Oh, Happiness

Do you know what my favorite day of the week entails?

Cleaning, laundry, organizing, and basically straightening up and simplifying my life. Usually I do this on Saturdays, but I like doing it on a day Colin works so that I have the house to myself. Am I crazy for loving this day? Perhaps.

Usually after doing all my chores, it is so much easier to relax and enjoy the rest of the week carefree. Then I can focus on cooking, reading, practicing music, and spending quality time with Colin and our kitties. What can I say? I am a habitual organizer. And I love that about myself.

We took down our tree (oh, the pine needles everywhere!) and other Christmas remnants last night. Sad, I know. I just love Christmas. But it is over and time to move on to the new year to come! Today I am also putting away the last of my Christmas presents. My parents spoiled us again, of course. Yesterday I got to go shopping with a gift card and Christmas cash! Oh, joy! I got some great deals on clothing, pajamas, jewelry, and books.

After several recommendations, I purchased Crazy Love by Francis Chan and The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I am excited to begin these and pray I can get myself to sit down, relax, and get into the books. I have too much energy I guess! My mom gave me some cute tea mugs with sayings on them about hope and faith, etc. I will have to have some delicious tea with my books.

I hope your Christmas was well and inspirational for the year to come. I pray you hold Jesus in your hearts a little tighter today.

Love to all,
Jess

Mary and Joseph

Jesus is the 'reason for the season', but have you ever pondered the roles Mary and Joseph took on during Mary's pregnancy and Jesus' childhood? Think about the criticism they had to have taken on, explaining to others that Mary was a virgin, pregnant. Imagine the trust and love Joseph must have had for Mary. When did they realize Jesus, their son, was born to be Savior to the world? Watch this video for a 'relevant' look into what life could have been like for Mary and Joseph, or perhaps what it may have been like in the 21st century.

Getting to Know You Questions

Do you have any pets?
Yes! Two himalayan cats: Mercedes and Dahlia. My loves.

What was the last book you read?
Showdown by Ted Dekker, currently reading Water For Elephants.

Do you like to cook?
LOVE to cook. Anything and everything.

Do you have brothers and sisters?
I have an older brother, Ryan. He is 27.

Have you ever met a famous person?
Mercy Me and Monk & Neagle.

How do you spend your free time?
Reading, cooking, being outside.

What countries have you visited?
Just Canada and Mexico. So far. :)

Which languages do you speak?
English and sign language.

What are you best at?
Musical instruments: piano, drums, guitar, harp, and more!

Who has had the most influence in your life?
Jesus.

Are you a 'morning' or 'night' person?
I'm more of a morning person...just let me have some coffee or tea.

How many times did you move as a child?
NEVER! My parents are farmers and will always live on the farm.

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
Italy. Although, being Norwegian, I would love to visit Norway.

What super-power would you most like to have, and why?
I would LOVE to fly! It would be freeing and invigorating.

Are you a beach, country or city person?
Live in the country, work in the city, and visit the beach often!

Snow, snow, snow.

After taking a 3-month hiatus from TTC (while on birth control pills to regulate my cycle and hormones and diminish cyst/s), I am BACK. It feels good. I will be doing natural cycles for the next few months. Colin and I may decide to seek out an RE this coming year, but may not. I am just happy to be off of anything related to hormones for the time being. I barely remember what it is like having the hope of, "Perhaps this could be my cycle!"

On a side note, I made Colin tear up the other day when showing him this Ethiopian adoption video:


I hold international adoption deep in my heart, whether or not I am able to conceive. But for now, I must wait in patient anticipation of the day God says, "It is time."

In the meanwhile, I will sip my coffee and stare out at the falling snow. We in central Wisconsin are in a 'winter storm warning' until noon Sunday. I am not sure how many inches will accumulate, but I do know that it is going to snow, snow, snow! My plan for the day is to catch up on blog reading, do some light cleaning and laundry, and relax. Blessings!

To linger...

December...how did we get here already? It seems just like yesterday that I was wondering the same about December 2009. This year has passed so quickly for me. I wish time would go slower. Although there are dreams that I am chasing-buying our first home, having a baby-I want to be able to savor the journey, no matter how smooth or hard and rocky the road is.

How do we do this? I suppose the first thing to do might be to eliminate wasteful time, wasteful 'things'. Simplify life. What is it that allows you to linger in the moment?