July is here!

Good grief... can anyone tell me where June went?!  I sincerely apologize for my absence on lovemin - life has been crazy!!!  Things should definitely think about slowing down this summer.  Despite the craziness, June has been an awesome month.

Here's where I came out on my goals:

• read "Where'd you go, Bernadette?" - having a hard time getting into this one, we'll see
• host a Young Living class!!! - TUESDAY this is happening :)
• get some quality water skiing action in up north, as much as possible - CHECK
• change up my hairstyle- CHECK! I'm a blonde again!
• go on a date with my man - this NEEDS to happen. We have been basically passing in the night
• soak up my favorite TV show - So You Think You Can Dance - DONE -love love love this show
• make the front yard pretty- aka pull out most of the greens (there's too many) - I'm crossing out half because I definitely made progress, but I'm still working on this.

Not everything I wanted to do got done, but one amazing thing happened... we took my mom on a surprise trip for her 60th birthday and it was so great.  I'll tell you more of the story later (and share some pics of the beauty in Maine- check out a few on my Instagram) but it went off without a hitch.  Every day she kept saying, "this is so surreal" and "another beautiful day in paradise." So I am thinking that it was a success.

As for July.... I feel like I am just trying to keep my head on straight.  As much as I love summer, it is just so busy.  Every single weekend from now until September is booked.  They are all great things, but yikes- it's nice to have a little freedom in the schedule here and there.  Oh well, I am going to do my best to soak up all the goodness and take free moments to create spontaneous fun.  Here's what's on the docket for my goals.

• go on a date with Chris- for real this time
• soak up warm summer days – go to the beach or sit out on a patio
• find peace amidst the crazy – take a day for me to breathe
• read a novel
• get dressed up and go out- dinner, dancing, wine, or something
• think more about blog stuff – what do I want to make of this space?

That's all I've got for now!  Looking forward to re-energizing and gearing up for another crazy but awesome month.  Praying that yours may be equally amazing.

Want to share your goals? 
Join me as I link up with Hayley over at The Tiny Twig.

Bonjour June

I don't think I have ever been so excited to see June!  Probably because with this June has come WARM WEATHER!  Woohooo!!!! It has been so good to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and see a little color on my skin, and to just enjoy being outside without freezing my toes off. I am sooo thankful!!!

With the arrival of June, it's time to see how I did on my May to-do list:

• celebrate my birthday!! Watch out 28, I'm coming for ya!- CHECK
  My birthday was lovely.  I didn't do anything crazy, as I didn't feel like hosting a hoopla.  But quality time with the fam and some friends was perfecto.  There was in fact a Piñata though, so that was pretty amazing.
• host a lovely Mother's Day brunch at our house (in-laws and all) - CHECK
  Mother's day brunch was a success!! It was fun having both families over for the first time together at our new house and being able to celebrate our moms and enjoy some tasty brunch, mimosas, and some quality hang time in the yard.
• Put my DSLR to good use more often - maybe plan a fun lil shoot?
  This is on my list for summer for sure.
• start a new personal Bible study *** CHECK
  I started a new Bible study!!! It's pretty great.  It's over on www.shereadstruth.com and it's so user friendly and quick and easy to use, and the writers are pretty great and encouraging.  I'm a little behind and catching up on the study of Nehemiah, but I'm loving it.  Definitely check it out.
• finish the last book of the Divergent series - CHECK
  Yup. It is finished.  I am not sure how I feel about it.  Anyone else finish?  So curious what other people think.  It was a great series though.

Boom.  Done and done... almost.  Just need to give my camera a lil more lovin'.

And now for June - -
I have high hopes for June and this upcoming summer.  It is definitely going to be a busy month (hello weddings, bridal showers, travels up north, etc), but it is going to be a great one, I can feel it.  Here's what I'm hoping to accomplish:

• read "Where'd you go, Bernadette?"
• host a Young Living class!!! *** 
  [I've been using YL oils for 4+ years and they have made a significant impact in my life.  I am excited to finally be sharing my passion for essential oils and encouraging others to see how God can use them in their lives! In fact, I don't know why I have yet to share about them on here?? Stay tuned for that. ;)]
• get some quality water skiing action in up north, as much as possible
• change up my hairstyle
  I've been rocking the ombre for awhile now, and thinking it might be time for a change.  FYI changing up my hairstyle is one of my most favorite things (and most analyzed- right Audra?)
• go on a date with my man
• soak up my favorite TV show - So You Think You Can Dance
• make the front yard pretty- aka pull out most of the greens (there's too many) 

I feel like I could keep this list coming, just cause I have all sorts of things I'd like to do in June.  But I better save some for the rest of the summer ;)  Hope your summer is off to an amazing start.

xoxo

Want to share your goals? 
Join me as I link up with Hayley over at
The Tiny Twig

hello May

Why hello, May!  I'm excited for this month.  May is one of my favorite months, maybe partly because it is my birthday month, but also it just seems like a month of new beginnings.  May is when school finishes up for the summer, when the weather finally starts to make a change in WI, when the sun is shining more, when the trees bud, when the first trip up north takes place.  It's just a good month.  So I'm happy to share the goals/to-dos I have come up with for the month.

But first, a quick re-cap on how I did on my April goals:

• fight off feelings of insecurity & take advantage of a freer schedule - CHECK
  I worked really hard on this one and definitely felt the benefits of embracing my housewife status and making good use of my time.  This shall stay on my to do list until the next chapter of my life.  
• be content with the weather.................
  Having a new fireplace this spring has made the cooler nights more enjoyable.  I'm still very ready for warmer weather though....
• write two letters of appreciation - CHECK
  I loved doing this.  I sent one to my friend Tara and to my lovely parents.  Thank you notes are so underrated.  

Check out the cute thank you notes I sent!  I love these cards by Eva Marie Typography  Her designs are great.

• pray over anxious feelings as soon as they pop into my head
  I need to keep working on this one.  I did a better job than previous months, but I need to get into a better habit of lifting everything up in prayer.

Remember how I had "find an area rug" on my to do list forever?!? Well I finally found one!!!! It's from West Elm and I LOVE it.  I can't wait to share more photos of our house as it's starting to feel more and more put together.  Here's a sneak peek of the new beauty.

Overall, I really enjoyed my to do list this month because I wanted it to induce an attitude adjustment, and I think it did!  It takes intentionality to be positive- just need to work on continuing that.

Here's what's on the docket for May:

• celebrate my birthday!! Watch out 28, I'm coming for ya!
• host a lovely Mother's Day brunch at our house (in-laws and all)
• put my DSLR to good use more often - maybe plan a fun lil shoot? 
• start a new personal Bible study ***  
• finish the last book of the Divergent series

That's what I've got going so far!  Can't wait to see what May has for me.  

Have some goals/to dos you'd like to share?  
Join me as I link up with Hayley over at The Tiny Twig.

March madness brings April..... gladness???

When I made this list at the beginning of March,  I knew the month was going to jam-packed, but I really thought that I could make it happen.  Here's what I was working towards-

• go look at (and hopefully) buy the area rug from West Elm - 
  April is the month I can feel it....
• celebrate my sister's big 30 with all sorts of fun all month - success!!
• eat breakfast every day - 
  I'm half crossing this off because I've gotten better, but definitely still need to work on making this happen every day
• read 2 books - YES! I read Bitterblue and Divergent. I loved Divergent (way better than the movie in my opinion)
• try a Yoga class
• work on project for dad's work

All in all, 3 out of 6 isn't terrible, but not my best work.  As far as April goes, I don't think making a to-do list full of tasks/must do's, is the motivation that I am looking for this month [and yes I realize we are already halfway through the month-yikes].

Lately, I have felt like I've been in a bit of a slump.  Some days I'll be totally fine, and dominate the day and its craziness... and then the next, I'm dragggggging myself through the day, fighting off insecurities and anxieties.  It's difficult and tiring to keep up with that swing of emotions!  So, what I'd really like to do this month, instead of task oriented goals, is make somewhat of an attitude adjustment and be more intentional about being a happier, more joyful version of myself.

• fight off feelings of insecurity & take advantage of a freer schedule -
  As a 27 year old housewife, sometimes I feel like a misfit in this world due to society's lame way of judging each other based on what we "do" as a career.  I want to fight against this insecurity and be content with where the Lord has me right now.  And I want to make the best of it by taking the opportunity to help others out/spend some quality time [ways to do this: take mom out to lunch over her spring break from her bible study responsibilities, continue volunteering in Steph's classroom twice a week, be intentional about spending time with my dear friend Tara before she moves]
• be content with the weather.................
  ugh.  Even writing that, I struggle not to roll my eyes.  I really really really need Spring to come and STAY.  I can feel my body's lack of Vitamin D, I really need the sun.  But I also really need to be content with what the Lord has provided- even in the cold in April.  I need to adjust this attitude.
• write two letters of appreciation
  A big part of being joyful is being thankful, is it not?  This month I want to think less about myself and the concerns, worries, and whatever, and think more about those around me- letting them know that they are loved and appreciated.
• pray over anxious feelings as soon as they pop into my head
  For some reason, my prayer life has been seriously lacking lately.  I know that this plays a significant role in seeking joy and peace.

I honestly am really looking forward to working on these things during the last few weeks of April!  My prayer is that it has a significant impact on the level of joy and peace in my life.  Hope your month is off to a great start.

xoxo

March madness

I seriously feel like I can't keep up with life lately.  I swear that just yesterday I was posting my February To-do list, and yet here we are in the first week of March.  Yikes.  Yesterday I was feeling so overwhelmed by all the things I needed, wanted to accomplish by the end of the day that instead of doing them I decided it would be a perfectly good day to crawl back into bed in the afternoon, catch up on a few episodes on Netflix, and just rest.  That's exactly what I wish time would do- realize that it's been racing around like a crazy person and take a breather and just slow down!! Wouldn't that be amazing?

As a result of life seeming to race by lately, I have to admit that I did a terrible job on my to-do list from February.  Here's how it panned out.

• find an area rug for the living room
  I'd like to partially cross off the first item because I did in fact find an area rug that I love… just haven't been able to purchase it yet.  I found it here  online at West Elm.  I absolutely love it, (not so much the price tag) but I need to make a trip to the Chicago area to look at it in person.
• rid Finn of his itchy mites (I hope I hope)- CHECK
  Yay!  We had the last Lime Sulfur dip for Finn at the Humane Society last week!  Praying that the last bath did the trick and that the mites are gone for good. 
• do something FUN!!!!!
  My husband and I had the pleasure of attending an Oscar Gala!!! We went to it last year (I wrote about it here) and it was soo great.  Getting dressed up, walking down a red carpet, getting a few photos snapped, and watching the Oscars while enjoying a delicious meal? Umm yes please! This is technically not in February but since it happened before I wrote the March goals list, I am counting it. hah. 
• celebrate my hubby - plan a date
  Life is so busy- I feel like my husband and I never see each other.  This is a must-do in the near future.
• read The Fault in Our Stars- CHECK
  Suuuuper good book.  Also super sad.  Definitely recommend it.  I also read Wool by Hugh Howey - I could take or leave that one.  
• work out weekly (at least once a week in addition to volleyball)
• get into a daily rhythm of reading the Bible

The last two on the list are ones that I am still working on but didn't quite get where I wanted to this month.  I am discovering more and more the importance for me to work out regularly, not just because it's a good thing to do but because I really need to have toned muscles that can support my efforts to having good posture.  And as far as reading the bible everyday, I tried really hard at the beginning of the month and it was going well!  And then I fell off the track or something and it just went downhill.  This will forever be on my to-do list.

I'm calling my March To-do list post March Madness because that's what I feel like this month is going to be like.  My days are planned out basically all the way through the end of the month.  I'm pretty sure I will be coming back to write the April post and be saying something very similar to how I started out today's.  Oh well, such is life.  I shall strap in and hang on for the ride.  Here's what I'm shooting for this month.

• go look at (and hopefully) buy the area rug from West Elm
• celebrate my sister's big 30 with all sorts of fun all month - 
  I have to pause and tell you about this one.  My sister is turning 30 this month and she has decided to do something awesome to celebrate her special year.  She is doing a "birthday bucket list" made up of 30 items that she will complete during her birthday month!  The items range from trying a new class at the gym to, going to a roller derby, to having a photo scavenger hunt- lots of random fun to be had.  I think it's such a brilliant idea and I'm blessed to be able to tag along for a lot of it :)
• eat breakfast every day 
• read 2 books
• try a Yoga class
• work on project for dad's work 

Thanks for tagging along for the ride with me again this month!  Have some goals you want to accomplish?  Join me and link up with The Tiny Twig.  Cheers to making March awesome.

xoxo

February To-do List

A couple months ago, I linked up with Hayley Morgan over at Tiny Twig, who challenged us to join her in making goals for the month of November.  I decided to call mine a "to-do list" instead of goals because it makes me feel like my list is more attainable and less optional.  This gave me a greater push to stick to it, and work towards getting them done.

I cannot believe that November came and went so quickly, and here I am at the beginning of February, and I have yet to share how my November to-do list went! (yikes!) So here's a quick update:

• get a lil Christmas shopping done [buy at least 3 gifts] -CHECK
• CELEBRATE 2 YEARS WITH MY HUBBY - CHECK
• read A Million Little Things
• go to Body Pump once a week - CHECK
• hang some pictures on the walls - CHECK
• write November goals post - CHECK
• go to Puerto Rico!!! - CHECK

I am proud that other than reading A Million Little Things, (which I won as a giveaway from the lovely Heidi) I pretty much dominated my to-do list.  Going to Puerto Rico, and celebrating 2 years with my hubby by having a little staycation in Milwaukee were definitely two highlights of the month.  But I was also pretty excited about getting some pictures hung on the wall finally (check out my Instagramto see a pic of the gallery wall I put together).

Last time I made a to-do list, I made a point to not just include things that I wanted to get done, but to celebrate special moments and choose to make joyful activities a part of my monthly goals.  This is something that I'd like to continue in the month of February (and every other, for that matter).  With that said, here's what I've got lined up for this month:

• find an area rug for the living room
• rid Finn of his itchy mites (I hope I hope)
• do something FUN!!!!!
• celebrate my hubby - plan a date
• read The Fault in Our Stars
• work out weekly (at least once a week in addition to volleyball)
• get into a daily rhythm of reading the Bible

I am really looking forward to the encouragement and accountability that linking up with Hayley and all the other ladies brings.  Can't wait to cross these items off my list and make this February a memorable one.

xoxo

………….

Kitten update: Last week I shared about my sweet kitten, Finn- and how he's dealing with quite a bit of health issues.  I am happy to say that at the moment he's doing well. Still dealing with the mites, making many trips to the vet to get his lime sulfur baths- and finished his cold medicine.  But so far, no fatal disease- praise the Lord.  Besides the itches, he acts like any other kitty running around like crazy and chasing his toys.  He is such a trooper.  I am really looking forward to the day we are done with all this and hopefully he will just be a happy and healthy kitten.   

November to-do list

I don't know about you, but I am all about checklists.  In college, I would write down my daily assignments in my planner, looking forward to the proud moment when I could cross the item off my list.  And I must admit, I am totally one of those people who would add an already finished assignment onto my list just so that I could have the satisfaction of crossing it off.   There is something so exciting about that physical action of drawing a line through it, isn't there?

Maybe that's part of the reason that for me, lists are not just a good reminder, but a good motivation to get it things done.  That's why, as I'm linking up with Hayley over at The Tiny Twig, who challenged us to join her in making goals for the month of November, I'm calling it my November To-Do list instead of my November goals.  For some reason, the idea of goals sometimes feels too far fetched.  Simply throwing the title "to-do list" up there makes me feel like my goals are way more attainable.  It's totally a mental thing, I get that.  But for me, it helps!

With that said, here is my list of to-dos for the month of November.

• get a lil Christmas shopping done [buy at least 3 gifts]
• CELEBRATE 2 YEARS WITH MY HUBBY
• read A Million Little Things
• go to Body Pump once a week
• hang some pictures on the walls
• write November goals post
• go to Puerto Rico!!!

Notice how I added the one item that I can already check off the list?  :) I couldn't help myself.

One thing that I thought about as I put together this little list, is how important it is to me that my list isn't just made up of things I'd like to get done, but also a reminder to celebrate special moments and choose to make joyful activities a part of my goals.  It's so easy to think of goals as all the gruesome, hard things that we kinda don't want to do, but feel we should.  But why??  Last year, I declared somewhat of a 2013 resolution- that I wanted to be more in love with life, by being intentional about choosing joy in any way that I could.  I loved this little challenge I gave myself, and was significantly encouraged by the discipline that I built to make joyful opportunities happen and reflect on those blessings by sharing some on my blog. Like this one for example.  Putting joyful activities on my list of to-dos is just another way I hope to carry on this discipline.

In John 10, Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." My prayer is that your November may also be full, not just with the things that you need to get done, but with many intentionally joyful activities.