That's right, we are going to North Dakota this summer for baseball! Ryan re-signed with the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks for the 2016 season. At the beginning of last year, we were with New Jersey, but Fargo was a better fit for Ryan. One thing led to another and we were off to ND. Now the new season is right around the corner, and I'm so excited for the summer. I love baseball season.

I don't know what God has in store for me this year, but if it was anything close to last year, it's going to be something amazing. Of course, it is still January, and with baseball, anything can change. But with a life as blessed as I have, I'm ready for the road ahead. Go Redhawks!

UNCOMFORTABLE

I want to have a heart-to-heart(blog). Today I joined a small group at my church. This is a big step for me as (at this church) I've never been in a small group before. Whether I say its because I was "busy" or already committed to other things, I never felt the push for it...until today. Originally, I really wanted to join a couple's group with Ryan because I feel most comfortable with him when experiencing new things, hence love and marriage? Anyway, he joined a men's group so I guess I figured I'd join a women's group (while trying to find something together, too). But what ended up happening is that we both joined our designated groups and didn't get a chance to find one together, unfortunately.

I've grown up in a Christian home my whole life, so I'm surprised by how nervous and uncomfortable I feel about the whole thing. One of my spiritual goals this year was to dig deeper and just connect with more faith-driven people. So I believe God is guiding me and I will learn and connect with Him in ways I could never imagine. I'm just extremely uncomfortable with doing things by myself. I always have been. It's weird (but not really weird), because I wouldn't say I'm an introvert at all. I wouldn't say I'm extremely outgoing either, but definitely not anti-social...in my mind anyway. I'm a total home body though, so I guess that makes sense. I just feel like I enjoy the company of others in doing things more than trying to do them on my own. So what perfect way to connect...in a small group...

So as I take this new step in my faith, I'm so dramatic lol, I ask that you pray for me in growing with God, and also, to not be so uncomfortable with meeting new people. That I settle in with an open heart and mind to receive God's grace. Lots and lots of grace.

Maybe I am anti-social...NAH, that's not it. 

Lord, if you lead me, I will...

PICKING UP A NEW HOBBY

Since I'm currently not working (its the middle of the school year and so hard to get a decent job), I picked up a new hobby. And by picked up, I mean tried because I was desperately bored. 

I bought two white canvases months ago from Amazon and never used them. They sat in our "junk closet" for forever so thought I'd try to bring them some life. I knew I wanted to use color and just get the hang of drawing again so I turned to none other than Pinterest for some ideas. After finding some awesome pictures of giraffes, I decided to take on the challenge and ended up with this:

I think it turned out pretty darn good. Although, it doesn't match any of my decor so I'm not exactly sure where I'm going to hang it lol. I was so inspired by the colors (and my favorite color is pink) so I made sure it was nice and bright. It was more about layering the colors more than anything. But overall, the technique is really easy. I used acrylic paint on a standard woven canvas. It took about 2 hours to complete.

The next morning I jumped on the second canvas, sticking to an animal theme apparently, and painted Mr. Elephant (not the title, just for name's sake).

He was actually going to be black and white water color, but as you can see, that didn't happen. In my house, everything is pretty much, grey, white, black, or cream. I like to keep it neutral and add pops of color here and there, but it looks like my paintings are screaming for some attention. He was a little more of a challenge because I was playing with water color for the first half of it. And the fact that I messed up his trunk just a tad. But overall, I'm happy with how they turned out. I haven't bought any more canvas yet, but I'm really into this for now.

Ryan even said he'd pay $10 for the pair...I told him $100 and he politely declined. Guess I'm no "artist" yet, but maybe soon! 

CHRISTMAS PICTURES - 2015

We took some Christmas pictures at Lake Las Vegas a few weekends ago. I forgot to take some last year, and I REALLY wanted new professional pictures. I've been recycling our Dallas engagement shoot for 3 years now...but I still love them to death! Luckily, one of my good friends is a photographer and offered to do them for us. Special thanks to Karessa and her amazing skills with the camera.

Enjoy!

Happy Monday y'all! 

2016

I honestly can't remember what my New Years resolutions were last year, aside from the typical "eat healthy and workout". I definitely ate healthy and worked out, but it was so inconsistent, I got no 6 pack and lots of back injuries. I'm not really into good form apparently.

I know many people don't believe in resolutions, but I really think if you want to change and set your mind to something, great things can happen. I was inspired by my husband to set REAL goals this year when I was sitting in the office, probably day dreaming about Chipotle (because I haven't had it in months - curse you E-COLI!) I saw a 2016 goal list that he created for himself. I won't share that because it is personal but it got me thinking. Am I just going to go another year being content and comfortable? 

The paper was divided into 4 categories.

1. 2015 Significant Accomplishments
2. 2016 Spiritual Goals
3. 2016 Physical/Health Goals
4. 2016 Personal Goals (Relationship, Financial, Career, Recreation)


With a lot of prayer and grace from God, I know I can become a better ME come Dec. 2016.

2016 Spiritual Goals

1. Read my bible everyday 
2. Pray more
3. Join a small group at church
4. Lead/serve others
5. Share the good news with someone
6. Spend more time with my Sunday school kids. 

2016 Physical/Health Goals

1. Gym 3x a week (at LEAST)
2. Be able to do 10 pull-ups
3. Eat healthy - eat more vegetables, drink A LOT more water
4. Walk/go outside more (with dogs)

2016 Personal Goals (Relationship, Financial, Career, Recreation)

1. Be a better wife to Ryan (do more, say more, love more)
2. Get a job at a good school
3. Blog/write more
4. Be more organized/neat 
5. Reach out to friends more

The last two things on the paper are:

How I want to "BE" in 2016: smarter, uncomfortable (in a good way), active

My core life purpose/mission: God first, serve others. 

I hope you set goals and accomplish big things this year. 

So here we go. Let's do this thang.