putting off during these busy school-year months. Summer is such a great time to sit by the pool and read while the girls swim. I also REALLY want to catch up on my scrapbooks! I am SO far behind! I have started doing more of a 'Project Life' style instead of 12x12 fancy, decorated pages ... much easier to slide the pics in and be done. I hope to show some pages I've done in future blog posts. 

So anyway ... I guess that's all for now ... thankful for another year of LIFE and just thankful to be ME! 

 {So far} ... 38 is GREAT!! 

A Year of Memory Keeping

Soooo, I have this love of scrapbooking, but unfortunately at this point I'm about 3+ years behind and have thousands of pictures still on my computer that need to be scrapped. But the problem I have is that my memory just doesn't work the way it used to and when I do get around to scrapping different events, I've LONG ago forgotten the fun things we did or comments that were said, etc. For that reason, I never really save things like concert tickets because by the time I would catch up to scrapping that event I would have lost the concert ticket a looooong time ago.

But just this past weekend my hubby and I went to a fun concert and as I went to throw out my ticket I hesitated ... I thought it would still be fun to hang on to those sort of things and make them into a memory but not necessarily a scrapbook.

I also saw these cool 'Smash' books at AC Moore a couple weeks ago and suddenly my idea was born!

I'm going to make a memory book for the year and just throw simple, easy things in it at random. Like if we take the kids to the zoo we'll stick our admission tickets in there, or a park map, or movie tickets, or concert tickets ... or any silly memories or thoughts that come to mind, OR for those events that I forget to take photos of - I could simply jot a quick page down about what a fun day it was ... or, put our race numbers from the 5k races we're planning to run this year ... just a whole big, mix-mash of items and memories, thrown quickly and simply into a book. No fancy scrapbook papers or tools needed, no extensive planning - I just add things as we go through the year ...

So here is the Smash book, I was thinking about getting one but then I remembered a web page that I saved MANY months ago with these super cool, super cute journals so I found the link again and went to check them out.





Here is the website if you'd like to check them out ...
Aren't they fun?! I have sold a couple items on my etsy shop and had a little bit of money in my paypal account, so I bought this journal and only had to pay a couple bucks out of pocket for the shipping.

They have several designs but I decided on this one because it's all about me and my life. I also like the one about 'where we live' and might consider buying that one in the future.

When you buy the journal it comes with ALL of these cool papers ... some lined, some patterned, some little envelopes for tucking in little treasures ... just a whole bunch of FUN, FUN stuff!

I really can't wait until it comes in the mail! I can't wait to get started on this and hope that since January just ended I can easily catch up and remember the fun things we did in January before I get too far behind!

How do you keep track of fun, family memories?

All About Me Wednesday

Bonnie is going through a book called All About Me and each Wednesday she will be asking us some key questions about ourselves. So today I'm sharing the answers to her questions with all of you. And if you'd like to play along and share your answers to you can either do so in the comments or on your own blog - just make sure you leave a comment here so we know to go check it out!

A color you like to wear

Brown

Regardless of size or circumstance, an animal you would like to own as a pet

Giraffe

A flower you would like to grow in your garden

Ranunculous

Your lucky number {don't really believe in luck, but this is my FAVE number}

3

A smell that makes you pause

Freesia

A taste that makes you melt

Warm cookies from the oven

A hobby that occupies your time

Scrapbooking

A sport your enjoy watching

Baseball on TV, my kids playing soccer in real life

A sport you enjoy playing

Baseball

A city you'd like to visit

Seattle

A country you would like to explore

Ireland

More Favorites Next Week!

A New Year, A new decade ...

2010 is here ... it's not just a new year, it's a whole new decade. Yesterday I was thinking about the new year and it suddenly dawned on me that it was also a new decade. I started thinking back on where I was and what I was doing 10 years ago. It amazes me how fast time has flown and how much my life has changed in the last 10 years!

Here are a few facts about me from 10 years ago ...
Bob and I had been married for 3 years.
We had a puppy Casey who was almost 1 year old.
We lived in a rental house that was almost 100 years old.
We served as teen leaders at our church.
We would take off for the weekend whenever we wanted to go north and ski.
We both worked full time at a casino.
On NYE I was working at the casino, at a special event for 'high rollers', we had to dress up in a fancy gown and 'mingle' with the party guests for the evening. Although I didn't really like my job at the casino - working the NYE party was actually kind of fun!

Fast forward 10 years ...
Bob and I have been married 13 years.
Our dog is now almost 11 and showing every bit of her old age.
We own our home and have been here almost 9 years.
I serve in the MOMS ministry at our church.
We have two beautiful daughters. {biggest, most rewarding change to our lives by far!}
I quit working at the casino when my oldest daughter was born and have been privileged to stay home {almost} full time with our girls.
I now only work part time at a florist and as a babysitter for our friend's baby.
I homeschool our girls.
We now take our girls with us to 'take off for the weekend' to ski. {We just plan things a little more now and are less spontaneous!}
Yesterday I helped design the flowers for the NYE event at the same casino I used to work at ... and even though it was fun to be there and see all the fun decor, I was thankful that I no longer work there and could instead have a fun evening at home with my family and friends instead of having to 'mingle' with high maintenance 'high rollers'. LOL

I know there are many more changes ... my life, my faith, my friendships ... the changes in my life since 10 years ago are innumerable. Simply having children has changed me in a million ways!! I am thankful for the changes though. I've made so many mistakes, and lived so selfishly for so many years. I'm so thankful that the Lord continues to work on me and change me and mold me to be more like Him.

I always try to set some goals or resolutions for myself. I know they won't all be met. I know that I will continue to fail in some areas. But I still find the importance of them because if I never seek to set new goals then that means I've given up on challenging myself to be a better person. So I looked back on last year's resolutions and there was definitely some disappointment because I did not accomplish all of my goals - but I wanted to post them here as another reminder to keep on trying, keep on pushing, keep on working towards those goals - day by day by day.

Last year I wanted to:

* Spend more time with the Lord. Reading the Bible, having my quiet time, praying, writing in my journal, etc ...
* Spend less time watching TV and being on the computer
* Eat more healthfully
* Exercise more consistently
* Prioritize my time better
* Plan specific times to have one on one time with each daughter and hubby and make sure that I carry them out.
* Make more time for friends and keep in better contact with the ones that live farther away.
* Read more books.
* Model Christlike behavior for my girls and anyone who sees me

What are my goals for this coming year?
~I did read my Bible more and spend more time with the Lord last year. STILL not nearly as consistent as I WANT to be - but more than previous years. I did not write more in my journal. So these items will continue to be on my list.
~I did watch less TV. Instead I spent MORE time on the computer. This is an area that I really need to get control over. The computer steals way too much of my time - because I LET it. It will also continue to be a goal.
~Eat healthy and exercise will stay on the list as well ... I seem to do well for a time, then fall off the wagon, then do well again, then fall off the wagon again. I'd like to find a more consistent balance in this area.
~Prioritize my time will stay on the list as well. Again, too much time wasted on the computer.
~One on one time with girls and hubby - still a goal. My family is so important to me and I need to make sure they know it - not just when we do things together but making special time for each person.
~Family time - we're pretty good about family time, but I want to be even better. I want to do more outdoor, active things together. Biking, hiking, etc ... We all got tennis rackets for Christmas so our 'goal' is to learn together and have fun doing it!
~ Make more time for friends and keep in better contact with the ones that live farther away. I think I do spend a good amount of time with my girlfriends - what I need to be better about is just calling and checking in on friends more. Just sending a note to say hi and that I was thinking about them. This goes for local and long distance friends.
~Read more books - I have read a TON of books this year - wish I had kept track of them all. So my goal will be to continue reading and growing and to keep an ongoing list of books I've read.
~Scrapbook more! I have a gazillion photos and tons of great scrapbook supplies - I need to make time for this. It's something I love so much yet I always fail to make time for it!
~Be a better wife. {Don't laugh - I know it sounds like a lofty goal!} This year I've thought a lot about how much more I need to pray for my husband, encourage him, build him up, make time for him, etc. I do not seek to be a perfect wife - I never will be perfect. But I could do more and I want to do more. I'm reading 'The Power of a Praying Wife' for the first time and I'm struck constantly by how much more I need to pray for Bob and every aspect of his life.
~Model Christlike behavior for my girls and anyone who sees me - this will forever be my goal and purpose in life. To become more like Christ little by little and make sure that I'm as 'real' as can be to all who know me.

So that's all friends. I want to grow this year, I want to learn, I want to challenge myself and change for the better. How about you? What are your goals for the coming year?

Get Real!

OH BOY! This post from Kimba is all me!

Take a minute to hop over and read her post ... then come back here ....

I seriously felt like that could have been ME writing that post! Yes, I love Christmas! Yes, I'm trying to focus on the joy of the season. Yes, I love snow and spending time with my kids and baking and crafting and sewing and all that fun Christmasy stuff.

BUT, yes - I have been a monster Mommy and a witchy wife lately. Yes, the stress of trying to 'do it all' can get to me. Yes, checking out other blogs can fill me with feelings of inadequacy and the desire to do more, be more, make more.

It's not that I'm being fake with you friends. Like I said, I really do love Christmas and all that comes with it. But the reality is that sometimes it doesn't bring out the best in me. And I'm ashamed to say that - but you need to know it so you don't think for one second that you are the only one out there who is stressed, tired, grumpy and overwhelmed!

The best news of all though? Grace. Forgiveness. New mercies EVERY morning. A chance to wake up and start over. Begin again. Be redeemed.

Praise God for that!

My new 'do'

Now that I'm a Mom I find it funny to see which things I consider a true indulgence. I mean, I remember prior to having kids when I thought going on a cruise or going to a fancy dinner was an indulgence ... but these days, it doesn't take much to make me happy.

Today I got to indulge. For one full hour I sat at the salon having my hair washed, cut and styled. It was awesome. So awesome in fact that I almost fell asleep in the chair because I was so relaxed!

I have been talking about wanting to cut my hair for weeks now and it always seemed like something would come up or I couldn't see spending the money ... but today was my chance! I'm so glad I did, I love my new cut and I'm so happy to have the change. No more ponytails for me - I'm going to fix my hair - every day! {Added bonus ... I think the cut got rid of most of all the residual yucky color that was still clinging to my ends!!}
The back has the stacked look - each layer is a bit shorter - I love having all the bulk gone!