Just A Night Owl

Measurable Results

Written on June 17, 2013 by just a night owl in Health

I have zero plan for this blog. Really, I write as life happens and therefore when my health and nutrition took a major overhaul -it became a regular blog topic. This post has been swirling in my head for a while now. I am going to blurt it all out as if we were sitting down on my porch over tea (but I would have water because I hate tea). Otherwise, I will obsess too long and might not even publish it.

I remember when I was in high school receiving a letter one day (remember those?) I was excited. I opened it and it was a clipping of a newspaper article that was titled Magic Weight Loss: Works Quickly, or something like that. There was a not so lovely handwritten note on it that read…”Darcy, maybe you should try this”. I think perhaps, just maybe, people shouldn’t be so incredible mean. Amazing how impacting something like that can be on a young girl. How in my young mind it helped shape my opinion of myself. Unfortunately, I have quite a few stories like that over the years- all surrounding my weight. I have been working hard the last couple years on fixing my insides and getting truly healthy for the right reasons. What a road it has been.

Earlier this year, I found Omnitrition. A plan based around healthy, unprocessed food with an intense focus to reboot your metabolism and clean out the gunk from your body. Sound like a gimic? Yeah, I thought so too. Despite some of my family and close friends having great physical success with weight loss, I resisted it. It seemed not ok to me at that time. The basis of this program is found in a book called, Weight Loss Apocalypse. I flipped through and found the words that this program would be hardest for a person who was an emotional eater and an exercise addict. Me Me Me. After much prayer and talking with my husband, I really felt like I had gone to the other side of not allowing myself to have any help with getting healthy, so that I could prove that I could do it on my own. Prideful much? Uh huh.

So, I began Omni. I needed the help. I needed to learn some more about what to eat. I needed to break up with overdosing myself with carbs, permanently.

I wish I could somehow jump through the screen and lovingly shake you and tell you what I have learned. It amazes me. I feel fantastic. When you get all the junk out of your body; what you think, how you feel, and the peace that comes with that is unparalleled.

I have looked into every type of eating I think there is from gluten free, to sugar free, to Paleo and beyond. There is pros and cons to every single one. People get riled up about these things, so walk carefully when discussing. I think it is so important not to judge because God’s best for someone else might look different than yours. What I want to put to paper is what works for me through my experiences. I am not a health professional by any means. I am not trying to be. I journal to process. I journal to remember.

When I used to be on a steady stream of sugar and junk, I wouldn’t have said I felt THAT bad. Then we switched to as much unprocessed food as we could. I felt WAY better and I was shocked by that. I didn’t know there was a better. On this program I spent the first 66 days eating lean meat, strawberries, apples, lettuce, cucumbers, spinach, some seasonings, and water. This part is temporary (there are phases built in to eat for real life!) I took a two day break (included on the program) but I onslaughted myself with crap food and I have spent the last week feeling the true effects of sugar/carbs/starches/and chemicals on a clean system. Best lesson of all time. I thought I would gnaw off my arm this week. It has been awful. I have read articles that claim sugar can be addictive as some drugs and I didn’t believe it. I do now. I am so glad this last week, as hard as it has been, has happened because it just gave me a deeper passion for healthy living and taught me this….

When it comes to food discussions, I have said myself, and have heard so many talk about depriving themselves and having cheat days, splurge fests and so on. I have come to a realization of truth that I can not go back from even if I wanted to… God wants us ALL-100%. If you can’t stand the thought of life without cookies. Don’t eat them again until you CAN live without them. THEN and only then enjoy some. Food is not an entitlement. God made foods with tastes and gave us tastebuds. I totally think He meant for us to enjoy it, but you know what messes it up? Our man made food. I have talked to so many people and have experienced myself countless times that I’ll start Monday mentality. That I fell off the bandwagon gig. The place that is followed by self loathing for a job done poorly. I have a summer home there. Really, I do.

WHAT IF IT ISN’T US AS MUCH AS IT IS THE CAKE?

Today’s food is powerful. It is MADE by companies to be addicting. It is chemically altered to make us want more. It is colored, and filled with smells and textures to make it more appealing. What if it is the food you need to change? I had never really thought of that. Just as a recovering alcoholic wouldn’t try to get well by hanging out in a bar, I am now not sure why I wanted to be thin but still be able to eat Butterfingers for lunch.

I am not sure I would define myself as a food addict. An emotional eater? Yes. I am not sure definitions even matter. What I am sure of is that once this yuck food has truly been removed from my system, then I feel fabulous. Getting to that point feels almost impossible, but when I arrive its amazing. I have talked with many people over the past three years and one thing, across the board, remains true. We all think we eat healthier than we do. In addition, we all can probably improve on our eating every day. With the right foods in your system the lack of energy, ups and downs, and cravings disappear. Wouldn’t it be easier to maintain your health without these burdens. Never once have I felt like if I don’t get an apple I might die. Or wake up in the morning and say I need my strawberry smoothie to wake up. I THINK, no wait I KNOW this is the way God intended it. Omni has been the tool that has helped me actually learn this.

I have become an avid label reader. I have learned a LOT. There is still mountains I don’t know, but the rule we live by is as close to God created it as possible. Through this program I am learning discipline, sold outness to the cause, and how my body works.

Everyone is on their own journey and mine has gone pretty extreme. It needed to. It’s where God works best. When there is the absence of any distraction at all. He is there. It has been super hard in some ways and super not in others. Have you ever looked at those “crazy healthy” looking people and wondered how they ate so healthy everyday and why???

Now, I know.

Not that I will always be perfect.

Not that I won’t struggle and fall and dream of chocolate chip cookie dough.

It isn’t about any of that.

It’s about NOW for the first time in my life, I am not defining my own health. I am letting God do it.

I am WILLING to live WITHOUT what I want, if that’s what He asks.

and p.s. I learned that He DOES make us desserts. They are called raspberries. Please go 66 days without one crumb of crap in your mouth and let’s talk. You will see what I mean, I promise.

That God of ours did so good and I love Him.

Before, a little after before, a a little before after, after coming soon.

What 42 pounds down so far looks like.

Dear Jesus,

I have finally found the courage to admit I’ve craved food more than You. I have wept over giving up food while hardly giving a thought to You giving Your life for my freedom. I’ve been bound up by feelings of helplessness. I’ve been angry that I have to deal with this weight issue and have been mad at You for allowing this to be one of my lots in life. I’ve made excuses. I’ve pointed fingers. I’ve relied on food for things it could never give me. I’ve lied to myself about the realities of why I gain weight. I’ve settled and excused and made pithy comments justifying my issues. I’ve been enthralled by buttered bread while yawning through Your daily bread.

For all that, I am so sorry. There are not just little issues. These, for me, are sins-missing the mark of Your best for my life. With my whole heart, mind, and soul, I repent. I stand on this step and stare at the reality of my depravity and turn. I turn from the dieting mindset. I turn from what I must give up and weep no more. I remove my toe keeping open the door to my old habits and patterns, my old mind-set, my old go-to scripts. I choose freedom. I choose victory. I choose courage. And yes, above all else, I choose You.

Amen.

Taken from -Lysa Terkeurst | Made to Crave

* I am NOT a paid rep for Omni. I am just giving you my experiences. This program is an amazing fit for me and I have seen it transform the lives of my family members and I have friends who have kept the weight off for years. If you want more information about it please email me. I am just sharing because I love it so and I like to tell my friends about the things I love!

Check out my friends and family. Awesome, right???? They are shrinking before my eyes!

Be healthy today, my friends!

Curriculum 2013-2014

Written on June 5, 2013 by just a night owl in Curriculum

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I say this every year, but I mean it more, every time I say it. I am really excited about our selections next year.

We are also adding a few new things for our school days…

BREAKFAST! Each week the older two will take turns having a breakfast date with me and my husband. Mom/daughter one week and Father/son the next. We have a couple of parent/teen devotionals picked out. These will be a time to get away from the noise and happy chaos and just spend one on one time with these TWO teens of mine.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LEARN! I am letting each child pick one topic. We will take three days off of school during the year and spend the entire day devoted to the topic of their choice!

HOLIDAYS! My bloggy friend and fellow HHM team member, Megan, does the BEST thing and it is a perfect opener for our school day. Did you know that there is about a jillion holidays? National Hot Dog Day? How about National Hot Cross Buns Day? We are going to find them and celebrate them! More to come on this, but so excited!

JESUS CALLING! I recently attended an amazing conference. A friend and I attended a session about having awesome quiet times with the Lord. The speaker told us about a book and I jotted it down so I could pick it up when I got home. Guess what arrived on my door a few days later. My sneaky friend was peeking at my notes and beat me to it. Sweet girl. It is the BEST book. I discovered there is a kids version. We will start our day together with this.

OUTSIDE LEARNING! My older two will each be attending two classes a piece outside the home. We have a store about 40 minutes away that is a homeschool resource store. They bring in teachers for various classes. We will be heading up there once a week for writing and science.

After MUCH prayer and research…

* I purchase everything I can through Rainbow Resource. It is the cheapest I have found. I attached the links to the product’s website, however, just in case you wanted information about the product!

Cameron- 9th grade

History, Bible, Language Arts – My Father’s Word, Ancient History and Literature

Science – Apologia, Biology {taken at Kingdom Builders}

Writing- Essay Writing/ Short Stories {taken at Kingdom Builders}

Math- Math U See, Pre Algebra

Elective- Intro To Logic

Taylor – 8th grade

Bible- Polished Cornerstones

History- Bob Jones, American Republic

Science- Apologia, Physical Science {taken at Kingdom Builders}

Language arts – Total Language Plus {Studying Anne of Green Gables, Incredible Journey, Swiss Family Robinson, and Christmas: Three Short Stories}

Math- Math U See, Algebra

Grammar- Easy Grammar

Writing- Essay Writing / Short Stories {taken at Kingdom Builders}

Art- See the Light

Elective – Photography Gardens Horses

Emma- 3rd grade

Character- Building Christian Character

Math- Math U See, Beta Gamma

History, Bible, Science, Geography, Music, Art, - My Father’s Word, Adventures in US History

Spelling- Evan Moor

Penmanship – Handwriting Without Tears/ Cursive

Phonics -Explode the Code / Books 7 and 8

Writing -Writing Strands 2

Grammar- Easy Grammar

Reading – Book Studies Including:

The Boxcar Children- Veritas Press Comprehension Guide

Milly Molly Mandy – Veritas Press comprehension Guide

Charlottes Web – Veritas Press Comprehension Guide / Confessions of a Homeschooler Classic Literature Unit

Polar Express – Guide to Using Polar Express in the classroom

What does your plan look like????

One. Two. Three.

Written on June 3, 2013 by just a night owl in 170 School Days. 2012

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1. We finished school. We jumped back in after the move and we worked hard and got. it. done. I love when the older kids get involved and teach the younger kids. It is fabulous. I also like the flashlight app on my phone.

2. At least he’s half dressed. I love this kid.

3. Once a week we make cookies. We may have perfected the chocolate chip cookie. Once a week I don’t eat cookies. I am at 42 pounds lost and counting.

4. This was almost the last of the boxes and I finally put them away. It took 20 minutes and I wondered why I didn’t do it sooner. Today just one lonely box of random things sits in the garage. That’s it. It’s those annoying 30 minute projects sometimes. I will get it done. Maybe even this week!

5. He’s still half dressed and calls play dough, “no no”. It gets confusing.

6. The chicken’s new home is in progress.

7. My Princess Consuela. Unfortunately we lost my daughter’s chicken to a hawk a couple of weeks ago. Tragic. I didn’t really know this was an option. Do hawks eat Yorkies?

8. I triple love our backyard.

9. As do the chickens.

10. Our neighbors/landlords share their backyard because they are awesome like that. The treehouse has twinkle lights. I can’t wait to have school in there during a storm this winter.

11. My daughter turned 13 this past month. We had a shopping spree at Forever 21, ear piercing, and a talent show in one day. Too much for my heart. She’s on the left and I love her.12. My son taught himself to play the ukulele and was in a talent show too. So proud of this kid. Love him. The youth at our church put the show on to raise money for Summer Camp, WHICH is great because for the two of my kids to go it cost almost as much as my rent.

13. Final week of school brought on projects, projects, projects.

14. We studied and created our own hieroglyphics while visiting Egypt in our Geography curriculum.

15. This was at about 7:30 pm the night before the last day of school. Cutting. it. close. We were determined to finish.

16. Egyptian bread. Honey, butter, bread crumbs, topped with ice cream. I hear it was pretty good.

17. Two years and a fantastic curriculum. Thankful to Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler for putting it together. We loved it.

18. More progress on the chicken coop. Can not wait for it to be DONE!

19. Country livin’ suits us well . It’s always a good time to run around the yard in jammies and rain boots out here.

Ready for summer!

Room Eight Twenty Two

Written on June 2, 2013 by just a night owl in Favorite Posts

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Confession.

I didn’t want to go away on the planned overnight adventure with my husband. Why? because the to do list was sucking me in. We finished school on Thursday. Scheduled to leave on Friday. #kindabadtiming

Laundry not done. House not clean. Sheets not washed for the company sleeping in my bed while I was away. Grades not done. Report cards not issued. House not clean. Car looks like a bomb went off inside. VBS meeting Sunday. House not clean. Husbands work party to make dessert for on Sunday. Need to finish my dad’s b day present. Out of toilet paper. House not clean.

Yet, it was just a 24 hour get away and my hubby really wanted to go. So, three hours before departure time, I sat on my bed to find a hotel. I found a gem.

It had me at my first glance. Love at first sight.

Within a few minutes of leaving, I knew it was a grand idea. I am so glad my husband knows me better and pushed to go. We needed to.

Homeschooling can be a dangerous little gig sometimes. It really, really can. It is all kids. All day. All the time. You absolutely have to carve out some time, for not only the adult world, but for your man. I’m telling you, what a difference 24 hours can make.

Our swanky destination was roughly 15 minutes away in downtown Sacramento. We checked in, gave the valet our car and didn’t touch it again for 24 hours. Everything was walking distance. We sat and talked for about 4 hours over dinner. We laughed at each other and not the kids. We breathed.

I may or may not have jumped on our bed on the 8th floor overlooking the nightlife of downtown out our window. {My hotel ritual.} We had a corner room and the views were incredible. The whole hotel was incredible. I wanted to pet everything, but I am trying to quit that. I honestly contemplated how to take that little black chair home with me and fell asleep incredibly content and dreaming gold stripey wallpaper.

Oh, we had so much fun. We talked about life, some about the kids. A lot about what God wants from us and our marriage. We talked about what we need to work on and confirmed what we need to keep doin’ that is right. We talked about how grateful we are for our family. We talked, without being interrupted.

It was kinda fish and loaves of bread like because those 24 hours stretched on and on…..

I am so thankful.

…and guess what time I got up today?

10:30 am.

BAM!

Making Memories

Written on May 18, 2013 by just a night owl in Favorite Posts, Memories, Random, Uncategorized

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I was 16 or 17. We had a G R E A T youth group and a fantastic youth pastor. He was all about making memories. He was all about telling us, he was all about making memories.

Every summer we went on a trip called Endless Summer. 1.5 weeks of non stop fun. Camping, amusement parks, beaches, and everything in between. It was A W E S O M E. Well, this one year, we took one of those accordian style busses. It was our transportation for the whole trip. Maybe 70 or 80 of us left for our Endless Summer Trip.

For weeks prior to this particular year, our youth pastor had been telling us he had a special surprise that we would not want to miss. To say we were all excited would be a severe understatement. There was SUCH a buzz about our surprise. We could not figure it out.

Heading southbound on Highway 5 toward Los Angeles, a famous stench exists. It is the familiar smell to all Californians and travelers of highway 5 known as Harris Ranch. I think it is home to about 5 gazillion cows, give or take.

Remember that Endless Summer surprise? Yes, a tour. On the bus. Driving the roads in between said cows. In the middle of July. Hot. Flys. Groaning teenagers. AND a gleefully happy youth pastor walking the aisles of the bus yelling “you will never forget this”. He was right. I haven’t.

…and I love it.

A few months ago I get a phone call from my husband in the middle of the day, asking if we could take May 16th off school. Of course. He informs me that there is a frog jumping gig at the Calaveras County fair. He wants to surprise the kids. I immediately thought of the cows. I was in.

Anticipation built with my munchkins.

It was a total crack up and a total surprise until we arrived at our destination.

You see, they didn’t even know that frog jumping existed. Neither did I.

*this picture is titled, WHY WE USE A STROLLER.

It was an unusally wet rainy morning in CA, that we set out. It was cold, damp, and entirely entertaining.

We had a great day.

Here’s to hoping the kids never forget it.

Somehow, I don’t think they will. I can hear it now…”remember when dad took us to that frog jumping fair.”

One of the highlights of the day was when we were walking through all the animals. One of the 4H kids started chatting with us. “Where y’all from?” he says. “Sacramento area”, my husband replies. Them the kid went there….

“YOU CAME ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE, JUST FOR THIS?”

“Y U P”, my husband says proudly.

Making Memories.

because frogs are cool.

Living At Home

Written on May 14, 2013 by just a night owl in Life

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In the midst of finishing up school, continuing with house projects, creating our school room, and the rest that life brings, I am planning for summer and school, next year. I was just contemplating last night the delicate balance of the “keeping up with the Joneses” in regards to sports, clubs, and the extracurricular. In addition to maintaining sanity and family as the top priority. I suppose this looks different for every single family.

*BLESSED…our new school room got some padding and carpet this past weekend. Oh, it is so fabulous.

I am of the old school mindset that the kitchen table should be used for dinner {in addition to folding laundry} and that evenings are for family, not for driving in your car. It goes against the normal. It just does.

And you know what I love? I woke up to dear Alicia putting her foot down on the same issue for the summer. We work hard at protecting our home as the central point of our lives and our family. Not a place to sleep and eat and bathe, but a place to create memories and live.

*spring soccer for my 8 year old.

My husband works a demanding schedule. Six days a week including three nights. When you put that into a master schedule, there isn’t room for a lot else if we are to maintain H O M E. Up until this point we have always pretty much allowed church activities, Awana, and one child at a time having a sport or theatre class. It has worked and worked well.

For the first time we are contemplating allowing both girls to play soccer this fall, but honestly, I don’t think it will happen. Signing them both up could then bring our already full schedule to a ridiculous level. Soccer practice 2 nights a week for 2 girls, which could be on different nights. Youth group two nights a week. Awana one night a week. Plus my husbands three work nights a week. No thank you. If I need an excel spreadsheet, an increased gas budget, as well as splitting the family up each Saturday for different fields, it really just might be the red flag of too much! When is the down time? If I have to schedule down time, there is a BIG FAT PROBLEM! That’s my line.

*planting flowers for Mother’s Day

We had thought about having a family sit down breakfast each morning rather than a dinner, but somehow it just isn’t the same. The thing is, this has all worked fine for us over the years, but as my older two continue to get older, it is going to change as they stretch their wings and fly. They will be transitioning to their adult lives.

How all this looks, I don’t know. Just my honest thoughts as we contemplate our way through this all.

All I know is family is important. It needs T I M E. Lots of it. Because at the end of the day, when I am waving goodbye to these once littles ones, all the soocer games in the world won’t matter half as much as the time we invested together and in them will.

Looking for the balance….

How do you do it in your home?

Thirteen

Written on May 9, 2013 by just a night owl in Let's Party, My kids

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You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

*my 8 year old made a birthday breakfast with a little help from Pinterest and her daddy.

*and she spent her quarter chore money on a Target gift card for her sister. Every last cent.

You make me happy when skies are gray

You’ll never know dear, how much I love you

Please don’t take my sunshine away

Man, I love her.

A bittersweet (for mama’s heart) celebration of the end of her childhood and the beginning of her teen years.

Time indeed does fly swiftly by.

I love you Taylor Grace.

NORM

Written on May 8, 2013 by just a night owl in Random

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When things can start to get to be a mess in life, it tends to drag you down and it can become easy to view things as negative. It is easy to forget to see the positive. I remember just recently on our actual move day, a Sunday, my husband had to work in the morning, so I started things off by myself. I can’t remember what it was, but something went wrong early on and I texted him about it. His response, “no joy stealers today”. He was right. We had been wanting to move, literally for a couple of years, and the day had finally arrived. No. Joy. Stealers.

I chose joy.

*we are absolutely adoring our new home.

*****

We have about 3.5 weeks until official summer break and I can NOT wait. I mentioned our garage is going to become our school room/music room/bonus room extravaganza. Both time and money do not allow this to take place right now. SO, I have become the homeschooler who schools all over the house. In the toddlers room, in the hall on the floor, at the kitchen counter, couch, and my bed. I know lots of different people who do school like this regularly. I always thought I was not capable of such flexibility and this couple of weeks has proved to me that I was, in fact, correct. I am not. Our garage is a mess, unfinished, and I am unorganized. From the minute I started homeschooling I knew that I would need a “room” or a “space” that was for school. One that says when we are here, we are focusing on learning. When I sit in my toddler’s room, all I hear is let’s play trains. When we do school on the porch, I put the baby in the swing and say wheeee. When I do school on my bed, zzzzzz.

For the sake of my children, I am disciplining myself to actually get through the end of the year. In the end, having a bit of separation from the house by being in the garage is going to be fantastic. It’s just going to take some work to de garage our new space. I love a decorating challenge. It will be perfectly ready for school by fall. I have embraced the fact that we are on the mobile plan for the remainder of the year. Once I have embraced it, it is going smoother.

*****

*Table vs. Greyson. Table -1 Greyson-0.

Curriculum planning was almost done, but then I pulled something typical. One of my loveliest friends and I were texting each other across the miles and we started the curriculum chat. It led me to a company that I have considered, heard amazing things about, but never really investigated. So after staying up hours to late to research, read reviews, and look at samples, I think think think that I am making a big fat switch. This is why I don’t tell my plan until I order! I am excited and a bit overwhelmed with how to get everything accomplished before fall. Summer’s off? um, no. I really need a couple weeks in the classroom with no students to get everything ready. However, the students live with me, so, um, yeah .

*****

Tomorrow my girl is going to be a teen. She was my easiest birth and my fastest. My tall, thin, beautiful blonde girl entered this world at 10.6 lbs and 23 inches long. She had multiple chins and huge blue eyes and she was an awesome sleeper from the beginning. She arrived just 16 months after her brother and the two of them grew up little besties.

The other night I dragged myself out of my sick bed to make a celebration happen for her. I was not going to bail on that. I went all over town to purchase a couple of gifts and get things ready. I found myself at the mall at a little store we like to call Forever 21. You see she just now is fitting into junior clothes and is pretty excited to shop here. SO, I thought I would get something from here. I wandered aimlessly picking up item of clothing after item of clothing and wondering how I was shopping for my girl in a store that sold heels taller then my baby was at birth. Why, oh why, was I not down the way at the Children’s Place. I desperately wanted to be looking at stacks of shirts deciding between hearts and rainbows. NOT looking at stacks of clothes trying to figure out what part of the body they were supposed to cover.

*****

Mother’s day is a comin’ and I am going to win in the romance department. I asked my family if we could get the shed put up this weekend. I believe our chicken coup is being built this weekend as well. Can. Not. Wait. The ladies have gotten HUGE. Hopefully I can plant some flowers too! It’ll be awesome. That’ll knock out 3 out of the 4 big projects we have left from the move! I mean a shed for Mother’s Day. What more could a girl dream of???

*****

Today, I finally feel a bit better. Day 8. Whew. That. Was. Long. I am so glad to be on the mend and looking forward to the end of allergies.

*****

My baby announces the presence of every one who enters the room. “MAMA”. “DADA”. At. the. top. of. his. lungs. USUALLY, a giant hug accompanies his declaration. It doesn’t matter if it has been five seconds since he has seen you. “CAM” “EMMA “TAY”. It’s so Norm-like.

I love my family. Yes, a place where everybody knows your name.

Perfect.

Today

Written on May 4, 2013 by just a night owl in Random

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I am on day 6 of a pretty nasty cold. I haven’t been this sick in a very long time. My husband has been working thirteen hour days all week. I have no real break in sight until probably next Thursday at about 5:30. It’s Saturday. I’m not totally complaining, just partially. In my NyQuil commercial spokesperson state of being, I am completely aware that many live with chronic illness on a regular basis and this cold and allergy season will pass as quickly as it came. However, the daily mundane while under the weather can still get to me.

It has been an incredibly emotional six weeks around here. A lot of life. Life that makes you question who has your back, what’s your purpose, who is your support system, and why do we work so hard anyway. Is it worth it?

The answers? Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus and yes.

The answer? Make God your audience, not people.

The answer? Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.

Take the road less traveled, rise above it, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent and every other empowering saying you could possibly find on Pinterest. If I embroidered, I would whip up some fabulous creations of all of these sayings and perhaps make a room full of them. Maybe even shrine like. I need the reminders. I am a slow learner. However, I read them and I find my non sick self screaming AMEN AMEN AMEN. Ya know? Hurt brings you to a place of sweet vulnerability and that vulnerability makes me want to just take all the bad and shake it right out and fill up it’s place with a vat full of fantastic. To work my butt off to be different. To live a good life.

When I look at all the heartache in the world around me, it can make me want to stick my head in a toilet and flush it, quite frankly. It can all just be too much. It’s hard to fathom how downright evil some people in our world can be. It’s heartbreaking.

Praise Jesus….because without Him, the mean and nasties of the world, the people who thrive on living for themselves and tearing you down would just overwhelm and do you in.

…and dude, with each passing day I seem to recognize how tightly I need to value those who seek Him first. Those who choose good, and right, and Jesus. Those are my people, ya know?

God’s got me.

Praise Him for that.

I have been in a season of life of watching…and waiting… and oh my goodness, the stillness can be deafening. The watching can be overwhelming. The view from the cheap seats, as they say, so enlightening. I wouldn’t trade this period in my life for anything. I live at a turtle’s pace in a world spinning so fast that everything has become a blur. I know this is a season and while it is here, I appreciate it, like the gold that it is.

I fell in love with homeschooling again this past week. I kinda mentioned something about being under the weather . With our recent move we just can’t afford to take any more time off of school and I can’t muster up the energy to put on clothes that involve zippers and buttons. SO, school on my bed in jammies happened. I sat cuddled up with my 8 year old and we read, and read, and read…. and I thought yet again for the millionth time – this is how life SHOULD be.

Despite all, It is well with my soul. The song plays over and over through my head. Then God confirmed it. Check out what my bloggy crush Kelly posted…

It Is Well With My soul

…and it is. It truly, truly is.

On a lighter note.

1. The man finally has an actual legitimate reason to wear his boots, rather than just the I am so cute no matter what I wear reason. We are country livin’ now and lovin’ it.

2. Dare I say we are just about settled?

3. Curriculum plans are about final for next year and DUDE? so excited.

4. I have said dude twice in this post, not sure why.

5. I have lost 32 pounds. BooYAH! Old word I know. It just fits. Sorry.

6. When allergies are over this year, I am startin’ running again. My half marathon IS happening in twenty thirteen.

7. My husband is going on a missions trip to Ecuador this year. Um, I am going on a girls trip to Disneyland. Do with that information what you will. One of these things is not like the other. M-I-C…K-E-Y……

8. I am addicted to Shark Tank and Justin Timberlake.

9. I am working on turning our garage into a completely live able and comfortable homeschool room. In addition, figuring out how to keep the crickets from joining in as my students. I have had to expel two of them already.

10. Going to find a random act of kindness to do today, right after my nap.

11. No your eyes do not deceive you. Those are Easter baskets. The pictures are THAT old. I have been swamped with photography work this spring {so grateful} and have failed to pick up the camera for my own enjoyment and my own kiddos. Must fix that. STAT. #hazzardofthejob

Happy Weekend!

Moving Day

Written on April 20, 2013 by just a night owl in Memories, My home

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*Goodbye old house

This post is like a month past due! It took about 4 times as long to unpack as I suspected. Which is funny, because that is the exact number of helpers I had that slowed this whole thing down. My husband’s favorite thing to say these days is, “It’ll all get done. Don’t worry.” I have had a couple of near minor meltdowns, but mostly just enjoying our beautiful new home so much, I can hardly stand it.

* I am not sure I totally agree with moving and easier ever in the same sentence

The combination of my spring allergies and a nasty cold that spread though the troops added a whole new level to the unpacking process. The colds are gone and I am anxiously awaiting the departure of the allergies as well.

*Auntie Nicole playing with Greyson before bed in his new room

Life is beginning to feel more normal. It has been four weeks today since moving day, but I do still sort of feel like I am on some weird unpacking vacation in a resort house.

We are figuring out new routines, where everything is in our ginormous kitchen, and enjoying the peace and quiet of the country.

*Every country home with a wrap around porch comes with a swing, right?

Actual moving day was such a gift. We had so many people come to help. Three hours and five minutes to bring the entire contents of our old house to our new house. We had done a little bit of moving prior, but the bulk of it was done by the fabulous peeps that helped us.

It was the very first party of many in this new house. Moving, sweating, eating cheap pizza, and prayer for our new place. Good times.

*The most important part

Couldn’t have done it without you guys! Meant the world to us! Thanks!