My Georgia Life

#1 You can take this seriously. #2 Because it can seriously happen to anyone! Things to do if you ever find yourself in a slump.  (That's where I found myself yesterday.)  And by "slump," I mean spiritually, emotionally, physically TIRED! Preparation: Prevent the slump: Spend time in prayer and in God's Word regularly.  (I slept in yesterday, which is not always bad, but when I sleep in I have to designate the time to stop and pray...I did not.) Eat a good breakfast. (I had a single slice of banana bread, which is also not bad, but I should have had a scrambled egg along with it...think protein!) Keep your workout balanced.  (I'd run a lot last week and had a good race on Saturday, but I had stretched minimally, which equalled a super tight back for me.) Once you find yourself slumped: Stop. Find a quiet spot, even if you just have to imagine it's quiet, and pray.  Read a passage.  Rest your mind for just a moment (or a while)...

If your husband shows any of these signs it may mean that he loves you...or he's just a little crazy (or in my case, both)! He always makes you feel safe: He always tells the truth...even when it embarrasses you.   He writes you love songs like this: He doesn't mind if you disagree and admits it if he knows you're right. He helps you make things like these: {photo by Monica Carter } He always says things like, "I don't know what I'd do without you," and means it, (and you're not real sure what he would do without you either :) ). He always wants to provide for you...even if it comes to this: El Cheapo Lawn Care.    35 bucks gets it cut!!! Keep your wife and your beer money!! Call (423) 285-3307.   This deal is for people that live near me. Includes weed eating but not edging. {yes...he did.} And most of all (above all), if he loves the Lord and loves Truth, and...

If you've seen any of these happenings at your home then a child has probably been there...and you can't help but smile. :) Couch disassembled: Strange dinner guests: A rainbow in the dishwasher: The alphabet strewn across the fridge: Magnetic creatures attaching themselves to the inside of the washing machine: And the classic: (Notice these pictures were all taken on the same day...It could've been any day at our house. The fun never stops...nor the mess.  God's gifts are good.)

I ran across some old college papers today.  They somehow survived the "spider house" (read that story here) , which is amazing in and of itself, and surfaced as I was searching for my YMCA aerobic certification cards, which I found expired (of course).  These papers serve as evidence that child bearing kills brain cells. :)  Upon reading them, and realizing that I have no memory of writing them, I found myself doubting I could do it again.  Who knows though?  The reason I majored in Bible was because it was the only subject I really enjoyed studying and the only one I felt worth such devotion.  Though writing papers was never one of my favorite past times I do remember the growth I experienced through the process and the sense of fulfillment at the end.  The paper that follows is one I remember dreading to write but it ended up being the one I was most thankful to have written.  It made me think...maybe it will make y...

#1 PLEASE don't take this too seriously! #2 Because I was seriously surprised myself! {My trophy...I like that it says "First Place" not "First Place in the Women's 30-34 Division" :)} Preparation: Train for a 5k Then a 10k Then a half-marathon [I took six weeks to train for each.  I ran two days every week - once on my treadmill during the kids' naps (intervals and hills) and once on Saturday when the hubby was home (distance).  I did strength training three days a week (usually a fast paced circuit) and Zumba one night a week to supplement.   The reason this works for me is because I make every minute of every workout count - I don't have time to waste!   I never raced.  I wanted to, but it never worked out so I did my own personal time trial for all three distances.  None of the results were all that great.)] Now, pick a 5k race. (I picked the Cheerios Challenge 5k, and that's what I trained f...

#1 Take this very seriously #2 Because this seriously happened to us Maybe it will happen to you! By God's grace alone. Preparation: Pack your recently revived suburban with beach gear, children, and half your house. Leave. When you're at least 30 minutes from anything that resembles a town and at least two hours from anyone you know: Try not to be too surprised when something falls out from under your truck and the power steering goes out. Pull over. Pray. Laugh. Then go find that thing that fell out. When you find out the problem can't be fixed immediately and the truck isn't going to make it to the beach as is: Pray again. When an angel and his equally angelic wife appear dressed as a farmer and a farmer's wife in a pickup truck: Accept all help offered. Slowly cover the mile to their house. Unload kids and cookies. Wave to husband as he drives off with farmer angel to find parts. Let kids eat cookies, drink soda offered by angel wife, and ...

#1 Don't take this too seriously #2 But this is seriously working for me Make a "Sandwich" of Your Day Preparation: This is the most important step, because without the healthy food in the house you will not eat it. Think - Think about the healthy foods you like to eat.  What's a satisfying healthy breakfast to you?  (I like oatmeal.) What makes a salad edible?  (I've gotta have a little something sweet, like apples or raisins.) What are your favorite fruits, veggies, and lean meats?  (I chose apples, broccoli, and salmon.) Make a list - A shopping list that is...and stick to it! (OR...browse the produce section and buy what looks good and is on sale.  This worked for me.) Shop - The only thing that makes this diet a real "diet" is that it doesn't include "junk food" (sweets, things high in salt, fat, etc.)  We're not counting calories, so get as much of the good stuff as you like. Eat: This is where the "sandwich"...