So, since this is a pretty major milestone in the "life of my blog", I thought I would share with you the personal journey that I have been on during that same time. I have really been thinking about the person that I was when I had Kirstyn (about the same time I started writing on the blog) and the person that I am now. One of the reasons I have been thinking about that is because a few weeks ago at my MOPS meeting the Steering Team did a thing called Cardboard Testimonies and it was pretty powerful and moving. Anyway, for the cardboard testimony we all needed to think of a word or a few words that described us before and then that describe us now and how God worked in our lives. For example, some could say "Fear and Worry" then flipped to say "Experiencing God's Peace", another one was, "Unable to Trust" then flipped "Happy Marriage", yet another one said "Lost" and then "Found". You get the idea...
Mine said
"Lazy"
and then the other side said
"Disciplined".
So, what has changed?
- I now exercise regularly for the first time in my life!
- I used to just watch Kirstyn and now I PLAY!
- I menu plan a month at a time where I used to plan dinner at 5:00 and that often meant fast food!
- I have learned to prepare healthy meals for my family on a budget! I used to have all kinds of excuses for not trying new foods and new recipes but the real truth was that I was being too lazy to learn new recipes and spend the time to make them.
- I am learning to grow some of our own food.
- We are now composting, recycling, washing clothes in cold water, and doing other things to take care of our environment.
- I am really working to continue learning all I can about "being healthy".
- I realize that I still have a long way to go and that there is always room for improvement in the Lazy/Disciplined department.
Thanks for all of the support and encouragement. You my friends have done a lot to encourage me and help me realize that I CAN do anything I set my mind to doing...
Now, if my garden will just grow....
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Oh and if it isn't too much trouble, share with me an area of your life that you have been working to improve over the last 4 years or so...
(If you are a blog stalker**said with much love**....it would make my day today if you would de-lurk and leave me a comment!)
13 comments:
Congrats on reaching 500 posts! Wow! I hope I get there. It is amazing how much reading through the lives of others can help you grow as a person.
Congrats.. and here is to many more!!
:o) Blog stocker... heehee
Okay, Hi - I've commented before, but don't usually. Guess I'm lazy.
I'd have to say that in the past 4 years or so, I've gone from being married with 2 incomes, to a stay at home mother of 2. I've changed a lot - mostly for the good, but probably not all... I'm still a work in progress.
Because of the mood I'm in today, I'm going to be a little silly and for my cardboard testimony, choose the words "footloose and fancy free" for before and "grown up" for now... Today has been a wee bit frustrating with the kiddies, and so that's me being honest! It's just been one of those days!
Okay, now you're probably wishing you hadn't told me to comment, since this has turned into an essay!
Thanks for your blog, Natalie, I really enjoy coming here.
:o)
Colleen
I can definitely identify the whole lazy/disciplined thing. I'm not there yet, but I'm so less lazy that I was in the past.
Since I've known you this whole time I can definitely say you have changed in an awesome way! You are so disciplined and inspiring people everywhere with your blog. you go, girl! You've definitely helped me to want to stay disciplined. I'm proud of you!
You are awesome Natalie, and inspiring. I am starting my own "20 pounds in 20 weeks" starting next week! I am going to get down to my goal weight this year!
You are inspiring...keep up the hard work. You have changed your lifestyle, you have done everything right nd it pays off in so many other areas of life.
4 years ago we had our son. Struggled with infertility and today we found out we are expecting twins. Talk about a change!
You really have come so far, and you should be proud of yourself. You're an inspiration, girl!
That is so awesome, Natalie! You are a constant inspiration! Congrats on your 500th post!
Congratulations on your 500th post! (That takes discipline in itself- and here I thought I was doing well to have 80 posts;) )
I am a completely different person than I was 4 years ago. Four years ago I was a 'firecracker.' Set me off and I had no problem telling you how I felt about it... Four years later and I am a lot more 'mellow'. It's amazing how much marriage and motherhood will mature a person.
Your blog really is inspiring, so thank you for sharing!
CONGRATS ON YOUR 500TH post!
First of all, I am beyond proud of you and am inspired by you all the time. You have come so far! And what I am trying to work on is being a better friend, less judgmental and less opinionated in my conversations with friends. And believe me, I need to work on it!
Hope you guys are having a fantastic weekend!
First of all, I am beyond proud of you and am inspired by you all the time. You have come so far! And what I am trying to work on is being a better friend, less judgmental and less opinionated in my conversations with friends. And believe me, I need to work on it!
Hope you guys are having a fantastic weekend!
Four years ago I was reeling from a devastating breakup / betrayal. Today I am even more assured of God's goodness and faithfulness than ever. He has given me peace that I am exactly where He wants me. He knows my needs and desires and He will meet all of my needs (and many many of my desires as long as they are in line with His will!).
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