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!
