Today was a tough day - one unexpected thing after the next, which has a huge impact on us for one reason or another. We both came home feeling rather drained. Sat down to enjoy some one on one time together when we heard a commotion happening outside - our neighbors dog was run over right in front of our house. SO, amidst all this, I'm trying to shake off the day with items that I'm grateful for. So here they are:
1. Amazon Prime. Because this is a necessity when you're a mom. Literally.
2. Amazon Prime. Ok - reason two - fast shipping on the unexpected needs, especially when the Walmart 10 minutes down the road is still too far away.
3. Melrose oil. We have high hopes for this stuff as Declan was diagnosed with moderate eczema after 6 weeks of a horrid rash.
4. I can smell vacation - so close.
5. Extra time with my little buddy as we had the unexpected doctor's appointment mentioned above.
6. A quick and delicious dinner that had us all eating before bedtime routines normally begin. SCORE.
7. . . .a new day tomorrow. Thank you Jesus for your mercies.
1. Amazon Prime. Because this is a necessity when you're a mom. Literally.
2. Amazon Prime. Ok - reason two - fast shipping on the unexpected needs, especially when the Walmart 10 minutes down the road is still too far away.
3. Melrose oil. We have high hopes for this stuff as Declan was diagnosed with moderate eczema after 6 weeks of a horrid rash.
4. I can smell vacation - so close.
5. Extra time with my little buddy as we had the unexpected doctor's appointment mentioned above.
6. A quick and delicious dinner that had us all eating before bedtime routines normally begin. SCORE.
7. . . .a new day tomorrow. Thank you Jesus for your mercies.
Been pondering the length of "one good thing, every day". Should I have an end date in mind, carry on, only post every other day, change it up with a new series…?
I enjoy the challenge, and does it remind you to seek the good in your every day?
How about a practical review on this cold November evening?
Jon and I travel quite a lot. We've found the key to successful travel is your equipment. About 5 years ago we bought 2 LLBean Rolling Adventure Duffle's (large) after going through 3 sets of expensive suitcases in a short 2 years. Why? Because our first cruise we bought "regular" rolling luggage. . .the forklift loading our luggage onto the ship ended our luggage's short life. So we thought we'd outsmart the forklift and we bought hard case luggage for our next cruise. Upon arrival to our stateroom our brand new hard case luggage looked like it had been dropped from about 15 stories. . .So we bought a cheap luggage set next to see if perhaps this would deter abuse. It did not.
LLBean carries a lifetime warranty with their luggage. We've dragged our Adventure Rolling Duffles all over the world and the damage is practically nil. Our last trip to Africa saw abuse to the wheel of my duffle - but LLBean quickly replaced the entire duffle with a new one of my choice. All for free. Since adding two little people to our family we have also added two additional duffle bag. The large duffle is amazing for checked luggage as it literally carries 50lbs to the oz. The limit for checked luggage.
So, spent a little extra up front but save a boat load later. These suitcases are literally life changing. Take my word.
Jon and I travel quite a lot. We've found the key to successful travel is your equipment. About 5 years ago we bought 2 LLBean Rolling Adventure Duffle's (large) after going through 3 sets of expensive suitcases in a short 2 years. Why? Because our first cruise we bought "regular" rolling luggage. . .the forklift loading our luggage onto the ship ended our luggage's short life. So we thought we'd outsmart the forklift and we bought hard case luggage for our next cruise. Upon arrival to our stateroom our brand new hard case luggage looked like it had been dropped from about 15 stories. . .So we bought a cheap luggage set next to see if perhaps this would deter abuse. It did not.
LLBean carries a lifetime warranty with their luggage. We've dragged our Adventure Rolling Duffles all over the world and the damage is practically nil. Our last trip to Africa saw abuse to the wheel of my duffle - but LLBean quickly replaced the entire duffle with a new one of my choice. All for free. Since adding two little people to our family we have also added two additional duffle bag. The large duffle is amazing for checked luggage as it literally carries 50lbs to the oz. The limit for checked luggage.
So, spent a little extra up front but save a boat load later. These suitcases are literally life changing. Take my word.
This good from today:
1. An early rise. Normally this would not make the list but today we got up before the kids so we got a head start - and I wasn't even late for anything. Score.
2. I love my job. I love that I can lead by example and show my children what it means to work hard and be proud of what you do. I want my children to do the same - and the best way is for us to show them.
3. Work/Life balance. Vacation Planning.
4. A housekeeper. She keeps my laundry manageable, my floors swept and my kitchen clean.
5. A good relationship with the pediatrician (because we've paid their salaries the past 6 weeks).
6. Fresh flowers.
7. The first prediction of snow.
1. An early rise. Normally this would not make the list but today we got up before the kids so we got a head start - and I wasn't even late for anything. Score.
2. I love my job. I love that I can lead by example and show my children what it means to work hard and be proud of what you do. I want my children to do the same - and the best way is for us to show them.
3. Work/Life balance. Vacation Planning.
4. A housekeeper. She keeps my laundry manageable, my floors swept and my kitchen clean.
5. A good relationship with the pediatrician (because we've paid their salaries the past 6 weeks).
6. Fresh flowers.
7. The first prediction of snow.
The rain is falling hard. The earth quenching its thirst. Today the last bit of warmth was squeezed out of the season. . .one final drop of warmth before the cold temperature creeps in like a hungry beast. Our woodshed is stocked for the winter - in the coming days we will start the wood fire which will burn through the winter, and into the early spring of next year.
Tonight I've opened the windows to hear the rain and feel the last bit of warmth dissipate as the night overtakes. The house is quiet, the lights down low. It's an evening of reflection.
Tonight I've opened the windows to hear the rain and feel the last bit of warmth dissipate as the night overtakes. The house is quiet, the lights down low. It's an evening of reflection.
Calling all the mama's (and dad's too if this is your jam). . .
My older sister found this website when our two youngest babes graduated to puree's. It has been INCREDIBLE and I sing her praises from the mountain top at EVERY opportunity I get. So, if you have a lil babe who is almost ready for puree's or is currently in this stage. . .OR if you have a toddler . . .this website is for you!
Every few weeks I have a babyfoode party. . .tonight was party night!
My older sister found this website when our two youngest babes graduated to puree's. It has been INCREDIBLE and I sing her praises from the mountain top at EVERY opportunity I get. So, if you have a lil babe who is almost ready for puree's or is currently in this stage. . .OR if you have a toddler . . .this website is for you!
Every few weeks I have a babyfoode party. . .tonight was party night!
It's national collection week for Operation Christmas child.
A couple weeks we had no idea this even existed until it was introduced to us through our church. It's such a simple yet incredibly effective way of sharing God through the gift of giving. Yesterday we packed the kids up and headed to the store with a small mission. We spent the next hour filling two shoe boxes for two little boys somewhere in the world. In the coming days the destination for those two boxes will be chosen, and then shipped. And in the coming weeks those two boys will receive not only the gifts we packed into those little cardboard boxes, but will also spent 12 weeks learning about God. It's powerful.
Much thanks to our church, Northstar for introducing us to Operation Christmas child. And if you'd like to put this on your to do list for the coming year - watch THIS for inspiration.
A couple weeks we had no idea this even existed until it was introduced to us through our church. It's such a simple yet incredibly effective way of sharing God through the gift of giving. Yesterday we packed the kids up and headed to the store with a small mission. We spent the next hour filling two shoe boxes for two little boys somewhere in the world. In the coming days the destination for those two boxes will be chosen, and then shipped. And in the coming weeks those two boys will receive not only the gifts we packed into those little cardboard boxes, but will also spent 12 weeks learning about God. It's powerful.
Much thanks to our church, Northstar for introducing us to Operation Christmas child. And if you'd like to put this on your to do list for the coming year - watch THIS for inspiration.
Tonight I flew over the city lights. The moon hung low, almost parallel with us...and portrayed an incredible red hue. Not a cloud in the sky...just us, the city lights, the moon and the stars.
The perk to business travel? A full nights sleep. My first in almost 9 months. My batteries are on charge.
A Florida sunset. 91 degrees in Fall.
Oh man, how is it so? How is this little guy at this stage already? We've been working on pulling up, but this morning when I dropped him off at school, I looked over and his teacher had him standing up like a big guy! My heart melts when I see this guy :)
Psalm 139:13-16English Standard Version (ESV)
13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
We find ourselves in a new chapter this week. We're about to buy our 6th house - another flip, which makes 3 flip houses in 12 months. We've taken some financial risks in the past year, a little more than I would have liked given a newborn being welcomed in the midst of it. But we're looking at the end goal and a minor challenge eventually shows its worth. We seek to make a difference in life. Jon and I don't want to plod through life only leaving nothing but footprints. We want to live a life pleasing to God, to touch and inspire others, raise our children to be God fearing while giving them a strong foundation to spring from. We want to look back when we're 80 and know that we gave our all. At the end of our lives we want to hand it all back to God and say "for you…all of it".
We take the broken and tired and give it new breath. These homes we buy. . . we give new life. We give families the opportunity to start fresh and new in a home that we rebuilt. It's a lot of work, time, money and energy but on the day we plant our For Sale sign, we step back and know we gave the home our ALL. It's a sound and secure home. It's a place of GREATNESS. A home of greatness where greatness will stem.
It's taken Jon and I years to get to the point we are today. Hundreds of hours spent working on weekends, late at night. . .and finally we are seeing our dreams take flight. Oh so slowly gain momentum. We are working towards a dream . . .towards greatness. . .towards God.
Some words from those who have either found the words to describe it better, or who are on the path to greatness at the moment . . .
You were born with potential.
You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideal and dreams. You were born with greatness.
You were born were born with wings.
You are not meant for crawling so don't.
You have wings.
Learn to use them and fly.
- Rumi
Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each one of us.
- Lewis Howes
Greatness means having pride in yourself, being happy with yourself, knowing you've worked for something and couldn't have done anything more. That is greatness itself.
- Shawn Johnson
Greatness is cultivating the charter and habits that not only lead to success but also help you overcome any challenge or adversity. It's about lifting yourself up from the depths of despair and using mindfulness, joy, and love to harness your dreams.
- Lewis Howes
Happy Friday!
My most favorite evening of the week - knowing the morning won't bring a nice little sleep in. . .instead we will wake before the chickens (if we had any). But tomorrow. . .we play, spend time together, catch a family nap if we are super extremely amazingly lucky.
We've had a productive week. Got a lot done on the "to do" list. Declan sprouted his 4th tooth! Chloe's vocabulary saw a few added words like "education". For whatever reason though she is insistent "education" has to do with shopping. I was explaining to her this evening how her daddy and I need to ensure she gets a good education and she nods her head and said "yip, I do need to do some shopping".
Ok then.
Hope you all had a fantastic week. If not, tomorrow is Saturday!
My most favorite evening of the week - knowing the morning won't bring a nice little sleep in. . .instead we will wake before the chickens (if we had any). But tomorrow. . .we play, spend time together, catch a family nap if we are super extremely amazingly lucky.
We've had a productive week. Got a lot done on the "to do" list. Declan sprouted his 4th tooth! Chloe's vocabulary saw a few added words like "education". For whatever reason though she is insistent "education" has to do with shopping. I was explaining to her this evening how her daddy and I need to ensure she gets a good education and she nods her head and said "yip, I do need to do some shopping".
Ok then.
Hope you all had a fantastic week. If not, tomorrow is Saturday!
Friday Eve.
Pulling a sweet smiley baby out of his crib each morning, a big morning hug from my almost 3 year old. Conversations on the way to school, the sound of Declan playing with his toys. Laughter. The ever present company of the pups during my workday. These are all great and keep my "reservoir " full. . .but our evening routine, where it's just Jon and I winding down from the day. . .this is what I need daily.
The best part of today. . .my mom flew home to us! She's spent the last 3 weeks with my gramps and family, but to have her back is wonderful! Truly truly wonderful. There is such a comfort in knowing my mom is around the corner instead of across the world :)
Today it rained. A lot. But we got the prettiest sunset out of it. As we pulled into the garage this evening the whole world was illuminated in a hazy orange.
A beautiful sunset. It was one of my good things from today.
Here's another good - a few pictures from this past weekend that I've been enjoying today.
Standing at the doorway to a new week. . .
