Day 31- Last day of "7" clothing challenge

Cheated on clothing again Friday, that makes 3 times of cheating this month (I did better last month, oh well) it was all for my kids though! It was Field Day at their school and the PTA had special different colored shirts made for the whole school. They made a beautiful rainbow picture. It was worth cheating for, we had a blast! =D

Am I happy the clothing challenge is over? Yes and no. It was so nice having my wardrobe simplified. It was extremely nice to not have to think long and hard about what I should wear before going places.  I still really need to downsize all of our closets.  We still have an excess of choices.  My family did not join me in the clothing experiment and boy, did they wear a LOT of different clothes this month!!! It seemed like a crazy amount to me when I was doing laundry, of course I did let the laundry pile up a bit, but still it was a bit overwhelming!  Sooo ready to clean out closets more than ever now and start giving away possessions to those who REALLY NEED them!  This next month may  just be my favorite one!

Eggstravaganza at church was fun today. So appreciative of all the hard work the church staff and the volunteers did to make it so wonderful for the kids.  My kids had 4 friends from their school join us at the event, they all seemed to have fun! :)

We are officially on Spring Break now and we are planning on making it a real break! So thankful to God for blessing me with my husband and my children. I love spending time with all of them together, creating family memories to last forever! As long as I take pictures, I should be able to remember!! ;)

Day 28, Month 2- French Horn?!!!

Yesterday we took our son to band tryouts at the middle school he will be attending next school year. (Yes I wore my peacock blue dress again)!  It's interesting to me how depriving myself of things makes me appreciate diversity and variety that much more, our lives would be boring without them! Our God the CREATOR of variety and diversity, is soooo AMAZING!!!!! I'm so thankful for His provision for me and my family! He is truly awesome!!!  Looking forward to wearing anything I want again starting April 1st! :)

So back to band...  We went to tryouts, and after Eli passed the music test, he was able to try many different instruments.  First we tried Percussions since that was first on his list, he did wonderful, I thought for sure that's what he would pick...but then we tried a few more. I thought if he didn't play percussions, then maybe Saxophone, which is one instrument I love!  My 11 year old son did not want to try it, because of it's funny sounding name, but I made him try it anyway. So after trying a few, my son chose the French Horn. The French Horn?!!! I was not expecting that! He is getting more excited for middle school now, I really hope and pray he likes it!

It was nice having my mom join us for dinner last night!. I love her and I'm so thankful for her!!

So after talking with my  wonderful Father-in-law about me planting a garden, he said right in front of my husband,  that "it would cost more money than what I will get out of it!", So...  I'm willing to shop at Farmers Markets for now, but I still want to plant fruit trees. Maybe even a small strawberry patch. We shall see...

Day 27 of Month 2- PTA

Sunday I cheated on "7" clothing again (gasp!) I wore my Kidz Praize t-shirt again along with all the Kidz Praize peeps. We served an outreach with our songs of praise and choreography at an assisted living elderly home.  I always love serving there, just the smiles and thank you's we get from the residents are soooo worth it! I love how our South Hills Church children bring them happiness :)

Yesterday was a cleaning and a little bit of Easter decorating kind of day...I'm surprised I decorated for Easter this early! So not like me! I usually wait for a day or two before, I'm working on being more on top of things though.

Had to cancel my scheduled PTA Nominating committee lunch today, due to their being only a couple of people willing to serve on the board next year...we need parents to step up! A few of us were talking and we're thinking parents just might not realize how much the PTA actually does for the families at school...we provide the family back to school breakfast, which is always well attended.  We help with Fall Festival, Pumpkins and Poems contest. We help provide for families who need Thanksgiving meals, Santa Shopping fun for kids, Nevada Reading week activities & books, Teacher Appreciation week of gifts and luncheon, Moms and Muffins, Dads and Donuts, Snow cone party's, field trips, skate nights, plus raise funds for wish list items for the classrooms & teachers etc.  The PTA supports the school in a big way!  What would the school do without PTA??? My son told me I had to be on PTA board again next year, I think at the time he forgot he would be a big 6th grader at a new school next year, but when he said it, I realized just how much it means to him that I serve and stay involved at their school. I do it for my kids, for my community and for my God.  May God be glorified in all that I do, for without Him I can't do one single thing.  Thankful for the life He breathes into me, may it be pleasing to Jesus always.

Day 24- weekend fun!

So I must have a lot of pride that God desires to change about me, because He keeps refining me, when I least expect it.  Refining hurts, but I'm truly ok with it, if it will change me to lean harder on Christ and become more and more like Him every day. I don't want to remain the same, and He is not letting me, so I can be thankful that my Father God is answering my prayers.   I left out details for a reason, some things I only share with my husband, so if you ask him and he decides to gossip about me and tell you, then I guess you'll know the details too! ;)  He won't though, he's a man of integrity I know I  can trust :)

Been having a great weekend so far, so glad for my peacock blue dress, it really is comfortable.  I wore it again today and my son asked me why I was so dressed up, he said I looked like I was ready to go meet the U.S. President; Apparently he didn't notice me wearing it last Friday, Tuesday, and again yesterday!  He's ALL boy alright.

Friday night was a great South Hills Church Womens Ice Cream Social, it was wonderful meeting new people and we stuffed 4700 eggs for our Easter Eggstravaganza coming up next Saturday. It should be awesome!  Praying for lots of new families to come join us!

Today my girl and I lived it up at Paradise Nail Bar getting pedicures and manicures, while our boys went to  watch the Monster Trucks.  It was splendiferus!! I want to own a massage chair now, It felt amazing!  I did learn I'm extremely ticklish when someone is  pumicing my feet though, and my legs are sensitive when rubbed with  a lot of pressure...ouch! Over all an unforgettable amazing experience.

We were happy to meet up with our family for dinner at Red Robin, then we went back to shopping for some really great deals! Ended night with Frozen Yogurt. Feeling so blessed to have a beautiful daughter that I can pour into, lavish with gifts and share a fabulous time with! Thank you LORD Jesus!!! :)

Day 23- Hunger Games

Got back a little while ago from a night out with good friends to see the midnight showing of Hunger Games.  Ummm, yeah, I didn't read the book so, Um yeah! THAT was a different movie!  I was thinking who was the crazy madman mastermind behind this story?! The movie was entertaining, kept my interest all two and a half hours of it.  Yes I would watch it again and maybe even read the books.  Made me really think about all the very young service men and women who have fought or are fighting now and giving up their young lives daily for our country. Offering up a prayer for each of them and I am so very thankful to them and their families for their many sacrifices for our freedom.

Day 21- Up late, so might as well blog :)

As I typed a smiley face in the title of my blog, I wondered, will there ever be better graphic options? Maybe there already is and I just don't know about them! I am kind of slow on technology, I mean I still have a regular Ipod, not a touch one. I don't own an Ipad or Kindle, and my computer is super old, I'm surprised it still works! Actually I'm not, it's because I've named it, just like my truck. I once heard from a good friend that if you name your items they will work better for you! As I was putting away my beautiful purple Ikea dishes tonight, I remembered how much I love stuff, and how much things actually do bring me joy. That sounds kind of sick doesn't it? It's true though! I like things, especially pretty things. I love teapots, hummingbird figurines, scented candles, picture frames, decorative crosses, oh and I just received a beautiful purple cross from my loving friend Molly, just because she loves me, the best reason for a gift! :) She's awesome! So putting away my dishes tonight got me thinking, If I love pretty stuff this much, those who don't have it would also love to have it too right? Do you think that's true? Do you think the beautiful little girls in Haiti, would love to have there very own pretty porcelain tea sets to play with? Or do you think it would be pointless? I actually think they would love to have one to play with! Much like the stickers we were handing out that they went crazy for and couldn't get enough of... I bet each of them would absolutely love to own their very own little tea set and I would love to sit down and have a tea party with them! That used to be one of mine and Belle's favorite things to do together, dress up and have a tea party, especially after her morning kindergarten, she would request that we have a tea party together for lunch... I really miss those days with my baby girl.

So how can it be done? Can it be done? Should it be done? I'm full of questions, I know. I know they still need fresh running water in Phaeton, Haiti, so worrying about how to get a tea set into the hands of each of the little girls just seems ridiculous in a way :( Is it though? Feeling like I want to do something...something bigger than what I'm doing now. Lord Jesus, please provide and help me to live with open hands all for Your glory.

Day 20 Month 2 of "7" Fast inspired by Jen Hatmaker

So it's now day 20 of wearing the same 7 pieces of clothing all month long... I still need to do laundry more often!  It's weird how when you iron a shirt you've already worn and haven't washed, the smell of deodarant gets stronger on it.  I'm bored with my jeans and t-shirts, so now any chance I get I will dress up in my turquoise peacock pattern dress that I chose as one of my 7.  It's so pretty and so comfortable it makes me want to buy more dresses like it!  Excessive much? Yes, I  admit, I am. 

Yesterday and today allergies have been getting the best of me.  Sore throats are never fun.   Too busy to stop though, so much to do and so little time. I did however spend a few hours in worship, prayer and study of God's Word yesterday...I was hungry and needed to feast at my Lord's banqueting table...and it was good. God is so good. I love that He will always meet us right where we are at.  Sometimes I wish I could remain there at His feet, in His presence forever... I'm holding onto His promises for eternity in Christ.

I might start blogging in the day...I just get too sleepy at night.  And we have changed our family nightly Bible reading and prayer routine to a more in depth one, which I am loving, yay! But it's almost impossible, for me to blog any earlier....well goodnight! My eyes are closing!

Day 17- St.Pat's Day and celebrating my husband!

Well I just had to cheat on my "7" articles of clothing today to wear my Kidz Praize tee and Leprechaun hat for the parade.  We had a great time. Things didn't go as well as planned with our music for it, but we learned something and will make it better for next time! :)  The kids ages K-5th grade were beyond patient, standing/sitting on the sidewalk waiting for 2 hours in the cold wind before we could begin walking in the parade.  A couple of tears from one of the younger ones but overall they all did amazing!!!  So very proud of them and really love working with God's precious children!  We passed out 2000 invitations to our church's Easter Eggstravaganza event coming up on March 31st 11-1. It will be so wonderful to see new faces attend South Hills as a result, and praying for God to do great things in the hearts and lives of all who earnestly seek Him!  www.southhills.tv/easter-eggstravaganza/

Today was such  a wonderful day with my family too. Celebrated my Honey's 40th bday a day early with a Calzone lunch, homemade popcorn, movie, chocolate cake and ice cream . So very blessed to have a husband who loves his Lord Jesus and desires to live for Him daily.  I couldn't ask for a better man and father of my children!  Life is full of ups and downs and unexpected twists and turns, heartaches and overwhelming joys.  And though he and I don't always agree on everything, we agree that we will love eachother no matter what and that our love and relationship is forever secured by a covenant with God that will never be broken.  Thank you Lord for my husband's life, a man of love, full of integrity, dignity, strength, wisdom and a confidence that only YOU can give.

Month 2 Day 14- God is keeping me humble

Everyday with God is so exciting. He is always revealing new things to me about myself and alot of it is not good....so why is that exciting to me?! It just really highlights more and more how amazingly awesome God is!  His grace is truly sufficient for me!!!! There is absolutely nothing I could do to earn my own righteousness, salvation or exaltation. Jesus has accomplished and completed the work on the cross for me and He said "It is finished" as the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, never to be put back up by any man or legalistic religious institution!  We are studying Galatians and I am loving our discussion times!  Galatians has to be one of my favorite books, and we are only through Chapter 1 verse 10 so far! There is liberty and freedom in Christ and if the Son has set you free, you are free indeed!!! God spoke to me a couple of times today through a friend who has been walking with Christ and has gone through the flames, I love gleaning from her experience, insight and wisdom.  Thank you Lord for Diana and for her heart that desires to serve you and all people too!

So one of the things I keep seeing about myself is I am one of the most excessive people I know!  And here is the worst part, I see myself changing a little, but only a little and I don't think or know if I can ever change completely.  In my mind I have a whole list of things I can give away, but I also have a list of a whole bunch of things I would like to buy...again Thank God for His grace through Jesus Christ my Lord!!! Without Jesus I could never be worthy enough to be a child of God.  ONLY through my LORD and SAVIOR is the impossible, POSSIBLE! To Him who sits on the Throne and unto the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and power forever!!!

Revelation 5:12-13 KJV

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Day 13-Piano Song

I don't think I ever mentioned that our Piano recital which was supposed to be last Saturday, was rescheduled due to a death in our teachers family. (so sad & praying for her!)  Well now it is supposed to be on May 5th and here is the good news. I completely have my song mastered. I am confident with it now, although I just know that if I have 300 eye balls staring at me, my mind is going to go blank & I'll forget how to play it! Happens everytime!  The thought just came to me, I need to go to the senior living places and practice playing it in front of them first, maybe that will help me and maybe they would like it too, especially if I take my sweet girl with me so she can play her song for them too! :) Sounds like a plan!  Another good thing about the recital being in May, I can wear any dress I want to wear, because I'll have more than 7 items to choose from!   And if I win the weight loss challenge with my friend with the prize being $50 to Kohls, I may even have a brand new dress to wear! ;)

Anyone else feel like March is flying by super fast??? Slow down March! There are so many things I need to accomplish before this month is over. I need a vacation just thinking about it all! Good night! 

Day12 Month 2 mutiny against excessive clothing!

I am soooo sleepy tonight so if I accidentally fall asleep in the middle of a sentence or if I start sounding as if I'm drunk or something, I'm really not, I promise! I'm just not used to this time change yet!! This morning getting up and ready for the day was brutal for me and kids. We just didn't want to, it felt too early! We love it staying lit up longer in the evening after school though. Felt like we were able to accomplish a lot more for some reason. I'm already looking forward to summer break, I'm worse than the kids I think!!!
This mutiny against excessive clothing is waaay easier than mutiny against excessive food! I really could get used to this simplified wardrobe idea! I remember the first time hearing about a simplified wardrobe, when I heard Devi Titus speak at a Womens Retreat weekend years ago. I thought her ideas were awesome, but back then I also thought they sounded so boring! Now I only wish I had learned to put her ideas into practice. I see now how simplified living in many areas means less stress!! Less time consuming & less spending which frees up more time and resources for serving and giving. Here are some great ideas I came across on simplifying a wardrobe. For some reason I can't get the links to work right, so if you want to check them out, you'll have to copy and paste it into your browser. (sorry)

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/09/simplifying-the-wardrobe-part-1.html

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/09/simplifying-your-wardrobe-part-2.html

I still need to clean out my closets! I got distracted today with PTA stuff, podcasts, cleaning, and then printing pictures for a frame I was given back in November. We had a fun family night, went on a little bike ride with kids after homework, then the kids pulled out games to play: scrabble, Eli beat me at Checkers (I've never liked that game anyway!! ;) Perfection, that game makes me jump! And "You Gotta Be Kidding Me Game", a fun game which is so gross it makes us laugh alot. Enjoying studying the book of John together before bed, we are in chapter 3. It amazes me how much the kids can remember sometimes. I love it! :)

Day 11 Month 2- Missing my cousin

A year ago today my sweet 28 year old cousin Vince went to be with Jesus. It definitely does not seem as if it's been that long although it has not been an easy year, especially for my aunt and uncle who lost their only son.  My heart still hurts for them and I wish so bad that Vincent was still alive on this earth.  God has given me complete peace and assurance through a few tangible and real signs that we will be united in Heaven for eternity.  It is soooo amazing how God works sometimes, even when you aren't expecting Him to.  The last communication I had with my cousin Vince, besides in a dream a few months ago that seemed so real, was on March 9, 2011 while he was in Jamaica, two days before he passed.  He was giving me advice on how to learn Spanish for my mission trip to Dominican Republic.  He had taught himself to be fluent in Spanish, Portugese, and Italian and even learned some Russian and Chinese. I had told him I wished he could come with me as I would need help in the language department!  Well due to grieving and life, I never did learn before the trip, but today I was reminded, it is something I REALLY need to do!!! With prayer and God's help, I can and will learn. I'm not sure about Creole which is spoken by the Haitians but I would love to learn that too!  I really need to get ready for my mission trip coming up in July, it will be here before I know it. I need to be diligent and wise with my time so I can accomplish what God has placed on my heart to do. Staying Kingdom minded and focused is not easy, but it can be done and is beyond rewarding in this life and will be in the one to come!

Church, life group and bunko made today busy but fabulous! Nothing like being around so many people who love Jesus and get excited about growing deeper in relationship with Him! God is using so many people to encourage me right now, and for that I am truly grateful!!! 

Sky on Fire in Cabo da Roca
Cabo da Roca, Portugal
taken Febrary 22,2011 by my cousin Vincent Alesi
I love you my cousin and will miss you and remember you always!
(R.I.P. Michael Vincent Alesi July 16, 1982 - March 11, 2011)

Day 10-Springing Forward

Springing forward tonight and I'm definitely ready for spring, in more ways than one! I love the warm weather, I love the heat of the sun.  I guess that's why I've always been pretty happy living in the desert. I do LOVE the ocean too though, so I'm sure I would be just as happy living someplace warm and tropical.

I can't wait for blooming flowers everywhere.  Spring is just a beautiful time of year, I love the newness and freshness of it all!  Reminds me of a new start,  a new beginning, a born again experience with Jesus. Nothing compares to it, and I'm praying for it by name, for a few people that God has placed on my heart and that I love.

It was a nice couple of days break from blogging, I was just too emotionally drained.  God is working though! I see Him orchestrating in different ways, and I'm excited to see how He will use certain things to bring about changes in the lives of my loved ones!

About the "7-experiment", I changed my mind on a dress and traded it in for another pair of jeans instead. It was a fair trade, I hadn't worn my dress yet! I feel like I should have another shirt.....or do laundry more often. Oh well my honey still loves me! ;)

Yesterday and today were both wonderful family days: frozen yogurt, hiking, pizza, mani's & pedi's with my Belle, my sis and my niece, rebels game ( wish they would have won!), bike riding, fun at the lake etc.  Wishing everyday could be a family play day!! I LOVE my family!

Speaking of family, tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of my cousin Vincent's death.  I will be praying for my Aunt and Uncle especially. I loved my cousin and wish everyday that he was still alive.  We will be joining together at Sunset wherever we are in remembrance of Vince <3

Day 7-Praying friends are the best kind to have!

A great Galatians Bible study this morning with good discussion! Loved it! :)

Still mad at satan for attacking my family, but trusting that God will come through and use it all for His glory someday.  He is already giving me peace, and talking it out with friends is really helping too. Praying friends are the best kind to have!  One of my praying friends sent this message today which was much needed and very appreciated: 

"Was just praying and I got an image of an African lion pacing in front of an acacia hedge of protection with your family on the inside. Safe and sound. Isn't it funny how the enemy is seen like a lion prowling looking to steal kill and destroy. And yet God is also portrayed as a lion. The lion of Judah the great one. He is our fortress and our refuge."

I choose to trust in the Lion of Judah!

Posted on fb today by our Worship Pastor, was a great truth that really spoke to me today :

"Recognize that with great blessing comes even greater responsibility. The devil hates that God is blessing you, so he's gonna do his best to ruin it. Stay strong."

Also I must say our lead pastor is awesome and has a great heart! So truly thankful for him and his family.

I can't believe I've only worn the same pair of jeans since last Thursday.  I have washed them, but it's amazing how much laundry I don't have. I'm liking this! It is cold out so I'm missing my jacket, but it's amazing how not having one makes me think about and pray for those who don't even own one, but need one. Still need to go through our closets!! Just not enough hours in a day sometimes.

Day 6- not really blogging

I'm blogging to say I'm not really blogging tonight.  I lived on chocolate and praying today.  I think I was in need of both!  Looking forward to starting Galatians Bible study tomorrow, it should be good! :)

Day 5-Month 2 Under attack

You know how sometimes bad things happen and you think, maybe this an attack by satan.  And then there are other times when bad things happen and you are 100% sure satan is attacking. Well we are in one of those 100% sure times.  I will not fear though! I am fully going to take this trial to my Lord and trust that God will work everything out according to His will for our good.  We are bathing this in prayer and I'm sorry to be so vague, but it's personal and not meant for sharing with everyone. I will however be sharing with those whom I trust with sensitive information and whom I know will join my family in prayer. 

On another topic, I feel physically great tonight. I guess fasting is what my body likes most! :-/

Had a wonderful walk and talk with my friend from God this morning, thankful for a friend that I can share anything and everything with.

I haven't worn 3 of my 7 clothes yet, I was told it's ok to change my mind on them as long as I haven't worn them yet, and in light of the warmer weather conditions, I just may do that.

Meditating on these verses tonight:

Ephesians 6:11-20 KJV

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Day 4- Learning

Um, yeah...learning I should have done some research before ending my  food fast. It is not going well. Second day of feeling absolutely miserable after eating. Wishing I could go back in time and make wiser choices. I promise I'm not over eating!  Definitely will be fasting all day tomorrow! Right now I'm starting to hate food. You would too if your whole stomach and back were feeling the way mine is:(

Overall a fabulous day: Kidz Praize practice, Church,  Fazoli's lunch with family, Then a stop to window shop for baby puppies, the Lorax movie,  the park and Coldstone  for only the small "like it" size.

Falling asleep, so good night all! Hoping tomorrows fast will bring God's great things for myself and for others :)

Day 3- Yuck

Yuck!...That about sums up the way my tummy feels right now. I guess I should NOT have had the delicious Hawaiian Cheeseburger in Zion today!!! I think I may have shocked my system, thinking of going back to my "7 foods fast"!!! :-/

It was so great to enjoy girl time, chatting, laughing, munching yummy food, painting nails and enjoying the awesome beauty of Zion with sisters in Christ to plan out details for our womens church retreat there in April. I'm extremely excited for what God has in store for all of us!

Spent a joyful and hilarious time with my kids tonight playing Eli' s version of Hangman called "Shark Tank Hangman"  We make the worried  man hang over a ferocious looking shark, sometimes the shark eats the mans shoe when he is getting close to falling in. Eli and Belle were laughing  so hard! I just love being with mysweethearts! <3

Need to catch up on sleep now. I'm a little sleep deprived. Goodnight!  :-)

Day 2 of Month 2- Zion with 4 fabulous ladies!

Had the easiest time packing for my trip to Zion today, already knew what I was  going to wear! My only pair of jeans for the month, my long sleeve shirt & a t-shirt.... NO Jacket or gloves! And there is snow on the ground up here!!! Good thing I brought my favorite blanket!
Nice not to even think about coordinating jewelry or shoes with my outfits :)

Looking forward to the morning and the beautiful scenery that awaits my eyes!

Having a wonderful time, God is good!

Day 1 of Month 2- An experimental mutiny against excessive clothing

Today started out busy from the moment my feet hit the floor. After getting ready for my walk, I mixed up some chocolate chip banana bread and baked it. Then helped Belle find a red bow tie so she could complete her Doctor Seuss look for Nevada Reading Week at school. (can't believe I didn't take a picture!) Took the kids to school then I was off to a wonderful walk and talk with my beautiful friend Jennifer. I've missed her, it's been a long time since we've been able to walk together. I did miss my friend Shannon today, but she'll join us again next week, and I'm looking forward to it! :) Immediately after my walk I took my banana bread and went to join in on a brunch feast with the 7 other ladies who are doing "7". They are all a fabulous group of ladies who love Jesus and desire to show that love to Him by serving, helping and meeting the needs of others. I'm honored to be a part of this experiment with them and praying we all are striving to bring Glory to God through it all!

I definitely used self-control this morning at brunch. I picked the smallest home made cinnamon roll and cut it in half, then took a small piece of delicious Quiche, I could have had more of that! Yum! And a small piece of a french toast bake made with peaches, it was all sooo good! I enjoyed every bite. I stuck to my water though and will continue to do that, no sugary unnecessary drinks for me. Later on in the day I had two small slices of Banana Bread, and that's all I ate today. Lot's of sugary choices, but very small portions and definitely didn't over eat. Tomorrow I will eat healthier, today started a weight loss month long challenge with a friend and I think I said before, I am determined to win! It's game on my friend! ;)

At brunch we wrote down the 7 articles of clothes/shoes we would be wearing this month...good accountability to do it that way, so we can practice integrity and no one is tempted to cheat. Two of the ladies presented each of us with a nice 7 t-shirt they made for us to wear... I love it. My daughter has been wanting to do 7 with me, and I told her of course she can, after seeing my shirt she really wants to do it with me now! I told her we can start by going through all of her clothes to give some away :)

Practiced piano for a while before going to play for my teacher. She says I've got my recital song down...we'll see how that goes! I lack confidence in myself with it. Ran a few GS cookie errands after picking up kids from school then I was finally back home for the night...this week has been non-stop running around: Clothes shopping on Monday, meeting and grocery shopping on Tuesday, Bible Study, Rescue Mission and Belle's Piano on Wednesday sometimes it's just nice to be home.

Well the 7 articles of clothes I picked are:
1 pair of dark blue jeans- gotta have jeans!
1 Go Ministries T-shirt, that will help me to remember to pray for the Dominican Republic and Haiti ministry often!!
1 fitted long black t-shirt ( it is windy and freezing outside right now! But as March goes along if it gets too hot, I will be cutting my sleeves and hemming them to make it a short sleeve)
1 Tank Style long stretchy rayon peacock blue dress
1 Tank style long black and white cotton dress
1 long sleeve black thin cardigan shirt to wear over my tank dresses.
1 pair of black sandals/ 1 pair of tennis shoes (so glad 2 pairs of shoes count as only 1 article)

Now I have to be truthful here, our "7" 3/4 sleeve t-shirt is a freebie, but has rules with it. And we can have 1 work out outfit that is also a freebie, but again has rules. So that's it! My personal laundry is not going to add up to a lot at all this month!!! woo-hoo! Now if I can get all my family to do this with me! Imagine the time we would save not picking out our clothes every day, or washing loads and loads of laundry! ;) Anxious for what God will do this month as I "fast" clothing..."speak to me Lord, for your child is here, waiting on YOU"!

I know I'm long winded right now, but one more thing I need to say, God came through for me tonight through my husband's cousin Ann, who is also my cousin and fb friend. She of course had no idea of the thoughts, and emotions I was feeling at the time, all I can say is they were not good. I was pretty down and hurt, but her encouraging words were just what I needed at just the right time. And after talking to my husband about all of it, he too said things to me that just re-confirmed what I already knew in my heart to be true. God You are so faithful! Thank you for loving me and for always being there for me and for using others to speak into my life. I do know You will never leave me or forsake me. You have been there for me my whole life. You are my constant in this life, though the world and people can let me down, You never will. You remain the same and I have my identity in You alone.