How I Chose to Live on Purpose

taken last summer..can we go back?  or can we at least hurry up the warm weather please?!

"Living on Purpose" is a phrase that has been running through my brain so much over the past year or so.  Really since I became a mama.  Time is so fleeting.  Just today I was flipping through videos on my IPad and found myself, 20 minutes in, bawling at all of Georgia's videos from the first few weeks of her life (she was such a tiny, funny and adorable 7 week old y'all!).  That seems like yesterday.  And now she's 19 months old, getting ready to be a big sis.  I cannot even wrap my mind around how fast time is zooming by.  So living on purpose is something I want to do each and every day.  I want to know, that no matter how fast time whizzes by, I'm truly living it - taking chances, cherishing the little moments, being present, putting down my phone, having distraction free conversations with the people I love, pursuing Jesus with everything I have - because those are the things that fire me up.  Those are the things that give me a full life.  

So how do I do that?  I try.  That's the the first thing.  And I mess up a lot!  But one of the ways I can keep my heart and my mind set on the things that matter is starting my day with a little dose of Jesus.  In a perfect world, I would wake up at 5:30 and have an hour long quiet time every single morning.  And I am working to that, truly.  But right now, it really is just a little dose of Jesus at the start of my day.  Maybe while G is playing independently for a few minutes, or if I put on an episode of Little Einsteins, whenever I have a moment I take it.  Even that little reminder - a page from My Utmost for His Highest or Power Thoughts - focuses my mind on Him and not me, reminding me that today is not about me after all.  It's about Jesus and serving others.  And I need that reminder about 1 million times a day.

Another thing I try and do is I always leave my phone downstairs.  And by always, I mean most of the time.  There are times when I run down to grab it so I can take a video or a picture of my crazy toddler, but most of the time it remains downstairs.  Seems silly, but a large portion of playtime with G happens upstairs in her playroom or her "big girl room" as she calls it, which - side note: there is nothing in her big girl room yet except my old comforter that we are cutting down for her to use and a whole bunch of baby toys.  But for some reason, she lovessssss it.  And I even let her swing in her old baby swing praying she doesn't break it.  I digress.... back to the phone thing.  My phone used to be such a distraction between Facebook, Instagram, Email and texting.  And sure there is a time for all of that.  Texting with my girlfriends is a great way we keep in touch when we are all running in separate directions, but not during one-on-one time with my girl.  I also don't want Georgia to think that mommy is always distracted by something, or that she always has to have her phone.  I want Georgia (and baby boy) to value focus and attention and to understand that the best gift you can truly give someone is your full, undivided attention.  So I give her mine.  Every chance I get.  

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."  We've all heard this quote a billion times by good ole' Ben Franklin (or possibly Winston Churchill?  or both!).  Well it. is. so. true.  I plan y'all.  I have to so I'm not a crazy person.  The main thing I plan is dinners.  I get such anxiety every day around noon if I haven't planned our dinner for that day.  Usually on Saturday or Sunday before we go to the grocery store I will make a lose dinner plan, run it by Matt, make any changes and boom.  Crisis averted.  We rarely go out to eat because, well, Gigi makes for a special restaurant guest at her current age and state.  So we avoid it.  And we eat healthier and save money when we eat at home so it's a triple win.  Make that a quadruple win with little ole' me has a plan and can prep dinner during nap time.  When mama's not a crazy person.... the whole house is happier, trust me :)

And last, I only let my to-do lists get so long.  I usually stop at 4-5 things a day and if laundry is one of those things I stop at 1.  Because laundry just takes forever.  And it's my least favorite chore on the planet.  I'm a big list-maker anyway but if I had my way I would have a list of 25 things to accomplish on a random Tuesday and when I'm trying to focus on what's important that day - raising my baby and being a loving wife - then I can't possibly accomplish all 25 things.  So I spare myself the unrealistic expectations as well as the added disappointment and I make realistic lists and I keep them small.  I do have a section in my planner where I have long-term goals and I find this extremely helpful in keeping me on track with things I want to accomplish.  But I usually only glance at those weekly and keep my short, day-lists in front of me.  

And those are a few ways I try to live on purpose each and every day.  I hope you enjoyed this little series and hearing from all of these amazing women.  I know I did.  How do you live on purpose??

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getting organized // my secret weapons // link party!

Hey y'all!  I'm excited to join some of my sweetest, bestest blogging friends today for our monthly link-up!  Today we are talking about organization and I don't know about y'all but I can ALWAYS use some organization tips in my life.  And not just a Pinterest Board filled with hundreds of great ideas.  No, that doesn't make me organized.  It's these real women sharing what works for them and then finding the time and energy to implement some of these tactics into my own life.  Because life is not about pretty Pinterest Boards and great ideas.  Yes, those things are great - but those things need to take on life.  So friends I encourage you to read our posts about organization and find something that might work for you - and go do it!  Make it happen lovelies.  And now for my two secret weapons....

1. The Simplified Planner - Y'all this is not just a planner.  It's really not.  Yes it's pretty.  But Emily said it best when she said that we don't need another pretty thing on our desk.  And we don't.  We need things that help us make the life that we want happen.  And for me, this Simplified Planner has helped.  Maybe to you it's the Whitney English Planner or the Kate Spade one, or the adorable Target Planners that just came out.  Whatever planner it is, if it helps you - use it.  This past year has been a whirlwind for me.  I'm still scratching my head wondering where the 1st year of my baby girl's life went, but I am so thankful for these blessings.  I chose the daily edition of the Simplified Planner so that I can organize my day better.  It helps me to prioritize what is important and when I block out times for exercise or blogging or housework, then I am more focused on playing and laughing with my daughter when she isn't napping.  So that is one of my secret weapons.

2. Mind * Body * Soul Chart - This chart was created by one of my first ever blog friends.  Sheila is a heart of gold.  A rare soul.  She created this MBS Chart for people like me and you who, in the midst of a crazy life, want to make goals happen.  And friends it truly has helped me.  It is divided into 2 main categories and each category has 24 boxes.  You can divide them however you want but I usually make 2 goals for each month in each category.  She writes more about the chart here.

So those are my 2 secret weapons to an organized life.  What are yours?!

And now go meet the other hosts of the link-up!

Meet Your Hosts:

Elizabeth @ All Kinds of Things

Tara @ Mrs. Coach Sims

Britt @ The Fisk Files

Sarah @ Abiding in Grace

Denise @ Gratefully Inspired

Katie @ The Lane Above

Keri @ Living in This Season

Becky @ BYBMG

Rules for the Party:

* Please follow your hosts in some way- We would love to connect with you on social media!

* Please no giveaways, link parties, or shops.

* Visit the other links and leave some comment love!

* By linking up to this link party, you give us permission to feature your image on our blog and social media. Proper credit and link will be given.

* Don't forget to link back and grab a button!

An InLinkz Link-up

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Making Things Happen 2014

Earlier this week I had the privilege of sharing two full days with a room full of inspiring women.  We dug deep, shared our stories, encouraged each other and truly visited what mattered most to each of us.  I'm not gonna lie.  I didn't know what to expect when I headed to MTH.  I was kind of hoping that Lara would hand out instructions on how to be successful in every aspect of your life and then we would use the two days studying up and practicing those skills.  HA!  I can dream...  

As you can imagine, that's not what happened.  Nowhere even close.

Instead, Lara and the other amazing coaches asked the hard questions.  They asked the deep questions.  And when we weren't getting deep or real enough, they dug even further.  My coaches, Gina and Rhi, pushed me like I had never been pushed before.  They encouraged me to "own it" and say with confidence what it is that matters to me.  And even more than that, they guided me through the process of creating steps to truly make what matters happen to me.  We didn't create a "To Do List."  And we didn't create a map for my life.  Instead we created tangible and manageable tasks that will bring me closer to the picture in my head.  

To those of you who have experienced MTH, you know exactly what I'm talking about.  And for everyone else, I'm sure all of this seems so vague, and even simple.  But trust me when I say those two days were anything but vague and simple.  I was vulnerable, I was inspired, I was affirmed and in many ways I was healed.  God truly opened my eyes to some key aspects of my life.  He encouraged me to fight harder for some of those, and yet for others He commanded me to release the death-like grip I had on them.    

So here I am.  Starting a long journey of truly going after to what matters in my life.  I'm excited and hopeful but most of all I am capable.  Capable of making these things happen.  Capable of creating that picture I have in my head of my family in 40 years.  So here's to #makingthingshappen

More to come next week about some specific goals and changes I'm going to be making in my life!

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busy week // mind*body*soul chart

how is it already wednesday?  i am still coming off a high from an amazing weekend spent with sweet friends.  and!  the last of my college roommates has said "i do!"  that's a wrap for the Woodrow House.  we are all married up!  

via

so between the laundry and cleaning duties that i have somehow drug out over the past 3 days, i am also prepping for another adventure.  this sunday i am headed to making things happen!  while it will be hard for me to leave my sweet baby lady again so soon, i know she is in the best of hands with her daddy.  and i am so excited for this time to focus on some things that i want to make happen - dreams that i have shared with so few.  

via

first of all this is also waaaaayyyy out of my comfort zone.  i know not a soul going.  and i'm rooming with an adorable wedding planner that i have never met from canada!  needless to say i'm pretty sure it will be a life-changing and awakening time and i cannot wait to meet, and be inspired by the others there.

so - i apologize for the scarce posts this week.  i am really trying to leave a clean, organized house and leave with a focused, and centered heart.  and each of those takes time.  luckily i have my Mind * Body * Soul Chart to keep me focused day-to-day.  if yall don't know what these are - check them out here and buy yourself one!.  i refer to mine every morning when I wake up, and every evening as I'm getting ready for bed.   andddddd sheila is pretty amazing. 

ok that's enough for today!  happy hump day!  and of course some pictures of my baby girls

a guilty fur-sissy after sneaking away when part of Georgia's egg

playtime is just the best.

sleepy head in the morning light.

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things that make me happy

5 things that make me happy on this Monday Morning.  I plan to make them all happen today.  

What makes you happy?

1. Cuddles with my baby lady

2. The feeling I get after a workout

3. Long chats with my hubs

4. Sitting by the ocean

5. A clean house

6. A good cup of coffee

7. Getting in bed early

8. Face masks

9. Quiet time

10. Dance parties

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go make it happen

It's Friday!  It's Friday!  I hope you and yours have a great weekend ahead.  I know we do.  And it is going to start with rest.  One of my best friends recently sent me Lara Casey's September newsletter and she reminds us that rest is a huge part of making like happen - of making what matters happen.  Physical and spiritual/mental rest.  She also introduces her Savor September challenge with the call to be present.  To really be there and soak up every single minute of life.  So this weekend I will be making my life happen.  I will be indulging in a nap or two, celebrating my daddy's birthday, and stealing lots of cuddles from my hubby and baby.  And I will be savoring every minute.  I will be putting down the phone and the social media and staring into Georgia's eyes.  That's my weekend, how about you? How will you make like happen?

i will be savoring every minute with two of my nephews and my sweet baby girl

Both imagines via : www.laracasey.com

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