Great Aspirations

Oh my poor neglected blog.

You must think that I don't love you.

That could not be farther from the truth! I've decided that my problem is I love you too much! Every time I think I should really go post __________ on my blog, I remind myself how long it has been and how much of my life has yet to make it onto the blog and how if I start at NOW everything that happened in the big gaping hole that is my post-less-ness will be lost into the great abyss never to be thought of or posted . . . ever!

And that's a lot of super amazing stuff that I want to have on the blog. Not because I think it's all that interesting for everyone else out there (sorry dear readers . . . if you're still coming back to see if I will ever post again . . . I love you . . . really, I do . . . but there's more to this blog than just that), but because I know that if I don't have it "published" somewhere, I really will forget it some day. And that would be tragic.

The past two an a half years have truly been a great adventure, and God has been stretching and growing and shaping and molding and moving us in ways that I always want to remember.

All that to say that my anal perfectionist need to have everything posted in chronological order has gotten me all pent up with what to post and how and when - which has really just kept me from posting anything!

So . . .

I'm going to try to let it go . . .

really . . .

I'm not giving up on the dream of posting stories from the whirlwind that has been our lives since 2009; however, I'm going to do that as I am able and as I have time. I will not allow my fear of being imperfect to hold me captive any more ;)

Hope you're having a great week! Tomorrow's Friday!

<3,

Special Occasions . . .

Happy Thursday all!



I know, I know, I promised vacation details on Monday and here we are wrapping up Thursday and they have yet to appear.



It's been kind of crazy around here.

I feel like I have been on emotional roller coaster for the last week, the stress of preparing to leave, the excitement and joy of being with my family, the stress of the work computer issues, the crazy pace of all of the fun activities we did with my family, the sadness of goodbyes, the stress of coming back to work and getting my house put back together (I hate unpacking), plus several other emotional issues have combined to make me a wreck. And now I'm whining on my blog. I hate that too!

I'm sorry.

Things finally slowed down (somewhat) and Austin and I were able to enjoy an evening together yesterday. We also got to see and spend some time with our very good friends Tyler and Emma who I had not seen since before we left for vacation (Austin gets to work with Tyler everyday, but that doesn't really count). Everybody was pretty wiped out so we made it home early and got to relax a little bit just the two of us.

It seemed like a nice time to have a glass of wine. Our friend Michael had given us a bottle as a gift and Austin asked if I thought we should open it. Before I could answer, he said, "Or, maybe . . . should we save it for a special occasion?" In a somewhat silly manner, I answered with, "I think life should be a special occasion."

Our little exchange wasn't tremendously deep, and said in a corny, joking attitude, but it really got me to thinking. Life should be a special occasion, a great adventure, if you will (:>). Our time on earth is so short and so fragile, and I sometimes feel like I'm just rushing around with my head down trying to get from one "event" to the next. That is the last thing I want for my life, for my marriage, for my family. For my legacy. I want to be remembered as someone who thrived, someone who "sucked the marrow out of life." I want to use the talents and the personality that God gave me to bring joy and light and ultimately point others to Him!

When I get so caught up in the mineutia of the business of life and forget to live, I don't think that is pleasing or glorifying to God, and I get so bogged down with the stress.

I don't know if I really had a point that I was aiming for, or if it all just came out sounding like a second rate eighth-grade graduation speech full of "seize the day"-type platitudes, but this is where I've been the last few days. Thanks for indulging my introspection. I'll leave you with one of my recent favorite songs:

And a "teaser" pic for the vacation stories that will show up sometime next week!

Austin and myself (in the middle) you know, but the two lovely ladies that you can almost see are my gorgeous sisters. Kindra (middle sister) is on the left and Kelli (baby sister) is on the right!


Thanks for reading!

Scheduling Time

Today's challenge from 31 Days to Clean was to create a schedule to make better use of our time. I am definitely one of those people who loves to plan, but has trouble sticking to that plan; therefore, I have made my schedule very flexible, left plenty of open space. I have in bold the activity which is the most important to complete during each block of time. I'm going to do my very best to stick to this schedule all week, even if it feels a little unnatural at first, and then at the end of the week, I'll re-evaluate and shift whatever needs to be changed. Thanks for the encouragement and ideas Sarah Mae!

5:00 a.m.

~ Get up
~ Take laundry down stairs
~ Cup of tea
~ Quiet time

6:00 a.m.

~ Laundry in
~ Dishes away
~ Get dressed and ready
~ Computer time

7:00 a.m.
~ Breakfast & get ready for work

8:00 a.m.

~ Work

Lunch time

~ Eat with Hoss (if he's home)
~ Get ready for supper
~ sewing projects

1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m.

~ Back to work

5:00 p.m.

~ Home
~ Get supper on the table
~ Clean kitchen

6:00 p.m.

~ Check daily six-list and finish whatever is not done

7:00 p.m.

~ Hang out with Hoss
~ If he’s doing other stuff, computer time or sewing projects

10:00 p.m.

~ Bed time

Thanks for reading,