AoG2

Today is day two for my attitude of gratitude. Here's my five for today:

1) The weather was AWESOME today - made me want to take the day off and enjoy!
2) I got my hair cut - I love my hair stylist. She's the best!
3) Tribal relations - I know this makes no sense to others but makes total sense to me.
4) Going to Hoff Park with the family - I love to see my kids play with each other!
5) Gotta love CiCi's pizza...we couldn't stay to play games but we still had a good time!

AoG1

I was cleaning out Aiva's backpack the other day when I came across a journal that I used to keep a few years back. It was a gratitude journal that I used to write down each day things that I was thankful for. I remember at the time that it was helpful for me to reflect each day and see what good things happened even though we as humans look so much to the negative. Call it inspiration or whatever you'd like but I think I'm going to pick it back up starting now! No better time like the present. Here it goes...my top 5 things I'm thankful for today:

1) The beautiful sunshine today - even though it was still a bit chilly the sun warmed my soul as I went out to get the mail at church.
2) Seeing Aiva in the hat my mom got her - it's black and pick stripped. She looks so dag on cute!
3) Going out to lunch with my family. Ana acted so cute. I love it when people watch and enjoy my kids.
4) When Aiva said "Momma, I really like your dinner. You did a fine job."
5) Aiva & I walking to Kroger as Nate and Ana raced us in the car. They beat us but I loved the feel of her hand in mine.

Think about what you're thankful for and reflect on it - focus on the good and not the bad.

Choices

Like I said in a previous post, Nate and I went to see the group 33 Miles and we heard the song below and it’s really stuck with me. Every time I hear it on the CD I have to keep replaying it because it’s very encouraging. Aiva can’t stand to keep hearing it over and over again but she’s getting used to it and will even start singing with me. Pretty funny! Anyway, I don’t know about you but I’ve been in situations when I feel like the description in the chorus. I would feel so bogged down but when I step back and look at what’s standing in front of me, it’s all in how I handle it. The part about how you see your circumstance is all about a choice is so true. I’ve been having to deal with some difficult personalities lately and I’ve been getting frustrated – that’s how I’ve handled it – my choice. After hearing this song, I need to make a choice to not get frustrated but stay positive and look to God for guidance in how to handle those relationships. No matter what happens with the relationships or the situations, I can take comfort in knowing that I’ve handled it correctly and it’s in God’s hands and however He wants to handle it is up to Him. Check out the song below:


Jesus Calling
What do you see when you look at your world today
Is it so full of clutter that you feel like you’re going insane
And you can’t fight back cause you’re just too afraid
and it seems like the clouds in your sky don’t wanna change
You see there’s always another story, another side to every coin,
And how you see your circumstance is all about a choice

CHORUS
When you see the rushing wind, feel the pouring rain
hear the thunder now as the clouds roll in
and you’re blinded by the lightning
do you also hear that still, small voice saying
It’s okay, you’re not alone, you may be scared to death,
But I won’t let you go
You may think the sky above is falling
But can you hear Jesus calling

What do you see when you look at your world today
Do you see a glimmer of hope, or has it all turned to gray
Well start by counting your blessings one by one
Oh and I’m sure right there, you’ll start to see the sun
You see there’s always another story, another side to every coin
And how you see your circumstance is all about a choice

Because the darker the night, the brighter He can shine

Craving

OK...so my blog today has everything to do with what I want. I REALLY WANT SOME MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM! I'm on this eating better kick and I've been counting my calories and working out and things have been going great! I'm feeling really good and I really can't be more proud of myself for sticking with it but let's get down to the topic at hand. A girl can only go so long without ice cream. Maybe other girls aren't like me but I know for a fact it's in my blood. You see my dad is a totally ice cream fanatic so I believe it's genetic. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream that is! I can do other ice cream but there's something about this particular flavor. Oh yeah...it has to be green too! None of this white stuff...it just isn't the same. Nate got the white stuff for me one time and I had him take it back. He doesn't know ice cream like how I do. It's evidently not in his blood. He's got pizza in his blood but that's a whole other post. This is about me and what I want. So, the reason I'm blogging about this particular desire? It's because I can't have it. At least not til tomorrow. I weigh in at church tomorrow and I don't want to tip the scale the wrong way, if you know what I mean! So, instead of grabbing a bowl I'm going to sit and type away my desire to head to Greater's. I really can't believe I'm doing this but you know how you feel when you journal about something and it makes you feel tons better? Well, let's just call this therapy! I'm very much looking forward to Tuesday afternoon after I weigh in! Greater's here I come!

Recap

Last night Nate and I went to the concert and had a great time! It was so fun to not have kids and to have no agenda or schedule. We dropped the girls off at my mom and dad's and headed to Steak & Shake. I know, I know...not the typical place to go out on a date but it was close to Grace and we wanted to be sure to be early so Steak and Shake had to do! I had completely screwed up my eating schedule so I thought I would make a day of an eating schedule gone bad! Notice I didn't say diet - I hate that word! Back to the story! We got to Grace as the doors were opening and found our seats which were in the third row...amazing! We chilled out for an hour and it was finally "game time"! POG performed first and they did their same ole' same ole' songs. Pretty boring but it was fun relivin the old days. The best part of the concert was supposed to be the opening band. 33 Miles...they were awesome! I've heard their songs on the radio but I've never heard of the group. They rocked! Nate picked up two of their CD's so we can jam in the car! Overall it was a great concert. $46 well spent! If you're looking for a good CD pick up their new one!

POG

Tonight Nate and I are going to see Point of Grace at Grace Brethren. We're pretty excited and bummed at the same time. Two of the original girls are no longer with the group and one girl has been with them for maybe two years. It's going to be so weird to see just three girls tonight but I'm hoping that were going to get wowwed! I've never been disappointed with a POG concert so I've got high expectations. We've got good seats so we'll see!! Last year Nate and I saw them in Nashville and it was amazing! We were in the front row of a church and they were right in front of us...so close they could spit on us. Good thing they didn't but it was very exciting! I'll let you know how it goes...until then "I'll be Believing"!!! Glad you're all in my "Circle of Friends"!

Zumba

I just got home from another night of ZUMBA! I opted to not go to MOPS and instead went to ZUMBA! I hadn't had a good workout this week and felt I really needed one. I started ZUMBA last week and I have to admit I felt VERY weird about the whole thing but when I started thinking more about it, I feel like I burn a ton of calories plus I feel like I'm getting a real workout. Last week after Zumba, a co-worker and I were laughing about the whole experience and I'm proud to announce that we both came back for week two! Tonight there were fewer people there than last week but I think I had more fun than last week. Probably do to the fact that there wasn't all the pressure of it being new! If you're interested, it's in Sunbury on Tuesday & Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30 above the old hardware in the square. If you have questions let me know! Hope to see you there!