Category: Blog (Page 1 of 6)

Well, the world has certainly changed since February book roundup. Here’s March’s reads.

5/5 stars

Be Brave in the Scared: How I leaned to Trust God During the Most Difficult Days of My Life by Mary Lenaburg

5/5 stars

If you read my last blog, then this one will look familiar. This book was excellent and so much of what I needed to hear as I’ve been working on forgiveness, healing and allowing God in to do the work that I can’t do. In such an uncertain time for our country/world, this is an excellent book to start your day with and remember that so much of our life is out of our control but God never is. He is intentional and lets nothing go to waste. This is a book I will pick up again and again and I know I’ll get something new out of it every time I read it.

Still Amidst the Storm by Conor Gallagher

5/5

Do you ever look back and see how God was preparing you? That’s how I felt a week after reading this when quarantine started to be our most frequent word. It’s about living right now in this moment. Living in the past is living in resentment and living in the future is living in anxiety. Unfortately for all of us, living presently is also living in anxiety. But something else to remember is we have so little control over most of the things in our lives, so focus on what you can do and find peace in the other areas. I know it’s easier said than done. But if we wake up and are intentional with our thoughts and actions and we decide to open up those hard places to God, we start letting go of anxiety and all of those negative emotions that tag along.

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett Graff

5/5 stars

This book was also mentioned in my last blog. It’s an oral history of  9/11, meaning from people from all walks of life contributed their experiences from 9/11. It’s truly remarkable. I can’t imagine some of the things people saw that day, bodies falling from the sky,  the heroism of fire fighters, police and ordinary citizens, seeing the planes hit the different buildings. I’m sure it felt like they were living out a nightmare they couldn’t wake up from. Above all this book gave me courage and hope for humanity. Even when we are going through the worst we can still find strength and help one another up and out of despair.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

4/5 stars

If you love LONG, EPIC novels, this book is for you. It took me so long to get through, not because it was bad but…hmm, I don’t know. It was detailed and some less exciting times throughout. I don’t know how to explain. But if you like time traveling, love, and action, you may like this. I haven’t decided if I will continue with this series (I have several other books to attend to first). Have you read this book/series? Did you like it?

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
5/5 Stars

This is a great book for all of us to read. Racism is the main focus and how it slinks around in our lives in a variety of ways. It is SO important to understand the ways we may be exhibiting it because ignorance is NOT bliss. This book was interesting because it showed different ways people are racist, some without even realizing they are (scary). I think it’s important to read books that remind of us of these things, because often times, whether we want to admit it or not, there are thoughts and assumptions we make about others. Again, ignorance is not bliss.

5/5 stars

I saw this book floating around my friend’s pages and thought I’d give it a go with my friends Kayleigh and April (they both loved it too!). The main character is a woman, fire fighter who is completely jaded about love. But as these stories go, that doesn’t last too long and she comes to find that forgiveness is freeing and is road that should be sought out whenever possible and if it’s stubbornness preventing you from seeking it to try and let go of that pride because you never know when your time may run out. An easy, sweet book I didn’t want to put down.

I’ve got a little time on my hands and when this happens my brain needs more to do. I’ve been reading a lot and trying to work off the energy with walks. My cousin posted a Facebook status, “Ask me my top three anything,” and I thought that might be a fun thing to blog about. So I asked Facebook and Instagram for suggestions. I got a lot of responses, so here goes.

Accomplishments 

1. My 3 births- Labor and delivery aren’t easy and experiencing pain is not my strong suit, in general I’m a wuss, but I really wanted to go all natural with each birth and I did (I didn’t even cuss for the 2nd and 3rd!). I’m so proud of my body and my strength and grit.
2. Breastfeeding all 3 kiddos for 25 months, 23 months and 30 months!)
3. Being Resilient- While no child should have to be resilient in the way I had to be, I look a little Isha and I’m proud of her for pushing through what she did. I figured adult life out (college, job, bills, etc) mostly on my own.

Fears

1. Without a doubt, losing my children in any way, shape or form.
2. Noises at night that seem out of place.
3.  Mass panic, people are worrisome

Hopes

1. I hope that my children can look back on their childhood and know that even though they didn’t have a perfect mom, that they had one who loved them tremendously and who tried every day to make them feel loved, safe and cared for.
2. I hope to one day to a lot more traveling, around the country and around the world. Maybe even in an RV!
3. I hope that I’m living life the right way.

Cant live without

1. Books
2. Laughter
3. Family

(not in that order, LOL)

Travel Destinations

1. Hawaii-The absolute most beautiful place I’ve ever been to. Josh and I went on our honeymoon. The sunsets were magical and the food was so good.
2. Michigan-We go every summer! There are so many small beach towns to visit, we try to find a new one every year. Sleepy Bear Dune, in Northern MI, may be my favorite area.
3. Gatlinburg, Tennesse-I love being around the mountains, eating all of the yummy places and going hiking. I really want to get back down there and stay in a cabin for a week.

Movies (this was really hard, I dont really watch a lot of movies)

1. The Hunger Games & Harry Potter
2. The Dark Knight
3. Iron Man/Avengers movies

Books

1. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
2. The Giver by Lois Lowry
3. Harry Potter series by JK Rowling and The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

Songs

1. Wonderwall by Oasis
2. The Beautiful Letdown-Switchfoot
3. A Little More-Skillet

Pics of gRegor (please remember these questions were submitted to me).

Our first photo, 2007

gRegor and Jdragz and their adopted baby

Gor and Henry, 2013

Gor and Peyton 2015

Recipes

1. Zoupa Touscana
2. Fried Rice
3. Cheesy Potatoes (I can email my recipe, it’s not online)

Places I want to visit

1. Italy
2.  California & the Pacific Northwest
3. London

Some of these really made me think, had to reach back in my memory, but it reigniting my love for Switchfoot and Skillet. Maybe I’ll watch some old movies or reread some old books. Thanks guys!

I saw some people asking for book recommendations on Facebook so my friend Stephanie over at Mrs. Bishop-A Motherhood, Beauty, and Lifesyle Blog  and I thought we would drop some recommendations of some of our must-reads-to-help-you-survive-quarantine-list. Please check her blog post HERE!

First I wanted to share some awesome apps that every book lover should take full advantage of.

OVERDRIVE

If you have a library card you have access to your library’s ebook/audiobook/read to me (for kids) collection. FREE OF CHARGE. This app transformed my life when I was nursing a baby 24/7. I was still able to read even though I wasn’t able to hold a book (which is my preferred form of reading).

HOOPLA

Hoopla is another free resource libraries may have. In addition to books/audiobooks, Hoopla also has movies, television and music. Also free, but with more restrictions on how many items you can check out per month.

GOODREADS

This may be my favorite app. I track all of my reading and find a lot of books this way. It’s interactive and you can see what you’re friends are reading and what they like. I use it daily.

Okay,  onward to the books!

If you need a good laugh/if you’re a parent/if you love food:

Dad is Fat or Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan

I read these several years ago and still remember the laugh-out-loud fun they were. Josh and I listened to Dad is Fat on a road trip and I read a lot of Food: A Love Story to him out loud. I’m not exaggerating when I say he was laughing so hard he cried. These books are great options to listen to with your spouse (or by yourself) at night if you need a good laugh/stress relief. Jim Gaffigan reads them so it’s extra funny to hear them in his voice.

If you want to escape into the future/you like sci-fi type novels:

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I loved this book, it hooked me from the start. It’s a good one if you like dystopia type novels too. In some ways we are kind of living the future of this book right now, as many people in the novel didn’t leave home much and lived in the internet of the future. But hopefully all of you are getting outside to bask in the sunshine when it peeks out. A great novel for anyone who loved the 80s too. A lot of energy and nonstop action.

If you want to escape reality and fall in love with a novel:

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Now this isn’t a super happy novel. But you know what, maybe you need a good cry. This book will absorb you and sweep you away to Alaska. I have loved everything I’ve read by Kristin Hannah (The Nightingale being one of my favorite novels of all time, check that one out if you love historical fiction). You’ll fall in love with the main character and learn about resilience and see how love can transform and save you.  I loved every aspect of this book and it made me want to dive into learning more about surviving in Alaska. (Trigger warning: there is parental abuse in this novel).

If you want to seek spiritual solace:

Be Brave in the Scared: How I Learned to Trust God During the Most Difficult Days of My Life: by Mary E. Lenaburg

I just finished this book a week or so ago and I already feel like this book is so timely that I should pick it up again and reread it. These are uncertain times, we don’t know what tomorrow will look like. But we don’t have to sit in fear and anxiety. God wants to hear all of our big feelings, He wants you to let him into those places. He wants you to stop trying to figure it out on your own. Each chapter ends with some reflection, a relevant Bible verse and space to journal.

If you prefer nonfiction/audiobook:

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff

I really struggled on suggesting this one. It’s an excellent novel but I think parts (the stress of 9/11 itself) might turn on someone’s anxiety. However it’s also one of the most recent American tragedies that induced fear like we are experiencing now. And this novel shows the American spirit we all must have right now. It shows that people were willing to go into a burning building to save someone they didn’t know. It shows people choosing to stay with someone and die rather than leave them behind. And I think it’s a good reminder that we can overcome anything if we approach It with humanity and good will.  This book is a compilation of many many different people’s  (from government officials, to fire fighters to citizens) perspectives on and after 9/11.  I learned so much about 9/11 that I didn’t know about, so many details I had never heard (I was only in 8^th grade at the time). I listened to this on audio and I really think reading it  would do an injustice to this novel. You must listen to the different voices, you must hear the recordings from the planes, hear President Bush speak. If you want to be reminded that we can overcome great struggles, maybe this is the novel you need.

Please comment under this post any book you feel is a must read during this time. And if you read any of these or Stephanie’s picks, let us know what you think!

I realize February isn’t over but it isn’t likely that I finish any of the books I’m reading now before Saturday. I only read 3 books this month, it was a slower month for me than January.

Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters

2/5 stars

I listened to this book on audio while I laid in bed with the flu, so my low star count may be because I did the audio, sometimes depending on how it’s read a book does not come off as well as it would if I had read it, it’s hard to explain. This book is a romantic comedy, about a girl who is trying to help a writer write something based on her meet cutes (a funny/interesting way two people meet which leads to them dating) that she tries to spring on unsuspecting men. I didn’t really like any of the characters and I was just kind of waiting on it to end (obvious ending too). It was okay and worthy enough of a flu sick day.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

5/5 stars

This is the 3rd or 4th book I’ve read by Hoover and I have had a hard time putting all of them down. This one didn’t disappoint. Without giving too much away it centers on lost loves/past relationships and how sometimes even time and space can’t erase love/connection. Quick, great read.

Saint Monica and the Power of Persistent Prayer by Mike Aquilina and Mark Sullivan

5/5 stars

I’m reading this book with my Mom’s group at church, technically we are only on chapter 6 but I finished it quickly during my morning reading time (try to read a spiritual type book every morning). This was a great book about Saint Monica (Saint Augustine’s mother). Saint Augustine was kind of a hot mess but ended but being one of the greatest Saints of the Catholic faith and even outside of the faith he is well known and often quoted. It was easy to relate to this book because as a parent we all just want our kids to 1. Know and love God and 2. Just be okay. It’s hard sometimes to realize we have little to no control over pretty much everything. And even though the same was true for Saint Monica she never despaired, she prayed and even followed Saint Augustine. And though it took something like 16 years, Saint Augustine returned to the faith. I will likely reread this one.

Currently reading:

Be Brave in the Scared by Mary Lenaburg

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff

Due to multiple illnesses in January, I was able to read 7 books, a successful start to the year. Here they are.

3/5 stars

This book was not what I expected. I loved one of Jewell’s other books last year, I couldn’t put it down and this one was just very different. It hooked me but it was hard to read, there was a negativity and darkness about that was hard for me to read through. I kept expecting the worst to happen next. So it just wasn’t an uplifting read in anyway for me. It wasn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t the one for me. The main character, was adopted as baby and when she turns 25 she inherits a house. In the course of the book you find out what happened in the house and why she was adopted.

The Explosive Child by Ross Greene

5/5

The title of this book is scary! This is really just a parenting book that focuses on lagging skills kids may have and ways to help them solve them in order to be successful. I realized last year that I myself have lagging skills and I’m trying to read and study as much as I can to help give my kiddos the skills they need to be exactly who they are supposed to be.

Parenting From the Inside Out by Dan Siegel

5/5 Stars

This was such a good book, I should just order it and keep reading it until it all sinks in. If you’ve had an trauma as a child (or as an adult), this is a great place to start (and therapy after if you need it). Trauma or adverse childhood experiences do change your brain, but you can repair that damage. Half of each chapter is science based research (I skimmed most of that part). Fascinating read.

Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

3/5 stars

Kayleigh asked if I wanted to read this book. I started it years ago but didn’t get into it at the time. This time I started and finished it quickly. It was one of those books that I read quickly and enjoyed but finished feeling…hmm. Some of the transitions weren’t easy to follow and the last quarter of the book I felt like was a poor way to wrap up and end, it just didn’t seem plausible to me.

The Whole Brain Child by Dan Siegel

5/5 stars

This book is so good, I will likely read it again (May be one that I buy). Parent or not, this book just helps you understand yourself more. It will definitely make you a better parent, more patient and understanding. The brain is such a fascinating thing!

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

5/5 stars

My first 5/5 stars for a fiction novel, I do not give many of those out for fiction books. This book is a book about women and books and how books change lives, about how books can be your best friend, about how books can find you just where you are. It’s a book about friendships that run deep and not following the status quo. It’s good one.

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas

4/5 stars

This was the final book in a very long series. I’m not saying you shouldn’t read it (if you like love and war, then yes, go for it), but the books are long and detailed and can feel cumbersome. Normally this book would’ve taken me weeks to read but thanks to the flu I read it in a week or so. I appreciate how the series was wrapped up and I’ll miss the characters a little. But man, just so long!

I was scrolling Instagram when the news broke about Kobe Bryant’s death. I’m not a huge fan, I didn’t follow his career but like most Americans I know him, he’s one of the greatest, his name is up there with MJ, Reggie, Lebron. You don’t need his last name because you know his first. I read it and audibly gasped. I just looked at Josh and said, “Kobe died.”

Some deaths, they’re just more shocking than others. They cause you to pause longer. They make you look at yourself say, “Wow, I really am going to die.” I imagine in those final moments that the thoughts of Kobe and the other parents in the helicopter turned to their children, wanting to save their children and knowing they couldn’t. And that makes me break inside. I really can not fathom the despair that happens inside of a parent in a moment like that. It’s what makes these deaths harder, because our children are so precious.

Kobe, his daughter Gianna, and the others who died yesterday didn’t wake up knowing they would. They woke up, went to church and were ready to go play their favorite game. Like them, our next moments aren’t promised and we can’t know if we will make it home every night.

Tomorrow isn’t promised. And you know that. And I know that. But how quickly do we forget that? How quickly do we forget to just love a little better each day. How quickly do we fall into the trap of being annoyed at the little things or even the big things, that maybe aren’t really big in the grand scheme. How often do we forget to really just live and breathe to the fullest extent that our bodies will let us.

I don’t know.

I just know life is fragile. And you woke up today and you really don’t know what’s going to happen and you might wake up tomorrow but maybe not.

So say the thing you need to say. And slow down and listen to your children laugh, let them lay on you and feel their bodies full of life. Make your favorite meal. Text an old friend. Write a letter. Tell your mom you love her. Forgive. Go to church. Devour a book. Run. Wake up early and watch the sunset. Show up. Love your family.

All you have is right now.

Truthfully, today kind of sucked. My ears still hurt, I didn’t sleep well and emotionally I was just off. Aside from taking the kids to the eye doctor (perfect vision for H and P, A didn’t have a check up), we didn’t do much aside from play, watch tv and read. And I’ve read recently that simply listing the things you’re grateful for can boost your emotional health, so here goes.

• I love the sound of the dryer. I’m so thankful to have a washer, dryer and dish washer. And the sound of the dryer going in the evening always gives me a warm (lol) feeling
• I love the random things my kids say. Today Peyton said that she wished she could meet MLK in real life. She also said “it is snowing! How smart is Jesus for that?”
• I love watching Henry draw, he’s been recreating all of Mo Willem’s books for a few months. He says he wants to be an illustrator now.
• Alexandria says more and more each day, full sentences. But my favorite thing is when she ends a sentence with “Mama,” my heart just melts. “See snow, Mama? See snow everywhere Mama?”
• I love days where we just do nothing (even though I feel bad at the same time).
• I love great books that absorb you.
• I am thankful that though today may feel like this, there is hope that tomorrow will feel better.
• I’m thankful when the kids don’t have school, I miss them a lot when they’re gone.
• Running hot water.
• MLK
• I started watching This is Us and I cry (sob) every episode. Josh doesn’t get it, ha. But it’s kind of therapeutic, especially Randall’s storyline. Sometimes it’s nice to know you’re not the only person who has ever felt the way you feel. And the show/acting are just fantastic.
• Chocolate cake (thx J)
• Time to journal and just get it out
• The moment when the fog begins to lift and you can see the light again.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my second semester of freshman year of college. I transferred to IUPUI (from ISU) that semester and lived in Ball Hall, which at the time was the only dorm at IUPUI.

The semester prior, I attended ISU, where I had a meal plan and ate too much food in the cafeteria every day. One time I had 7 bananas in one day just because I was clearly not as funny as I thought I was (thankfully now I’m as funny as I think I am). I had Captain Crunch for dinner a lot. My boyfriend at the time lived in Bloomington, I visited him every weekend and we ordered Avers Pizza at night and Jimmy Johns at 2pm when we woke up the next day. To say I gained the Freshman 15 would be an understatement.

But at at IUPUI, between the walking to campus and the eating maybe twice a day, that all came off. I shopped for food to keep in my dorm room because there was no meal plan, only options at the food court on campus (blocks away from the dorm, which I couldn’t afford). I also had very little culinary skills and an even smaller palette. So that semester I lived off bologna and mustard sandwiches and cans of Spaghetti-os that I warmed in the dorm microwave. Even if I had had better skills in the kitchen, I didn’t have the money to back it up. I had no job, no support and I was living off scholarship money.

I was so hungry. All. The. Time. Sometimes I would get back from class and jump in the shower and I would become light headed, to the point of almost passing out, from eating so little.

This is probably where I should stop and apologize to my roommate for never leaving the room except for class (I was never there on the weekends at least). I laid on the top bunk, studied and plowed through every season of Grey’s Anatomy (this was actually her fault, she introduced it to me) and man, once you started that show you couldn’t stop. I’m sure the aroma of Spaghetti-os and bologna wasn’t appetizing. I’m sorry Heather, I was just a hungry introvert with no friends (it was difficult to make friends a predominately commuter school, when you enter mid year).

Despite nearly starving, I look back at the semester warmly. At that time I was a Criminal Justice major (changed to English later) and thrived in those classes, the topics were fascinating to me. I loved the routine of going to class, studying, almost passing out in the shower and having free time to just do whatever (laying in my dorm room alone). I remember that…that inching away from who I had had to be in childhood and finding who I could be without that chaos around me.

Sometimes memory lane is a nice little road to travel. Although, I am thankful for a full belly and house full of fun (with no bologna ever again).

January sunsets don’t disappoint

Historically, January has been my darkest month of the year. It’s probably the combination of coming down from the holidays, coldness, no sunlight and just nothing happening all month. This year I was determined to fight the down feeling that seems to pervade every crevice of my life, so I made a plan and so far, 8 days into the year, I’m feeling the best I have in January in a long time (ya know, aside from the double ear infection which I finally feel mostly whole from today).

1. Go Outside/Sunlight

Living in Indiana does not make the winter easy (especially if you suffer from SAD). The sun is generally not around and the cold can be very bitter. This year, so far it has been warmish (upside to global warming) and the sun has been shining. I have spent time outside every day this week. A lot of it has just been wrapped up in a blanket with my face to the sun (because I’ve been sick), but one day the kids and I hiked around and played Star Wars.

I also asked for a therapy light for Christmas. It looks like a little iPad and it mimics sunlight. I’ve been turning it on and sitting with it while I do my morning reading (or now why I write).

2. Vitamins/Diet

A healthy diet is not my strong suit, it is something I always battle. Eating bad food is just sometimes how I deal with everything. So naturally I am deficient in the vitamins I need to even feel good. In fact, I recently got a trim and my hairdresser noted my hair seemed unhealthy (brittle). Yes, thank you, 2019 wasn’t my best year. So each morning I’ve been trying to take an array of vitamins to help replenish what I am lacking in diet.

3. Writing/Reading

Writing and reading are my outlets, what I’m “good” at (or at least what I’m not bad at…hopefully). It’s why I enjoy doing. And while generally I already read most days, there have been several books I’ve started and have just been lazy about finishing. Or there are times I waste just scrolling around on social media that I could be putting to better use. So far I’ve finished 2 books that I had started last year and have made progress in several others.

I’ve also been reading books that are helping me solve my actual problems. It turns out that I don’t know everything about parenting and I have leaned on yelling/just telling them what to do and guys, if you have a smart, strong willed child like I do, that just doesn’t work. You need to understand how their brains work, you need to understand why you parent the way you do and how you can improve. You can learn and make plans to figure whatever problem out that is weighing you down. And you’re likely not the first person to encounter it. There’s a book for that.

That 2nd book sounds scary, it’s just about problem solving with your children

I’ve been journaling every day. I’ve been stopping to journal when my worries/anxiety start to turn on and build up. I’ve been taking a moment to recenter myself. It’s okay to need a break.

And obviously I’ve blogged more in the last two weeks then I have in the last couple years. But the writing side of my brain seems turned back on. I narrate stories in my head again that I could share. It’s hard to explain, but a flip has been switched back on.

Writing really is therapeutic guys, it’s been proven to help our brains process things.

(And I’ve sent 3 letters out!)

4. Physical Activity

Everyone knows that the more you move the better you’ll feel. I haven’t been able to workout this year (but hopefully today that will change!). We are renewing our gym memberships, I’ve got new sneakers and I’m ready to rebuild my healthy body. Intense workout is also a great way to keep anxiety at bay.

5. Prayer/Self Talk

I know you’re not all religious out there and when someone says “just pray about it” it’s easy to roll your eyes. I even do it sometimes! But I also know there’s power in prayer and that God does not leave us to do this life alone. He is present in real way.

There’s also a lot of power in self talk. I sit here and I motivate myself with reminders every day: I am capable. I am worthy. I am loved. I can do hard things. I make plans and problem solve the things that weigh on me and give me anxiety. I no longer want my thoughts to bury me.

6. Be Present

It is SO easy to just want to escape into mindless scrolling. There’s something about it that soothes our brains like a drug does. But guys it really doesn’t. It’s a temporary comfort. Set your phone down, pick up something else. Go stare at the sky. Breathe in fresh air. Crank your music. Spend 15 minutes tackling a project. Plan a family night. Read a chapter in a book.

7. Let Go

Therapy. I know it can have a negative connotation and that mental health/illness can be something we want to hide or not be forth coming about. But I can not stress enough that your mental health is the most important health you can have. So if you need to talk to someone, do whatever you need to do to make that happen.

It will help your let go of the things you are holding on to, the trauma that changed your brain, it can be repaired. There is hope.

And I know, I do, that this is all hard. It doesn’t happen over night. I lived in a fog for so long I couldn’t even sit down and say…I need to change, I need healthier solutions. Take it each day, do 1% better each day. Small changes, become big improvements.

And reach out if you need to. We are all out here trying to do the best we can each day.

And finally, be kind to yourself.

New year, new me? Right? I hate that saying as much as you do. I know resolutions sometimes get a bad rap, but for me it is helpful to measure things in a year’s span (and maybe even month by month this year). When I look back at 2019, it feels like…just a bad year. Not because we didn’t do fun things or have new experiences but because I struggled so much emotionally. I need to take time and reflect on all of the good though, and not let the darkness overshadow all of the light. My phone created a video of 2019 in review and it was absolutely beautiful. I know I have a blessed life, it’s just not always easy to feel that, but that’s getting better.

I am hopeful for 2020, it just looks like a good number. And despite starting it with a double ear infection and no running water for the time being (bye $), I know it will be full of light even if the darkness sometimes tries to overshadow it.

Here are my hopes for 2020:

FAITH

• Attend adoration 1x a month
• Take more time for daily prayer (interrupt those moments in my day that I need to take a step back and center myself).
• Read one spiritual book a month (take time daily to read scripture on top of this).
• Go on a retreat

FAMILY/HOME

• Declutter, declutter, declutter
• Create new spaces to be better organized (for library books, mail, paperwork, etc).
• Purge closets, create better systems
• Try new recipes (Josh made 1 yesterday, chicken guacamole bacon melt and I tried a new chicken tortilla soup, so good!)
• Buy new windows for the house
• Finish the kid’s bedrooms
• Travel to a new destination (or 2)
• Family night 1x week with fun activities

HEALTH

• Gym/work out 4x a week
• Intermittent Fasting
• Consistently take vitamins
• Get sunlight (real, by pushing myself to go outside even if it’s cold or with my new sunlight therapy)
• Healthier diet/less eating out/actually eat full meals
• Less phone time
• Go outside even if it’s cold

READING/WRITING

• Journaling daily
• Blogging 1x a week
• Write/send letters (do you want one?!)
• Read 52 books
• Read only awesome books 😉

What are your hopes/goals for 2020?