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Living life on purpose.

Living Inspired

Six small things we can do daily to stay inspired, motivated, and make lasting change

Ah, the first days of a new year! The gyms are full, the diets are anew, and ambition is oozing from our pores. It’s funny how almost every human gets excited about a new year, but so few people actually make any adjustments in their everyday lives to initiate change before the next NYE. Jim Rohn said it best: “If you’re not happy where you are, MOVE. You’re not a TREE!”

I’ve mulled this over more times than I can count over the past few weeks. The fact is that in order for any of us to really incite change, we have to be inspired. Life tends to get in the way of even the best of intentions, doesn’t it? If we aren’t inspired about each month of the year, each day of the week, and each minute of the day, the centrifugal force of our day in and day out inevitably holds us back from any chance of making a change. After all, it’s the little things that add up to actual, lasting change in our lives (Slight Edge, anyone?).

I keep myself inspired each day in really small, simple ways: listening, reading, and learning. I have an insatiable desire to know better and to do better. I joke that I have to listen to these things, read these things, and learn these things over and over again because I’m just that dense. Maybe it’s not really a joke, after all! It’s in these small, consistent things that I’m reminded of who I am, who I want to be, and where I’m going. As a child of God, a wife, a mom, and a woman, it’s important to stay focused and inspired in these areas.

Staying in the Word

Waking up early to read and study a chapter in the Bible is the key to keeping my head on straight. No matter how much I’m tempted to catch up on work or sleep in those gloriously silent morning hours, when I discipline myself to do this daily I’m at my best. To see what that looks like for me, here’s my morning Bible reading and prayer journaling routine. (But seriously, if I could freeze time, you’d find me in those gloriously silent morning hours when I’m the only one awake and the house is quiet, calm, and clean. Namaste.)

Reading

It’s true, I’m always chatting about the latest non-fiction book I’m reading, but hear me when I say: this is a huge part of what keeps me inspired! I’ve become a sucker for audiobooks lately because #workingmomlife and such, but those are still books, so I think I can still maintain book nerd status. I’ve found I can ingest them so much faster and so much more frequently when I’m listening and not having to stop and read actual words. (To be clear: Reading actual words are my favorite thing ever. In my office, of course: the bathtub.) If you haven’t read my post on my absolute favorite, most life-changing books, hop on over to this post asap! I’ve updated it with my newest favorite book I read in 2018 and added links for the audiobooks.

YouTube

It’s YouTube’s world, and we’re just living in it. Play it on your phone, your computer, or your TV. If you’re in need of some inspiration, open up YouTube and the world is your oyster. Just type a word like inspiration, motivation, happiness, etc, and you’ll be presented with a million different brilliant minds that will mess you up (in a good way). My favorite? Search for Jim Rohn. Whatever comes up by him – listen to it! I adore him and every single bit of his wisdom. I wish he had lived on forever. The good news is that his teaching does, and we can all still learn from it. He’ll dish out a hearty dose of reality and make sure you walk away feeling motivated and totally capable of accomplishing whatever you set your mind to.

Podcasts

Have you jumped on the podcast bandwagon? From murder mysteries to financial guidance, there’s sure to be a podcast you’re dying to hear. I listen to several. Just type in whatever topic you’re hoping to find and a plethora of choices will come up.

Before I get sidetracked and start talking about my Up and Vanished obsession, I want to share with you the most inspiring podcasts I’ve been listening to.

Rachel Hollis hosts Rise and Rise Together (the latter is done with her husband on the topics of relationship and marriage). This girl was born with a fire inside her that just can’t be put out. She makes me think maybe I can go for it, too! Here’s the best part – she’s all about giving actionable steps. She doesn’t just spit out a pearl of elusive wisdom and send you on your way. Nope, you’ll know what to do.

Another one of my favorites is The Crystal Paine Show. Crystal is known as the Money Saving Mom on IG and Facebook. She inspires and encourages women to be the best we can be, to be content with what we’ve got, and to save money every chance we get. She’s a total girl-next-door who feels like a friend. She also has some pretty rad book recommendations. I adore following her on social media and on her podcast!

Instagram

Use Instagram wisely! IG can be a place of inspiration or just a massive comparison trap that brings you down. What accounts do you follow that genuinely make you smile, inspire you, or make you want to be a better version of yourself? Follow those. Unfollow the rest.

Here are just a few of my favorite, inspiring accounts:

The Sister Studio. Jennifer Reed is my friend IRL. I adore her perfectly imperfect self. She is my go-to for achievable, affordable fashion suited for every body! I also love her easy-peasy hair and makeup tutorials and her fun, oh-so relatable stories.

Cotton Stem. Erin is NOT my friend IRL, but I feel like she is. She’s a totes profesh interior decorator, so her home is #goals, but she doesn’t make me feel like a failure because my home doesn’t look quite so perfect. Don’t be surprised if she shares in her stories the mess surrounding the square of perfection when she posts it. Her favorite phrase is, “You do you, man!” I admire how intentional she is with her family. She inspires me to be a better mom, wife, and yeah…decorator, too.

Rachel Mitchell. @racheljmitchell is a sweet soul I met on IG. She’s a fitness gal with a soul on fire for the Lord! She cares about working out her mind and spirit even more than working out her body (which she cares about a lot). She reminds me that I can be who I want to be, do what I need to do, and that God’s grace is written all over the pages of my life. Here’s the kicker: she’s still my friend even though I have never once joined one of her workout initiatives. She’s the real deal, yo.

Music

Pump up the jams, people! Did you know music is clinically proven to improve mood and increase endorphins? I love praise and worship music and that’s usually my go-to. However, when I feel like gettin’ jiggy with it, I tell Alexa to play Top 40. Let’s just say I can be found shaking my booty in my kitchen and/or singing at the top of my lungs on a regular basis. Just ask my family.

Be intentional. Stay inspired. Make a lasting change this year!

From Toddlers to Teens | A Gift Guide for BOYS

If you’re a boy mom looking for inspiration, a grandma or grandpa hoping for top-notch gift ideas for boys, or you’re an aunt or uncle hoping to put a smile on your nephews’ faces, this wide-ranging gift guide for boys will give you some nifty ideas on what to buy for the kids on Team Blue. And…drum roll, please…they’re ALL UNDER $40! (There’s even a winning $1 find!) I’ve linked *almost* every single gift through Amazon Prime (Free 2-day shipping? Can I get a what what?). There were a couple items that I could only find elsewhere, so I linked those, as well. 

A tried and true boy mom x 3, I try to be really intentional about what I give my guys. I’m totally against meaningless gifts just for the sake of throwing something under the tree. I want to make sure what I buy is going to be used and appreciated. All my boys’ birthdays (including the one I’m married to) are from mid-November through December, and then there’s this little holiday called Christmas, so I have to be hardcore prepared for this season (also…can I borrow twenty bucks?). I start making a list of gift ideas in the notes on my phone about halfway through the year for each of them. This is not only for me and Santa, but it helps me be well-prepared to fork over ideas to grandparents and aunts and uncles, too. I’ve also included ideas on experiences to buy for and do with each age group. Experience gifts are my favorite! They leave nothing to clutter the closets, and the memories last a lifetime! Here’s what I’ve come up with this year.

Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys

When food and sports are the only two things he really cares about, you’ve gotta get your thinking cap on!

A cool new phone case. There is an unlimited number of phone cases to choose from, but perhaps one in his favorite color or with his favorite team logo would be much appreciated.

Sports posters. My boys have their walls covered with posters and pictures of their favorite football, basketball, and baseball players. I find the best selection and prices for these on eBay, but if you’re an Amazon-only shopper, here’s a start.

A Football or Basketball. My kids have several of each and still want more! Bonus points if the ball reps their favorite team or player!

Fan gear: Score a hat, jersey, or t-shirt repping their favorite team or player, and your gift will be a touchdown. Here are some ideas: Lebron Fans | Steph Curry Fans | Dallas Cowboys Fans | Dallas Mavericks Fans | Texas Rangers Fans 

iTunes gift card. My oldest uses iTunes for buying new apps and in-app purchases (that I refuse to fork over money for)! The link is to Apple, but you can find them in just about any grocery store!

Big Life Journal | Teen Edition. I saw this for the first time this year, and I’m so excited to have found it. It’s a book/journal to encourage and guide teens in dreaming, goal setting, resilience, gratitude, and positivity. YES, PLEASE! (Here’s one for the younger kids!)

Bluetooth headphones. Whether on the computer, watching TV, playing video games, listening to music, or just playing around on their phone or iPad, these will certainly come in handy.

Magnetic Dart Board. Hang it in their room, the game room, or the garage. This is a safe and fun activity for the whole family!

Experiences: Take him to an escape room, to the gun range, to watch drag races, a semi-pro or college football game, to the driving range or play 9 holes of golf, Top Golf, or Six Flags.

Gifts for Grade-School Boys

High-energy, built for fun, and can’t sit still for long, elementary boys aren’t too hard to buy for. These gift ideas will put some major points on the board for you.

Dude Perfect merchandise. If you don’t know who Dude Perfect is, do you even know what YouTube is? Okay, maybe it’s just a boy mom thing, but they’re a group of awesome dudes who do amazing trick shots and make pointless world records on YouTube (and CMT and Nickelodeon). They’re making their way toward world domination, and even I enjoy their antics. My boys idolize them and, you guessed it, they’ve got merch! Think games, balls, Nerf products, t-shirts, and hoodies.

Sports Books. I’ve linked some generic sports books for kids, and you could also search their favorite player or sport and “books for kids.” My boys love these!

Magic kit. “Mom, watch this!” This age is all about showing off, and there’s no better way for your elementary age boy to impress a crowd than by performing some amazing magic tricks!

Baseball/Football/Basketball cards. All the boys I know love these! If you’re feeling really generous, buy them a binder and card pages to hold them in.

Nerf Guns. No explanation necessary.

A Bible. If he doesn’t already have his own copy of The Good Book, it’s time! There are a lot of wonderful versions out there made just for boys! Here’s the one my son has and loves.

Over-the-Door Indoor Basketball Goal. My kids have used this almost every single day since receiving it for Christmas last year. When it’s too hot, too cold, or too wet outside, this is what they’re up to. Plus, they can do some pretty rad dunks when the goal is only as high as the top of the door.

Experiences: Take him to a trampoline park, the movies, to the park and out for ice cream, to an arcade, bowling, ice skating, roller skating, a horseback riding lesson, or out for cocoa and Christmas lights.

Gifts for Toddler and Preschool Boys

My 3-year-old is a ball of insane energy and wildfire. Anything that captures his attention and gets him involved in anything other than writing on the walls, destroying my bathroom cabinets, or hiding in the pantry sneaking food is a welcome treasure.

Push fire truck. My little one received this one by American Plastic Toys Inc. on his second birthday and he has played with it every day since (we just celebrated his third birthday)! He pushes it all around the house and sometimes we even take it outside. It’s big enough that he and his 7-year-old brother can push each other around on it.

Play-doh. Until recently, we haven’t had Play-doh in our house. I got it for my little guy to keep him distracted while I work on homework with the big boys. Let me tell you: it works. He wants to play with it all the time! It’s also something that I don’t mind doing with him. We talk about shapes, colors, letters, and I’m even going to get him some dinosaur cookie cutters to play with, too!

Dinosaurs. At this very moment, I have a 3-year-old son and two nephews that are also three. These. Boys. Love. Dinosaurs. They love dinosaur toys, books about dinosaurs (THESE are our favorite!), movies about dinosaurs, dinosaur jammies, dinosaur stickers…need I go on? Now, lean in closely, because this information is pure gold. Dollar General and Dollar Tree have toy dinosaurs right now for ONE DOLLAR each. My little one can’t get enough of them. Of all the more expensive, larger dinosaurs he has, he reaches for these time and time again. He takes them in the car, to the bath, he even sleeps with his favorite one. His obsession is real. I think it’s because they’re a flexible plastic (full of air) and they are the perfect fit for their precious little hands. My son has them all. You could go in and spend $4-5 at the dollar store and make a toddler’s life. If you don’t have a Dollar General or Dollar Tree near you (or you just don’t want to actually walk in a store – I’m not judging), here’s an Amazon option.

Glow in the Dark Moon and Stars. Kiddos LOVE looking up at the moon and stars…especially when they’re in their own room. Anything that makes bedtime something to look forward to is a gift that keeps on giving.

Spider-Man Suit. These little guys are more than happy to suit up and save the day! If your little guy is a bigger fan of Hulk or anyone else, go that route.

Sit n Spin. This will definitely be on Santa’s sleigh this year. My guy played with this at his cousin’s house and loved it! (This is a Target link because the same one on Amazon isn’t currently available. Red Card, anyone? Whether you have a Red Card or not, they’re offering FREE SHIPPING this season!)

Experiences: Take the little one to the zoo, a day at the park and out for ice cream, the movies, a children’s museum, or to a special local event or exhibit. (Jurassic Quest is coming to Dallas in January, and you better believe those tickets will be under the tree this year! Check for it in your area!)

I hope you’ve found this gift guide helpful in making some inexpensive, last-minute purchases for Christmas. This year, let’s let go of the undue pressure we place upon ourselves, shall we? Our kids have so much and don’t likely need much more. A few intentional gifts go a long way. Overwhelm is the thief of contentment, so let’s set ourselves (and our kids) up for success by keeping it low key, giving reasonable expectations, and enjoying the gift of TIME together more than anything else. It’s also a great idea to find a way to give back over the holidays and involve your children in the process! Volunteer in your community, perform some random acts of kindness, or buy gifts for a family less fortunate. Merry Christmas! 

But What If I Don’t Care Who You’re Voting For?

But What If I Don’t Care Who You’re Voting For?

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t care who you’re voting for. I didn’t ask and probably don’t want to know. If we’ve been friends, family, or colleagues all this time without awareness of having or lacking strong political ties to one another, which bubbles you fill in in the privacy of your voting booth really don’t concern me.

I miss the days of old when it was a societal faux pas to talk about who you were voting for. It used to be that the boldest political statement most would make was putting a small sign in the grass of their front yard.

Don’t get me wrong – I have strong political opinions of my own. I genuinely care who wins each election. There are issues that weigh heavily on my heart. Because of that, I find out where candidates stand on said issues, head to the polling place, wait in line, and cast my vote. I make sure my voice is heard in the only way that really matters: by my vote. (Read: Not on Facebook.)

I know I’m not alone when I say I’ve become so incredibly disenchanted with the barrage of political banter on social media and news outlets. I find myself in awe again and again at how polarizing it all can be. You can’t even consider opening Facebook during an election season unless you’re willing to have mud slung on you, no matter which side of the fence you’re on.

I read through the articles, blogs, and posts on social media with tension in my soul. I intentionally remind myself that I thrive on her sense of humor/I adore his family/I survive thanks to her encouraging views on parenthood/I glean wisdom from his teaching every other day of the year. I understand that we have one million things in common yet we somehow have starkly opposing points of view.

Here’s the deal. If I’ve learned one thing from resolutely oppositional people standing on their social media soapboxes, it’s this: People that I care about, respect, and even really like, cross partisan lines, and I think that’s okay (cue the gasp…NOW).

So what’s the problem with a bold, unapologetic, political tirade online? There’s someone on the opposite end of the spectrum who is, indeed, not an idiot like you might be suggesting. There’s someone who has every bit as much education as you (maybe more) who has come to another conclusion. There’s someone with far more life experience than you who has an opposing opinion. There’s someone with the same religious affiliation who takes a totally different stance on the same issues. There are respected professionals in your field who, based on their life experiences, have fallen on the opposite side of the political spectrum.

There are moms and dads, teachers and preachers, doctors and lawyers, racially same and racially different who vote the same as you and who vote differently than you. There are really good people on both sides. No one has the right to degrade certain groups of people based on politics any more than they do on the base of religion, race, or gender. I fully respect the fact that there are differing points of view on just about everything. I respect the fact that we’ve walked different roads (even if ever so slightly) and that our experiences have led us to take a stand on different sides of the line. I respect your right to vote however you feel led.

So, dear friends, let your voices be heard at the polls. Participate in fundraisers, take action on issues that are near and dear to your heart. Do things that matter. Speak in a way people will listen, not draw their proverbial swords. 

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