Our Style

I've been enjoying the browsing of kid's stuff for our registry, and I have learned that Brent and I share a similar style. We love crazy, fun stuff. I found this website called LittleMissMatched.com, and it's got some hilarious stuff on there. These are the kinds of things I want my daughter to have ...

"Unplanned" by Abby Johnson

I heard about this book from my sister. Former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson reveals what she experienced inside the abortion business -- and why she resigned her job and joined the pro-life movement. I think it's a great perspective that we rarely get to hear ... and I'm looking forward to seeing how it moves people.

You can read the first chapter HERE.

It's extremely powerful.

Snow Days aren't just for Kids

Today's Snow Day Agenda:

Cuddle up on the couch in my snuggie and watch a movie - or two

Bake sugar cookie cut-outs for Brent's students

Dig my car out of the snow ... and take my sweet time

Sit at the library and look for great books to read

Nap on the couch

Look at maternity clothes at Target - buy nothing


What would you do on a snow day?

Every Monday Matters

People who hate Mondays are basically wishing away about 7 weeks of their life per year. Mondays account for about that much of our year.

Next time you are dreading Monday morning, remind yourself how much of an impact losing Mondays would cause.

On a funnier note, here's a hilarious story my sister in Ft. Leonard Wood told me about their neighbor in Ft. Leonard Wood (where the tornadoes hit recently):

The neighbor's back windows were blown out when the tornado came through. All of a sudden they realized a little Yorkie-style dog had flown into their house, landed on the couch then bounced onto the floor only to get up and start running around.

So, they go to the neighbors' next door thinking the dog was theirs--oh no, this dog was sucked out of a house FIVE or SIX houses away, thrown through the air, in through their window and onto their couch... and the dog was fine.

The house that the dog came from? Totally caved in on both sides so that the owners could hardly get out. Yet the dog was sucked out and thrown through the window of a house way down the street...

I doubt Giselle would have been so lucky.

if I were starring in a movie ...

Starting the Morning with Psalms

I've been reading through the Psalms every morning while I drink my breakfast shake and pet Giselle (which we refer to as "givin her some rubbies"). She mostly just waits for me to finish my shake so she can lick the cup clean, which is why she always has chocolate on her head. Then she runs to Brent and waits patiently for him to give her his extra milk from his cereal bowl. She is so predictable.

I'm enjoying my time in the Word each morning. It's nice to start the day off with whatever David is feeling that morning. Some mornings I read about him praising God. Others he laments to God and begs for rescue. Still others are written out of a repentant heart.

It's nice because isn't that kind of how life is? One morning we feel great, and we want to praise God. Another we are in a pit of despair, and we need some serious rescue. The next we are feeling a little guilty for something we've done - or not done.

That's why I love the Psalms. It's real life. I can always relate.

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever." Psalm 30:11-12

Welcome, 2011!

Well ... 2010 sure ended with a bang. Tornadoes all over the state of Missouri ... who would have thought that would be how we end our year? But we did. 2010 is officially over. So now it is time to think about the new year.

I've never been a "resolution" person, but a friend of mine gave me a pretty good idea that she does each year. She sets three separate goals for different areas of her life ... mind, body, and spirit ... and I thought that sounded pretty good. Who doesn't like goals?

So - here are the official Goals of 2011:

Physical: Obviously ... I would like to return to my pre-pregnancy weight in 2011 (preferably sooner rather than later), but that sounds too easy so I would like to add a challenge to run a marathon. I'm not a runner. I actually hate running. But running a marathon has always been something I'd like to accomplish. I don't know why. That's pretty lofty for me.

Spiritual: Obviously ... I should be reading my Bible each day. But let's be honest, I don't. I'm going to work on that, but my goal is to read the Bible in its entirety. There are certain books I've never read ... so I want to have read every book of the Bible by the end of the year.

Emotional: This is probably harder for me than thinking about running a marathon, but my big "heart" goal is to really try to work on taking criticism. It's never been a strong suit, and I'd really like to work on that. This isn't really a measurable goal, but we'll try it.

Mental/Educational: I'd like to read more (whaaat?). I know - let me explain! I'd like to read 12 books (one a month) that ARE NOT Christian fiction. Some might be classics that I've never read/finished. Some might be memoirs from people. Basically anything but Karen Kingsbury or Francine Rivers. :)

There you have them!

What are your 2011 goals?