1000 Gifts: 21-100

 

I have really been loving this! My hope was to combat my discontentment by choosing to see all of the many gifts that are before me on a daily basis. So, rather then sitting down on Monday to catalog all of the gifts, I have kept a cute little journal with me to jot down gifts as they arise. At times when I was feeling discontetended about something, I forced myself to look for a gift. And what do ya know...I always found one! The funnest part about this whole list is that each and every one has a story behind it. Feel free to ask me sometime :)

~21Modern medicine (Excedrin Migraine)
~22 My husbands sweet smell
~23 Gus' peanut butter sandwich dance
~24 Drew caring for Evie
~25 Spiral bound journals
~26 How much my nutcracker soldiers remind me of my grandparents
~27 A fun day at my in-laws
~28 Making treats with family and friends
~29 Carbonation
~30 Finding the perfect person to pass our baby stuff to
~31 Clean and organized kids bedrooms
~32 To be doing 1000 gifts alongside friends
~33 Forgiveness
~34 Tender moments between siblings
~35 A never changing God
~36 Gods constant faithfulness
~37 Sleeping in late
~38 Waking up to Gus saying "can I snuggle wit choo?"
~39 Evie's awesome morning hair do's
~40 That Clint is not afraid to BBQ in the winter
~41 Sweet neighbor ladies
~42Swagbucks (= free $)
~43 Almond extract
~44 Clean running water at my finger tips
~45 Nana's homemade hot cocoa mix
~46 Crock-pot cooking
~47 My digital picture frame and all the pics in it
~48 Q-tips
~49 Sweet text messages from Clint
~50 My Kitchen Aid
~51 Drew's helpfulness
~52 Good phone chats w/ Heather
~53 A clean kitchen sink
~54 Satan's lies being exposed
~55 And for Gods truths that replace those lies
~56 Friends that aren't afraid to speak truth into my life
~57 Netflix
~58 Hand-me-downs
~59 Reliable vehicles
~60 Our cozy home
~61Listening to the kids laugh and giggle while singing Christmas songs and decorating cookies
~62 For my fun marriage
~63 Josh Turners music
~64 My goofy extended family
~65 Dancing
~66 Clint's silliness
~67 Over hearing Clint and the kids pray and a late night chat prompted by ?'s where he shared about the true meaning of Christmas and the gift that God gave us
~68 Celebrating Jesus' b-day
~69 P.J's after a long day
~70 Saturday morning family breakfast
~71 Old traditions
~72 New ones
~73 Kids excitement and joy over simple gifts
~74 My dishwasher
~75 For a 2nd wind after feeling all pooped out
~76 Cheesecake
~77 A morning walk/run with my girls
~78 Jeremiah 50:33
~79 Lamentations 3:23
~80 psalm 103:22
~81 After Christmas sales
~82 Lilly's sweet little desire to be a healthy and fit person ( I can learn a lot from her)
~83 Empty laundry hampers
~84 Not waiting until New years to make changes God has called me to
~85 Going to the Mall by myself
~86 2 new bras ( you have no idea how bad I needed them)
~87 Mitchell Family Christmas
~88 Clint's Dad sharing his heart and the true meaning of Christmas
~89 Boardgames
~90 Gift cards
~91 laughter
~92 Special time with just me and my #3 and #4
~93 Cousins
~94 New cooking and baking items
~95 Watching Evie perfect her forks skills with pancakes
~96 Fuzzy posters (they keep kids happy while I get stuff done)
~97 Lilly's sweet, careful, playfulness with her new doll
~98 Drew's creativity
~99  Watching Lilly and Gus play make believe together
~100 Looking to God to help me make order out of chaos

 

I'm in! 1000 Gifts

In an effort to battle discontentment and focus on the MANY blessing my loving God bestows upon me, I have decided to join my dear friend Carrie and the Gratitude Community in cataloging 1000 gifts. I am praying for a change of perspective in the daily doings of my beautiful, challenging, exciting, messy, God given, unique and ordinary life.



~1 For my husbands patients and willingness to help me through each struggle

~2 Grilled cheese on homemade bread

~3 Clutter free rooms

~4 Being able to donate items to those in need

~5 Creative ginger bread house designers

~6 That my girls love wrapping presents

~7 Text messaging

~8 For this Blog post and the brother in Christ who shared in with me

~9 Matthew 6:33

~10 Christmas cards

~11 Friends you can always be yourself with

~12 Prayer

~13 Coupon Connections NW

~14 Relaxing music

~15 A long conversation with my Dad

~16 2 weeks off from school

~17 That my kids love Gummy Vites

~18 Quiet moments with God

~19 Family Photos

~20 Extra time with my BFF these last few days

Stepping on the scale

Long time no blog! I have a million excuses but I will spare you... More importantly I have some exciting news to share!

My husband and I (along with our community group) are starting a discipleship program called the Story Formed Life. My dear friend Heather took this class a couple years ago and I have been wanting to take it ever since. Last week we had some what of a information/Q & A time with our leader. After the meeting I am even more excited but also a bit anxious.

The way this particular discipleship class is set up is over a course of 10 weeks we will look at different portions of Gods story from the bible. We will start with the basic foundational truths of our faith and then look at how we ought to then live according to those truths. (Please correct me fellow disciple-shippers if I am explaining this wrong) The following is a break down of the 10 weeks-

creation

fall

gospel

lordship

sonship

spirit led life

disciplined life

being the church

kingdom

recreation

I am so excited to go back to the basics and hopefully gain a better understanding of these foundational truths. I am also very anxious though... Each week after we have spent time reading, meditating, praying and discussing the scriptures for the week we will have the opportunity to rate how much we truly believe it on a scale of 1-10. (stepping on the scale) I think it would be easy to say "Of course I believe God created the Heavens and the earth" and "of course I believe that me and everyone else on this planet are made in His image. The bible says so!" but if I take a good hard look at how I look at myself sometimes and others....can I really give my self a 10? Probably not.

I am praying for a humble and teachable heart this week and that God would show me my unbelief so that I can grow closer to him and stronger in faith.

When my friend Heather did this course she blogged about her journey each week and it was such a blessing for me to see her heart be challenged and changed each week. My hope is that I too will catalog my journey via this blog along the way.

30 Day Challenge: Friday Updates

Hi 30 day Challengers!!! Its been awhile since we have shared our updates. I look forward to hearing how its going for you...I hope better than me :)

My current challenge ended a few days ago and it did not end well. Long story short I failed miserable in every area of my challenge since my last update. In addition to my lack of discipline, I have had a house full of the stomach flu to include a trip to the ER and a broken washing machine. Ad it all up and what do you get?  No challenges being met...uhg.

But I choose to look at this as a small blip on the radar, and I am going to move forward with my chin up and get ready for a new 30 day challenge!!! That is what I love so much about the 30 Day Challenge... every 30 days we get a new start at challenging ourselves to make changes in our lives to better glorify our loving and gracious God!!!

Change for the challenge
I want to be sure to let all challengers know of an upcoming change for the 30 day challenge. I have decided to do Monday updates in place of Friday updates. I have decided to do this because I personally always love to start my challenges at the beginning of the week and it bugged me to update mid-week in a challenge. I hope the Monday updates will work better for you too!

Please let me know if you have any suggestions to make the 30 day Challenge better :)

PS- I am still hoping to get a button soon. Thanks for your patience.

Is Jesus Enough?

As followers of Christ we must continue to be moldable. As God moves in our hearts we are transformed (if we let it happen). God is so patient with me. He always molds me so slowly and so carefully. Often I don't even realize its going on. Then I have the blessing of looking back and seeing how my heart has been changed. Sometimes it is clear to me where he is taking me with the change he has brought about in my life. At other times I am perplexed to see which direction a change will take me. I must be patient and wait for Him to reveal things to me as he sees fit. I will admit its tough waiting at times.

Last week in Scott's sermon he talked about our need to be loved by others, how it is an idle and that Jesus should be enough for us. I LOVED what he was saying!!! Yes, it was convicting as I am human and definitely want the love and approval of others. Though the good news is it caused me to look back. To look back and see the change God had done in my heart. Is Jesus enough for me? YES! YES HE IS! Do I always feel that way? NO, of course not. But slowly and carefully he continues to mold me and I AM GETTING THERE!

The time line-
10 years ago- I didn't know Christ at all. I was empty and dissatisfied.

5 years ago- I had been a believer for about 3 years. Jesus was my savior! Though I still looked to others for love and approval. I filled every quiet moment with relationships, noise or busyness.

3 years ago- I loved Jesus, I loved his people and I loved being with them and serving them even if that was at my own families loss.

2 years ago- The change had begun. The conviction of my sin was burning in my heart. God was leading me home. Home, to better serve the husband and children he blessed me with. Home, where I could sit at his feet and be quiet and listen. I wrote This Post  about this very change 2 years ago and what a blessing it was to be able to go back and read it!(one of the biggest reasons I am back to blogging)

I want to share with you a comment a dear friend left on that post that blessed me then and again today when I reread it.

As God shapes, molds and changes you through this new season fix your eyes on Him. I know that God is using this time to bring a different dynamic to your relationship with Him. I'm excited to see what these winds of change will result in. Remember that discipleship is difficult....truly denying ourselves and giving our lives to Christ is a narrow road.....but we need to do this to become more like Christ...we cannot gain a resurrected life without dying. I'm praying for you sista!! -Carrie Stannert

Wow! Do you think she had any idea the wisdom she was dishing out?!?! I'm thinking those words just might need to be hanging somewhere I can read them everyday!

Back to the time line...

Today- I love Jesus more then I ever have! He is more real to me then he ever has been! While I do still struggle at times...ultimately I know He is who fills my cup. Today I know my place and I know where he wants me to be. I am so blessed to be at home loving and serving my family. I am blessed with a great community of believers of whom I feel I have healthy and balance relationships with. Don't get me wrong, I do still struggle at times with the pull to be everywhere with everyone... So I could love them and they could love me! Sounds good right? Wrong! I have learned that community and relationships within the body are an absolute must. But not when I allow them to cause my role as wife and mom, or more importantly sitting at Jesus' feet to suffer.  A careful balancing act I will continue to walk prayerfully.

And because we are keeping it real... I struggle with all the mudane duties as wife and mother. Trust me, just because I know God has called me to do this doesn't me I'm always pleasant and joyful while doing it = /  This Post over at Stay At Home Missionary's site is amazing. A must read!!!

love

30 Day Challenge: Friday Updates (sorry it's late)

So sorry this is late my fellow 30 Day Challengers. I got home from a camping trip yesterday and just had SO much to do with no time to blog. I am excited to hear how the challenge has been going for you this week.

Days13-19 (Wow, only 11 days left already!)

Challenge 1:Time in Gods Word
At the beginning of my week I had some great time in the word. I spent a lot of time in 1 Peter and got some great verses that I will cling to during a struggle I am having right now. I am so thankful for God's word! He gives me comfort through it so often. The last couple days I have not read at all. I forgot to take a bible camping...LAME, is all I can say about that.

Challenge 2: Exercise
So far this week I got in 3 yoga, 1 run and 1 good walk. I plan to do another run today, hopefully a long one. This Mama needs the stress release right now. I was so hoping to get a run in along the beach while I was camping but taking my 4 kids and leaving my hubby at home for this trip...well you get the picture. No time for Mama to run. The trip was great though! I will post pics later today.

Challenge 3: Eating Healthy
This one is still going pretty good although I did drink a some soda and have more than my share of peanut butter cups while camping =/. Over all though I can't wait to share more about the changes my family is making. We are making some big changes in the way we eat! Basically changing to buy more organic products, more fruits, vegs, beans and rice, less meat and dairy, buying only pasture fed meat and doing our best to buy local. A lot of reasons behind this and I look forward to sharing with you how I intend on doing this the most frugal way possible.

Challenge 4: Organization
Did get anything done on this this week because I have been to busy packing, camping and now unpacking. I have 11 days to get it done and I intend on doing just that!


 love

30 Day Challenge: Friday Updates

Well, I hope you all have had a good week meeting your challenges! I look forward to reading about them. No matter where you are in the challenge...maybe you are half way, just starting or thinking through what your challenge should be, we would LOVE an update from you. :)

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
Yowsers! I actually missed a couple days last weekend and I can honestly say I have no excuse other then laziness and lack of discipline. The rest of the days have been good. I have been mediating on some verses regarding strength from God so I have been reading scripture surrounding these verses.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength

Phil 4:13

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 

Colossians 1:11-12

Challenge 2: Exercise

So far this week I have my 2 days of yoga in and 1 run in. Thankfully I still have through Sunday to meet get 1 more run in!

Challenge 3: Eating healthy

So far so good again. I think I was a little short on my water one day but other then that I am doing good. It really hasn't been that tough other then craving a soda when I was at a wedding in 95 degree weather last weekend...but I was able to resist.

Challenge 4: Organization
Yahooooo! I got a lot done on this challenge this week. I cleaned the room I keep all our homeschool stuff in and went through and organized all our books. I am super excited to start making my scope and sequence for the year!

Wordless Wednesday

Works for me Wednesday

I've been saving plastic containers and glass jars for some time now just knowing I will find a purpose for them. Here is what I've come up with so far.

These containers hold sesame seeds, rice and mixed nuts I bought in the bulk foods section and my pancake mix that comes in a box. I use a sharpie to write any directions I may need for the product on the lid. This is a great way to reuse, reduce, recycle and it keeps your food fresh!

Do you save old containers? If so share with us how you use them!

Pssssst Abbey...share with us your post on the paint jars you did a while back. :)
Pssssst Amber...share with us your post on your drinking glasses. :)

Cowboy and Cowgirl

I

 Howdy y'all!!! If these two ain't the cutest little twirps on the west side of the Rocky Mountains, I don't know a cow from a chicken. Sweet nibblets, I love these two!!!

My middle two have always been quite a pair. Like any siblings they have their fair share of fights but for the most part Lilly and Gus are like two pee's in a pod. They always have fun playing together and can do it for hours. Today they decided to dress up like a couple of cowboys. They are planning on washing the car while pretending it's their horse.

A little bit about my cowgirl: She's sweet and feisty all at the same time. She rises early with the birds and is like a ray of sunshine in our family. She loves attention and has very little patients. Like her big sister, fashion is a must. She loves to wear black because she says "all the girls who dress nice wear black." She would wear high heels everyday if we let her.

A little bit about my cowboy: This little guy is an all around boy! Though he has traded some of is rough and tumble spark for some sweet and sensitiveness. He gets his feelings hurt very easy but is (usually) quick to forgive. He is also very good about apologizing all on his own to his mama when he has been disrespectful. Up early with the birds he is NOT! Gus would sleep until lunch if I let him.

These kicks were made for running

Theirs a first time for everything right? Well at least a first time for running shoes... These are my nifty new kicks and I am uber excited about them!!! I was running in my 10 year old sketcher sports. They were meant to look sporty, not be used for sport. Thanks to a gift card from my fabulous friends the Lockwoods, I am running in comfort.

As much as I love having new kicks...I can't wait until these suckers are beat up. Cause that will mean I am a running machine. These kicks are gonna be with me as I better my best many times. As I shed the pounds. As I gain self confidence. As I converse with God. As I run a race or two, or three. As I am undone from what I've become.

I am so Thankful for my new kicks!

30 Day Challenge: Friday Updates

Days 1-4

Since it is still the am I have not done any of my challenges yet today so I will just be updating Mon-Thurs today.

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
Well I have met this challenge everyday so far but the first 3 days it was just enough to get my minimum and I was not putting much into, if ya know what I mean. Yesterday I read a couple chapters in Genesis. I ended with the 10 commandments. It is good to be reminded of the law God gave his people before the time of Jesus. I do want to share what I read on Tuesday night. I was laying in bed when I realized I hadn't met this challenge so I jumped out of bed, opened the bible and this is what I landed on. Note: This is the second time I've landed on this scripture when I've done it this way.

Though the fig tree should not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines,

the produce of the olive fail

and the field yields no food,

the flock be cut off from the fold

and there be no herd in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord;

I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

God, the Lord, is my strength;

he makes my feet like the deer's;

he makes me tread on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

To me this verse like many other verses speaks to leaning on God, our strength and our joy when we are struggling or things just aren't going as we had planned. I have remembered that he is my strength but forgot the part about him being my joy too. When I have been at my weakest and I felt like I can't go on, I have looked to God to give me the strength to keep going forward. But I have gone forward without joy. I can't help but think about what that has done for my witness to those around me...bleh! It is normal for us to not always feel joy, especially when things are not going our way. But we must remember to look to God to give us joy! He is our joy and our strength!!!

Challenge 2: Exercise

Seriously exercise is now just a part of my life. It takes little effort for me to make the time to do it because I LOVE IT!!! (I only wish that will happen with my bible reading) I am only 4 days in and I have already met my goal of running twice and doing yoga twice. I have also done toning exercises for my abs and arms in addition. Today is supposed to be a rest day but I think I will do some more toning exercises. They are all low impact so my joints will still be getting a rest. (I think)

Challenge 3: Eating Healthy

So far so good! I have stuck to all the rules with the exception of 1. Rule # 5. No eating after 8pm. I feel I will need to modify this rule because I sometimes run in the evening and I don't get done until after 8pm and I need to eat a little something (usually a banana) after I run. So the modification to the rule will be No junk food or high fat foods after 8pm. Fruits and veggies will be okay. 

Much to my liking I have lost 2 lbs since Monday. While this challenge is about eating healthier not losing wait I need to lose some weight (for health reasons). I need to lose about 20lbs but would like to lose about 40lbs. But hitting that hard will come at a later challenge. For now I am just trying to change some really bad habits.

Challenge 4: Organization

Let me just say boy did my hubby hit the nail on the head with this one! I haven't done a thing for this challenge yet...I'm glad I still have 25 more days to meet it. Trust me, I've thought a ton about what i need to do. Now I just need to do it.

So how is your challenge going??? No matter where you're at in the challenge or how it is going, please give us an update by linking a post below :)

love,

Testing/30 Day Challenge

Just want to check and see if my link system will work before our 30 Day Challenge updates on Friday :)

Feel free to link a post to what you are doing for your current challenge.

30 day Challenge: Round 2

This weekend has been a nice break from having a challenge to meet but I am excited to get back in it! Here are the challenges I am taking on over the next 30 Days.

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
I have decided to continue this challenge because I don't feel it has become habit enough for me. Same rules apply as last time.

Challenge 2: Exercise
These rules have changed. As much as I love running I know that I need to incorporate other forms of exercise in order to be completely physically fit. I have been working a lot on my endurance but really need to work on my strength and flexibility. So My new challenge will be to run 2 times a week and do yoga 2 times a week. I am going to try to do some cross training 1 day and rest 2 days in addition to this but that will not be part of my challenge. 

Challenge 3: Eating Healthier
After being challenged by my dear friend Kaitlyn on what the definition of  a diet really is and discussing things over with my husband I have decided against a drastic change and/or a crash diet. Here are the areas I will be focusing on or the rules if you will.
1. Drink more water
2. Eat smaller portions
3. Choose healthy snacks between meals
4. No Soda
5. No eating after 8pm (I will give myself grace on this if it is a special night but no more then once a week)
6. No seconds on desserts

Disclaimer: These are the rules I am starting with on this challenge. I will not remove any of these rules but depending on how it goes I might ad to them as I see needed.

Challenge 4: Organization
I was gonna go a lot more ambitious on this challenge but thankfully my Husband is here to bring me back down to earth and not bite off more then I can chew. So for this challenge I am giving myself the next 30 days to organize all our home school stuff (books, art and office supplies, ect.) and make my curriculum plan and schedule for the school year.

I do want to share one more change I am making to the challenges this time around. I have decided I will give my challenge updates on Friday only (unless I have something I really need to share). I hope the rest of you who are participating will share with us how your challenge is going on Fridays also. I plan to have a link option available so you can ad your update to my post and we can all share, encourage and inspire each other on our 30 Day Challenge journeys.

I am also super exited to share that my hubby has decided to take on his own 30 day challenge too!!! He will not be blogging about his challenge but said that I can share them with all my readers. So here they are

Clint's Challenge 1: Keep the lawn green and plush for the next 30 days

Clint's Challenge 2: No shaving for 30 days. ( I told him with this challenge that means no ____ for 30 days either. LOL)

Okay, so those are not really his challenges...but he did think they would be good ones! I will share his real challenges with ya next time :)

Happy Challenging yourself!!!

30 day Challenge: DAY 30!!!!!!

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!

I am shouting it from the roof top!!! Can you hear me?!?!

30 days of reading Gods word EVERYDAY and 30 days of exercising EVERYDAY!!! Not on my own strength but through the power of Christ I have been changed. I praise God for the work He has done in me through this challenge. Like I said before, I had no idea doing this would impact my life as much as it has.

Rather then giving you the specific on how I met my challenges today I will share a little bit on how each challenged has changed me.

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word

Over the last 30 days God has spoken to me through His word. He has given me wisdom on how to deal with being sinned against and how to deal with my own sin. He has shown me sin I did not know I had. He has taught me more about what it really means to fear Him. He has guided me on how to be a better wife and mother. He has blessed me with stories from when the world first began and comforted me by the grace he has extended to so many before me. He has blessed me through His word.

Challenge 2: Exercise

When I started this challenge is was all about physical health. Little did I know it was going to impact my spiritual health more then anything else. My time exercising has turned out to be a great time for me to meet with God. Time to talk with Him and a time to listen. God has shown me how to worship and glorify Him through caring for the body He not only created, but created just for me.  Exercise has also been a huge stress reliever for me and it feels SO good to do something for myself and by myself. As a homeschooling mom of four I NEED that time. I have also learned that my body can do things I never thought it could do and that I can preserver through the tough spots and continue to challenge myself. I am so excited for what lye's ahead!

Stay tuned cause I will start back up with another challenge next week and my BFF is working on a button that you will be able to grab for your blog to show that you are a 30 Day Challenger (and maybe some 30 day challenge completion awards too).

If you haven't taken a 30 Day Challenge yet now is the time to join us!

And we can all feel like this together

Beautiful Blogger Awards

Rachel over at Saved By Grace just gave me an award!

WOW Rachel! Thank you! You are to sweet. Rachel is my friend, a fellow homeschooling mom and my sister in Christ. I met her at Grace a few years ago. Rachel is creative, helpful and honest and I love all those things about her.

Here are the rules:

1) Add a link and note of thanks to the person giving the award
2) Pass the award on to the bloggers whose blogs you love (15 tops)
3) Share 7 things about yourself

I have decided to take a different approach to the Beautiful Bloggers Awards. I know a couple bloggers who I used to LOVE reading their blogs. Both of these bloggers use to fill there blogs with beautiful pictures and cute stories of there kids. They also blogged about their journeys with Christ be it a praise or a struggle. They shared theirs hearts, families, joys and sorrows with us through their blogs. I do so miss these ladies blogs and I hope they will share with us again soon.

Carrie at Day by Day in Grace
Amber at Under Construction

7 things about me

1) As a teen I drove a pink VW convertible (every girls dream) and I vow to one day drive one again.
2) I have never played a team sport in my entire life ( I don't like balls being thrown at me :))
3) When I was a baby I crawled out of the house while my parents were busy painting. I went up our street, crossed a busy street in Edmonds, went up another block and down a another street where a lady found me playing in her yard. I was wearing a t-shirt and had a poppy diaper. Meanwhile my parents had called the police and were frantically looking for me. My mom said that when she picked me up at the police station I was having the time of my life making all the policemen laugh.
4) I am really good at stuffing away my feelings. I think its because my childhood and teen years were so rough and it was my way of survival. Sometimes it's a blessing and other times it feels like a curse.
5) I never found out what we were having with any of our pregnancies but got exactly the sex I wanted with each one.
6) I seriously cannot wait to be a grandma. It seems like so much fun!!! If my kids don't get married and have kids until later in life it will feel like a punishment to me. LOL!
7) My favorite color had always been pink (any shade) but for my wedding I chose lavender in honor of my grandma who passed away that year.

30 day Challenge: Day 29

This one will be short sweet! Or maybe just short...

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
Read Exodus 17

Challenge 2: Exercise
Did Yoga and some leg work

30 day Challenge: Days 26-28

ONLY 2 MORE DAYS!!!!! I can't believe how fast its gone by and how much progress I have made. When I started this almost a month ago I had no idea what God had in store for me.

I am totally waffling on what to do for my next challenge but I better hurry up and decide. I know for sure I want to do some sort of food challenge. I'm just not sure what. Maybe y'all can offer your opinions and advice to help me decide (or confuse me even more). Here are the different avenues I am thinking and praying through-

Weight Watchers Points

Positives-I know it works if I stick with it cause it has in the past. I am experienced with it so I am not trying to figure out something new. It allows me to eat some of the foods others diets don't in a healthy moderation.

Negatives-Counting points is A LOT of work. I hate writing down what I eat.

Weight Watchers Core

Positive- Only eating healthy foods. No counting or writing down.

Negatives- Could be easy for me to over eat. (not good even if it is healthy foods) Going without quite a bit of food I am use to eating.

Counting Calories

Positives-Can eat all foods but forced to make healthy choices since my calorie intake will be low. A little less work than counting points but not much.

Negatives-Like points, counting calories is work.

No "crash diet" just make healthy choices

Positives-Probably the healthiest option. The best option for long term change.No counting and calculating.

Negatives- I NEED BOUNDARIES!!! This might be too easy for me to cheat.

Any helpful thoughts, advice or ideas you have for me would be greatly appreciated!!!

Now back to what this post was supposed to be about...

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word

Over the last couple of days I read a little bit in Hebrews, The whole book of Songs of Solomon and I am now back reading in Exodus. I am going to stick in Exodus until I finish it. I do so love reading the stories I often teach about in Sunday School. Its nice to get the adult version of it :)

Challenge 2: Exercise

I found these great 10 Minute Solution videos on Netflix instant. They each have 5 10 minute segments focusing on different parts of the body. What I like about these is you can do as much or as little as you have time for. I also like them cause I need to work on strength and flexibility, not just endurance (Thanks Abbey!) On Sunday I was able to squeeze in 4 10 minute segments. (Thighs, arms, abs and buns) On Monday I just did 2 segments. (cardio to warm up the muscles and then I did power stretching). Today I kicked butt though!!! I bettered my best and did 2.5 miles. 2 of which I ran!!! Whoooo hooooo! It felt good :)I cannot believe I am saying this but...

I (heart) EXERCISE!!!

What I've Become

Over the last ten years I have become...

A glutton

Obese

A sluggard

Plagued with self doubt and self indulgence

My own worst enemy

As I look at those labels I have given myself all of the lies I have told myself over the years run through my mind as if they are on one of those electronic reader boards. "its not a big deal if you have another helping, food is for you to enjoy", "you are what you eat, a pile of crap",  " you're to fat to workout", "you're fine just the way you are, why change", "you're not lazy, you just have other priorities", "you have no self control and no will power", "you are weak", "you'll never change so why even try",

While running on the trail when I was camping I would listen to my I-Pod on Shuffle. At one point this song came on and as I listened to the chorus I knew exactly why God brought me to running. He brought me to running because of what I've become.

Turn me around pick me up

Undo what I've become

Bring me back to the place

Of forgiveness and grace

I need you, need your help

I can't do this myself

You're the only one who can undo

What I've become

As I listened to the words I knew that God had begun a great work in me. Through the running he is showing me that I do have strength, will power and self control. He has shown me that through Him I can do all things!!! Yes, even running!!! He is showing me that it is important to take care of myself, how to care about myself and how to do it in a way that is glorifying to him. He is showing me that he will undo what I've become.

Over the years I have tried to change, only to fail. I CANNOT do it on my strength alone. I cry out to God the words of the song, "I need you, need your help. I can't do this myself." And there He is with a loving and gentle hand. He was there all along, patiently waiting for me to reach up from the pit and ask for his help.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 1:6

NASB

30 day Challenge: Days 23-25

WOW! I can't believe I am already almost done. This is awesome! I am already thinking about what I will do for my next challenge. Here are a few of my ideas.

Eat no more than X amount of calories per day

Read a book aloud to one of my Children everyday

Not eat any food after 8pm

Exercise 4 days a week

Spend 20 minutes organizing/going through stuff in my house everyday

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word

I have finished Proverbs! My friend Rachel is reading it too and she posted a bit about the verses like (paraphrasing here) Better to live in a dry desert or have rotten bones then to live with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs is the book of wisdom and their are quite a few verses saying this same thing so I think I better pay attention! I often justify my behavior based on my husbands. Titus 2 talks about how we should be as Godly wives and Mothers (loving, respectful, kind...) and at NO point does it say IF...

If he is in a good mood

If he completed the "honey do" list

If he is unselfish

If he makes good decisions

If he is loving to you

We need to love and respect our husbands because God has commanded us to regardless of their behavior. Just like our husbands we will have to answer to God for our own actions. I can't help but imagine a conversation with God when I stand before him one day.

God: Amber, why were you disrespectful and unloving to your husband when...

Me: God, didn't you see how selfish he was being when he was 1/2 hour late getting home from golfing? The kids were fighting and I had dinner ready! I needed him there on time!

God: You're kidding me! How could I miss that? What a selfish jerk he is!!! You poor thing. Here is 10 jewels for your crown cause you've had to endure so much.

Ya, that's how it will be right? But that sure is how I act sometimes. Ya feel me sisters???

Challenge 2: Exercise

Well on Thursday I was able to run over a mile. Friday I could have and should have got my exercise done in the am cause I had a busy day ahead but my discipline failed me. So when I got home at 1:20 am and was completely exhausted I did push ups, sit ups and leg exercises and then put my I-pod on and danced to get my 20 minutes in. I do not intend on letting that happen again cause it sucked!!! Saturday I coordinated a wedding  all day. My plan was to get 20minutes of cardio on the dance floor baby! I did get in about 20 minutes of dancing but it was not consecutive cause I had responsibilities to attend too. However I was on my feet running around (other than using the potty 3 times) for 10 1/2 hours straight. My legs were killing me when I got home. After running over a mile and not being sore I believe I had more of a workout yesterday then any day in my challenges so far. And it was so much fun!

How it all began

I wanted to share with you all how I went from doing 20 minutes on the Wii to running 1.5 miles. First of all I wasn't planning on it for sure. I wanted to challenge myself to do something good for my health. They say exercise is good for the heart and since my Grandmother died of heart disease at 63 I know it is something I need to be careful of. In the long run I do not feel I need to workout everyday, but since it is not something I am use to fitting into my life, I wanted to be diligent about it at first and get myself to the place where I actually craved it. (I always heard people say that but had never experienced that before...in fact I hated working out!)

So I started out doing the Wii and I liked it. I am not sure if it's because I am in a different place in my life (4 kids and homeschooling) or what, but I immediately noticed the release of stress I got from just 20 minutes of exercise. I never felt that way after exercising before. It also helped me to feel good about myself. The down side of the Wii most of the time was having my kids right there with me. So it wasn't a break. Then one weekend while away at the homeschool conference I got the opportunity to work out with my uber inspirational friend Carrie for a whole hour. A whole hour! No kids around. Just Carrie, me and a couple treadmills. It was awesome and I felt SO GOOD. So rather then the Wii I did my best to make it work for me to go to the YMCA. Checked the kids into childcare and I fell in love with the elliptical.

Family vacation time rolled around and there is no YMCA at my campgrounds so I knew I had to figure out something different. When I arrived my camping buddy Kayla told me about this great trail that her and her sister went **wogging on earlier that morning. I thought "perfect, now I know how I will get my exercise (and a break) and I hate running but I could probably wog.

So that evening off I set on the trail. Just like Kayla suggested I walked up the trail a little over a 1/2 mile and when I turned to go back I started to jog. I figured I would just do a bit and see how it goes. Much to my amazement I ran not just back to where the trail began but back to my campsite!!! I was SHOCKED and it wasn't as horrific as I thought running could be. The next day I went a little bit further and the next day a little further.

I am now running almost everyday. Some days are tougher then others and I don't always love every moment of it but God is doing a work on me. But that's for another post that is already in the works.

So that's how it all began. I leave you with the words of a famous runner whom I felt a bit like I could relate with since I never really planned on running. (can you guess who he is?)

That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road, and when I got there, I thought maybe I'd run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd just run across Greenbow County. And I figured since I run this far, maybe I'd just run across the great state of Alabama. And that's what I did I ran clear across Alabama. For no particular reason, I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean. And when I got there, I figured since I'd gone this far, I might as well turn around, just keep on going. When I got to another ocean, I figured since I've gone this far, I might as well just turn back, keep right on going. 

** Wogging: Walking and jogging

30 day Challenge: Days 12-22

So sorry it has been so long since I've updated. Vacation and then playing catch up with everything else once I got back home so no time to blog :) I am happy to say that even though I've been busy I have still been able to meet my challenges every day!!!

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
All but a couple days I have read at least a couple chapters (mostly proverbs) and the other days I did the minimum by squeezing in a paragraph or two. I am still very much enjoying Proverbs. I could easily pluck out a couple verses from each chapter and paste them a round my house as constant reminders. Hopefully soon I'll squeeze in the time to share some of my favorites with you.

Challenge 2: Exercise
I am praising God for the work he has done in me in this area!!! This really deserves a whole post of its own and it will get it. Just as soon as I find the time to write it. For now I'll just say that I have far exeded my own expextations of myself on this challenge and I am now running almost everyday. WHAT? ME RUNNING?!?!? I know, I am just as shocked as you are. Never tell God what you can't do cause he is liable to show you different :) My longest run with out stopping so far is 1.5 miles. For me that is a huge victory. God is my strength!

I hope to write more later but for now LOST on Netflix is calling my name.

How is your Challenge going? Its never to late to start :)

30 day Challenge:Days 10 and 11

Whooey! What a busy couple of days I have had. Tomorrow will be another one, but after that...VACATION HERE I COME!!! I have to say that I am 11 days in and feeling super about it. For me, this is a big accomplishment. I am typically not a person who tries very hard and I easily give up if things are tough or don't fit into my life easily. God has really given me victory this year in quite a few of my bad habits and I have to shout praises to him for it. He is growing and shaping me as he conforms me to be more like Christ.

Thank you, thank you, thank you God for showing me the areas of my life that I need to be challenged in and for giving me the dedication and strength to walk in the direction you are guiding me. 

I love you!

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your path straight.

Proverbs 3:6

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
Yesterday and today I spent some time in Ephesians. I love Ephesians! For me it is a feel good book. I just love being reminded through the Word how God lavishes his love on me. I am Chosen, adopted, forgiven, redeemed and blessed!

Confession-last night I actually went to bed without doing this challenge! I laid there for a couple minutes before I realized it. So I hopped out of bed and did my reading. Whew! That was a close one.

Challenged 2: Exercise
After running around like a mad women yesterday I finally found the time to get on the Wii and do 20 minutes of exercise. I would have much rather gone to the gym but time did not allow it. Today after yet another busy day at 8:30 I put on my kicks and headed out the door to speed walk the neighborhood. I've got a great hill in the back of my neighborhood so I huffed it up and down that thing a few times and it felt great! I have been pleasantly surprised with exercise turning out to be a great stress reliever for me. It also has given me more opportunity to spend time thinking and praying. Today on my walk God revealed to me a big thing that I have been holding onto and reminded me that Jesus will carry my burdens and that I need to give it to him. God is so faithful!

Updates over the next week-
Since I will be out of town it will be a bit tough to blog. I am hoping to try but no promises :) If I am unable to update you while I am gone a will fill ya in when I get back.

I want to hear how the rest of you are doing. I hope God is using your challenge to grow and shape you and that you are be blessed though it. Please leave a comment or do a post and share with us.

30 day Challenge: Day 9

Sweet! I can't believe its already day 9! Just about a 1/3 of the way through.

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
Read Proverbs again today. I read chapters 12 and 13. The verse I would like to share with you is

Proverbs 13:24

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but whoever loves him is diligent to discipline him.

I know that seems like kind of a weird one to share but I have a good reason. Drew was sitting next to me while I was doing my reading and I decided to share that verse with her. It started a short, but good conversation on how discipline is not fun but necessary because God requires us to do it.

Challenge 2: Exercise

I didn't think I was going to get the the gym today but I did!!! 1 hour a cardio split between the elliptical and the treadmill and I feel great! I heart the elliptical.

How is your challenge going? 

Homemade ice cream fun!

My Aunt found a fun and simple recipe for homemade ice cream from Family Fun Magazine so yesterday we gave it a shot! The kids had fun and more importantly, the ice cream was yummers. At first bite the taste was so familiar to me. I knew I had had this ice cream before but I couldn't figure out when or where. Then last night while my brain was thinking instead of sleeping (grrrrrrr) it came to me. I had it when I was a kid!!! You see my grandma bought me a Barbie ice cream maker and this ice cream tasted exactly the same. Nothing like doing something for my kids that brings back memories of my childhood. Things are always better the second time around!

So here is the directions for this super fun and WAY better then that stuff "they" call ice cream that comes in a carton :)

Forget endlessly cranking the handle of an ice-cream maker. After combining the ingredients, each guest can simply shake up his or her own pouch of soft serve--and it's done in just 5 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup half and half
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup salt (The bigger the granules, the better. Kosher or rock salt works best, but table salt is fine.)

• Ice cubes (enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full)
• 1 pint-size ziplock bag
• 1 gallon-size ziplock bag

Instructions

1. Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and seal it tightly.
   
2. Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5 minutes). Feel the small bag to determine when it's done.
   
3. Take the smaller bag out of the larger one, add mix-ins, and eat the ice cream right out of the bag. Easy cleanup too! Serves 1.
   
   My additional tips-
   1.The rock salt makes the ice really cold so you may want to offer gloves to the little ones. 2.We had made a few batches right away and a few batches after the ice had melted a bit and it seemed to work the second time so I would recommend making up the ice bags first and letting them sit a bit while you make the ice cream bag.
   3. We double bagged our pint size bags just in case.
   
   
   
    
   

30 Day Challenge: Day 8

Want to take a 30 Day Challenge with me? Click here for more details.

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word

I am loving Proverbs! There are way to many gold nuggets in each chapter to take them all in. I read 10 again today and read 11 too. I had a hard time choosing a verse to share with you but I finally settled on this one.  

Proverbs 11:24 

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Hmmmmmmmm... If your anything like me you have suffered want. This verse was very convicting to me and left me with lots to think about.

Challenge 2: Exercise

Today I went to the YMCA and took the Cardio Step Class. Woooooey, did I feel like a fool! It was a tough work out and a lot of fun but man am I ever uncoordinated. That guy moved so fast and was all over the place. Up and down and all around. After class I asked him how many times does one usually need to take the class before having an idea about what the heck I'm doing? He said I'm gonna need to give it about 8 classes. So 7 more before I decided whether or not Step is for me. I am hoping it is. I like it better then Zumba cause I don't have to shake my boobs or rump :) I do have to ad though that I dislike working out in front of all those mirrors!!! Is anybody with me??? I feel much thinner on a treadmill where I cannot see myself :) Not sure what my workout plans are for tomorrow cause it will be a busy day. I would love to make it to the gym but might have to settle for a walk around the track.

Toodles,

30 Day Challenge: Day 7

Whoooo hoooo 1 week in!!! This will be quick cause I'm posting yesterdays stats and I'm about to head out the door for the gym to work on todays :)

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
I read Proverbs 30. Always good reminders in this gem!!!

Challenge 2: Exercise
I did 35 minutes on the elliptical and another 23 minutes on the treadmill. (did I spell that right?)

Off to the Y :)

30 Day Challenge: Days 5 and 6

6 days in!!! Whoot whoot! I am SO glad I decided to do this. I am already thinking about what I might do for another 30 day challenge once I finish this one. I was also thinking today that I would LOVE to have a little get together once we are all finished with our first 30 days. What do ya say Abbey, Kaitlyn, Heather, Rachel, and Carrie?!?!

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
Well I must admit yesterday and today I was just getting through with this challenge. Yesterday I read Proverbs 9 and today Proverbs 10. Proverbs 10 was REALLY good but I was not in the mood to dig deep so I am planning on rereading it again and in a couple different versions too.

Challenge 2: Exercise
I can honestly say that exercising everyday feels GREAT! Today was the first day I didn't exercise first thing when I woke up and I was craving it all day. I could have just got on the Wii but I was craving more. First I better start with yesterday though. In the morning I felt like it was time to do some arm exercises so I can work on getting rid of my "bingo arms".Ha! So I did push ups and various arm exercises with light weights (soup cans) and I also did sit ups and leg exercises. Did it all for 20 minutes. Today the whole fam went over to the MHS track. Clint and I walked while the kids played. I have no idea how many laps or how long but it was definitely longer then my required 20. We walked at a very fast pace and it was a good work out. It felt great! I was so glad hubby joined me and the kids had fun. You can't beat fresh air either :)

30 Day Challenge: Day 4

Day 4 has been my BEST day on the challenge yet!!!

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
On the way to the convention from the hotel I read aloud in the car with Clint Chapters 4-8 of Proverbs. I am loving Proverbs! Who couldn't use some wisdom right? It is challenging me to seek first the wisdom God has for me rather then trying to figure it all out on my own. Gods wisdom is amazing, powerful, truthful and so much more!!! Maybe later this eve I'll do a little more reading in Exodus.

Challenge 2: Exercise

I had an absolute BLAST working out today!!! I got up just after 6am and headed down to the hotel gym where I found Carrie on the treadmill. I hopped on the one right next to hear and a chatting and walking we went. I was only planning on doing 30 minutes but the conversation was so good I didn't get off the treadmill for over an hour! The workout felt great and time with my dear friend Carrie was a huge blessing! I am now a total fan of having a workout buddy cause the time flies. I hope I get the chance to workout with her again soon.

How is the 30 Day Challenge going for you? It's never to late to join us! :)

30 Day Challenge: Day 3

Well I thought that day 3 would be the hardest because I am down in Puyallup at the WHO convention, but I completed both my challenges by 9am!

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
On the way to the convention I read the 1st 3 chapters in Proverbs. It was nice because I read it out loud So Clint can listen too.

Challenge 2: Exercise
I got up at 6am and did 21 minutes on the WII.

Well I better go cause we are off to go have dinner with our awesome friends Carrie and Kyle :)

30 Day Challenge: Day 2

Not sure what the 30 Day Challenge is? Click here (I would love for you to join me)

Challenge 1: Time in Gods Word
I am beginning to think God is trying to teach me something about Fearing Him. I pray I can learn it. Today I read Exodus 5,6 and 7. I'll admit I skimmed the section in 6 recording Moses and Aaron genealogy. =/ I also felt lead to read Proverbs because I am needing some wisdom. I read the 1st chapter. The verse I would like to share is

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Challenge 2: Exercise

I did the fit again today. I did the advanced step a couple times and then the hula hoop a couple times. Man is that hula hooping a good calorie burner! Now I just need to get better at catching the hoops tossed at me. After the 22 minutes I got on the fit I went ahead and did 100 sit ups. 

Its not to late to start the 30 Day Challenge!!! I hope you decide to join us :)

30 Day Challenge: Day 1

Not sure what the 30 Day Challenge is? Click here

To be expected my first day on the challenge went great! I think day 3 will pose to be a challenging one...but I'll worry about that then. Here is how day 1 went.

Challenge #1: Time in Gods Word
I read the first 4 chapters in Exodus. You see, at the beginning of the year I decided I wanted to read the Bible cover to cover throughout the year. Needless to say I only got through Genesis. So today I picked up where I left off. (note:I have read the Bible more, just not in order)

What I enjoyed most about what I read today was the part about the midwives. Exodus 1:17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let let the male children live. Basically because the Israelites had increased in number so much the Pharaoh wanted the midwives to kill all the boys born to Hebrew woman. But because they feared God rather than men, they didn't. It challenges me to think about what I would do or not do if I was truly fearing God rather than man.

Challenge #2: Exercise
Today I got 22 minutes of exercise on the WII Fit. I did 2 sets of basic step aerobics and 1 advanced. Then i did 2 short runs and 1 long run. I got my heart rate uo and was breathing heavy during the long run. Overall it wasn't to hard and felt good. I'll probably do something similar tomorrow unless I can fit the gym in.

30 Day Challenge

For Who: Anyone willing to join me...YOU :)

What: Whatever you would like to challenge yourself to do or not do for 30 days

How it works: Pick your challenge, decide when you will start, post/comment about it or let someone know who can encourage you or help keep you accountable throughout your 30 days. Or keep it between you and God is good too. And GO FOR IT!!!!

The History: Clint and I recently watched "Super Size Me". You know that movie where the guy ate McDonalds and only McDonalds for 30 days straight. Well Clint and I decided to do our own 30 day Challenge. We decided to NOT eat ANY fast food for 30 days. We classified fast food as anything that had a drive through. Anyways, WE DID IT and it wasn't hard at all.

So as I have recently been challenged about taking better care of my body and also feeling like I need more time in the Word I decided to take on 2 30 Day Challenges.

My 30 Day Challenge #1

I am going to crack open the bible and read everyday from God's Word. Some days it will be a little and some days a lot. No matter what, I will be cataloging it on this blog.

My rules for this challenge are...

1) This reading must take place in the bible. That bible could be in my hand, online or on my phone.

My kids story bibles, verses read on FB, text messages, or scattered around my house will not count.

2) I must read a minimum of one paragraph (I hope I will do more but not committing)

My 30 Day Challenge #2
I am going to get at least 20 minutes of exercise everyday. Some days I will go to the gym, others day I might just walk in my neighborhood or do the WII Fit. Just like the other challenge no matter what, I will catalog it on this blog.
My Rules for this challenge are...
1) The exercise must be purposeful. I cannot stroll Target for 20 minutes looking for a gift and call it exercise. But I can purposefully play tag with my kids in order to get 20 minutes of exercise.
2) I must be elevating my heart rate. You may call this rule a no brainer but I can easily be a cheater and take a leisurely stroll without much effort so I must give myself parameters.

Will you take the 30 Day Challenge with me??? It can be anything. I hope you decide to join me. I look forward to hearing about how you will challenge yourself.

Testing

Testing out this cute new signature thing. Click on it if you wanna get one too :)

Welcome to the blogging world

My sweet Drew has started a blog. She is one creative cat so I can't wait to see what she'll do with it.

I am sure it will include funny stories of her days and feature some of her art and school work.

She would LOVE for you to check it out but we have made her blog private so just comment or email me if you would like to be invited to follow her.

Loving (and having way too much fun with) the new blog designs

Feeling blessed to have an amazing homeschooling community

Thankful my hubby loves me so much and has been expressing it so often

Happy to take a break from school for the rest of the month

Being challenge on taking better care of my self

Thinking and praying through what that might look like

Wondering if the girls will get into the classes I registered them for

Glad it has rains often enough for my garden

Realizing I need to be better at using sunscreen (ya happy Heather?) =)

Needing more time in Gods word

Ecstatic that Lilly is loving gymnastics team

Praising God for bringing Drew some new friends

Looking forward to all the summer activities I have planned

Hoping I can fit it all in

Wishing my Dad wasn't so busy so we could hang out more

Watching the LOST series with hubby and loving it

Needing to get off the computer and go make his lunch

Goodbye =)

Weekend Review (enjoying the sun while it lasts)

This weekend we tried to make the most a the sunny days.

Activities included...

A Car Show

A little Didly Bo

Playing in the backyard!!!

 Do you think maybe we need a bigger pool???

                    And of course a little yard work

  "Don't take my picture lady"

 And I can't forget FREE Groceries!

Everything in this picture was... ABSOLUTELY FREE!!! And those juice boxes you see...ya, there is 60 more not pictured that I got all for FREE too! Oh, did I mention it was all FREE?!?! (I'm just having fun now) But seriously, its all FREE. Okay, I'll shut up now.

Those are all my highlights from the weekend but I had some low lights to...Like turning into a lobster!!! Not good. Did you know sunscreen starts loosing its potency after about a year? I didn't, but I sure do now.

How was your weekend? Did you get out and enjoy the Sunshine?