Last week one of my friends told me that the DI Pod was at one of the church buildings here in our city. If you don't know what a DI Pod is, its like a donation box to bring you old used items to. The items are distributed to all different places~including shipped across seas to countries in need. Anyway, this got my mind going crazy. When the DI Pod is in town I always try to clean out a drawer, the toy box, or a closet. My closet was the lucky draw this time. I have had 4 children over the last 8 years, so all different sizes and styles of clothes can be found in my closet. My husband never believes me that I have nothing to wear because of the pure bulk of clothes, so I decided it was time. After I do all the laundry I can hardly find an empty hanger to put the clean clothes on!
Step #1: I started by emptying out all the clothes that don't fit~ including a few maternity pieces that were missed, some tops I bought simply for nursing, and lots of older pants and shorts that are just huge on me. I found some that I used to wear back in college~ so disturbing! Why was I holding onto this stuff? I have the pictures that prove I gained the freshman 15, (so maybe it was 20)~ why do I need the pants? If you've lost some weight and don't want to go back to that size ever, then get rid of the clothes!!! (If you are still having children then put it away in a box, don't keep them in your closet).
Step #2: Once I rid of those I went onto those things I haven't worn in years and that are way outdated and I would never want to be caught dead wearing them! Seriously, I don't plan on being the mom that wears the same dress in family pics 15 years later by accident!
Step #3: Next, I went onto a few shirts that have mommy stains and I never wear because of the stain I was never able to get off. Sad, some of them were only worn once or twice, but that's what happens when we are mom's right? The price we pay :)
After all the sifting and organizing my closet looks much better and I can find the things that I like to wear much quicker. It feels good to walk into a clean organized space where I have only those items I enjoy wearing and not the ones that remind me of times when I was unhappy with my body image. It felt great! So if you haven't cleaned out that closet in a while, give it a whirl. Good luck!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Calendar in control?
Life is just CRAZY!!! I don't know if its because I have 4 kids now, but life has just gotten so hectic around here! I had just had enough of it and needed to make a change. I was so exhausted every night running off to practices, finishing late night homework, running here and there and everywhere!
I decided to read a few talks from leaders of my church and a couple things hit me. Here are a few of the words from Dieter F. Uchtdorf~
"Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives.
It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Over scheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks.
There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions. Leonardo da Vinci is quoted as saying that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace. "
I decided to take these words to heart, so instead of complaining about my busy life as a mother of 4, I decided it was time to take hold of my life and that of my children as well. Kirk and I decided to fore go the baseball season that we considered signing Bruin up for and sticking to some more simple activities that take up less time and are more flexible with our schedule. We are loving that our evenings are more open to spend as a family and enjoy some relaxing moments together. We are also able to visit with family and friends more often. Its also been helping me feel peace in my life. I feel blessed to have time to do those things that matter most.
Challenge: Try to cut back on the scheduled events on your calendar. Find one night a week that you can spend just doing something together as a family. Enjoy time with your husband, children, parents, or with whoever is most important in your life.
I decided to read a few talks from leaders of my church and a couple things hit me. Here are a few of the words from Dieter F. Uchtdorf~
"Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives.
It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Over scheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks.
There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions. Leonardo da Vinci is quoted as saying that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace. "
I decided to take these words to heart, so instead of complaining about my busy life as a mother of 4, I decided it was time to take hold of my life and that of my children as well. Kirk and I decided to fore go the baseball season that we considered signing Bruin up for and sticking to some more simple activities that take up less time and are more flexible with our schedule. We are loving that our evenings are more open to spend as a family and enjoy some relaxing moments together. We are also able to visit with family and friends more often. Its also been helping me feel peace in my life. I feel blessed to have time to do those things that matter most.
Challenge: Try to cut back on the scheduled events on your calendar. Find one night a week that you can spend just doing something together as a family. Enjoy time with your husband, children, parents, or with whoever is most important in your life.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Sorry!
Sorry for being lazy on keeping up with the blog. Guess life happens~ keeping up with 4 kids, house, homework/projects, laundry, exercise, church stuff, etc. is not easy!
Two great things have happened this week that I want to share.
#1 Has to do with exercise. I have been continuing to go to the gym, and I got a friend to join me this week which was really fun and exciting (thanks Linds)! Also, on Tuesday before our normal "park day" my friend and I went to the park an hour early and worked out while our kids played. When all the other fun gals got there we explained why we were sweaty and in our work out clothes- they were sad they missed the exercise, so we decided to do an exercise/park day today and it went really well. Instead of sitting around munching on our kids goldfish and other miscellaneous crackers we worked our booties off~ it was awesome. Sounds like its a new weekly routine, so I'm really excited about it! Moral of the story, share a workout with a friend~it makes it so much more fun and enjoyable!
#2 I have a fun lunch date set up with a family member who I have let slide through the cracks somehow and never really gotten to know much about. I'm looking forward to it :) I hope we can become better friends and understand eachother a little better.
So, that's my weekly wrap up. What good things have you made happen this week?
Two great things have happened this week that I want to share.
#1 Has to do with exercise. I have been continuing to go to the gym, and I got a friend to join me this week which was really fun and exciting (thanks Linds)! Also, on Tuesday before our normal "park day" my friend and I went to the park an hour early and worked out while our kids played. When all the other fun gals got there we explained why we were sweaty and in our work out clothes- they were sad they missed the exercise, so we decided to do an exercise/park day today and it went really well. Instead of sitting around munching on our kids goldfish and other miscellaneous crackers we worked our booties off~ it was awesome. Sounds like its a new weekly routine, so I'm really excited about it! Moral of the story, share a workout with a friend~it makes it so much more fun and enjoyable!
#2 I have a fun lunch date set up with a family member who I have let slide through the cracks somehow and never really gotten to know much about. I'm looking forward to it :) I hope we can become better friends and understand eachother a little better.
So, that's my weekly wrap up. What good things have you made happen this week?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Jean Shopping
You know when you go to the store and try on two different sizes of pants, and usually its the bigger one that fits? Today I fit into the smaller size, the size I haven't hung in my closet since high school! Amazing feeling! Working out and making small changes to my diet is really paying off! I feel awesome! Thanks everyone for helping to keep me motivated. Your little success stories and words of praise have really inspired me. Keep them coming!
Oh, and I thought I'd share that I got in contact with my special lunch date and we are hoping to get together really soon. I'm excited to learn more about this person and spend some time together just hanging out and getting to know each other~ I am super excited!!!
I am planning to post my next challenge on Sunday. Its one I've been working on doing better at, and its really changed my feeling about life in general. Thanks everyone for taking on these small challenges with me and making small improvements to ourselves along the way :) You deserve to do something for yourself every once in a while.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Feeling crazy?
The last few weeks have been really hectic for me, mostly due to a certain child~ I won't mention names, but he's been the one not listening, pooping in his pants, yelling at me to get him what he needs, pushing his baby sister over, escaping out the front door of the store while I'm checking out, and lots of other nutty stuff that just takes me to my absolute limit of frustration and patience. I found this blog called Power of Moms that has lots of great resources. It has a great question/answer section about frustration that gave me some new ideas.
So, if you are feeling a bit crazy like me, check it out and let me know if any of the tips are working for you or if you have any ideas of your own to share. Boy do I need some ideas right now!
http://new.powerofmoms.com/2011/03/how-do-you-handle-frustration-2/
Thanks,
Joanna
So, if you are feeling a bit crazy like me, check it out and let me know if any of the tips are working for you or if you have any ideas of your own to share. Boy do I need some ideas right now!
http://new.powerofmoms.com/2011/03/how-do-you-handle-frustration-2/
Thanks,
Joanna
Monday, March 7, 2011
Do you feel it? Added Challenge
Last week's challenge was to refocus efforts of those things that are most important in your life. As I took on this challenge I found myself spending less time on the computer and more time playing with my children, spending quality time with my friends, reconnecting with a few of my family members who I had become out of touch with, taking care of my home, and of course a date night with the hubby was on the to do list.
I also thought about the blessings I have in my life. I felt reconnected to God as well and felt his presence in my life. I know that God can direct us if we take the time to listen. As I pondered I realized that in my last post where I wrote about my trip to San Diego and visiting my Grandmother and cousins, God had directed me there. It was a very impromptu trip, which usually I am more of a planner, and in the end there was a distinct purpose for me being there. I really believe that it was no coincidence, and that God had a hand in it.
I have been thinking about other ideas for this weeks challenge. Some good ones popped into my mind, but I still have a few unfinished things that have to do with last week's challenge. I'm hoping I'm not the only one, so I want to challenge you again to focus your efforts this week again toward those things on your personal "importance" list and add one more part to it.
Challenge: Write a note or have lunch with someone in your life who you care about and would like to develop a closer relationship with. I already have someone on my mind, so I'm hoping I can set up something very soon.
I also thought about the blessings I have in my life. I felt reconnected to God as well and felt his presence in my life. I know that God can direct us if we take the time to listen. As I pondered I realized that in my last post where I wrote about my trip to San Diego and visiting my Grandmother and cousins, God had directed me there. It was a very impromptu trip, which usually I am more of a planner, and in the end there was a distinct purpose for me being there. I really believe that it was no coincidence, and that God had a hand in it.
I have been thinking about other ideas for this weeks challenge. Some good ones popped into my mind, but I still have a few unfinished things that have to do with last week's challenge. I'm hoping I'm not the only one, so I want to challenge you again to focus your efforts this week again toward those things on your personal "importance" list and add one more part to it.
Challenge: Write a note or have lunch with someone in your life who you care about and would like to develop a closer relationship with. I already have someone on my mind, so I'm hoping I can set up something very soon.
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