Fireproof your Marriage

Whether your marriage is rOck SoliD or needing a little work, there is a movie you Need to see. Fireproof is the B E S T movie I’ve watched when it comes to marriage.  The movie was given to us as a giFt and my husband and I watch it together at least once a year.  Each time we gain something new, and each time it puts a BooSt in our relationship with each other and God.

Have you had a dAte niGht in a while? Set aside a night this week and watch this movie with your spouse.   You won’t be disappointed!

~Lara

The Over-Rated “All”

I once heard a quote that said, “I would rather ShOoT for the StArS and HiT the MoOn, than shoot for nothing and hit it every time.”  Unfortunately, I can’t relate.  My natural tendency is to say, “Give me the stars or nothing at all, BaBy”  It’s insane, I know.  But I’m working on it. 

If you have the “All-Or-Nothing” mindset, you know what I’m talking about.  You actually believe that PeRfeCtiOn is pOsSiBle, so while the world is passing you by you aimlessly grasp for the air.  Could it be that American poet Wallace Stevens was on to something when he said, “The ImPerFeCt is our PaRaDiSe”?  One way I overcome this mindset is to think about all the bLeSsiNgS in my life that I would not have had things gone according to my plans. 

What pLeAsUrEs are unknowingly slipping right past you as you pursue an illusive “All”?

Many MoOns have passed without me getting to enjoy them, but not any more.  I’ve had the ReVeLaTiOn that “All” is OvErrAtEd.  I’ll still shoot for the stars, but if I miss them, I’ll take the moon, Thank-you. :)

Robynn~

Never Say “Never”

Have you ever caught yourself sAyinG something like, “I would NEVER do that!  I would NEVER put myself in that situation or make a decision like that person!” Someone once told me that you have to be careful using the word “NEVER” because often life makes you fAce the things you don’t wish for.

Even though I grew up on a farm I always told my parents I “never” wanted to marry a farmer.  I thought I had my life Planned out and wanted to work in an office somewhere in a big city.  Sure enough, I married a farm boy but couldn’t be hAppier.

I had always maiNtained a healthy weight throughout college and marriage.  However, when I got pregnant with my daughter, I gained twice as much weight as I was supposed to.  So much for being PROUD of my weight control!

Life can be really huMbling and I’ve LeArNed to not be quick to judge or too sure of how life is going to turn out.  Having goals and expectations are gReat, but the next time you look at someone else and find yourself saying “I would NEVER…” be cAreful what you say.  Life has a way of ushering you down a particular pAth and we can’t always see the twists and turns that lie ahead.

~Lara

(*Pictured above is my loving “farmer” and our sweet lab, Grace)

Go With The Flow – The Challenge (Wk 17)

I love to watch people who are “NaTuRaLs”.  Whether it be in music, theatre, business, communication, athletics, etc, I find that these people are mesmerizing because they are so good at what they do.  They make it look EffOrtLess and in a way it is, because their gift just naturally flows out of them.  It’s as singer and actress Pearl Bailey observed when she said,

“There are two kinds of talent, man-made talent and God-given talent. With man-made talent you have to work very hard. With God-given talent, you just ToUch iT Up once in a while.”

I’m not saying you don’t have to work hard to achieve your dreams, because from my experience, hard work has always been a requirement, but I do believe that you will have to work a whole lot harder if your talent is a man-made one.

One way to find your “SwEeT sPoT” is to find out what you’re God-given talent is.  This may take some time and definitely some experimenting but it’s well worth it.

How do find what you’re good at?  Take a look at what comes easy to you, but not necessarily for others.  That is where you are going to get the greatest return on your investment, the biggest bang for your buck.  

If you are looking for your God-given talent, remember Go WiTh tHe fLoW, Baby!

~Robynn

Baby Blues to Baby Bliss

As I CeLebRate my son’s 4th birthday this week and my daughter’s 2nd birthday next month, I also celebrate the amazing gift of mOtherHood.  Always knowing that being a mom was the #1 goal of my life, I couldn’t understand why I was constantly crying after I brought my son home from the hospital.  Baby blues quickly turned to full blown postpartum depression.  Thoughts like, “What was I thinking when I wanted to have a baby,” “Am I ever going to have a conversation with my husband again,” and “I just want to be me again” raced through my head.
Feelings of shame, guilt, and fear felt like they were suffocating me.  I even thought my son might be better off without me.  I thank God for my wonderful  friends, family, and doctors for Getting Me throuGh my darkest moments.  With  therapy and medication I slowly got better and became the mother I so longed to  be.

Two years later I delivered my beAutiful baby girl and like a dark cloud drifting over me, my PPD was back.  As I held my daughter in my hospital bed, I  looked at my husband and said, “It’s back.”  You would think it would be easier  the second time but it was actually worse.  I knew the scary thoughts…I had  just lived them two years ago.  “Why me” was all I could think this  time.

Both bouts with PPD lasted about 2 months.  I try not to dwell on those days as time lost with my babies, but as times that made me FiGht to be the mother I am  today.  I now know that there is No ShaMe in having PPD, it wasn’t my fault that  I got it, and with help you can get through it.  Whether you or someone you know  is going through PPD or any obstacle, remember you CAN get through it and are  stronger than you think!

~Robyn (Jersey Girl)

Make it Right

Have you ever said something to someone, and after thinking about it later, ReAlized they may have taken it the wrong way and got their FeelinGs hurt?

A similar situation happened to me this week in an email message, and even though I was pretty sure this person didn’t take it the wrong way, it didn’t settle with me not knowing for sure. I decided to email her back and apoloGize if I may have come across the wrong way and eXpLaiNed my reasoning for saying what I did.  As soon as I hit “send” I immediately felt better.  Knowing that I was able to ClariFy what had happened put me at eAse versus always wondering if I had hurt her feelings.

Picking up the phone or sending a message to clear some possible confusion or tension is hard to do but always leaves you with much Relief. I never regret going out of my way to apoloGize or make sure I’m on the same page with a person.  Is there a situation you need to clear up with someone?  Often times the other person didn’t take it the wrong way and bringing it up won’t only show how much you care, but also put an end to your worries!

~Lara

One Unique Gift

One of my favorite things about the internet is YouTube.  (Have you noticed?!)  At different times I will check out a favorite song.  Maybe it’s a song from the 80’s or 90’s as I reminisce about those high school and college days, a sentimental/NoStaLgiC song, a favorite love song, an inspirational song, a song to pump me up, an oldie, or a new hit.  When it comes to music there is something for everyone.  It’s for that reason I have found a new GiFt to give my friends, family, and loved ones:  a music video via an email.

Are you wanting to do something special for someone, but don’t know what?  Why not send an email with a HeArTfeLt message and a YouTube link to a song that is significant to your relationship?  Maybe it’s a funny song that you enjoyed with a high school classmate or a love song that means something special between you and your spouse.  Whatever you may want to say, most likely there is a SoNg that says it perfectly.

Need ideas?  Here’s one to get you started.  I hope you enjoy!!

Robynn~

Accountability Partner

It seems like I have always tried to lose weight.  When I had a baby, it was a cHallenGe to get back to my previous weight.  Even during my pre-kid days, I was trying different weight loss tactics to shed those last several pounds.  This year I’ve had my BEST SUCCESS at eating right and in moderation, thanks to one thing…my accountability partner!

In the past, I remember wanting to ask someone to hold me accountable for my weight loss.  Subconsciously though, I knew if I ever wanted to quit my diet, I could give up and no one
would know.  In reAlity, I was setting myself up to fail before I ever started!  Asking someone to hold you accountable is scary, but in the end, it will determine how serious you really are about wanting to cHanGe.

Finding the right person to share your jouRney with is important. My accountability person is someone that I don’t necessarily see often, but who I have to share my weigh-in number with every week.  We don’t work out together, but text or call each other with what we are up to (good and bad).  You must be comFortable enough with this person so you can “be real” and trust that even if you gain a pound or two, they won’t judge you but continue to enCouRage.

Is there a habit you can’t kick? Perhaps you should REACH OUT to a good friend and ask them for help.  It not only will strengthen your relationship with them, but have poSitiVe Results on achieving your goal!

~Lara

P.S — A big shout-out to my accountability partner today!  Wouldn’t have the success I’m having if it wasn’t for YOU!!  Thanks :)

Do What You Love – The Challenge (Wk 16)

What do you LoVe to do so much that you could do for the ReSt of your LiFe and you would do it for FrEe?  Chances are your PuRpOsE in life is hiding behind that question. 

When searching for your purpose look for the things that you are pAsSioNate about.  What do you love to do?  

That’s not to say you should only do things that you love, especially if you are trying to figure out what your purpose is.  There are numerous stories of successful people who didn’t realize initially what their passion was.  Instead, they just took advantage of an opportunity and Voi-La!   The passion surfaced. 

You’ve probably heard the saying that it’s easier to to “StEeR a mOviNg car vs. a PaRkEd one”.  Maybe it is time to get moving and volunteer, take a class, pick up a new hobby, change careers or take advantage of an OpPorTuNity that has been presented to you. 

If you’re looking for your passion get the car mOviNg and EnJoY the ride!

Robynn~

“HAYS” YA DOIN’!!

My family and I recently vacationed in Colorado and made a stop in HaYs, KaNsAs just off of Interstate 70.  We “DiScOvErEd” this happening little town a year or so ago and have thoroughly enjoyed taking in all it has to offer.

Here’s a little preview of our short visit on a Friday evening:

We did a lot of WiNdOw ShOpPiNg:

ChiLdrEn’s BoUtiQuE.  (I love the old WaGoNs with flowers!)

Very trendy little shops.  CS PoSt & Co.

The PaisLeY PeAr.

The #1 Voted SeMoLiNo Coffee House.

The place was BuZziNg.

They even had LiVe MuSiC.

In fact there seemed to be live music all over downtown including this street CoRnEr.

We love to eat at GeLLa’s DiNer.  Some favorites:  the murals painted on brick walls, home brewed RoOt BeEr and CrEaM sOdA, trendy decor, and of course their kids meals that come in a cardboard retro little car.  (I can’t believe I forgot to get a picture of them!)

Check out this MuRaL, one of many.

I also love this SuNfLoWeR made from road signs.

We’ve been told there are other great eating spots that we want to check out as well.

Right next door to Gella’s is ArTiSt DeNniS ScHiEl’s art studio.  We enjoyed talking with him and looking at his art.  (By the way, if you are looking for some close-up painted art of CoW’s faces check out his work.)  Dennis is one of many artists in Hays.

This town has quite the Historic Downtown.  We intend to visit it more on those long, long trips to Colorado.

This “ArT-sY” little town has a lot going for it.  If you are passing by check it out!!

Robynn~