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!