Realizations, Reactions, Resolutions.

While on my recent family road trip, I did some thinking. Possibly even some reprioritizing and mental rearranging. I learned some things about myself. Realization dawned in regards to the way I have been doing certain things and motivation to change appeared in it's wake. Additionally, I was inspired by my own family and the families we stayed with. I could expound on this stuff for a few dozen pages (and I know I'm being vague, but I'll go into more detail below. Relax! :p), but I will summarize my epiphanies thusly: 1) Don't sweat the small stuff. 2) It's never too late to change or make things better, within the realm of your ability. And 3) it's unbelievably easy to be lazily (or stubbornly) complacent without even realizing it, chalking it up to our current circumstances or attitude being "where God wants me". God is certainly the ultimate Authority, but not to blame for bad attitudes or moods or for not making the most of the situation He has put us in.

With that said, here are my goals for 2012 in no specific order, in response to what I have learned recently.

1. Be more enterprising. If I see a need, fill it. Small or large scale. Don't wait for someone else to do it.
2. Get my diabetes under more strict control. I recently switched to injections from my insulin pump, which wasn't working as intended, and I have been doing better overall. (I'm a huge advocate of pumps, don't get me wrong. I had been using one for so long that scar tissue underneath my skin in many rotating site spots began to be an issue, and it was just time for my body to take a break from it.) However, for a long time I've sat back and felt discouraged or helpless about not having enough supplies to test my bloodsugar as often as I should be (2-4 times per day instead of my preferred 8-10), mostly due to financial circumstances. Someone recently reminded me that there are ways to get more supplies (legally of course - what were YOU thinking?!) and I shouldn't sacrifice my health just because I can't pay more for them. Remember what I said about it being easy to be lazily complacent? Yeah. I've often felt beaten in the game of life. And I didn't even realize it. I've gotta fix this stuff myself, no one else is going to do it. Thank you Captain Obvious! It's like I just learned how to be an adult or something.

Working on my book. :)

3. Lose 15-20 lbs or fit into a size 6, whichever comes first.
4. Finish my book and begin the heavy editing process. I've already started back to work on it. :)
5. Organize my house and get rid of or donate things we don't use. This includes cleaning out the dark, scary, unfinished basement.
6. Overhaul the master bedroom. When we first moved in, we painted the room red (Katie will remember this well, she helped me with it!), which was nice for awhile. For some reason the red feels dark to me now (it probably has something to do with the 27 layers of paint we had to do to cover the primer!), and after 5 or 6 years I am ready to change it to something bright and cheerful. If Eric will let me, HA. The overhaul would include getting rid of the old waterbed, which is dying a painful death anyway. A comfy new bed and bedspread would do WONDERS.
7. Stress less over the little things. Stuff is gonna happen. When we can't or shouldn't step in or do something about it, sometimes it is best to just let it happen. Let it go. Life goes on. Busting a blood vessel probably won't help. People stress over anything and everything, and often because of a combination of things. Sometimes for good reason. From what I have seen and experienced, there are two ways to stress. One way is caused by or experienced in a tense moment, and it dissipates after the moment passes or is worked through. The second is an underlying, ever present, elevated level of stress that is high on a daily basis. (Thank you Doctor Christy.) The second way sums me up lately. Time to change that. The combination of things causing stress for me is A) sleep deprivation (SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), B) high bloodsugar, which make me feel angry and on edge, and C) not having sufficient quiet time with the Lord.

Consequently, 

8. Sleep more. Go to bed earlier. As I type this, my inner night owl groans. But daytime Christy is happy! Don't worry, large amounts of caffeine will continue to be consumed.

9. MAKE TIME for sufficient quiet time with the Lord. This includes real prayer in which I specifically give the current and future events in my life to the Lord. This is huge because the more I am in the Word, the more peace I have as I trust the Lord. Therefore, I stress less.
10. Remember that the little moments are what count. In a recent conference at church, I was reminded that we as humans concentrate so much on the BIG moments in life but in reality, there are only a handful of them in one lifetime. The majority of our lives are made up of conversations, emotions, actions and reactions, thoughts, words, etc. etc. I want each one of those to reflect Jesus and who He has made me.
11. Spend less time on me while Audrey is awake, and when she is asleep, make the most of "me time". We have a lot of fun together. I'm just usually so caught up in what I'm trying to do that I miss out on sweet moments or things we could be doing together.

Clearly I would prefer that a vacation be taken near a beach. Any beach. :p

12. Take a family vacation. Yes, this would mean Eric would have to take a week off from church stuff as well as work stuff. But it would be the first time we go away together as a family unit.
13. Take care of my family first but make time to pour into other people. To enjoy friendships. To do my part in giving God the opportunity to be used in the lives of those around me. God can use anyone at any time really whether they wish for it or not right? But I figure it's best to do my part and give of myself so that He can use me.
14. This is more of a PS. I really really really want to get a sweet camera this year. Chances are it won't happen, but I just HAD to put this on here. I can dream!!!! :) I want to start posting amazingly beautiful, super high quality photos!! *bouncebouncebounce*
15. Another PS. I'll work on being less serious in my next blog! WHEW!

All of these things are easier said than done. But it's good to have goals and to be motivated. What's on your to-do list?

Dreams

So I've been thinking lately, about a lot of things. Mostly about my goals; spiritual, physical, and things I'd like to do in the future if the Lord wants to move me in that direction. In terms of life goals and things I'd like to do, I'm starting a bucket list of sorts. I know this post is sounding very "me me me, meeeeee" thus far, but bear with me if you can. This is list is simply one facet of many different thoughts and things going on in my life, and in an effort to blog and share, I'm posting this particular facet today. The rest will be come along in future posts eventually. This is what I have on my list of dreams starting now, but I'll add on to it as time goes on. Every list has to start somewhere!

DREAMS. 

A.K.A. My Bucket List

1. Get a nice camera. A Canon, preferably. This is something I'm really excited about and think about often. I look at pretty much everything I see as if it's a photograph. I look at the angles, the light, the colors. I literally see everything as if it was a photograph on a page or a computer screen. Weird, I know. It drives me crazy sometimes because it's simply humanly impossible to have a camera in my hand at all times. Anyway, the shots I see in my head probably won't happen anyway, until I am able to get a nice DSLR. If I'm gonna start saving up for something, I might as well go big and set my sights on the Canon 5D Mark II or III, probably II. That's a nice chunk of change for either one (anywhere from $2500 to upwards of $6k, and of course, these aren't even the nicest cameras out there. I don't need the nicest, clearly.) but remember this is a dream here. I would definitely go for the 60D or 50D as well. I would also be more than happy with a Rebel T3i or 30D with a nice lens or 3. So you see, I'm looking forward to having a DSLR. Either way, I'm starting a fund for this. 

The above is me from a few years ago, helping to shoot a wedding with some friends who taught me a ton about photography . :) I'll always be thankful for what I learned... I won't forget the good times and crazy wedding stories!

2. Look into starting a small photography business, nothing fancy, nothing big, probably mostly advertised by word of mouth, friends of friends, so on and so forth. If it takes off, great. If not, that's fine. But the idea of being a child/family photographer has been swirling in my head for quite some time now... a few years at least. I'm going to start praying about it more, perhaps it's the Lord who keeps bringing it to mind. As time goes on, the more I feel I should at least give it a go, so I can say I tried and will have no regrets. 

Maranola, Italy. Maybe I'll see it one day.

3. Travel overseas. Whether it's for a missions trip or family vacation, I'd love to travel overseas, namely to Italy and Ireland, among other places. If the Lord chooses to send me to the mission field or if I end up having the opportunity to go, I'll go wherever! (I won't lie, it scares me a little to type this in case I have to hold up my end of the bargain some day... what if I get sent to the shadiest, slummiest slums of the slimiest slummiest city in the world?!) 

4. Finish my book. I'm almost done, I just haven't been inspired enough lately to finish it, and I have to be inspired to write. I am in love with all my characters and the whole story, I just need to sit down and make time to finish it. Then I want to do the sequel that I have planned. And get at least the first one published. 


What are your dreams? What's on your bucket list? It's fun to dream isn't it? 

(I really want to keep up with this habit of blogging often... for the first time in a long time I'm really enjoying it. I love my new blog and I want to keep the posts coming! Goodnight bloggy peoples!)

I figured since I'm doing a "listening" list I might as well do a "watching" list to go with it! Here's what I'm currently watching as time permits:

1. Castle, Season 2. 

LOVING this show.

2. Heroes, Season 4. 

I kinda got disillusioned with season 3 a few years ago but picked it back up his summer. I like season 4 so far!

3. Fringe Season 3. 

It's taken us forever to get through his season because we're watching it online and there never seems to be time. Still one of my favorite shows of all time!

4. Psych - Current Season. 

It just started. So excited! 

5. The Sing Off - Current season. 

 I LOVE THIS SHOW. I'm seriously starting an a'capella group with people I know. 

6. Project Runway - Current season. 

I've been a little disappointed with the designers this year, but it's entertaining as always!

7. Parks and Rec -Current season. 

Hilarious as always. I laugh through every episode.

8. The Office - Current season. 

I find it funny even without Steve Carrel. Having Andy as the manager stresses me out, but it still cracks me up!

9. Adventure Time. 

Craziest and best cartoon ever. Even Audrey likes it!

10. The new Thundercats. 

Surprisingly, a very enjoyable watch!!

There are others that I don't keep up with as well, or that are currently off season. I usually watch online while working on art, doing chores, or multitasking in some other way. I'm not the couch potato that this list would seem to indicate! :p

1.  Mat Kearney's new album, Young Love. SOOOoooooo good. My favorite songs right now are Hey Mama and Ships In The Night.

2. One Republic, Waking Up. My faves go back and forth, right now I love Secrets, Good Life, and Marchin On.

3. Hillsong United, Aftermath. Specifically: Like an Avalanche and Aftermath. These songs speak volumes (and volumes and volumes) to me right now.

4. Sherwood, QU. I haven't listened to the whole album yet but I like their sound so far.

5. Hellogoodbye's album called Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! Still listening through it so I haven't heard it all yet, but they are fun and have a great sound. 

That's about it for now. I have a ton of stuff I listen to on and off, some new, some old, but when I find music I like, I listen to it a LOT until I'm sick of it. That's where I am with Mat Kearney and One Republic. I've been a fan of Mat's since I got his first album like 8 years ago, before he was well known. Not much of his music since then has had the same distinct sound as that first CD, and I've missed it. Young Love brought it back! So happy! One Republic has been at the top of my list for a good 6 months at least, and I haven't listened to much else until very recently. 

I hope to repeat this list once or twice a month. I love music and it's fun to share!

Oooh FUN!

A Running List of Fun, Highly Entertaining and Possibly Very Addicting Things. 

(In no specific order. I will bring this list back often. If you have things to add to it, PLEASE comment and let me know. A growing knowledge of what is fun and addicting is essential to keeping life interesting!)

1. Pinterest. Mostly useless yet insanely addicting. I haven't even created a wall, and possibly never will. Simply looking through the photos on the main page sucks me right in.


2. Comeandlive.com. Free music. Albums and albums of it. Amazing Christian tunes. You really can't go wrong. Free downloads are HERE. 

3. Rainbow Sandals. Sexy. Comfy. Remind me of Cali. Best. Flip flops. Ever.

4. Coffee. We know this one well, but it simply belongs on this list. No way around it! 

5. Peep jousting. As much as I hate the word "peep" (don't ask.) and generally don't like the way they taste, causing them to joust in the microwave is highly amusing. And they taste pretty darn good when they're warm and burnt. 

The list may be short, but it will grow. Remember to help me out, post and tell me some things that are awesomely amusing, highly entertaining, or possibly very addicting. WHEE!

BUSY!

Wow. So this is what my blog looks like. It's been so long, it took me a minute to recognize it. I have been just a tiny bit BUSY! Let's see if I can catch up a bit on all the latest news, in no specific order. Sit down and grab a tasty beverage. This will be long. And arduous. It won't surprise me if you fall asleep mid post. Just make sure to set your drink down first. Here is my official 2011 List of Insane Busyness.

1. It's warming up, and Spring is in the air! (Except for the snowflakes we're supposed to see on Thursday, but we are NOT GOING TO DISCUSS THAT.) We've been venturing outdoors again, slowly but surely...

Riding bikes,

Playing at the playground,

Going to the zoo.

2. When it's deceivingly and disappointingly chilly outside, we find indoor places to play and be entertained...

Watching tv with Daddy,

Breakfast at Bob Evans with Mommy and Daddy,

Bounce houses with friends,

3. We watch a lot of tv. Usually one movie or show over and over and over and over for weeks on end. Our two recent favorites have been...

Fantastic Mr. Fox

and

Shaun the Sheep

4. We quite enjoy our time with friends, whether it's at small group, play dates, church, random meetings, not so random stalker meetings, or anywhere else. (I'm kidding.) Not all of our friends are pictured here. I don't have pictures of EVERYONE, dangit! Don't feel left out!

~ Insert random pic of the most adorable kid ever ~

Leen and Lassiter

5. Not only do we spend time with friends. Naturally, we spend time together. And we enjoy it immensely.

Valentines Day

6. We eat. A lot. Probably too much. Don't judge. I've been trying to make more exciting meals lately, but don't have photo documentation. Yet.

7. We play with our doggies. We love them. Very much. Probably too much. Don't judge.

Even when they make watching tv impossible.

8. My parents flew Audrey and I out to California in February, one last time before they move to Mongolia. No, you didn't read that wrong. They leave at the end of this month... only a week away. I have mixed feelings about it, only because I will miss them. The Lord has great things planned though, and I am excited for them to be used in that great country!

We missed Daddy. But we kept in touch.

9. I may not have pictures to prove it, but I'm writing a book. Yeah. It's 2-3 years in the making now. I've got about 200 pages so far and I'd say I'm about 3/4 of the way through. That's all I'm gonna say, but I'm really excited about it despite the fact that it's slow going.


10. There has been a LOT of music in this house lately. It's wonderful. Once again I have no photos to prove it, however, I am officially on the New Life Church worship team! I play keys for a specific team and am a fill in for vocals (alto or tenor) when the need arises. It has been quite a journey thus far and I have only been up there on two different weekends. It is already a fulfilling ministry, one that I am glad and excited to be a part of. I can see where the Lord will grow me and help me face some things that have been stuffed down or stagnant for years. Already I am drawn closer to Him by being at church more, getting to know the folks there, and being involved in such a great team. On top of all that, I am playing the piano again, a lot more than I have for years. Eric and I play and sing together, and we spend more time together now that we are both involved in worship arts. Overall it's a very good addition to my life.

11. Last but not least, I've been playing computer games. Yes, that's right. I'm a nerd. If you know me well, you know all about the nerd thing. If you only slightly know me, I'm sorry to break it to you this way. Make your peace with it. :p I'm also doing a lot of artwork (graphic/digital) for said computer games and making a tiny bit of money on the side from it. If you REALLY want to delve into my inner nerd (Think about this before you click. Seriously. Please?) feel free to take a look: www.crsigs.webs.com.

There is probably more to add to this already massive list, but right now I am too exhausted to think of anything. I'll try my very best to stay more on top of this blogging thing. And WOW is it time for a visual overhaul! Hopefully that will happen soon. Love ya'll! :)