Book Review: Loving My Actual Life

it's Fri-YAY!!! We are launching into the weekend ahead which for my family means a late afternoon workout while daddy coaches and C gets to play, lazy evening catching up on DVR, Saturday morning snuggles in pajamas, no appointments to make or reason to rush, "big pool" time with my boys, Burger night at home, Sunday morning hustle, impactful sermon that carries great lunch conversation, meal planning and grocery run, and my favorite- Sunday night Family dinner! I already cannot wait!

I finished up my Book of the Month: Loving My Actual Life By: Alexandra Kuykendall. What a GREAT read! This is a guided experiment over 9 months of her life taking different topics to a whole new level for her. Jotting down daily encounters pertaining to that month's topic, she reviews and aims to successfully tame that topic.

Here are some take home points that I journaled from the book:
(This doesn't even begin to touch on all I grasped and learned from this awesome book! You just have to read it for yourself =))

-wake up while the house is still quiet/capture unexpected quiet
-"Life is big in the little"
-"one of the greatest fears of my life is that I would get to the end of life and realize I lived for the wrong things....What am I chasing after?"
-"Hit the floor each day so that Satan says, 'oh my! She's awake!'"
-"This is not about perfection, but about feeling generous to welcome. Because in the end, this is how I want my home to be, a soft place to land for those who walk through the doors."
-"I write/blog to be an encouragement to someone else. To normalize, reassure and maybe even challenge the woman who is reading my words"

"Do what only you can do"

ONE LIFE. That's all we have y'all.

Lord, what do you have for me today?
reagan

VOTW

Good Morning Friends!

How are you with scripture memory?
Do you have a wealth of knowledge racked up from over the years?
Is scripture something you use to relate to everyday occurrences?
Do you often reference a certain verse depending on the topic that pops up?
Are you studying scripture daily and making the effort to let it sink into memory?

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible is our 'guidebook' in life. There has never been a time in my life where a circumstance arose and I wasn't able to reference scripture to support it. I have been reading, referencing, and studying the Bible for over half of my existing life, and the cool thing is that there is ALWAYS something new! There is also so much history and memories for me jam-packed in my Bible.

Over my years as a believer, I have purchased and been gifted many different copies of the Bible-ALL of which I LOVE and use each one still. But I have one in particular that I cherish and enjoy the most. This copy is small in size, but it is filled with more history and memories from some of the toughest and greatest times in my life to date. As you already know about me, I'm a list-maker and note-taker. This particular Bible is full of dates, highlights, sticky notes, underlining, and notes that truly makes my heart smile at the sight and use of it. It carried me through nursing school, relationships, new life and death, leadership conferences, Journey weekends, moving into adulthood, career choices, marriage vows, my children's births, miscarriage and loss, tough decisions, intense study, serving my husband, missions and visions...you catch my drift, right?

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3: 15

Scripture memory is important. It is necessary. It is encouraging and powerful. When life knocks you down and you have a verse come into mind for encouragement, it is much easier to pick yourself back up and keep trucking. Our God is powerful and faithful and just. The Bible is our backbone in life and our support to withstand all the negativity, fear, and war we are living in today.

I am a visual learner. I must see it with my own eyes and touch it with my hands to even begin to grasp and hold something in my memory forever. One thing I enjoy doing is writing scripture on notecards and post it notes. I carry these in my pockets, in my car, on my fridge, on my bathroom mirror, anywhere really. I have notebooks everywhere I go- my car, my purse, my gym bag, most rooms and drawers in my house... Basically, anytime I hear, see, or think of a scripture, I jot it down to review later. Fill your hearts and minds with POSITIVE things!

Where to Start:
1) OPEN YOUR BIBLE! I'm a visual and tactile learner so I like my printed Bible. However, the Bible app is available and this makes it so easy to reference a scripture or read the Bible ANYWHERE you are! Start with 5 minutes per day. See where this takes you =)
2) Devotional books- Step foot into Lifeway or Family Christian bookstore and you will find aisles on aisles of pre-printed, guided devotional scripture time. You can always reference a friend for advice on which ones they've read as well.
3) Pastors, Authors, and Inspirational Speakers Email List- Search your favorite author or leader on Google and you will likely find an email list you can subscribe to. There are several that I follow and receive daily emails to that are guided readings and topics to learn about.
4) VOTW- Verse of the Week! Choose one scripture each week and in your daily study write it down! By the end of that week, after writing it 6-7 times, you should have it committed to memory =)

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105

Looking forward to hearing how this goes for y'all!

always learning,
Reagan

living on purpose for a purpose

What are your passions in life?
What lights a fire underneath you that drives you to make a change?
What area in your life make your heart race when just thinking about them?

PASSIONS

Today I began the last chapter in my morning quiet time read "Loving My Actual Life" by: Alexandra Kuykendall. This last experiment we will focus on is Passions. As I've explained before and you probably already know this about me, but I am a dreamer, a do-er, a goal setter, an inspirer, a passion-pursuer! This topic gets me so excited and my lists start flowing, my calendar fills up, my journal pages are filled with ink, and my prayers to God are passionate and powerful! One way I heard it spoken yesterday was "not to be so goal driven, but instead be mission driven". This was almost a knock on my "goal-setting" heart, but I realized that I can set goals that are mission-filled and created for a greater purpose- that being to glorify God and share his name!

I tend to be passionate about 'too many' things in life (if that is even possible?). I get myself so fired up about several things, which in turn may cause another passion driven goal of mine to struggle. How can we find a balance here? How can I narrow down my 'passions in life' to actually see the end result and goals be fulfilled?

Kuykendall has great advice in doing this for this final monthly experience in her book. Using the approach to choose 3 topics of purpose and then finding how you can focus on these over a period of time. I like this approach because it helps me to stay organized, driven, and, ultimately, passionate about those 3 tasks at hand in order that the mission be accomplished. What are your 3 focus passions and what will you implement on a timeline to see these unfold and be played out??

Where to start:
1) Spend 5 minutes with a blank page and jot down things you are passionate about, things that get you excited, things that light you up when you think about them.
2) Using this list, choose 3-4 passions that you want to focus on most at this time in your life.
3) Write down those pinpointed passions and then brainstorm underneath each one a few topics that passion encompasses. Example: Passion= SAHM, Family time. Topics= intentional time with each child, meals together, teaching and educational opportunities for kids, housework accomplished.
4) Use your brainstorm to SCHEDULE actual weekly appointments or goals to make these things come to life and happen. Example following passion/topics above: Eat family dinner at the table 3x/week. Planned project with each child 1x/week. Spend 15 mins/day to straighten and pick up house.

I will be praying for you in this passion-pursuing adventure! START TODAY! You will never reap the benefit or grow the harvest if you don't set into action a plan to start! You can do this! The key is focus and narrowing- wind up and pinpoint SPECIFICS that you can focus on rather that broad topics or life goals that you pray will happen one day. SCHEDULE, SCHEDULE, SCHEDULE! Put it on your calendar so that it is more likely to actually happen!

What's your purpose?? What are you most passionate about?? What do you WANT to see change in your life and in your loved ones lives??

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

living on purpose,
reagan

"I hear ya, God"

Music speaks to me in great ways. I am totally moved by the power of a strong lyrical song.

I have always been a music lover. Even in my younger days, I remember always having music playing wherever I was. Each year for Christmas, I requested a new stereo, CD player, boombox, Ipod...you get my drift. My most common "happy" that I would make for others was a mix CD filled with songs relating to their topic or need. Music is freeing to me, and I can totally relate to the artists when actually listening to the lyrics of a song and being moved by their motive behind writing it.

Riding in the car with me, you will often hear me say, "This is my new favorite song" or "Oh I LOVE this song". Just ask my husband how many times I repeat this statement. =) I'm infamous for googling a song to find a youtube video of lyrics to watch or to send to someone that popped into mind while listening to that song. There is NEVER a day that I wake up without a song already playing in my head. I pray songs aloud often. I journal lyrics often. I text stanzas to others often. There is rarely a time in my day when music isn't playing. Whether during my devotional time when my background pandora is playing, while doing dishes or cleaning house with Apple TV or Direct TV music station playing, while getting dressed for the day, always in the car, worshiping during a solo workout at the gym, while playing in the backyard with Camp...you get my point, right??? I LOVE MUSIC.

I feel the Lord's presence daily through worship music. I know how often He orchestrates what songs come on the radio to relate exactly to what is going on in my day or in the life of another who has been on my mind and in my prayers. There isn't a day I go without laughing out loud and tearing up when I make this connection and feel God's presence surrounding me through a song. He always chooses the right songs, and I feel like that is how He and I communicate best--- through worship.

My most recent life song is "Thy Will" by Hillary Scott & the Scott Family. I first heard this song around the time of my NEW VERSION OF ME post. I have played, heard, and sang this song hundreds of times, and each time I play it, it seems a new line or stanza pops out and makes me melt. Just yesterday, Satan was weighing heavy on my heart and he was momentarily tearing at my thoughts and my heart. After speaking with a dear friend, she reminded me how evident Satan was in that moment and he was consuming my thoughts and tearing me down. That precious reminder was the very gut check that I needed to hear. I dusted off my shoulders, picked myself back up, and I prayed out loud and wrote down my prayer. What a powerful feeling to know that even in times of disarray in my life, I can speak to the author of my life at any moment and He washes away my fear and false thoughts!!! AMEN to that! Sitting down after praying that prayer to begin preparing a talk I will be giving, the first song that I hear is, you guessed it!, "Thy Will"! I hear ya, God! Jotting down the lyrics that spoke to me through tear-stained eyes is both moving and freeing. THANK YOU JESUS!

In the midst of this moment, the events from earlier in my day replayed in my head, and yet again, I see all the times the Lord was speaking to me and preparing my heart gently for he ALREADY KNEW that this tough, Satan filled situation was going to happen to me today. (GOD GOES BEFORE US!!!!) Camp requested to listen to "thy will be done" when we got in the car first thing that morning. I told him it wasn't on the radio so we just had to listen to what was playing. Not two minutes later, here is came on the radio! =) I hear ya, God! (One of my favorite statements that I repeat endless times in a day!) After listening to it and singing the song with Camp (yes, my baby was singing his worship song all the while momma was secretly tearing up in the driver's seat!) Returning home, I couldn't get the sweet song out of my head. Singing aloud while doing dishes, paying bills, picking up toys..."Thy Will Be Done".

What a feeling to know that the Lord prepares the way for us. GOD, YOU REIGN.

"Sometimes I've got to stop
Remember that you're God
and I am not
so....
THY WILL BE DONE"

"I know you see me. I know you hear me, Lord. Your plans are for me. Goodness you have in store."

THY will be done,
reagan

How to maximize the time in your days

scheduling.

One thing I absolutely drool over is a good, solid, organize schedule. I feel like scheduling has made my life so much easier, and it truly helps the flow of my day run smoothly. Creating a daily schedule has freed up any question or concern about what I am trying to accomplish- for yourself, your kids, your work life, your marriage, your fitness goals, and so on. I am a very routined person (as you can imagine!) and creating schedules for different areas of my life is absolutely freeing for my Type A life.

The task may seem daunting to some, but it's rather easy to create a healthy schedule for your day! Pinterest even has hundreds of helpful pre-made schedules and advice for all different walks of life. What it boils down to is creating a habit with the goal that it eventually becomes a routine.

My life is naturally scheduled due to the fact that my internal clock aches for routine and structure. However, writing down your actual schedule can truly help you begin to create the habit of staying on task. It also frees up any extra brain space you have left at the end of your day when all you can think about is laying your head down to sleep! If you have a schedule created for your evenings (especially all my momma's out there!), life seems to be much more pleasant and you can actually your time at home with your family after a long day's work.

I have several schedules in place for my family and my life:
-Momma's daily schedule
-Camp's daily schedule
-Everett's daily schedule
-Weekly Meal Planning (including breakfast/lunch/supper/snack for my husband, Camp, and myself)
-Blogging schedules
-Gym work schedules

Here are a few ways to begin this new journey of 'scheduling your days':
1) Spend 5 minutes jotting down a typical 'day in the life of you'- include everything you do in a day!
2) Use this 'rough draft' and create a timed list of your typical day- ex. 6:30a-shower/makeup/dress. 7:00a-wake up kids and get them dressed. 7:30a-make breakfast for all.
3) Once you have these two lists in front of you, narrow down a more organized fashion of what each day must include/must happen and throw out the minor bullet points that will happen naturally without having them written down (ex. make coffee. do dishes. bathe kids.)
4) Lastly, type our your schedule and post it on the refrigerator where everyone in the house can see it! This will decrease the stress levels of each individual in your family immensely just knowing what will come next.

*Be mindful that we create daily schedules such as these to help decrease stress and feel more organized; however, things come up and every day doesn't always go 'as scheduled'. THIS IS OKAY! If something causes you to veer from your schedule, make a u-turn and pick back up a few hours later! We have 24hrs in our day, and we cannot let 2 hours of mishap or change affect the rest of our time filled day! Also, although we schedule a general routine for our lives, fever's happen, meetings are canceled, class runs late, traffic is stopped, dinner is burned, kids aren't sleepy....you catch my drift right? LIFE HAPPENS! This too shall pass, my friend. Pick yourself (and your kids) back up and MOVE ON! Don't let one bump in the road send you spiraling downward into a 'this day is ruined' mindset. As my mom always said, "Drop back 10 and punt"!

You will never know if this is even possible for your lifestyle until you try it! Sit down and start somewhere! I believe it you, and I want to see you optimize your life and your days!

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

cheers to scheduling,
reagan

Taking the Next Step

Continuing in our sermon series "Difference Makers" at church this week, Jenny Williamson, Founder of Courage Worldwide, spoke to us about finding our purpose in life and how to fulfill that purpose. God created me ON purpose FOR a purpose! What an inspiring speaker she was! If you can find 30 extra minutes in your week, I would suggest you listen to her powerful sermon here.

If we know we were created ON purpose FOR a specific purpose, how does this affect our outlook on our individual life? I don't know about you, but this lights a fire under me to figure out what exactly that purpose is that He created me for so that I don't waste my time trying to be a million other things that just aren't affective. If I want to make a difference in this world, I want to find the most effective way to go about doing so! Prayer and studying God's word is the most tangible way to find this purpose. But key traits to discovering what it is that God has called for me to do include boldness, self-confidence, and bravery. This task involves a willingness to put myself out there, to not feel defeated in the face of adversity, and the bravery to take the next step when God nudges you in the right direction.

Jenny described our purpose and our passion as 'something that when you wake up in each morning and you feel your heart pounding with excitement about. It is something that feels impossible to accomplish, but deep down we know nothing is impossible with God'. What an AWESOME feeling that must be?!

Join with me in praying over our purpose and passions this week. Pray that the Lord reveals that very purpose to you. Pray that He will use you for His glory. Pray that we do not waste one more minute on passions that won't last in our hearts. Pray that we fulfill His calling for our lives. Pray that we don't miss out on this awesome opportunity to see God's kingdom work. Pray that He will use YOU and ME to make a difference and to change the world! Whether it's one life or the lives of thousands that we touch today, God is smiling over us and preparing His way for our purpose to be fulfilled.

Will you take the next step with me?
Will you listen to what God is teaching you?
Will you answer your calling- regardless of fear, finances, and facing the seemingly impossible tasks?

"When we step into it, it's always bigger than WE are, but its never bigger than HE is" -Rob Futral

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life."   Galatians 6:4-5

seeking my purpose,

reagan

i will not get today back

If we are going to 'love our actual lives' then we have to start TODAY. 'There's no time like the present", right?

When you wake up each morning, what are you first thoughts?
-I better hurry if I'm going to make it ______ on time!
-I'm starving!
-I do not want to get up yet.
-What am I going to wear today?
-I wish I didn't have to go to this meeting.

Do any of these sounds familiar? Or rather, does the negativity of your morning wake up call feel familiar? If this is the case, lets put into action some steps to making your day more exciting, happier, more positive rather than negative, and something to look forward to. Let's learn how to love our actual lives together!

Try to implement these few action steps into your routine and let's create some more positive habits!
1) Say your prayers BEFORE you lay your head on your pillow. Thank God for the day you are closing out and ask him to prepare your heart for the next day to come.
2) Lay your clothes out that you will wear the next day. Depending on what tasks lay ahead of you for that day, mornings are much more pleasant when you don't waste an extra 15 minutes searching your closet and thinking to yourself 'I have NOTHING to wear' as you stare at the endless racks of clothing.
3) When your phone alarm goes off, silence it, roll over, and get up. (This is something I am currently working on myself as I tend to be a 'let me set 3 alarms so I know when the last one will go off and I HAVE to get up' kind of gal). Don't waste another 10 minutes of your already rushed morning by laying in bed and checking instagram to see who posted in the wee hours between midnight and 5am-you won't miss anything, I promise!
4) Start with QUIET. Wake up before the rest of your household so that you can kickstart your day in peace- even if that only means 10 minutes of quiet. Read, pray, journal, make your coffee...whatever it is that you look forward to when waking up, do that in the quiet. The hustle will start soon enough.
5) Set your mental schedule. Know what time you need to begin getting ready. Know what time you need to wake the kids up so that they have time to wipe their eyes, get dressed, and eat breakfast before rushing out the door. Know what time you need to be loading the kids in the car to be wherever you need to be on time. This is totally a game changer for my mornings.

These are just a few action steps to begin working on to kick start your POSITIVE morning and day ahead. You will not get this day back, so why not enjoy it and love your actual life!

"He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3

learning to love our mornings,
reagan

shifting our focus

What are you focusing on? What drives you to change?

During my devotion this morning, I was reading about staying healthy and treating our bodies well. This excerpt from "Loving My Actual Life" spoke wonders:

"When I shifted my focus from 'How can I make my body look a certain way?' to 'How can I use my body for God's good today?' a lot of those little things that bothered me (and the truth is, they do bother me still) were less distracting. I'll do what I can, apply sunscreen, drink water, go to bed instead of watching another episode on Netflix, and I'll be grateful for what I have, a body that pumps blood, moves, hugs, makes dinner, eats and digests that dinner. All so I can enjoy what is right in front of me."

I couldn't possibly convey my point better. We need to focus on the here and the now. Change is good and it's inevitable, but living and loving ourselves in the present is what matters. If we love what we have NOW, then we can learn to respect ourselves and the importance of our one body, one life, one chance to make a difference. If we do not love what we have, then let's go make a change! Let's change our current situation, our current body, our current lifestyle, our current mindset to one that is pleasing to the Lord and serves others well with all our heart! This is the ultimate goal- to serve and to love others in Christ. If we learn how to do this and do it well, our love for self will naturally increase and our respect for our own body and "temple" will become much more important to us. In exchange, this change we have invested in for ourselves and our current self will overflow to others and they will see the love you have for your actual life!

Put into Practice:
1) Respect and care for your current body. Add exercise to your daily routine- even if you can only find 10 extra minutes at home, on lunch break, in between meetings, during nap time. It doesn't require fancy equipment, a personal trainer, or an hour long routine...simply MOVE! You owe it to yourself!
2) Feed your body the nutrients it needs. Just start somewhere, make healthier choices as pick up your food, don't overindulge because you're stressed out, minimize what you know is "unhealthy".
3) Feed your SOUL. Open your bible. Download an encouraging app. Browse your local Christian book store. "Like" encouraging pages and people on facebook and follow their posts.
4) Spend time with your spouse and children. Together and separately. Turn off the TV at night. Play. Walk. Enjoy a meal together. Ask each other about their day. Hug. BE PRESENT.
5) Be spontaneous. Just do it! You will totally surprise yourself here when you realize how fun it can be!

This list could go on and on and on. Just start somewhere! Find those things you truly desire to change and DO SOMETHING about it! I believe in you, and you owe it to yourself!

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Abraham Lincoln

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received by God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

for God's glory,
reagan

DIFFERENCE MAKER.

What is a Difference Maker and How are they made???

Yesterday was our first full Sunday back at church since Everett was born. We had originally planned on going only to Life Group and missing church service (Momma's still not ready to take E to the nursery), but during my morning quiet time I felt a nudge. The Lord knew what he has prepared for the sermon, and by all means, he wanted me there. So, after a lengthy quiet time and late sleepers arise, the rush was one. We managed to wake, feed, dress, and load up this family of four in merely an hour---and be our the door ON TIME!

The sermon series this summer has been Difference Makers. I strongly suggest you considering heading to our website and spending time watching the sermons over the last few weeks- you won't regret it! Yesterday, Kevin Phillips- executive direct For All Mankind Movement- told us his story of how he became a Difference Maker and also, how they are made. Using Luke 5 to depict his take on the message, he reminds us that we are ALL fishers of men and with Jesus on our side- WE WILL CATCH MEN. I wont spoil the sermon for you, since Mr. Phillips tells is too well, but I wanted to give you my take on what the Lord taught me.

DIFFERENCE MAKER.
NEW IDENTITY AND NO FEAR.
DO NOT BE AFRAID.
YOU WILL CATCH MEN.

This is precisely what I have been praying about over the last few weeks. And this sermon finally put it out on the table for me rather than in my thoughts and prayers alone.
I am ready to MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I have such a huge passion for helping others and impacting lives. I want to answer my calling and serve where the Lord wants me- and from what I can tell so far, those places are at home with my children and in the lives of those around me. I want to help lead others to Christ-our saving grace, and live the life they were created to live. This begins NOW. I'm ready to make a difference for Christ- and my passion is for "momma-ing" and for the health and fitness industry. I will do all I can to study and learn so that I may serve you better....and I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. Life is short, and we never know what we will be dealt next. We have ONE body to care for and appreciate. We have limited time with our babies and spouses. Why not work on making your life the best life possible and enjoying the healthiest version of yourself?

Let me help you. I want to help you. I'm not God and I don't know all the answers, but let's walk through life together. Let's encourage others instead of tearing people down. Let's love each other for the positives we have and not judge each other for our negatives. Let's work together to care for our bodies and nourish them with the bread of life. Let's make healthier choices for ourselves, our spouses, our children, and for all those around us who are watching.

IT IS POSSIBLE.
"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

WE WILL CATCH MEN.
"Do not be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." Luke 5:10

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

For God's Glory,
reagan

In the Quiet...

The importance of 'creating quiet' as a momma is key for success {and sanity}. You will be a better version of yourself and have much more to offer your kids and those you come in contact with if you do so. As a momma of two, there is rarely any quiet in my day- as to be expected.

I have always been a morning person, and I truly enjoy waking early before there is a peep stirring in my household. It reminds me of the Proverbs 31 woman in verse 15, "She gets up while it is still night". That is why my quiet time starts first thing in the morning and it always begins with Jesus- not a quick social media check, not answering emails, not online shopping, just Jesus. This is just as intentional as me only allowing worship music to be played in my car during our morning commute. Little things like these positive starters is one way I help to guide our day and direct our mornings.

"Better to rest in Him from the start than to run without him all day long" -Alexandra Kuykendall

Michael and I have always been promotors of a positive and scheduled morning routine to get our day started. This is key to launching our day and setting us up for the day ahead. Now that Everett is on a good schedule, I have a daily morning routine that I follow in order to get things accomplished and to get us out the door on time for mornings we have meetings or appointments to be to. I would encourage each of you to begin developing a schedule for your morning routine. WAKE UP WHILE YOUR HOUSE IS STILL QUIET (channeling your inner Proverbs 31 woman here).

Points to apply to your new morning routine:
1) Wake up before the rest of your household
2) Begin with JESUS
3) Have a mental schedule in your mind to keep (ex. I need to be makeup-ed and dressed by 6:15)
4) Make a to-do list for your day ahead- then attempt to accomplish at least 3 most important tasks by days end
5) Smile, Laugh, and Learn to be FLEXIBLE- because wrenches will be thrown your way and plans will not always go as scheduled =)

"I'm focusing on what I actually CAN do and not what I think I SHOULD do- or even worse, what I think others think I should do (that's like should two times removed). DO WHAT ONLY YOU CAN DO" -Loving My Actual Life

Happy Scheduling!
Reagan

July 1, 2016: Gracious Momma, Dream-weaver, Healthy Me

I am a dreamer, a do-er, a list maker, and a goal setter. July 1, 2016 will be a day I pray to never forget! I am entering a new season in my life….and I am SO EXCITED about it! I know it’s not New Year’s Day where we tend to view an entire new year ahead of us with a clean slate and new years resolution lists of all that we will {finally} accomplish this year. But July 1^st this year will begin my new season, and I want to tell you all about it.

-One Gracious Momma: I have always LOVED reading and following blogs. They are so creative and beautiful, and I feel like the writers are my ‘new friends’ since I know them so well from reading. I am not educated on ‘blog design’ and I’m no English major, but I do love to share, encourage, create, and lift up others. I hope to revamp this blog I began years ago and create a new habit of sharing life with yall!

-SAHM {Stay At Home Momma}: I have always dreamed of the moment I would get to be a SAHM. Ever since I was young, I felt the Lord calling me to just “be a momma”. My momma and I are best friends and have a wonderful relationship. She was able to stay home with me as a child, and I enjoyed every minute of it even into adulthood. I have two boys- Camp (nearly 3) and Everett (2 months). I'm a registered nurse by trade for 6 years now, and I feel blessed and to be able to practice such a rewarding “job”. Nursing has taught me greater love, patience, and empathy for patients (whom I title ‘friends’) and their families, and I am forever thankful for my time as a nurse. However, it’s time for me to answer my calling and focus on my family full time. July 1^st was Camp’s last day at daycare- where he has been for almost 3 years. We LOVE our ‘school’ and enjoyed our time there greatly. After much prayer, Michael and I made the decision to bring me home once Everett settled into a decent schedule. There’s no time like the present and I cannot wait!

-Perfect Fit Nutrition: I made the decision to take charge of my health and nutrition goals {finally!}. I have always considered myself to be a ‘healthier eater’, but I’m quickly learning that my version of healthy isn’t going to work to reach my goals. Im passionate about working out and strive to make a difference at our gym. I want others to see that if I can do it, so can they! I’m putting it out there for all to see {and to hold me accountable!}: By my 30^th birthday, I will be the best version of myself and the me that I’ve always dreamt to be. I’ve teamed up with my friend and nutrition expert, Constance Shelby, owner of Perfect Fit Nutrition. Constance has an incredible business and is our local go-to recommended dietician at Iron Sharp (our gym). She performed an assessment, listened to me ramble off my wild goals, and has calculated my macronutrients (even taking into consideration my priority of successful breastfeeding for Everett). In addition, she drafted me a sample meal plan and gave me a list of approved foods and snacks! This makes my heart SO happy, as you all know I’m a list-maker as well as list-follower! This is my first ever attempt at a ‘prescribed’ diet to follow, so here’s to new adventures and less ice cream =).

-Loving My Actual Life: My discipler and dear friend, Leah, and I were talking one day about the crazy, busy lives we are currently rushing through. After sending each other several scriptures and different things the Lord was revealing to each of us, we quickly realized that we were both ‘struggling’ with one common issue: Loving our Actual Life. Leah sent me a picture of the book “Loving My Actual Life” by Alexandra Kuykendall (see here https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Actual-Life-Experiment-Relishing-ebook/dp/B01AO3OVSO). I began reading this during my quiet time this week, and I am really looking forward to diving deeper and taking on this ‘experiment’! Join me!

Thanks for bearing with me and my long {first} post! I pray that this blog becomes a place of encouragement, success, freedom, creativity, and useful habits/tips that you all can refer too! The Lord has GREAT plans in mind for each of us, and it's time to live the life we've all dreamed of reaching!