Back in December when we stayed with the Smith kids (while their parents went to China to pick up their newest little brother, Toby), we took their girls to their dance classes.  Gracelynn got to go with me and she fell in love with “dance class”.  We were able to watch the girls dance on the TV moniters in the lobby.  As Cody and I saw how excited she got, we decided that she could start dance classes when she turned 3 years old.

So, on Monday, her 3rd birthday, we took her to the dance studio and signed her up for classes.

Yesterday was her very first class!  On Tuesday, I could tell she was getting a little more nervous each time we talked about it.  Cody kept reassuring her that it was okay to be nervous, but that she would do GREAT and would love it!   So, on Wednesday afternoon I woke her up from nap and sat her at the table to eat her snack.  She quietly ate, and I could tell her little 3 year old mind was going “a mile a minute”.  After snack I took her back to her room to get her tights and leotard on.  We pulled her hair back and made sure her ballet slippers were in her bag.  Cody came home to take over “kid duty” and I was able to take Gracie Girl to her very first dance class!  (Thank you so much, Handsome Hubby, for understanding and being willing to watch the kids so I could be there to experience this with her!  You are so gracious!  And thank you to the parents of the kids I watch for trusting my hubby with your children as much as you trust me with them!)

Once we got to the studio I tried to take a few photos of Gracie Girl on her first day of classes.  She was still so nervous that the photos didn’t turn out “Picture Perfect” with a bright and cheery, excited smile.  But I’ll treasure them just the same.

I took Gracelynn into the studio and introduced her to the teacher.  After 20 kisses and hugs, she reluctantly chose a little circle to sit on to wait for class to begin.   I sat out in the lobby and watched the class on the TV monitors.  I watched as Gracie went from sitting timidly, watching the teacher, biting her nails (a habit she’s picked up from me, unfortunately), to slowly mimicking the teachers movements, to freely running and dancing and playing with the other students in her class.  All in a matter of 10 minutes or so.

I was so proud of my Girly Girl for being brave and staying in the class by herself.  It was a proud Mommy moment to see her come out of her “shell” and have fun with a class that she was just meeting for the first time.

I took only 3 photos yesterday of the dancing experience.  And they all depict the same nervous little ballerina. But, I assure you, by the end of the class she was ALL smiles and excited to go back again next week!

She just didn’t want a picture to prove it.

This is what I got when I tried to distract her and get her to smile.
Apparently there was something else much more important to focus on.

It’s a day to celebrate!

Today is my Momma’s birthday!

And since it’s my Momma’s birthday, it’s also my Aunt Kelly’s birthday!  (They are twins, afterall!)

So, I’d like to take a moment to sing…

Happy Birthday to you!  Happy Birthday to you!  Happy Birthday to my Momma and Aunt Kelly!  Happy Birthday to Youuuuuuuuuuuuu!

You are both very special ladies!  If anyone has spent any time with you, they know that they won’t go away without smiling or laughing.  Your giggles are infectious and your beauty is unending.  Your hearts are made of gold and reflect the Lord’s love.

I love you both!

How can I simplify our food and consumption?  And what good would that do me and my family?  Several months ago I read a book called Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, not Food.  This, among many other factors, helped me change my diet and my relationship with food.  I went from seeing food as something I deserved and rewarded myself with, to considering food my fuel.  I’ll be honest.  The winter months have proved to be hardest in this journey.  This past Spring and Summer I began eating more veggies, fruit, and less sugar.  As the holidays came around and my activity level decreased (due to less accommodating weather and a lack of motivation), my sugar intake increased.  Along with that, fats, simple carbs, and more cravings for sugar.

So, again, I ask, what good is simplifying our foods?  It’s rather simple, actually.  The more simple we make our foods (the less processing and packaging they require) the better they are for our bodies.  Fruits, vegetables, and plant based proteins are full of macro nutrients.  And the less you process those foods, the more nutrients your body gets!  This also means you can be more efficiently “fueled” by less!  Simplifying your foods is healthier, and can actually be less expensive.

Now, as I said earlier.  We (my family and I) are seriously lacking in this department lately.  I need some motivation and a good kick-start to get us back on track.  Winter months are hard!  When it comes down to it, I really feel like I need a good fast to change my sugar cravings into cravings for God!  The sugary “treats” are probably the hardest for me.  Not because I eat far too many of them…but because I tend to use them as “rewards”, or I look forward to them a little too much.  I allow them too many thoughts and too much consideration in my day.  That time and consideration would be much better spent growing my relationship with God and with those that I spend time with.

It’s the same with the simplification of food in general.  Not just removing “problem” foods from your diet.  It’s easy for us, as Americans, to fall in love with food.  We have so many options, so many resources, and spend quite a bit of our time talking and thinking about food.  Often times we worry more about what we are going to be eating for lunch or dinner than our purpose for living.  We pride ourselves on what kind of delectable food creations we can come up with, or spend hundreds of dollars each month on groceries to fill our pantries.  Then, we are too busy or too lazy to spend the time needed to prepare the food, so we go out to eat instead of eating what we have at home.  I’m just as guilty as anyone else.  I just feel like we could be much better stewards of God’s blessings in our life.  As a whole, Christian’s in America could stand to consume less and focus more on others.

Matthew 22:37-39  And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Do we love our neighbors as much as we love food and consuming?  Maybe food isn’t an issue for you…but maybe consider the other resources in your life that you are consuming carelessly, without thought.  Could you stand to simplify in those areas?  Maybe you don’t think twice before hopping in the car and taking a trip or two across town?  Our natural resources are being consumed at carelessly as well.

Many Christians in America are fairly well off, financially.  Though we may not consider ourselves rich, we certainly have enough money to fill our gas tanks and cupboards each week and heat or cool our homes to comfortable temperatures. We generally have clean clothes to wear and plenty to keep us entertained.  When our basic needs are being met, it’s easy to forget that some resources aren’t quite so accessible to many others in this world.  When our basic needs are being met, we don’t find ourselves relying on God as often as many others HAVE to.  We forget what it’s like to truly need something, and therefore we tend to consume carelessly.

I wonder what it would look like if we chose one or two things to stop consuming this next month and put the money that we typically use for that one thing into the hands of someone that knows what it’s like to truly need.  By simplifying OUR consuming, we could provide basic needs for the neighbors we were commanded to love.

Need an idea or two?  Check out www.worldvision.org.  Under the “Ways To Give” tab, there are many options.  For $25 you could provide a family with 2 Chickens.  What do you consume $25 worth of?  Would you be willing to give that up for a month?

After being in labor since 3:30 the previous morning, I was more than ready to meet my little girl when my midwife finally told me I was ready to push.  So, at about 6:40 am, we began.  It was nothing like I thought it would be…it was actually a LOT better!  (thank you, to my friend the anesthesiologist and his large needle and meds)

And within a mere 20 minutes (7:04 am) Handsome Hubby and I saw this beautiful gift from God.

She’s changed our lives completely.  She’s taught us more than I could ever have imagined or describe.

From the very first moment, she captured our hearts and began teaching us what God’s Grace truly is like and the Joy that comes only from knowing Him.

Hence, her name, Gracelynn Joy.

Happy 3rd Birthday

Gracie Girl, Goosey Goose, Girly Girl, Baby Girl, Princess, Love Bug

We love you so much!

(the following photos are in no particular order)

She still sleeps just like this:

Today, it’s all about material items, de-cluttering, being wise about what to get rid of, a little about organizing, and then the realization that what it all boils down to is that I have a first world “problem”.

When I first started thinking about simplifying I started with de-cluttering throughout the house.  I have made it a point to go through cabinets, closets, drawers, and so on every so often to get rid of the things that have accumulated but aren’t being used.  I also try to freely give away items that we won’t feel the need to replace anytime soon.  I still have a lot that I can get rid of, but this mentality of simplifying is a process for me.  My natural tendency is to save it *just in case* I might find a use for it later.  I also tend to “plan” a lot of projects and even collect the necessary items needed for said project, and then never complete it.  Which results in accumulated STUFF.  So, this is a learning process.  Quite often, I’ll have my “moments”, or be in a “mood”, and just start tossing things.  I actually wish for these moments to come about more often, because I’ve never really regretted anything I’ve thrown away.

*Just yesterday I completed my “monthly chore” of de-cluttering (at least) 15 items.  I went through a couple drawers of clothes and pulled out some things I don’t wear.  I also went through my craft cabinet (which I speak of below) and threw away a full Wal-Mart size plastic sack of stuff.  I was able to do some rearranging and organizing and I feel much better about that cabinet now.*

However, there are a few areas (in the house) in which I struggle with simplifying and de-cluttering.  The first area is my daughter’s clothes that she has outgrown.  I know that we are not done growing as a family and I always think…”what if the next one is a girl?!”  But on the other hand, we don’t have much extra space in which to store the extra clothes.  I also do not have a good system in place to store them.  It’s kind of a double frustration at this point.  {My plan to remedy this issue is to clean out our storage shed (when the weather warms up) and spend a few dollars on totes to label and sort the clothes into.}  (It should also be noted that this summer I had this same brilliant plan to clean out the storage shed when the weather cooled off a bit.  Do you see a trend here?  It just so happens that when these perfect weather days come around…the last thing I want to do is clean out the storage shed!)

Another area in which I struggle is blankets and pillows.  I know we have way more than we need!  But, I also love having guests into our home.  We often have family from out of town stay the night with us, especially during holidays.  And it just so happens that when one family member comes, it’s likely that another will come the same weekend in order for us to all spend time together at once.  My home tends to be the “meeting place”.  (And I truly love it!)  When guests stay the night, they need blankets and pillows…and I want to take care of my guests.  However, again, we don’t have extra space or closets in which to store them.  So I’m, once again, at a point of frustration.  What do you consider to be a good number of *extras* to have of these items?  Also, do you have any creative storage solutions for this?

The third and last area I will mention is a fairly deep cabinet in which I keep my small amount of craft supplies, kids craft supplies, kids “learning” activities, etc.  Ohhhhh how I wish this was more of a closet or vertical cabinet.  It’s a deep, under the counter cabinet with two shelves.  And no matter how many times I rearrange it, or get rid of some of the stuff I haven’t used in forever, it’s just not a convenient storage solution, at all.  I have to pull out multiple stacks and piles and bags and boxes and containers just to get to what I’m looking for.  I blame this for being the reason I don’t do more crafts with the kids.  I can never remember what supplies I have stuffed into the paper box, so I buy multiples of items and then it just adds to the problem.

Just the thought of all of this really being a “problem” or frustration saddens me.  It’s such a “first world problem” and just 60 seconds of considering the fact that many children don’t even have a pencil to write with makes me sick to my stomach.  It quickly reminds me how rich I really am.  I’m complaining and getting frustrated that I don’t have enough closets to store all my stuff I don’t really need!  I don’t need more closets and cabinets and storage totes….I need to SIMPLIFY!…which was the whole point of this post to begin with.

So where do we find the balance?  The balance of not being wasteful or unwise in getting rid of things we may need later (or even could use for the good of others)…and not becoming overwhelmed with *STUFF*?

Simplifying doesn’t just mean getting rid of material items you own…it goes deeper.  So much deeper.  And I’m hoping to use what I’m learning in this book to further simplify my own life and help simplify my family’s lives.

Why do I want to simplify?  Because I want less of the “me monster” and more of Jesus in my life.  I want there to be room for Jesus in my life on purpose!  I want Him to be in my life on purpose!  I want to live a Jesus-centered life on purpose.

So, I’m going to break this up into a few different posts.  I want to talk about ways that I’ve already started simplifying, and ways that I would like to start simplifying.  I’ll talk about a few different ideas and inspirations.  I’ll talk about goals and projects.  And I’d also like to hear your thoughts on it as well.  I would love for you all to chime in and let me know what you have found that works for you, or ask questions if you have them.  I’m not an expert on the subject by any means…but surely we can learn together.

Blogging, Exercising, Jesus Time, Eating Healthy, Reading, even Parenting.  

So, maybe you can help…how do YOU find a good balance and stay consistent?!  

My most recent attempt at being more consistent is a daily schedule.  Friday I sat down at my computer and actually typed out schedule, complete with exact times, that I’m striving to follow this week.  It’s about 1:30 pm on Monday, and so far, so good.  :)  Somebody make note to ask me how I’m doing on Friday afternoon!  (because chances are, I’ll have completely forgotten to blog again and update) (see above issue that started this whole thing)

Just for fun…and maybe for a bit of accountability…I’m going to post my daily schedule for you all.  

Daily Schedule:

5:45 – 6:15  :  Wake up, Jesus time

6:15 : Work out

6:45  :  Shower

7:15  :  Coffee, start breakfast, wait for kids to arrive

            -start load of laundry, quick pick up, change trash

8:30  :  Breakfast clean up, unload/load dishwasher

8:45  :  Get Gracelynn dressed, brush teeth, brush/fix hair

            -kids play or watch PBS

            -Keri:  do daily chore and wipe down bathroom

9:25  :  Kids pick up toys

9:30  :  Activity or Game with kids

10:00  :  Dance/exercise time with kids

10:15  :  Back to free play for kids.

-       Keri:  finish chores, do “Once A Week” chore

10:45  :   Start making lunch, getting drinks prepared, etc.

11:15  :  Kids sit down to eat lunch.

12:00  :   Bathroom time for kids and lay down for nap.

12:10  :   Clean up lunch.  Load dishwasher, wipe down table and chairs, sweep floor,   
                  rinse cups and set out to dry.

            Keri’s “free time” : eat lunch, 1 hr Internet time, activity prep, fix hair, do                            
             makeup, dinner time prep if needed, etc.

2:45-3:00  :  Kids start waking up, watch PBS until all are awake.

             Keri:  Start fixing snack, getting drinks ready

3:30  :  Snack

3:45  :  Color or Read. 

4:00  :  Outside or Inside Playtime.  (depending on weather.)

I’ll be honest…I didn’t do EVERYthing in the correct order…but it *almost* all got done. 

Gracelynn still needs to brush her teeth.  *i know, i know* (bad parenting).  And we didn’t do our exercise/dance time…but that was because they talked me into playing another round of Bingo.  Not to mention we got a little behind when I had to take a few minutes out to spend time “correcting” some bad behavior.  

I’ve been doing this Stay At Home Mom thing for almost 2 years now.  And I’ll be honest…it’s not exactly the most glamorous life.  But again, being honest, it is pretty GREAT!  It’s not everything I thought it would be, but in another sense, it’s so much GREATER than I expected.  I think I’ve struggled with more personal issues in the past two years, than I have in the 8 before that.  But I’m learning and growing.  And with that…I’m having to do life a little differently than I did as a working wife/mom.  I never really thought I was the type of person that would need a printed schedule to keep me productive.  I thought I was doing okay, getting plenty done, and had a good routine going.

And I was doing okay…but I really want to do better than okay!  I don’t want to waste so much time throughout the day.  

And I was getting plenty done…but I know I could accomplish SO MUCH MORE!  And I know I could spend my time doing other, more important things.  *the kitchen cabinets only need to be organized once in a while and my daughter needs more one on one time EVERY day!*

And I definitely had a routine going…it just wasn’t all that great.  It consisted of far too much time wasted on unimportant things and not enough time doing the most important things that matter the most.  

Funny thing, Handsome Hubby looked at my schedule and asked what I plan to do after 4pm.  I joked and said that was when I crash.  But seriously…that’s half the reason I made the schedule.  I want to get my “work” done during the day, when he’s at work.  So that when he comes home, I can spend more quality time with him and Grace as a family.  I want to be less stressed at the end of the day, have more patience to continue through the evening when Grace is being so toddler-esque, and have more energy to be playful.  I want to be less emotional.  

If anyone has any tips or ideas on how to stay consistent in day to day life things…please share!  I really, truly, want to live a more purposeful life.  What does that look like for you?

But I kept putting it off, thinking that I didn’t really NEED it.

But then I would find recipes in which I did NEED it.

And so I would push the recipes to the side, thinking I would just make it when/if I finally got one.

I have the mini…which I’m sure I’ll still use on occasion.

But this little machine…it’s a wonder!

I’m so glad I finally gave in and bought it.

(I had a giftcard that covered part of the cost, which is why I finally got it.)

It’s just a simple Black and Decker Food Processor.

It wasn’t very expensive and it isn’t super high tech or high end.

But it does what I want it to.  And it’s much larger than the mini!

And it even shredded veggies for me today!

Just a few days ago I made Veggie Pancakes.   It took me AT LEAST 45 minutes to chop and shred the veggies for it.  But today it took maybe 5!  I was so excited that I sent hubby a text right away.

I was also able to make a full graham cracker recipe with it.  (speaking of, I need to finish those before naptime is over.)

Suddenly, cooking and trying new recipes is fun again.

At least for a couple of days.

It’s a delicious, creamy, healthy, dip. (But I wouldn’t be surprised if you just ate it by the spoonful. I do that sometimes.)

It tastes like peanut butter cheesecake. And I’m fairly certain you could flavor it in other ways as well.

Here’s what you need, and how.

Start with a couple spoonfuls of plain Greek yogurt. Add in a small spoonful of creamy peanut butter, a drizzle of honey, and a dash (or three) of cinnamon. Mix really well.

Serve with fruit! My favorite is bananas or honey crisp apples.

Oh yumm.