A New Year is approaching...

    As it approaches 2015, I have been really thinking about my life and how I have been living. There are some things that I would like to keep doing and naturally there are some things that I would like to leave in 2014! I have come up with my top 8 things that I want to work on in 2015... here they are!
   
   1... God should truly be my focus... not pleasing people or myself... God is the only one that I should be living for and if my eyes are focused on Him, He will take care of me in His perfect way!
 
    2... Being free of worrying about what people think of me. This is hard when you are a people pleaser like myself. There is nothing wrong with wanting to have good relationships with people but there is a problem if it overtakes you. God is the one person that I want to please.
 
   3... Being content and really enjoy the life that I have been given and not be always wishing for something else. There are so many things that I take for granted every day and so often I am not content with my life. Instead of dreading the end of vacation, I should be enjoying every second of it while it lasts. I truly want to be able to enjoy every moment of everyday just as God has intended me to.
 
   4... Have a thankful and grateful heart. God has given us so much and I am thankful for our marriage, house, cars, dogs, and friends and family. There are so many moments that are not appreciated because of people not being content and I really don't want to live that way anymore!

   5... Everyday I want to wake up and name at least 1 thing that I am grateful for and spend time thanking God for that. I may even write it in a journal so that I am accountable!

   6... Trying new things and being adventurous. Anyone that knows me can attest that I am a perfectionist and that if I don't think that I can do it well, I don't even attempt it. I don't want that to stop me from exploring. Whether it is cooking, baking, art, reading, hiking, traveling, or whatever else I want to try new things.

   7... Carrying on the legacy of my Papa, helping people with open arms. No matter what he was always welcoming and giving and loving and I want to carry that outlook into my life!

   8... Living a healthy life. Relaxing when needed, exercising, and eating healthy are so important and often they are looked over. Now I am not going to obsess about it but I am going to think about it when I make choices.

   So, there are my focuses or resolutions for the New Year. If for nothing else, I put them online to keep myself accountable because so often I lose track within a few months of the year! Where ever you are, whatever your year holds... Happy New Year and God Bless!!

Spring is about to begin...

   On Thursday of this week we will have Spring! I am beyond excited for so many reasons! Yes, I know that where I live has the potential for winter weather into May but the possibility of lovely weather increases with each day. I am a person that loves snow and winter but I am beyond ready for Spring and Summer.
   I think that between NESA testing for my students and all the gloomy weather it has really made me crave the sun and being outside! I cant wait to garden and take care of my house and travel this summer.

 

                             My new travel bag!

 

              

                         I can't wait for this to be my view!

    I think the thing that is making me most ready for summer is my husband! Last Sunday he surprised me by getting me a bright yellow cruiser with a detachable basket! For the past two years I have wanted to have a bike so I could ride over to Fresh Foods and purchase small items. My husband knew that I was never going to spend that type of money for myself so he decided to surprise me, and boy was I surprised!! I love it and am so ready for weather I can ride it in!

                      Me and My Cruiser! Ready for Summer!
  
   He has been so thoughtful and caring even though he has so much going on as well! Last night, after I got back from night 1 (of 3) parent teacher conferences I put pj's on and went to lay down and he provided dinner and attended to me even though he had worked all day too! It is that selfless attitude that makes me want summer. In the summer we switch places, I have more time to help him and he has his busiest season. And for a short amount of time I get to be a house wife! :)
     
  

Love comes Softly...

    My schedule has been so incredibly busy and it is not stopping anytime soon so I took off yesterday in order to catch my breath. So... I woke up and made coffee... Played with Leo... and made my first dutch oven meal... It was so nice to be able to do things around my house at my pace and enjoy our home.
   I ended up watching several of the "Love comes Softly" movies and loved every minute of it. I just love the simplicity of life on the frontier and how, even though they have trials, they always focus on God to get them through. How often do we hold onto things instead of allowing God to take them and show us how powerful He is? I can tell you from experience, it is hard for me to let go of things and let God work. I have to admit I am a worrier and I have control issues, so giving things to God is really hard for me. But it is a huge part of our walk with God and we need to make a conscious effort to not hold onto things.
  So often I get overwhelmed with my life and forget to lean on God and not myself with my busy schedule. And if I am trying to live by my own strength I will never be able to appreciate and do all that God wants me to do. I have to search and lean on God and not myself.
  My challenge to everyone, including myself, is for us to really and truly lean on God and not ourselves. We need to see the everything through the eyes of God so that we will be able to love and live the way God wants us to! Only then can we be a light to a truly dark world and not get burnt out.