May Flowers

Fingers crossed that my May goals go a bit smoother than my April goals, yes?

mental health// No Weigh May
I did this last year and it was semi-successful. The first couple weeks were me being super anxious about not being able to weigh myself. Eventually I stopped caring quite as much. When I was weighed May 30th (I had a doctor's appointment) I hadn't lost any weight. But I had gained a lot more perspective. So, here's to trying that again. Hopefully this time I'm able to lose some weight too.

physical health & weight// Physical exercise for 30+ minutes, 3 times a week.
Apparently my goals for this have been too specific, because I've been failing. So, I'll broaden it and just say "physical exercise" lol


relationships// Undecided - Brothers' birthday
My brothers turn 19 on the 31st. I want to do something semi-nice for them, but I'm not 
sure what yet.


faith// Catch up on reading the Bible
Daniel and I are doing a "Bible in a Year" plan, but we've gotten super behind. I want us to catch back up! I need to make this a better habit.


money// Figure out all the specifics for how my June money will work out.
June will potentially bring a lot of change, maybe even financially. We are hoping to move, so we need to figure out the whole "part month rent" thing and how to make that work. I also need to figure out if I'm going to tutor/teach summer school for extra cash. Decide what hours I want to do at my third job over summer break. That kind of stuff.

project pinterest// TBD
This was a lot harder than I thought it'd be! Maybe I'll do a dessert or a drink this time.


savings goal// I don't know....$136?
It's something like that. I'm too lazy to find my notebook and look it up right now. Ideally I'll just get some put in there. I know I won't be caught up this month...

Introducing the "Live Original Challenge"

I'm not sure if I mentioned it (because honestly, as a stand alone fact, it's probably not all that important) but for Valentine's Day my hubby got me a book.
A book?
Yeah, one of my favorite things in the entire world (aside from him).

Now, this book that he got me was Sadie Robertson (of Duck Dynasty)'s book titled Live Original.

(From Goodreads):
Seventeen-year-old Sadie Robertson star of A&E's Duck Dynasty and daughter of Willie and Korie Robertson;shares her outlook on life as she opens up about herself and the values that make her family what it is.

Sadie Robertson represents everything that a well-adjusted teenager should be, even while growing up in the spotlight on Duck Dynasty. She exhibits poise, respect for her family and friends, and a faith that influences her choices. Everyone wants to know how a family as eclectic as the Robertsons are raising such confident, fun, family-loving kids. With this book, Sadie sheds light on the values instilled by her family that make her the person she is. 

Sadie lives by a simple list of principles that lead her to personal and spiritual growth and allow the relationships she has with her friends and family to flourish. These values include think happy, be happy; dream big; shake the hate; do something; and many more.

Living as a culturally relevant teen who loves God and her family, Sadie has become a role model for other teens and for parents who are eager to instill the same characteristics in their children.

At the end of each chapter, Sadie lists a few discussion questions that she called the "Live Original Challenge". 

My good friend, fellow blogger, and fantastic book lover, the newly re-branded Meghan Anna and I have decided to take Sadie up on her challenge. 
Both of us have discussed how we want our faith to grow and how we want to show God more in our lives (and how we want a book club), so we are ready to put it to the test.

For the next seven Sundays, we will be tackling the questions two chapters at a time. Feel free to join along with us, or comment with your thoughts on each question.
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Chapter One - "Think Happy, Be Happy"

1. In your own words, why is this true: "If you think happy thoughts, you can live a happy life"?
I truly believe that a lot of what happens to us - what makes us happy and what makes us sad, is about how we react to it and how we think about it. Even if something terrible happens, if you find a way to put a silver lining on that cloud, you can still find a way to be happy about the situation. I think it's really all about trusting that God has a plan for you and that you can choose to be happy.

2. What thoughts are you thinking today that will lead you to the future you want tomorrow?
It seems backward, but I just keep thinking of all the things I can improve. I'm not focusing on what I'm really good at, but the things that I can't seem to figure out. But because of this focus, I know what I need to work on. I know that if I better these certain things, my future will turn out even greater. A lot of it right now is in relation to my job.

3. What one thought can you change today in order to make yourself just a little more happy?
One thought that I cling to when I start to feel unhappy is Psalm 139:14 - I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. A friend told me this a few years ago when I was going through a really rough time. It was a reminder that I was made by God and God doesn't make mistakes. If I (or someone else) thinks something is wrong with me and the way I was made, well, I/they are wrong. 

4. Take a moment to think about the thoughts you've had today. Do those thoughts make you happy and lead you in a good direction?
Overall, I'd say a lot of my thoughts are not necessarily going to be leading me in a good direction. That's part of the reason I'm taking part in this challenge. 
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Chapter Two - "Dream Big"

1. What's the biggest dream for yourself you can think of?

My dream is to travel the world and teach children everywhere. I want to teach them to read, to write, to speak English. I also want to teach them the Good News and the Gospel of my Lord. Above all of this, I want them to teach me. I want to know what it's like to live in a place that's different from where I grew up. I want to speak multiple language. I want to be immersed in many different cultures. 

2. What small step can you take towards your dream today?

Uh, well...I can get to know the cultures of my students a little more. I'm at a unique school where almost every student is either from another country or has parents from another country. There's a lot of different cultures at my school. Some of the countries represented (that I can name off the top of my head) are South Sudan, Kenya, Ghana, Togo, Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, Laos, Vietnam, Burma, Eritrea... There's just so many. I could get to know my students even more. And I could start practicing my Spanish.

3. Think about whether your dream is according to God's will. If it is, write out a commitment today to never give up on your dream.

I do believe that my dream is according to God's will. God asks us to go out and make disciples of all nations and that's truly what I want to do. In addition to this, while reading this chapter and answering the first couple questions, I've been filled with the overwhelming feeling that I am also called to adopt a child. Daniel and I even talked at length about this after I read. Both of us feel like maybe this is something we do. So, we still want our own biological child(ren) but we are going to start looking into possibly adopting as well. :)

Either way, I'm not going to give up on my dreams.

4. Take a minute to pray to God and give Him your dream and wait on Him to make it come true.

Lord, I want to do right in your eyes. I want to be able to travel the world and help make disciples. I want to share your word, while showing young children your love through the way I teach even basic subjects. I know you have a plan for me, so allow me patience as I wait for that plan to come into my life. Allow me to never give up on this dream and keep pursuing it, as I continue to pursue you and your kingdom. Amen.

Lent Recap

Hello, fellow bloggers.

I hope everyone (who cares about it) had a wonderful Easter weekend.

I know that I had a good time visiting family.

One thing that I wanted to be sure to write about is the experience I had over the Lenten season.

In case you forgot, I gave up all forms of social media for Lent. 

This included Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.

I deleted all 4 of these apps (plus the Messenger app) from my phone and decided that instead of wasting all of my time on these, I would be putting more time towards my relationship with Jesus.

You can read more about my decision here. 

Here's how it went --

Not well.

Well, I shouldn't totally say that because I did accomplish staying off of social media for the entire length of time.

However, I wouldn't say that I did any extra praying, reading, etc. which is kind of the point of Lent.

I also found that I was still wasting time on my phone. I was just checking my e-mail a LOT.

So, overall, I didn't accomplish the point of what I was trying to do, but I did stay off of social media.

Now I'm back on about half of them.

You can find me on Facebook and on Twitter.

As of yet, I have not re-downloaded Instagram and Snapchat, though I am considering getting Instagram back.

However, I will say I'm not spending quite as much time on them as I was before, so I guess that's a good thing.

If you did anything for Lent, how'd it go for you?

March Goal Wrap-Up

I seriously cannot believe March is already over.
This year is FLYING by.

In March I had a two-week "Spring Break" from school, where I spent 60+ hours a week working my other two jobs, saving money for Tennessee.
When I got back to school on Monday, I made a kid cry by 9:30 am. (Oops)

I watched an obnoxious amount of TV, read a lot of books. You know, the usual.

But, here's how my goals went for March.


mental health// Continue reading & working through the Anxiety/Phobia Workbook and read Goodbye ED, Hello Me.
Done. I finished Goodbye ED, Hello Me and got a lot of good strategies from it. I haven't read a whole lot more of the Anxiety/Phobia Workbook, but I plan on going back to that now that I've finished the other. 

physical health & weight// Work out 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week.
Fail. Fail. Fail.
I think I worked out 3 times this MONTH.

relationships// Mail things to the #fireworkpeople and to my friend Stephanie.
I sent mail back to the #fireworkpeople, but I did not send mail to Stephanie. 
Halfsies!

faith// No Twitter. Replace this with reading/prayer.
Here's the thing. I have stayed off of Twitter this whole month (and actually all of Lent), but I can't honestly say that I spent more time in prayer because of it. 
Halfsies again!


money// Put money away for our trip to Tennessee.
Yes, yes I did. 
I bought a Groupon for one of the things we are doing while we are down there. Then I bought a rechargeable Visa card and put enough money on it for gas, plus some extra. This way, I can't touch that money until we go, but we are guaranteed enough. I also have a couple more pay days before we go so hopefully I can make this really good.


project pinterest// project to be determined
I made cute little coasters. :)

savings goal// $102
Done.
And I replaced the money I borrowed from the past two months.
Yay for working all spring break!

February

I'm so thrilled with how well my goals worked out in January.
Here's what I've got lined up for February.

mental health// tell myself every morning that I am beautiful.
This might seem self centered, but a LOT of my problem is self-esteem and self-confidence. I'm constantly telling myself that I'm too fat, too ugly, whatever. But truth is, I know I have some decent qualities. Plus, my husband is always telling me I'm beautiful. I need to start believing it.

physical health & weight// go to the dentist.
Y'all...I haven't been to the dentist for like, years. Dental hygiene and mouth health is not my specialty.

relationships// send Shelbie something for her birthday
Shelbie has been my best friend for 16 years. She was matron of honor in my wedding. I want to send her something for her birthday, even if it's just a card.

faith// No Facebook February
What does not getting on Facebook have to do with faith? Well, I spend way too much time on Facebook. And quite frankly, I'm annoyed with that fact. My goal is to take the time that I would generally spend on Facebook and spend it in prayer or devotionals/bible study.

money// have all bills caught up
We are so super close to being caught up for each month. Right now we are behind on electricity and the one credit card that is not attached to our debt counseling. By the end of February, I want to be able to say we are all caught up and ready for the next month.

project pinterest// project to be determined

savings goal// $87

January Goal Review

I can't believe that January is already over and we're moving on to February (which is a really short month). 

Overall, I think I did pretty darn good on my goals for January. 
If you want to read the original post, it can be found here. 

Here's how I did:

mental health// be open and honest at my initial appointment for therapy.
Yes, yes I was. It was extremely difficult. And I'm still not sure how I feel about all of this. (I've had two appointments now.) but I was open and honest, which was the goal. Pass.

physical health & weight// no fast food
Well, you see, this one is sort of a fail. But not as bad as it could have been. I had Subway once and Quiznos once. Both of these some people count as fast food, some don't. So, there's that. I also had a small packet of cheese balls from Sonic, which is definitely fast food. Mostly pass/Small fail.

relationships// sent my grandma a personalized birthday card in the mail.
You guys, I wrote my grandma a letter. And she loved it. I timed it exactly right to get there on her actual birthday and it was fantastic. I'm so glad I did this. Pass.

faith// challenge myself to learn something new during each week of Spiritual Formation
Yes. I'm LOVING this small group. Wow. I've learned a lot about myself and can feel myself improving. Pass.

money// connect my investment account to my checking account
Did it. Soon I'll begin making deposits back into my investment account, but for now, it's connected. That's a start. Pass.

I also completed my Project Pinterest. 

My savings goal this month was $71. Somehow I made it. There's a small chance I'll have to pull some out, but as of now, it's in there. Wooooooo!