project31 - day 25

Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.

okay...so I'm kinda copping out here (again) as far as posting a pic goes...but there ARE two pictures...just not of moi!

but, in all seriousness, these two pictures perfectly represent my all-time favourite comfy clothes...

they are: Lululemon "Feel the Love" Hoodie - the name of this hoodie says it all...when you put it on it feels like your getting a nice, big hug! And it's nice and long too!!

and Lululemon "Be Still" pants - long :) Putting these pants on makes you wish that every pair of pants felt like these, fit like these, and make you look like these!! AND.....they are comfortable!! What more could you ask for??


.......I couldn't think of anything else either!

So there.....go get yourself some!! You'll thank me later!!

project31 - day 24

whoa...barely made this one before the deadline of midnight! but i should honestly be in bed to get as much broken sleep as I can with a little sickie sleeping beside me with a croupy cough and super high fever :( poor Bean!!

Anyhow, here's today's...

24. What is Jesus teaching you presently?

Without a doubt, hands down, I am (we are) being taught to completely live out the faith I claim to have in Him and His promises. It's incredible, and somewhat sad at times, to get a good look at where your faith stands when it really comes down to the nitty gritty!!

I can have faith in many situations, and speak about faith to people in difficult circumstances, but when it comes to a time like this that we find ourselves in now, I have no choice but to run away or to run into His arms.

I've tried running away and doing it myself many times before...but the thing is, in living a life following God, you never fail His tests...you just have to keep taking them over and over...and over.

I am done taking this test...and on the narrow path of passing it with flying colours...with His mercy and love guiding and protecting me along the way.

how about you?

project31 - day 22 & 23

okay...I am SO FAR behind, I don't even know what day I'm on anymore!!! BUT I think that if I do these two more....I MAY be caught up?!?! Let me know if you think different!!

22:: What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.

There are many different demographics in our little town, each with their list of needs.....but the one that hits us closest to the heart is those families in need. So something that we try to make a habit of doing is going through our things at home and thinning out some of the things we could do without in order to give to others. As well, when we can, we add a few extra things to our grocery cart in order to drop off at the food bank. At Christmas time we make it a tradition to do a few hampers to dontate to the Elve's Club.

I know it's not much, and I'd love to be able to do more, but those are just a few things we are trying to help the needs of our community.

23:: What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

Strengths:
~ determined
~ loving
~ persistant
~ this one's HARD!
~ trying to be an optimist


Weaknesses:
~ insecure
~ unorganized
~ procrastinator
~ messy
~ I think that's enough for now!

....ahh!! All caught up - I think!!

project31 - day 21

21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him

Oh My Lovey...

I know that many people won't care to read what I have to say to you.....but I also know that I don't say it enough!!

I love you more than I even know. I love how you love me and how you are patient and persistent with me learning to love myself.

You have taught me so much, from the names of parts of an engine to what unconditional love looks like.

That unconditional love is something I see spread out into your role as "Dado, Daddy, Dad!" to our girls. The sparkle in your eye when you greet them after a days work is unmistakable. The joy in your heart as you cuddle them on the sofa is contagious. The kid inside you that breaks free when they ask you to play with them is hilarious!

You are an incredible husband, a loving father, but most of all, you are a man of great integrity and determination and that is something you need to be proud of. Those characteristics are not easy to come by, nor are they easy to maintain, but in these past 11 years that we've known each other and been together, what a testament to see those priceless characteristics never waiver.....but grown stronger.

I could go on and on, but I will leave it at that. What a honour it is for me to be yours....
I look forward to many more memories to come!!
Love you...lots,
me

project31 - day 20

20:: Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.

Oh..... here we go!!

No job-hating here!!

I am finally living the life I have waited for for years

I feel blessed to have had my years of teaching in a great school district, but there is no way that you can give 100% in any area of life when you are a wife, mum and working woman....I don't care what anyone else says....there are always areas that suffer.

My life is free from the chaos of rushing off to work
to get my job done
to rush home to the kids
to get my job done
and repeat
and repeat....

No, it's not an easy job
No, it's certainly not glamorous
No, it really doesn't pay well - in a monetary value

But these days that I get with my girls
playing
baking
exploring
visiting
laughing
resting
being
are days that I can never get back
days that will be gone sooner than I care to imagine
days that teach me more about myself and my role in their lives than I will ever be able to teach them!

Making this choice in "career change" has certainly been a huge adjustment as far as finances go, but this is the job that I have been called to
these are the people who I have chosen to be my employers
and as much as there are moments in some days when I wouldn't mind getting back in a classroom, it only lasts a moment....and I am quickly reminded of my blessings


and how incredibly blessed I am to be able to stay at home

project31 - day 19

19:: Write about your favorite comfort food

hmmm......let's see here!?

I love food in general......so narrow it down to A comfort food is a tad difficult for me!

I find any/all types of food comforting......but I guess if I had to narrow it down I would have to say appys of many sorts...guacamole and chips, warm dips and bread, hummus and warm pitas, fresh salsa and nachos, veggies and dip (not anywhere near the top of my list, tho!) .....

So, I guess, further narrowing it down, I love dips and dipping things:)

I know I have a picture in here somewhere of something yummy I've concocted at some point, but I can guarantee you it is my external hard-drive amidst all the other 135,324 pictures retrieved after they had been permanently deleted from my lap top :P .....so, you're not gonna see it!

....off I go to get something to nibble on!!

absence...excuses...

ahhhhh....did you miss me?!?!?

So...i thought heading away for the weekend was a good idea, but then i remembered i hadn't written any posts to be published! Not that i have EVER done that, but being planned in advance to have that happen would have been great foresight!!

so, i got nuthin' ...but i will soon!!

I am still going to stick to project31 and i will post some C.U.T.E. pictures from our weekend away visiting a brand.new.bebe!!!

So...stay tuned! And...I'll Be Back! (said in my best Arnie voice!)

project31 - day 18

18:: Describe your personality.

really?!? okay.....i'll try.....

loud, but quiet

sarcastic, but sensitive

optimistic pessimist

lover of people

loyal friend

child of God

blessed Muma

loved wife

project31 - day 17

17:: Write about 3 things that make you happy.

Now that's a hard one to narrow down!! How do I keep it to only 3 things!?!?

Generally:
1::faith
2::family
3::friends

Mentally:
1::laughter
2::exercise
3::people

Physically:
1::hugs
2::good food
3::good wine

Spiritually:
1::quiet time
2::reminders of God's truths
3::signs throughout the day that God knows I will notice and they'll make me smile

Not too generally:
1::God's unending faithfulness
2::Jim's unconditional love
3::my girls and their ability to make me laugh

....there's my list of 3's :)

project31 - day 16

16:: Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.


Dear Karys and Avery...

Oh my...what a treasure you two are to me. The amount of love I hold for you two goes beyond anything I can even fathom...and my love is flawed! Imagine then the perfect, flawless love that your Father in Heaven has for you! I pray that you come to know that love as your own one day. I pray that through my flawed perspectives and abilities that I am still able to instill in you both the depth of your beauty as a woman, and more importantly, a child of God.

I pray that you will never know the depth of pain this world can cause an insecure girl who feels like she could never measure up...but please know, that if that time comes, Mummy will ALWAYS be here for you...to cry on, to vent to, and to remind you of your incredible beauty.

The idea that my body housed and grew you for the first nine months has certainly helped me in the realization of what TRUE beauty is...what a beautiful miracle to behold the formation of a new life...

I take on this challenge as your "Mummy" with open arms and a open heart...to hold you when you're hurt, to cry with you when your broken and to laugh with you along the way.

Mummy loves you my beautiful baby girls...to the moon and back!

XOXO

project31 - day 14 and 15

booo me!!! seriously!! how can I be so bad at this blogging thing?!?!?

Forgive me for these "catch up" posts...but honestly...? I don't have an excuse!

But I do want to mention, the last two days have been subjects that A: i don't feel like doing (day 14) and B: i feel like I'll be repeating myself!

SO I am going to completely skip *gasp* day 14, because who really wants to see my in another outfit?? Not me!

14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic! <<-- SKIPPED

Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.

My dear friend Mo came into my life about a year ago...and although we didn't know each other, at ALL, prior to a book club meeting, we became fast friends and before long, it seemed like we'd known each other for years! Mo is a lover of life and all things beautiful...and she can find beauty in ALL things! So...here's to you...


Dear Mo,

You are beautiful! Do you know that?! I think deep down you want to know that and I see that you are trying to live confidently and assured....but humble. I love that!
I love your unique style...it inspires me to be brave and just wear things that I want to, not caring what others MAY think! Because, really, who cares!!??
You have taught me to be brave in my style, to love better, to laugh more, to scatter joy, to live life FULLY!
I am completely blessed by your friendship and am so excited to share more of our lives together!
Keep smilin'!
Love,
Me

project31 - day 12 and 13

ooops...totally missed yesterday!! boo me! but we did have an incredibly FULL day yesterday and I couldn't imagine having fit a post in there too!! yup...one of those days!

So, here I am chasing my tail, trying to catch up!

12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.

There are several things that wear me out...some self-inflicted, others aren't. The one thing that immediately pops into my mind is that constant pressure to "measure up"...this one comes from within - my own insecurities - but is made worse by society's standards of all things I am: woman, wife, mum. I can't stand feeling like I am always falling short when it comes to society's standards...BUT, a good way for me to combat that would be to stop caring! I know...easier said than done!

Seriously, that's the biggest one for me...seems trivial, but it is something that I struggle with, which brings me to day 13...


13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.

I would L.O.V.E. to be able to be 100% fine with who God created me to be...as me, as wife, as mother. Instead of always comparing myself to "her" and "her" and how "she's so...?" and I could never be like that. It's not helpful...like, at all!! Something that helps me gain some perspective is when I imagine saying the things I do to myself to one of my girls...
I.WOULD.N.E.V.E.R.!!! I could NEVER!! So then why do I think/mentally say those things to myself??

Joyce Meyer says that it's scientifically proven that you believe the most of what you hear yourself say...not what your loving family and friends tell you over...and over...and over. But what you say to yourself!

So...here's a challenge for you (and ME!) ...go now to your bathroom, look at yourself in the mirror and say - out loud, with a smile - I am gorgeous! I am a great wife/friend/woman. God is doing incredible things in me/through me. Great things are in-store. I am beautiful.

And the next time you begin to think something negative about yourself...STOP! RIGHT THEN! And reaffirm yourself with 5 positive thoughts! It's hard...but SO worth it!

That's something I am hoping/trying to change about myself...for the better!

there ya go...two days in one...and again no pictures :(

hope you're having a great weekend!

project31 - day 11

11:: Post a recipe.

okay...normally I'd be all over that one...hence my other blog! Find it on the side-bar and go take a peek if you haven't!

but normally, i don't have the flu and haven't puked up everything i've eaten...all.day.long!

So the only recipe i'm interested in at the moment is "how to get this bug outta the house!!...like, NOW!"

sorry guys...that's all I got!

project31 - day 10

10. What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)

HA! I don't mean to be harsh regarding this question, but seriously?! What isn't He teaching me, would be a far better wording for the question! Dontchya think?!

Okay, back to the question:

As a wife, He is teaching me to love without expectation. Now, I don't want you to get the wrong picture of what that looks like. My guy is an in.credible guy! Helps without asking, awesome Dad and a better house-keeper than I'll ever be! But...when I start getting these expectations in my head about how he should be doing things, or what he should do for me...it only puts unknown pressure on him to "measure up" to something he knows nothing about! Now, I don't know about you, but I like knowing what's expected of me!

So...ya, I hope that makes more sense. I am trying to love him for him!

I am trying to be a better homemaker and not feel inferior when he cleans the house in a fraction of the time that it takes me.

I am trying my best to not do the those little things that I know irk him, that would be easy for me to stop, but I just haven't.

God wants me to be the best I can be in all situations. And as a wife, He has brought these particular things to mind.

As for a Muma, I strive daily to live up to what it says in Proverbs 31:26 - "She speaks with wisdom, and on her tongue there is tender instruction."

God has, thankfully, blessed me with these incredible girls and has also shown me how fast this time will be gone...never again to be relived.

I am trying so hard to "not sweat the small stuff" and breath my girls in for who they are right.now.

I am trying, with His help, to have grace in all situations. Grace that He so freely gives to us, but grace that I am often led to believe needs to be earned by my girls in order for me to give. How dare I?!

As a friend, I believe that God is really asking my to "share your truths"... meaning to share with my friends the incredible things He has brought us through and the simple truths that have become reality for us.

But in that prompting, I also believe that He is asking me to listen and share when/if appropriate. Not just to bound into a conversation and go on and on about everything about me. But, rather, sit and listen, and when I have dealt with a similar situation, then share to relate.

And...as a woman, God is still chipping away at the ugly wall of lack of confidence and self-deprecation. He is constantly whispering His loving truths into my ear, reassuring me of my abilities for the roles in which He's placed me. It's been a long road, I am just so thankful He hasn't given up on my yet!!

project31 - day 9

9. What virtues do you value in yourself?

Hmmm...well according to Wikipedia: A virtue is a trait or quality deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.

SO...I guess for my sake of better understanding, I could re-phrase the question to read: What morally excellent traits or qualities do I value in myself?

I love to listen to people who are willing to share...and I listen with my whole heart. Sometimes to a fault though...because I get attached to people too easily!

If people are willing to listen to me, I would love to share with them this incredible thing God has brought us through, and is continuing to bring us through. To be able to share the wonders of our loving and faithful Father is something I cherish!

God's truths (some more than others) have been revealed to me recently in a way that really helps me...so I love to encourage others with those truths if a situation presents itself.

It's gotta be "morally excellent" to be able to laugh at yourself...NO?! Well, that's something I'm good at!

My "yes" is my "yes" and my "no" is my "no"...or at least that is something I am striving toward!

God calls us to a life of abundance. Not one where we mope around dwelling on our hardships...because we all have them! So, in order to live a life worthy of His calling I have claimed this year to be one faced with "expectant JOY!" ...expecting good things where I go, of the people I am with, in the situations I find myself.

Choose JOY!

project31 - day 8

8:: Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!

okay...so this one has taken a lot of thought, because I really have nothing to share with you, in this department!

but I came up with two pointers!

#1 is for make-up wearers! My tip is regarding eye-liner! I've only recently stared wearing the stuff, because I finally found one that i can apply without looking like a 12 year old who doesn't know how to put make-up on! And what is it I found?? It's a liquid liner with a paint-brush tip!! So...it's like using a felt (always ready, never needs sharpening!!), and who doesn't like to colour! And...you can't really mess it up because the line is SO FINE!!! So, there's numero uno!

#2 is just for a little way to treat ourselves...a simple little thing you can do to at home to retreat into a mini-spa:) ahhh....
So, here ya go! Get a big bowl of hot, bubbly water...soak your feet in it until they are nice and toasty! Then, get your mixture of a good oil (olive, coconut, grapeseed) and sugar (1:1 ratio) and massage your feet with the mixture! This wonderful scrub sloughs off all the dead, dry skin and once you rinse it off, it leaves your feet feeling like you just had a pedicure!

go ahead and try these tips...I dare ya!!

project31 - day 7

7:: Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.

Dear Friend,

Thank you! For being an example of beauty! For carrying yourself with such humble confidence. I doubt that you know the effect you've had on my own character, and that makes it all the more significant. Your integrity astounds me...your "stick-with-it-ness" inspires me...your sense of humour makes my day...your positive attitude in all situations is an example to me...your courage to take on new/unknown challenges pushes me...your love for your hubby and children (where applicable) refreshes me.
Thank you, so much, for your constant display of beauty to me...on every level!

Your friend,
me

project31 - day 6

6:: Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?

HA...sorry! but I think the question should read "HOW has the world's definition of beauty jaded you?"

To be completely honest, the world's definition of beauty has always jaded me...and it continues to do so.

It is something I have always struggled with...and, by the grace of God, something I will be less jaded by as I grow older and deeper in my realization of importance and perfection through Christ.

I can honestly remember being jaded by "beauty" as early as Gr. 1!! Can you believe that?!?! Grade ONE! I would have been 6 years old...and already made to feel that I didn't measure up.

Those feelings of "falling short" in the beauty department continued through the rest of my adolescence in some way or another...whether it be fashion trends I could not be a part of because the items weren't made in my size, or simply being visually fed that offensive barrage of cover-shots on magazines that just scream "you'll never look like me; therefore, you'll never EVER measure up."

I tried everything.you.could.imagine. to try and "fit in" to the world's standards...all the while battling my thoughts of what the Bible says is truth, and true beauty.

I spent many, many tear-filled nights on my Mum's bed screaming at her to stop telling me I was beautiful, because I felt she HAD to say that...after all, she was my mother!

So yes...I've certainly been jaded by the world's definition of beauty...and I still am.

My only prayer is that I can rise above that and raise my girls to be confident women of God a lot sooner than it's taken me!

you are beautiful...say that out LOUD! And...believe it!!

project31 - day 5

5:: Write a post thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.

well, this one's easy-peasy! That would HAVE to be my incredible hubby!
I met the guy at a point in my life where even I didn't know who I was...
he stuck around,
laughed at my jokes
and didn't seem to be bothered by my severe lack of self-confidence
(I would have said, at the time, it was because "he's a guy" and wouldn't even have that on his radar...but nuthin' gets past this guy!!)
he saw my pain
but didn't push advice
he simply befriended a girl who needed someone...like him
neither of us knew it at the time!
2 years went by and we were still friends
neither thinking anything about the other
and then...
with all the support
with all the late night
heart-to-heart chats,
we both started to realize
there may be something more here.

he made a meat-eater out of a reluctant vegetarian
he patiently sat at my side as I shared my pain
he laughed with me...and at me
he didn't care one.bit. what other people thought...and still doesn't
he offered help and meant it
he helped me believe in my potential
he made dates...and kept them
he encouraged me through my last years of my degree and listened to my rants even though he had no clue what I was going on about!
he faced my family with not an ounce of intimidation...not an easy feat!
he shared God's truths with me and helped me make them my own
he talked about...and still talks about...my Dad
he dreams...big
he believed in me...and still is my biggest fan
he loved me when i couldn't even stand myself

he loves to make me laugh

he is an IN.CREDIBLE Dado

my heart is alive because of this man...and I am blessed INDEED!

...i love you Babe.

project31 - day 4

Style 31 - My Favourite Outfit

Okay...well although this may NOT be...actually, IS NOT...the most flattering outfit, you can be sure to see me in apparel similar to this most days of the week!

I {heart} comfort...and my clothing style mirrors that...I think:P


So here I am, me and my hair...(with two monkeys who most certainly MUST belong to a very unruly mother who lets them make crazy faces at cameras....*pfft* some Mum)...in my newest "comfy" item from Christmas...and what you can't see is a pair of ultra-comfy lounger-pants!! Hmm...kinda makes me wanna stay in this ALL.DAY.LONG!

happy day...