We tried...

So, i know everyone else is getting snow and ice and winter weather. We are not. We were teased, but other than 10 minutes of snow this afternoon that didn't stick, we're just cold here.

The wind chill tomorrow is -4. Notice the - sign in front of that number. yikes!!!!

But today the wind chill was only 18!!! So i was determinded to run. I get antsy when i go a week without running, and with being sick lately, i was dying to get out there.

I wasn't too worried about the cold weather, because i was just gonna go for 3. And my motto is, you can do anything for 3 miles. (hahahhahaha)

Daniel thought i was out of my mind, but being the supportive spouse he is, he put on his layers and we headed out.

To our suprise it had snowed/sleeted from the time i got home till we headed out. oh well, it won't kill us right?

Before:

Look at those 2 kids, so full of promise!

The cold didn't bother us, the biting wind did. We didn't/don't have any face protection when we run, so my throat honestly felt like it was being cut. The wind combined with the sleet stung and hurt.

We lasted about 5 minutes or so.

After:

Ah well, now i know better. So i hit the Shred to get a bit of a work out in. I'm starting to feel/see the Peppermint Milkshakes from chick fil a and the Caramel Brulee Lattes from Starbucks. It's amazing how i can have so much self control over some foods, but throw me something yummy that is a holiday offer or limited time only and i can not help myself :)

Anyways.....

I'm home by myself for probably the third time in our marriage and i'm living it up: blogging, House Hunters, and i'm about to make some hot chocolate. Yeah i go all out when i'm home alone, ha!

Random:

We just started sponsoring our first child through World Vision. We chose a little 8 year old girl in India. She has the same birthday as our anniversary, so we'll always remember to celebrate her at that time.

I made chicken pot pie a few weeks ago completely from scratch (except the pie crust)...and it was delish!!!!!

(this is the pie before i covered it with the pie crust) 

We also made this again and it was SO good. Don't underestimate the power of a grape tomato.

That's my Monday. I'm going to go get that hot chocolate before my fingers freeze off!

love

laura

Christmas Part 1

Christmas Eve morning, we headed to Daniel's parents to celebrate with the fam. But of course, not without hitting up the Bux and getting our caffeine fix.

Daniel was ready for presents!

Baby J soaking it all in...

Here are some random pics from our morning...

The best gift...a little wind up dradle. it was a huge hit.

We spent the morning opening presents, then had a big breakfast with Grandpa Paul (not the grandpa in the hospital). Unfortunately I forgot to take pics of the food, i got too caught up in the eating to remember!

I got a ton of running stuff this year. I'm excited! I've been wanting this for a while so cars won't hit me when i run at night.

And if you're looking for something great to read....I wholehearedly recommend this. I love almost everything by Francine Rivers, and this book tops the charts. I loved it!

We also were able to give our World Vision gift that we purchased in honor of our parents this year. We bought 4 chickens and medical supplies for children. It was one of our favorite things we gave this year, and want to make it a new tradition for the future.

Next up...Christmas in Texas!

love

laura

THANK YOU

You guys rock!!!!!

Thank you so much for your responses to this post. I was so excited to hear that many of you already do this and give in such amazing ways! It literally gave me chills to read how ya'll have and will be giving. I am praying that Father uses these gifts to reach those that we can't.

I loved hearing about the ducks being bought and educational supplies for chidlren! It thrills me that a few families will be receiving help and love this year in what might seem like a small way to us, but is crucial for them.

Seriously, thank you for reaching out to people across the world in ways that can be life changing and/or life saving.

love

laura

Perspective

I was doing an errand at work today, and while walking, looked down and realized something.

I was wearing nice clothes, a nice warm coat, and the biggest complaint in my life right now is that i have a blister on my toe that has kept me from running.

I was honestly going to blog tonight about my toe blister.

And then i gained a little perspective.

There are (i would guess) millions of people living in poverty. Some are on the other side of town and using their ovens to heat their house in below freezing temperatures.

Some are in a small village dying of starvation or unclean water.

I recently read Radical, by David Platt. I recommend it for sure. But i don't recommend reading it in one sitting, putting it down, and saying "that was a great book!"

No, i would suggest reading it slowly, putting it down to ingest not what DP is telling you to do, but the Biblical principles and commands that you suddenly realize you've been missing/ignoring for years.

One thing that stuck out to me in the book is what he said about sacrifical giving. It's not giving away clothes that you're never going to wear again anyways. Sacrificial giving is giving when it hurts.

I read this right after i had given away about 3 trash bags of clothes. I was feeling pretty good thinking of all the great clothes and shoes i gave away to people who needed them more than i did.

But it didn't hurt at all.

It didn't cost me anything.

Daniel and I have been praying about what this looks like for us. Since we still have debt, any money we would give away, takes away from paying off the debt. I'm assuming if we were debt free extra money given would be taken away from entertainment or new clothes.

We want to find the balance of being good stewards of what we do have, paying off our debt, yet still looking for opportunities that we can give in a way that still costs us. Not because if it hurts that means it's better. But we are blessed for a reason. and i doubt God has given most of us the income He did so that we could be comfortable.

Think about your current household income......could you live on half of it? could you live on a lot less?

I'm not by nature a very generous person, i have my moments, but it's not always on my radar. Daniel is naturally generous. He recently did something that still shocks me. He gave away something that cost. That hurt.

My point.....

I am a huge fan of World Vision. They have a gift catalog on their website that i'm obsessed with.

$35 provides $385 of life saving medicines.

$18 provides 3 ducks for a family that can use the income from the ducks for medicines and school tuition.

$50 can help children with disabiltiies receive the care they need.

There are SO many other opportunities and ways to give through their site. I love that by giving 'small' amounts your gift is able to multiply to do much more than what seems possible.

I'm not buying Christmas presents for my parents this years.

A, They don't need anything

B. Anything they want we can't afford :)

We're going to be donating a gift in my parents name instead. I could give my parents small gifts that don't have any real value, OR give in a way that will provide shelter for a sexually exploited young girl, or care for an orphan; the possibilities are endless.

I would encourage you to look thru their gift catalog and find a way you can give. They not only have cash donations, but actual items like purses and jewelry made my girls/women who use the income to stay out of prostitution.

If you end of doing this, please leave me a comment or email me. It would make my day! Let me know how you decided to help and what your gift is providing, whether it's a goat for a family or a home for an orphan.

love
laura