Currently: January 2019

Reading: Thorn in My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs

I actually won a free copy of this book through a random drawing at our local library over the summer. I’ve tried to start it a couple times but keep getting distracted, primarily, I’ll admit, due to the fact that it’s a hardcopy book and not on my Kindle app! *shame* I do so much on my phone or laptop these days, it’s actually harder to sit down and read a book, especially in the evening when I typically fall asleep with iPhone in hand. *double shame* So, this one has been a slow start, but I’m really enjoying it so far. It’s basically a re-telling of the Jacob and Esau story set in 18th century Scotland (Outlander vibes anyone!?) — I’m intrigued by how the author has framed this familiar Biblical story, and excited to continue reading through the series!

Planning: Ballerina 3rd Birthday Party

I can’t believe my Moira will be 3 years old this month… times just keeps flying by! She is into all things pretty, pink and princess. Including ballerinas! She dances around the house in her tutus and princess dresses and ogles over all things girly. We’re planning a small family birthday party which will be ballerina themed, and I’m having fun with the little details, including a special pink birthday cake, and a few dance-themed gifts. I haven’t done a great job of photographing the last few birthday parties for my kiddos (been too busy enjoying!), but I’ll try to snap a few photos of this one.

I’m also feeling semi-inspired by her sudden interest to attempt some ballet-based workouts. I follow @balletbeautiful on Instagram and I love the look of her workouts, but not quite sold on the monthly fee. So, I’m checking out some free options on my Prime Video account, like this one!

Listening: Delta by Mumford & Sons

Somehow I missed that this album came out in November, and just listened for the first time yesterday. WOW. Love it. I wasn’t in love with their 3rd album, it felt too far off their original sound. But this latest album is a fantastic combination of the folksy banjo style plus the new electronic/rock vibe and it really works. The lyrics are just as interesting as the layered musical palette, and it all comes together for a really unique and irresistible sound. I’ll be listening on repeat for the new few weeks!

Anticipating: Las Vegas Getaway

Not sure if this one isn’t causing me more anxiety than excitement at the moment, but I think I’m looking forward to it…. My husband travels to Las Vegas for work at least once a year, and we’ve always talked about making it a couples getaway at some point. I didn’t think it would be so soon, considering we’ve been busy with little ones. But, he took the leap for me and purchased the plane ticket before I could say no emphatically enough… so we’re headed to Las Vegas together in mid-February!

I’ve never been to Las Vegas, and it will certainly be a nice break from the doldrums of a Midwestern winter, but I’ll admit I’m already anxious about leaving my 3 children behind for 5 days and 4 nights (look who’s counting…?!?!). I know they will be in good hands with my in-laws, but it still feels like a really long time. I’ve only ever been away from all three of them once, for one night. That was just a couple weeks ago and it was a struggle. In the long term, they will probably have an amazing time with their grandparents and won’t be permanently scarred by being away from me for a few days (HA!), so I’m trying to prepare myself for some relaxation and reconnecting with the hubs. Pray for me. 😉

Attempting: KonMari Method

I’ve been purging and “minimalizing” for a while now (it’s an ongoing process), and have recently tuned into the new Netflix series featuring Maria Kondo and her so-called life-changing method of “tidying”. It’s been entertaining to watch a few episodes and inspired me to continue tidying up our home and remove the things that we don’t need or use. Although I appreciate the multi-step process that she has created, and especially her method of folding and storing things, I’m really not sold on her style of “deifying” objects which includes personifying them and thanking them for their service (as though they were not inanimate objects). I recognize this is partially a cultural aspect of her approach, but also believe that it’s a type of materialism that assigns far too much value to earthly things.

Rather than collecting and tidying things in our homes—even if they do “spark joy” as Marie would say—we are called to “…store up treasures in heaven” and focus on that which truly lasts. Which brings this full circle to my Word of the Year: Delight. There are plenty of things in this life that “spark joy” and, in some cases, even delight. But, if that sense of delight is caused by an earthly thing, then it is false and short-lived. It may feel very real and nice at the moment, but it can’t last and shouldn’t be relied upon for joy in life. Real and lasting delight comes from the Lord. The things He has given us are often blessings, and they should do little more than serve a purpose for building God’s kingdom on earth and pointing our hearts back to glorifying Him.

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:7-8