Happy New Year, guys!
Yall know that I LOVE ringing in a new year… probably more than anyone. It’s mostly because it means I get to break out a new planner! ; ) But I also just love the fresh start that it represents. December is always a really busy month for everyone, so while I always intend to be purposeful with my plans and my time, there are so many personal things that always get purposefully put on the back burner during that month, so January is the time that I get to pick them back up again. And that excites me!
Yes to completing one Bible plan and starting a new one.
Yes to picking up the books I didn’t quite finish last year.
Yes to getting back into our school routine (and sometimes a new piece of curriculum to keep it feeling fresh).
Yes to getting my home back in order and running smoothly again
Yes to setting new, realistic goals for areas of life like health, work, and ministry
So here’s a quick, little Life Update since you haven’t heard from me in a while:
Here’s why I’ve been a little less active here with my emails and My Purposeful Planning & Organization the past few months… I took on a part-time job as “Holiday Help” at The Pecan House. I learned lots of things, and I really enjoyed it! Originally, I was going to learn how to dip pecans in chocolate… but we realized after a little while that it was not going to work for me because I’m left-handed. I tried it with my right hand for a while, but I just couldn’t get the technique down. I did feel a little bit like I had a disability that prevented me from doing that job, but it’s okay. Instead, I bagged pecans, filled tins, stuffed baskets, sealed products and baskets, and eventually I learned how to tie a proper bow and tied hundreds of them!
I did my Detox/Cleanse in November, and I have been Gluten-free since before Thanksgiving! Yes, there are some things I crave from time to time (the old fashioned doughnuts from Starbucks, buttered biscuits, and birthday cake!), but I’ve actually been pretty good with the change. I’m okay not having those things, and for me - it’s just easier when I don’t have the option to say yes to things like that that aren’t good for me. (If you’re wondering, I gave up gluten after a blood test with my doctor showed a sensitivity. We’ll retest in February to see how it’s going and know what steps I need to take, or if maybe I can try adding it back in at some point.) I’m also “mostly” dairy-free as well, but I have had a few bites of chocolate here and there.
We had a wonderful Christmas! It was laid back this year. We only travelled to one out-of-town Christmas gathering. The rest we hosted at our house, and that’s my favorite thing anyway. This home has blessed us so much, and I’m so glad we have the space to be able to have everyone here with us for gatherings like this. We did Christmas even more minimally this year… we did “Family gifts” on my side of the family and on Justin’s side, we drew names this year. We suggested experience gifts and group gifts for the kids instead of gifts for each individual child, and that was a hit as well. Of course, we still took care of their requested items from their wishlists, and it all turned out pretty good!
I cut my hair this week! We cut LOTS of length off, and it’s now just shoulder-length, but it feels so good, healthy, and definitely more manageable!
I’ve really been contemplating and pondering and praying about the direction of my life & purpose for this season. I’ve had some things on my heart, and I’m still unsure about the direction I’ll be moving in and what my focus should be. Setting goals and choosing a word of the year has been a little more difficult this time around, and I would love to have your prayers for me on this, as well as your feedback regarding the direction of My Purposeful Planning & Organization. I’ve even considered whether or not I should let it go and drop it or purposefully go even harder and more consistently with it. I would love your feedback on this as well.
Too soon to be thinking about post-Christmas home organization?? According to the many, many of my facebook friends who are purging their homes and reselling items, it’s not. Haha!
If you need help decluttering or organizing your spaces, I’m your girl!
I’m opening up my books, and starting to fill spaces for your home organization projects! I’m So Excited, and can’t wait to organize your space for you!!
**Sharing these things just for the fun of it, no paid partnerships at this time… I do get paid a very tiny portion if you make a purchase through the affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
Here are my most recent latest Amazon purchases:
(Since it’s been a while, there are a few more than usual. Some of these were ordered with the Black Friday sale after Thanksgiving.)
Everly Metabolism Test - Losing weight has been a real struggle for me since having my last baby three years ago. I’ve made lots of nutritional changes this year including doing the Blood Type diet, tracking calories and macros, eliminating gluten, and nothing has really moved the scales much. I’ve had some blood tests with my doctor, but I’ve also wondered if I could have some hormonal imbalance or metabolism issues so I kept seeing this and thought it would be a good step to take. I’m a little young to have hormonal imbalance, but I’m taking matters into my own hands and just checking this out to make sure we’re on the right track. Sometimes advocating for yourself is necessary.
Five Minute Devotions for Children - This was a recommended resource for Layten’s homeschool curriculum. We just started My Father’s World First grade with her this past month, and I’m seriously amazed and impressed that she’s learning to sound out words now!
External CD Drive, USB - I grabbed this to plug into the laptop for our Memory Work CDs for school. I’ve been needing a CD player for a while, and after asking and looking around for someone who had an old one they weren’t using, I just decided to go ahead and buy one for ourselves.
Milk Frother Handheld - I really like this one because the attachments can be removed and put in the dishwasher. It’s got a frother attachment, wisk attachment, it charges by USB instead of using batteries, and it even comes with stencil-like things to make designs in your coffee with the creamy froth!
YumEarth Favorite Variety Pack - I grabbed these for my kids’ stockings because I wanted to have healthier versions of their favorite candies.
Compact Can Opener - We were in need of a new can opener, and I’ve had this one on my list for a while. I really love how small and compact it is!
Supplement: LMNT Elemental Labs - These were recommended by my doctor, by the podcast I listen to, and I tried some of the samples from my brother-in-law. The trick, for me, is to only use half a packet in a bottle of water. It’s totally doable that way and a great way to get the added potassium, magnesium, and sodium without the yuckiness of DIY’ing it that I tried a few months ago.
Book: Every Moment Holy, Volume 1 - This one has been on my list for a while, and I’ve really been enjoying the prayers for every occasion. It’s great to read one aloud to the children every now and then as we start our day, and it sets our focus in the right place.
Book: Awaking Wonder - I love me some Sally, and I was really excited to get this book from my list about creating a love of learning and wonder in my children with homeschooling and just in life in general.
Book: The Inflammation Spectrum - Ah, I have so much I can say about this one! I learned SO MUCH reading it! It’s kind of more like a workbook because it’s got a test inside that helps you know what areas you are experiencing inflammation in your body, and it gives you pretty much a personalized plan for eliminating it. I highly recommend this one for anyone on any type of health journey!
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Let me know if there’s anything I can help you with! Simply reply to this email, and let’s chat. I’m so glad you’re here, and I’d really love to hear from you!