Ready. Set. Go.

As we went to bed Friday night, I consciously knew that the weekend would be busy, that laundry needed to be done, and of course unpacking...etc. What I subconsciously knew was that I would not really feel like doing any of those activities. With the preparations for Christmas in general & simultaneously getting ready to be gone for week, and now being back and getting back into the rhythm of daily life, I feel like there is always something that needs to be done. We are usually really busy, ministering to 2 different church communities takes up a lot of {unconventional} time. We are working most weekends and many week nights and while that means that we might not get into the office at the traditional start of a work day, that also means that projects or household things other families accomplish on weekends don't always fit in that same spot for us. 

So. My solution, which is in no way profound, has been trying hard to (1) Pick 1 or 2 us/home things to do at a time and (2) to not let time deter my progress. Maybe I don't have a solid block of time to wash, dry, fold, AND put-away laundry, but I just get as far as I can. Last night, I unpacked the rest of our suitcases and got some laundry washed and dried; this morning, laundry went in as I jumped in the shower, which was at least one less thing to do when we get home from work tonight. Same thing applies to errands. In the last couple of days we have gone on several little errands runs as we have had time. Would it be nice to just get everything done at one? Of course. but we are making life work with the time we have.

I'm sure many of you who have been managing your homes for a lot longer than me are reading this and smiling to yourself, remembering the early days of figuring out your own family norms. However, to anyone reading this who is new at this married adventure or even just living on your own for the first time, I wish I had better advice than the reality that you just have to make the most of whatever time you have and get something done, but I really don't. My encouragement though is that doing something does make a difference. You will feel better, something will be accomplished that wasn't before, and to me, that is a win :) 

Our various unpacking/Christmas messes these last few days. Messes look classier in black and white right?! :) 

Back home.

In the 7 years that Adam and I have known each other we have taken a ton of roadtrips together - at least 2 or 3 per year and I always love the range of emotions and events that happen when you are in a car with someone for hours on end. Sometimes it's silly, sometimes it's serious, maybe sleeping, coffee stops (Read: bathroom stops), snacks, sing-a-longs, life chats...its a unique way to spend time with anyone! But I love traveling together, one of my favorite kind of adventures.

So today, 40 hours of worth of roadtripping in the last week and our adventure has finally brought us back home. (Ironically I am writing this post from the car as we had to run out to a basketball game for work once we were back!) I love that home is so welcoming, even though tomorrow morning it will look a little less so as I consider the unpacking and laundry to be done. I'm not even super sure what day of the week it is, so I suppose tomorrow will be a day of adjustments all around :) For tonight though, the laundry  & everything else can wait. We are home.

Welcome.

New Year's Eve is one of my favorite nights of the year, mainly because of the fireworks & the excitement of what the fresh start of a new year holds but the champagne toast & midnight kiss aren't too bad either.

This year we rang in 2015 with Adam's parents, which after getting up at 3am that same day to drive 12 hours from his sister's house back  in time for church, the fact that we all were still awake at midnight to celebrate was an impressive feat!

As many friends on social media have been posting all the best moments from this past year and of course things they are resolving to do differently, I considered what I would include on our list and I just kept coming back to all of the people we get to share life with each day. In 2014 we got to minister to our church communities, share life with friends and see all of our family. For 2015 I am excited for more of the same. It may sound cheesy or overly simple but it's true. Whoever your people are, I hope that you focus on how great it is to get to spend any part of a year with them. 

Romans 15:13 is one of my favorite Bible verses and I think it is so appropriate to consider as a new year starts. It says: 

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

Whatever each day of this year brings, that's my prayer. That we all would be overflowing with hope, joy, and peace that can only come through God. So enjoy your people, love God. I think we can do that right?! :)

Happy 2015 everyone!