Mornings

I have a big secret for you...I am kind of a morning person.  Not peppy, tap dancing kind of morning person but a I like to get up early when it is quiet person.  Every work day without fail, I am the first person up in our home and that is the way I like it. I can shower or get dressed using little light, creep down the stairs to get my coffee, do a quick chore, finish getting myself ready, and pack whatever I need for the kids/myself all before anyone gets out of bed. Most days I even fit in time to ready a morning devotional a few verses from my Bible.  It is very peaceful to me. Sometimes this desire to be up before the house bleeds over into the weekend. We all know our bodies get used to a routine and my body is used to being up no later than 5am during the week so usually on weekends I start to stir at that time. Depending on how I feel, I may choose to force myself back to sleep or that desire for solitude takes over so I get up.

This morning was one of those days. I looked at the clock and it was 5:30am. I thought that was a little ridiculous so I stayed in bed a little longer. By 6:23am I was ready to get up and have some quiet time.  I have a whole 15 minutes before my little morning person, Emory was creeping around upstairs. However, he and I have a system. He gets up and head to the couch to snuggle under a quilt with his choice of TV programming (PBS, Sprout, or Disney) and I get my time to drink coffee while surfing the net. This is a treat for him because he doesn't get a lot of screen time during our busy work weeks and Daddy prefers him not to watch too  much Disney. It is treat for me because I can "waste" time while drinking coffee in my pajamas (crazy hair and all!). Today is an even more special treat because my hubby brought home donuts yesterday from a local bakery...yum!

So are you a morning person, night owl, middle of the day kind of person?

"She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants." Proverbs 31:15

2014

I rang in 2014 with a virus rather than a bang! I slept through midnight to get much needed rest. And you know what? I am totally cool with that!  We worked on NYE and had no real plans so it was fine. I did enjoy a lazy day of on New Year's Day.

In the last few weeks of 2013, I started thinking about my goals for the New Year. Though I am still working on real defined goals, my over all focus is to spend a little more time working on me. The kids are doing great and will naturally take what they need. Nick's job is great and his is plugging along in his class. So this year, I am planning to put a little more effort into myself so I continue to take care of my family. Here are a few things I am doing or plan to do in 2014.

-Wednesday night Bible Study starting January 8
-Yoga classes-I bought a 31 pack of classes to use over the next year with Christmas money.
-Work out a minimum of 2 times per week at work. The goal is at least Tuesday and Thursday.
-Use at least one day of annual leave per quarter just for me. I will use this day to get a pedicure, hike, go to lunch with a friend or do a home project.
-Read more. I have loaded lots of books on my Kindle, some fiction and some non-fiction.
-Update my resume. Do some career planning. Take a continuing education class or two.
-Be more intentional about my friendships. See friends who I have not seen in too long!

These are just a few goals I have set for myself this year. I hope this year has started off well for everyone!

Christmas was awesome because....

-My Saviour was born.
-Family, friends, and tastey treats.
-A husband who went out shopping, wrapped presents, and shared the excitement of Christmas with his children.
-A little boy who is convinced the Polar Express is coming on Christmas Eve, uses a light saber to battle his daddy, and doesn't forget it is Jesus' birthday.
-A little girl in prissy dresses, a baby doll stroller, and loved unwrapping presents.
-Friends who stop by on Thursday nights just to hang. (Love you CF)
-Work brunches with the most amazing food.
-Warm cinnamon rolls and hot coffee on Chirstmas morning.
-My sister, Ali, bought me new Pajaamas.
-Homemade gifts inspired by Pinterest.
-A few days off with the hubby.
-We baked Kiernan cookies.

I love Christmas every year but this year was particularly amazing. My heart was focused where it should be and for the most part I avoided the usual overwhelmed feeling. I enjoyed a few days and actually took time for myself and Nick.  I am still enjoying the Christmas light and decorations in our home for a few days longer. I am sad to see the season go but glad to be into a fresh new year.