Friday Fun!

Living healthy natural lives is not always the easiest thing, which is why I started my blog - to inspire and help others live their best life healthfully and naturally. Friday Fun is my way of sharing a bit of my life with you, my readers and friends, and I hope you will be willing to share your thoughts and ideas with me too.

So, here we go!

In my life this week...
we have been trying to enjoy this beautiful summer weather! I can't believe it is August already, and my oldest will be heading to kindergarten in a few weeks. It has been a big struggle for me deciding whether to home school him or send him to a private, Lutheran school we had picked out. I have decided that it is a better fit for him to attend school, since I feel he needs the social interaction and lessons. If it doesn't work out, we can always try homeschooling. That is the beauty of choice!

Our garden is flourishing! We are so blessed! We have tons of green tomatoes, carrots, little cucumbers, and little squash. Now, I need to practice patience and wait for them to fully mature.

I am inspired by...
thankfulness. I am learning over and over again what a HUGE difference it can make in your life to practice daily thankfulness. Sad that we even have to practice it, and that it doesn't come naturally. But, it does take practice and lots of it. I have been spending about a 1/2 hour at afternoon nap time and then another 15 minutes or so at night before I go to bed just writing down the things I am thankful for each day and "studying" my book 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp. That book has truly changed my life!

My favorite thing this week was...
getting down on my children's level and just playing...gazing into their beautiful eyes, seeing the wonder and joy when I point out something new to them, and not worrying about all the things on my to-do list.

What's working/not working for me...
Working - We made a list of 6 Family Rules. I did it with the kids one day, so that they were part of it. Along with each rule, we drew a picture symbolizing that rule, and wrote 2-3 Bible passages under it to explain why this rule is an important one to follow. For example - Rule #1 was Love God and Love Each Other. The picture is a heart. The Bible passages are Deuteronomy 6:5 and John 15:17.

This has been really helpful for referring to when the kids get out of line. They got very excited about it, and they have really remembered each rule. We have also been taking one rule a night and studying it a little deeper at family Bible time (which you can read about here) before bed.

Not working - I have been struggling being a perfectionist about my body this week. I don't know why it has been worse this week, but I am annoyed with myself for being so critical and so judgmental of my own body. I know all of us women have times where we can really be harsh to our own bodies, so I am trying to work on talking to myself as if I am talking to my best friend or sister about her body. It is a gift! And it is beautiful the way God made it!

Questions/thoughts I have...
Why is it harder to not be a perfectionist than it is to be a perfectionist?

I'm reading...
The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen, 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp, Health magazines and BOSU and Medicine Ball books for review

I'm cooking...
Mexican Chicken Lettuce Tacos, Indian Shredded Chicken and Couscous, Pizza, and I am really not sure what is for supper tonight...

I'm grateful for...
Here are a few of things off my 1000 gifts list - sitting on the grass in the sunshine, helpfulness of my son, a bike ride to a new adventure, first cucumber from our garden, ability to share how I feel with my husband instead of keeping my emotions locked up.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

One of my favorites found on Pinterest this week. Check out my boards and see if you can find something that will help keep you motivated!