Happy Easter!

 

We had a beautiful day to celebrate Easter at my parents.  Unfortunately, no pictures.  Fortunately, we have lots of memories! 

Halleluiah – He Has Risen!

Quarterly Update: 2015 Resolutions

March is pretty much over.  I am 1/4 through 2015 and haven’t gained a whole lot on my resolutions!  Surprised?  I’m not.  I was pretty busy January, February, and March.  

1.    15 pounds in 2015.  Well – I’m actually tracking calories and looking at what I’m eating.  I’m using the “My Fitness Pal” app and I really like it!  It also plugs in my steps (tracked in my iPhone) and gives me some credit.  In January I actually ran/walked 13.9 miles (tracked with the “Nike +” app) and worked out on average of 3x a week (using another app “BodySpace”).  February and March I failed to work out.  At all.  As far as actual weight loss…I still have 15 lbs to go!  Is it just me, or are there a crap-ton of apps?  Each are pretty neat, though.

2.  15 books in 2015.  I am almost done with Chronicles of Narnia (does this count as 1 book or 7?!).  I’ve read this book before, but every time I read it I pick up on some cool quotes that relate to faith.  They make me smile.  I’ve started “The Antelope in the Living Room.”  I literally laugh out loud while reading this so far.  I would suggest it!  Another big deal with this book is that it is the first that I am reading on my iPad. 

3.  15 good deeds in 2015.  I’m somewhat keeping track…but need to do more!  I also need to include the kids – they can benefit from this ‘lesson’ too!   

4.  15 new friends/acquaintances in 2015.  I have made some great friends so far this year!  I am lucky. :)

5.  15 minutes for prayer every day in 2015.  I need to do better.  I have been praying, but I need to formalize it a little more.  Again, making the time is harder than it should be. I am making excuses. 

Thanks for holding me accountable for these.  I’d appreciate suggestions, love, critiques, motivation, and any other ideas if you have them! 

Spring is coming and we are preparing on the farm.  I can hear the birds chirping in the morning to help wake me up!  Enjoy the nice weather when it is here – we are!

2015 Resolutions

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!

2014 was great.  Here are some highlights:
Punta Cana in January.  AJ and I celebrated 7 years of marriage and Charlotte celebrated 3 years of life in February.  April was full of soccer and planting.  May I got to go to Miami with some CommonGround friends.  In August Wyatt turned 5, and we got some new cows and a bull.  September we got a vacation, and October our crop was harvested.  November I had a career change, and December was full of fun! 
 

Most years I make resolutions, but I keep them to myself.  Because then, when I FAIL, I'm the only one who feels bad!  Yes, I am one of the many statistics that make resolutions, and never keep them.  The only resolution I can ever remember making and succeeding in my life was to quit biting my nails.  I remember my Grandma buying me some nail polish that made your fingernails taste bad (Avon, anyone?).  However, I didn't think it tasted THAT bad :)  I remember my Grandpa telling me that when I bite and eat my nails, the nails go straight to my appendix.  So, I would need my appendix out sooner rather than later and it would be FILLED with gross nails.  I ended up quitting, and I still don't chew them (unless one breaks and I have to even it out...).

So, what makes resolutions successful?  My best guess is being held accountable.  I think that is what will help me with mine.  I don't have many resolutions, but I hope they make me the best version of myself.

I'm asking for your help.  I'm asking for my 'fans' to hold me accountable.  I'm asking for you to call me out when I make excuses.  I've never believed that by working alone you can achieve more.  Teamwork is the name of the game.

 

1.  15 pounds in 2015.  I don't feel TERRIBLE about myself, but I feel like at 31 I finally have to start doing something for my energy level.  I don't believe in diets.  I am going to try moderation and eating more fruits and veggies.

2.  15 books in 2015.  This doesn't seem too hard.  I really like books, it's just taking the time to relax and enjoy them.  I've started on one of my favorites, so I'm ahead of the game!

3.  15 good deeds in 2015.  Okay, okay, I hope I do WAY more than only 15 good deeds!  I also probably won't announce them on the blog because I don't believe a good deed is a good deed if someone finds out.  So, just remind me to do it :)

4.  15 new friends/acquaintances in 2015.  I have a new job, and with this new job I need to meet new people.  I'm going to be honest, new people scare the living daylights of me.  This isn't online.  This is IN PERSON.  Scary right? :)  Again, I probably won't announce it here (unless they really want me too :)). 

5.  15 minutes for prayer every day in 2015.  I pray.  But it's time I MAKE time for prayer again in my life.  God is my base, and in order to succeed, I need to be strengthened in my faith.

Lastly, I think everyday I need to resolve to be better at everything I do. 

Well, thanks for holding me accountable for my resolutions.  Here's to 2015!!!
 

Leadership

I received a New Leader Award last night from the Iowa Soybean Association (sponsored by DuPont Pioneer). I am very honored and humbled to get it. But, I'd like to talk about everyone in my life that has made a difference and been a leader to me.

Obviously it starts at my roots: my grandparents and parents. They were the ones to teach me about hard work, humility, commitment, and faith.

I've had a lot of mentors in school along the way that have reminded me for every step back, you must start over and take that step forward again.

My friends and peers. They've taught me to believe in the good in the world and to BE the good in the world. They have taught me to use critical thinking skills. To think about the big picture to further yourself. To educate yourself.

My husband and kids. They are teaching me that all that I will ever try and work for is worth it. They are my blood, love, and life.  (Note the beginning and end are my family. Those closest to me.)

I may have the tools to be a leader in agriculture, but I can't be a leader without any of the above. This award means I have a lot of hard work ahead of me. This is only the beginning.

I am motivated to become a leader. 

Photo courtesy of Joe Murphy, Iowa Soybean Association

Letters to Santa

Christmas is getting closer.  I am excited, and the kids are too!  However, they are excited for completely different reasons.  I am excited about family time, food, and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas:  the birth of Jesus.  They are excited about PRESENTS! 

We wrote our letters to Santa tonight: 

Charlotte is kind of on track (minus the happy birthday :)).  And, look carefully, because I can definitely see Rudolph in this picture!:

Wyatt seems to know exactly what he wants (can you tell he’s a farm boy???):

I am glad that the kids are excited for Christmas!  It makes this time of year very exciting!  Now, it’s time to think about baking…mmm…

What do you do around Christmas time to keep it about others and giving?

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! I have a lot to be thankful for. Everything I've been given and work for is worth giving thanks.

   My family: they continue to teach me life lessons and love me every day.

   My friends: they are wonderful and will always be there for me.

   My husband: my best friend.

   My children: the love of my life, forever.

   My faith: which was formed and proven by all of those above.

Another thing that I am very thankful for this holiday season is the fact that I have a safe food source to choose from every day. I live in a place where I don't have any insecurities about the food I buy.

I am for my life. Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and remember to give thanks to Him:

   "for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and    invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities -- all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." -Colossians 1:16-17

 

 

Walk By Faith

In the past week and a half my community has come together in prayer, volunteer efforts, and so much more for something that this small town never would have thought of happening. Two girls were abducted. One amazing girl (12 years old) got away. The other amazing girl (15 years old) is still missing (if you want to find out more about this story, I’d suggest the Dayton Leader on Facebook, or KCCI). 

I have been a wreck. I feel so helpless.

However, among the bad feelings - there is such a wonderful outpouring of great people in (and out) of this community. To know that so many people have come together to send thoughts and prayers to all the families involved in this is heartwarming. I'm thankful of the good that I am seeing. I'm thankful for faith, hope, and love.

I’m trying to Walk By Faith.