Thinking About a New Year

Do you 'do' New Year's resolutions?  How about goals?

While I would love to say that I'm a girl who is decisive and focused and always has resolutions and somehow manages to keep them, I'm not.  Very often my resolutions contain something about working out more often and eating healthier and by January 5th I've blown it and have found a way to justify not really needing to do those things.  So I move forward in the new year feeling ok about myself and my lack of stick-to-it-ivness. 

This year is going to be different.  {I said that last year too!}

It is this time of year that I find myself precisely suspended between reflections and dreams.  While looking back over the year and reminiscing can be fun, I usually am filled with disappointment in myself.  I wish I had done better, or focused on this one thing more, or been more patient with my kids or judged people less or stuck closer to our budget. The list goes on and on.  I find that looking ahead is more fun... the possibilities are endless and hope is so prevalent.  Like anything is possible and surely it will all be good, right?  This is the year it's all going to come together.  Sound familiar?

Truth is, only God knows what this particular year has in store for us.  He alone sees how the path will wind, and climb, and fall, and rise again.  We don't have control over the future as we glance ahead to 2012.  But make no mistake, He does.  And we, His lavishly loved daughters, can indeed prepare to live what He thoughtfully brings us.

"You crown the year with Your good blessings,

and leave abundance in Your wake." {Psalm 65:11}

That was the first verse I memorized in 2011, and I find myself reciting it again this morning.  "...you leave abundance in Your wake".  Oh, how I want to be smack dab in the center of that wake!!  To follow Him so closely that I bob and sway within His sweet waves of blessing - Oh, let it be so!!

I'm already pondering on my word for 2012,  the one word I will focus on and be purposeful about in the new year.  You can be sure it is found in the Word.  How about you?  Do you have any resolutions/goals for 2012? Any specific 'word of the year' to guide/ focus you?  Give me a shout, I'd love to hear them and why you chose them.

Happy 2012 everyone!!

  I pray nothing but the best for you

and the grace of God

to handle anything less, 

should that come your way.

Blessings,

{K}

The Post-Christmas Bomb

I so hope you are enjoying sweet moments with your loved ones today.

Here we are stepping over mounds of laundry and legos, the boys are inside the tub {clothes on, pants rolled} playing with their Morphibians, and my sweet girl has given nearly everyone in the family a pedicure and an amazing foot rub with her fancy new foot bath.

And last I checked, there was a crazy dog standing on the back porch table, trying to catch a glimpse of the Christmas bomb that went off in our house.  Wrapping and boxes and tissue everywhere.

Sweet goodness I love this!

I hope your holidays were blessed with family and friends and a little bit of your heart's greatest desire under the tree.

I'll be back soon with more posts but for now I'm going to attempt to tame the chaos!!

Blessings,

{K}

Come Let Us Adore Him

Well my sweet friends,

the time is near.

The time to cease the busyness, the preparations and the hustle and bustle.

It is time to kneel at the manger, 

to come and adore the King of kings

and Lord of lords.

Merriest Christmas to all of you!

May your holiday be merry and bright

and filled with the sweet gift of Jesus

like never before.

Blessings to all of you!!

{K}

Right Now

Right now I am...

watching - 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' with two of the cutest boys you ever saw.  I love vacation days!!

eating - Mexican dip {refried beans and a can of Rotel mixed together and heated} Goes down a little too easy.  Ahem.

drinking - a little bottle of Coke.  It goes all too well with the aforementioned dip.

wearing - yoga pants and a long sleeve tee.  Super comfy and super stretchy - see the above two     categories.

avoiding - doing our budget for the month - it's a total downer and right now I just want all to be right in my little world.  Even if only for the next 72 or so hours.

feeling - pretty much on top of my game.  Not everything is done, but the majority of it is.  We only have two presents left to get and only those two left to wrap.  We are making cut-out sugar cookies tonight and I'm looking forward to it.  After that, all that remains is the Christmas cards!

missing- a nap.  That just might be next.  It too goes well with Coke and chips/dip :0)

thankful - for a warm, cozy house, full of Christmas cheer and kids that are beyond ready for the BIG day.

weather - 14+ inches of snow overnight!!!!  Our wish for a white Christmas has come true!  Our high temperature is expected to be in the teens today so no chance this will melt any time soon.  The kids have been out in the snow for the majority of the day and are having a ball.  The only down side is the shoveling.  I gave it a good go this afternoon so that the pup might have a place to take care of his business and gave up shortly after I started.  Just too heavy for these bones.  The kids all got such a kick out of watching Boone go out this morning.  Being a beagle, the snow nearly covers his head and he has to lope to get anywhere - so funny!

praying - for Todd.  He has some sort of lung infection.  Started out as a cough and hoarse voice.  Two weeks later it still lingers and the docs aren't sure of what it is.  Heavy duty antibiotics and prescribed rest will hopefully be all that is needed to get him back in ship shape.

needing - a silent night to read my Bible, to really soak in all that took place so long ago, to really savor the sweetness of Jesus and fully feel the gift of salvation this year.

thinking - about a God who won't let us get away with thinking that life is good only when it is easy.  His goodness is everywhere.  Everywhere!!

loving - all that goes with the season.  I love shopping for loved ones, I love baking, decorating, wrapping and giving.  The parties and special events.  All of it!!

A Mini 'a-ha' Moment

 

We watched "The Nativity Story' last night as a family.

Oh, it was a good one

and all the kids were completely engrossed.

Not always the case when there is a Biblical movie on.

I was impressed when the kids knew all of the background

of Caesar and Herod and why Joseph and Mary were

required to travel to Bethlehem.

They had the whole story down pat!

I had this little a-ha! moment

during the part where Mary and Joseph are traveling 

to Bethlehem.

Their journey wasn't easy, wasn't comfortable, wasn't all fun and games.

And I realized that even though they were smack dab in the middle of God's will for their life,

things were still hard!

And my soul breathed a great big sigh of relief.

For the last two years we have been in the start up phase of

our beef business and it has been hard.

  I mean really hard.

It has challenged our finances, our faith and our senses.

Who starts up a business in this economy??

But, at the same time, Todd and I both feel

we were given the 'Almighty Boot' 

out of where he was employed before this

adventure began. 

There was no way we would have made this leap

on our own.  No way.

We fully believe this is God's will for us.  

And it's not easy, not comfortable, not all fun and games.

We serve a mighty, faithful, loving God

who has plans to prosper us, not to harm us.

And in that knowledge 

I find peace and comfort.

Blessings,

{K}

Pressed For Time, But...

SIX days 'til the BIG day

and we are still running hard here.

My older two have finals today and tomorrow,

and my youngest has a full day today and a 1/2 day tomorrow

and. then. we. are. done!!!

I promise I'll be back tomorrow

with better content,

but I came across this

and thought it was so cool!  

Enjoy!!

Blessings,

{K}

 

Holiday Goodness... on the cheap!

I'm popping in this weekend to let you in on a quick holiday treat, full of yumminess.

Have you tried these??  Oh, they are all kinds of sweet, gooey, warmth... and just .50 each!!!!

Pop your little cuties or even your sweetie in the car and head over to Mc D's to get a couple.  They are so worth it!!  It's a great treat that the whole family will enjoy AND won't break your budget.  Maybe grab a few while you go out looking at Christmas lights?? 

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,
{K}