2012 was a remarkable year for our family! In fact, it has been such a great year that realizing it has come and gone is a little emotional...
We were reunited as a family under one roof. I was able to become a full-time "work at home" mom (some would refer to this at "stay at home" mom...but I just don't remember how I did it while working full time too. Well, I just didn't do it well.) We are able to be close enough to my family to be able to share lots of milestones with them. Andrew played baseball, basketball and joined the swim team (l.o.v.e.s swimming!). Ryan enjoys "mommy school." I have "found myself" again - well, truly God has reminded me of whose I am and who I am. It just has felt like we were meant to be exactly where we are now.
This really makes resolutions hard if you think of them as trying to shake off old habits and make anew.
So I have decided to dedicate 2013 to a renewing of my mind and capitalizing on the good that 2012 brought with it.
My verse of the year:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans12:2 NIV
My list of focus for the new year:
1. Knowing God More
Devoting time to seek Him, to be still in His presence and learn from Him. Keep in step with Him. Finding Him with my head and my heart. Keeping a strong relationship with my Savior, my Heavenly Father and His Holy Spirit. Laughing with Him. Making joyful noise with Him. Shining His light for His flock to see. Crying with Him. Waiting patiently for Him. Listening to Him. Acting when nudged by Him. Worshipping Him. Wanting to amaze Him with my faithfulness, hope and trust.
2. Family
Devoting attention to my husband and my children. Staying up and talking in bed with my husband. Letting my hair down. Waking up 15 minutes early to have a bible devotion with my oldest son. Singing "Bushel and a Peck" with Ryan. Feeding my growing boys (tallest one included!) healthy, whole foods. Being a good example of Christ's love for us and His light of truth. Building a strong relationship with each of my boys. Laughing together. Playing together. Praying together. Worshipping together. Joyfully loving each other. Building a heavenly family together because of Jesus.
3. Jewelry Business
Focusing on my customers and hostesses. Mapping out plan for growing my business. Sticking to the plan. Encouraging ladies to feel great about themselves. Setting a personal record for the most free jewelry given away. Shining Jesus' light to the ladies I am fortunate to meet. Enjoying lots of new friends.
There you have it in a nut shell.
You can expect to hear from me on these 3 continued focuses for 2013.
May your year also be a blessing unto you and your Heavenly Father.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Monday, December 10, 2012
The Merriest
It is just when you feel like you have "everything together" (ha!) that you look up and see the threads unraveling around you...like keeping up with everyone through this outlet known as "the blog"...well, all good intentions.
Intentions...preparing for this season of celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, has been very intentional this year. With the time I have been blessed with to focus on my family, I have used it to draw closer to "the daddy" (God) to "the head of my household" (my husband) and to "the raising up to be in His favor" (my children).
This focus has in turn brought incomprehensible joy, love and understanding of the Truth to my life.
This realization hit hard while listening to Andrew's music for the children's program at church...by the way, he was the cutest oxen ever! The song was an upbeat version of Joy to the World. Really listening, intently listening to the lyrics hit me square in the chest. And brought tears, lots of tears.
I keep finding reasons to fall to my knees in praise and thanksgiving for my Heavenly Daddy as we walk closer and closer to our Christmas celebration.
Here are some of the blessings I have joyfully enjoyed as we countdown to Christmas Day:
1. Andrew and I have been waking up 15 minutes early before getting ready for school to have a Bible study together. It has been a very precious time. Time that we will never forget.
2. I just love spending time with Ryan. He is such a funny kiddo! Every 20 minutes (or less!) over the last week or so he has stopped to ask "Mom, what's MY name?" I respond. "OH! Yes, Ralph Ryan." Not to mention his running up and exclaiming, "Help mommy! My nose is blinkin'!" Which has us searching for a kleenex to wipe the dripping!
3. The strong blessing of having friends anchored in TRUTH...and willing to share that truth with me, no strings attached. I honestly don't know where I would be today if I did not have them in my life. And all that they were (are) doing was answering God's call to help me seek Him more!
4. A husband who loves me dearly. I am blessed beyond understanding when it comes to the man that God gave me to be my husband. I am working hard (and still failing, but then picking up pieces and working harder!) to become the wife that God wants me to be for him. He is my best friend, and I am so thankful to God for reminding me of that! I love this man with all my heart. (Okay, okay...enough of the mushiness!)
Our memory verses for this month (one for our little guy and one more for the rest of us!):
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Intentions...preparing for this season of celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, has been very intentional this year. With the time I have been blessed with to focus on my family, I have used it to draw closer to "the daddy" (God) to "the head of my household" (my husband) and to "the raising up to be in His favor" (my children).
This focus has in turn brought incomprehensible joy, love and understanding of the Truth to my life.
This realization hit hard while listening to Andrew's music for the children's program at church...by the way, he was the cutest oxen ever! The song was an upbeat version of Joy to the World. Really listening, intently listening to the lyrics hit me square in the chest. And brought tears, lots of tears.
I keep finding reasons to fall to my knees in praise and thanksgiving for my Heavenly Daddy as we walk closer and closer to our Christmas celebration.
Here are some of the blessings I have joyfully enjoyed as we countdown to Christmas Day:
1. Andrew and I have been waking up 15 minutes early before getting ready for school to have a Bible study together. It has been a very precious time. Time that we will never forget.
2. I just love spending time with Ryan. He is such a funny kiddo! Every 20 minutes (or less!) over the last week or so he has stopped to ask "Mom, what's MY name?" I respond. "OH! Yes, Ralph Ryan." Not to mention his running up and exclaiming, "Help mommy! My nose is blinkin'!" Which has us searching for a kleenex to wipe the dripping!
3. The strong blessing of having friends anchored in TRUTH...and willing to share that truth with me, no strings attached. I honestly don't know where I would be today if I did not have them in my life. And all that they were (are) doing was answering God's call to help me seek Him more!
4. A husband who loves me dearly. I am blessed beyond understanding when it comes to the man that God gave me to be my husband. I am working hard (and still failing, but then picking up pieces and working harder!) to become the wife that God wants me to be for him. He is my best friend, and I am so thankful to God for reminding me of that! I love this man with all my heart. (Okay, okay...enough of the mushiness!)
Our memory verses for this month (one for our little guy and one more for the rest of us!):
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Handful's Sunday Comics
It's about time I documented some silly happenings around here...
Believe me, there have been enough to keep anyone in stitches of laughter! But I'll share some of my favorites of late:
1. Ryan is still on the kick of "knock-knock jokes"... and his favorite one is still: "Knock, knock." "Who's there?" "Bug." "Bug who?" "Did you get that???" With lots of silly, 2 year-old belly laughter to follow! Nothing better!
2. Andrew has been pretty serious about his swim team and practice. He has been staying in the pool when his age group is done with practice and the older groups keep going for another 30 minutes. When asked to get out of the pool he replies "Just one more lap mom, please! Remember, I'm trying to be an Olympic swimmer one of these days! Gee, can you not let me just practice hard?" Oh, what I would give to be 5 going on 20 again!
3. Hide-and-Go-Seek has become a very favorite game for both of the boys. Just yesterday my mom was over and playing the beloved game with Ryan. She found him under a big reclining chair and asked if he was stuck. It was very apparent he was. He adamantly said, "No, grandma, I NO-it stuck!" Pause for a little bit of a struggle under the chair... "Umm, grandma, I can't get out!"
4. Andrew was out helping my dad in their yard. Of course not because he is being a good, thoughtful and helpful grandson, but because he was "working" to be paid for "helping". He is saving up money for a plastic (very plastic) bow and arrow set, an electric scooter, an IPod, a DS... you get the picture, he will be picking up a LOT of sticks in the yard for 25 cents per hour! I guess you can't discourage a man with a vision...
5. During one of these "working" sessions with my dad, Andrew was asked to bring down an empty trash can that was standing right by a wagon. The same wagon that my dad had just laid down a fresh cup of coffee. Andrew picked up the handle of the wagon...my dad called out, "Andrew, we don't need the wagon. We just need the trash can." "Oh," was Andrew's reply. My dad walked up to where Andrew was, looked down and saw his coffee mug turned over on its side, coffee everywhere. "Andrew, did you knock over my coffee?" "Huh? Oh, no, grandpa...the wind did it." "Andrew, do you feel any wind?" "Uhhhh, nope grandpa..." "Andrew, are you telling me a story?" "Well, gee grandpa, most people buy my stories!"
Believe me, there have been enough to keep anyone in stitches of laughter! But I'll share some of my favorites of late:
1. Ryan is still on the kick of "knock-knock jokes"... and his favorite one is still: "Knock, knock." "Who's there?" "Bug." "Bug who?" "Did you get that???" With lots of silly, 2 year-old belly laughter to follow! Nothing better!
2. Andrew has been pretty serious about his swim team and practice. He has been staying in the pool when his age group is done with practice and the older groups keep going for another 30 minutes. When asked to get out of the pool he replies "Just one more lap mom, please! Remember, I'm trying to be an Olympic swimmer one of these days! Gee, can you not let me just practice hard?" Oh, what I would give to be 5 going on 20 again!
3. Hide-and-Go-Seek has become a very favorite game for both of the boys. Just yesterday my mom was over and playing the beloved game with Ryan. She found him under a big reclining chair and asked if he was stuck. It was very apparent he was. He adamantly said, "No, grandma, I NO-it stuck!" Pause for a little bit of a struggle under the chair... "Umm, grandma, I can't get out!"
4. Andrew was out helping my dad in their yard. Of course not because he is being a good, thoughtful and helpful grandson, but because he was "working" to be paid for "helping". He is saving up money for a plastic (very plastic) bow and arrow set, an electric scooter, an IPod, a DS... you get the picture, he will be picking up a LOT of sticks in the yard for 25 cents per hour! I guess you can't discourage a man with a vision...
5. During one of these "working" sessions with my dad, Andrew was asked to bring down an empty trash can that was standing right by a wagon. The same wagon that my dad had just laid down a fresh cup of coffee. Andrew picked up the handle of the wagon...my dad called out, "Andrew, we don't need the wagon. We just need the trash can." "Oh," was Andrew's reply. My dad walked up to where Andrew was, looked down and saw his coffee mug turned over on its side, coffee everywhere. "Andrew, did you knock over my coffee?" "Huh? Oh, no, grandpa...the wind did it." "Andrew, do you feel any wind?" "Uhhhh, nope grandpa..." "Andrew, are you telling me a story?" "Well, gee grandpa, most people buy my stories!"
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