Changes

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."  James 4:14.

I believe it's human nature to resist change but to also yearn for it at times.  How many times do we want things to be different so we decide we're going to start so-and-so next week... or whenever I finish this, then I'll do this and things will be better... Well, I've been very guilty of that lately.  Things have been crazy hectic and I just keep thinking things will get better when... and I realized that in all actuality, things will not change unless I change them.  It is quite unlikely that my schedule will all of a sudden become less hectic, or that the kids will all of a sudden require less attention, or that laundry will stop filling my laundry room.  So what do I start with?  The little things.  I've been making some changes lately, and I can feel how it makes a difference in my day-to-day attitude.  Things I've been doing...

Planning & following a meal plan.  We have been eating out MUCH less frequently, thus spending less money AND eating more healthily since I'm cooking every night.  I've also been eating less in general & am really watching my calorie intake.

Less soda.  Those of you who know me know I can't live without my diet dr. pepper.  If I were to do without it entirely, I would have a massive headache for at least 2 weeks.  So, I'm not quite ready to do that... but I've been drinking my one in the morning and then following it with water the rest of the day instead of more DDP.

Walking.  I've been walking for exercise at least three times a week.  It's amazing what a change in energy I have just from this small amount of activity.  I actually enjoy getting out there and walking and look forward to it.  Something pretty foreign to me because in general I'm not a big fan of anything that involves sweating.

Studio Changes.  We're planning on painting the studio and giving it a quick remodel job.  I'm really excited about the possibilities & am looking forward to the new look and what it will bring.  I think we're making a lot of moves in the right direction and am excited the company is growing so well.  I'm also limiting my weekend work hours and trying to spend more time at home with the family.

Then there are the things I know NEED to be done, which are my next self-improvement steps...

Daily Bible Reading.  This is something I have been neglecting.  It's so easy to say I'm too tired or too busy, but I do think it's very important, and the times when I do this I find I am so much more patient and "together" than when I don't.  Just like the children's song says, "Neglect your Bible & forget to pray & you Shrink, Shrink, Shrink.  Read your Bible & pray every day & you Grow, Grow, GROW!"

Scrapbooking.  I have so neglected my albums.  I haven't done much with them since before Clara turned one, and she will be 4 in August!  The other day the girls were all looking at their albums and enjoying it so much.  Clara wondered where hers was... it made me feel guilty!  The scrapbooking room is still Ike-damaged right now, so I haven't had anything set up in there since last fall.  I really should get all that stuff back out and organized.   Even doing a little bit every other night or so would be so productive!

Gardening.  My latest obsession is considering starting a garden.  I think it would be so cool to grow my own veggies & herbs.  I also think it would be something fun for the girls to help me with in the evenings instead of complaining that they're bored and begging me to let them watch the television (which they do not currently have the privilege of watching).  

Laundry.  A load a day would do wonders.  Did I mention how laundry is the bane of my existence?