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One Habit a Month: Spend Time Outside Daily

May 1, 2012

As you know, each month this year I’m focusing on one new habit that I want to become part of the fabric of my life. I’d love to have you join me! May is here and it’s time to tackle a new habit.

After tackling a difficult habit the past two months (limiting techy distractions), May’s habit will be fun: spend at least 15 minutes outside with the children each day.

In the early spring when the weather is mild, the birds are singing and the flowers bloom, spending time outside is easy. The warm spring air invites you outdoors with open arms.

As we head into May and the temperature keeps rising, it gets harder. Yesterday was swimming weather and today doesn’t look much cooler. Getting three little ones ready to play in the heat takes longer. The shade disappears sooner in the morning and I need to be more careful to protect sensitive from too much sun.

But it’s worth it. Not only are the munchkins much happier when they have time to play in the fresh air and run around in the sun, Mama is much happier too.

15 minutes isn’t very long, but it’s so manageable I’m confident we can make it into a habit. Plus, 15 minutes usually turns into an hour once we actually step outside!

What about you? Are you working on any new habits? Do you want to join me?

April’s Habit: How Did You Do?

April 30, 2012

Instead of Grand Resolutions for 2012, this year I’ve been working on implementing new habits that will help me become a more disciplined woman. For the past two months, I’ve been working on establishing and following technological guidelines.

The more I’ve sought to wisely use my time online, the more I’ve realized that time management is not something I’m going to master once and never struggle with again.

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I was specifically working on three aspects of online time management this month

Rework blogging “time budget” since my morning has changed. (Read more about time budgets in Tell Your Time.)

Our morning rhythm has changed, again. Not only are we exercising and eating a sit-down breakfast (which takes more time to make and clean-up!) but little Meg switched to just an afternoon nap.

These changes have been good for the family. Life with little ones is constantly changing. They grow, their needs change and the routine needs to adapt. Again.

Set aside 20 minutes in the late morning while the kids play to do all the “quick” things like answer emails, pay bills, check Facebook, etc.

This makes such a big difference….on the days I can find the time!

Avoid emails/Facebook during the first 30 minutes of “writing” time.

It’s so easy to get distracted rather than focusing on what I should be doing. Choosing to say “no” to the distractions makes the time online so much more productive. If I’m able to follow #2, it makes this last one much easier!

It’s easy to get discouraged. If this was the only habit I worked on for the entire year I doubt I’d have it completely conquered.

However, it is been encouraging to no longer feel “addicted” to the web.

Yes, the routine keeps changing. Some days I still spend too much time online.

This is an area I will have to keep on working on. An area that needs to continually come under Christ’s dominion.

How about you? Did you do better with your habit this month?

Linked up at Motivation Monday, Better Mom, Raising Arrows and Handful of Heart

Tagged with: 12 Habits 2012 • disciplined life

Reflections on Last Year’s Tornado

April 27, 2012

On April 27th, 2011, epic tornadoes ripped through the South and across the country. Like many others, our town was hit. Hard.

A year later, the devastation is still ever-present. Our old walking path is filled with crumbled homes, empty lots, bare foundations, stripped trees and a debris-filled pond. My heart goes up for those whose lives were forever changed by the storm.

Tornado warnings are no longer taken lightly. Instead, sheer panic threatens my heart when the sirens go off. My mind is filled with all the “what ifs.”

But as I look back on last year’s tornado, the many mini-miracles that litter the story remind me that God is in control. He holds our future in His hands. Whatever happens, I don’t need to panic.

(What sound does a train make? Okay, keep that in mind.)

A tiny closet and how God uses our ignorance

The night before the tornado, thunderstorms rattled our home. I woke up and immediately my hormone-charged pregnant brain started racing.

A huge, ancient tree stands in our front yard. As the thunder boomed and the lightning flashed all around us, waking nightmares ripped through my mind. I pictured the tree crashing through the roof and pinning us in bed, unable to help our little ones.

I cried and prayed and begged God not to let the tree fall on us.

The next morning dawned beautiful and calm. The tree stood strong. The fears of the night before seemed like silly reactions of a pregnant mama.

The weather channel warned of impending tornadoes of epic proportion, but all seemed beautiful outside.

We live in tornado alley and tornado warnings are a dime a dozen. Joshua left for school and I went about my day, and just kept an eye on the weather.

As the afternoon progressed, the warnings became more and more urgent.

Since even our bathroom has a window, I closed the hallway doors, cleared out the hall closet, and propped crib mattresses over it. There was no telling how long the warning might last, so I gathered water and fun snacks and the kids and I hunkered down.

Just as the weather reporter assured us the tornado should miss our town (but to stay in shelter anyway, “just in case”) the power went out. The interent and cell towers were down too.

The kids snuggled deeper into the closet and I squeezed my pregnant self as near to them as I could. We ate snacks, told stories and watched a movie on the ipod.

Through the muffling pile of mattresses and blankets I listened. Listened and prayed (mostly about that tree!)

A crashing, rumbling sound passed by our house and it sounded like it took the kitchen with it. Wow! That wind sounds strong. Maybe the tornado will hit our town after all. I thought. After the panic and prayers of the night before, a strange peace had filled my heart.

But I kept listening for a train sound. I never heard it.

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Tagged with: matters of the heart • our story • trust

Three Ways to Window-Shop (Thrifty Thursday)

April 26, 2012

Window-shopping used to require exercise and a walk down Main Street. Thanks to online stores, we can window-shop from the comfort of our couches. And then, there’s Pinterest—and the 50 outfit pins that are just too cute (and I don’t have!)

There’s nothing wrong with browsing through cute pictures with no intent to buy, but window-shopping can lead to problems with contentment.

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Three ways to window-shop

Window-shopping can be used to ignite creativity. The boards on Pinterest can teach us to creative new outfits using the clothes in our closets. They can inspire us to repurpose what we have to beautify our homes.

Window-shopping can also help us wisely plan future purchases. Before actually adding items to our cart, window-shopping can help us think through our purchases and make sure that what we’re purchasing is the best decision.

Or, window-shopping can foster discontentment. The cute new chairs in Sears’ ad or the adorable outfit on Pinterest can trip us up. Window-shopping for things we can’t afford (and probably don’t need) can lead to jealousy if we’re not careful to guard our hearts.

While window-shopping can be a good thing, sometimes we simply ought to not window-shopping for certain things. For example, when I first joined Pinterest, I was tempted to start a “dream house” board. There are oodles of absolutely amazing house ideas. Maybe, a bit of browsing would help me think of good ways to beautify my own home, but I was afraid it would just lead to discontentment.

We’re not moving quite yet and we’re not ready to buy my dream house. I’d rather pass up on a few cute ideas than struggle with being content right where I’m at.

Maybe house pictures don’t tempt you. Maybe it’s clothes or books or cars, but avoid window-shopping for things that lead to discontentment. Choose to use it instead to encourage creativity and wise purchases.

What about you? Do you like to window-shop? How do you avoid discontentment.

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(Grab code for the button from the sidebar)And now, join Jenn (from The Purposeful Mom) and me for our weekly Thrifty Thursday Blog Hop!

Posts about living frugally, thrifty tips and tricks, money-saving DIY projects and gardening, frugal recipes, and encouraging posts on financial stewardship are all welcome. Link up to either of our blogs–your post will be displayed in both places.

We’d be very grateful if you’d share only thrifty-themed posts. (Read full guidelines here)

Linked up at Proverbs 31 Thursday

Tagged with: contentment • thriftiness

Holding the Future in Open Hands

April 25, 2012

“Mama, I have an idea,” Rose told me the other day. “Why don’t we pack tomorrow, not tell anyone and we can surprise Grandma and Nonnie and move? Isn’t that a good idea?”

If only she knew all that was involved with making a cross-country move!

We moved down South almost four years ago for Joshua to attend law school. The years here have been wonderful for our little family, but the time to decide the next step has arrived.

When we moved Rose was barely walking. Now her little sis pulls herself up…and gets into all sorts of mischief!

We’re looking at the possibility of moving back “home.” Dear friends, a wonderful church, and the beauty of the South (especially in the spring) make the thought of leaving bittersweet.

On the other hand, being near all our family, longtime friends and old church again would be absolutely wonderful!

The more I think about one possibility (moving to the Midwest or staying in the South), the more excited I get about it. I’m excited about being settled, about putting permanent roots down, about a kitchen with enough room for the kids to sit on chairs around the table.

Will and Rose on an “airplane” ride

But as the anticipation has grown and the waiting game continues, I’ve been reminded again and again to hold dreams of the future in open hands.

God holds the future in His wise hands. Don’t hold dreams of the future in clenched fists. Instead rejoice in today and trust in God’s wise leading tomorrow.

Linked up at Hearts 4 Home Thursdays, Proverbs 31 Thursday & Finer Things Friday