Moments: Price Fun

Ian's giraffe meets his cousin John's giraffe. This was quite the celebration.

Beautiful Nothingness

2009's Photos from Parents House

It's amazing when you have time to literally do nothing. Here at my parents house it's a relaxing setting of just hanging out, letting the kiddos rest in the afternoon and catching up on your own thoughts. I could be ambitious and read the book I need to read, I could write to those people I've been meaning to send cards to and I could do a project for my mom...but I'd rather sit and rest and think and not do.

It's a beautiful moment to do nothing and with the intention and non-guiltness of nothing. I wish I could say that we have that built-in margin in our lives for rest and relaxation (and we somewhat do with a toddler not into activities yet) but there is still time where we could but we don't. That is something I'd like to make a priority in....creating margin to create rest times and reflection times in our home.

Non-cluttered, non "to-do's" time where you don't stare at the projects that need done but can simply be still. [It also helps being in someone else's home, you don't need to, have to or even want to change things.]

Moments: Grandparents

Ian "helps" grandma and grandpa make breakfast.

Ian: New Phrase: Alien

Ian was playing with his Toy Story alien when he proclaimed, "I come in peace!" 

Mark laughed so hard his stomach hurt.

Kara just sat there thinking "did he really say that & where did he hear that?!"

Recycled Black Friday Ads

Recycled Black Friday Ads: We repurposed them as wrapping paper. With their clear glossy colors and great texture it was actually quite cool to wrap gifts. Some duck tape was used for "ribbon". It was even more fun to cut out letters for the recipients initials.

Ian: New Phrase: Chocolates

Ian: "Mommy you want some chocolate?" Kara: "Yes. Chocolates are the bomb." Ian: "Yes. Chocolates are the boot."

Ian: New Phrase: Big Head

Ian, "Daddy slide down on your bottom." Me, "No. I'll walk like a biped." Ian, "Yeah. You walk like a big head."

Ian: New Phrase: Good Talk Daddy

Mark's Tweet:
Yesterday when I sat down after preaching my 3-year old put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Good talk daddy."

Kingdom Life - Priorities

It's true - when Mark gives a sermon, God hits me harder with its message. Today was no exception...and this ones NEEDS to stick. I distinctly remembr a Resolution List I put together back in 1999 and I found it in 2003 and was reminded how much I desired to change when I wrote it. I found that almost all had been accomplished except for the hard ones illuding to growth/wisdom/discipline.

I still struggle with discipline...obedience & following through and it does all come down to priorities...I choose to use my time to do this rather than this and now I reap the benefits or consequences. Here is my current list, a link to the sermon & the main points.

Kingdom Life: 1) Uncommon lifestyle, 2) Distinctively different Prayer life, 3) Purpose-driven Priorities

I would like to:
* not waste so much time on non-important things or hobbies (oouponing & internet surfing for deals)
* spend money only on budgeted items & necessities (stock-piling is ok at a minimal rate/depending on use)
* give sacrificially & routinely to those friends doing God's work
* focus time on Chazown things (a.k.a. use with my purpose)
- helping people (resources) & growing people (listening & running)
- making gifts
- consistently running & singing (not simultaneously)
- having a clean & non-cluttered home
* keeping those things only needed in the house:
- paper: bills, mementos in proper storage, coupons in binder, notes in boxes, announcements & cards on corkboard
- pictures on walls
- excess toys & clothes = out box
- magazines older than 6 months = out box
- notes = my Remains of the Day book
- ideas = in binder
* remind myself - I have not used it in a year and I will probably not use it - there will always be another deal & if I need it God will provide

I am Inspired by...

I got to thinking, after a friend wrote that I was an inspiration by what I was writing, about what it means to be inspiring...or to be inspired by...

So this is what I'm currently inspired by:
* my blog posts here (11-30-10) and here (12-14-10) about Resolve & fitness from one year ago (wow I was motivated and so driven!)
* people who are ultramarathoners or endurance athletes (they live it daily)
* people who give of themselves in unique ways
* mothers who still pursue their own avenues in life while caring for their children
* those women who have miscarriage after miscarriage and yet still see hope and a future for their family
* Jim Brickman (Holiday) Pandora playlist
* lists...
* my husband and his honesty with me whether I desire to hear it or not

December Daily - Life & Expectations

This year with everything going I'm opting to make our December daily pictures & traditions more simple and small.

We've been traveling a lot, Ian is growing up so much and although I have not exercised once since November 17th, I am somehow still able to fit into my clothes which is a blessing.

I'm having to become a list-maker again and needing to refocus life and expectations. Disappointment has been a running theme this past year in some areas of our life and yet other areas have been blessed. I'm seeing how as each year goes by that people truly do become wiser and have more opportunity to turn from their wicked, fleshly, selfish ways. New creations and renewed minds...have taken on new meanings to me. I'm no longer the teenager or 20-something who makes my mistakes over & over and then wonders why I struggle so much and there are consequences. However, I'm also not the 30-something yet who understands that quicker repentance leads to quicker restoration...or that more cautious & wise preparation leads to more wise choices.

How did I not get all of this before? I read about it, but it doesn't register until life experience fulfills it. I guess I'm more human than I think and more inclined to sin and mess up and go back to my old ways than I think I am. What foolish thinking on my part.

Allowing myself to understand...to give myself grace...to better use my time and gifts...and to keep moving...AND to reconnect with God in a new, humbling way.