A quote from my daily devotional:

"Marriage is a life-long process designed to teach you to see the needs of another person as more important than your own."

I need to practice this!

make time for you

I always knew I had amazing friends, but I never fully realized until now that I am surrounded by the most amazing people. Recently I stopped and really looked at the people Mark and I have surrounded ourselves with, and let me tell you, we are freaking lucky. Mark and I have separate friends, couple friends, work friend, old friends, etc.

One thing that has become very important to me is seeking out girl time. I am lucky to have a husband who is supportive of this time. I have a friend I meet for happy hour and we talk about real life. I have a group of girls that we meet for coffee and we laugh about everything and talk about kids & husbands. I have a best friend whom I can meet anytime or anywhere (with or without kids) and we just can't stop talking. I have a dear friend with whom I have started a monthly pedicure ritual where we can relax and gab. I have preschool mom friends that I go to dinner with and we talk preschool mom life. And I have a lovely friends that we try and get together to just catch up with what has been going on in our busy lives over dinner, breakfast or coffee.

I'm not trying to brag here at all. I am trying to tell you that if you are not spending alone time with girlfriends, you need to. If you look around and you don't feel like you are surrounded by great people.....start making new friends or call old friends. Plan a girls' night. Just do something. I am now realizing that that you can't live alone, you need to laugh and cry. You need to vent and give advice. You need to have time that does not consist of your family at home or your job.

A dear friend always tells me that to have good friendships, you need to be a good friend. I am lucky to have such great friends who continue to teach me what it means to be a good friend.

I know we get busy and we barely have time to take care of ourselves. But it is important, plan something at least once a month. Now get off your computer, call a girlfriend and make time for you.

a little monday pondering

This comes from a daily devotional I received from my church last Tuesday. I think that it could be useful for anyone of any faith. It's all about self control and what a person with great self-control does. It's a shortened version, email me if you want the whole thing.

Developing Self-Control
1. People with self-control master their moods- they do not let their moods master them.

2. People with self-control watch their words- They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths.

3. People with self-control restrain their reactions- How much can you take before you lose your cool?

4. People with self-control stick to their schedule- If you don't determine how you spend your time, then others will decide for you.

5. People with self-control manage their money- They learn to live on less than what they make and they invest the difference.

6. People with self-control maintain their health- That way they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements.

"A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." Proverbs 25:28

oopsie

My new babe is 6 weeks old. No matter how much he cries I am in love with him and his babiness. I'm still getting adjusted to having 3 kids though. Case in point: today after picking up Brody and his friend from preschool, I started to walk towards the car when I realized I left the baby in his stroller outside of the portable. I honestly didn't get more than 50 feet away, but I had to run back and get him. Here's to hoping I don't forget my kids anywhere again.

write it down

Do you ever stop and say to yourself, "where has the time gone?" Our daily lives are consumed with errands, chores, and to-do's. I was noticing that I wasn't giving the proper time to prayer. And, when I was praying, I would get lost in my prayers thinking about other things. Now something similar may apply to you, but not with prayers. Maybe you just haven't had time to think about your wishes, things you are thankful for, etc. Well I started my own Prayer Journal. I write in it Sunday nights for the entire week. I write down all the things and people I am praying for and I make them specific to that week ahead. Then the next week I start new ones. I will also write down bible verses that give me inspiration for that week (maybe yours are special quotes you heard). Either way, I noticed that it gives me some time to fully devote to where I am at, as well focus on other people I am thinking about. Through out the week I revisit them and they are already fresh in my mind. I know that I need to grow in my daily prayers and "ME" quiet time, but for now I feel like I found a way to help me go in that direction. It's really about finding a few minutes to center yourself. I really recommend it in any form that you would see fit.

(And to my friends now you know when I say, "I'm praying for you," that I really am! Or if you want me to add you to my prayers email me at elhajs@aol.com)

last thoughts from 2009

Besides my resolutions I thought I would add these:

Things I learned from 2009

1. Be thankful for the blessings you DO have

2. Real friends look past their own hurt or disappointment to see you. They understand or at least accept the silence and they see the bigger picture

3. I learned the power of prayer and faithfulness

4. That I am in love with the age of 4

5. You HAVE to move forward

6. Romance is not the most important thing in a marriage, it's if you can weather the storm together

7. It's not fun to have your life turned upside down, but it's amazing to see how much you can change

Wishing you a wonderful New Year and hoping you will continue to visit my blog through 2010.

xo,

Amanda

Brody's 2010 Resolutions

Like last year, it was challenging to explain what a resolution is, but I was proud of Brody for understanding as best as he could!

1. Go to Chuck E Cheese more
2. Give people birthday presents on their birthday
3. Learn to do jumps on my bike
4. Play with Piper more

Mark's 2010 Resolutions

Poor Mark! I make him do them too :)

1. Be more patient with the kids
2. Make an effort to have the kids be involved in more productive activities
3. Make an effort to go the the gym more, not just depend on hobbies to lose weight
4. Rebound from a bad sales year at work
5. Give Amanda enough free time now that we have 3 kids

My 2010 Resolutions

If you are a reader of my blog, you know I take resolutions pretty seriously. I think they are a great way to start your year and reflect on your triumphs and missteps from the previous year. Without reflecting on ourselves, how can we grow?

My resolutions this year needed to be simple, straight forward and realistic. Things I can practice daily while balancing a new baby and my other two kiddos.

1. Pray continuously (through the good and bad)
2. Lose ALL the baby weight
3. Do more activities with the kids (especially if I don't feel like it)
4. Let things go (especially the opinions of others)
5. Give up Coca-Cola
6. Don't fight change
7. Grow my business more than 25%
8. Encourage others whenever possible
9. Put my family first
10. Do all things with love as the goal

A little reflection for today

I may not have everything I have ever wanted, but you know what, I have everything I could EVER hope for.

I experienced my own little private miracle during this holiday season and during my delivery. Something I will never forget. At a time when I was the most scared and vulnerable, I received a sign and a blessing.

I know this time of year is hard for people, but I hope you can find your own miracles and blessings out of any situation. It may take a lot of prayers, a lot of hope and a lot of peace. But I hope you can get there.

I feel like I have.

xo

part 2

I'm a week late, but here's Part 2 to NieNie's story.

NieNie

I've only mentioned a thousand times how much NieNie's story moves me. Well here's the actual story written by Jaimee Rose in the Arizona Republic. This is just the first installment. Plan on crying (over and over again).

i'm getting closer

I'm nesting, I'm counting down...I forgot what it feels like to be so close to having a new baby. I have to tell you that it's crazy to me that even with pregnancy #3 (I'd think I'd be an expert by now), everything is still so different. None of my pregnancies have been alike and surprisingly enough this one has been the most difficult on me physically. Here I thought it was going to be a breeze. It just goes to show that you can never think that you are 100% prepared for anything, life will always throw you curveballs.

I do find that I am relatively calm about adding a new life to the mix, even though I have been told on numerous occasions that baby #3 throws you over the edge. I mean in this kind of economy, in this crazy kind of year we have had, what really is "the edge" for anyone? I actually find that the harder things are and the closer to the edge I get I become even more thankful. So I am hoping that even when I lose it and I am so tired I can't keep my kids' names straight, I will continue to have a peace in my heart that I have had all year.

With that being said, I just wanted to blog a little about my pregnancy and life. I still have plenty of time until this baby comes so I'll keep posting my favs. And, feel free to send me any of yours!

xo,

Amanda

daily devotional

This daily devotional from November 5th is one of my favorite devotionals. It brings me back to reality in hard times and reminds me to continuously be thankful for what I do have, a lesson I have learned double or triple this year and I practice every day. It's also a good reminder on worry and hard times. I hope you can find some inspiration from it.

my life right now

I find it funny that all I can think about is that Brody is having his 5th birthday in May and I want to do something awesome for his party (I am a party planner after all). But the funny part is that before this party comes along I need to get through the holidays, deliver a baby, Piper turns 2 and I turn 30. My priorities are apparently a little jumbled. I love that though! The life of a mom!

in my inbox this morning

I get a daily devotional from my church that I read every morning. Sometimes it really hits the spot. I think today's daily devotional applies to everyone, religious or not.

The title of the devotional is "Quit Trying to Please Everybody."

The main facts were:

1. You cannot please everybody

2. It's not necessary to please everybody

3. Rejection will not ruin your life

It goes on to say that you need to "quit trying to please everybody. Remember that nobody can make you feel inferior unless you give them permission."

"It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you." (Proverbs 29:25)

Just a little something to pass on. I think we all worry way too much about what others think of us, I know I do!

happy

I have this desire to reflect on becoming 29 years old. My soul wants to heavily talk about the last 28 years and this 29th year to come. But as I sit here and type, nothing is pouring out. I already made my resolutions at the beginning of the year, this year is already filled with trials and tribulations and I have no idea what the next year will bring. But as I sit and think more, I realize that I am in a good place, I am comfortable with who I am and I am growing into the woman I want to be. Maybe that's why I have less to say? Dare I say I am happy! I feel wiser, happier and more comfortable every day in my thoughts, my fashion, my body and my soul. What a great feeling, that amidst any chaos in my life right now, I feel sane, close to God and content. What a great way to start my 29th year. Happy Birthday to me.

mommy's day

Mother's Day is just about over and I am silently cursing my mom for not bringing me my favorite picture of us when I was a baby. I was so excited to post it because it has such a sweetness about it that I love. But, I can't be mad at her since it is Mother's Day!

I do have to say that I love Mother's Day (for those who know me, I love every holiday, so this should be no surprise to you). To me, there is something special about everyone taking a day to honor all those amazing moms who have reared their children to adults as well as all the moms who are trying to right now. On Mother's Day I honor my mom first and foremost, but also my grandmothers, my mother-in-law, my sister and my friends. I am appreciative that my husband can also take today to appreciate what I do for our family as well as teach my children how important a mom is. I, in turn, will do the same on Father's Day. I mean as parents, we deserve it!

Today I have been thinking about what it means to be a mom, not only in society, but to me personally. I have so many personal goals and ambitions in my life, but for me the most important thing I can do with my life is to raise good children. To help make them good citizens, good friends and great people. I want to teach them that all their goals and dreams are possible, that being a good person is much more important than getting ahead and that the world is so much bigger than just themselves. I want them to learn how touch other peoples' lives in small and large ways and that they can make a difference if they try. Most of all, I want them to be happy, to find happiness in the small things and above all have a relationship with God.

As I think about all of these things, I think about my own mom. I learned these things from her. I watched her anonymously give to people in need, teach me lessons on right and wrong when I needed them most, show me how to have faith that things would turn out okay and support me in all my achievements (hey Mom, remember when I REALLY wanted to design purses and you went out and bought all that fabric to help me? Sorry I never made them, but thanks for encouraging me). My mom is amazing, my mom is beautiful and my mom has given me the foundation to become the mother I know I can be.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. It was just an extra special normal day, mixed in with naps, donuts, lunch with family, more naps and a nice walk. Nothing fancy, but everything I would ever ask for. Oh, and the Anthropologie apron and gold gladiator sandals from Mark & the kids didn't hurt either :)

my life

I feel myself aging every day, but in a good way. I feel myself getting wiser, stronger and closer to God. This last year has been hard, painful, amazing and a blessing all at the same time. I'm nearing my 29th year and I am loving the wisdom, grace and compassion that it brings. I like getting older (maybe that's also because I'm the youngest so I'll still never be the oldest). I wish you peace in your life, even at the most difficult of times.

amazing

My talented friend Steve is a videographer who does mostly weddings. He's amazing, to say the least, and I only wish I had know him when we got married. I told him though that one of these days I want him to do a video of our family and when you watch the video below you'll understand why. It's beautiful. I could watch it a hundred times. It was part of the "Trash the Dress" concept where the bride trashes her dress after. In this case she took her dress and her husband to the hills of a ghost town and laid down on some tires and such. Please watch and if you get a chance you can also check out Steve's work on his blog here. His company is Weddings by SML.