Half Way

Can you believe the year is half over? Does that sound like a pessimist? I am usually a glass half full kind of person. But I couldn't come up with a more positive way to say "half started?"

Did you make resolutions this year? How are you sticking to them? Do you need a do over. What better time then the middle of the year to reevaluate and make new plans.

At the beginning of the year I chose a word theme...our word for 2011 is Intentional. You can read all about it here. But overall I just want to be intentional with my time, especially as a wife & mother. I am sure you know it is so easy to get wrapped up in other things and not be totally present in what is going on.

I think I have done a pretty good job being more intentional, but as I have looked back over the past 6 months there are a few things I am going to be working on for the next 6 months.

We had our screen-free week and it really helped to get rid of some of our tv watching, but I still feel like we are spending too much time watching tv. (especially over the last few weeks) I don't want to make excuses for it, but with it being summer we have taken on a more relaxed approach to our days. Usually we are following a schedule(not every minute, but for the majority of the day) for summer we are just going with the flow. Spending time at the pool, reading, and hanging out. It has been in the upper 90's for several weeks now & makes it hard to spend much time outside. But I am taking back our time and working to eliminate more tv time.

The next is really me...the computer! I get so sucked into reading blogs, writing blog posts, and my new favorite time suck Pinterest. I am going to be more intentional about stepping away from the computer. Designating a computer time and sticking to it. When the time is up the computer is going to be shut off!

I want to be present. I want Jake to remember the fun we had not watching tv, while mommy is on the computer. I am recommitting the next 6 months to being INTENTIONAL!!

What do you do about taking pictures? I want pictures of everything, I want to make sure I remember everything that was there, every face that was made...but I feel like if I am taking pictures I am not being present. Do you have this problem? I have really tried to take some pictures and then make a conscious effort to put the camera away. But I still have moments when I feel like I might be missing a great picture.

Any tips on being intentional? How do you make sure you are being in the moment?

Intentional-2011

Intentional-that is the word I have chosen to define my 2011. How does intentional look for me?

I have often said that I am a check it off the list kind of girl. My quiet time, house work for each day is written on a list, activities I will do with Jake, places we need to go, things we need to buy, and even dates with Jason. However, sometimes I get so wrapped up with what is on my to do list. Sometimes I just want to fly through each thing to mark it off and get the next thing that needs to be done. Only after each item is checked off will I be able to enjoy intentional time with what really matters.

But here is the truth...A LOT of times not everything on that to do list gets checked off. This means a lot of days go by that I am just checking things off and never taking things in. Absorbing the here and now.

So here is how intentional in 2011 looks for me

Still a to do list, but with intentional things. Not time limit, no hurrying to the next thing just to get it off my list. Taking time to make it all meaningful!

Intentional with my quiet time. I have already confessed this, but a lot of times I just hurry and read say a quick prayer and check it off the list. I want to sit in quiet, to read God's word and actually take it in. To know how he is directing me to apply what I just read to my life. Not read it and forget it for the day. After all it is checked off my list. I am planning to spend time intentionally reading and praying and seeking God's word. Jake is usually ready to go down stairs by 6:45. Around 6am he is in our room. So it is difficult for me to get up before Jake to have a quiet time. We have gotten into a routine and once I get Jake his breakfast he will watch about little bit of tv, knowing that mommy is reading her Bible and not to interrupt. I am also going to start giving Jake a few devotional papers he can work on while I am having my quiet time. So he can get into the habit of having a quiet time of his own. Of course he can't read, but he can look at pictures and color.

Intentionally pursuing my husband and our marriage. Not to let the time just casually pass us by. Most nights when Jason gets home(which is late), I am ready for bed. We end up having some conversation and then turning to the tv until I declare I can't keep my eyes open any longer and off to bed I go. Jason usually not to follow for an hour or more. But then after a few days of this I think we really need to work on this. One day it will just be us and I don't want to sit around watching tv. I want to be intentional about making Jason a priority. I want to intentionally plan dates and getaways just for us. Our dates usually come up because Jake is with his grandparents and we figure we might as well go to dinner. But this year I am determined to intentionally plan time for each other. And not just time going out, but when he gets home to turn off the tv and computer. To sit and enjoy each others company.

Being intentional in the time I spend with Jake. Some weeks are days are filled with go go go and I feel like I never really spent time with Jake. Yes, we were together all day, but really is running here and there intentional quality time? We spend a few hours a day doing schoolish activities. (He is only 3...I hesitate to call it school). We read, and play games, and do craft projects. But usually all of these things are planned into our day and once they are done...Oh one more thing to check off my list and I am off to clean. I do feel like it is good for Jake to spend some time playing on his own, but I don't want our time together to be so scheduled and checked off a list. I want to leisurely sit in the play room with him and play being intentionally paying attention to what he wants.

That is how intentional looks in those areas. I have so much more to share, but this post is getting way too long.

Word theme 2011

Resolutions are usually forgotten by the end of January, but a word can be an overall for the whole year.

That is one reason I love the word theme for the year. Every thing I do, each new thing I take on or let go of, the conversations and activities in our home can be tested against the word of the year. I can do this several times a day or even just a few times a week. Reflecting on the word and comparing whether the way I have been living is standing up to the word of the year.

Yes, you can always do these things even without a word. You can reflect on goals or resolutions you have set to see that your actions are leading up to these things. But to be able to think on just one word to know that you are living up to that word seems so simple. ( I do admit that I have never chosen a word theme so I could be mistaken)


Choosing a word to commit for the whole year hasn't been super simple. After reviewing several areas of my life I wrote down words that came to mind. Words that would mean a change in the things I wrote down that I didn't like. But also words that could apply to all areas of my life not just one or a couple. The word has to encompass it all. I had a post written out two post for the word theme one using the word Moments and then this one(intentional). I was torn between what my word should be. But at church this morning our pastor spoke on having a plan for all areas of your life and being intentional (he really used this word). Umm...hello God I hear you. Intentional is supposed to be word.

INTENTIONAL!!!!
Done on purpose, with focus, and meaning.
If you don't lead life intentionally, your life will randomly lead you. (from our Pastor...he may have gotten in somewhere else too, but I don't remember if he said)

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3
" The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty" Proverbs 21:5

I am a total type A with a to do list for each and every thing. Confession time: sometimes I write things on my to do list just so I can mark them off. A lot of times when I am doing one thing I am thinking of other things that need to be done or what I am going to do next. I will never not have a to do list, but I want to be intentional with each thing I am doing. Without thinking of what needs to be done next and being intentional to take the time to focus on what is right here right now. Having an intentional plan will allow me to enjoy each moment and not randomly end up somewhere.

In making my word intentional this doesn't mean I am going to try and control everything. I know that only God knows what the plans are for me. I am just going to be intentional with what I am doing each day.

You might remember I wrote about Ann Voskamp and her book "One Thousand Gifts: A dare to live fully right where you are." The idea of writing down the little gifts that you see throughout the day. By being intentional with my relationships and what I am doing and making a commitment to write down my gifts that I see throughout the day this will help me to be sure that I am being reminded of what my focus is for 2011.

Being INTENTIONAL!!
Intentional in my walk with God, my relationship with Jason,  being a mom to Jake, my health, ministry opportunities, and building friendships and relationships. (thinking I may do a few post about how intentional in these areas looks for me for 2011)
I am so excited about 2011 and seeing where being intentional takes me.