HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I know that this day can be difficult for some.  Some women that long to be mothers and aren't able to conceive, those who have conceived and lost, and those who have lost their children before you felt it was their time.  My heart goes out to you and aches for you.  I cannot imagine the pain and suffering you've had, however I can say that I'm here and willing to listen, cry with you, and hold your hand as you walk through your valleys.  

I also want to say a HUGE thank you to all of those that have influenced my life.  For my mom being the one that never wanted kids, I'm so glad that she changed her mind.  My mom, she's always been there for me through all of the peaks and valleys of my life whether I created them myself or just happened to walk through them.  She's been my biggest cheerleader, my hiking buddy, my confidant, my road trip sidekick, and my extra hand when I needed it.  She allowed me to make mistakes growing up so that I could learn from them, mature, and move on.  She's seen me at my highest of highs and lowest of lows and loved me through them all.  I am forever grateful for the mother I was given and the friend that I now have.  I also received two bonus moms when I married Pat.  I have learned so much from both his mom and step-mom.  Kim loves to garden, cook, makes beautiful place settings for family gatherings and always make sure the family gets together for the holidays.  She's baked cookies with my kids at Christmas time, carved pumpkins with them at Halloween, and dyed eggs with them at Easter.  Her love of genealogy excites her and she loves telling our kids about their ancestors.  Lydia shares my love of baking and is an encourager and a cheerleader.  She loves coming to watch the kids in their sports and is always there if I need someone to just listen and let me vent.  We love to talk about recipes and family and soccer.  Not only did I gain two extra moms I also gained another grandma, Pat's Grandma Judy.  I enjoy all of the family I have gained through my husband.  

 Random thoughts and Updates:

Why is it that our best thinking comes at times when we cannot write things down.  I mean, the other day I was in the shower and these thoughts were just coming to me left and right and I was like man these are great, I really should write these down so I remember them or can share them.  Whether we're showering, driving, laying down to go to sleep I believe there are times when our brain is most relaxed and we can finally have some genuine thoughts.

Many of you probably don't know but I do not set New Years resolutions.  I just got tired of not meeting my goals and giving up by February.  This year even though I didn't set a resolution, I did set some goals for myself that would still give me some leeway in case I messed up or stumbled.  

1. I want to read at least 12 books this year (one for each month).  So far I am currently on number 10 and I already have number 11 waiting for me.  I can put the links below to what I've been reading in case you're interested.

2. I want to be a better role-model for my kids.  My health has never been a priority to me.  I've always wanted to be a wife and a mother and never gave my health a thought really.  As a teenager I enjoyed working out and lifting weights but then life happens and I've slowly let myself go.  The other day I was thinking, man I thought I was done parenting for the most part.  My kids are almost 18 and 15.  But then it struck me that now is the time that our kids are going to watch my actions more than listen to my words.  We have REALLY lucked out in the teenager department and we have some great kids and I am so very grateful.  I realize though that if I want to be a better role-model I have to be worthy of being someone others want to follow.  With that I've decided to start exercising and watching what I eat.  I decided to do a 40 day sugar fast and to my surprise Alaina said she'd do it with me.  Not only that but her boyfriend and one of her friends joined in as well.  I didn't have to tell her to do it, I didn't encourage her to follow my lead, she CHOSE to do it and that makes me so very happy.

3. I've started filling my brain with truths about who God says I am, what I can accomplish, and where he's leading me.  I was at a women's event at church a few years ago, right before Covid hit.  I remember after the lesson we split into smaller groups to discuss some related questions and one was "what is your motivation/drive".  I remember sitting there and not being able to come up with anything.  I was like what in the world is my purpose.  As I mentioned above the only things I ever wanted was to be a mom and a wife, that's it.  Once that happened I guess I just decided to coast and "see what happens".  

4. I want to be more intentional in my thoughts and actions.  The easy path and easy options are no longer an option.  Yes it's convenient to grab something quick to eat from fast food or gas station food or just the processed quick foods to make at home.  I've learned that to change I have to be more intentional.  Being healthy takes more planning, prep, perseverance, and persistence but the payoff is so much greater.  I want to be intentional about what I say to others, how I say things to others, my actions, and my choices.  

We are now in month 5 of 2023 and I have been working on these all year so far.  I have a long journey ahead but I also have great support and a personal cheerleader (thank you Pat) who believes in me and encourages me to keep going even when somedays it would be easier to just give up.  I just wanted to share an update since it's been about a year since I've written anything.  What is going on in your life?  Anything you're working on or towards this year?

Books I've read so far this year: 

https://www.booksradar.com/coben-harlan/coben.html#2437

Author: Harlan Coben - these are suspense/thriller - The Match, I Will Find You, The Boy From the Woods, Missing You, Tell No One, Fool Me Once

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=overcoming+overwhelmed+erik+lawson&crid=3TYFZL7N1YHDW&sprefix=erik+lawson%2Caps%2C134&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_6_11

Overcoming Overwhelmed by Erik Lawson

https://www.amazon.com/Nefarious-Plot-Steve-Deace/dp/1682611523/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=580631589312&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9022943&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11823108814152330207&hvtargid=kwd-309568623575&hydadcr=10026_13483884&keywords=steve+deace+nefarious+plot&qid=1683498313&sr=8-1

Author: Steve Peace - Nefarious Plot

https://www.amazon.com/40-Day-Sugar-Fast-Spiritual-Transformation/dp/0801094577/ref=sxts_entity_rec_bsx_s_def_r00_t_aufl?content-id=amzn1.sym.4afc730c-c08d-48ba-8a05-81aa212c56f6%3Aamzn1.sym.4afc730c-c08d-48ba-8a05-81aa212c56f6&cv_ct_cx=wendy+speake+sugar+fast&hvadid=580750081871&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9022943&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=280933199357746321&hvtargid=kwd-946357220317&hydadcr=22563_13493224&keywords=wendy+speake+sugar+fast&pd_rd_i=0801094577&pd_rd_r=d0c4a901-dc6a-4e90-a0c0-d725a76317c1&pd_rd_w=T2CaE&pd_rd_wg=2q0jQ&pf_rd_p=4afc730c-c08d-48ba-8a05-81aa212c56f6&pf_rd_r=YCA0FN70WYAKJE6EBF2K&qid=1683498109&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=1-1-42c1d7c4-51c2-42cf-80a4-c0488607bdfe

The 40 Day Sugar Fast by Wendy Speake 

Currently Reading: 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=uninvited+lysa&i=stripbooks&hvadid=558570236281&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9022943&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1680665140076194261&hvtargid=kwd-301536084699&hydadcr=22533_10344512&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_7l6kempv1j_e

Uninvited by Lisa TerKeurst