2015

So it's 2015. And the second month is already halfway over.

Holy toledo, time is flying! (And yes, I know saying things like that makes me sound old. I am. And I can accept that)

Last year was really crazy with hubby's health issues and just a bunch of "normal" stuff, and as the year drew to a close, we joked that we realllly hoped that this new year would be better :)  And it is. But just because we flipped a page on the calender doesn't mean that things changed overnight...

We have quite a lot of work to do on our house. I repainted all the upstairs bedrooms last year (the kids rooms + our guest room, and even switched one room around). We also have done quite a bit of drywall repair (whoever the previous owner hired to do work did a pretty terrible job, as things weren't connected properly to studs). Also replacing the garage ceiling (pieces of it keep cracking and falling - can't exactly park cars in there!) Our pool needs resurfaced (I know that's totally a whiner "first world problem" - and when we bought the house we knew the pool was going to need work in a few years). Part of our roof needs patched and siding replaced. Fence and pool deck need repainted.

And then there's just my general, ongoing issue with organization and de-cluttering.  Kids are getting busier with school activities, so that's just another item on our plate.

But we are so incredibly blessed. And I'm working on shining rather than whining.  In fact, I've decided to make SHINE my "word" for 2015.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.    ~Philippians 2:14-15

And going along with that, I just wanted to share the prayer that Lysa Terkeurst posted on Valentine's Day:

Lord, remind me of the legacy that I am building every day. May my actions and reactions never betray the woman you’ve called me to be. I pray that I am known for laughter, perspective, discernment, fun, faithfulness, integrity, and genuineness. Keep these characteristics always in the front of my mind so as life marches on, I stay the course toward the legacy I so desire. Lord, more than anything, may the message of my life make You and those I love, smile. In Jesus' Name, Amen.