Christmas- Renewing My Focus

                                   
This is one last post before I take time off for Christmas and New Years.  I'll come back to writing probably January 2nd or 3rd.

This has been a busy and stressful Fall in many ways.  We've been busy, financially strained, adjusting to life with two kiddos, sleep deprived, and more.  Travis's job has required a lot of overtime lately, since it's been the beginning of the school year, and at times we've hardly seen each other. (He works in financial aid at a local university).  In September we realized that one of our vehicles needed a major repair.  After getting an estimate, we couldn't afford the cost to get it fixed, so that car sat in our driveway for two months.  Two weeks ago, praise the Lord, we got some extra money in, and were able to get "caught up" financially.  Even put aside a large sum for this car maintinance, ONLY to find out that there are many more things wrong with this vehicle, AND our van needs work also.

Whew, why is this happening?!  I've asked that all Fall.  It's not just us, many of our friends and family are also struggling right now.  And now in light of what happened in CT this past week, now I'm asking God new questions.  My heart has been broken for those dear children, teachers, the community, even the man who did that horrible deed. 

I have my opinions about issues of gun control, mental health, mass killings, the law, ect.  But this isn't the time or place.  What I've realized this week is that despite my circumstances, I need to draw closer to Christ.  In bad times AND good.

We have been talking about Christmas in church for the past two weeks, and I'll be honest, in all the busyness I've hardly touched my bible!  Even in trying to get this blog started, I've probably used some time and energy that really wasn't there, and should have gone to the Lord FIRST.

So here's me "signing off" for awhile.  I'm going to go spend time in my Bible and praying for my friends, family, and the hurting community of Newtown, CT.  Then I'm going to draw closer to the Lord this Christmas season, hug my babies, love my husband better, and thank God for His many blessings.  First and foremost Jesus Christ, the reason for Christmas. 

-Taylor

Fitness Group no more...Is Anyone Out There?

Well, I started the Fitness Group with high hopes!  Half a dozen ladies wrote me saying they were interested, but it's such a busy time of the year, so most didn't have the time to do it.  Totally understandable.  Two of my friends from "back home" and I are continuing, and I've been thankful for the accountability!  I have really needed friends support in this, it's been fun and is going well.

When I started this blog, I decided two things.  First, I wanted to speak to ladies in similar places in life: 20s, 30's.  Married with kids or without (yet, for some?).  Just a few years ago I was single and working full-time, so I can still relate.  Second, I wanted to be transparent, and share things honestly from my own life.

I've enjoyed blogging, but since this is so new, my blog doesn't get much traffic yet.  And even when I see that a few people HAVE read a post, I'm not sure WHO.  Are these friends of mine checking in, "random" readers who found me through Google, or is my Mom looking in a couple times a week?  (If you are Mom, thanks, that's sweet.)

So, this might be the weirdest question for readers, but... Is Anyone Out There?  Are you reading, or have you read something in the past?  If you have enjoyed a specific post, or something has encouraged you, can you comment or email and let me know?  It would really help and encourage me to get some feedback.  Because I really enjoy writing, and doing this Blog, but I've wondered if this is something I should continue.

My kiddo is coloring, but and I have dishes to do, gotta go soon.

Hope everyone has a beautiful weekend!  My husband and I are singing O Holy Night for church on Sunday.  Please pray for us, we both have colds, but are going to do our best anyway.  Pray that God is glorified by the gifts He has given us, and that people are encouraged and blessed.

-Taylor

Monday Fitness Group- Getting Started!

                                                     
Hi Ladies, thank you so much for joining me!  I've been trying to get motivated all Fall to develop better fitness habits, and it's not easy.  If you're life is anything like mine, you've also experienced one (or more) of  these challenges- motivation, time, over-commitment, energy, laziness, snack cravings, health, busyness with kids, and more. 

One of my problems is that I've been trying to do this on my own.  But I've realized that I really need encouragement and accountability from other ladies.  Especially right now with the holidays coming, it can be so easy to gain weight.  Instead of gaining three pounds this holiday season, I would love to start start 2013 with some better new habits.  It's a perfect time to get started!  (P.S.  That doesn't mean I'm planning on skipping out on Christmas cookies! I'll talk about that in a future post.)

Health and Fitness include so many aspects- food and diet, water, exercise, and living an active healthy lifestyle.  I'm going to put these different parts all together and to simply, just call this a Fitness Group.  So when I mention fitness, it means ALL those things, not just weight loss, even though that happens to be one of my particular goals. 

Many people believe that it takes about 60 days to build a habit.  What great timing, so we can continue through the holidays, and a month into the new year.  So our dates are:

Monday Dec. 3- Sunday Feb. 3rd

Let's focus on one week at a time!  I'll be posting every Monday to encourage you, and give us a group focus for the week.
    
                                                          
Here's how I'd like for this to work:

1.  Comment on this first Monday post by:

Introducing Yourself
Briefly share Your fitness "Story"
Share your overall Fitness Goals

If you know me (Taylor), maybe add "I know Taylor from _____" or share how you found this Fitness group.  
 (Use the Comment part below the post.  After you comment it will say "Google Profile or Select Profile".  If you don't have a Google ID, ect. just use the drop down, for the option Name/URL, and just put your name in, no URL necessary.)

 2.  Read each new Monday post at the beginning of the week.

3.  Use the Monday posts to share your own thoughts and encouragements, pray for and support each other!

I look forward to being in this group with you.  Look for My Story (below), and post your own story and greeting to the group.

-Taylor


My Story:

I was relatively fit in high school, involved in school sports, though I found out when I was 17 that I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (google it more more info), which can contribute to weight gain.  When I went away to college I got busy and basically stopped exercising.  I gained the freshman fifteen, then the sophomore fifteen...oh dear, then a little more.  I was unhealthy with both my diet and exercise for most of my 20s (I'm 31).  Many times I've tried to "start exercising" again, but have not followed through.  In May I had our second baby, and now I especially need to make some changes to take my health seriously.  My fitness goals are to start exercising regularly, lose weight, improve my diet and overall health.

Fitness group, starting soon!

Hi Ladies, I'm excited to be starting a fitness encouragement/accountability group soon.  I'll be starting Monday, December 3rd, and going for 9 weeks (60 days). 

Watch for the first post Monday!

-Taylor

Just Be There

I've had a few people in my life who I've been trying to encourage or mentor, both now, and in the past.  But I always have the questions Am I saying the right thing?  Am I mentioning God and the Bible enough?  How much do I just listen, and how much do I try to encourage someone to do or say the right thing, and give input in their life?  Has anyone else experienced this?

I wanted to share an article that I read this morning:
http://www.roomag.com/mentoring-moments-or-meetings/

This article probably said it a lot better than I can, but this is some of what I gleaned from it:  It's okay to "just listen" at times, just be there, get to know someone, and build a relationship.  The bible says that even Jesus spent time just being with his disciplines.  Conversations don't always have to start specifically about the Lord.  You can talk about cooking, kids, relationships, work, marriage.  One of my pastors when I was growing up used to call this "common ground," things that we can enjoy talking about with both Christians or people who are not Christians.  If we hope to encourage people towards a closer walk with the Lord, or be a witness to them, we can start by just showing care and being a part of their lives.  Then ask God for wisdom and guidance, to lead to deeper conversations. First, just be there.

-Taylor

Wassail (Spiced Cider)

                       

I've always affectionately called this drink by it's traditional name, Wassail, but many people call it Spiced Cider or Hot Spiced Mulled Cider.  It originally came from England, where it was made at the first of each harvest, to wish for a good harvest the following year.  Now its often made just as a Christmas drink, but I think it can be enjoyed all Fall and Winter.

You might recognize this carol, usually sung at Christmas:

Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen.

Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year.                        

                          
Recipe:

The basic ratio- 2 parts apple juice, 1 part orange juice, 1 part cranberry juice

1 bottle of part Apple Juice or Cider (64 oz. standard juice)
1/2 bottle of cranberry juice 
1/2 bottle orange juice (if this is a larger bottle of OJ, make it 1/3rd)

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves

5-6 whole cinnamon sticks
8-10 whole cloves
Orange sliced in the rounds

Make in a Crockpot or large pot on the oven.  Add all ingredients (except sliced oranges, add later after cider has heated up, so they don't get mushy.)  Cook on medium-low for an hour or more, to let the flavors mix..  Or if you have limited time, heat until hot, then turn down to low, simmer.  This recipe is very much "to your taste preference".  After you have added all ingredients, pour a glass, taste it, and you can add more spices if you wish.

For decoration and flavor, you can add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and orange slices.  I've even seen this made with whole cranberries.  You can pour these right into the individual glasses for decoration.


Have a blessed Thanksgiving, Enjoy!
-Taylor

3am Thankfulness

         

I have a lot of friends posting "What I'm thankful for" comments on Facebook this week, and for some odd reason I've found myself avoiding it, like the plague.  It's not that I'm unthankful! I just can't fight the feeling that it seems really forced or contrived, to be thankful just during the month of Thanksgiving.  It's 3 AM right now and I just finished a middle-of-the-night feeding with Maddy.  Can't quite relax enough to go back to sleep, so I'm finding myself blogging and still bugged by this Facebook Thankfulness thing.  I had to ask myself, "Am I really thankful for the things in my life?"

I came to this conclusion: whether or not someone chooses to participate in a Facebook or similar outward declaration of thankfulness, it's always a good reminder.  Yes, we should be thankful all year.  We should tell God and others what things in our lives we are grateful for, and often.  We can use this month as a reminder to slow down, and be aware to be grateful.  I love that Thanksgiving is near the end of the calendar year, so we can use it to reflect on the entire past year.  Hopefully, if we are sincere about our gratitude and thankfulness in Novemeber, it will spill out into more of the year.

 So here's what I'm Thankful for this year:


I'm Thankful for my beautiful daughter Madelyn Anne (Maddy), born May 31st.  She is sweet and joyous, and smiles so much.

I'm Thankful for my son Kellen, who is 2 years and 3 months.  I'm thankful for his energetic, creative, wonderful personality, and sense of humor.  I'm thankful that he's starting to talk so much, and comes up to me saying "Mama......"  He's loves to show me things and tell me stories.

I'm Thankful for my wonderful husband Travis.  He is a loving, compassionate man, so caring and supportive of me, and sweet and gentle with our children.

I'm Thankful for a job that I love, and that I can do on a very part-time schedule and still be able to be a full-time Mommy.

I'm Thankful for both my Phoenix and Washington families, and loving church friends.

I'm Thankful for a relationship with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.


-Taylor

Taylor's Autumn Pumpkin-Banana Bread

       

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
2 large eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 medium)
1 small can (13 oz) pumpkin
splash of orange juice (about 4 Tbsp.)
splash of cranberry juice (about 4 Tbsp.)
1/2 cup milk or buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla

Stir sugar and butter until well mixed.  Add eggs and mix again.  Add bananas, mash well.  Add pumpkin, milk and vanilla, mix with a spoon.  You may use a hand mixer to get rid of any banana lumps, if you prefer.

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tps. baking powder or 1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
(1 cup chopped nuts, if desired)

Add all the dry ingredients, stir well with a spoon.  Stir in nuts at the end.  Spray or butter baking pan, divide batter evenly between two pans.

This recipe makes 2 loaves, or 1 loaf and 12 muffins.

Bake at 350 degrees- 1 hour 15 mins for loaf, 22-25 mins for muffins

Enjoy!  -Taylor

(Original recipe lightly based on Banana Bread- Betty Crocker, New Edition.  7 ingredients added or altered from Betty’s version.)

Happy Friday, Blogging About Blogging

Happy Friday out there!  I'm so thankful for this upcoming weekend.  It's been a long week here, my husband had to work overtime a couple of days.  About 10 minutes ago, Kellen requested Winnie the Pooh, and I said "Great!" and set it up.  He's sitting on his doggie rug from Grandma, babygirl is snoozing, and I'm sitting on the couch with coffee, writing to you.  So hello from me, Kellen, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, the whole gang.  For Christmas last year, my sister-in-law's family gifted him a Tigger stuffed animal, saying "We thought, is Kellen more a Winnie or a Tigger?"  Oh, he's definitely a Tigger; practically bounces off the walls sometimes!

Last night I finished the "Mondays Always Start Fresh" series.  I really enjoyed writing it, but mid-work I felt like it was getting way too long.  And I did a LOT of editing from the length it started!  Half way through, I wondered if I should just write a short book about this topic sometime.  But nevertheless, I really felt obligated to finish.

I started blogging in the end of September, but realized that my own posting started to go in a direction I don't want to go.  Too long, "article-type" writing.  Okay for sometimes, but not my goal with blogging.  I don't want to write articles that are too long to read!  As a busy mom, sometimes I'm catching just a quick break to check out my favorite blogs.  I'm looking for a short bit of encouragement or words for the day.  My guess is that if you're a busy young mom or working woman, you're looking for the same thing.

So watch for some new shorter posts, and a couple of my favorite recipes, coming soon.

I hope you have a fun, restful weekend.

-Taylor

Mondays Always Start Fresh- Part 3

Settings Goals

I started writing about fresh starts because of some of the things I've been experiencing in my own home, as life has gotten even busier with the birth of my daughter in May.  I've had to think of ways to "make it work" and plan out my time better.  Most of my time management struggle has been with housekeeping, so that's what I'm going to share.  But I think these principles can be applied to any area of discipline or relationship in our lives.

I've learned that people have different personalities, strengths and weakness, when it comes to housekeeping, as well as in life outside the home.  I'm one of those people who- if I don't keep "on top" of things- my house can go to shambles in a second!  I've been trying for the past couple years to build better habits, especially in the midst of caring for my growing family.  Last week my husband paid me the biggest compliment, saying that he can tell how especially hard I've been working these last several months in our home.  He said he can see changes in our home and in me.  It was so encouraging!

Each one of us is unique.  We don't need to do things exactly the same way.  But here are some general thoughts and things I've learned about Setting Goals, that I'd love to share with you:


1.  Decide what YOUR biggest "Priorities" are, and try to accomplish them every day.  That's a great place to start, and you can build upon it. 

For me, it's housekeeping- the dishes and having the entire main living area generally picked up the end of the night, including all toys.


2.  Keep a daily schedule.  It can be detailed or a general guideline.

I'm one of those "creative types," and awhile back I was almost afraid of making a daily schedule.  I thought, "That's sooo boring, and it's going to drive me crazy doing the same thing every day!"  Well, I've found that with a 2 year old, following a basic schedule for our day has not only helped my sanity, but it's helped to give my son some structure.  It's also helped me to get more housework done during the day.  I do schedule in time to get out of the house with the kids at least two or three times during the week, that's so important.


3.  If your house all of a sudden "explodes," just focus on getting caught up.  Don't worry about the extra stuff, like deep cleaning projects.  Don't spread yourself too thin, just do the dishes and pick up the house.

This happened to me a couple weekends ago.  We had illness, overall exhaustion and total sleep deprivation from babies.  So my husband and I ended up just hanging out, resting and watching movies.  It was the weekend, right?!  Well, on Monday morning I realized that my house had become a disaster zone!  I focused on just picking up the house and getting caught up that day.  Actually it might have taken even a day and a half, but best decision ever.


The Best Advice in the World...about Setting Goals

I heard a story about a very successful businessman who claims, "Every day I come in and set three goals that I want to accomplish.  Just three."  At first I thought that was crazy, but I've since learned what a fabulous thought that is.  I love to write to-do lists, so I used to sit down and write a dozen things down, then burn out and not understand why I didn't finish it.  Maybe you already have a daily chore list, or maybe you are new to these kind of goals.  I'm still learning myself.  Start with a few attainable goals, things that you know you can get done.  It that becomes way too simple, you can always add from there.

Don't spend extra energy dwelling on what was left behind.  I don't believe God wants us to spend time dwelling on our past and living with guilt about shortcomings.  Spend a good amount of time reflecting on how you are doing things.  See areas you need to grow.  Between you and the Lord, tell him about the areas in which you want to improve.  Then move forward, with His help.

Set your goals, and start again!

-Taylor

Mondays Always Start Fresh- Part 2

Using Reflection to Set Goals

I believe it's really important to know how to use the tool of Reflection to improve and set new goals.  You may already know I taught public school music and currently teach private music lessons.  Aside from teaching music specifically, I also have a passion for understanding pedagogy and instructional strategies.  These terms are similar and somewhat interchangeable, meaning "How to teach a particular subject?" and "What are the best ways or strategies to teach someone?"  I hope you'll forgive me if time-to-time I put on my "teacher hat" and get a little nerdy with you.  There are some great parallels we can draw to learn about ourselves as women and mothers.

When I was a classroom teacher, we did a book study and workshop on this strategy of Reflection (Classroom Instruction that Works, Marzano).  Reflection is the act of reflecting upon, thinking or considering something.  As I practiced this myself, I learned that teachers need to use reflection often to improve and be effective.

There are times when I found myself immediately forced to reflect about a particular situation.  How did that lesson go so poorly?  Why was that student so happy/sad/engaged/disinterested?  But usually I didn't have time to stop and think in the middle of my day, since I taught up to 5 classes in a row.  So the end of the day was usually the best time to sit, reflect, and begin preparing for the following day.  Deep breath and exhale.  The last bell has rung, students have left for the day and my room was quiet.  I LOVED my students, but teaching takes a lot of energy, and by the end of the day I was often exhausted.  Any parallels?

So, now it's the end of the day.  It's time to slow down and think, sometimes pen in hand.  (I've figured out that I'm a list-maker- It helps me to plan and remember things.)  So I would ask myself questions like, How did this particular lesson go?  Did my students understand what I was trying to convey?  What was the most difficult part for them?  What could I have done better?  I still do this constantly as a private music teacher.  My answers to these questions help me plan my next lesson or tweak a current lesson to make it more understandable.

I think sometimes it's good to schedule a specific time in advance to reflect, like Friday at the end of the week.  Those are times to ask the Big Picture questions.  How did this week go?  What are one or two things that I can focus on doing better next week?

I'm sure by now you're thinking, "Enough about your teaching examples, Taylor.  How in the world does this apply to my life as a woman, wife or mother?"

Stop for a moment and think with me how you can use Reflection in your life.

Reflection and evaluation is something we already do often, probably dozens of times each day.  Perhaps you decide to change something in your schedule today, based on yesterday.  Maybe you just snipped at your child impatiently and need to walk to the kitchen, take a deep breath, and think of how to start again.  Been there, not proud.  But I don't think the best reflection is going to be possible in the middle of the day, unless it's naptime.  Thank God for Nap Time!  Normally there are just too many distractions!  You will probably need to wait until evening when the kids are asleep.  Slow down, make yourself a cup of tea.  Grab your snuggly blanket.  Bring your journal, weekly planner, or family calendar.  Better yet, also bring your bible and specifically connect that time with your prayer life, asking God to help you daily.  Make a focused effort to slow down and think about your life.

Each one of us is different, beautiful and unique.  That's why I'm trying to not put too many labels or specific examples in this.  It's your life, and you will know best what things you need to consider.

But if you need some ideas, let me share some general questions to get you started:

• How did I treat my husband this week?  Was I kind, patient, encouraging?

• How was my interaction with my children this week?  With friends, extended family, or co-workers?

• Did I read my bible and spend enough time with the Lord?

• How was my housekeeping this week?  What is one area that I'd like to focus on improving next week?

I'm excited for you, and hope you are inspired and encouraged.

-Taylor

Watch for Part 3- "Setting Goals"

Mondays Always Start Fresh- Part 1

It’s Monday morning here.  If your life is anything like mine, sometimes the weekends end up more busy than restful, and this was one of those weekends.  It's often caused by a combination of family activities, church, my part-time Sat work, and wanting to spend time with my husband, since he's home all weekend.  This week my Mom was also visiting us from the Seattle area, and we had a great time together with the kiddos.

So while I have the memories of a great weekend, I got behind on my daily tasks.  I usually have a personal goal of finishing the dishes every night before I go to bed, but I failed at that yesterday, so I’m still trying to wrap up last night’s dishes. Yucky.

I've figured out that Monday can really set the tone for the entire week, either positively or negatively.  So how do we start out the week right?

This is the first of a series I'm going to call "Mondays always start fresh," based on a quote from one of my favorite literary characters, Anne Shirley, from Anne of Green Gables.  Anne says, "Tomorrow's always fresh, with no mistakes in it."  Hearing that as a young girl, I always thought those words were sweet and whimsical.  But now I understand how true it is.

I think it's so refreshing that we can always start over.  That encourages me, renews me.  It matters very little how many dishes were left in the sink last week.  Any mistakes we might have made as women, wives or mothers have already been made.  Last week is finished, and we no longer have any control over that outcome.  But we can make choices for our next week to come. 

Be encouraged: know that you can start fresh this week! 

Watch for Part 2- “Using Reflection to Set Goals”


-Taylor

Why did God create Seasons?

If you’re anything like me, in late August you eagerly anticipate the beginning of fall and the entire holiday season.  You can almost smell the eggnog lattes—my personal fave—and taste the pumpkin pie and Christmas cookies.  The first real sign of fall, the evenings are cooling down just a little.  Leaves change to orange, red and brown.  Well, in some places…

I currently live in Phoenix, where the temperature still hovers around 100 degrees, but I grew up in Washington State.  So, I’m really wishing for sweater season to begin!  In anticipation of fall, I’ve already put up my fall wreath.  I can at least pretend, I guess.

This week the question came to my mind, “Why did God choose to create seasons?”  He could have made the weather the same all-year round AND in every location of the world.  But He didn’t.  Why?

The first thing I considered was the idea of work.  The farmer plants in the Spring, cares for the crop through Summer, then harvests in the Fall.  The fields are cleared to rest during the colder season, Winter.  Then the process begins again.  That’s a lot of work, just to grow food. 

In the cooler seasons the leaves fall, the weather grows cold, and many things die or lie dormant.  Are seasons somehow tied to the fact that we live in a fallen world with sin?  That God told Adam and Eve they would have to toil and work the ground?  Is it symbolic of how everything and everyone will eventually die?  As Christ died to rise, so we will live again.  The promise of salvation and spending eternity in heaven with God gives us the hope of new and eternal life.

Genesis 1:14-16 Describes God creating the sun and moon, which cause the cycle of the year and seasons. 

¹⁴ And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, ¹⁵ and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. ¹⁶ God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night.

Psalms 104:19 says, ^“He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.”

Even though I’ve read Genesis 1, many times before, I’ve NEVER thought about the fact that God created seasons in the very beginning. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 poetically describes that there is a Time for Everything:  See verses 1 and 2: 

¹There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: ² a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.

If we consider our life, and the idea of being born, growing and dying, then seasons really are a shadow, a mirroring of what happens in our lives.  To take this analogy a step further, we could consider dying the end of our season.  Our children and grandchildren, literally the fruit from our seeds, are the next coming season.  My daughter is 4 months old, I have just recently enjoyed the joy of new life!

God also created seasons is because he is Creative!  Since He created us in His image, He made us to love and enjoy different things.  He wanted us to be able to experience beauty and variety, so provided this for us.  Think about how we react to the changing of the seasons.  Isn’t it funny how we are excited about the coming of Fall, of Winter, of Spring, AND the coming of Summer!  Usually near the end of each season we are good and ready for the next one!

Everything that God has created gives Him glory.  Think of God when you see the leaves changing and enjoy each new season.  Give Him the glory, and enjoy the coming of fall!

-Taylor