Sunsets and Seizing the Moment

Saturday night there was a gorgeous sunset as my girls and I left my mom and dad's house.  I snapped a few pictures on my phone.  They turned out okay, but came nowhere near to capturing the amazing colors above our heads.

The girls stood and watched the sky in awe.

We kept staring out the windows of the truck as we drove home, reveling in God's beautiful artistry in the sky.  By the time we were halfway home, around three minutes after we'd first seen the colorful pinks and oranges, the sky had already faded to the gray-blue of dusk.  

It always amazes me how quickly the pink and orange glory of sunrises and sunsets disappears.  One moment, the entire sky seems to be on fire, and the next, the colors are gone.

Life is like that too.  The older I get, the more I realize how fleeting time really is.  I can still remember bringing each of my sweet girls home as little newborns.  Now, I'm a little over two years away from having my first teenager!  

It's so easy to wish and dream half of our life away.  "I wish we had more money."  "I wish we had a bigger house."  "I can't wait 'til the kids are old enough to do so-and-so."  "I'm so sick of diapers and laundry!"

When I was a majorly-stressed-out mom with three young girls (two of them in diapers), I felt like I would be stuck in that season of my life forever.  I was tired and overwhelmed all the time.  Older moms would come up to me and say, "Enjoy this stage!  It goes by so fast."  I used to want to tell them to take a hike, or offer them the children for a day and see how much they could "enjoy this stage". ;)

It really was true, though.  Almost before I knew it, all three of the girls were in school.  And no, I'm not one of those moms who cries every time I drop them off in the mornings.  (I'm usually the mom going, "Whoo hoo!  I have seven hours to myself!")  But I have noticed how quickly the days are flying by.  I can't keep waiting for the next big thing.  I have to make sure I'm enjoying the small moments now, because all too soon, just like Saturday's sunset, this stage of my life will be over.  I'll look around to an empty house and miss the little things that are a daily part of my life now.  I want to remember the sound of Middle Gal practicing her piano scales, or Little Gal telling me her favorite movie quote, or Oldest Gal and I sitting and talking through her latest friendship troubles at school.  I want to remember Middle Gal and Little Gal holding hands as they run off to school together, or Hubby in his work clothes, coming and giving me a hug when he gets home, and the countless hugs and kisses and "I love you, Mommy" whispers I hear every day.

I've said before that I'm not a fan of "New Year's Resolutions".  I don't like setting myself up for failure.  However, I do have a goal for 2015.  I want to seize the moment.  I want to live in the present, making the most of every opportunity life offers.  Whether it's taking the time to tell the girls a story before bed, or going on a spontaneous date with Hubby while the girls are in school, or using that extra time to myself to read the Bible or work on my book rather than sit and watch a movie, I want to make every moment count. :)

Of course, I don't plan on living in the present to the extent that I have no regard for the future.  Each decision I make needs to be weighed carefully in light of God's Word and the effect my choice will have on days to come.  (In other words, living in the present will not give me the excuse to buy all the doll stuff I want this year.  Bummer.) ;)

I know I'm only human and that this year will be full of just as many mistakes as last year, if not more.  But I'd love to look back at the end of 2015 and be able to celebrate the good choices I made, too, and the memories I shared with my loved ones.

Happy 2014!! :)

Wow, I can't believe that 2014 is here already.  Where has the time gone? :}  On to a brand new year, full of unknown adventures and challenges.

I decided this might be a good time to check on the thirteen things I wanted to work on in 2013.  Then I wished I hadn't.  I pretty much bombed on all thirteen!!   Part of that was me being too clever.  Thirteen goals can be a bit overwhelming, especially for a non-organized perfectionist like me. ;)

So, since I didn't want to spend the day huddled in a corner going over all of my failings, I thought I'd review some of the things I did accomplish this year. :)  Hopefully I won't sound too conceited here...you can let me know if I do. ;)

1.  I gave my blog a completely new look, making it less cluttered and (hopefully) a bit easier to navigate.

2.  I added Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube to my social media accounts.  I tried Twitter, too, but that didn't work out so well for me, so I dropped it.

3.  I hit 300 followers and then passed it by. (310?  Seriously?) :D  I reached over 734,000 page views.  Incredible.  I had no clue I would come so far in this blogging journey.  You guys are amazing. :)

4.  This year marked the first time a toy company contacted me and offered me a product to review for free.  (Ahhh Products' "Lil Me" Bean bag chair for dolls and Moose Toys' "The Zelfs") :)

5.  I did do a pretty good job with family devotions this summer.  Every morning, the girls and I read a chapter from the book of John, a chapter from the Bible Knowledge Commentary about the same chapter in John, and then watched the corresponding chapter in "The Gospel of John".  (Although the translation used in this version is not my favorite, I appreciate the fact that they dramatize the story using the text of the Bible only, so there's a lot less room for odd creative license.)  It was a really wonderful experience for all of us, and we had some great discussions. :)

6.  I started teaching an art class.  It's been a unique experience...a little crazy, but rewarding. :)

7.  I joined my local doll club and had the opportunity to be the special speaker at least three times. I'm so thankful for the friendships I've made there.

8.  I exercised and ate right for several stints.  This year, I hope to make it a little more regular. :}

9.  All three of my daughters attended school this year, so I've had a bit more free time, though not nearly as much as I'd envisioned. :}

I'm probably missing something huge and significant, but that's all that's coming to mind at this point. ;)


So this year, I thought I'd be a little less clever and post five things I'd like to focus on in 2014. ;)

1.  Devotions, devotions, devotions.  One of my friends gave me a devotional book that I'm looking forward to using.  It helps you read through the entire Bible in a year.  I'd love to accomplish that this year, and to grow in my relationship with the Lord.

2.  Writing.  I'd really like to focus on getting a regular writing schedule in, both for my blogging and my novels.  My novels will never be finished if I don't treat my writing time like a regular job.

3.  Health.  I'd love to be better at eating right and exercise this year, so I can be more energetic and accomplish the things I need to do.

4.  Time Management.  This goes for house cleaning, vocal workout, time spent with family, writing, and everything.  I'd really like to be a better steward of my time.

5.  No fear.  This year, I don't want my fear of failure or whatever else to stop me from doing what God wants me to do.  By His grace and through His power, I want to do the things He has planned for me this year.  This also means I need to be open to changes in the plans I've set up for myself. :}  Sometimes, He has different things in mind for me, but what He has prepared for me is always for my good.

Not sure how well I'll do on these, but I'd like to try. :)

Before I go (and head up to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law's house for the day), I'd like to leave you with a few bits of news.

First, Disneystore.com is offering free shipping today only when you purchase any of their new arrivals (in celebration of the new year).  Use the code SHIPNEW.

Secondly, there are new Zelfs on the way!!  I'm so excited! :D  They aren't up on the official Zelf site yet, but you can see a few pics on their Facebook page (some of the photos were posted by fans who have already found them).  I can't wait until everything is officially released. :)

For those of you who don't know already (but I'm sure you do), Isabelle, the new Girl of the Year from American Girl, is up on the site.  Be sure to check out her collection.  She's really cute, but probably not a doll I'll be adding to my 18 inch girls. :)

Also, there are new posts up on Tess and Maggie's blog and Belle's Bulletins, for those of you who are interested (click the names to see them).  Belle's post is her VERY LAST POST EVER.  It's been a great three-year run, but she's ready to move on and focus on her family. :)  Be sure to stop by and wish her well, if you like.

I have a lot of fun review posts coming up for the month of January, so stay tuned!  In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's Day. :)