My One Word for 2014

Pur·pose noun

: the reason why something is done or used : the aim or intention of something

: the feeling of being determined to do or achieve something

: the aim or goal of a person : what a person is trying to do, become, etc.

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I'm not sure how many of you have heard of 'my one word' before but it is something that I have done for the past two years and plan on continuing into this year. Instead of making a whole list of resolutions that you are likely not to keep, you pick one word and center everything around it for the year. This word is typically something soul-inspiring, something that will change your character and help you to become more of the person that you want to become. It is still meant to be challenging, but it focuses less on leaving things behind and more on bringing positive things into light. I like that.

This year my one word is purpose. I choose this word for many reasons but mainly because living with a purpose is something that I've been telling myself that I need to do more of for over a year now. I want to do things intentionally, with purpose. For example, dinner should not just be cooked because we must eat, but because I want to purposely and intentionally serve my husband and child by using my own talents and ability to cook them a healthy meal, at a reasonable time, and for the purpose of pleasing them and myself. Food should also be ate at the purpose of fueling our body and not simply for boredom, pleasure, or other random meanings. It's all about finding the true meaning behind the things that we do and then taking those things and turning them around so that they are purposeful, intentional and a blessing.

I truly believe that if I focus on living with purpose for a year, I will find myself happier and feeling more blessed than ever before. 

You can find more information on 'My One Word' on www.myoneword.org and also see my own entry here:  http://myoneword.org/word/jennovey-purpose/#sthash.MIO6mtXN

If you decide to choose one word for this year, please share it with me! I'd love to help support you on your journey.

2013 Resolution Recap

Well folks, the new year is right around the corner again. Where the heck did 2013 go?! Last year I sat down and made these resolutions for 2013. I tried to keep it short and simple because I know myself so well that if I didn't, there was no way I was going to keep them.

I think I did pretty darn well! My 'one word' for 2013 was 'present' and also my 2nd resolution for the year. At one time there was not one night that didn't pass that I didn't sit on the computer for an hour and Jeremy his phone and we didn't even talk. I began to notice that when I pulled out the laptop, Henry immediately got upset and tried to close the screen. He was telling me something! It was time to put my priorities in line and the computer (whether blogging or pinning or just browsing) was not one of them. I'm happy to say that I don't even think of my computer on most days anymore. I do browse Facebook and Pinterest on my phone in my down time, but to sit in front of a computer for an hour or more is just not something I need to do every day.

My other resolution for 2013 was to be more appreciative. I think I did pretty well here too. I have carved out more time just to spend with family instead of selfishly wanting to stay home after work, taught myself to let the messy house be seen as more of a blessing (of living and loving and being) instead of being frustrated daily with my chores, and I have spent more time just loving and soaking up the moments I get to spend with Henry and Jeremy and my other loved ones. The one place that found no extra appreciation was with myself. I work hard and I deserve to take better care of myself. This is something I'll have to continue to work on in 2014.

Overall, I think 2013 was a successful year in the term of resolutions. How did you do with your resolutions? 

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! I hope you all have a very wonderful holiday with the true meaning of the season in your hearts.

 

This is by-far my favorite Christmas song, I hope you enjoy it!

Empty manager, perfect stranger about to be born into darkness, sadness, desperate madness; creations so torn. We were so lost on earth, no peace, no worth, no way to escape. In fear, no faith, no hope, no grace, and no light.

But that was the night before Christmas.

Warm hay, cold sweat, a mother not yet; praying God speed the dawn. She looks to her man holding her hand; they wonder how long. And the shepherds, wise men come to find them and bow to a KING. One star above shining on love so bright it lit up the night before Christmas.

And the world didn't know mercy was meek and so mild and the world didn't know that truth was as pure as a child the night before Christmas. And the world didn't know that redemption was sweet and so strong and the world didn't know salvation was writing a song the night before Christmas.

Empty manager, perfect stranger about to be born...

It's the most...busy...time of the year!

Seriously though, I have the weekend from hell up ahead of me and I'm already wishing it over before it's even started. Work Friday through Monday (although don't tell them this, but I'm probably going to call in Monday night) a photo shoot before work on Saturday, a Christmas party Saturday night, and Christmas cookies with the family on Sunday evening (after work). Although I'm looking forward to the cookies, the rest could come and go without a blink of the eye. Not to mention, little man has went and developed a cold - just what we need right before Christmas!

I have quite a bit of wrapping yet to do, gifts for 2-3 people yet to buy and a house that REALLY needs cleaned before Wednesday gets here and I have a house full of family waiting to be fed. Have I mentioned my lack of a menu yet?

Monday Jeremy and I will celebrate our five year anniversary (hence the calling off) and are hopefully going to get to go out for dinner or something that night.

I have a session from a week and a half ago to edit and then there will be this session from Saturday to edit as well. The best part of that is that I FINALLY have a working computer again! Horray! I should probably get to doing Henry's Christmas photos too...

In the midst of all this busyness, I really am looking forward to all the things that come with this holiday season: fresh cookies from the oven, giving gifts to family, friends, and neighbors, spending time with my wonderful family, and seeing Henry's face light-up Christmas morning. This is truly the most wonderful (and busy) time of the year!

Pregnancy (or not) Woes

The one thing I LOVE about having a somewhat private blog (as in, away from my close family and friends here in Ohio) is that I can typically share things that I normally would not share. Most of you know that Jeremy and I have been trying to expand our family for the past...oh, two years?

The last 5 or 6 months have been especially hard on me because for some reason, my body has went crazy and things are never 'regular' anymore. So, every month when I am apparently 'late' I get all excited, hopeful (and kind of crazy) trying to convince myself not to get excited, hopeful and well...kind of crazy. The best part for Jeremy is that I've learned just to keep my trap shut, let him focus on other things unless I really begin to think...well, could we? Then I buy a pregnancy test, take it, it turns out negative and then typically the very next day Ms. Flo shows up rearing her ugly head.

This month is no exception to this new normal. I'm late...as usual, I'm anxious...as usual, and everything in me wants to go buy a pregnancy test because, HELLO, wouldn't this be the best Christmas present ever? But, I am refraining, and I'm trying (and failing) to do it patiently.

I always feel so horrible when I complain about our trouble getting pregnant the second time around because it is our second time around. We have one, perfect son who would be MORE than enough for us if we never had another. But, then it is frustrating as well...and I get stuck between the frustration and the joy of having Henry here already.

Say a little prayer for me; for patience and understanding that this is not MY timing, but God's, and for Jeremy...who has to deal with the little crazy that I sometimes become this time of the month. Not to mention this time of the year!! And well, pray that things get back to normal. Because having a cycle that's 28 days one month and 35 the next is driving me insane. Seriously.

Thanks in advance everyone. I hope you are enjoying your holiday season!

The Feeling of Christmas

It's settled in: that wonderful feeling that takes hold right before the holidays. That feeling that the songs sing about and the movies talk about and your heart knows about. It's here, and I am so excited.

Christmas and this feeling, it has to be my absolute favorite part of the year. Call me crazy (cause it's probably true) but when that feeling sets in, I could spend hours on my hands and knees cleaning up dog poop and I'd still get up with a smile on my face. It's just that good.

Peace. Holiness. Cheer. Joy... just to name a few. These are the things I feel at Christmas more so than any other time of the year. And these are things that are not fleeting, but a constant reminder of what the season is truly about: the birth of my Savior.