Day 17

Write about 3 things that make you happy.

Coffee. It makes my day, literally. I'd drink it all day but I need to get sleep at some point. One morning, I told my kids they couldn't bug me until I had finished one cup of coffee. While they were coloring at the table, I overheard Teagan say, "Mommy's coffee is kind of like a time-out for adults." A 4 year old totally gets it!!

Creating. I love when I am feeling creative. Whether it is sewing, embroidery, making cards, craft projects with the girls - it makes me happy to see something hand made. I love the blog-world and how people can show off all their projects!

Cooking. I cook to show people I love them. I find it relaxing (most of the time!) and often, therapeutic. I love that food is a center-piece for almost every event at our house. I want to go to culinary school - not for the grades or to prove anything. Just to go and learn and be there, cooking.

Day 16

Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.

Dear Zoe, Teagan and Harper -

Don't ever stop being YOU! You are each unique, smart, funny, and beautiful. You are beautiful when you are playing together; when you are playing fair; when you are being respectful and loving. You are beautiful when you stand up for yourself and when you forgive someone who hurts you. You are beautiful when you show others grace. You are beautiful when you smile. You are beautiful when you laugh. You are beautiful forever and always.
Teagan, you are beautiful when you are laughing so hard your eyes disappear. You are beautiful when you are doing things the way YOU want to do them. You are beautiful when you let your big sister be in charge. You are beautiful when you take risks and try new things.

Zoe, you are beautiful when you just KNOW you are right! You are beautiful when you learn something new and are excited. You are beautiful when you treat others with kindness and love. You are beautiful when you are being helpful.

Harper, you are beautiful when you laugh at everything I do - that will change someday! You are beautiful when you follow and copy everything your big sisters do. You are beautiful when you try and pout your way into getting what you want!

I want to you grow up knowing I love you forever and always and no matter what. You are beautiful and it has nothing to do with what you look like.

I love you - Mom

Day 14 and 15

Day 14: Style 31. Post an outfit picture.



So, this is what you get. Taking a picture of myself, or even just what I was wearing, was difficult! I tried getting Zoe to take one but she kept goofing around, so I had to figure it out!

As far as the outfit goes, I wear jeans a lot. So, instead of always just a t-shirt of sweatshirt, I try to dress it up. Today is a smocked collar, 3/4 sleeve shirt with a scarf. I love scarves - they go with everything and on windy, blustery days like today, are so nice and cozy. My Dansko mary-janes and Smartwool socks are keeping my feet nice and toasty too!

Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.

Dear Becky -

You are my sister-in-law but you were my friend first. Before boys, drama, life, babies, jobs - you were a friend. I was always drawn to you fun-loving spirit and miss the days of working out, shopping and just being women with no worries.

I have so loved watching you as you have moved into your role of mommy. You have your hands full with 3 babies 4 years and under! I think you are doing an amazing job and I pray for you regularly - your sanity, peace of mind, health, spirit and well-being. Your job is an important one, but remember to take care of yourself as well. My mom used to always say, jokingly, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" and there is a real truth to that! Do what makes you happy; be what makes you happy!

Be Beautiful, my friend!

Day 13

Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.

I want to live in the present. I think I spend way too much time thinking/planning/worrying about what's going to happen tomorrow, this weekend, next week, next month. I want to enjoy each day for what it is - a new chance for experiences, memories and ways to teach AND learn from my children. I can't ever get this day back, so why am I busy thinking about the next?

Day 12

Write about what wears you out as a woman.

Me.

I wear myself out. I expect a lot of myself and my to-do list is a mile long. All the time. With things on it that I'll probably never get done, but like to think I will.

I wear a lot of hats (what women doesn't) - wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend, chef, doctor, counselor, taxi driver, story-teller, house-keeper, personal shopper and bookstore employee (very part-time!). And I want to do every one of those jobs perfectly. But that is impossible. And I know that, but I still try and that wears me out. And it comes back to this, I just need to let it go. I need to continue to strive to do great things but I don't have to be perfect, I never will be.

Day 11

Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).

Totally planned on making this and taking pictures today, but, it didn't happen!! Oh well! It is super easy and I think you should go make some. Right now. I would, except everyone is in bed and I'd end up eating it all by myself.

Melissa's Caramel Popcorn

Pop popcorn (3 bags of microwave popcorn) and put into a clean, brown paper bag (I know, seems strange, but it totally works! and it makes for easy clean-up.)

1/4c. Karo Syrup
1/2c. Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 cube butter

Put above ingredients in microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes on high. Remove and stir well and blended. Return to microwave and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove and add 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda and 1 tsp. Vanilla.

Mix caramel into bag of popcorn. Stir well with long-handled wooden spoon. Caramel is really hot! Close paper bag and microwave for 30 seconds. Pour into large bowl or cookie sheet and let cool 30 minutes. Enjoy!!

**I like lots of caramel and sometimes make 1.5x the caramel - super yummy!**



Day 10

What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)

Wow - I missed a few days - I have been out of town for my nephew's 4th birthday. It was CRAZY fun - for a kids party!! He was so excited and I was so glad we could be there. That being said, I'm just picking up where I left off and letting a day go. Which is a great lead-in to what I being taught - letting go.

I'm an A-type, overachiever that feels like I have to do it all, all the time. I expect the best from myself and my family and have a hard time letting go if things don't go how I think they should. I am a planner and I want my plan to be THE plan (most of the time!!)

I found myself unemployed for virtually the first time in my adult life in April 2009 (NOT part of my plan!!) and since then, I've found myself doing a lot of letting go - job, finances, stress, health, worry, fear, children, family. And giving it to God. I can't control everything and I'm learning that I really don't want to. When I had to let go of one area (my job, being home full-time), it opened my eyes to really see what God's plan is for my life. And I'm able to let go of other things I've been trying to control.

Through it all, I keep hearing the whisper of "I am here. I am with you. Let. It. Go."