Welcoming Reconstruction...

1 Corinthians 3:15
...but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Looking at the list of blog posts, it's interesting that I started blogging about a year ago (Dec 2009)......and from that time until now, it's been a Year of Fire for me and my family. Individually and collectively, we've been through some major ordeals.

But even with that fire, though there are some fragile and delicate parts of me that have been singed, scarred or even destroyed, I am still here. Here -- somewhat new, and yet now, even more of myself than I was to begin with. Refined yet still original.

This year, is a Year of being Refreshed, Renewed and filled with Purpose and Priority. (ha, and with that, it's 10:30pm and I am blogging instead of putting sleep as priority). But nonetheless, my family and I have made heartfelt promises to ourselves and each other, to change our pace of life, to refocus and to re-engage.

We welcome you on our journey.

what I've got....

... a 90% finished kitchen reno
... a very tired and overworked husband
... a 10 month old who (still) has a ridiculous cough from broncholitis and the subsequent clinginess and the "earth-shattering-I'm completely-in-despair-because you left the room to go release your pee from it's 6 hour restraining order" cry. Yes. I said the pee word. Twice.
... an ear infection to accessorize my cough and flu outfit.
... a feeling of "not wanting any obligations on my time". Like a 16 year old boy's hesitation to commitment. And I will say it: its not you, it's me.
... a desire to just simple out (my verbal way of saying, get real. and very very basic). Maybe it's due to the Proverbs31 Spring Cleaning Challenge that will be taking place...spiritually, physically and emotionally or just the effects of living amongst dust, disorder and in one corner of my son's nursery (bc of the reno)...But yes, I am choosing my family, my time, my life, me. I already know some won't be happy, but oh well.
... a blog that hasn't really felt my love for almost 1.5 weeks
... a business that needs some revitalizing

But the most beautiful thing I have right now is my son, gently napping in my arms. I fall in love with his long eyelashes, his rhythmic breathing, his curled little toes, his curly hair, his bottom lip slightly protruding, his hands that seem so big. Even with the lunch "stain" still on his cheek.


And that is why I have all those other things...yes, even the flu and ear infection :)

Motiated Mondays to return next week, with hopefully, my reno'd kitchen...

*note, I realize this picture of Eliel is not only from a couple of months ago, but he's in his carseat. (it was from us returning from something..) But as you read from the post, he was in my arms and I didn't have the camera next to me....note to self, carry it more often...

The Well-Read Mind....

It's a fact. I love books and reading. Always have. My mother raised me as such. Every Saturday, we would go to the library. And both of us, would always check out at least 3-4 books each. We were Library VIP's, on a first name basis. We had extended book renewal privileges unheard of! My mother also encouraged me to read every night before going to bed. And I guess one time I took this too far, for seriously, one night, because I chose to read until about 3am, she took my books away the next morning and banned me from reading that week. Banned me, people. I was like Cuba in my house. She said something about me not putting importance on sleep and being ready and alert for school the next day. Pfssshaw! *hehe, I type this and silently laugh to myself to see how I am still a night owl, always up late anyhow til 3am, doing something.....can't ban me now, mom! :)

Anyhow, this one is easy to figure out. I love books and reading. I love to-do lists. So naturally, I love book lists. I recently just joined a Facebook Jane Austen Book Club and there the admin of that list said she read somewhere that the average person reads at least 5 books a year. Last year, (yes, I actually kept track) I read 10 and so I want to up it this year. I am aiming for 21 this year, about 2 a month or about 3 weeks each. (Though I know me, I will be working on a number of books simultaneously....oops, mental reminder from my Intentional Living list: finish a project before starting another....ok ok..)

My 2010 Book List: (in no particular order...)

1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Raising Boys
3. Sense and Sensibility
4. Emma
5. A Life that says Welcome
6. The Mom I Want to Be
7. Life of PI
8. Sacred Marriage
9. Persuasion
10. The Kite Runner
11. Northanger Abbey
12. Practicing Hospitality
13. Slow & Steady Get me Ready
14. My Sister's keeper
15. Mansfield Park
16. The Jungle Book, the Second Jungle Book and Just so Stories
17. A common life
18. In this mountain
19. Light from heaven
20. Shephards Abiding
21. Heaven

What's on your reading list?

I am Blissfully Domestic --- the Challenge

So on a wonderful site, Blissfully Domestic, there are a set of weekly challenges to add more bliss, in all its forms, into our lives. This week, whereas in my normal Ellen mode, I would have added ALL of the challenges to my list, I choose from the Fitness & Exercise category and only choose one challenge: Drink a full glass of water before every meal.

And again, my natural inclination is to say, bah, I'm gonna go ALL THE WAY with this one and make sure I drink my full 8 glasses. Isn't that what is recommended? But, I'm pushing my foot down a little on the brakes and forcing myself to keep at the smaller, more manageable goal -- that which I am more likely to accomplish, otherwise I wouldn't be in this situation in the first place...right??

I'm choosing this because not only do I KNOW I don't drink as much water as I should, but this week especially, I have been feeling the effects of this. My skin has been super dry and my lips have been very dry and chapped --- like to the point they itch and have that subtle burn effect. When returning from church today and looking in the mirror, I was horrified to see that I was Ms. Flaky all around the bottom lip --- and then I think oh no, and wasn't I Ms. Chatty today? Make that Ms. Chatty Flaky Lips.

So to avoid this in the future, here I come H20.

In fact, I'm gonna get a glass right now.....and put it right beside my glass of homemade blueberry wine. :)

Happy Challenge to everyone on Blissfully Domestic!