Frigid

Many across the country (U.S.) are facing extreme winter weather and that includes frigid temperatures.  It's been 30+ below in Iowa (where I grew up) in the past few weeks and it was 7 degrees here this morning in Texas.  Way too cold for me! But, it's supposed to be close to 70 by Saturday, sooo just hanging on until then.

When it gets this cold way down south I always think of everyone up north and how cold it must be up there.  I don't know how you all do it, but I'm not sure I could.  Some say you get used to it, but they say that about the heat down here, too, in the summers.  I dislike the heat and I don't think I could ever get used to that either.  I need a nice temperate climate around 70-75 degrees year round!

When it's cold I just want to stay in and cook comfort foods.  I'm sure most of you can relate to that.  The bad news is I'm not in my 20's anymore and just looking at comfort foods stick to my hips now.  Darn it!  Plus, the dry weather affects your skin so much, too.  Dry, flaky, dehydrated skin that just feels shriveled up all winter long.  So, although I do like the fall and winter better than summer it's the extreme temperatures fluctuating back and forth (like they tend to do in the south) that is not conducive to good health or glowing skin.

So, wherever you are whether you're in the midst of winter or enjoying summer-like temperatures, I hope you are staying healthy, eating some comfort foods and enjoying the day!  Blessings to you and all those in frigid weather! Stay warm!!

Save the Date: 2018 DFW Holt Family Picnic

Our annual Holt International Family Picnic for the Dallas/Ft. Worth area will be held on Saturday, June 30th from 12-3 pm at Parr Park in Grapevine, TX.  If you live in the area, please make sure you save the date!  The online registration page isn't updated yet, but once it is I'll let you know.  I love seeing the same families come back year after year along with new families and meeting their kids.  It's a lot of fun and there is a splash pad there so the little ones can stay cool.  I've helped organize it for the past 5 years and it's been a fun experience.

The kids always have a good time meeting other adoptees, but I find the parents enjoy it, too, getting to compare stories and share experiences with one another.  It's a fun family outing, but it's a great way to connect with others in your communities.  So, take advantage of one of the picnics near you!

Blessings to you for a week-filled with great surprises...big or small!  May your prayers be answered and may God's grace continue to show up in your life.

Stay Healthy

Yes, it's the start of a new year and many of us are trying to eat better and exercise more to get healthier, right?!  We're all motivated with the start of a new year and the possibilities of making it a fresh start, but then we get sick...cold, flu, etc.  Our plans are derailed and then what?

We feel miserable for a week or so and then a family member gets sick, and eventually all the kids get sick.  The motivation and positive outlook you had a week ago is stalled, forgotten, or on hold for awhile.  Sound familiar?  It's what a lot of people are going through right now with the extreme flu season we're having right now (in the States).  Plus, most kids just went back to school this week so those "out sick" numbers will probably go up over the next week before they even out a bit.  We're in the thick of it...cold, flu, sick season.  Yippee to the new year!

Our best intentions for a fresh start to the new year are thrown out the window...at least temporarily.  Luckily, I haven't been affected yet, although I've had a couple uneasy stomach days over the past few weeks where I definitely thought I was getting sick.  So, I'm hoping and praying I don't get sick.  I think sore throats are the worst.  I just feel like I want to cough up my tonsils.  So, again I'm hoping those germs stay away and I can get through this cold/flu season unscathed.  I hope you do, too!

So, here's wishing you a healthy start to your new year and you do happen to get sick please bless others by staying home.  Wishing you all healthy blessings over the next few weeks!!

New Outlook Or Old

Even though it's the start of a new year and many of us make "new" resolutions...are they really "new" or are they old recycled ones that we repeat year after year?  Do we have "new" resolve or are we just kidding ourselves?  Is our outlook "new" or are we just prematurely hopeful things will be different this year?  

Sometimes I think we're just on a repeat cycle at this time of year...every year.  The same old resolutions, wishes, dreams, etc. seem "new" and possible, but if they are the same resolutions every year it must mean we didn't follow through with our high hopes, some challenge or obstacle was too big to overcome, or we really didn't want to commit to that goal THIS year.  Whatever the reason, it definitely feels like Groundhog's Day every January.

How do we truly make "the" change, get a different result, follow-through...finally?  Is it purely mindset?  Is our heart truly in it?  Do we have an environment that is conducive to achieving our goal?  Do we have the support to accomplish it?  What's the secret?  What's the thing that finally flips the switch in our heads and allows us to NOT make the same resolution next year?

I think it's different for each individual and that's part of each our journeys...to figure it out.  And, if it takes year after year to make the same resolution then at least you know it's still a priority in your life and whatever happens after January is your choice.  Will it still be a priority in February...in March...in April.  Yes, it's all a choice...our choice.  And whatever follows is a result of those choices...good or bad.  And yes, that's just life.  Dangit.  No magic pill, no overnight diet that sheds 10 lbs, no knight-and-shining armor that shows up on your doorstep on a white horse, and no lucky lottery ticket.  

Great.  So, what do we do?  Carry our same outlook into the new year or create a new mindset...a paradigm shift...truly take an outside look into your life and what you want to change.  Yes, a fresh view for a semi-fresh start.  Let's be honest, most of us can't be completely objective or uncritical of ourselves and our lives, especially those parts we want to change.  So, small steps, small progress, a little growth here and there and hopefully when you look back at this time next year you'll actually see you've made positive change in your life.  It doesn't have to be gigantic, but enough to make you proud of yourself and in the journey.

Blessings to you as you conquer a new outlook in 2018!!

Happy 2018!!

Happy New Year!!  I hope 2018 is treating you well so far!  It's been mighty cold throughout the country to start off the new year.  We just got above freezing after 76 straight hours of below or at freezing.  So, I actually got out today to run errands.

As a new year approaches, we always look forward to a fresh start, a perfect new day to start off the year right, right?  Well, the first day of the new year it was literally in the 20's all day so I definitely stayed indoors.  A lovely tension headache filled my day, so it wasn't exactly the perfect first day of the new year.  Then yesterday I found out one of the pipes in my irrigation system had burst and water had been running out for a day or so.  Joy.  Really?!  Strike 2 for 2018.  Then today as I was running errands someone had dropped a jar of what looked like marinara sauce in the parking lot.  So of course I pull into the parking spot that has glass in it and hear all the crackling as I pull through.  Oh great, please don't let me get a flat tire.  So, semi-strike 3.  Happy, happy new year!

So, I hope your first few days have gone better than mine.  The good news...things can only get better right?  Plus, they're not totally tragic events just hiccups in the real scheme of things, right?  So, moving on.....

Tomorrow is another day, the sun will come up again and time continues to march on!  That I know for sure.  Everything else is a toss up!  And, however many times I fall I'll keep getting up and I'll keep trying.  That I also know for sure.  So, however your new year is going so far just keep going, keep getting up and keep moving forward!!  Wishing you many great blessings in this limitless new year!!!

Happy New Year's Eve!

Wishing everyone a safe, warm and Happy New Year's Eve!!  Whether you are celebrating with a crowd, braving the bitter cold outside or snuggled up inside watching the ball drop I hope you feel content with another year ending and excited for the new year to come!

I wish you infinite blessings in the new year and may we all lift up our neighbors, give when we can and share our gifts with others so that we might be a light in the world for just one other person!  May God bless you and keep you always!

Winding Down...

It's time to wind down another year...yep, another year has gone by!  It doesn't seem possible, but whether it was a good year or a bad year for you the good news is another new year is upon us.  Another year to start fresh, to make new resolutions, to hope for a better year or to continue recent success, but the good thing about a new year beginning is the hope we all start out the year with in our hearts.  Hope for bigger and better things to come, hope for the new beginning we've been looking for, hope for overcoming fears/addiction/bad relationships, hope for a better sense of self and self love for oneself, and simply just hope for a better tomorrow.

I always see the new year with hope colored glasses.  A new year brings endless possibilities.  A new year is another day, month, year to "get it right" this time...with whatever you've been working/wishing/hoping on.  A new year is a fresh slate.

But, looking back on the year that was always causes me to reflect on the good and the bad.  What I didn't accomplish or let pass by this past year.  What I overcame and did accomplish this past year.  What I didn't do, what I wish I had done, and what I hope I don't do again next year.  What good memories were made, what fun adventures were taken, and coming another step closer to understanding what makes me who I am and who I want to be.

So, however you spend the next few days of 2017...looking forward or back...may your eyes be clear, your heart be open and your mind be focused on what's important to you.  May blessings fill these final days of 2017 with reflection, hope and excitement!!