Family: Day 8

Today I took it easy and just took part of todays Challenge. Todays challenge was perfect for this week since I have been able to spend so much time with my family.

Challenge: What I Like About You... Today, take a few minutes and make a list of things you like about your immediate family members. Share your list with your family sometime during the day - and thank them for those things!

Husband Steve: Very Helpful, Loving, Determined
Daughter Crystal: Always Happy, Smart, Friendly
Step- Daughter Amber: Outgoing, Confident, Retains Information
Step-Son Adam: Smart, Independent, Determined
Mother: Talk Daily, Hard Worker, Independent
Brother Alec: Hard Worker, Outgoing, Athletic
Brother Austin: Great With Kids, Helpful, Loving

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Love of Kids: Day 7

Today our kids cleaned the main rooms for us. My brothers are coming to visit tonight. I am very thankful for getting the chance to put up Thanksgiving decorations instead of worrying about the house today. 

Challenge: Thanks for the Pain? We all experience hard times, but God is with us even in the worst circumstances. Thank God for His presence, comfort and strength that has helped you get through a rough season in your life. If that painful season is now, then take comfort in knowing God is with you. "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." - Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Schools Out: Day 6

Today our act of giving/kindness was very random. When I took the kids to school this morning we arrived to find no cars in the parking lot. This day off was not on the calendar and very unplanned. The only person there was kid waiting out front. We stopped and offered him a ride and took him home. 

Challenge: Thanks For Freedom! Thank God for allowing us to live in a country where we are allowed to vote. Sure, we don't live in a "perfect" country, but we can certainly be thankful for the many freedoms we enjoy that many people around the world only dream of having. 

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Hands Full: Day 5

Today I got the chance to spend the entire day with my Aunt. While we were out and about a lady had a stroller and was trying to hold the door open and push the stroller through. Anyone who has had to do this knows how difficult this can be. We held the doors for her before we continued looking around. Today was another perfect example of how not every act of kindness needs to be big. Even the small ones matter.

Challenge: Thank God For Today. The past is history. Tomorrow is uncertain. But, we have today. Thank God for giving us this day. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." -Psalm 118:24

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Starbucks: Day 4

Today my act of giving was while I was at Starbucks I had the barista put the tab of the car behind me on my bill.

Challenge: E-Thanks. Express your thanks to someone in your life sending them a brief e-mail or text message. Or, get fancy and send a free e-card that are offered on many websites. If you aren't into technology, just give or send a hand-written note.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Shopping: Day 3

Today we did our shopping spree for the month. As our act of giving we collected carts that were scattered and returned them. Adam also helped people return carts when they were done loading their cars.

Challenge: Thanksgiving Invitation. Find someone you are thankful for and invite them to your family's Thanksgiving Day celebration. If you're not going to be home for Thanksgiving Day, invite them over for coffee and pie sometime around the holiday.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Day Of Waiting: Day 2

Today we did a smaller act of kindness. I went to the post office today to get a couple things done that I had been putting off. Like always the line was wrapped all the way to the door. After waiting in line for about ten minutes a man walked in that had his hands full. He was an older man and was carrying an oxygen tank in addition to his mail. After waiting for about another ten minutes you could tell this man was getting tired and starting to struggle. 

So as my act of kindness today I let this man cut me in line to get him out of there faster. 

Challenge: Thank God for Silence. Due to the fast pace of our lives these days, most of us have forgotten the blessing of silence and reflection. Take a few minutes sometime today, find a quiet spot and thank God for the gift of silence and solitude. Spend some time thinking of other reasons why you are grateful to God.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

The Month Of Giving: Day 1

November is here. Wow time flew this year. For a few years I have wanted to do a 30 days of giving. This year my family and I are stepping up to the challenge. Each day in November we will be doing a different act of giving. In addition I will be leaving a little challenge for everyone so they can share what they are thankful for with everyone they know. 

To kick off the month we wrote letters to missionaries from our ward.

Challenge: Thanks for Family. As you interact with your family today, take an opportunity to say a simple thank you to each family member for one thing you are grateful for. It might be something a family member has done for you, or it might be for a character quality you see in their lives.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Who I Am and Why I'm Here

Hello Everyone!

My name is Hope for those of you who are new to my blog. I have been blogging for a little over a year off an on. I originally started this blog because I wasn't working and wanted to keep to a schedule and hold my self responsible for doing something everyday. I write about many different things. Each day of the week has a different theme. I have a four year old daughter and often find myself relating my posts to her. I write publicly so that I can share my opinion and sometimes make people smile. I want to expand my audience. I love getting feedback. I have never been a strong writer so I am hoping to improve my writing as well.

Keep checking back daily to read more about myself and the world around me.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Week 2: Temptations

This week has been alright. Its been a little tough with all the events going on. I made a cake for my daughters birthday. There were so many treats around. It is amazing how many temptations you realize are around you when you start trying to cut back and live a healthier life.  I realize the closer it gets to the wedding and the more activities and events that come up the harder it is to stay on track. This week I have done better about only eating half of my meal when we go out. 

What have you struggled with this week?

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Going Obsolete

I am taking this weeks prompt form dailypost.wordpress.com. 

Going Obsolete: Of all the technologies that have gone extinct in your lifetime, which one do you miss the most?

I miss CDs and CD players the most. My first CD was C'mon C'mon by Sheryl Crow. These days it is a lot easier to just download a digital copy of an album or a song. One of my favorite things to do is make mix CDs. When I got my new computer I didn't even have a disk drive. I rarely use CDs in my car anymore. I normally hook my phone up to an AUX cord and just stream music that way. Now instead of mix CDs I just have to make a playlist. It is amazing how fast technology evolves. I remember as a kid using cassette tapes. Once CDs started to become a thing I got a portable player. Anytime it got bumped it would make the CD skip. I am very excited to watch as it evolves even more in the next twenty years of my life.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Share My World: Living Life to the Fullest

In a car would you rather drive or be a passenger?

I would much rather drive. I have a fear of riding in other peoples cars when they are driving. Not sure where the fear comes from. All I do know is I feel more comfortable when I am behind the wheel.

If you were handed free opera tickets, would you go or sell them? Why?

I would probably go. I have never been to an opera. I have heard good and bad things about operas but I will never know how I feel about them until I go to one myself.

Describe your own outlook on life in seven words or less. (NOTE: does not necessarily have to be a sentence.)

Live Laugh Love Family Friends Happiness and Fun

Which would you prefer: A wild, turbulent life filled with joy, sorrow, passion, and adventure-intoxicating successes and stunning setbacks; or a contented bordering on happy, secure, predictable life surrounded by friends and family without such wide swings of fortune and mood?

I would definitely prefer the wild, turbulent life filled with joy, sorrow, passion, and adventure-intoxicating successes and stunning setbacks. Everything happen for a reason. We would never learn if we never had set backs.

Bonus Question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

This week I am grateful for my amazing daughter. She turned four years old today. Time flies way to fast.  This week I am looking forward getting alterations done on my wedding gown.

Leave your answers to these questions in the comments.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Five Minute Friday: Favorite

This Weeks word is: Favorite

Go

I used to fill out surveys like this one in high school on Facebook. Thought I would share some of my favorites with you.

What is your favorite movie? Titanic

What is your favorite tv show? Gilmore Girls

What is your favorite song? What If I by Jessi Smiles

What is your favorite book? Harry Potter, Twilight Saga, Hunger Games

What is your favorite type of music? Country

What is your favorite type of movie? Sci-Fi

What is your favorite tv channel? ABC Family

What is your favorite animal? Bear

What is your favorite color? Blue

What is your favorite drink? Diet Mountain Dew

What is your favorite time of day? Night

What is your favorite place to be? At a concert

Who is your favorite singer? Luke Bryan

What is your favorite sport? Baseball

Who is your favorite band? Simple Plan

What is your favorite quote? If You Think You Can You Can

What is your favorite clothes? Yoga Pants

What is your favorite store? Kohl's 

What is your favorite word? Ya'll

What is your favorite electronic? My Mac!

What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

What is your favorite country? Australia

STOP

If you want to know more about Five Minute Friday stop be Kate Motaung's blog.

Share your five minute post in the comments below.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

World UFO Day

Today World UFO Day is celebrated. You may or may not believe in UFOs, but take some time today and look to the sky, and watch a sci-fi film. I plan on watching Transformers or Men In Black today. Then after the sun sets I will go for a walk and hopefully have a clear sky to admire.

What will you watch today to celebrate?

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Double Trouble

The weather in Colorado has been really wacky this year. It might be hard to see but we had a double rainbow the other day and the color of the sky was amazing.

Have you taken any cool nature pictures? Share with me below any stories or pictures that this makes you think of.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Are You Doing Parenting The Right Way?

This is a question that is constantly rattling my brain. I am sure I am not the only parent that feels this way. 

My daughter is getting ready to turn four years old. She is in a phase where naps do not work. She wants to always do things herself. She just wants to be a big kid. She is my first and only child. Sometimes that makes it really hard to discipline her. It is not always best to use tricks that worked when I was a kid. Times have changed even in the last twenty years. When I was a kid we played outside much more. When I got in trouble I would get grounded. Grounding consisted of me spending time in my room. No TV or toys or games. Technology was just starting to really take off. Now of days grounding kids does not have the same effect. Kids are starting to use game consoles and cell phones at even earlier ages. They spend a lot more time inside. My daughter plays on the xbox and knows how to fully work the system at three years old. When she was one she could unlock my iPad and iPhone. 

This is just one of many parenting issues that everyone does differently.

In the comments tell me how you discipline your kids.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

A Lot Of Week 1's

I have had the hardest time staying on track. I get inspired to start writing again and then feel bad for how that week went so I stop and regroup. I always seem to have an excuse for not staying with my plan. My wedding is 60 days away! It approached so fast. I am not anywhere close to where I wanted to be with my health at this point. With my dress alterations less then two weeks away I had to step back and think about my goals. My main focus needs to be my nutrition. I do great when I am not home. However the moment I get relaxed at home I just snack constantly. I want to find recipes for meals that are healthy and that I enjoy eating. The more organized I get the more easier I think it will be for me to eat better. 

Here is to an end of 1st and the beginning of the long journey ahead!

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

The Benefits of....

In honor of Mothers Day I thought I would share with you the benefits I get from being a mother. I am lucky to spend the majority of my days with my daughter. She is my whole world and I wouldn't know what to do without her.

-You have someone to hug and kiss every night.

-Someone loves you no matter what.

-I have an excuse to act like a child sometimes.

-I stay more active.

-Most of all I have a reason to smile everyday.

 

I enjoyed every second with my daughter this weekend. I want her to stop growing up so fast.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

A New Start... Week 1

I am the worst when it comes to dieting and exercising. I can never stay motivated. I took a step back and looked at my goals this last month and realized that I needed to make some smaller goals. With just 110 days left until I get married I needed to try again. I am going to take the next month and stick to a more simple workout routine. As far as a "diet" goes, I am cutting things out slowly over the next month. This week I am focusing on not eating bread. We have tons of snack food around the house because of the children. It is a lot easier for me to just grab one of those and go rather then prepare a bunch of healthier snacks. Today is day one. So far so good. I am not craving the snacks as much as I thought I would. 

Any support and encouragement is greatly appreciated.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius

Week 9 New Month New Goals

This week I am . I did pretty good with my meals last week. I drank more water and ate more veggies. I cooked almost every night and limited the carbs. It is a new month which calls for new goals. My next goal is to limit the amount of food I am eating during one meal.

This one was probably my favorite.

Salmon and Asparagus

I also want to add more workouts in.

Leave your favorite healthy recipes in the comments.

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop." - Confucius