Bring On 2014

So 2014 is upon us.  I love the "clean slate" that the New Year brings.  Starting last year we sat down as a family and made a big list of things we wanted to do together in 2013.  We didn't do a lot of the things on the list - some were quite lofty - but it at least gave us things to try and plan for.  We will do the same thing again this year.  I don't really like resolutions - I prefer to set goals, make plans.  I'm a planner, a scheduler.  You can't really spring something major on me at the last minute.  So I like to try and plan stuff out.  I have a few goals for 2014, I need to be more intentional and really write all my personal and family goals out for 2014.  I'd like for our girls to write out some things they would like to accomplish this year also.

One thing I did see on pinterest that I thought was a fabulous idea was to write down every good thing as it happens big or small and put it in a jar.  At the end of the year, you pull everything out and remember all the good stuff through the year.  We tend to get so focused on ourselves, our problems, what isn't going right - how nice would it be to read through all the good stuff at the end of the year no matter how "small".

I may share some of our family goals on the blog this year... what are some things you all are wanting to do in 2014?

-M

Our Christmas and Stuff

Well, another Christmas has come and gone.  It's always nice to get everyone together, and watch all the kids open their gifts.  I am always the first one up on Christmas morning.  So, I woke everyone else up - like you're supposed to do...
However, before I woke the kids and husband up, I was surprised with my own gift!  The best husband in the universe (mine) BUILT me a new dining room table!  I had shown him a picture a long time ago of what I liked and asked him if he thought he could build it.  We never really talked much about it again.  I was planning on using some tax return money to buy a new table.  Well, he sure did build it, and moved it into the dining room on Christmas Eve after I went to bed.  Hello awesome surprise for me in the morning!  It really is one of the best gifts he's ever given me. (except our kids of course, but you know what I mean)  The fact that he built it, and the fact that they all kept it a secret for so long.  I literally had no idea, not even a clue that he was doing that for me.

We also went and saw Frozen over Christmas break.  Such a cute movie - I love animated movies.  Have I mentioned how I want to be a voice in an animated movie??  That would be like the best thing ever.  Bucket list, I guess.

Here are some pics of my new table for your enjoyment.  :)

You can click my instagram link over on the right to see some more Christmas pictures

Hope you all had a great Christmas - we sure did!

-M

Kids & Doing The Right Thing

Our family has been very active in church since forever... Our kids have grown up in church - that's just how it is.  It is not about a religion for us, it's about a relationship with Christ, loving others, serving others - but that's another whole post for another day.  :)
We don't go to church so we can check off our to do list for the week.  It's a part of who we are.  And we are seeing the fruits of our labor with our girls.  Brandon and I are very much what you see is what you get kind of people.  We don't put on a show at church for everyone to see and then live completely different lives through the week, and our girls see that consistency.  I have written before about building Godly character in our girls, and teaching them to love others - treat people how you would want to be treated regardless of how they treat you.

Just the other day, someone needed us to do a favor for them.  It frustrated me because we were already running a little behind schedule, wasn't there someone else who could do it, we don't have time etc etc. I acted just the opposite of how I should have acted.  My 13 year old said - Mom, we are blessed to be a blessing - and helping them out would be the right thing to do.   Talk about being put in your place by your kid!  But on the other hand, it makes me proud that she is taking a stand for what she believes in, what we are trying to teach them.  There are plenty of rough days, trust me.   But these little moments remind me that it's all worth it.  We want our girls to be world changers, Christ followers who love Him and love others and do their part to make a difference in the world.  Now, if I could get her to show God's love to her sister everyday I'd really be winning the battle!

-M

Dry Winter Skin

Living in the Northeast makes for some very dry skin in the winter.  I work with money a lot at my job too, so I am constantly washing my hands, which only makes them drier.  So I thought I would let everyone in on a wonderful dry skin cream.  I use it every day.

This is a homemade cream - and is best applied all over while you are still damp from bath or shower.  My skin feels so good after I use it.  If you use too much you will be slightly greasy, a little goes a long way with this stuff.


You should be able to get this stuff at any health food store...
Coconut Oil - a few big tablespoons 3-4
Shea Butter - a couple of tablespoons 2-3
Apricot Kernel Oil - a few drops plus a few more drops
Almond or Grapeseed Oil - a couple of teaspoons
Jojoba Oil - just a few drops
Rose Water - couple of teaspoons (this part is optional)  I feel like the addition of the rose water makes it a little more lotiony and less thick like a butter, and helps it to absorb just a little better.  But the more water you add, the faster it can spoil.  This only makes a small batch though, you don't have to worry about it spoiling unless you don't use it for like 6 months.

You can put it all in a pot over a boiling pan of water and melt it.  Then put it in freezer to cool - maybe 10 mins or so, and then using a blender/stick blender whip it until its creamy.

I don't always melt it, I just use my stick blender and mix it all together.  Put it in a small containter, and you're done.  Nice, creamy body lotion that is actually good for your skin.  I mean seriously, what is in most lotions out there??  A bunch of crap I don't want on me...

Your skin will thank you for this, I promise.

It's The Little Things

I had coffee with a friend this morning.  Can I first just say that I don't do that enough... It was cold and snowy and I had worked late and was tired, but I'm so glad we got together.  It's so refreshing to be around someone who builds you up...

Anyway, we got talking about trusting God.  She commented on how if we can trust God for the big things in our lives, why do we have so much trouble trusting him for the little things.  This is often what happens in my own life.  I can and do pray over the big stuff, but when it comes to the little stuff, I don't even bother God with that.  Why is that?  Surely God cares about my littles as much as my bigs.

Maybe sometimes it's easy to pray over the bigs because on one hand, maybe it's so big that God is the only one that can come to the rescue.  Or maybe it's so big that we don't really have the faith to believe that God can do anything about it, but what the heck..

Maybe all the little stuff is so little that I can figure it out on my own.  But God wants to be a part of everything.  I am learning that - especially over this last year.  God cares about every part of my life.  He has a big plan and a purpose for me.  I am doing my best every day and learning to trust Him and His timing through it all.

What are you not giving to God?  What are you trying to deal with on your own?  You don't have to and God doesn't want you to.

1 Peter 5:7 says - Give ALL your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
It doesn't say some of your worries and cares.  Let God take care of it and just see what happens!

-M