Half the Battle

I was perusing other blogs that I enjoy and one mentioned this idea of "half the battle" and I love it! So, here's mine...
I feel like half of my daily battle has been fought, as long as my scentsy is turned on from the second I get home from work until I got to bed. Even if the dishes need washing + the towels are piling up in the bathroom + the floors haven't been vaccuumed (in god-knows how long) + my bed isn't made + my mail is still in the box.

It's the little things in life, right?

What helps you fight your daily battle?

Daily Quote

Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?

This was the daily quote on my cell phone today. It really caught me off guard and made me think...what should I let go of in order to move forward in 2011? Stressing about a job for my husband? Worrying about the perfect time to start our family? Financial strains? Not saving enough money? I'll let you know what I figure out...

And, I keep reminding myself that every year is a fresh start. I'm ready to welcome 2011 and say good riddens to 2010.

food for thought.

between my "look that way" and "lift your chin" haircut, my cousin-slash-fabulous hairdresser and i were gossiping about the things we love and loathe about our lives. naturally, we got to talking about what we disagree with our husbands over. hers was football on sundays instead of church with the family. mine was an unreachable husband due to anti-cell phone beliefs and the fact that it's never on him (EVER!). quickly, the conversation emerged from what irritates us to what makes us swoon all over again, what makes us want to marry them all over again. that list was much more solid and jam-packed with smiles, giggles, and oh-my-gosh-did-you-know's. all the things that make non-girly-girls cringe. we discussed how her husband is such a great, hands-on father and i shared my predictions that mine would be the same way. i already see it in his interactions with our nieces. in the thick of our conversation, another hairdresser slides into our conversation..."don't you girls ever go divorcing those husbands of yours! if you got one that doubles as a good father, you've already won. nothing else matters, you hear me? nothing." then she half-giggled and walked away. and now, even four hours later, i'm still chewing over that thick hunk of unsolicited advice she spewed. i don't think i will ever forget it.

Loud & clear.

Sometimes I get sad when I think we'll have to wait even longer to start our own family. Then, Sophia and Peyton (and the fact that I can watch them whenever I want) popped into my head. I hear you, God. Loud and clear.

Leaving the theater Thursday night, I was pretty late for a work night and kept repeating "I'm so tired" (obviously feeling sorry for myself). At the next stop light, I glanced over towards the sidewalk and was fixated on outlines of people under thin blankets sleeping on the street. I hear you, God. Loud and clear.

Friday morning on my drive to work, I was irritated at the fact that I was running late due to having to scrape ice off my windshield (and wait for my car to warm up). Then, I glanced over to see a man waiting at the bus-stop, clearly freezing and wearing a mask to cover his face from the cold. I hear you, God. Loud and clear.

This morning, while I got ready for work and my husband remained motionless in our bed, I was jealous. Then, instantly, I remembered how badly that painfully adorable sleeping face is still (patiently) awaiting his chance at a real, permanent full-time engineering job. I hear you, God. Loud and clear.

It's all about giving.

There are few things that make me happier during the holidays than donating toys to our local community. Kevin and I put a lot of thought and time into finding really great gifts at really great deals. Every toy in this image was between $5-7 dollars! It doesn't matter so much about the money - it's about trying to get as many toys for as many children as possible. The best part about it is they are all quality toys that should last far into the new year. Giving has always been really important to us. It just breaks my heart to think that some children will go to bed with imaginative thoughts and promises of a magical Santa bringing them a special gift then wake up to nothing. We have so much to be thankful for...why not spread the holiday cheer by putting a smile on a child's face? It means more to me than having another gift under the tree. I can't wait until my nieces are old enough to understand why we give, who we are giving to, and can help us pick out gifts for those who may receive none.

Question vs. Answer

I have had a few half-completed blogs in the works for some time now. Nothing very spectacular, nothing that jumps out of my brain onto the page (or, in this case, keys). As usual, we have been discussing and making plans for 2011, as it is fast approaching. Talks of saving for our own place. Talks of saving for a new (or new-to-us) car (I wouldn't be surprised if Kevin's kills over one day fairly soon). Talks of expanding our little family to 4 instead of 3 (yes, the Monst is part of that equation). Basically, all the same questions and no definitive answers. The problem is the state of the economy right now. Dear Lord, please let 2011 bring a positive light and help us to wash away the struggles of 2010. Although a growing experience, it was a hard year for us (and for everyone) . That's what is keeping us from taking risks - we try to keep it safe in case things go awry again. How do you consciously, given the economy and the shaky state of the job market right now, make a choice to have a baby when you don't know what will happen in a year, 6 months or a week from now? I guess it's one of those situations where you throw caution to the wind and jump in head first. However, that's not really my style. I plan, I stress, I worry. And right now, I'm having a little trouble unclenching my hands from the dock.

tuesday

it's been just one of those days. a doosy of a day, they say. the day that just never ends. i've been experiencing more and more of those recently. and, quite frankly, it's really starting to put me in a bad mood.

i don't mean to be all bah-hum-bug, but i don't know how to shake myself out of it? it's to the point where i am tired of being at work. tired of the day-to-day routine. tired of feeling like there isn't enough time to complete anything of much importance. paper pushing isn't very fulfilling anymore. it offers financial stability, but not much more than that. lately, i've found myself envious of those that don't have to follow a routine. those whose lives are more spontaneous. those who have different kinds of responsibilities. envious of those who don't have to attend a 9 to 5. i guess that's the problem, though. you can always be envious of someone else for some reason or another. but, like they say, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. i've struggled with envious feelings before and it's such an unattractive trait.

so, my question is, how do i change this depressing outlook?

old habits die hard.

all I want for christmas this year is....TO BE A GROWN-UP??

not in the sense of the word that i want to be old(er). but, i have a lot of habits that i'd love to break. it just takes more patience and determination than i've been willing to put forth recently. i really need to learn how to be more organized, more responsible, more clean. i need to learn to not leave my dirty dishes in the sink after dinner (we usually do them the next day after work). i need to learn to always ALWAYS hang up my towel, even when i'm in a rush. i need to learn to put things back where they belong EVERY TIME, so it doesn't pile up on the surfaces on my home. i need to learn to keep my car more organized. (i fear if i got a wreck right now, i'd probably get my head chopped off from debris flying around in my car! haha) basically, i need to try to break old habits and form new ones. like using rubber gloves when i wash the dishes. my mother in law does it, and her mother does it. and i swear, i am hooked. i will never go back! now, if only i could say that about my car...

***note: you would think that, by this post, we have an usually cluttered and messy home. we don't, but it could be better. i want to do these things not only for my husband and my dog, but for myself.

Thank you, mom.

It is now the 1st of December. My favorite month of the year. Now, the countdown begins to Christmas! There is so much joy and giving in this month. I feel like people are more willing to share what little they have with others. Kevin and I are always looking for ways to give. We donate toiletries every year to the Portland Rescue Mission. We usually participate in Operation: Christmas Child. I have a couple options lined up to serve a soup kitchen on Sundays. I always donate a toy or two to our local toy drive at work. The giving really is better than receiving. I just recently saw a "Fill a Stocking for a Senior" (toiletry items and everyday expenses that can add up) and I am tempted to fill one or two. I just think, I'd rather spend a little less on gifts for my family or a little less on going to the movies or eating out to spend a little more on those who don't have much. It's a shame that it doesn't happen consistently all year round, but at least you know at Christmastime people are thinking about the real reasons for the season.

They say there is something therapeutic about the sun. I also think the same thing about the winter season. Not so much the rain, but the crisp, cold air. The snow and icicles. The twinkling lights on houses. A hot cup of cider and a crackling fire. The Christmas trees covered in lights and ornaments. The funny and family-friendly holiday movies. The festive decorations and the cheery holiday music. It really does make it easier to say "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Holidays!" when you are surrounded by so much beauty. That, my friends, is why Christmas is so special to me. Not because of the gifts I will receive, but because of the spiritual gifts you receive every day from strangers on the street and the generous spirit you see in others. I owe it all to my mother. She worked so hard to make Christmas special for her children, always decorating the house so beautiful and blasting the Christmas music. Everything about the holidays makes my heart happy. Your love for Christmas has been instilled in your children and your grand children. Thank you, mom, and Merry Christmas!