2015 PowerSheets // Lara Casey Shop

I am so excited to continue on in my journey of becoming organized and planning ahead!  I have used various planners in the past from Target or Office Depot and they got the job done, but nothing really stuck. So needless to say I have been on the hunt for a really good planner. Through a blog: This One to be exact-I found the  Lara Casey Shop!  This lady is so awesome and is all about being intentional with goals.  Setting big and small goals and understanding the 'whys' and 'drives' behind them.

Lara Casey's theme is: "Make it Happen: Surrender your fear, take the leap, live on purpose."  Such sweet words.

Trust me I am all about being in the moment and definitely recognizing the here and now, however I do want to make things happen.  I want to plan and organize and try my best to utilize the talents that God has given me.  Doing my part in all that for me means getting organized, seeking vision, and the steps it will take to get there.

I want to grab hold of life for the new year and not let life grab hold of me!  I am so excited for this Christmas season, but I can't help but already look forward to the new year because every year it comes so fast!  I am trying my best to be in the moment and still plan and dream for next year.  I think with the help of these powersheets and continuing on I will be able to achieve more than I can imagine.

Yay!

5 Ways to shake those Nerves for that New Job

I have heard it said a lot-I've even said it a lot. "So...pretty nervous for your first day? This phrase is said countless times, for jobs, school, internships, and every time it does nothing for the person receiving it.  I recognize that in our culture there are several upon several phrases that are passed around because they are deemed as polite.  I recognize that and am appreciative for these phrases in that cultural context.  However-being an already nervous-anxious person that I am-that phrase bothers me.  I really do not need another nervous question being asked to an already nervous anxious person. You feel me?

 So I am sitting here writing out my thoughts regarding how I, as well as others, can shake off the anxieties, disregard or answer well the nervous questions, and find peace and rest within for the new job that awaits.

                                          *5 Things*

1. Prepare to YOUR best knowledge and then STOP

You can only know so much before your first day at a new job.  Handbooks and documents will tell you clean cut ways and procedures in which to do something-but its not the real life situation.  When it comes to your first day-being there is your best preparation.  All the worrying before hand and stressing over possible scenarios is not helpful-so stop! I am literally the queen of hypothetical scenarios!

2. You are a Learner

As much as you are there to know-you are there to learn.  Being able to recognize that you will make a mistake or two or three is a good thing.  You are a human, so you are not perfect. Sometimes that is a good reminder.  For some silly reason we think we are perfect :/ I'm sure you've never dealt with that! Ha! Learning and being new is expected-give yourself grace and allow that to sink in.

3. Be Present

Nervousness and anxiety take away from the present moment.  It is the worry of future scenarios that we anxious folk deal with.  Being in the moment, breathing in the world around you with all senses is so helpful. Doing this will free up your thinking, get you out of your mind for a minute and allow for some refreshment.  Listen to what the book of Jeremiah says in 31:25 "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Be in the moment, be present.

4. You are Adequate 

Often times starting a new job can bring about feelings of uncertainty and inadequacy.  Because new jobs, bring new situations, new people, and new circumstances-it is very easy to feel inadequate and out of place.  Well beloved, you are enough.  Do you believe that?  You got this job for a reason, and being adequate is definitely one of them. 2 Cor. 3:5 "Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God..." We are always a work in progress-everyone is. When are confidence and hope is built on the firm foundation of God, we will always be equipped.  God will always meet us where we feel we have fallen short.

5.  Remember Your Eternal Value

Carrying around something as big as the gift that I do should change my day to day.  Living for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31) says that I hold value.  My eternal value enlarges my interactions, my language, and outlook on life. The now is happening, the future is not.  God is the one whom I work for ultimately, and He is the one I want to please.  You are valuable.

What did you do to prepare for a new job?  How did you conquer the anxious monster?

Goals: *December*

Recap on November Goals : Was a bit overzealous last month-but it feels like I did so much more! Oh but there is grace. Sweet sweet  grace.

1. Do a giveaway on my blog.
2. Purchase a yoga pass 
3. Girls Night with my Mom Group
4. Be diligent pray and research adoption
5. Majority of Christmas presents purchased
6. Blog 2x/week--build up repertoire
7. Substitute teach twice
8. Get January and February goals made
9. Plan road trip to cousins
10. Increase ebay store sales
11. Complete 2 books (this one and and this one )
12. Sign up and start training for 10K
13. Serve at my church in some capacity
14. Button Swap/purchase ad space on favorite blogs
15. Start saving for Influence Conference
16. Be consistent with my women's bible study-

Well on to the December Goals:

1. Purchase a yoga Pass
2. Pray about Adoption
3. Christmas shopping done by mid Dec.
4. Build up blog post repertoire
5. Jan-Dec Goals made
6. Finish 2 books
7. Turn in volunteer application to my church
8. Savings for Influence Conference
9. Send out Christmas Cards
10. Substitute teach once
11. Find a Marriage book to do together
12. Be consistent with Riley feeding herself with spoon
13. Look up mini triathlons in area
14. Print more wedding photos to put up
15. Be present / be still / be Jesus to the best of my ability.

I would love to hear more about your goals-Did you manage to cross some things off last month?

*Advent* Vlog Series One. -The Peony Project

When one does not want to write on a computer screen, you look at a tiny hole on a computer screen and talk to it.  Welcome to my FIRST vlog.  I thought I would share a little bit about what the advent season means to me through a little video.  This prompt from the The Peony Project is for anyone and everyone.  The Peony Project is an online community of bloggers who loves Jesus, sharing a passion to grow in community and cultivate real honest friendships.

Monday Mama Montage Vol. 10

Seeing a child grow in their first year of life is quite impressive. The first few months are pretty straight forward with the 'keep child alive" mantra.  Months 0-3= Survival.  Feeding, sleeping, and crying are the primary happening things in this stage.  Easy to some extent, and also the most challenging. (insert-sleeplessness)  Not all babies are the same though and some have it easier than others.  This stage is just survival.  Keep the kid alive, don't go insane, talk to people, stay in community, and see past the here and now-because it will get better.

The 3-6 month zone is more or less Sleeping/Awareness.  Oh the dreaded "cry it out method"/"no cry method"-who knows? The good thing is these stages do not last forever and one more thing-babies are pretty darn resilient. I did the cry it out method with Riley and we all sleep now and it is lovely.  The little ones are becoming ever so aware of their surroundings, tracking your face as you move, grabbing some toys, toes, and whatever else may be hanging from the carseat handle.  This stage is nice again hopefully because their sleeping and a little more movement is happening.

The 6-9 month zone for us was the Movement stage-Riley rolled over at 5, rolled the other direction at 7, crawled/cruising at 8 months.  This stage was really great because she was more active, slept less during the day, ate less milk, more solid food and was all around fun!

The 9-12-Walking/Talking-Riley definitely started saying a lot more during this stage and really started pointing  at things to know the word. This stage, they are so aware, of their surroundings, becoming more and more independent and hopefully trying to walk!

Riley is now a few days shy of being 15 months old and I really am still in shock!  Having this little tiny human walking around in my house is so weird!   I have found that since she has started walking- this stage is my favorite. She is walking, almost running, fearless at the playground, mimics sounds and faces, and is such a joy!

Here are a few of her tricks:

Points to her nose, ears, mouth, head and eyes.
Can bark, crow, oink
Says Mom, Dad, Hi, bye
Blow a candle
Point
Walk up and down a small step
Laugh
Fake cry
Smell a flower
Frown
Giggle
Downward dog
Spin
Walk backwards
Dance
Defiantly throws food on ground
Sleeps 12 hours at night
Takes 1 nap
Drinks cows milk
Love avocados
Hates diaper changes with a passion
Love Sunday school
LOVES her blanket (baba)
Throws really well
Super independent
Gives loves (hugs)
Climbs