This is my norm

I wouldn’t consider myself a hoarder. But I definitely have a hard time throwing things away.Well, not throwing them away. That’s easy. I have a big problem with trash. It drives me crazy and I can easily rid my life of it. But things that are still useful, that’s the hard one.  I usually come up with some fabulous idea that I could someday use it for and will tuck it away for that day. Sometimes “that day” actually comes and I DO need that 38th size 4T shirt that was stained and it turns into a masterpiece. Most of the time, though, it makes itself into a pile, then into a box, then into the garage for a couple of years, until someone close to me has a garage sale. Then I go out to round up the mounds of junk I’ve collected and discover all the amazing jewels, that of course I could never just get rid of, so I bring them back in the house…and so the cycle continues.

Today I am cleaning out the garage. I’m also taking the piles that I’ve been stacking up of stuff to get rid of, out to the boxes in the garage. So far I’ve only managed to bring back 3 things, so that isn’t bad right?? One of which is actually  a book that I have never read. I bought it while I was pregnant with Hayden and it has since then made its rounds through the various channels of “getting rid of”. 

 I have high hopes this time.

Our church is in the middle of a 10 week series about the family and they are asking or audience participation this week.

THE QUESTION IS:
How does your husband or wife meet your Top Needs? This can be answered funny or serious.

I’d love for you to to answer as well.

Here is mine 🙂

2011 was a doozy of a year. It was fabulous, it stretched me in ways I never wanted to be stretched, it opened opportunities that have been amazing, it brought people into my life that sharpened me, and so many more things. I think if life is like an advent calendar, then 2011 was a window that we opened to see one more small piece to the whole puzzle.

As far as accomplishing what I set out to do, I did ok. I didn’t do all the things I “listed”, but I did so many things that I never knew would be on my list. I feel like 2011 was a year that I will never forget and that pushed me further down the path of who God created me to be.

I’m still praying and thinking about what I want to strive for this year but here’s a look at what I started out to do last year.

http://munsons.blogspot.com/2011/01/for-2011-i-will.html

I know I didn’t do everything perfect. But hopefully I learned the lessons that God put in front of me and will make adjustments in the coming year. I have my eyes on Him and I know that He has a huge plan for me.

Another year has come and gone and a few months ago I came across a great idea, probably on Pinterest, to take a photo a day and blog it. Then at the end of the year you have one year of photos describing your year. I thought it might be better for me for the days when I can’t blog. So, I’m going to give it a shot and see how things go.

the link is http://www.munsonframeaday.blogspot.com/

Cheer me on!!!

Well November FLEW by. It was basically a blur of events just packed in one after the other. I started an intense workout “class” that meets in the mornings at 5am about 30 minutes from the house. So I’ve been waking up at 4am every morning during the week and going to it. Its called lift strong run fast. Its sort of like crossfit. It has been kicking my REAR and everything else connected to my body into shape. But it has also been wiping me out! I’m constantly exhausted. But I know it is so good for me and my family (dad, mom, paw paw , brother and sister in law) are doing it with me.

We celebrated my mom’s 50th birthday with a surprise party. It was so great to see her face. It was very fun to plan and I just love her so much! So many people came and showed how much she means to them. What a gal!

I went to the Joyce Meyer convention downtown. Stayed overnight in the hotel with a bunch of women from church. Ate and ate and ate and shopped and got to know each other better. Overall I had a fabulous time.  Joyce was awesome. I really loved the things she spoke on and really came away with a new perspective on love and how to show that to others in ALL things we do.

Thanksgiving was great. We had to days of celebrations. One with his family the week before  and then mine the day of. I always love Thanksgiving because it is so relaxing, so warm and fun and there is nothing on the agenda but to be together as a family. The food was amazing and the company equally amazing.

I shopped black friday for the first time ever. It was definitely a crazy experience. Probably would have had more fun if I had a shopping buddy but I still enjoyed being able to get so many things checked off our list. We made huge headway on our Christmas shopping to do list, and I’m  SOOOO close to being finished.

We also decorated the outside of the house for the first time by ourselves. BJ is deathly afraid of heights and dreads the yearly christmas lights tradition. Usually he gets his brother, dad, or my brother to help him (aka, he hands them the lights while they scale the roof ). This year we attempted the job alone, with the help of our forklift and extremely dangerous metal box. Oh it was grand. Bj made it to the first point of the roof and then passed the job off to me. Gee thanks! We still have some more to add, but for now it looks cute 🙂

I’m thankful for the cool weather. This summer and the drought were just brutal. So glad for several days of rain and 30 degree mornings. Couldn’t be any more beautiful. I love all the colors that are in the trees right now and the smell of fires burning in fire places.

I’m thankful for the small things that make me smile and brighten my day

Calls from friends

Starbucks coffee and hot chocolate


Thimbles 

Birds

Fire in the fireplace


twinkle lights


baths


cozy socks


creamy nude nail polishes


a clean house


a yummy new recipe


finishing the last load of laundry


the moment I finish a workout


Sunday afternoon naps


game night


chick flicks


fluffy-headed, sleepy-eyed babes in my bed


new shampoo


vanilla candles

I’m so thankful for for songwriters and singers who put their feelings of worship to song. I LOVE finding a song that so perfectly says the things that I would say to God if I had the chance face to face. That describe the things I am feeling in my heart and spirit. It overwhelms me.

I am thankful for my Grandad. He is the textbook definition of compassion. Being around him makes me want to be better. To take life a lot slower. To see the things being orchestrated around me. To love unconditionally. He may be the closest thing to an example of Jesus that I have ever seen. I love him so much!

I am thankful for my husband. He knows me SO well and even then, still chooses to love me and be married to me 🙂