The Best Christmas Card Alternative Ever

Like all normal people, I spent a good 3 or 4 weeks this fall envisioning a very important aspect of the holiday season.

Christmas Cards

Normally I would log in to Snapfish.com, plug in a few pictures and send professional looking, adorable cards to all our friends and family.

But I wanted to change it up this year. 

I wondered, how can I be more intentional about our Christmas cards? How can I make it so that my Christmas cards are...

• Free (or affordable)
• Paperless
• Homemade
• Personal
• A frame-able family picture
• Environmentally friendly
• Christ-honoring
• Awesome

The (Almost) Best Christmas Card Alternative Idea Ever

I decided to send an email including:

• A newsletter summarizing everything that's happened to our family this past year (We had our second baby, moved to Michigan, celebrated Evelyn's 2nd birthday, pursued my new passion in teaching natural childbirth, and bought our first house!)
• Our most recent family picture for those who need a copy to print out.

It was personal. It was free, saved paper, had a picture, was environmentally friendly.

But it wasn't homemade. And it wasn't very personable. Or religious.

The (Actual) Best Christmas Card Alternative Idea Ever

• My initial idea
• + mailing homemade, sewn ornaments
• + mailing a card with Luke 2:11 printed on it reminding our friends & family of the simplicity & real "Reason for the Season"

It hit all the marks. I couldn't wait to send everything out!

But, it didn't happen.

I seriously slacked at completing my ornaments and by my original (goal) deadline of December 1st, I had completed 3. Out of 50.

And a week later I had 4 completed.

I spent two or three days kicking myself for not being more organized, telling myself I HAD to make it happen. This was the best idea ever.

Then I started receiving our first few Christmas cards in the mail. And I was mad that ours weren't out yet. So I logged onto Snapfish and said, "Forget it! I'll do something fancy next year!"

My first homemade Christmas failure.

If at first you don't succeed...

I battled with myself about spending $30 on Christmas cards when they weren't really necessary at all. I didn't need to send them just because everyone else was.

So I didn't. I saved the money.

And decided to go onto Plan C. And I had Evelyn "paint" some ornaments to send to everyone.

(By paint some ornaments I mean paint a few sheets of paper which I then cut up in the shape of a tree and strung with yarn.)

Are her painted, yarn strung ornaments as cute as my festive sewn ones? As a mother, I'm obligated to say yes, they are the cutest ornaments in the whole wide world... even though mine were reeeeeally cute... all four of them... 

Oh well, I still plan to use the ornaments I made on top of a few presents and maybe I'll be more organized next year.

By the way, it's finally snowing here!

Linking up with Frugal Days, Works for Me, Barn Hop, and Raising Homemakers!

Thank you following along on our journey to simplicity & contentment. Please be sure to learn about our family, like our page on Facebook, and visit the right column to subscribe to future posts!

Day 25 . 11 Things To Accomplish Every Day

I created a visual list to hang up as a reminder of all the things that I want to accomplish every day. Things that I want to do and need to do, but often forget or that get pushed aside.

My Daily Intentions:

• Begin each morning with hydration & supplements (1 glass of room temperature water + FCLO + probiotic)
• Pray & Praise God before anything else
• Enjoy a green smoothie
• Have a "plan of attack" or list to accomplish, but be okay with altering part or all of it when the kids need you
• Breathe Deeply
• Go outside and play
• Drink the homemade broth, it's good for you
• Leave your cell phone where you can hear it, but you can't see it
• Do 30 minutes of physical activity (whether it's chasing a toddler up the stairs or going to the gym)
• Spend 20 minutes preparing for tomorrow
• Go to bed before midnight. Seriously.

I got this idea from my friend Annette on Instagram. Some are health related, some are spiritual related, other are parenting related. As some become second nature and I think of more, I'll update it. 

What things would be on your list? Will you make one and post it somewhere intentional as a reminder? 

Linking up with the Barn Hop!

This is Day 25 of 31. Click here to see the entire series.

Thank you following along on our journey to simplicity. Please be sure to learn about our family, like our page on Facebook, and visit the right column to subscribe to our posts :)

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Philippians 4:12

God bless!

Day 16 . Dreaming

To some people, dreaming is childish. It's unrealistic. And it's a waste of time.

But I believe in dreaming. 

I believe dreams give a life purpose, direction, and energy.

"Dreams tell us about what a person values, is passionate about, and what a person centers their life upon."

I used to be "better" about dreaming. By that, I mean I used to keep a list and review it multiple times a week to motivate myself. But for some reason after Will was born, life got busy and I forgot how important it is to take time to dream. 

So I decided it's time to re-evaluate my dreams list. (I have it typed up on my computer). Some things have been on my list for years, others are new and I'm adding them today.

"The thing about dreams is that 

the more you define them, 

the more likely 

you are to achieve them."

Where do you start? Here are some tips for creating and using a dreams list:

1) Write them down. Physically putting them on paper (or typing them up and printing it) makes them more concrete.

2) Have a WHY for each dream. That's what drives you!

3) Review them often. Preferably daily (you can post them on a bulletin board or have a Dream Journal that you read each morning)

When I made my first dreams list my senior year of high school, in 2008, I just wrote down 100 things I could think of. Whether I wanted to accomplish them in a week or in 20 years, I wrote them down.

Then I read about dreaming based on various categories - which I like now that I'm settled with a family as it helps me to focus on being more balanced with life.

There are only "12 categories" and to be honest, some only have 2-3 things. Some have 20. I just have more of a priority to grow in some areas than others.

I'm going to share a few dreams & goals from my list.

What's the difference between a dream & a goal? Honestly in my head - a goal is something I can accomplish within the next year. A dream is anything longer than that. Something I'm not intentionally working towards at this time. Goals I am actively working towards.

[ Physical ]
    I won't say exactly how much I need/plan to lose because I'm embarrassed at how much I've neglected myself the past 4 months. I have specific numbers I'd like to reach by Thanksgiving, by New Years, and 6 months from now.
    WHY: Being healthy/fit isn't something that every person has control over. I am young and want to respect myself and my body by staying active and setting a good example for my friends & family.

[ Intellectual ]
    Continue to increase my knowledge on natural birthing as a natural childbirth instructor. 
    WHY: I believe that God created our body to do AMAZING things - including giving birth - and I feel called to share that understanding and empower other women and men to trust their bodies.

[ Material ]
    Buy a house!
    WHY: So we can have somewhere to establish our family permanently as we continue to grow!

(Yes, I know we won't get something THIS beautiful.. but I 'm dreaming :) right?)

[ Financial ]
     Have a No Spend Month.
     WHY: To continue to challenge ourselves to be weird and live with our means, delaying gratification, and not be mindlessly consuming.

[ Creative ]
     Learn more about sewing. Clothes, home decor, diapers, everything!
     WHY: To save money by making things we would have to otherwise by. I have very basic sewing skills from my grandmother and just recently got my machine up and running!

My 1950's Singer Sewing machine gifted to me from my Father-in-Law.
It was his mothers who I hear was an amazing quilter. I feel so blessed to be able to use it!

[ Adventure ]
      Go on our HONEYMOON! Somewhere warm, all inclusive, and with no babies!
      WHY: We made a sacrifice after our wedding to save the money.. but I think it is important for couples to have that time alone together where they can just cherish each other without any distractions.

Other categories:

[ Spiritual ]
[ Emotional ]
[ Legacy ]
[ Character ]
[ Psychological ]

[ Professional ]

Challenge: Sit down sometime this week and write down 50 dream (or goals). It can be anything you want to buy, do, see, eat - anything!

Then come back and tell me you did it and what your top favorites are, I can't wait to hear them!

This is Day 16 of 31. Click here to see the entire series.

Thank you following along on our journey to simplicity. Please be sure to learn about our family & like our page on Facebook :)

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Philippians 4:12

God Bless!

Day 15 . Finding The Good

When you have two young kids (or any kids for that matter) running errands has to be carefully calculated.

Yesterday I had two stops to make: Picking up milk from our milk share drop off and stopping by the bank. I timed it perfectly for both kids naptimes. I had snacks & drinks just in case. It was all set up to be a perfect, quick outing.

So I thought.

Then, I waited at the milk drop off for 15 minutes before I checked online and saw they were switching it to Tuesday this week.

Then, my toddler refused to take her nap and chucked her snack bowl a crossed the car spilling the contents everywhere.

Then just before I pulled into the bank, the baby woke up from his nap.

Then there were 4 people in line for the tube-thingy at the bank, knowing both kids would be screaming for the 10-30 minutes I waited, I drove home.

I had accomplished nothing. Wasted over an hour of our day. And now I had two cranky kids. Nothing went right. And I felt a migraine coming on.

Then I noticed this view driving home.

And I realized, God designed a pretty freaking beautiful world.

And all of a sudden it didn't matter that my trip was a failure. I was just enjoying the beauty that fall brings. Enjoying God's artwork.

Yes, I lost an hour of my day. But didn't lose any more hours dwelling on it.

This is Day 15 of 31. Click here to see the entire series.

Thank you following along on our journey to simplicity. Please be sure to learn about our family, like our page on Facebook, and visit the right column to subscribe to our posts :)

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Philippians 4:12

God Bless!

Day 11 . Recognizing Bad Triggers

We all have triggers. At least I hope so because otherwise this post will reveal a whole lot of my imperfection.

Triggers cause us to do habits unconsciously.

Some triggers are good. When I am working out ---> I always have to have a bottle of water. Which is great - because it keeps me energized, hydrated, and functioning properly. 

But some triggers aren't good.

Some triggers cause you to habitually do something that - if you really thought about it - you may decide you should delay or even not do it at all.

For me, my bad triggers are:

• When I sit down to feed Will ---> I need an iPhone/laptop/TV to "keep me entertained"
• When I'm driving in the car ---> I need a coffee (more often a cafe mocha) to drink
• When I am awake --> I need to have the TV on and/or music playing
• When the kids go to bed ---> I need to sit and watch TV until it's time for me to go to sleep

And those are just a few.

But what is the big deal? Some thing just go together well. None of these are really harmful or unethical, right?

The biggest issues I have with these triggers are:

1) They prevent me from being present. I'm not deciding what's happening in my day, it just.. happens.

2) They prevent me from doing other things. Wouldn't I rather sit down to nurse Will and just enjoy the moment to rest, to bond with him, pray for him, or even have Evelyn sit down near me and read a story?

I would.

Wouldn't I rather save $5 (and 200 calories) every time I drive around by just grabbing a cup of coffee (or even better - water or a smoothie) from home?

I would.

Wouldn't I rather appreciate the noise that my kids make (or don't make) while they are playing and the silence that is offered when the rest of the house is asleep?

I would.

This is a big one for me. If I am going to live intentionally, I need to recognize these 'triggers', find out why they became habits, and eliminate them. And it's not easy. These things became habits for an obvious reason - I enjoy them. But I know for a fact that when I intentionally think about it, they aren't what I want to do.

Take control of your actions. Be intentional about what you are doing.

Because you know what's scary?

Even kids have triggers. At least my Evelyn does.

• Everyday, when she wakes up ---> she climbs into her chair to watch TV
• When she sits at the counter for breakfast ---> she asks for junky cereal.
• When we get in the car ---> she needs to watch a movie.
• When we go through the drive thru for my coffee ---> she needs a water and a cookie

It is really hard for me, as her mom, to admit I've allowed her to develop these bad habits. It's because of me. She's two. And I've allowed her to become dependent on unhealthy habits because they were a part of my routine..

I want her to wake up bursting with creativity and energetic to build a tower with duplos... not rolling out of bed and burning zero energy watching repeat episodes on Disney.

I want her to ask for eggs and oatmeal and fruit for breakfast... not eat junky, processed cereal because it's "easier" for me.

I want her to ride in the car singing with me and looking outside at the world wondering about other cars and the trees, where we're going, and reading books.. not be zoned in unconsciously to Charlotte's Web for the umpteenth time.

I don't want my bad habits to cause triggers for her bad habits.

And it's even harder because for her, I can't explain why things are different. I know. I can tell myself "this isn't what you want". She doesn't understand that. 

What has worked so far, for both of us, is changing the environment.

• Moving her chair away from the TV, over to a bookshelf
• Closing the car's TV screen, opening the sunroof, and hiding books in her carseat
• No more drive thru coffee or other treats
• No more laptop or phone near me when I'm nursing
• Eating breakfast at the table, instead of the counter

I can't change what's been done. There's no point in dwelling on it. I can only commit to changing what I do now.

Recognizing what my triggers are, committing to change them - wholeheartedly committing because it will take time and it will take discipline.

What triggers do you have (good or bad)? Do you have any you need to change?

This is Day 11 of 31. Click here to see the entire series.

Thank you following along on our journey to simplicity. Please be sure to learn about our family, like our page on Facebook, and visit the right column to subscribe to our posts :)

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Philippians 4:12

God Bless!

Day 5 . Creating Memories

This post was inspired by one of my favorite blogs during her 31 Days to Savour the Season series.

She wrote a post the other day about how it's so easy for a family to feel burnt out during the end of the year (from football games to schooling to the holidays and traveling...) 

I sort of feel the opposite for our family though. It's not that we sit around doing nothing, but sometimes I create such an overwhelming list of crafts, activities, ideas, and recipes from Pinterest that I end up doing... um... nothing. 

So, in an effort to be intentional about creating memories this season, here is my version of the Fall To-Do List:

The Categories

• 4 Places to Explore
• 3 Treats to Create (and eat!)
• 2 Moments to Capture
• 1 Tradition to Continue

Our List

Family Hayride 2010

Family Hayride 2011

What are your favorite ways to create memories this time of year? 

(Be sure to check out this post for a free printable to make a list for your family!

This is Day 5 of 31. Click here to see the entire series.

Thank you following along on our journey to simplicity. Please be sure to learn about our family, like our page on Facebook, and visit the right column to subscribe to our posts :)

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Philippians 4:12

God Bless!

Day 3 . Exercising

This is Day 3 of 31. Click here to see the entire series.

I want be healthy, but...

I have two babies under the age of 2.5

I teach natural childbirth classes every week

I clean and maintain our house, kitchen, and laundry

I have to drop off the recycling

I cloth diaper 

I keep track of our expenses, bills, and budgeting

I stay at home

I am saving for our new house

I am breastfeeding

Those are my excuses.

Those are my excuses as to why, for the last 6 months, I've neglected my health. I've neglected regularly exercising and I've neglected proper nutrition. You know the worst part about those excuses? The worst part is that until I let them go, I will never be able to fully fulfill these:

• Being a good example for my family
• Feeling good about myself
• Having confidence
• Appreciating the health/body God has given me
• Being healthy
• Feeling accomplished
• Being an example for my students
• Having more energy

Those are my reasons, my purpose, my intention for changing. There is really nothing deep or fancy about it. If you have the physical ability to exercise, you should.

I always feel better when I am exercising regularly. I always have more energy. 

"But I'm busy. How can I find the time?" If there is one thing I've learned numerous times in my life it's this:

You'll find time, if you make time.

I can make time to sit and read blogs and watch endless hours of TV every night. If I make it a priority, I can find time.

So. Yesterday we started our family membership here.

And I worked out. For the first REAL time since April.

And I will continue to from now on (a minimum of 3x/week). I might only get in 20 minutes, I might get an hour (I learn yesterday that, as I anticipated, my wonderful 9 month old was less than thrilled to have mom leave, not to mention with a stranger in a strange place), but something is better than nothing and you have to start somewhere.

I'll talk about exercising (and nutrition) a few times this month as I get into the groove of things.

What are your excuses for not exercising? What is your motivation to start (or to continue if you do regularly)?

Thank you following along on our journey to simplicity. Please be sure to learn about our family, like our page on Facebook, and visit the right column to subscribe to our posts :)

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Philippians 4:12

God Bless!