another new year...

This post is a little late but I am just saying I was thinking about things a little more.  =P

A lot of bloggers pick a word for their year.  I like the idea but I know for myself, I need something a little more concrete.  So what I am going to do is pick a word and put an action with it.  Ironically, my word is action.

Action:

the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim

I know that a problem I have is that I talk about doing things but then I only get a fraction of them done.  I have justified this in the past as being "the way I am".  But I have been convicted recently that this is not a very God-honoring way to live.  He does every single thing that He has ever said or promised He would do. As His child, I should be striving to live like He is.  So this year, I am resolving to act.

Besides endeavoring to be more deliberate about the things I accomplish this year, I am setting myself a personal goal.  I love Pinterest (I mean, who doesn't?) and get sucked in for hours at all the great recipes and crafty ideas that can be found there.  So for 2013, I am going to do at least ONE Pinterest project per month!  It might be a recipe, it might be a craft.  Either way, I will share my endeavors with you here on the blog.

action via Etsy

2013 already promises me another baby, a trip back to Hawaii, and lots of time for God to work in my life.  And I am praying that I will be ready for it all.  =)

Have a beautiful day!

an early thankfulness post

As my readers will have noticed this year, life has been...crazy, chaotic, congested, colorful (I admit it, I got stuck in alliteration there).  But some of the things that have happened recently have made me realize a few things.  Or rather, one big thing.

I am immensely blessed.

Regardless of what has happened in my life this year, I look at my situation and I can do nothing but praise a very gracious God for all His many blessings.  I have a healthy family, roof over my head, and a new baby on the way.  Oh and by the way, we are expecting #2 kiddo summer of 2013.  =)

Hito figured out how straws work and now wants to drink anything that has one - including dad's milk tea.  =)

How ungrateful am I that these thoughts only come to mind during holiday season?  And these are blessings that I have always had!

So I am going to leave these lyrics here as a little reminder for us to think of these things all year long!

If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep
Counting your blessings.

"Count Your Blessings" by Irving Berlin

Have a beautiful and thankful day!

back to the grind...

It has been a while since a normal blog post has come from this keyboard.  Many thanks to all my readers who sent very sweet notes of prayers and encouragement as you read about my grandmother passing away. Unfortunately, two weeks after posting that note, my grandfather also passed on.  It has been an emotionally charged month and I am still working out some of those details in my head and the ramifications for my life.

But I will say that I am so thankful to be striving for a normal blogging schedule again and hoping to be here more regularly.  I am excited to write and catch up on all my reading that I haven't been able to sit and do with family affairs and illnesses going on (oh, and did I mention that my whole family got the flu right after coming back from taking care of my grandfather's affairs?).

And if you haven't heard it before, I'm going to tell you again.  Don't sweat the little things.  We live in a world that has unseen events and circumstances right around the corner.  Whether they are good or bad, it is never too soon to tell someone you love that you still love them.  Again.  And again.  Enjoy.  Love.  Dream.  And enjoy.  People, places, good cups of coffee, baby kisses, and corn mazes.

1) Corn maze with my mom, sister, and cousins (currently behind the camera)
2) Grandma and Hito walking around the pumpkin patch
3) And a moment of mom and kiddo just enjoying...

Have a beautiful day.

one year...

Can you believe it?  One year.

Tears, dirty diapers, bruises, laughs, smiles, pictures, and joy.  Lots of joy.

And one year has gone by so fast.  This kid...

He likes any food you give him.

He likes people.

He loves the beach/water/pool.

He loves cuddling.

He loves walking, crawling, moving.

He is mine...for a short period of time, entrusted to me by my God to train and raise for His glory.  God, help me to do so...

Have a beautiful day and thanks for sharing one year with me!