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!

The Most Important Job I'll Ever Have-Part Two

On one hand, I could continue working and we would be financially secure.  Without really having to worry much about money.  We'd be able to go on vacations, finish up the house exactly as we'd planned, maybe even purchase a boat, etc.  However, that also meant "Miss Priss" would have to go in a daycare.  Something neither of us wanted.

On the other hand, I could quit and stay home with her but even IF we could do it financially there'd have to be a lot of sacrifices!  Finances were the biggest part of our decision but it wasn't the only factor.  I also LOVED my job.  I was teaching the grade I'd always wanted to teach with a wonderful group of Christian friends. It was a challenging job where I honestly felt like I made a difference everyday.  It wasn't an easy thing to give up. 

We spent the next few weeks trying budget after budget to see if it was possible, weighing all of our options.  To be honest on paper it didn't look possible to live on the one salary.  However, after much praying we still felt like that was what God wanted us to do as parents and with God all things are possible!  We both knew if that was the direction God was leading then we'd better follow!

So I quit my job.  Even now, almost 2 years later, as I sit writing this in the doctor's office waiting for a check-up on our next little blessing, I can honestly say I've not regretted that decision a single day. 

We still have more "stuff" than I know what to do with and I soon realized that even a family vacation wasn't what my children needed the most.  What they need the most is me and time spent at home giving them a stable, secure and happy childhood. 

My husband asked me this year what I wanted from him for Christmas and I told him nothing-he gives me my gift everyday when he goes to work so that I can stay home with "Miss Priss".  He laughed and said, "Seriously, what do you want?"  But I honestly meant it (although he still got me a little something).  I feel so blessed to be able to have the job of being a full-time Mommy.  In doing so, I truly "have it all".  To be here every step of the way guiding a precious little girl is scary and challenging but to me this is the most important job I'll ever have and because of that it deserves all of me!

"The best thing to spend on your children is time."

                                                            - Louise Hart

The Most Important Job I'll Ever Have-Part One

"Joy comes when you're doing

something with your life and feeling

that you're responsive to God's call." 

Dr. Bryan Cloyd

 
 

Our mission as Christians is to be a witness for Christ.  There's no one that we have a greater impact on as a witness than our children.  Which is exactly why the most important job I will ever have is being a Mom.

I have put off writing this particular blog because I have so many friends (good friends and GREAT moms) that aren't SAHM.  So let me begin by saying that quitting my job and staying at home with "Miss Priss" alone does not make me a better Mom.  However, others have also asked the question of why I felt I had to choose between a career and staying at home.  Don't I know it's possible to "have it all" in today's world?  Yes, I do.  I've been there.  I worked for four months with my daughter at home and let me just say not one of those days did I feel like I "had it all."  Quite the opposite in fact, I felt like everyone was getting the short end of the deal-my husband, my daughter, my students, and myself. 

I ultimately chose to be a SAHM because I felt it was what God was calling me to do.  I felt it was the best way to serve Him and my family.  I truly believe that motherhood is a ministry (hopefully one of these days I'll get to read Sally Clarkson's Ministry of Motherhood). 

I believe God has given us His children to watch over, instruct, and guide and with that blessing comes a great responsibility.  I also feel that their most influential years are the early years and me being with them as much as possible giving them the best care I can give is what He wants me to do.

So you'd think with such strong convictions about being a SAHM it would've been an easy decision for me (and maybe it should've been had my faith of been greater) but it wasn't.  Here's why...

I'd always knew I wanted to be a SAHM.  Then I found out I was pregnant.  My husband was in between jobs and so I was our primary source of income.  Not to mention we'd just started building a new house!  At first I was so angry with myself.  I was thrilled to be pregnant but disappointed because staying at home with the baby was not even an option at this point.  I was a planner and I'd known what I wanted. How had I let it get to this?

So "Miss Priss" was born and I was able to stay at home with her for about 10 weeks.  Then I went back to teaching while my husband stayed at home with her.  Not at all how I'd always pictured my life!  However, even when we may not see it, as long as we trust in Him, God ALWAYS has a plan. 

So I went back to work teaching 1st grade with the attitude that I would do what I could at school, leave it at school, and then come home and be a Mom.  Well, great in theory but not reality.  If you've ever been a teacher you know it's impossible to get it all done DURING school hours.  However, I also knew if "Miss Priss" was in school I'd want her teacher to give her all and expected nothing less out of myself as a teacher.  So I came home as soon as I could after school, then spent time with "Miss Priss" then once she was in bed it was back to school work.  As much as I tried I still felt, as I mentioned earlier, everyone was getting the short end of the deal and I was exhausted!

Even though my husband was doing a GREAT job taking care of her there were still things I was missing and knew I'd never get that time back.  There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't pray he'd get a job and we could swap roles!  I finished out the year teaching.  Then my husband got a job during the summer.  Unfortunately, it wasn't the job we'd hoped he get.  In fact, he would be making about 1/2 of what we'd planned.  Even though it wasn't what WE'D planned, he took the job anyway and then came the grueling decision of what to do next...

Yes, There is Life Without Facebook

Wow!  It's AMAZING what all you I can accomplish when you're I'm not buried in Facebook!  One of my monthly resolutions was to spend less time online, more specifically stay off of Facebook for a couple weeks.  It was definitely a worthwhile goal!  This has been one of the most enjoyable weeks I've had in awhile.  My to-do lists for EVERYDAY have been completed, my house is totally clean, laundry is done, "Miss Priss" is off to a great start on potty-training (no accidents the last 2 days :), supper has been cooked every night we've been home, I've had time to do some walking and things for myself... I could go on but you get the picture!  I've really realized this week how much life Facebook sucks out of me before I even realize it! 

I use FB to keep up with not only friends and social events but I have private group pages with family, church, and my GMG group.  I use it for our little business page and to keep up with new designs others are offering.  I use it to follow other blogs I love.  I use it for shopping and let me say those smocked auctions are an addiction all on their own!  I didn't even realize how addicted to it I was until this week!  I log on to check messages and then I see new pics posted by a friend, a new blog I want to read, an online auction going on, etc. before I realize it I've been on WAY longer than I planned! 

I'm almost embarrassed to admit it but I had a pretty major problem.  Before this week it was the first thing I did when I woke up in the morning and the last thing I did before I went to sleep.  Not to mention the probably 100x I'd check it during the day.  This week I've found myself unconsciously picking up my phone and clicking on the FB icon before I even realized what I was doing it was such a habit!  As the week went on it did get better.

I must confess that I didn't turn off my e-mail notifications because it has become such a MAJOR if not THE MAJOR form of communication for me.  I have responded to a prayer request and a family post- but that's it!  Believe me that's a major accomplishment for me!

When I'm trying to get rid of a bad habit the easiest way for me to do it is replace it with something else.  Sunday I decided my prayer life had definitely been lacking so I decided anytime I had the urge to check FB then I'd say a prayer for someone on my prayer list.  I even put my prayer list up in the kitchen to serve as a reminder.  Boy, has my prayer list been prayed for this week-lol!

While part of me has been tempted to just delete my page, I do believe it is beneficial to me - in it's place!  I plan on continuing life without FB for one more week until my GMG session starts back then I hope to find some way to limit my time using it.  In the meantime, I'm looking forward to seeing what all I get accomplished next week!

Do you have something that takes away from your priorities?  Have you already overcome it? 

Now the question of - Do I post this blog link to Facebook???  ;)

My Simple Life Just Became a Little More Complicated... but in a Good Way :)

         
 Just when you think you may have it all figured out God has a way of reminding you He’s still in control! 

     I had just laid out all my priorities and created my new schedule to incorporate them all when I started becoming so tired I could barely move.  The kind of tired that would come only from taking a whole bottle of Nyquil . . .or being pregnant!    That’s right God has blessed us again and “Miss Priss” is going to be a big sister!   We are so excited about becoming a family of four!

      We’ve known for a couple weeks now but had our first doctor’s visit on Friday and told all of our family and friends over the weekend.  I’m due on April 22^nd and so far everything looks great!  I’m just a lot more tired and nauseated than I was with “Miss Priss” but I guess that has something to do with having her and not being able to slow down as much! 

          When I started this blog, I knew I wanted to be honest not just write about how I wished my life was but how it actually is.  So I must be honest and say I basically took last week off and rested!   Labor Day turned into Lazy Week for me!  While we did not officially have a family night or Tot school we did get to visit with several people and share our good news. 

I also slowed down a bit and enjoyed some simple moments this week:

1.        I decorated our house for fall and started cooking some chili.  The house smelt like fall and I could hear “Miss Priss” with her giggle box on playing with her Daddy.  I had to stop cooking for a minute and just listen to them laugh.

2.       I opened up the computer to check my e-mail and “Miss Priss” said “No 'puter Mommy-sing Jesus Loves Me.”  So I closed the computer and went to the piano and we sat down and sang for about 30 minutes.

3.       Being able to visit with family and friends and see the excitement on their face as we shared our good news!

4.       A Sunday afternoon walk with the family.

          So while I hope we can get back to our “schedule” this week, even if we don’t I’m thankful God's blessings are plentiful and not scheduled!  I also thank Him for all those he's give us thus far and the promise of those in our future too!   Hope you don’t miss the simple blessings you receive this week. I’d love to hear about them!

“It’s the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Living Out My Priorities

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” ~Confucius

 I’ve realized over the last year how true that really is.  God created us for one purpose:  to worship and serve Him.  Yet we I often cram so many things into my daily schedule that I miss the big picture.  I’ve come to understand that my life is only as complicated as I choose to let it be. 

We live in a society with all kinds of modern “conveniences” to save us time and make our lives simpler.  Yet we seem to have less time than ever for what’s really important.   My husband and I went out to eat about a month ago.  As we were waiting on a table, we couldn’t help but notice the family of four beside us.  We waited for at least 20 minutes and not once did that family say a word to each other.  They were all consumed by their hand-held devices.   The hostess called their name and they got up to go to their table the kids still glued to their games.   Whether we realize it or not how we spend our time is a direct reflection of our priorities.  

Don’t get me wrong- those who know me best know how much I love technology.   I’m also guilty.  I know how easy it is to be totally consumed by some of these things.  It’s not just technology either.  We think we must have certain materialistic things and be involved in every extracurricular activity there is.  Yet with all this come attachments and consequences.  We’re too busy to even have dinner together.  We’ve traded in family dinners around the table for quick trips through the McDonalds drive-thru.  Instead of sitting on the front porch actually talking to each other we sit in front of a television or a computer.   Seems like a pretty bad trade to me.   I want the modern conveniences but not at the price of “old fashion” values.    This is where my simple life comes in . . .

It’s still a work in progress but I’m learning to live a simpler life.  To me to live simply means to live out my priorities.   Focus on what’s really important and eliminate everything else.  It’s to live with the things that I truly need and to protect the things I treasure:  my relationship with God, my family, my friends/community, my home, and my health.

 When I quit my job last year, I was worried because I knew living on only one income meant we’d be doing without a lot of “things”.   However, after the end of this first year, instead of wanting more I actually want less!  I’ve found those simple moments spent with those I love are far more precious than anything money can buy!  I always said it but now I’m blessed enough to be living it!  There’s a lot to be said about living simpler and having less.  Here’s a few:

1.        The less that you have the more you depend on God to supply.   

2.       When you simplify, you have less to interfere with what’s really important.

3.        You don’t have as much to maintain, clean, organize, or store.

4.       If you don’t have it you don’t have to worry about how you’re going to pay for it.

5.       There’s less stress and more joy!

                 The purpose of this blog is for me to hold myself accountable for keeping it simple and to document my journey of living a simple life in a complicated world.   I’ll spend the next few blog entries elaborating on my priorities and how I plan on living them out.     I want to share some of these simple moments –like sitting on the porch having a Popsicle with my daughter – that we often miss or let fly by!  I hope you enjoy reading about my journey and take away a quote, tip, or experience that will help you prioritize and simplify your own life!  I'd love to hear from you so leave me a comment!!