Me, Yard Sales, and the Bermuda Triangle

I solved one of the world’s great mysteries this weekend.  It happened totally by accident.  One of my big goals for this summer is to have a yard sale, so I’ve been going through all the closets in the house and cleaning them out.  Let me just say we’re going to have a really big yard sale in a few weeks!  Anyway, this weekend it was time for the most dreaded task of all…cleaning out my youngest son’s closet and bedroom.  I knew it was long overdue, but wow, I had no idea what I was in for.

It took the entire long weekend – three days of hard work – and I’m still not totally done.  So far we’ve filled two and half huge trash bags (we’re talking lawn-and-garden size bags – you know, the 5,000 gallon kind) with outgrown toys and clothes for the yard sale, and some smaller bags of trash (broken toys, toys with pieces missing, old coloring books, etc.).  His room is looking so much better!  He can now actually find the toys he loves playing with.

In the midst of all that cleaning, as I said, I solved one of the world’s greatest mysteries.  The Bermuda Triangle.  It’s simple, really – everything that has disappeared from the earth, ever, was somehow sucked into my little guy’s bedroom.  It was all there, and it’s now either in our garage awaiting the yard sale or in the trash.  Well, okay, not all of it went to the yard sale or the trash.  My oldest son’s entire Bakugan collection was located in my youngest son’s toy buckets.  The boys’ entire wardrobe was buried at the back of the closest.  (Their idea of ‘Hang this up neatly’ needs some work.  And besides that, what are my 10 year old’s clothes doing in my 7 year old’s bedroom?)  Now, thanks to his clean room, the entire Marvel Comic superhero squad can guard my boys’ bedrooms, since they are no long MIA.

I have to admit, I’m impressed with what was accomplished this weekend.  Apparently I’m not the only one.  When he saw his younger brother’s room, my oldest replied, “Wow, Mom – I may have to hire you to clean my closet too.”  Hhhmmm…this idea just may work!

This morning, as I was getting ready to post this, I saw that Sarah Mae is hosting a challenge to celebrate her 31 Days to Clean "reboot" with daily challenges.  What could be better?  Obviously, from the condition of the boys bedrooms, my house needs it.  I'm out of class for the next six weeks, so the timing is right.  She says it's an experiment...well, count me in!  It started with one room - now, clean and organized house, here I come!

Simple Goals and Big Changes

Several weeks ago, I snagged a copy of Candace Cameron Bure's book Reshaping It All for my Kindle Fire.  (On sale - I love a good bargin.)  I grew up watching Candace on "Full House" and her brother on "Growing Pains," so I was super excited about getting a copy.  As soon as I finished my last final for the semester, I started reading it. 

My life has been all about changes lately.  I finished a brutal semester of college, during which I had to make huge sacrifices just to pass.  We lost our beloved 13 year old Yorkie, and a month after her death, we got a new puppy.  Major changes at my job of 4 1/2 years forced me to start looking for a new job, which I just started this week.  I worked at a gym, so leaving also meant starting a whole new workout routine at a different gym.  My life looks very different now than it did in January.
A lot of things are being reshaped in my life right now, so I decided that this is the perfect time to read Candace's book.  I've been fighting the same 10-15 pounds for too long, and I'm ready to finally hit my goal weight and stay there.
In chapter four, Candace talks about goals and counting the cost.  I'm setting four simple goals for myself, with the ultimate goal of losing 15 pounds.  I know (from experience) that if I set too many goals or make my goals too complicated, I'll get overwhelmed and give up.  So I'm keeping it simple:

1. Daily quiet time.  Why am I starting with daily quiet time?  Because I realize that my health is so much more than just the physical - my health is a spiritual thing, too.
2. Move more.  Establish a regular workout routine that includes running, Pilates, and Praise Moves, with swimming and biking with my boys thrown in for fun and variety.
3. Drink more water.  I am a major diet Dr. Pepper and coffee adict.  I love them, and there is no way I'm cutting them out - but I am cutting back.  I'm going to limit myself to one each per day.  I need more water, and I plan to make it my main beverage.
4. Eat clean(er).  I've done some reading lately on "clean eating."  Some things I like, some things I don't, and some things will just never work for our family.  So I'm modifying it a bit, and we're going to clean up our diet - more whole grains, no white (rice, pasta, etc.), less meat/more beans, less prcessed foods.  I'm not totally cutting processed foods and sugar, but I want to cut back drastically on them. 

They are simple goals, but I think these will make big changes in my health and well-being.  I know it's going to be worth the cost.

The Original "Supermom" - Proverbs 31

I have a love/hate relationship with the Proverbs 31 woman.  My Bible opens to Proverbs 31 almost automatically because the pages are so worn - this chapter has been read and referenced over and over.  I have to admit, I stand in awe of the original "Supermom."  On the other hand, part of me can't stand this woman.  She seriously does all that?!?  This woman really makes me look bad.

I was excited to learn about the ebook and summer Good Morning Girls session on Proverbs 31.  As annoying as she may sometimes be, I know that I should be like her.  Honestly, I want to be like her.  I just don't know how.  I don't even know where to start.

One of my favorite things about the Proverbs 31 woman is her background.  Wait a minute - what background, you're asking.  Exactly.  The Bible never talks about her background.  It doesn't tell us how she was raised, what her family was like, or anything else about her past.  It just tells us what she became.  It doesn't matter whether or not we saw this example lived out in front of us when we were little girls.  All that matters is here and now, and the fact that God can change us and shape us into a Godly woman. 

I can't wait to dive deeper into my study this summer.  My prayer is that God will use it to make me into the woman He wants me to become.

Too Busy for Life?

Dental hygiene school is all consuming.  It takes up every waking moment of my time.  I spend hours at school, and when I'm not at school or work, I'm studying or writing papers or doing research.  My entire life consists of this:

In just a few more days, I'll have a life...at least for the 57 days of summer break.  I plan to do the things I haven't had time for during the last few months.  On my list:

1. Spend time with my family.  Although in the long run becoming an RDH is going to be amazing for my family, in the short term, it really stinks.  I don't spend anywhere close to enough time with them.  I can't wait to just hang out and have fun with my guys more.
2. Run.  I miss running.  I miss taking my stress out on my run.  I miss the high of pushing further than I've been before or faster than I've been before.  I'm not a good runner or a fast runner, but I love to run, and I can't wait to get in some good running time again.
3. Read.  The Kindle Fire my hubby got me for Christmas was the perfect gift!  I devour books, and my Kindle is loaded with tons of great mysteries...plus my fave author, Ted Dekker, has a brand new book coming out next month...I can't wait to get lost in some good, creepy, FBI-tracking-serial-killer books.
4. Swim.  We just got an above ground pool, and it's calling my name...this summer, I'm going to get skinny and tan and hang out with my guys in the pool. 
5. Geocache.  Again, tons of fun with my family, and it's been a really long time since we went.
6. Go to the gun range.  Ok, I'm a huge tomboy, and you're probably thinking I've read too many of my FBI-tracking-serial-killer books....but I love going to the gun range.  I grew up shooting with my dad (that's what happens when you're the only girl in the family) and I still love guns.  My husband, kids and I go the range and all take turns - my hubby with his Glock, me with my Sig Sauer, and the boys with a .22 rifle.  Good family fun. 

So, yeah, overall, I've been too busy with school to have a life, but in just a few more days, this semester ends, and maybe I can have a life again...for a little while.

This week, I'm linking up with...
<center><a href="http://www.mamakatslosinit.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac331/mamakatslosinit/workshop-button-1.png" alt="Mama’s Losin’ It"/></a></center>

Why I Pray

Today marks the beginning of the newest 21 Days for Sons prayer challenge at The MOB Society.  Although I'm drowning in the stress and assignments of my last two weeks of the semester, I'm not about to miss this.  Why?

Because they're worth it.  Because if their Daddy and I don't pray for them, who will?  Because they are my precious gifts from God.  Because they are my knights in training.  Because the world needs men after God's own heart.  Because I love them, heart and soul.  Boys moms - join 21 Days for Sons.  It will change your life - and their lives - forever.

Morning Grace

I'm a rule-following kind of girl. Its a great trait to have...sometimes. Sometimes it can really get in the way, though. When it comes to my morning quiet time, it can be downright dangerous.
As a college student and into my early married years in my 20's, it was easy for me to get up early and spend an hour ir more with God every morning. Then we had kids, and everything changed. Suddenly I was a 22 year old stay at home mom who considered taking a shower a major accomplishment. Days went by without me ever even opening my Bible. My prayer time dwindled to, "Lord, how am I going to get this done?"

I'm a voracious reader, so as my kids got older, I started reading again - along with my Bible, I read books on marriage, parenting, and being a Godly woman. I learned a lot from those books - mainly that I was failing. One book said I should spend an hour or more a day in Bible study. Another told me it should be easy to pray for an hour a day. Still others told me I should tithe my time - spend 10% of my time with God and never miss a day. I beat myself up a lot during those early years of marriage and motherhood. I knew there was no way I could live up to what those books suggested. I was breaking all the rules.

Then, a few years ago, I discovered something amazing - grace. Its my morning grace - grace for my times with God. My goal is to get up early every morning and spend time with God. Most days it happens, but if not, there's grace. Some days its long, other days its just a short devotional. One day I might spend more time in Bible study, another day might be focused more on prayer, and still another might focus on journaling or scripture memory. Whatever I'm doing, there's grace.

I believe that God delights in our efforts and our successes to spend time with Him, but I also believe that He's ready to wrap His arms around us and carry us when we're frazzled, frustrated, and struggling to keep up. He made us, He knows us, and He understands our ups and downs. My morning quiet time is again something I look forward to. In fact, its one of my favorite times of the day.

Beginning May 14th, I'm going to do something a little different with my quiet times, and I'm so excited about it!  I've pulled together a group of friends from throughout my life to form a Good Morning Girls group on Facebook.  Together, we're going to study Proverbs 31, pray, and support each other.  We stretch halfway across the country, from Texas to North Carolina, but each day, we'll connect on Facebook.  I can't wait to see what God is going to!
Do you want to have consistent time with God every day? Sign up for Hello Mornings or Good Morning Girls!  These amazing websites have encouraged me so much.  If you're struggling with your quiet times with God, check these out and discover your own morning grace.

When Priorities Get Pushed Aside

Something dawned on me the other day.  I haven't been blogging lately.  I'm a month behind on my "read through the Bible in a year" plan.  I don't remember the last time I worked out.  These were all supposed to be priorities for me - what happened?

I was reading an article on blogging last week, and one point from it really hit home.  If you're going to blog (or do anything else for that matter) you have to make it a priority.  Duh, Amanda.  Sounds simple, but I needed that kick in the pants to bring me back around.  The reason I haven't blogged, read my Bible, or worked out lately isn't a matter of not having time, although things have been insane lately - it's a matter or priorities.  I haven't had my priorities in the right order.

Yes, college is insane right now, and I'm a basket case over it.  Yes, I've been sick.  Yes, I'm a new puppy mom who has been busy with our new baby.  Yes, life is crazy.  But somehow I can find time to catch up on my favorite TV show or play Angry Birds on my phone (I'm a little addicted obsessed hooked on that game...).  Yet I'm pushing some of the most important things in my life aside for these trivial things.

My priorities are being re-alinged this week.  You will see me blogging at least twice a week now.  I will work hard, reading extra until I am caught up on my Bible reading.  As soon as I get over this repiratory virus I'm fighting, I will drag my out-of-shape behind back to the gym and start working out again.  I will sit down every Sunday afternoon and plan my week - I will make things happen instead of letting things happen as they may.  I will make a fresh start and get things moving in the right direction again and fulfill my "one word" goal for this year - FINISH.