In the moment.

One of my New Year's goals is to be more present, more aware, more in tune with what's going on around me.

It's so easy to grab your phone to respond to a text or phone call, and not end up putting it down for another 30 minutes.  Between the games, photos, facebook / twitter ... you see what I mean.

I was blog-surfing yesterday and stumbled across this post.  She had created a wallpaper for her lock screen on her phone to help her remember the goal for the year.  Then she tells you how to put it on your phone... can't beat that.

I was pretty quick to upload it ...
An extra reminder never hurt anyone.

Go here to download a copy for yourself!

How sweet it is.

Don't you love days that you can lounge in your jammies?

No where to go ... no one to see ... just enjoying every second of having absolutely nothing to do.

Every good and perfect gift is from above...

James 1:17

Snippets.

It's been a while since I talked about what's happening in our neck of the woods, so for anyone who is wondering, here ya go!

The weather has been amazing lately, hasn't it?  While I do love a nasty snow storm, these higher temps that have allowed me to let the boys run and play outside are lifesavers. Am I the only one who hates having to bundle up their kids just to run an errand?  Big bulky winter coat... hat... gloves... shoes... check!  Summer time is so much easier.  Shoes... and, let's go.  :)

I finally uploaded the pictures off of my iPhone recently.  I took 4,657 pictures over the last year and I'm amazed at how much faster my phone is running now... ha!  Who knew...

This post has been pinned on Pinterest and brings in almost 25,000 hits on my blog a day.  It makes me wish I would have taken the post a little more seriously (with directions I gave) ... I was a bit sarcastic in my writing of the post, which is a little embarrassing now, especially when I receive so many emails asking for "real" instructions.

I can't believe Jaxon will be 3 next month.  He has hardly left his train table's side since receiving it for Christmas, which makes me so happy.  

Tyler is working 7 DAY work weeks until Mid-February.  It's going to be a long month so I'd appreciate your prayers!  I am so thankful for the gym membership we have, and how it's an hour and 15 minutes (that's my max time I'm allowed to leave them) of ME time!  I have also really been digging into the Word again in the mornings, so I hope between the two of them, I can keep my sanity the next month-ish.  My Mom was SO great to remind me recently that at least he gets to come home each night, unlike last year when he was working in Denver for 4 1/2 months.  It really put things into perspective for me.  Things can always be worse.

Speaking of the gym, I went to this 20/20/20 class this morning.  20 minutes of cardio, 20 minutes of strength, 20 minutes of arms/abs.  I almost died.  We ran 1 mile for the cardio (plus 6 times up/down 4 flights of stairs) and the instructor said "these 20 minutes of cardio go SO fast, we gotta push ourselves..." all I could think while she said that they go fast, was "fast? this is the slowest 20 minutes of my life."  Hopefully I can find the strength to return next week.


My friend Grace and her family are adopting a sweet boy from Thailand this coming year.  Along with every adoption comes the need for financial support, but more importantly, prayer. You can read more of their story here, and if you feel led, I know they'd greatly appreciate any help you can provide... whether that's financially OR as a prayer partner.

We are in the process of negotiating a new vehicle.  We've had our Rav4 since 2006, and it has served us extremely well... but we need something with more space. (and no, this is not a pregnancy announcement!)  If you have any recommendations for a roomy SUV with a 3rd row option, please pass it on!  At this point, we have our eyes set on a Chevy Traverse but we'll see what happens.

Cohen is now 14 months old and he is finally starting to TRY and walk!  We've always joked that he's a really lazy baby, but I know that the reason he hasn't even tried is because of his ears.  Up until getting his tubes put in, he would hardly even stand unassisted.  Seeing him try and walk is so exciting... I scream almost every time, which is probably part of the reason he topples over... ha!

I have a really really really great giveaway planned for next week... so stay tuned.  I think it's even good enough for all of you lurkers to come out of hiding.  :)

Twenty-twelve.

I've been unusually quiet this week thinking about how to start off another year of blogging.  Do I make it lighthearted or serious?  How do you kick it off?

I want to be sure I'm living intentionally in 2012.  Loving whole-heartily, and extending forgiveness easily.  I want to live by my life verse...

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

{Romans 12:12}

Joyful in the hope of His promises for my life.  Patient when trials come along.  Faithful in prayer, learning to commune with him daily and throughout the day, not just during specific prayer times.

On top of this, there's a list of other things I want to do in 2012, which include:

a cleaner house
better time management
work-out 2-3 times a week
run a 5k ... gulp
less complaining, more gentleness
read more


Did you catch that tiny mention of a 5k?  Heaven help me...

What about you?  What do you hope to do/be/accomplish in 2012?  
{Feel free to link back to your post if you have already blogged about this!}

Best of 2011.

Tears ran down my hot cheeks this afternoon as I read through our 2010 update.

2011 just HAD to be better... and, it sure was.

The Lord is so faithful to comfort, provide, encourage, and give us the desires of our heart.

January

After returning to Texas after a vacation to the Midwest for Christmas, our desire to move home got strong. // Cohen got petussis. // Went to a Kari Jobe concert with a good friend. // Started really understanding the relentless pursuit for his people Jesus has.

February

Waco had it's first snow, and the entire town shut down. // Jaxon's 2nd birthday party. // Started weekly accountability chats with a mentor, and weekly coffee dates with a friend. // Traveled to Branson to spend a long weekend with my family. // Jaxon said his first prayer.

March

Enjoyed beautiful days outside with my boys. // God taught me a lot about comparison. // SO.CLOSE. to selling our house back in KC. // Cohen started solids, I started making my own baby food. // Disconnected from twitter & facebook for 40 days for Lent. // I started 30 day shred.

April

Started thinking about potty training Jaxon. // We celebrated Easter. // Our house in KC sold... yay!! // Visited World Hunger Relief in Waco. // Date night swaps with some friends. // Seriously homesick and had no idea when we'd see family again. // Tornadoes and fires swept Texas.

May

Had a tooth pulled, and dentist drama. // Celebrated Mothers Day. // Started Zumba. // I realized I had helped 11 families start cloth diapering. // Tyler got a call about a job in Kansas City. We accepted. 3 days later he started. A week later, the boys and I joined him. // Our last Sunday at Antioch, first Sunday at our old church. // We love our new home, but landlord drama begins.

June

Took our first trips to see Grandpa & Grandma AND Nana & Papa. // Playdates with old friends and cousins. // My Sister got engaged! // Home improvements are in full force. // Potty training begins. // Cars 2 date with Jaxon. // Lots of walks and afternoons at the park. // Coffee with my Momma

July

A fun 4th of July. // Celebrated 6 years of marriage! // Family canoeing trip + Family camping trip // DIY projects in full force. // Vacation to Wisconsin Dells & Minnesota with my parents // Tyler started a new shift, 1pm-10pm // A/C in our house did not work properly // ER trip for Tyler's sliced finger.

August

Coffee dates with my BFF. // Sister's bridal shower. // Lots of bike rides! // Cohen's ear infections start coming one after the other. //  My family came to visit // Enjoyed our family mornings together // Jaxon and Daddy attended their first Royals game together. // Cohen's first hair cut.

September

More days spent in water. // College football games watching my brother play. // Took my Sister's engagement pictures. // Spent more time at Nana & Papa's and Grandma & Grandpa's. // Planned and threw my Sister's bachelorette party // Loved the fall weather.

October

Started sewing and finished my Sister's wedding programs // Celebrated my parents 30 year anniversary // Sister's wedding!! // My babies spent 4 days at Nana & Papa's house, first time away from Mommy // Cohen's 1st birthday! // Cohen's 8th ear infection in 6 months = tubes // Urgent care with Cohen for 106degree temp // Tubes surgery // Halloween

November

Went to Women of Faith with my Mom and church friends // Bike rides & walks with the boys // Start my new "job" // Erin Condren rocked my world // Painted the upstairs, months overdue // Sister and husband came to visit // Thanksgiving with my family + a trip to Iowa // Christmas decorating

December

Loved every minute of the Christmas season // Busy weekends // First snow // Plaza lights // Fancy double date to Trans Siberian Orchestra // Christmas with both families // Christmas morning with my boys // Fires in our fireplace // The magic of Christmas in a child's eyes.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 

I am so thankful for the reminder of God's goodness and blessings this past year...

My heart is full being reminded of it all.

I am ready for another year... filled with expectation for what will come.

It's a new year... new people, new challenges, new experiences... but thankful to serve the same God. 

Here we go!  

HAPPY 2012