Guilt Free Time

John and I went away this past weekend. Just the two of us from Friday evening to Saturday evening. So today a lot of people asked me what all we did. My response was to reference that commercial out now where the grandparents take the kids for the whole weekend and the parents sleep. Yep- it was great. And I felt no guilt for taking the break. A couple of people tried to make me feel guilty but it just didn't work. We needed the break. So really I want to encourage you to not feel guilty if an opportunity comes up for you to get away with your spouse a couple of days. Take it. Be with each other as a couple and as adults. You will feel so much better when you get back. And don't be afraid to go to a zoo while you're gone. You would be amazed how much more you get to see there. 

What I'm Reading

I set a goal to read 100 books in 2015. For me that is a low goal BUT I put a twist on it for me. I want to read 100 books that have meaning behind them. So I will still be reading fiction and just because books (like I am right now) but the books that I will count towards my goal will by intentionally chosen to bring something to my life.

 1.  

See my post from Monday for more on this one.

 2. 

Oh my goodness! This book was written for me and where I am right now. It is amazing!

 3.  

Okay, so this is definitely not going into my goal list but I must mention it. I really never had an interest in these books until I watched the movie. Have you seen it? It is really good. Just don't watch the movie thinking it is exactly like the book because they changed a lot. I am reading the whole series because I just couldn't take that the end of the first book was the end of the story and I had to know more.

 Next up on the list:

 

Do you have a reading goal for this year? What are you reading right now?

Choosing Him All Over Again {a review}

I have been drawn to books about marriage lately. I think that is why I am so sure that focusing on my marriage is so important this year. 

In "Choosing Him All Over Again", Juana Mikels lays it all out there. She tells a story of selfishness and coming to Christ in a moving way. "Tired" of her marriage where she thought she was miserable, she walked out the door. She thought she was closing a door but God had other plans. When she realizes how much she loves her husband and how she doesn't want him to go anywhere, he doesn't want anymore of the hurt that she caused. 

While I have never walked out of my marriage, I have been ready to throw in the towel. But I keep choosing John again and again. It isn't easy by any means. But like Juana- I love my husband. I have been selfish and so has he. (And we still are.) But we are working together more now than ever. I will be referencing back to this book throughout the year in my focus on my marriage. It is a definite need to read. Even if you have a "perfect" marriage, I think that you need to read this book. If for nothing else but the scriptures on marriage that she has put all in one place. 

For more information on Juana and the book click HERE.

** I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.**

Finding Time

I am honored and excited to be on the launch team for a new book titled "The Fringe Hours" by Jessica Turner. Jessica blogs at The Mom Creative and is the mom to three. I have followed Jessica's blog for a while and had the opportunity to attend a session at Allume about Fringe Hours. So over the next couple of months I am going to be talking about the book and what I have learned from it.

I think before I go any further I need to explain a little about "Fringe Hours". Fringe Hours are not actually hours they are more like minutes that you find throughout the day that you are wasting that you can use to be more productive. I have a lot of those, don't you?

I do a lot of waiting and being more focused on using those minutes has made a HUGE difference lately. By being more aware of the time, I have been able to accomplish a lot. The other day I went to the doctor because I just felt bad. While waiting I finished "The Fringe Hours" and wrote 10 "Thank You" notes that have been on my to-do list for awhile. At an eye appointment this past week I had a book with me and read a pretty good amount before I had to take my contacts out for the exam. I didn't plan all that well since I am far sighted and can't read without my contacts in. (I did get some glasses this time so I won't have that problem again.) By using my "fringe hours" everyday I have read 2 books, started another, written thank you notes long overdue, and organized several areas of my work life.

This book doesn't release until February 17. But I would definitely recommend pre-ordering it. And until then I will be talking about it here. I can't wait to share more!

Funny How That Happened....

So yesterday I said I was not doing one word for 2015. And then I looked at my goals for this year and realized I had one. I didn't set out to have one and certainly did not put thought into it. But one word found me throughout my goals for this year. And that word is: 

Do you have one word for 2015?

"The Song"- {a review}

"The Song" is a book about love, loss, and redemption. Jed follows in his father's footsteps in the music business. When it starts to go south, he meets Rose and falls in love. But he risks everything with Rose to be on the road and have a career. 

I didn't see the movie but now that I have read the book I will. I enjoyed reading the book and will be passing it on to some friends I know will enjoy it as well. (And when I get it back I will read it again.) There are the books that even though they are fiction they bring something very real to how you treat others and look at your life. This is one of them. 

One thing I am focused on in 2015 is my marriage and this book brought a lot to how I am going to do it. I tend to take my marriage for granted. And this book brings home how much that can hurt it. 

Read the book and watch the movie- I know that I am!

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.**

When The Old Path Meets The New

Photo Credit- Alecia Simersky

2014 has ended. And I am very glad. 2014 was a year full of struggles and heartaches that couldn't be shared. It was also a year full of changes. Some for the good and some for the not so good. But it was a huge year of transition either way.

I am looking forward to seeing what 2015 has to offer. And to do that in a good way I am going to do some things differently. I am not choosing one word this year and I am not choosing one verse for the year. While in 2014 I did create a great many things, I felt defined by the one word and was unable to move past that. And yes I know that is a "me" thing and not how it really was. I am also going to say no more in 2015. I am enjoying reading "The Fringe Hours" by Jessica Turner right now (and sharing more with y'all later). One of the biggest things that has resonated with me is saying no in order to be able to keep my sanity. I have felt incredibly overwhelmed lately. A lot of it is the fact that I am not saying no where I need to. And the result has been a very tired mom who comes home and doesn't want to do anything. So the house work, laundry, and homework have been falling through the cracks. So there is going to be a whole lot more saying no from me.

I am walking a path this year where my focus needs to be on my marriage and my family. With my job being secondary to my home life instead of primary. Going back to work has been a big challenge for me. It is completely different than anything I have ever done and it has not been easy. And the expectations are more than I can do without putting my home life on a back burner. And it just is to much. So that is going to change. So my old path is about to meet a new path where the focus is where it should be.

So here's to new paths and a new year!