WW: Today I Will

Linking up with Mama Kat again this week for writers workshop. If you want to learn more about it, click the link at the bottom of this post. The prompt I chose this week is: Today I will…

Today I will be positive.
Today I will be encouraging.
Today I will be the light on a hill that no one can hide.
Today I will try to inspire.
Today I will do my best.
There are so many things I want to do today.
Today I will make it count. It's the goal of my life to make each and every day count. I am only promised right now and I want to make sure it's a good one.

This post inspired by:

1000 Gifts: a gift hiding, held, heard

• it is a gift to see my beautiful baby girl, hiding under her blankie from me in the mornings. 
• it is a gift to hold my child in my lap, snuggle her during her final days as a five year old and then again on her first day of year six. 
• it is a gift to have heard all three of my girls playing nicely together in their room. Doesn't happen often, and I love hearing it when it does. 

WW: Five things

Linking up with Mama Kat again this week for writers workshop. If you want to learn more about it, click the link at the bottom of this post.The prompt I chose this week is: Five Things. List 5 things we don’t know about you, 5 things you’re knowledgeable about, 5 things you know nothing about, and 5 things you believe.

Five things you don't might not know about me:

1. I was born in sunny Florida and I honestly believe I have sunshine in my veins. I don't do winter very well at all. It's been miserable this week with the freezing weather. 
2. I am the oldest of three children and both of my parents are the oldest in their families. 
3. I have a slightly OCD personality and have some things that I just can't go to bed without doing like checking the door locks, looking in on the kids, ect. I also have to recheck the locks if I even think I didn't lock them. I also have to have things in certain places in my home and car. If they aren't there or aren't in order, it drives me batty. 
4. My favorite color is yellow but I can't wear it. Makes me look jaundice. Figured out on my nails that even happens. So annoying because I loved the Sunny Lotus jams. 
5. My dad claims I am the clumsiest kid but I was the only one who hadn't had to have stitches or had a broken bone until I was 17! 

Five things I am knowledgeable about:

1. I am knowledgeable about my job as a healthcare administrative assistant. I am quick at getting things done and can teach people how to do it. 
2. I am knowledgeable about Jamberry. I am learning a lot still, but I know quite a bit. Enough to be running a fairly smooth business. 
3. Taking care of babies. I can honestly say that after three, I feel pretty knowledgeable about it. That isn't to say that I have all the answers or don't need help but I consider myself knowledgeable. 
4. I am knowledgeable about planning a wedding in another state. That wedding is going to happen in FIVE DAYS! 
5. I am knowledgeable about Microsoft office. I like using it and creating stuff. I re-did a form for one of our doctors and she just LOVED it. Made me feel great to be able to help her out. 

Five things I know nothing about:

1. Gourmet cooking. I can do a few things in the kitchen, none of which are gourmet. 
2. Fishing. I have been once in my life and remember only that I stepped a hook. Stephen tells me he will teach me, but we'll see. 
3. Hunting. Not really interested either. I have a hard enough time seeing the pictures of people's "catch" on facebook. 
4. Being the mother of a teenage girl. I have three and am terrified I might screw something up! There aren't enough books in the world to prepare you for that. 
5. Medical stuff. I know a little bit about things I have dealt with in my own life, but overall, you start talking medical issues and I can't help you. I might work in a doctor's office, but that doesn't mean I am a doctor or a nurse!  

Five things I believe:

1. I believe that Jesus is the son of God and came down from Heaven in human form. I believe he lived a blameless life and was sacrificed for our sins on a cross. 
2. I believe that the world would be a better place if we all followed "Thumper's Rule" If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. 
3. I believe that we need to teach our children, especially our girls that real beauty is more then skin deep. There are a lot of pretty girls whose attitudes make them ugly. There are also a lot of girls who aren't, by the world's standards, beautiful, but they are because they have an inner beauty that shines right out of them. 
4. I believe that in the end, perseverance pays off. May not feel like it now, but keep at it, eventually it will pay off in no matter what you are working on. 
5. I believe that a little kindness can go a long way. Here in the Treasure Valley we have a Christian radio station, ktsy, and they promote a "drive through difference." Basically you pay for the drink/order of the car behind you in the drive through line. It's a random act of kindness that just feels good. If you visit the link above, it will even give you access to the card you can print out and do it yourself. 

This post inspired by:

1000 Gifts: Three gifts of traditions

• It is a gift to be able to carry a few traditions from when I was a child into my life with my children. For example, we have a family tradition of an "up" day. It's a day where we go to my aunt's house and my dad's sisters and their families (and now their children's families) all meet up and spend the afternoon and dinner together. We call it an "up" day because we used to have to drive up a hill to get there and the name stuck. I get to have an "up" day Saturday when I go home and I am so excited! 
• It is a gift to be able start new traditions with my girls. I have been trying to do a "25 Days of Christmas" every year, it's slowly becoming tradition. They also get pj's to open on Christmas eve to wear Christmas day. Not quite sure how we will work that now that I only have them either Christmas or Christmas eve, but we will figure it out.
• It is a gift to be able to merge my family's traditions with Stephen's families and create our own. I can't wait to see how we figure things out. 

My Name & A Few of my Favorite Things

Linking up with Mama Kat again this week for writers workshop. If you want to learn more about it, click the link at the bottom of this post. Chose two topics again this week the first is: The meaning of your name…does it suit you?

The name Elizabeth is a Hebrew baby name. In Hebrew the meaning of the name Elizabeth is: My God is bountiful; God of plenty. Elizabeth was mother of John the Baptist in the bible. In England Queen Elizabeth I and II.One of the most frequently used names in England. From SheKnows.com

I think that this name does suit me, I do believe my God is bountiful. But, for most of my life I have gone by Betsy. I feel like that name suits me better. Elizabeth seems very formal and that isn't really me. I feel like Betsy is fun, and I like to think I am too! 

For topic number two the prompt is to share a list of some of your most recent favorite things. 

1. Stephen is my favorite and I get to see him in ONE WEEK!! 
2. My beautiful wedding set. I until he places it on my finger (12 days!) 
3. Jamberry's new holiday box (shameless plug for my jamberry business!). Comes with three exclusive holiday wraps and an application kit. Easy gift for the lady in your life. I want one (and am pretty sure the man in my life is buying me one on Friday!) 
4. Diet Mt Dew or Coke Zero. I am slightly addicted to soda. Horrible!
5. Pomegranate carmex. Works just like the original but smells amazing! 
6. Revenge on netflix. I might have watched the entire available series.... okay, no might about it, I totally did. I can't wait to see more!! 
7. A new party I have started playing in my online jamberry parties, it's Jamberry Uno. You basically use the wraps as your cards and match the one above you by color or texture or style. LOVE playing! Sad right? 
8. Subway oven roasted chicken sandwich. I have been having them for dinner when the girls aren't here, about once a week. It's so hard to cook for one so I enjoy this "treat." 

I guess I only have eight favorites right now. :/

This post inspired by:

1000 Gifts: Three Gifts Behind a Door

• It is a gift to be able to have a door that I can close on the cold. Especially with today being the first snow of the year.
• It was a gift to open the door to my first house on my own this year. Before the year ends I will be sharing that door with Stephen and I can't wait. 
• It is a gift to be able to open the doors to school beyond high school. I never thought I would go to college and I am going to be paying it off forever, but it got me my job here and I wouldn't trade it for anything! 

WW: My Quiet Place

Linking up with Mama Kat again this week for writers workshop. If you want to learn more about it, click the link at the bottom of this post. The prompt I chose this week is: show us where you go for quiet.

I can't actually share a picture, because I don't have anything recent, but I find my quiet and my peace near water. Doesn't mater if its a lake or the ocean or a river. I love watching the water pass by me.

The other night I was feeling restless. I have been at my parent's house since last Tuesday. Needless to say I am feeling stir-crazy. So, I jumped in my dad's car (a stick shift, which is much more focused driving for me!) and started driving. My first destination was walmart. It gives me something to look at without thinking. I picked out a coloring book and some crayons and then headed out. I didn't want to go home yet, so instead of turning left toward town, I turned right into the "country."

I won't say that I was lost, but I didn't know exactly where I was going. I knew what road I wanted to end up on and did get there. The road is right along the Santiam river. There is a dam in the river there

I saw it and immediately made the connection to my own life. The far side of the dam is like my life before my mom's passing. It was calm, it was peaceful, it was comfortable to be in. Now my life is like the other side. I feel in complete chaos. I don't know what direction my life is taking. There are rocks and mess in the way, making the water of my life just as chaotic as the water in the river.

Regardless of how this area of the river makes me feel, I still feel compelled to go to the water for my quiet time. Honestly, there are times I can sit and just watch the rain for my quiet place.

 This post inspired by:

Unforgettable, An Online Read & a Letter to Readers

Day 25: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad).
I can't really remember anything specific, but when I announced my separation on facebook, I had this huge outpouring of support. Everyone told me what a great person I was and that it would all work out. It was just so meaningful for me to hear that, to be able to go back and read them later. It still touches my heart to remember how many people were there for me in so many different ways.

Day 26: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.
I read this blog earlier this week and almost cried at my desk. Sometimes I really feel that way, like my kids just can't get close enough. Never happens the day that I want to cuddle them, and usually happens the day I have so much to do. This blog was just a reminder to stop and enjoy those moments. Let my kids enjoy their mom, let them hold hands when they want and cuddle when they will. What do you think of that post?


Day 27: A letter to your readers.
To my loyal readers: I thank you so much for sticking with me. There are some who have been reading since I started. The fact that you have stuck through my periods of non-blogging, the whiny posts, the drama that seems to follow me. I love that I have been able to open up about my faith and about my struggles. Not once have I had to remove a mean comment (or not publish one). Sometimes the support overwhelms me. I have made more bloggy friends that I ever thought I would. I used to be ashamed of being a blogger, but not anymore. Thank you to my readers for being there for me. Thank you for the comments that sometimes make me laugh out loud. You may not be the reason I blog (I do that for me!) but you are some of the main reasons that I keep at it. 

Thank you again, and hope to see you all commenting soon!!

PS If you didn't notice, I love comments almost as much as I love chocolate!

Rant, What School Didn't Teach Me & My Worst Traits

Day 22: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off) I think my biggest one right now is the social stigma attached to mental disorders or illnesses. That includes (but isn't limited to) depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and bi-polar. I personally suffer from two of the above, depression with anxiety. It can be really hard. It isn't something people like to talk about, but it needs to be talked about! The only way that the people suffering from these problems are going to get help is if they see that help is available. The author of one of the blogs I frequently read (And I Don't Like Onions) has OCD and has started writing a weekly post about the struggles she is having. I can't thank her enough for these posts. She is getting the word out. It is a real problem in our world. I get especially irritated when the news mentions that every time there is a crime. It seems like they want to paint all the people who have problems like these as violent, and that just isn't the case. I think far too often, the people who end up doing horrible things, who have suffered with a mental disorder, didn't get the help they needed. Now, don't get me wrong here, I don't think that all violence can be prevented by mental help, but I do think that we could reduce the number of occurrences if we got people the help they need. We need to erase the social stigma and start talking about these problems. So, now I will step off my soapbox and stop talking lol


Day 23: Things you've learned that school won't teach you. I am going to do a bulleted list just because that's easier.
how to balance a checkbook
how to build and maintain a good credit score
how to create and stick to a budget


Day 24: Your top 3 worst traits. I think that this is a horrible question! I hate thinking about the things I don't like about myself. I am going to do this, but I am not going to answer them about my physical appearance. I am going to talk about my personality and three things that could use some work.

I think that sometimes I can talk too much. I am one of those people that has the need to fill silence. I need to figure out how to embrace the quiet. I also need to work on not interrupting people. I am awful about that.

Another thing I think I need to work on is the way that I want to "fix" everything. I know that there are things that I'm not going to be able to do fix, and honestly, it drives me nutty. That quote comes to mind every time: 

I need to remember that!

One final thing I think I need to work on is my commitment to better myself. It seems like I always take the back burner when it comes to things that need to be fixed or changed. I need to work on making myself a priority.

What about you, do you have a rant to share? Or things you wish you had learned in school? What about something you don't like about yourself (lets not focus on the physical, please!)?

My 5 Faves, Current Struggle & My Favorite Posts

Three more topics for the #blogeverydayinMay challenge. Again reminding you that if you are joining in, let me know in the comments so I can read yours.

Day 19: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them.

• Up To My Toes by Sue Birdseye. I found it by reading her book "When Happily Ever After Shatters." She went through a similar situation to me and she is really focused on her faith in her "recovery." I just love that despite her situation she is still a Godly woman trying to do what is best for her kids. 
• Crazy Tuesdays by Sue - I have no idea where I found this one. I have a feeling it was one of those that I found via a friend on bloglovin. She is also a single mom and I just love the passion she has for her kids and making the most of the time she has with them. 
• Organized Chaos by Angel - this is a blog of a close friend. I just love the way she sees life and the way that she shares it with her readers. She started blogging because of me! 
• Wild World of the Williams by Josh Williams - another friend's blog. He is an amazing photographer and I just love seeing the images he captures. 
• Like a Morning Cup of Coffee by Heather Leigh - This is another one that I'm not sure how I started following but she is a Godly woman and I love the way she shares her stories. I love how she brings God into every area of her life. 

Day 20: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.
Right now I am really struggling with my weight. I am down from what I was earlier this year, but I am still higher then I want to be by a LOT! My food intake has been horrible, though I am working on it. My fitness and movement is also nonexistent. I know that I need to change some things, I know that I deserve much better, but I can't seem to make the changes and stick with them. I hate having weight problems and really worry that my girls might pick up on my struggle, but I am sure I will get there.


Day 21: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives. I am just going to stick with 2014 posts for now. Here are my top five:

• What a Difference Ten Years Makes
• Beauty in a Shattered Heart
• Kids Say...
• I love the 12 in 14 series of posts 
• Book Review: When Happily Ever After Shatters

Is there a favorite blog of mine that you think should be on this list?

What about someone else's blog I should be reading?

Fears, Advice & A Moment In My Day

Today is another one of the #blogeverydayinMay posts. I think this is an awesome way to get to know me a bit better and for me to flex my writing skills a bit more. Besides, who doesn't love writing about themselves?

Day 7: The thing(s) you're most afraid of. I think if I had to pick just one, it would be snakes. They make me shiver even thinking about them. I remember one time, I was running on the greenbelt and went by these kids. They asked me if they wanted to see what they caught. Obviously I was apprehensive, but I didn't want to flat out tell them no, so I agreed and looked in the bucket. Inside was my worst nightmare! They had a whole bucket full of SNAKES! I was wearing a heart rate monitor at the time and my heart rate jumped higher then I have ever seen it! I think my fear started when I was a kid. My sister got bit by a snake on the finger and the darn thing clung to her and wouldn't let go. My mom, being new to the area, wasn't sure if it was a poisonous snake, so she was calling poison control to check. I think it just freaked me out. I also remember when I was in high school, I tried to overcome my fear. They were hosting a "Snakes Alive" show at my high school. I thought it would work, I would sit in the front row and see the snakes in their cages and maybe overcome my fear. That is so not how the show went! They took the snakes out, even "walked" them around the auditorium. The worst part was when they took out the cobra. They made it a point to tell us that it had been de-venomized but that a bite would still be very bad. We were supposed to keep very quiet and very still. I was curled up in my seat and remember my foot slipped. That dang snake looked right at me. All I remember were the tears streaming down my face. As soon as they "walked" it up the isle, I bolted for the door. I went to my safe place, in the newspaper classroom and calmed myself down. I think that was my first panic attack. But there you have it, my biggest fear! Probably more then you wanted to know.

Day 8: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all. I think it would be to just live life to it's fullest. I have learned in this last year that the things you thought would last, might not always end up like you planned. Make the most of every single day you live. That's my motto right now. I also have been really trying to live as if I might die tomorrow. I make sure that my friends and family know I love them.

Day 9: A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words) How about three moments? These are oldies, but they are my life!

A photo posted by Betsy Smith (@betsy_s4) on Apr 4, 2014 at 7:13am PDT

A photo posted by Betsy Smith (@betsy_s4) on Apr 4, 2014 at 10:14am PDT

Goofball

A photo posted by Betsy Smith (@betsy_s4) on Mar 3, 2014 at 7:43am PDT

WW: Childhood Tendencies

Me around my 7th birthday (1991)
photo credit to my auntie Analise 

Linking up with Mama Kat again this week for writers workshop. If you want to learn more about it, click the link at the bottom of this post. The prompt I chose this week is:

Ask a parent to describe what you were like as a small child (under the age of 7), do you still have the same tendencies?

When I asked my mom what I was like as a small child, this is the answer I got: Wow. Happy, stubborn when you thought you were right. Liked playing with other kids. Everyone stopped me to say how pretty you were. At preschool the teachers said you were always one of the best kids. People also always said you and Colleen (my sister) were great together.

I think that a lot of that still applies to me today. Most of the time I am a happy person. I try my hardest to look at the bright side of things. I am definitely stubborn when I think I'm right (who isn't!?).

I love being around other people, but not too many. I am easily overwhelmed in social situations where I am unfamiliar with the other people. But put me in a place with my friends and family and I love it. I am a people person and really don't do well when I am alone.

Some people say I am pretty. I don't always see it in the mirror, but I'm working on it.

They won't let me go to preschool anymore, but at work I like to think I'm the best. I tease my coworkers that I am just so awesome they can't handle it. Not sure that is the same or not. I do have a lot of confidence that I know what I am doing and am good at my job. I love the social interaction with the patients and my work family.

Things with my sister have, honestly, never been better. We have become amazing friends over the last couple years and have only gotten closer with my current situation. She is so wonderful with my girls and though she claims not to want children, I am still holding out hope that she might have one someday. I would say that today, we are even more great then we were back then.

So, how do you compare with your past self?

This post inspired by:

Beauty in a Shattered Heart

Once upon a time there was a girl. She thought she already had her fairy tale. What she didn't know is that the fates had other plans for her.

One day, the boy she thought she would be spending forever with broke her heart. No warning and no attempt to help her pick up the pieces.

So the girl gathered the pieces of her shattered heart. She went weeks feeling nothing but anger, sadness and grief. Her friends tried to help her, but not much can be done for a shattered heart and they had their own lives to live. The girl tried to push through on her own, but she couldn't seem to find her hope. She felt like her happily ever after had been shattered.

One day, the girl got a message from a long ago friend. He had heard what happened to her and wanted to help. The two began exchanging messages and their friendship quickly grew.

After a few weeks the girl began to see that glimmer of hope again... what she thought had broken her had led her to him. She knew how he felt about her. Felt like she still had nothing to offer him, she was, after all just a shattered person. What she didn't realize is that while she was moving on, God was taking the pieces of her heart and making something beautiful. He had brought the boy into her life for a reason.

He had helped her see that hope. And that hope just shined out of her. God had turned her broken heart into the most beautiful creation. The cracks and chips weren't even visible once she allowed the hope to shine through her.

Even though that girl is still healing, even though she is still learning. She refuses to give up. Refuses to believe that she won't have her happily ever after. He has showed her how to hope again and how beautiful her life still is.

WW: #Beauty is

Joining up again with Mama Kat's writer's workshop. The topic I chose this week is: Write a post inspired by a photo or video you shared on Instagram last week If you want to learn more about writer's workshop, click the link at the bottom of this post.

This is me. I posted it on my instagram on Tuesday, was just feeling like taking a "selfie." I don't take very many of those. In fact, in the past few months, I haven't been on the other side of the camera at all unless it was necessary. The more I thought about this, the worse it was making me feel. I don't want to be that person who hides behind the camera because she doesn't like how she looks.

Body image problems are nothing new. I don't know that I could name one person who I have direct contact with who loves their body just the way it is. Body dissatisfaction is an epidemic. In fact, Dove's Real Beauty campaign website states that only 4% of the women around the world would consider themselves beautiful. That is a scary thing to read, especially as a mom to three little girls. It is my responsibility as a mother to teach them that they are beautiful, no matter their size or what shape they are in. My obligation is to make sure that my girls grow up seeing a positive example of body image. I need to stop criticizing myself, and start loving myself.

I have started working on my eating habits, but it isn't going to be an instant change. I don't want to wait until I lose weight to start living my life. I want my girls to see that they have a mommy who might be overweight, but that is embracing life none the less. Starting today I am going work on loving me, just how I am. I am also going to try and take more selfies for Dove's #Beauty is project.

Do you have any tips on helping me get there?
What about things I can do with my girls to start instilling positive body image in them?

This post inspired by:

WW: Lost

Every week I join in with Mama Kat's writer's workshop. Mostly I do this to keep my creative side going, but also because it's just fun to have another topic that I don't have to think about. If you are interested, I included the link at the end of this post. You just have to read it to get there! 

This week's prompt: Write a post inspired by the word: lost.

Do you ever feel like you are so lost that you have no hope of ever getting to your destination? There is one time that I vividly remember. I was supposed to be picking up my husband Jimmy from a church thing in Portland, Oregon. This was before GPS was widely used. And for those who are unfamiliar with Portland, it can get quite confusing to navigate. For someone who doesn't have the best sense of direction, it is really tough. 

It goes without saying that I got hopelessly lost. Thankfully I did have a cell phone and was able to call for help. But it was almost comical trying to get me from where I was to where I needed to be. I remember going through this really shady part of town. I just kept looking at my door locks, making sure they were all locked. I was pregnant and alone and terrified that someone would jump in the car with me. 

Fortunately, the story ends well because I did get to my destination safely. But I still remember that feeling of being lost. Not having even the slightest idea which direction to go or even a safe place to stop. That is the exact same feeling that I have right now. In a sense, I am completely lost. I have no idea which direction I should be going. No idea where this path is going to lead. It is terrifying! What is worse is that I now have three little girls who are looking to mommy to be a support to them. Their world is changing so completely, and I can't imagine they aren't feeling lost. 

I do have one advantage though. I have a God who is in the business of helping lost souls. Anytime I am feeling like I am drowning or don't know which direction to go, I am crying out to Him. Writing out my prayers in my journal and asking for Him to help guide me where He wants me to be. Not only do I have God to help me, but I also have an amazing support in my family, friends and coworkers. It wasn't until my life was pulled out from under me, that I realized how very loved and blessed I am. 

Lost doesn't have to be a bad thing. In the times I have felt most lost, I have found how very strong I am. This is but a detour in my life. Once I am safely on the other side looking back, I will remember the people who helped me find my way, and those who reminded me that I have a God who is into saving the lost. 

For those who have been helping me, you will never know the impact you have had on my life and my mental health. Knowing I have this amazing support system has taken me from feeling lost, to feeling like there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I know which way to go. 

This post inspired by 

WW: What a Difference Ten Years Makes

My prompt for this week: Find a photo of yourself taken 10 years ago and display it on your blog along with a current photo. How have you changed since the day that photo was taken?



This is me 10.5 years ago at my wedding. I am (obviously) the one in the white dress!

And this was me two days ago.

I can't even begin to list the ways that I am different from that girl ten years ago. I will start with the obvious, I have three children that I didn't even dream of ten years ago. My heart has grown three times the size I thought it ever could. Those girls have brought more joy to my life, I cannot imagine not having them.

Another way I have changed is in my ability to adapt to change. I still don't deal with it well, but I was brave enough to move to Idaho, away from all the family I had. Now I consider myself well adjusted to life in not only Idaho, but in the bigger city of Boise (disclaimer: when I say bigger I realize Boise isn't that big, but compared to a population of 17000, it's big!)

My heart is much more broken then it was back then too. Ten years ago I walked down that aisle completely prepared to recite my vows to the man I imagined spending the rest of my life with. Sadly, that isn't going to happen. To be honest, I'm a little angry. I feel like he isn't giving us a chance. I wish that he had said something the few years back when he started to feel unhappy. It is completely possible that we could have fixed things at that point, but he isn't willing to try. People have suggested that we go to counseling, but if he already thinks it won't work, I can't bear to let my heart get smashed anymore.

I think I am more afraid then that girl ten years ago ever thought she could be. I'm afraid of being on my own. Afraid that I won't be able to handle being a single mom. I'm really afraid I can't live up to the parenting team that Jimmy and I had. Although he will be spending lots of time with them still, it's not the same as having him in the house.


How have you changed in the last 10 years?

Blogger Challenge: New Years Inspiration

As I mentioned in November, I have joined the 2014 blogger challenge. I figured this challenge, which gives bi-weekly topics to write about, would give me something different to write about. It has also given me a ton of new blogs to follow.

The topic for the first post of the #2014BloggerChallenge is going to be "New Years Inspiration" - the idea is that instead of writing new years resolutions on your blog you share a quote or a picture that inspires you and you think will inspire others in the New Year. Many of my blogger friends have been finding a word for their year, so I thought that was a wonderful idea and my word for 2014 is going to be

Strength

There are some things going on in my life, beyond my control. I just need to remember that I am strong. Here are just a few of the inspirational quotes that I am using this year:

Do you have a word for 2014? 

What is a quote that inspires you?

Wishes for My Girls

Can't for the life of me get a good pic of the three of them lately!

 I read this blog the other day and it really gave me cause to stop and think about what kind of example I am setting for my girls. Not only do I want them to be healthy, but I want them to have a healthy body image. I want them to look in the mirror and not think of all the things they want to change but see the beautiful people they are.

I want my girls to have a healthy relationship with food. I want them to know that food is fuel for our bodies, not a comfort thing. To help them develop this relationship I will watch what I am doing when I am stressed. I think it would also be good for our whole family to not use food as a reward system. We need to work on finding ways we can reward good behavior that don't involve food. As a family we can work on this by making a reward jar. Have the girls tell me things they would like to do as rewards and fold them into a jar. Then when the time comes to reward them, they can simply pick a "prize."

I want my girls to know that they are more then a number on a scale. Thankfully, at their age, they don't have issues with what they weigh, but unfortunately this isn't going to last forever. I am going to try and help them realize their beauty is not measured by the number on a scale, but the way they feel. One way that I can do this is by not complaining about my size. Instead of focusing on a certain number I want to focus on how I feel. I want to be healthy and then it will be easy for them to see that mommy is happy in her own skin.

I want for my girls to love being active. They already love the DS and the netflix, but I am going to work on getting them out of the house more often. This week I am going to start doing our family walks again. Maybe I will come up with a list of things they can look for. Find ways to get them active and having fun. They had such a blast at the kids race, and I want them to keep that joy. Maybe weekly we can go to the track and run as a family? I don't know what we will do for sure, but I am working on a plan and I will be sure to share it with everyone as it becomes more solid, but know that I'm working on it!

What are a few things you want to make sure your kids learn?
How do you keep your family active?

365/243: Writers Bootcamp Week 1

The last journal that I filled with my writing. Hope this project brings
me back to this love of writing!

This is something I have been wanting to get back into, but couldn't find any prompts that I loved. Well, I stumbled upon Allyson's blog, The Proverbal Plot Thickens, and she shared with me the website she uses for her prompts. I thought it was a great opportunity for me to get my creative juices flowing. I thought I would start using this site with the writing prompts boot camp found here (except that I am going to do them weekly, instead of daily) Week 1 - It’s time for you and Writer’s Block to part ways. Write a letter breaking up with Writer’s Block, starting out with, “Dear Writer’s Block, it’s not you, it’s me 

 Dear Writer's Block,

It's not you, it's me. I am just tired. I’m tired of sitting at my desk, cursor blinking with no idea whatsoever of what to write, or even what to write about. I'm tired of looking at my writing and being so disgusted that I can't even manage a paragraph without struggling to keep it going. I’m tired of only have pictures on my blog because I can’t seem to break through you.

I remember back in high school, being on the newspaper staff, I was writing all the time. Even if it was something I could care less about I could still get a good two or three inch story about it. Now, I'm lucky if I can get two paragraphs about the same subject. I don’t remember ever having the trouble I am now!

I cannot keep avoiding the writing that I used to love. I want to fall back in love with writing, therefore I must break up with you writers blog. Again, it isn't you, it's all me.

Sincerly,
Betsy

365/238: Reflecting on Me

 I am the worst about criticizing my pictures. Every one I see of myself I try and find what I don't like about it. I have often found myself wanting to delete pictures the girls have taken of me. These are two examples of ones I wanted to just erase off my camera. But I didn't. You wanna know why? Because I need to remind myself that no matter what weight I lose, how fit I become, if I don't love the body I am in, I am never going to be happy. I love that my girls are so free with their compliments. They never fail to tell me how beautiful I look. I would love to see myself through those kind of eyes. I want them never to see their mommy putting herself down. I want them to see me and learn about positive body image. I need to make sure that they know that they are so much more then a number on a scale.

I am beautiful. I am strong. I am loved.

Your Reflection in the Mirror

My final post in my 30 day challenge: your reflection in the mirror.

I think that my reflection is subject to change. I know that the figure is getting slimmer. Still not quite where I want to be, but getting there. Also been working on loving that person in the mirror regardless of what she looks like. I have a slight adult acne problem. The obvious things you see are my brown hair, oval face, and bright blue eyes (that constantly get comments!) What you might not see is the hard work I have done the past year to get to the size I am. You won't see the 40 pounds that I have left in my past! You won't see the love that I have for my God, my family, my friends. You might be able to see the compassion I have in my heart for those who need my help. I know that my reflection is different than it was a year ago, but you know what? That doesn't change the person I am in inside. And that is what really matters!

Your Talent

Today's topic is your talent. I am not sure I have any one thing that I am great at. I know that I love to write, and can usually find some way to make a topic that doesn't thrill me into a workable post (check out the rest of this challenge! lol) I know that I sing pretty well, and I would like to think that I am good at juggling all the things that I have to do on a daily basis. =) I would say that being in the situation that I am right now, as a wife, mother, student, and employee (of TWO jobs) says something about my talent to multi-task and not go bonkers!

Someone Who Changed my Life

Today I am supposed to write about someone who changed my life. To be quite honest, this might be the hardest thing I have had to blog about. I don't think any of the life changing moments involved any one person. I have one God I know changed my life. =)

I don't have a dramatic "ah ha" moment or story, but I have been shaped by a creator who knows just what I need, and is there every single step of the way, carrying me when I don't think I can walk one more step. I was raised in a Christian home, so that makes a huge difference. I pray that I am the wife, mother, and woman that He wants me to be. Only with his help can I accomplish what I need to have done!