Celebrate Life

I have been re-reading Sally Clarkson's book Seasons of a Mother's Heart. Only one chapter in and I am seeing my biggest struggle is lack of contentedness and gratitude. I have let the responsibilities and tasks to become the master instead of the gift, beauty and love of being together.


"So make the choice to celebrate life with your family. It is so easy to think that life consists of  assorted responsibilities, tasks, and crises that fill up the hours of each homeschooling day. But it doesn't. The parts of life that matter most are the unexpected moments and memories that happen each day - the ones the won't be forgotten. Choose to be thankful, and learn to be content. You'll find the joy that God wants you to know."

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our home to yours.

So grateful for the baby born to take away the sin of the world.

Our debt is paid. We are free! Let us live and give as if it is true. 

 

It has been an adventurous year to say the least.

 

 

So grateful for my family and all the blessings and growth that come with them.

 

Here is a little something I will leave you to try. I found this recipe on one of Ann's links she often shares. We have made it about a half dozen times so far and it never disappoints. Great gift to give as well as indulge in yourself. It only has five ingredients, totally grain free and super yummy. Enjoy!

Faith is a Being Satisfied in All that God is.....

What's evil? The suicidal preference of empty wells over the river of delights flowing from heaven. That's evil! The battle against evil is not to constantly say "No, no, no. Bad, bad, bad." There's no power in that. The power of the flesh is coming at you, the power of the devil is coming at you, and you're going to [muster] up your willpower and make that the victory? You're not. You're not.

 One thing will give you the victory: Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. And faith is a being satisfied in all that God is for us in Jesus Christ. You've got to stoke that engine every morning so that the evils that are clawing at you loose its fangs. You can't have me, I've seen Jesus this morning. Lust, you can't have me. Greed, you can't have me. Fear of man, you can't have me. Bitterness and anger, you can't have me. I've seen Jesus this morning.

 

 

John Piper

That kind of day

"You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me."

C.S. Lewis

Just because........

 He is growing up.

 No more baby around here.

 He is a big boy now!

So handsome, fun and such a blessing.

Can't believe this guy is weeks away from being four years old!

A Camping We Will Go

We are off in a few days camping. This is the first time we have gone as a family. After this I will let you know if we ever go again :)

Eli is officially potty trained.  Woo Hoo! Perfect timing.

I thought I'd leave you with a few sites that I have read heavily over the last six months. The eating lifestyle I have chosen is explained in both places. There is far more to the story then just the Paleo diet but this way if your interested you can start exploring while I am away.

Paleo Parents

Paleo Mom

EveryDay Paleo


See you in a week or so.

Where have I been?

Shrinking.........from 241lbs to 194lbs (so far). I have lost a total of 47lbs in the last 16 months.

This is before:

 This picture was taken in March 2011 with my friend Stacy at With Great Joy. We met for breakfast one morning. This was the first time we had seen each other face to face. Love my blog buddies! This is about the only picture I have of myself this size.....I just didn't take pictures of myself. This is me at 241lbs and size 20 jeans.

 This is me now...194lbs

 These pants are size 13 (weird eh?) and my size 14 jeans are to big. Time to go shopping for size 12.

So there you have it, me finally figuring out how to not just drop weight but feel healthy and more energetic then ever. I conquered my PCOS and am medication free due to the changes I have made in my life. I had tried everything except what I did and well......it worked for me!

Aren't ya just aching to know what I did? I will eventually tell you :o) And I did not starve myself just in case you are wondering.

There are other changes some of which have been painful. This is in part why things have been quiet around here. Not sure what writing will look like form this point on. I am making no commitments to anything....not that I ever really did anyway. I am excited about the new chapter of life God has opened up for us.

More to come.....