Becoming...a Spring Cleaner

I'm pretty sure my title is not proper English grammar, and I'm pretty certain many of you are having a hard time even remembering who I am...it's be sooooo long!

So today, let me introduce you to the spring cleaner that I am becoming!

Maybe I am the only one with clutter than needs kicked to the curb, and if so, congratulations to you. Realistically, we aren't all perfect.  When I say clutter, I'm not just speaking in terms of your home, I'm talking about the 5,000 emails in your folder waiting to be trashed(no kidding with that amount), the weight you've been carrying around for years on your body, the debt you've accumulated due to poor decisions, or lack of education, and lastly, that real junk in your home you never use!

What ever it is that is "weighing" you down today, it's time to do some spring cleaning!

I've been baby step cleaning for several months now, the house is still a wreck, but I'm about 30 pounds lighter!
Recently we had a situation happen in our home that left us feeling like we had been punched in the gut, like someone pulled the rug out from under us. How do I get back up? Firstly, my help comes from the Lord, and along the way, everyday I have read a post from someone, heard a saying, or read a scripture, that all gave me hope!

So today while reading my list of blogs, I just happen to take the time to read one that caught my eye. It may not apply to you, or even help you, if not, that's awesome. But on the other hand. If you are struggling financially, it's for you!  So today I begin my cleaning with our finances...something I should have done years ago, and if I have any say in the matter, my children will be well educated in proper finance knowledge before they leave my home!
Please take a minute to read the following post: http://simplemom.net/hi-my-name-is-kara-and-im-in-debt/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+simplemom+%28Simple+Mom%29
Thank you for letting me be honest and open with you, and for joining me on my journey!

Let your Heart Be Light

My lifelong best friend wrote a blog post this week that sparked some emotion in me regarding Christmas, and much to her delight, I felt like I needed to write them down and maybe get them out of my system! So, here goes, hope you are ready for this!

So, my tree is up! That's it, it's up. Luckily it is pre-lit or it would have nothing on it, except for the 5 ornaments I placed on it! FIVE, count them F I V E!

Last year we were spoiled, we were able to spend Christmas at Disney World, so we did not decorate or buy gifts, the trip was our gifts, so this year I have had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit.  I'm not sure exactly why, except for the fact that they had Christmas stuff out while I was doing school shopping, applying the pressure earlier and earlier!

I will have to tell you that I'm a perfectionist, and I always dream of having a magazine perfect tree! I've always hated decorating with the school stuff the kids made when they were small until this year, when they were all ruined in the flood we had. My teen daughter made a statement that really struck my heart this week, when she talked of all the fun they had decorating the tree with their stuff. Now that they are all growing up, I know they will be gone soon and all the stuff I once despised I now long to have.

I have let society pressure me for too long to have the perfect house, with the perfect tree and buy all the must haves for my kids! This year I have decided to stop and savor my time with my children and family, forgo all the expenses of trying to decorate and instead invest time into making memories for my children! I want them to make paper chains and snowflakes, and hang them on the tree, to enjoy the simple things in life! What is so funny is all of the kids and my husband have commented on how nice the bare tree looks, with just the lights!

This year we don't have a lot to spend on gifts, but my goal is to make memories with them that won't get broken or lost, that will last a lifetime, and all they will cost is my time!
I may not be eaten up with the Christmas spirit, but I am determined to make memories with my family!

But most of all, I want to remember the true meaning of Christmas! While contemplating this post, I ran across another blog of a crafter who made an ornament that said "Let your heart be Light."
That's what I want my heart to be, Light that others can see Christ in me!

Becoming...a blogger again...

Six months have passed since I've typed a single word onto my blog. In all actuality, I have allowed too much to intimidate me and keep me from blogging. One of the biggest hindrances was the fact that I don't always have the time to post a picture and in my mind, who would want to read a blog with no pictures? Well I can tell you that they are more interesting, but any of the blogs I read, I would follow even without pictures! That being said, this is what I've been wanting to post!

When I started this blog almost 1 year ago, I was struggling with so many issues. So I rightly named it becoming Jody, my goal was to become...me! The me I've been searching to be. Here we are, 3 months from a year and a lot has changed! In the past month or so I have lost 15 pounds, and I have never felt better! I am exercising regularly, and on my way to becoming healthy!

The list goes on of all the things I set out to do this year...many of them are not complete, but that is all part of the journey, taking each day step by step, and becoming...me!

So as long as you keep reading, I will keep writing, even on days when I have no pictures, your are therapy for my soul!

Becoming...a comforter

I know it has been forever since my last post. I turned over my laptop to my son for school work, and have yet to figure out how to post pictures on my blog from my iPad. So, I just haven't posted anything, which makes me sad...I really do enjoy blogging! I'm not famous, only have 3 official followers, but some how have about 600 page reads? Anyway...I currently have 3 or 4 post with pictures that I am going to post this week, no matter what! On to my title... In the wee hours of the morning last week, I was awaken by the pitter patter of a little person sneaking into our bed. Now, as parents to 5 children, we have had to draw the line to kids in the bed. Of course the minute I was awake I had to go to the bathroom. So I said to "K girl" go back to bed...sister, you've got to get up honey, mommy has to go! (tmi I know) So, she left(I thought) and I went on down the hall. By this time I'm wide awake, and wondering where she is. I didn't see her pass the bathroom on her way back to her room...so I wake the sleeping teen on the couch( because the couch sleeps better then her own bed I'm told) and ask where said sister went? She didn't come this way...I call out to her and she comes up the 3 stairs from my room. "K girl," you have to go back to your bed, there isn't enough room for us all in my bed. Before I had even started this speech, she was already sobbing, so by the time I was finished, she was near hysteria. This is not normal for her at 2 or 3 in the morning. As we talked, I find out she had had a very bad dream, she was physically shaking as she told of the bad guy after her family. I remembered the bad dreams as a child, paralyzed with fear when you awoke from them. Nothing could restore your sense of safety like slipping into the bed with mom and dad. But, before I could tell her she could sleep with us, she said, "I just need to be with my daddy." Now, she is not the daddy's girl she used to be, but what she was crying out for was his protection and strength and comfort of his embrace. Now, my husband is a good dad, a very good dad by my standards, but he isn't a mushy dad. He is a dad who provides tirelessly for his children, laughs with them at times, but is pretty serious most of the time. He is a disciplinary father, the kids are not spoiled in my books, we try to teach them values and live a Godly life. She and I walk to our room together, all the while, she is still sobbing a bit and shaking with fear. I stand beside the bed on my husbands side and pat his leg. Daddy, she needs you. That was it, no questions asked, no lecture, no stern go back to bed...he raises up the covers, she climbs in and he envelopes her with his huge protective arms. I crawl into bed on my side, snuggle up against his back, and reach over and put my hand on her, I pray for comfort and peace, and I weep. It is at this moment that the Lord reminds me that He is just like that. When we come to Him, we can fall into His arms...He is the Comforter...He will give you peace, rest and strength. For some who grew up with less than perfect fathers, many times the comparison of Christ as your "Heavenly Father" does not carry the meaning that it should. But, in that moment, I saw what a good father does, and how my Heavenly Father will do the same.

Becoming...a goal reacher!

I know that title sounds stupid, but I'm already a goal setter, now it's time to reach them!
So, here is my disclaimer today: WARNING the following post is a serious one, honest, open and very real! No perfect pictures to post of my fairy tale perfect life, just blood and guts honest truth! Ok, so that was a bit dramatic, but I do have a dramatic side! Lol
The following statement was not a reflection on any of you dear friends...I love you one and all!

Anyways, on to my subject!
The last several weeks I have been guest speaking/helping in one of our church's youth classes. That in itself is an honor, but a role I take very serious. Of all we have talked about, every lesson seemed to smack me right between the eyes. I'm suppose to be helping teach, when in an essence I am preaching to myself!

Well the topic the last few weeks has been about self worth, self image, self esteem. Things I wish growing up leaders would have talked to us about, because now as a 30+ adult, I still struggle with on a daily basis. One statement the youth leader made that really caught my attention was the one thing you put off the most is almost always the "big thing" in your life. Boy was he ever right! I wish it was just one thing in my life. So I made a list. I'm really being brutally honest with you. Here are my 3 "big things"

1. My weight
2. My house
3. My spiritual relationship

Here's my problem, I am a perfectionist and over the years have learned that I am the type that if I can't see immediate results I stop, or give up. I may be super motivated and then that's it. I've really struggled lately with not being able to complete any task, and that is even more discouraging.

So as a hands on part of the lesson, the youth did work sheets, and they had to name one big thing they wanted to do. Wether it was a goal or something they wanted to learn, do or change. Then we went over these steps:

1. What values will govern what I want to accomplish?
2. What is happening today, what's going on around me now?
3. What would my new system look like?
4. Set your goals.
5. Do it!

So I have taken my first step and naming my big things, now to go through with each one and follow these steps, to help create successful steps!

Happy journey this week, in becoming what you desire to do and be. Thank you for joining me in my journey, to..."become."

Meanwhile, back on the ranch...

I can't believe it has been so long since I posted! I have 2 awesome DIY projects to post about, that require before shots. It is always pouring down rain, freezing cold, or midnight dark outside and I can't go snap some pics...so, they will have to wait!

This week is spring break, and my plans were to open up the back door, send the kids out to play, and clean!!! But, the rain had other plans! Monday the rain came, and the kids stayed inside...Tuesday, the rain stayed and the water came creeping into the house. Hubby came home from work, we built a dam around the point of entry and prayed it would work. Wednesday, the rain is STILL here, but the dam is holding and diverting water away and the clean up inside started. I think all the wet clothes will be done in 2 loads and luckily no carpet pad was ruined, so now it's just a matter of wet carpet drying!

So, the pictures and projects will have to wait till the water dries up! Poor little goats, we even had to move their house up high. They haven't even came out of hiding today for their bottle. I bet they will be starved!

Have a great first week of spring!

Back in the saddle again...

So I am pretty sure that a few of my "fans" are a little young to understand my title. Seems as though it is a very old song and that one line has been playing over and over in my head this week. Since my last post, I decided to keep going with our plans, and rebuild slowly.

I have not posted lately because I have yet to learn how to post pictures from my new electronic device, and my son has adopted my laptop for school work, so I've been stuck not posting....
But, who says you HAVE to post pictures every time?

New at the farm, new babies!!!

Saturday we spent 4 hours meeting, picking out, and learning about the starting of "goating."
That's probably not a correct term, but sounded good to me!!!
I am now equiped with every magazine the owner had available and several pages of lists of what I just HAVE to have...lol
After the girls fell in love with all of them, we came home with 3...Abe, Bettie, and Angelina, who will be called Angie for short. These were their respected names, and the human kids liked them, so looks like they are keeping them.

So the process has begun, we have a new pen built for them, but wont have milk for about a year, give or take. I keep reminding them all that when the baby kids start coming they will not be staying, they will be sold. We will see who wins this!

Since spring is upon us, I'm dying to hatch some eggs out, there is nothing like new life all over the farm in the spring!

Keep checking back for pictures of our new arrivals!

We are going to the circus Saturday, so you can count on an emotional post about that one soon!

Thanks for joining me on my journey...