Hair Bands and Nail Polish

For a girl who doesn't like to shop, I've sure done my share this week. And when I say I don't like to shop, I mean it. To me it is a chore and it's rarely something I look forward to doing. But my husband had a busy week so I found myself alone for a few hours here and there. Shopping is what I chose to do.

My first trip out was for an outfit for my soon-to-be-born niece. My sister's first baby was born in the summer and this winter baby needed some long sleeve shirts. Of course, once I was there I had to pick up an outfit for my year and a half old niece as well. I'm thrilled to pieces to have two nieces and I'm looking forward to having some special "Aunt moments". Like painting their nails.

I haven't painted my nails in years. I'm not the type to paint my nails to match my outfit but I thought it would be a fun way to add some color to a dreary week of winter. The way I see it, if my niece thinks my nails are pretty she'll want me to paint hers too. Which I will gladly do on my next "Aunt moment" if I can get her to sit still. It will be special because she loves pretty things.

What surprised me is that my husband noticed my nails and liked them. It never occurred to me to do this before but I think I'll do it more often now. I may not be a "girly-girl" and I may like to "keep up with the boys" but I've never met a girl who didn't want someone to think she was pretty. And I certainly want my husband to think that of me.

While I'm still young and relatively new to this marriage thing (a year and five months and counting) I want to form the kind of habits that weave the good stuff into my marriage. It's important that I take the time to keep myself attractive for my husband so his desire will always be for me. Not because I doubt his integrity, but because I want to make this area of our lives good for both of us.

So while my husband went ice fishing today I went out shopping again. First to the thrift stores and then to the discount racks at Old Navy. With his blessing I bought some new things, including hair bands. So when he comes home today, my hair will look a little nicer than my standard pony tail.

I wonder how he'll like that. :)

The Pains of Exercise

I'm one of those weird people that actually enjoys to exercise. If I am, for lack of a better word, stagnant, for too long then my muscles ache to be moved. However, I fail to have the dedication to spend an hour or two three to four times a week on working out my entire body, one muscle at a time.

That's why I'm a fan of the Jillian Michaels workout DVDs. I particularly like the 30 Day Shred because those workouts are only 20 minutes! So now that I'm introduced to circuit training, I doubt I'll ever commit to anything else.

I do have to admit, though, that I have not done a workout DVD in months. Instead I do a little workout in my  basement, lasting all of 15 minutes. Doing this 4-5 times a week is SURE to do something, right? I think so. At least it will help you maintain a healthy weight if you're making other healthy choices.

Anyway, I got home from work a few days ago and was debating on whether or not I wanted to exercise. After a few minutes I decided to just do it. So I did. When I was done I felt so good. Though it was short and sweet, I worked in the abs, legs, butt, arms and back. Not too bad. Then I realized - I never regret it when I exercise. Sometimes I regret when I don't, but I never regret when I do.

It's like that with other things in life, isn't it? The things we want to do we don't do and the things we don't want to do we do. It's like what Paul said in Romans 7:15, "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."

Sound familiar? It sure does. So I'm going to focus a little more energy on sticking to the good things in life - the things I know would please God for me to do - and try to say "No!" to those things that only drag me down.

Care to join me?

Valentine's Day 2011

Well, much to despair of all you romantics in the world, my Valentine's Day was spent eating pizza and playing a computer game with my hubby. Not the most exciting choice for some but for me...it works.

My husband and I have never had a truly romantic relationship. He's not the type to buy flowers or send candies or pick up a card. And I've taught myself not to be the kind of girl who needs that. Not that there's anything wrong with desiring those things. I just have learned that sometimes us girls tend to place more emphasis on the dream of being wooed then on enjoying the one we want to be wooed by.

I believe that for me to truly connect with my husband, I have to plug-in to his world now and again. Growing up I never played video games or computer games, I didn't listen to loud music and I didn't care very much about the latest tech gadgets. All of which are near and dear to my husband's heart. So, partly due to his influence on me and partly do to the fact that I don't want to be "that wife", I have taken interest in most of the above. I still don't like to listen to loud music.

Because of this, I've learned that I actually enjoy playing StarCraft 2. When I win, that is.

So my Valentine shout out to all my girls is this - instead of pressuring your husband to submit to your romantic world, put yourself in his on occasion. It's a good way to fuel him up and it's a sure way to get some very positive attention!

As for our men, it's only fair that they plug-in to our worlds now and again too. So with that in mind, I'm going to have my favorite movie (Pride and Prejudice) close at hand so on that day when he decides it's time for me to pick what we do, I'm ready.

Thank you, Lord, for marriage. Thank you for the differences between me and my husband. Thank you for the way you make us one despite those differences. In our union, I get a glimpse of the greatness of your character. He has your strength. I have your compassion. He has your desire to provide. I have your desire to nurture. How awesome you are!

The Beginning

My dream of being a writer isn't new. I've even had a blog once but didn't stick with it. I'm setting out on this new blogging adventure with a purpose...to do something! 

I'm one of those people who gets a lot of crazy ideas in my mind. One day I'll want to master a new recipe and I'll think about how exciting it would be to get so good at it that it can become my full time job. The next day I'll venture into a new exercise routine and dream about being a disciplined runner, perhaps evening going for the marathon! A few days later I'll pick up a crocheting needle and think about all the wonderful blankets and gifts I could make for my family if I ever master the skill. So far this has been my story. A Jill of all trades, master of none.

There is one thing that's been consistent. Whether it's a personal journal, a memo at work or a newsletter for my church, I love to write. The challenging thing about writing is you kind of need to be an expert about something to do it all the time. Or else why would people come back and listen to what you have to say?

I'm no expert but there is something that matters enough to me to keep writing about it. Life. The kind of life that finds adventure hidden in the daily grind. The kind of life that refuses to watch days, weeks and months slip by unnoticed. The kind of life that God wants me to live.

I hope you join me on this adventure and hold me accountable to living with an attitude of joy that will not be silenced!