march goals: miss style

source: pinterest 

Oh mon dieu, I can't believe we are already 3 months into 2015! I also can't believe baseball season is only 1 month away, meaning I am a month away from having 0 life (I'm ignoring the fact that ST games start in 4 days). 

I don't have a lot planned for March, I believe it will act as the calm before the storm for April when I have a lot going on. I mainly plan on working and enjoying my last few weeknights and weekends of freedom! :)

I have unintentionally been neglecting this blog for most of 2015, but luckily I have my dear accountability partner to subtly encourage me...

Anyways, I don't have a ton of goals for March, but here are a few things I am setting my sights on:

1. Clean out my closet: I will do this more thoroughly in April most likely (when I can actually start putting away my sweaters and getting out my Spring clothes), but it wouldn't hurt to start the reorganizing process to help make it less daunting.
2. Finish reading my current book: I am in the middle of a series of books from Amazon (honestly don't know the title). I need to make the time to sit down and finish it, because I really do enjoy the the book -  just get distracted with doing other things.
3. Complete Blogilates calendar for March: I always say I'm going to do this, but I'm really going to make an honest effort this month. Since I don't have any trips planned this is the perfect month to focus on it.
4. Start training for 5k: Tonight I signed up for a 5k at the end of April with my Dad and Uncle. I haven't ran in forever, so I really need to start training - especially this month, because I know April will get away from me.
5. "Do what you can & chill out about the timing": This was posted on instagram today by Mandy Hale, otherwise known as The Single Woman. She captioned it this:

"So often we forget that destiny is about 10% us | 90% God. Yes, we need to show up & be open & do our part, but then we need to step out of the way & let God do His. Without forcing, without hurrying, without controlling. Don't miss out on the blessing because you were either unwilling to work for it (your part) or unwilling to wait for it (God's part.)" 

It really spoke to me and the stage of life I currently am. It immediately made me start reflecting upon my own mental state and my own need to chill out. This is without a doubt the biggest goal of mine this month - too truly embrace this and let God take the lead. 

That's all for March... we'll see how much I am actually able to accomplish! :)

1 John 4:19

Valentine’s Day.  The day we celebrate love and relationships.  Perhaps you are jetting off for a romantic weekend, or have fancy dinner reservations or maybe even re-visiting that special place where you realized your significant other was, “THE ONE.”  Maybe you’re single and have vowed to renounce all things resembling roses, candy, hearts or teddy bears.  Or maybe you’re like me, whose husband scheduled to be away at a coaching conference Friday-Sunday and did not even realize until he went to add it to his calendar that it was Valentine’s Weekend.  So instead of any of those romantic things, you like me, will spend Valentine’s Day on your couch in yoga pants eating Chinese take-out and watching HGTV with your dogs.  Y’all, I love that man. 

Let me be transparent.  Coach Husband & I have never been huge Valentine’s Day people.  In college February was the last month he had “off” before football was once again in full swing and so everyday felt like a Valentine’s Day.  He was present, he was rested and I did not have to call out plays from the playbook and see if he knew his routes.  February was the last month before craziness once more ensued and our lives once again became centered on the King of Texas: Football.  Now it’s not nearly as extreme but I am still a half-hearted Valentine’s Day person.  Perhaps it’s the cold weather that is normally laying siege to Texas during that time of year or the fact that Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of the longest stretch of vacation-less days in a teacher’s life.  Or maybe I am one of those people who just cannot stand Valentine’s Day.  Be it what it may, I have always been that person frantically searching for a gift a couple of days before and half-heartedly putting thought into it.  Which for me, is huge.

You see my love language is gifts.  I love giving gifts, I love receiving gifts, I love thinking of gifts to give people.  Gifts y’all, are my thing.  Growing up I just assumed I was materialistic and selfish; I spent a lot of time in prayer about my obsession with gifts.  But during pre-marital counseling Coach & I both took the Five Love Languages Test to see the ways we show love and the ways we feel loved.  As the results came back it all made sense.  My top love language is gifts.  }It turned out to be Coach’s fifth love language, opposites they say, attract} 

The revelation that this was my thing and something I was good at has spurred me on to delve wholly and completely into gift-giving; not because I like “stuff” but because I love thinking of what will brighten someone’s day or finding the perfect little pick-me-up for a co-worker.  With Valentine’s Day approaching I started seriously thinking of what I could do for my co-workers and the three beautiful young women who are student teaching in my classroom.  With seven individuals I needed to think budget but meaningful.  I took myself to Bath & Body Works with a 20% off coupon compliments of my favorite friend Rebecca and settled on some good smelling foamy hand soap in a pretty red.  Once home I scoured the internet for pre-made printable gift tags and stumbled across my new favorite blog, Johnson Ferry Women’s Ministry. 

Side Bar: This Women’s Ministry out of Georgia has already encouraged me to spend time with the Ultimate Gift Giver and I cannot wait to walk and grow with them from states away. 

These sweet ladies had the perfect Valentine’s Gift Tags that referenced the everlasting love of our Father in a subtle yet charming way that I immediately loved.  I attached these tags with a raffia bow and voila!  Today they were delivered on the desks of some pretty precious people!

finished product

The Women’s Ministry would love to share the printable with you as well for any gifts you are giving out this Valentine’s Day!  Click the link to download the set of tags for free and check out the Johnson Ferry Women’s Ministry as well!  They are walking through 52-weeks of Scripture Memory that I am so excited to join with. 

As we move closer to Valentine’s Day and the onslaught of candy, roses and cheesy commercials threatens to overwhelm us all, take a moment and remember why we love and whose love we strive to embody.  Our God is so good, His love so deep and wide we cannot even begin to fathom.  However, through deep friendships, marriage and a walk with Him we can see a glimpse of the love Christ has for the church.  I pray your Valentine’s Day is a day of celebration in the love He has for you first and foremost.

I John 4:19


Love,

February Goals: Mrs

How is February already here?  It seems as if I have blinked and January was gone!  Since January flew by so fast I did not accomplish close to what I was hoping too.  Re-capping January is a little depressing in the terms of goals but thankfully it gives me plenty of things to accomplish in February!

January Re-Cap

teach Dixie to say her prayers

start a gratitude journal

cook dinner every night this month  well every night except one, so I am counting that!

the #365Daysof Truth from She Reads Truth 31 days in & loving every minute of it

cash in coins

February Goals

start a gratitude journal

cash in coins

create a family photo album

I Agree With Abe

“Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be”—Abraham Lincoln

Let me just say, today I was not happy; I did not have a joyful heart or a spirit of thanksgiving.  In fact, the best way to describe me was grouchy.  I am sure the Lord looked down and uttered a sigh of frustration because I did not show His love today as I should have.  But the blessing in it all is that around 12:45, after a morning filled with projectile vomit {not my own, but a sweet baby}, a forgotten lunch, spilled Dr Pepper and a different schedule the Holy Spirit “gently” reminded me that while my joy is in the Lord, “happiness” is a feeling AND a choice.  Had I chosen to be happy that sweet kinder kid’s mom was able to come immediately to take him to the doctor I would have handled the aftermath of the event with more grace.  Had I chosen to be happy that I had food at all that day my forgotten lunch would not have been such the glaring issue.  Had I chosen to be happy that I had finished 75% of my Sonic drink before promptly dumping it across my guided reading table I would not have been a grump.  And had I been happy for the extra 30 minutes in my morning for kids to work I would not have seen my altered schedule as an inconvenience but a blessing.  Happiness is a feeling and a choice. 

While I refuse to live in my feelings, it’s perfectly normal & healthy to acknowledge and alter my feelings.  Because emotions are apart of who the Lord made me to be.  I am an emotional person!  Coach Husband, my best friend Lanear, Bre, my parents & brothers will all attest to this!  I can be a blubbering, snotty tissue mess one minute and a happy-go-lucky girl the next.  I own that I AM EMOTIONAL.  But I refuse to allow those emotions to control my reactions, decisions and interactions with others.  Today dear readers, I failed.  Miserably.  I did allow my feelings to control me instead of the other way around.  But the beautiful, wonderful, crazy fabulous part of it all?  My Savior forgives.  And because He forgives I can try to do better.

So this afternoon, I chose to be happy.

My Top Four Friday Happy Things

watermelon mint scentsy

 

new plumpaper planner

writing & sending valentine’s day cards

this quote.