My friend and relative at Cherishing Life blog gave her readers a special challenge last week...mono-tasking. She invited readers to try to take a day or even part of a day and find a way to do one thing at a time vs. 3-4 things at a time. For women (especially mothers) this seems like a daunting quest!
I decided to try my hand at mono-tasking last Wednesday and I will just go ahead and admit that it was H.A.R.D. I was too scared to commit to an entire day so I determinded ahead of time that once I got home on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 I would only do one thing at a time until I went to bed that night. It meant not clipping coupons and reading mail while cooking dinner, not watching television while folding laundry after Ansley went to bed, and not reading my newest arrival, Southern Living, while watching Ansley play in the backyard. On a typical evening, you might find me cooking dinner, running a load of laundry, unloading the dishwasher, watching Ansley play and listening to Jon tell me about his day before he heads off to work...ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I must admit I am a good multi-tasker and I find a strange sort of accomplishment in the fact that I can do so much in a little amount of time. I am sure most mothers feel this way :)
However, in those few short hours on Wednesday, I learned that when life slows down, living steps up. The quality of my "living" was accuntuated when I "gave up" to "gain more". I need to mono-task more often. I can't say I am ready or even willing to give up multi-tasking (honestly I don't see how a wife, mother, homemaker, and teacher can ever fully mono-task), I do see the reward in it and it has made me slow down, step back and assess my life. It's made me realize I have got to do a better job at taking care of myself. What about you? Do you take care of yourself? In my next post, I will share some self-assessment questions that a mentor/counselor asked me a few years ago that will hopefully challenge you (and me) to take better care of ourselves so we can be all we need to be for those we serve!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
This morning, I was challenged as I was reading God's word. It is vital that I respect those in authority over me. It's something I often need to be reminded of. Today, I will seek to honor those who are over me in my country, my community, my church, my workplace and my home. What if we all gave the honor and respect that was due to our leaders?
1 Thessalonians 5:12 says, "Respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other."
1 Thessalonians 5:12 says, "Respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other."
Monday, October 11, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
My Verse
I have been praying and searching for a verse that would be fitting for my role as a mommy and teacher. This morning, God showed me an awesome Word in Psalm 78:72!
"Karen shepherded Ansley and her students with integrity of heart; with skillful hands she led them."
I think this is a very fitting verse in my ministry in the home and in the workplace. I hope it serves as an encouragement to all you moms as well!
"Karen shepherded Ansley and her students with integrity of heart; with skillful hands she led them."
I think this is a very fitting verse in my ministry in the home and in the workplace. I hope it serves as an encouragement to all you moms as well!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
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* Find hundreds of dollars in personalized savings
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Sunday, September 26, 2010
Meme
My friend Leslie at Cherishing Life tagged me in a meme. I just found out that a "meme" is a post about me. Well, here it goes...
What would your dream job be?
If you know me well, you know I love being a teacher, wife and mommy! These three things have always been my dreams! I am guessing this question is only referring to the workplace so I think my "dream job" would be either a college professor teaching early childhood education classes, a classroom organization specialist (I just made this name up...but someone who goes into classrooms and helps teachers organize their space, materials and management in a way that helps them be stronger teachers and helps their students be more successful), or a Ob/Gyn so I could help bring babies into the world!
Where would you like to live?
Well, I love my friends and family here in Alabama and it has definitely grown on me over the past six years. However, I would love to one day return to and live in the Northeast Georgia mountains to be near my family and enjoy the beauty of that area! I loved growing up there!
In what century would you like to live?
Okay, so the 21st century is not bad. However, sometimes I dream of living in the late 19th century (think Little House on the Prarie)! Life was simple, families were tight knit, and faith and hard work were valued!
What would be your last meal?
This is a given...Mexican! Chips, salsa, guacamole, cheese dip, bean dip, quesadillas, fajitas, all of it!
What made you start a blog?
That's a GOOD question! I'm actually asking myself "What makes you keep your blog going?" I actually started a blog before Ansley was born with the hopes that the adventures of our family (which was about to grow from two to three) could be shared with our parents (who didn't have Facebook) and anyone else who wanted to read my ramblings. However, I have recently thought seriously about canceling my blog. I feel like most blogs (including my own) have become "brags". Who else really needs to read what my 17 month old eats or where and how we spend our weekends, etc.? After hearing a recent message on boasting, I am just trying to think through it all. I've learned that boasting is verbalized pride. It is commending yourself, bragging to others of your accomplishments, etc. However, all that actually matters is what God thinks of us, not what others think. So, although I don't blog a lot, I am wondering if blogging is the right avenue for me. Could I find a better way to share what I am learning about life, being a wife, mother and teacher with those closest to me? Could I journal my thoughts privately in a notebook and share them with those who need advice or counsel? Could I go to my friends for advice instead of putting it out there for everyone? Could I document Ansley's development just in her journal? Just some thoughts I am processing...
What is your favorite piece of clothing?
I love fall boots! I can't wait to pull them out. It is still so hot here in Alabama! I can't wait to see your new ones, Leslie. I love to wear them with jeans and dresses!
What's your favorite film?
I love a good classic, such as, To Kill a Mockingbird. I also get really excited about Christmas movies (Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life)!
What would you like to do before you turn 100?
I would love to know that I had fulfilled my God-given purpose here on Earth. I would love to lead children (my own and others) to Christ. I would like to visit the Holy Land. I would love to have grandchildren. I would love to celebrate 60+ anniversaries with Jon. I would love to have former students contact me to tell me that I had made a small difference in their lives.
What would your dream job be?
If you know me well, you know I love being a teacher, wife and mommy! These three things have always been my dreams! I am guessing this question is only referring to the workplace so I think my "dream job" would be either a college professor teaching early childhood education classes, a classroom organization specialist (I just made this name up...but someone who goes into classrooms and helps teachers organize their space, materials and management in a way that helps them be stronger teachers and helps their students be more successful), or a Ob/Gyn so I could help bring babies into the world!
Where would you like to live?
Well, I love my friends and family here in Alabama and it has definitely grown on me over the past six years. However, I would love to one day return to and live in the Northeast Georgia mountains to be near my family and enjoy the beauty of that area! I loved growing up there!
In what century would you like to live?
Okay, so the 21st century is not bad. However, sometimes I dream of living in the late 19th century (think Little House on the Prarie)! Life was simple, families were tight knit, and faith and hard work were valued!
What would be your last meal?
This is a given...Mexican! Chips, salsa, guacamole, cheese dip, bean dip, quesadillas, fajitas, all of it!
What made you start a blog?
That's a GOOD question! I'm actually asking myself "What makes you keep your blog going?" I actually started a blog before Ansley was born with the hopes that the adventures of our family (which was about to grow from two to three) could be shared with our parents (who didn't have Facebook) and anyone else who wanted to read my ramblings. However, I have recently thought seriously about canceling my blog. I feel like most blogs (including my own) have become "brags". Who else really needs to read what my 17 month old eats or where and how we spend our weekends, etc.? After hearing a recent message on boasting, I am just trying to think through it all. I've learned that boasting is verbalized pride. It is commending yourself, bragging to others of your accomplishments, etc. However, all that actually matters is what God thinks of us, not what others think. So, although I don't blog a lot, I am wondering if blogging is the right avenue for me. Could I find a better way to share what I am learning about life, being a wife, mother and teacher with those closest to me? Could I journal my thoughts privately in a notebook and share them with those who need advice or counsel? Could I go to my friends for advice instead of putting it out there for everyone? Could I document Ansley's development just in her journal? Just some thoughts I am processing...
What is your favorite piece of clothing?
I love fall boots! I can't wait to pull them out. It is still so hot here in Alabama! I can't wait to see your new ones, Leslie. I love to wear them with jeans and dresses!
What's your favorite film?
I love a good classic, such as, To Kill a Mockingbird. I also get really excited about Christmas movies (Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life)!
What would you like to do before you turn 100?
I would love to know that I had fulfilled my God-given purpose here on Earth. I would love to lead children (my own and others) to Christ. I would like to visit the Holy Land. I would love to have grandchildren. I would love to celebrate 60+ anniversaries with Jon. I would love to have former students contact me to tell me that I had made a small difference in their lives.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
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