{live} 11 things.

I haven't been practicing my word {live}as much lately as I should.  When I get tired I forget to LIVE, and I just get through the day and then the next thing I know.... a few weeks have passed and I feel like I didn't abide in certain moments like I should, my brain and mind feel cluttered, and there's a great amount of NOISE in my head.... I've been very tired and have let life get the best of me... 

1.  Working out 4-5 times a week is much easier if I schedule it at set times.  Quite happy with my new schedule.

2.  I am sleeping better since Carson decided to sleep in his own room, but I miss him. 

3.  I'm enjoying having grilled chicken every night as I'm trying to eat better (AGAIN).  Summer grilling is so much better.

4.  Thank you to my husband for my new white gold wedding ring setting for our 15th anniversary.  I have been meaning to get a new one.  And he surprised me with a new one on our anniversary.  Carson helped him pick it out and I LOVE it!  It's exactly what I wanted. 

5.  Watched Happy Endings, a new sitcom, last night and I'm loving it.  I hope it survives as a show.  It just may be my new 'Friends.'

6.  Yogurt with granola and fruit is my new go-to snack.

7.  I read a quote today.... Don't worship perfection.  I need to meditate on that one....

8.  I am going to read my new book tonight... I keep forgetting that I have it!

9.  I saw Amanda, the torturous trainer I was seeing.  It was so great to see her, but I really do miss her.

10.  I am thankful for great friends and collegues I have worked so closely with in the past and present.

11.  Honestly, many of my friends are just having babies or pregnant right now.  I'm so happy for them, and it's not hard to celebrate with them like it was before we had Carson. BUT, I am a having a little trouble with my attitude.  Why can't I just decided to have more children and then do it?  Instead of it being a whole production involving a lot of time, money, and people....  My attitude is a little negative about that lately. It's just not fair.  And I know life isn't fair, but sometimes you just have to gripe about it.

project {organize} strikes again

My laundry room is a dumping spot for mail, paperwork, coats, shoes, bags, socks, and pants (Carson removes his pants upon entering the house immediately.)  This was next on my list of things to organize.

I love the mail basket I found at Pier 1a few years ago, but every time I straighten it and go through things... it looks like this again very soon after...

what a mess...

I decided to try labeling folders so we could file the mail and paperwork as we received them. Maybe, that will help....we shall see....

I think it looks much better, and I think maybe, I can keep it organized this way.

This is a file that I made for Carson's school papers.  It's right by the door, and I can go through his folder and pull out the paperwork I want to keep, and slide it in his Pre-K folder.  I've labeled folders all the way through 8th grade.  I'm sure they'll be less paperwork through the years, but I'm thrilled to have it all in one spot.  I plan to add a sign to the front that has Carson's name on it.

And here's the after of our bench.  I love this area in the house, but I would also like for it to stay more organized.  I fixed a hook lower on the wall that Carson can reach for his coats and jackets.

I'm grateful to have one more thing checked off of my organize list!

to free a {prince}

A few weeks ago, my pastor preached a sermon that spoke to my heart more than a sermon has spoken to me in a while.  The night before, I had a conversation with God.  It was pretty one-sided.  I was talking complaining about circumstances in my life, and I'm sure God was listening.  BUT, I didn't let him get a word in edgewise.  (edgewise...I know that's a saying, but it looks weird in print.) 

So, the next day at church... The sermon was titled, "The Loving Choice."

Psalm 146

2 I will praise the LORD while I live;

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3  Do not trust in princes,

In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.

4  His spirit departs, he returns to the earth;

In that very day his thoughts perish.

5  How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

Whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6  Who made heaven and earth,

The sea and all that is in them;

Who keeps faith forever;

7  Who executes justice for the oppressed;

Who gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets the prisoners free.

8  The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;

The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;

The LORD loves the righteous;

9  The LORD protects the strangers;

He supports the fatherless and the widow,

But thwarts the way of the wicked.

10  The LORD will reign forever,

Your God, O Zion to all generations.

Praise the LORD!

I was eager to take notes on this one.  It was like God said, "okay, you wouldn't listen last night.  So, now I'm going to talk and you must listen."  But I was very willing to hear... 

I.  Free a prince. Psalm 146: 3-4

When I first saw that, I was thinking... What is a prince?  What does that mean? 

 He explained that a prince could be a person or situation in your life that you trust in to make your life "perfect" or "If I could just have this, or do this, or if this could just happen, or if he/she would just be more like this.. then my life would be happy and complete"

I. am. the. queen. of. this.  

I spend much of my time looking forward to what's next and what I still need... both material or not... to make my life "perfect" so I can be "happy". 

He shared 4 points on "How to free a prince"

1. Trust God with imperfections. Psalm 146: 3
2. Stop expecting what the person or situation cannot provide. Acts 4:12
3. Recognize the prince looks like you.  Hebrews 9:27
4. Accept that plans change.  Luke 12:18

II.  Trust a King... Psalm 146: 5-9
He is ... the Maker of all things, Keeper of the truth, the Righteous Judge, Giver of food, Freedom for the bound, Giver of Vision, Strength to the downcast, Lover of his children, Preserver, Provider, Victor over Evil... and so much more. 

He's. ALL. I. NEED. for happiness and contentment.

III.  Live for what lasts.  Psalm 146: 10
I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me will live, Even though they die; And those who live and believe in me will never die.  John 11: 25-26

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God, does not have life.  1 John 5:  11-13


Why can I not remember to live for what lasts??? I get so caught up in what I think I need for my future to be 'great' and I forget the most important thing.... God will take care of it all if I put my trust and hope in Him. 

When we were trying to have Carson, towards the end of our journey...  We hadn't done the in vitro that gave us Carson yet and  I was to my wits end with worry about if we were going to have a baby.  I finally cried out to God and asked Him to please take away my desire to have a child, if it wasn't supposed to be.  That if His will was for us to be childless, then just change my heart... so I wouldn't want children and I was okay with that.  I just didn't want to hurt anymore. 

I feel like I need to surrender some things now, just like I did before.  I am learning to let go and let God.  I want to focus on Him and focus on just a daily peace that comes with abiding in him.  I know I have multiple princes that I must free.

I want to {live} and {abide} in him.

I want to free a prince(s) and live happily ever after. ..

{live} 11 things...

1.  Teaching math all day is a great gig.

2.  American Idol is going to be surprisingly good this season.

3.  I found my good friend from high school, Nancy's blog and I am so excited!

4.  Sista-Friend, Kelly, celebrated her birthday.... Happy Birthday, Kel!

5.  Carmel Frappuccinos from McDonald's are hard to resist when your husband surprises you with one.

6.  Working out at 6 a.m. is not easier after 13 months of doing it, but I feel so much better both physically and mentally when I do.

7.  Real Housewives of Orange County is coming  back this weekend!!!

8.  Good and faithful friends make me feel abundantly loved.

9.  Red head, five year olds with stuffy noses are cute when they talk.

10.  My new Swiffer Duster makes dusting so.  much.  easier.

11.  Cuddling in bed with my boy is the best part of the day.