Keeping Myself "DE-STRESSED"

So, I was thinking today of how many times I have to remind myself that I am in control of my life.  It's not the other way around, even though I feel that way sometimes.  I feel stressed a lot and have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off too often lately.  I've created a plan for myself that I hope will help me stay calm and at peace.  It's going to be hard to stick to it, and I'm going to have to call on every ounce of discipline I even thought of having to keep this plan intact.  I really feel like if I succeed, it will leave me feeling better physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

1.  Be willing to say no.- I stay so busy every single day of the week, that it leaves me no time to keep up with my laundry, housecleaning, and just time with myself.  I plan to have at least two nights a week to do nothing but come home and have some "Amy" time.  It should be easy to find time like this, seeing as how it's just me, but I have made it difficult.  I now work at least two Saturdays a month, so my weekend is shot.  I find things to do almost every night of the week...things that are fun and I enjoy doing...but it leaves me stressed the next day because I got no work done at home.  I have to be willing to pass on some events just to maintain my sanity.

2.  Make nutrition a priority.  I'm trying to go back on the glycemic index diet, which certainly isn't any fun, but is the healthiest I've ever eaten in my life.  I have no sugar, no processed foods, bread, etc.  If I stick to this, not only will I feel better physically, but I won't have to feel guilty for eating things I shouldn't. 

3.  Don't take life too seriously.   I have got to stop thinking and overthinking every single aspect of life.  I have to stop worrying and being so fearful of so many things.  I have to make it a priority to pray and leave all this at the cross and refuse to be a slave to it.  In carrying it myself, I take away the opportunity I have to laugh and have fun and enjoy life like I should.  I want to feel light and free to experience life to its fullest and be in the moment, not consumed with thoughts about something I can't control anyway.

4.  Experience God.  Above all else, I have to find God in every day.  I know He's there and in all things.  I must spend time with Him and be in the word to know Him more and love Him more.  I have to be serious about my relationship with my God and focus on how He speaks to me.  If I can truly learn to dive into His arms and experience the solace I know I will find there, I will feel settled and joyful and like none of the above matter any longer.

Here's to a new week.  Praise God for second chances....and more.

A Big Problem...

I have my fourth graders write journal entries to promote writing.  There are no penalties for punctuation, capitalization, etc.  It's simply an opportunity for them to write about whatever they want, without fear of being graded on the above.  At times, i get asked questions and have students seeking advice.  Here's one I read today that I thought I'd share.  Love it.

     I have a big promble.  I hate it.  I think ***** is in love with me.  I don't no what to do I don't whant to heart his feeling if I say I do not love him and ***** likes me.  I love like another guy that almost every girl loves.  So what I'm in love.  how do I let them down easy?

Obviously, I left the entry as is.  This is just one of the reasons I love what I do.  :) 

I really want...

one of these, SOOOOO badly.  Know where I can get one nearby?  Please share.

Another Fun Photo Shoot!

I had the honor of taking pictures of sweet Charlee this afternoon.  She is such a ham and definitely isn't shy around the camera!  Isn't she the cutest?

Baby Painting

Welcome sweet baby Ava Mann to the world!  Congratulations John and Emily!

Whirlwind and Wisdom

I'm still here friends.  I have been struggling to keep myself above water yet again.  School started just a little over a week ago and it's been nonstop since.  I haven't had much time to blog, and to be honest, haven't had much to blog about. I've had that feeling lately that life in general is attempting to pull me under.  It seems I rarely have a night to relax and always have something to do or somewhere to go.  When I look back at exactly what captures all my time, I'm usually unable to recall it....it's that mundane.  I feel like life as I know it lately (aka Satan) is tempting me to lose sight of God's presence, even in the ordinary events of my day.

I'm tired of that.  I'm tired of allowing life to consume me and refusing to watch for how God is working around me.  I've been going back through the study Experiencing God the last couple of weeks.  If you haven't done this study and are looking for how God speaks to you every single day, go get it immediately!  It's that amazing.  I'm learning, or re-learning, how absolutely perfect God's love is for me and that He is infinitely more interested in every single aspect of my life than I am.  He's working all around me and He speaks to me daily.  No, it's not audibly, but it's through His word, His people, prayer, and even circumstances.  I'm learning not to ask Him what His will for my life is, but to find His will and join Him there.  I feel like my idea of who God is is changing and I'm beginning to love and appreciate Him more than I ever have.  It's a great feeling.  It's great to be reminded that His love is REAL and ALIVE in us and surrounds us daily. 

I hope this encourages you as it has me.  Watch for God with me, and get excited to know what He's doing all around you!

This is SO not funny.

You guessed it.  Snake sighting number two.

Okay, so this time it was just the skin, but still.  I'm so totally freaked out.  I called my friend Chad to come to the rescue because you better believe I wasn't touching that thing.  He thought it was hilarious.  Glad I could provide some humor for you today, Chad, but I don't find it one bit funny. Seriously, I need a way to keep these things AWAY from my house! Either that, or I may have to sell the thing already.