Sunday Selfies + Sunday 7

A couple little cuties hijacked my phone.... And took some precious photos. 

I just finished my Sunday 7. I need something to keep me on track. It seems that whenever someone asks me how I am, the first word that pops into my head is... BUSY. 

Every day has a to do list that is mega long. Most days I'm trying to play catch up from the days before... All the while the lists just keep growing.  

I'm sure we've all been there. Caught up in the every day chaos of the ordinary things that keep us busy. But there is something about this season that feels extraordinary. I don't know what it is... But I can feel it. I crave it. 

I've been luke warm in the ordinary for a long time. I feel a fire burning for the extraordinary. I feel the Holy Spirit working... So I will wait. And listen. And obey. 

And it's exciting. 

Sunday 7 + prep for a new week

Joel and the big girls spent the late afternoon at softball practice. Avin spent the same time napping. I actually got two hours of uninterrupted planning time. 

A little Michael Buble Pandora station playing quietly in the background and a fluffy black and white dog sitting on my feet.... And a jar full of washi tape, beautiful planners and pens in every color. 

My weekly goals.... A few seem a bit lofty but with a good plan it can all be done. 

I love the Sunday 7 introduced a couple years ago by one of my favorites... It helps keep all the small goals of the week up front and in my face. Its the small things that help make the big goals happen. This photo is what I put on my phone as the lock cover. Each week it changes a smidge. In my face is the best way to get my attention! (I'm always behind on getting back to people via email or text so please contact me again!)

Oh What a Feeling.

I guess it has been a while since I've posted. I honestly thought it had been just a day but my sister informed me tonight that it's been since Thursday.... Ooops. Sorry. Time flies when you're cramming in a month of to-dos in a weeks time. Hoofta!

At least I know I'm loved. By not spending any time on social media, I do need to make it a point to be here everyday to make sure that the people who want to keep up with the Spry's have a place to do that... (that and because I said I would and I'm working hard on sticking to my word like glue.)

Here is where we are at on the whole vehicle situation.

We sold our Pathfinder over a week ago and have been stuffing our 5 person family in a our little commuter car, Honda Civic. It's actually been pretty easy since Joel was gone all last week for work and had a rental. But today we had the weekly Costco trip and a trunk full of Scentsy deliveries. Talk about sardines.

We had looked at a 2007 Suburban that we found in town but after giving it a test drive and having it inspected, it just wasn't going to work for our family. I'm sure it'll find a good home.

Joel had found a 2008 Suburban on Craigslist in Billings, but it was actually a couple that lived in Cheyenne, WY. Quite a ways away from us. He called the posted number and ended up talking with the owner who was from Missoula and was actually going to be coming back here for Thanksgiving! HOLY MOLY... how perfect was that?!? We had seen photo and this baby was everything we were looking for in a used Suburban... low miles, white, bucket 2nd row, leather, entertainment, towing package (whatever that means really!) and navigation (Great for Scentsy delieveries and events).

So we had worked out a deal that when this family from Wyoming got here, we would test drive it and 90% sure we would buy it. (It has proven to be VERY difficult to find the exact vehicle we want!)

It all seemed like a God thing. Everything was falling into place perfectly.

But then I started having the yuckiest feeling in my stomach. It started on Friday... like a nervous feeling, knotted stomach that would come and go. I thought it had to do with something completely different and just couldn't figure out why I would feel that way.

All through yesterday that feeling kept coming back. This morning throughout church it came back and wouldn't go away. We went to lunch with some friends after church (waiting in town so we could test drive this Suburban) and as we were getting ready to order, Joel's phone rang and my gut wrenched hard. He stepped away not knowing who was calling.... I just kept hearing him say "Oh no!"... "Are you guys ok?"... "Is there anything you need?".... "I can't believe it!"

I knew it had to do with the vehicle. Instantly my stomach, gut wrench, yucky, uneasy feeling was gone. Like it had never happened.

He walked back to me and told me that as the couple was driving up to Missoula, the engine blew up on the Suburban that we were about to purchase and go on a 1600 mile road trip with.

As I was so thankful for finding out before we purchase, my heart still hurts for the young family who was now not able to be with their family for Thanksgiving.  That stinks.

But I love The Lord's timing. He is in control of ALL things. Always.

So... back to the drawing board. We think we might be choosing a different direction after searching tirelessly for what we need.... Please pray for wisdom that we would make a good decision. We have 2 days before our big trip.

Oh and don't forget about our Advent Calendar giveaway! I've been working, planning and thinking of which activities, recipes and crafts we're going to try.

Now I'm off work on my Sunday 7... time to get everything planned!

XO.
Jari

From Sunday to Monday.... and WINNER announced!

Joel and I spent a few hours on Friday and Saturday at a conference put on by the City Forum (a group of local churches who bring in speakers to spur Christ-centered missions)

The speaker, Hugh Whelchel (Executive Director of the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics), really spoke to our hearts on how Christians sometimes leave their faith at church and home and don't extend that into our jobs.

Whether you are a claims manager, stay-at-home-schooling mama, teacher, lawyer, dental assistant, mechanic, plumber, counselor, chef, coach, independent consultant, accountant, painter, photographer, cashier... whatever you do, you are placed in your workplace by God; for God's Kingdom.

Your work is important to God.

He wants to use you exactly where He has you. Hearing that really helped me.

I struggle with the feeling of inadequacy. I find that often I am comparing myself with others. I'm not good enough. Why can't I be more like that? Am I as good of a mom as her? Am I doing enough for my team and customers? She just planned ANOTHER date night with her man?!?

But when I let go of social media, I started comparing myself less. Almost to the point of no comparison and it's amazingly peaceful.

After hearing that I am exactly where He has me, I can be confident in myself. I can know that being at home with my girls is my biggest mission. Serving my family joyfully is my calling right now. Leading women to understand they can be successful through direct sales is another mission of mine. Knowing the truth that comparison is the thief of joy. It causes discontentment which is a sinful behavior.

I want to let all my readers, friends, family, customers, team members know that YOU ARE EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE MEANT TO BE. I want you to know that I am not perfect. I don't have it all together. So if you have ever compared yourself to me, I'm sorry.

Hugh said, "We won't have a meaningful life without work... but work must not be the meaning of your life." Our relationships with Christ and others is the meaning of our life. But what we do today, and HOW we do it EVERY DAY, matters eternally. We were made to work... and we will be working forever. It's not WHAT you do... but HOW you do it.

I encourage each one of you to go to work tomorrow - - whether at home or in an office - - and serve others with an eternal perspective. Serve joyfully.

I've realized that it's time to be responsible with what we've been so graciously given... and what we do with it.

NOW... ON TO THE WINNER of the PIONEER WOMAN HOLIDAY COOKBOOK!!!!

I used random.org to pick a winner. There were 28 comments.... and the WINNER IS......

Jesica RokohlNovember 7, 2013 at 4:37 PM

I LOVE LOVE LOVE to make homemade Blackend Chicken Alfredo! {My hubby loves it too :) } 

Jesica Rokohl, Houston, TX

Congrats Jesica! Please email me your address and I will get your goody sent your way!

How did you all like a giveaway?!? Pretty fun right? Be checking back because I love to give and am excited for more opportunities to gift some of my favorites to you!

Have a lovely Sunday evening... I'm off to work on my Sunday 7 and plan out our CRAZY busy week! It's time to get back on the planning game.... I haven't used my planner in 4 weeks! SCARY! (so unlike me... I think my mind was way overwhelmed to even think about compiling thoughts and appointments... now that I have more time and clarity, I think I'll be on time more :)

XO.
Jari

Random post about our Day.

I have felt behind for the past few weeks and today, Joel helped me whip out many projects!

We sorted a Scentsy order first thing this morning.

We went to church and loved the message.
(Ok truth be told, it was shouting directly to my heart. You see, this morning, neither Joel nor I were any different in the way Adam & Eve blamed each other for their wrong doing. Yep, we were pretty immature and definite sinners this morning. We made up :) <---- real life marriage right there!

We delivered MANY orders this afternoon.

We quick grabbed some paint from Lowe's (Wet Pavement and Thistle Seed) and supplies so I could start 2 big projects in our home. Alyn's bedroom makeover (she's been waiting since her birthday in March... quite patiently I must add) & the Main Floor Makeover.

Then we hit our favorite... Target! We snagged up a comforter for her bedroom for $9.98! OOOooo WEEEeee What a Bargain! A new lamp, pillows and more accessories and she'll be good to go by the end of the week.
Do you know about Target Cartwheel App?!?! It's awesome... just sayin'

We got home, Joel made lunch and I picked up the house and got all the painting supplies ready. After lunch Alyn and I knocked out the paint job in her room! (it only took 1 hour so now I feel extra bad that I put it off for so long.) She thanked me so many times. She even said "Awesome! Now it won't feel like I'm sleeping in a dorm." HA! What does she know about dorms?!?

I packed up another Scentsy party ('tis the season for lots of parties!), while Joel and Arly cut down the grasses and tore out the flowers around our landscaping. We've already gotten our first frost and more to come soon so it all had to go! Highs this week - - 52 degrees! Time for cornstalks and mums! Or maybe snowmen soon?

Joel has almost finished all of the laundry. He even made a menu for us this week. Then he made dinner. MAN, I love that guy!

Avin has been a bit miserable all day. I think she's teething again. Which teeth come next? She has her 4 top and 4 bottom already. I spent a lot of my free time today snugglin' her on the couch. I cannot get enough of those blue eyes.

I finalized my 31 party with my friend Mel (I love supporting direct sales and other entrepreneurs!) and now I'm just finishing up with the lesson planning for this school week.

This mama totally had a treat.... or two.

Now off to finish my Sunday Seven and cozy up in bed.... with said awesome husband.

Nighties.
XO.
Jari

Oh What a Week - Sharing Sunday 7!

A sweet friend has been a constant reminder to me about being intentional with my time. If you haven't been able to tell by now, I am a scatter brain, chaos up in the noggin', all the time gal! I've NEVER had a routine... NEVER had a system. I have always just kind of went with the flow of everything. And because I never had routine, we usually allowed other people or situations control our time. ALL the time. This was very hard on our little family as my attention was pulled in SO many directions. I would drag my girls in the car for hours during the day so I could meet up with people on THEIR schedules. This would mean that my sweet girls would be doing most of their schoolwork in the car, at Starbucks meeting with other customers or team members, or traveling to towns as far as 30 minutes each way just to deliver some products. I'm a people please... as are so many people I know... and it is exhausting and it wears by family out too.

I've learned over the past year or so - actually more like 6 months - well, ok, I'm still learning... that EVERYTHING I do, EVERYWHERE I go, needs to be INTENTIONALLY planned out.

This isn't easy for me to do. In fact, I have to work on it every day. I know that it sounds all fine and dandy - but how in the world do you get started planning EVERYTHING?!?! Let me share with you a few tools that have helped me make my plans and set my goals every week.

Let's start with - The Sunday 7! Allison is the genius behind this concept... you can read all about it here.

This has helped me prioritize the way I plan things out. It has also been a huge help in setting mini goals every week that will ultimately lead to my BIG goal! Whether it is calling a friend and building relationships to meal planning and date nights. Organizing the laundry room to planning field trips for the girls. I love the Sunday 7 and NEED the Sunday 7! Every Sunday night - yep tonight - I sit down and plan out the whole week. Wanna see something super cute too?!? Emmy at MAAY (planner girl) and Allison teamed up to make this lovely printout that matches the new planners! HOW FUN!

I LOVE my planner from MuchAdoAboutYou. These planners are fabulous! I've used these for 2 years now and just got my new 2014 one that starts in August. Last year I got the girls the student planners too - works PERFECTLY for home schooling. LikeMAAY facebook page to get up to date info on her release and cut off dates for the planners.

(no photo source)

I'm thankful that I have found something that works for me. I know it can be somewhat overwhelming to plan. And then to sit and look at Pinterest and starting planning on how you are going to plan. Don't make yourself dizzy and worn out. Just start somewhere. This has worked for me and I pray it will work for you too. Give it a try. What do you have to lose? Maybe a little organization in your life? Maybe some more time added to your week? Maybe an intentional date with your husband? Or your child?

Tell me, what do you do to stay intentional with your time? Will you give this a try?

PS. I'll post photos here tomorrow of my Sunday 7  this week when I can get a good photo without my big huge phone shadow :)

XO.

Jari