The Year Ahead and The Year Behind

It has been a long time since my last blog post. Today as I reflect on my year, I am sad that I did not capture it to the fullness that I have done in the past thanks to blogging (or lack thereof).

2014 was a year of adventure. Here is what I said on our Christmas card...

We…

Decided we were done with long distance dating and are now living

in the same city! (Yay!)

Sold our 1^st camper and upgraded to another one

Attended our first NBA game (Go Grizzlies!)

Devoured much ice cream and Hawaii Five-O

Went on mini-adventures to Little Rock, Memphis, and Bristol

And went camping at Big Hill Pond State Park.

Justin…

Turned 30!

Began getting into the tree business (cutting and taking down trees)

Found out that he will be an uncle again (expected in Jan 2015)

Made a glorious return back to duck hunting and found himself

becoming quite the duck chef

And of course, offered love and affection to his favorite girl…

Charlie (the dog). ;)

Beth…

Was recognized as teacher of the year at Una Elementary

Moved to Jonesboro, AR

Spent a month traveling down the West Coast with a couple

of girlfriends (Seattle to LA) and then finished her travels

with a jaunt to Colorado

Got a 1^st grade teaching position at Fox Meadow Elementary

Continued to have a clean bill of health (thanks be to God!)

And enjoyed reading books for pleasure rather than textbooks

for the first time in several years.

Plus as of Christmas, I became a pig owner. Yep, you read that right.

As people are setting resolutions or coming up with words to theme the year ahead, I have gone back and forth as to what I want to do. I believe in setting goals. There is something to writing them down as well. So having said that here is my one resolution and word for 2015....

Resolution: Wash my face every single morning and night.  (I am a grown up now after all plus my Nana taught me better.)  Yes, I shower everyday and wash my face occasionally, but I was blessed with pretty clear skin so...

Word: "Healthy"... I chose this word because it can pertain to physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health. I want to work my way to better health in all of these areas. I am not being specific because I do not want to limit myself or aim too high. I just want to be moving to better health in all aspects of my life.

In 2015, I want less of these things in my life...

• Soda
• Using Facebook as means of keeping up with friends
• Avoiding looking at bank account
• DVD tv show marathons (Once you pop, you can't stop... know what I mean?!?!)

In 2015, I want more of these things in my life...

• Time spent outdoors
• Home cooked meals
• Letters, phone calls, and face-to-face time spent catching up with friends
• Dollars in my bank account
• Art... creating and or admiring
• Blogging so I can have a better reminder of all things wonderful in my life
• Experiences of new things and new places

Here to a happy and HEALTHY 2015 with clean faces! ;)

Summer 2014

Summer is upon us.

Only 3 1/2 days left with the kiddos.

Only 1 week until I move to Arkansas.

Only 2 weeks until the West Coast adventure.

Did I mention 3 1/2 days with kiddos?!?!!? ;)

Today, we are making summer bucket lists. I went ahead and made mine to share. Some of these will be attained on the West Coast adventure and others I hope to do a lot of these with J.  For the last one I am looking at you, Renee T.

 

I did kick summer off a little early (okay, not really early, but we are still in school so it is not officially summer).  Over the weekend I met J and the McCallisters for a little camping action at Big Hill Pond State Park in Pocahontas, Tennessee. We made smores, laid around in the hammock, and just spent time relaxing and catching up with no technology. We hiked to an observation tower with a beautiful view. J and I even got to do a little star gazing. Best kind of way to kick off a summer.

 

 

Summer is almost here!!!! Now back to work...



Awakening

“Closed in a room, my imagination becomes the universe, and the rest of the world is missing out.” 

 -Criss Jami

A year away from blogging. A year of changes and growth. A year my family probably felt they did not know what was going on in my life since they read about it here.

You should always take a break... a little reprieve. Even and sometimes especially if it is something good. You gain perspective.

I am back, my friends. Ready to write. Perhaps with a little more seriousness. Even if it for nobody but myself.

Some great adventures are in store...

Where I Come From

The last few weeks have been busy writing papers for grad school and lesson plans for 1st grade. (I should be writing a paper right now. Sheesh.) However, we did get a little chance to take a break from the academic writing to write a little "I Am" poetry that stemmed from a book we read in class. Thought I would share mine...

I am from the South where we draw out our words, sip on sweet tea, pretend everything is alright, and show hospitality.

I am from a broken family with many parents, many siblings, and many lessons learned.

I am from a childhood that felt like raging seas, but was anchored by a God that pursued me.

I am from hopes, dreams, and the desire to rise above.

I am from an education that showed me what servant leadership is and that numbers do not matter.

I am from a country that is consumed by materialism, but surrounded by a people that are called to something different.

I am from heartbreak, love, quirkiness, and old-souls.

I am from a place that is a home-not a building, but a life.

Where I am from helps define me, but does not constrain me.

I am going places.

Yummy Lunches!

Sandwiches and Lean Cuisines get old after awhile so I am always on the lookout for new things to try. Thanks to Oh She Glows (via Pinterest) I have found one of new favorites for lunch (or dinner)!

Quick Avocado-Lime Black Bean Salad

Ingredients:
•Two 15-ounce can black beans

•1 lime, juiced

•1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

•2 small shallots, diced

•1/2 tbsp olive oil

•3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

•1/4-1/2 tsp Kosher Salt, to taste

•Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

•1 large avocado, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces


Directions: Drain the beans thoroughly and rinse. In a large bowl add the beans and toss with lime juice, cilantro leaves, diced shallot, olive oil, and ground cumin. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Peel and slice an avocado, and serve the beans at room temperature, with chopped avocado on top or mixed throughout the salad. Note that I did not have any cilantro on hand, but it still tasted delicious! Makes 3-4 servings.


Do you have any recipes you think I should try?

A Song and Request For This Sunday

I heard this song for the first time this morning. Powerful.



This weekend has been tough. In the midst of grief and stress, it is not been easy to focus on the meaning of the day. Thankfully, I serve a God who loves me through all of my struggles and even in my moments of doubt and darkness.

Tomorrow, I will once again be going to the doctor for a lump in my left breast. While it might be nothing, it has been something before and it is hard to not worry. At this point, I will have them removed if anything is amiss. It does not make it easy though. I have had some little spells of vertigo this weekend which is probably stress related. To make matters worse, I hurt someone that I love very dearly. It was a terrible, horrible mistake and I am so, so sorry, but now all I can do is pray that I will be forgiven and that the hurt will be healed.

If you could say a prayer or two or three tonight, I would be so grateful.

30 Days

Well my friends, in 30 29days I will turn 3-0. What?!?!!

In order to mark the occasion, I will be sending 30 letters of thanks (one a day) to people who have played a key role in shaping my life.

I am thinking 30 is worthy of an amazingly fun celebration, but not sure what yet. Thoughts?