Happy Belated Birthday (And Welcome Back) Striving for Simplicity!!

Wow-I just realized that while I’ve been on a bit of a “blogging break” my blog officially turned a year old!  So Happy Belated Birthday to “Striving for Simplicity”!!  I enjoyed reflecting on some of my first blogs and seeing how much both I and our family have grown over the last year. Not just in number but we’ve grown closer to God and to each other enjoying many simple moments and making some precious memories!  While we've been doing this my blog has been pushed aside but I'm ready to get back into a routine and return to some accountability - so ready or not I'm going to be back to more of a "normal" blogging schedule.

 

Now as I get ready to settle into a fall routine, I’ve looked back over my first few entries and my priorities.  (In case you missed my first post on what this blog is all about then you can read it here.)

 

Now looking forward I still have the same top five priorities but a few different ideas on how to live them out:

1.        God –  I still have my Good Morning Girls group to help hold me accountable for putting Him first in my day.  I’m also excited to announce that while we are between sessions, I’m going to be doing a challenge here on the blog I’m calling the 15/15 Challenge.  This challenge will begin Sunday, September 2 and will involve giving God the first 15 minutes of your day for 15 days.  I’ll have blog posts everyday for those 15 days (yikes!) which will include daily scripture, a daily challenge, and even a couple giveaways so stay tuned! I’ll have my first vlog (if I don’t chicken out) and more details coming up tomorrow so stay tuned!!

2.       Family – I’m still all about family night once a week; however, I’ve also realized that for us it’s impossible to have a set night of the week to do it.  It’s easier for me to just look ahead to the next week and then decide what will work best for us.  I’m also planning to start back with Tot School after Labor Day.  “Miss Priss” has asked often about that so get ready for those posts to return once a week!

3.       Friends and Community – I’ve missed my “visiting” over the summer.  I’ve been able to start it back the last couple of weeks and it’s amazing how you go to someone’s house hoping to lift them up or be a blessing and leave being so blessed yourself!  Now that “Miss Priss” is a little older I’m hoping to really involve her more in our visits and “random acts of kindness”.  Hoping to be able to incorporate making cards, basic “cooking” skills, etc. into our Tot School and then deliver our goodies on a visiting day!

4.       Home – I’ve stuck with my original cleaning schedule and it’s really working for me!  I love investing an hour or so a day into cleaning and that leaving me free to do the other things that are more important! We were very blessed over summer to be able to do a couple projects around our home.  I’m still hoping to share some cleaning and decorating tips, along with some other things that are working around our home as we go throughout this next year.

5.       Health- Last year I set all these goals out then found out a few weeks later I was pregnant so this one didn’t make it anywhere last year! I am registered for my first 5k on Labor Day although I have to confess I have not stuck with my Couch to 5K program very well and probably will be doing more walking than running but at least it’s a start!  I’ve also been trying to eat more natural, whole foods and to only eat when I’m hungry. It’s amazing what a difference that makes!

 

So there’s my little check-in for the upcoming blog year. I’m looking forward to seeing what God has coming up for me and for this blog as we begin our second year continuing to keep our priorities in order and strive for simplicity!

 

Is it time for a priority check-up in your life?  Have you enjoyed anything from this blog this first year?  Anything you’d like to see or read about in the upcoming year? I’d love to have your input!