2010 year in review

Have you ever read something on a blog and thought "that is neat" or "that's something to think about" and then later that thought keeps creeping back into your mind when you least expected it? Well that is what Tara's post from Jan 4th from her blog "Family Traditions...One story at a time" did to me!

Tara posted on her blog about picking a "word" as a theme for your upcoming year. An idea "of having a WORD to define you and move you through the upcoming year." I thought this was an interesting idea, and then I found myself at quiet times thinking about this concept. What word did I want to pick for 2010? Well for those of your who have read my past post know that I selected the word "margin" for my theme word for 2010.

Well here is my 2010 review of look back on how that word or concept was used in my prayer life, and daily or sometimes weekly quiet time to make a difference in my life. Well I did finish my Beth Moore bible study that I had been working on by myself (boy that takes discipline- much easier to do with a group that will hold you accountable). Secondly I did add more time and arranged my time before school to help get the girls off to school better, with less stress. Those are ways God helped me improve or work on my margins. God also took the liberty to point out where I thought I had margin built into my budget - that I really could not depend on myself but had to depend on him even if I had margin in my life. (the heater went out upstairs, both AC units went out, the van broke down, my dishwasher broke down 3 times this year, and my washing machine broke as well) yes, God sometimes has to hit me over the head in order to make a point. Margins may help in having a peaceful life but only God can be my strength and my comfort. That is what I learned in 2010.

I only run if someone is chasing me!

That was the mantra I had lived by for the last 20 years. However some small changes have been taking place in my life that is bringing that mantra to a change.

1. A good girlfriend of mine started to jog (consistently!!)

2. My across the street neighbors have been running

3. One of my brothers has started up jogging

(THE TRUE REASON IS NEXT -YES! I AM THAT VAIN!)

4. I saw a horrible scary picture of me with a view of my bottom - AHHHH!!!!! Need I say more!

So I have decided that I should try to get fit. So I started out a week ago walking. Then I stumbled across some really inspiring blogs :

* Chubby Chicks run to

* Learning to run

* Real Fat

* Half-marathon-running

I found these blogs inspirational and started to think "maybe I could achieve my weight loss goal". So I started walking, then I started walk/jogging and much to my dismay I am liking how it makes me feel. (I know I am as shocked as anyone!)

So I have decided to post once a week, an update on this attempt -just to make an honest woman out of me! Trying to add margins (which is my theme word for 2010) to my routine in the form of exercise.

So here it goes:

I have walked/jog 6.8 miles so far this week

I have done yoga 1x so far this week

My goals for this week are:

to walk/jog 10 miles this week

do yoga 1x this week

do Pilate's 2x this week

My end goal is to do a 5k this fall and see if I can get more fit in the process. We shall see! (and much to my hubby's dismay I have him out there walk/jogging with me!)

finding time for myself

Finding time for myself hard!! As a mom most of the time I find for myself is early morning - ugh!!! (Give me a cup of coffee!) and late at night (once again - I am tired! Give me a diet coke!) So when?? Well on my ongoing search to continue to find margin in my life (Margin is my word for 2010) I am looking at trying to find time to work out - (after my last blog about back loaf - hum.. I wonder why I feel that I might need that!) So I have determined that the best way to find time is to commit to it my blog.

Nothing like public commitment and being scared of embarrassment to keep you on track. I started on the Hcg diet this week, I have started the Crunch fat burning dance party workout (44 mins - my feet hurt) as you can tell I have a PhD in whining! I am really pretty good at it. The whining will cut down once my body is back in the swing of things, but at the beginning I will warn all - I am a big whiner! My goal is to work out with the dance party work out 3 times, a week and walk 6 days out of 7. I downloaded some neat apps to help me keep track of my calories.

I will have to post updates under my margin updates. (if I could instruct the orchestra to play something dramatic it would be right here) So now I have done what I needed to do post my goal achievement plan (GAP) for short!

Margins- having room for friends!

Margin is having more than what is needed. Once a week I try to report how I am doing, or what I am learning while trying to install, make room, or make adjustments in my life. This last week I have been thinking a lot about my girlfriends! Girlfriends are so important in life, yet they are just a portion of my life. One that can quickly be pushed aside if I am not careful to make sure that I make the time to connect with my girlfriends!

When I had small children (3 under the age of 5) I used to stay in touch with friends mainly by phone calls. I would keep track in my journal the friends I really wanted to stay in contact with and make it a goal that once every 2 weeks I would take the time, to reach out and "touch someone" verbally by placing a call. That meant scheduling!!! All my kids had to go down for naps by a certain time, my cordless phone had to be charged, and I needed use the restroom, and pour myself a large glass of Diet Coke, all before I could make my self comfortable and kick back to a fun conversation.

I also joined a bunko group - it is amazing how quickly a month can fly by when you are so busy chasing little or big kiddos around. (Don't believe me, mark something down on the calendar then try to accurately guess how long it has been since you have seen so and so, or went out to eat alone with your hubby - that is unless you have a standing date already set!)

Now days my kids are older, but I am still in a moms group (One of the most important things I ever did for myself. Scheduled, standing date for a mom, to have a few hours a month off really helps recharge mom's batteries!). I stay in contact also through facebook, as well as the mom's in my mom's group here in town meet for coffee once a week! (That means keeping the schedule open 90% of the time, as well as $5.00 a week in the budget for this outing!) However I am convinced all this purpose full set time is so important!!!

One of my favorite quotes is "Remember, the greates tgift is not found in a store or under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends" by Cindy Lee. Ophrah has said often (back when I used to watch her show) that forgiveness is a gift we give our self. But I believe a friend is a gift we give our self as well! Have you given yourself any gifts lately??????

My journey in adding margin to my life....

The word "Margin" is my word for 2010. It is a theme I have selected to try to add to my life- To have "more" of what is necessary to have "extra". Extra time, Extra $ in the budget, with the extra time you can choose to spend time with your spouse and with my children, extra time to do things that bring me enjoyment, extra $ so I do not worry about life, but also extra $ so that I can help others, All those "Extra" were my goal. However God has showed me that having "Extra" time, allows me to be able to pour myself out into other people who are not my spouse and daughters.

Sometimes your "Extra" time can bless others!!! I love Motherhood, I think Mom's are so very important. We have a tough job!!!!! One of my favorite quotes is from "Mom Matters" by Jane Jarrell. "As wives and mothers, we set the tone for our home. We are in the business of growing hearts while preventing damage from weeds the world blows in out garden." Does that not just sum up girlfriends, what we are trying to do!

My life has hit a new phase, all my girls are in school full time this year, and my husband and I have decided that I will continue to stay home. Just because my kids are no longer at home August-May for 7 hours, I still have laundry, a house to clean, food to buy, and meals to cook. However I recognize I have the ability to do this without a baby on my hip. My children when the come from school can talk in complete sentence and we have great conversations. But I remember the days when I had 3 under the age of 5, when I got happy the first song that came into my head to hum was the theme song to Dora (a kids cartoon), when I was learning to parent, had self doubt about everything, struggled with being lonely with no adult to talk to during the day until my husband came home. Now don't get me wrong I would not have traded those precious days for anything!!!! However I was blessed to have my mom live around the block from me, who would call me, stop by and help me, bless me with little inexpensive surprises (like a cherry limeade from sonic in the middle of the day) how helpful was that!!!

Well God has placed in my life 3 young ladies who have small children and no family members who live close to them, who are in the middle of this stage in life. Through a conversation we had the other day God literally turned the light bulb on in my head and said "Amy, here is a mom who needs encouragement, a mom you could give some of your extra time" What that means to me, is that I need to stay on schedule, not get behind, not to just use "my extra time" on me, (what my life not to be centered just around me?!? Shocking I know!!) Place things in priority. Then I will have extra time for others. This is a balancing act that I have to lean on God so that I can bless others with the extra margin of time that I work on having in my life.
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I have also struggled with and currently still work with trying to keep the house clean and orderly so that my girls can have friends over, and when the opportunity presents itself that I can say "sure,\" yes". I have also had to work on letting go of just getting my house perfect, smelling fresh, everything in it's place and be open to letting a group of middle school, and elementary kids who smell like sweaty puppies come in and take over the game room, eat and drink food that might get spilt on the carpet, things might get knocked over and broken, However we can allow others to be blessed in our home. Loving other people like Christ calls us to, really is messy, and takes time.

Who has God called you to bless? Where can you carve out extra time from your schedule? Or maybe your like me, you really have been blessed with time, but maybe you need to get on a schedule . So that you might have time to bless others. Or learn to live with a little mess so that you can love others. I encourage everyone to get messy loving and encouraging those that God has placed in your life, you might as well have fun doing it! Life is short!

A mom's journey to finding "Margins" in her life

"It takes wisdom to have a good family, and it takes understanding to make it strong. It takes knowledge to fill a home with rare and beautiful treasures" Proverbs 24:3&4

I have picked the word "margins" to be my theme for 2010- Margin being defined as: having more that what is needed/necessary. I have decided to use my blog to keep me on track and post once a week my journey or learning experience in trying to add "Margins" to my life and my families lifestyle.

I have been surprised how this week has gone, I knew for sure God would lay it upon my heart to give up an activity or rearrange something- however that has not been the case (this week that is). In order to find margin -God is showing me I first have to have the "wisdom" to recognize that if Margin is the space around what is necessary, then "What is necessary?"


God has been teaching me that He is necessary! Not only in having a relationship with him through prayer and time in his word, but following his wisdom, direction and ways are necessary! His ways are perfect and bring peace. I may not understand his logic or his ways at times, but God has been asking "Why do you call me "Lord, Lord" but do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46
You see the word says that Jesus has became wisdom for us (1 Corinthians 1:30) so even if I don't understand his ways I should follow his way not my own. I admit I enjoy watching a popular TV show that follows a group of "housewives". However I shake my head at some of the episodes when they show some of the "housewives" older kids getting thrown in jail, going off to parties at the Playboy mansion. The ladies themselves have friendship's that are not lasting, their marriages are falling apart. These ladies are honestly shocked, surprised and devastated that their lives have spiraled out of control into chaos and most are living unfulfilled lives - even though they all have been blessed materially with so much that our culture tells us is important.
God has been stressing to me that Satan tries to distract us with things, and needs that offer "False Fulfillment " they do not last! God's way are perfect and bring peace. I watch the show and I know I do not want my life to end up like theirs not for all the money in the world! It takes "Wisdom" /"Jesus" to have a good family. If that is the body of my life then the margins will fall into place around that.
Signs that my life has lost it's balance-it's focus on God:

*I avoid people (on purpose) that I don't like

*I can't remember where I put my bible

*I spend more time on Facebook than I do in the bible or in prayer

*My purse is messy (I don't know why but this is always a good indicator to me when I have lost control or balance in my life - it might not apply to you)


What do you find are signs in your life that you have lost your focus on God??? How do you keep your focus on God??

Margins in my time

Well this is the second week of my posting my adventure into developing "Margins" into my life. The word "margins" is the word I picked out to be my own "theme" word for 2010. However the word margins is also being discussed in the sermon series at our church (http://www.lifechurchtv.com/) the message this week challenged us on our "margins" with our "time".

Brent and I discussed that one of our love languages is quality time together, and there are certain TV shows we really enjoy watching together. (We laugh at the jokes, it prompts conversation, as well as we mock some of the crazy plots sometimes). However since we have gotten a laptop, usually one of us finds our self on the laptop while the other watches the show. Thus we are two individuals occupying the same room, but not really enjoy each other's company. So therefore, we have decided to take 2 and 1/2 hours free from computers most nights -we have chosen the time frame of 8pm-10:30 pm due to the fact that is our usual time together.

I have also been working on a Beth Moore bible study by myself off and on for about a year now. My goal is to discipline myself to finish this bible study with daily time alone with God.

I have also decided as a mom to try to get up 15 mins prior to getting my kids up (I know I am not a morning person some of you will be shocked, I actually get my kids up, while I am still in bed- there I admit it) However I am personally trying to make the effort to allow more time in the morning so that we have "margins" in our schedule in arriving to school on time.

As of right now these are the main changes that Brent and I have decided to focus on in our "time change" in order to allow more margins in our life with our time.

Does anyone have any tips that works for them to allow more margins in scheduling their day to day life? What works for you? or where do you wish you had more margins in your life in regard to time management???

Well here is the latest update with my blog: it is Tues. and the kiddos are still out of school! They have had a long weekend due to Martin Luther King day, and the school district added a professional day. So I have taken the time off to play with them. Even though I have been playing I have thought about my blog, and have decided that I would have more time to blog a "deep" blog about our Margin shift in our lifestyle by moving it to Monday when the girls are usually in school, so I am going to join Jonni over at http://www.soundslikebaloney.blogspot.com/ for her perfect pairing on Sundays. Hope everyone has a good week!

A Word

Have you ever read something on a blog and thought "that is neat" or "that's something to think about" and then later that thought keeps creeping back into your mind when you least expected it? Well that is what Tara's post from Jan 4th from her blog "Family Traditions...One story at a time" did to me!

Tara posted on her blog about picking a "word" as a theme for your upcoming year. An idea "of having a WORD to define you and move you through the upcoming year." I thought this was an interesting idea, and then I found myself at quiet times thinking about this concept. What word did I want to pick for 2010? The more I thought about this, the more I tried out different words, but nothing really struck a chord with me, that is until I went to church.

At church our pastor Craig Groeschel talked to us about living life in the margins. Our culture tells us we need to live our lives chasing after more, bigger, faster and we are worn out, it is not working for us! God tells us in Romans 12:2

²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

If we choose not to live our life chasing these things, and choose to live our lives in the margin. Margin being defined as "the amount available beyond what is necessary". Having more of what you want than you need- $, time. It is a choice. If you want to learn more the sermon can be seen here at: Lifechurch.tv

The concept challenged me, made me uncomfortable and hit way too close to home. So I am making a commitment to try to change my life to living a life within the "margins". I am going to post on Sunday's each week about my challenges, and choices to try to live life with margins. I will be honest with you this may not be a pretty ride, but my husband and I have made a commitment to try our best to reorganize our lives.

So you probably have guessed by this point that my "Word" for 2010 is (drum roll please:) : "Margins". What word would you pick or have picked to be your word for 2010?