The last couple years I've chosen a word to keep me focused for the upcoming year. You can read about those words here. I started praying several weeks ago about what word the Lord would give me for 2014...what did He want me to focus on?

An idea kept coming to mind, a word that I kept thinking of that I wanted to be more of. But I wasn't thinking of it as my word of 2014. Finally, one day during Christmas break, I had my long list of things I wanted to get done. They weren't all things that needed to get done, they were just things on my agenda, things I could cross off my to-do list...honestly, I couldn't tell you what one of those things were off my list.

Claire kept asking to go to the park, play dolls, color, do puzzles...all the things she likes to do with other people. Steve kept talking to me about some things he'd been thinking about, things that weren't so important to me, but obviously were important to him. I kept telling both of them, "In a minute..." or "Let me just get these couple things done," and at the end of the day, I realized the things on my list were accomplished, but I hadn't spent time with those I love most.

Well, of course I'd spent time with them...we'd had meals, gotten ready together, engaged in extremely casual conversation...but I hadn't been intentional in my time with them. I hadn't put them at the top of my priority list. All my to-do's seemed much more important at the time. But what was truly most important was being intentional in my relationships, not my silly list of to-do's...again, I couldn't tell you one thing that was written on that list!

So my word(s) for 2014 is to be intentional....in my marriage, as a mom, sister, daughter, friend, teacher, Christ follower.

From one of my favorite authors, Shauna Niequist:

Present over perfect

Quality over quantity

Relationship over rushing

People over pressure

Meaning over mania

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Present Over Perfect Print

home > The Shauna Shop > Present Over Perfect Print

$20

Present Over Perfect Print

In a blog post from last Christmas, author Shauna Niequist writes:
Present over perfect.Quality over quantity.
Relationship over rushing.
People over pressure.
Meaning over mania.
Hang this print or gift to a friend – keep in mind what truly matters this season!
• 8" x 10" digital print on thick cardstock
• Printed locally & lovingly
• Lettering by Lindsay Sherbondy
• Original quote by Shauna Niequist

Present over perfect.Quality over quantity.
Relationship over rushing.
People over pressure.
Meaning over mania - See more at: http://lindsayletters.com/collections/shauna-shop/products/present-over-perfect-print#sthash.thZqAkzu.dpuf

- See more at: http://lindsayletters.com/collections/shauna-shop/products/present-over-perfect-print#sthash.thZqAkzu.dpuf

About

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Art Prints

Canvas

Gifts + Goodies

Seasonal

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Present Over Perfect Print

home > The Shauna Shop > Present Over Perfect Print

$20

Present Over Perfect Print

- See more at: http://lindsayletters.com/collections/shauna-shop/products/present-over-perfect-print#sthash.thZqAkzu.dpuf

Last week we had a doctor's appointment with the fertility specialist, and I've been debating if I should blog about it or not. Although I've found so much peace and freedom in talking and blogging about our "infertility journey", I feel like there are still things I am not completely comfortable sharing. For those of you who have been through this, can you relate? Anyway, without telling too many details, I will say that when we walked away, Steve was completely hopeful...and I was completely not. It took everything in me not to break down and sob right there in the office. The results we were given were completely NOT what we were expecting. So now we have to do some more tests (which means more referrals, more insurance approvals...MORE WAITING!) and hopefully within the next 3 or 4 months we will have answers. If the new tests don't give us any new information, the next step would be IVF. I don't think we would choose to go that direction, but we are praying about it, asking the Lord to help us be patient (especially me!), give us clear direction, and desiring to give Him glory in all of it along the way.

I've learned so much about myself through this journey and our marriage has definitely become stronger. So many friends and family members are praying for us, which gives so much comfort and peace. I've also recently read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, which has totally challenged me in so many areas of my life. I highly recommend it!

No matter how difficult my days are, at the end of each one when I hear my precious Claire pray, "Dear Jesus, please give me a baby sister," I am reminded that I've already been given such an amazing gift in her. I know there are so many couples out there who would give their right arm to have just one child, and I do. I thank the Lord every day for her and her sweet little life. If God's desire for us is to have just one, I want to find complete joy, thankfulness, and peace in that.

Thank you for your faithful prayers for us on this journey...

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Sunday, January 5, 2014

my word

Present Over Perfect Print

$20

Present Over Perfect Print

Present Over Perfect Print

$20

Present Over Perfect Print

Monday, April 30, 2012

Baby Journey

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