What I learned from Jon Acuff- Blissdom Recap

I am always so thankful after I come home from my time at Blissdom.  Thankful for the time I got to spend with so many amazing women.  Seriously, some of these ladies blow my mind.  They are so creative, funny, talented and giving of their time.  I am honored to be a part of such an awesome community. Tomorrow, I will introduce you to some of my friends.  I hope you will stop by and meet them.

I am thankful for what I learned at Blissdom.  We had some amazing speakers.  I want to introduce you to one of them, in case you aren't familiar with him.  His name is Jon Acuff and he is a National best selling author and speaker.  He lives in Nashville with his wife and two daughters.

Jon was our opening keynote speaker.  He was just the right person to set the tone for the conference.  There were so many "nuggets of goodness" that I took away.  Here are just a few examples. 

*  "Never compare your beginning, to someone else's middle".  How many times have I done that?
*  "Be selfish with time no one else is using".  I'm now getting up before the girls to get quiet time in.
*  "Fear tells you, you can do it later.  Can I get an Amen?
*  "Let your child be your child, not your blog content".  Like a dagger in the heart, but a necessary one.
*  "Look for hinge moments".  Those moments in life that change everything.

Jon told a story about his daughter that hit me like a sucker punch.  He spoke of a time when he was supposed to be helping his daughter with a spelling test.  He was getting distracted and trying to send out a tweet, when his daughter took a napkin and placed it over her daddy's iPhone.  It read, "Daddy, pay atenchun".  (I love the irony in the misspelled word, don't you?) 

I've had those moments where you basically, let me just be blunt here, feel like a pile of crap.  I think we've all been there as a parent.  Those paralyzing moments that you would love to go back in time do over. Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way, but we can change how we move foward to lessen the chances of having more of those moments. 

As soon as I got home, I asked Brooklyn and Sydney to come sit with me.  I had something I wanted to talk with them about.  I looked into their eyes and told them just how much I loved and valued them.  I told them that they mean more to me than anything in this world.  I apologized for not always making them feel that way.  For all the times I valued the contents of my iPhone over the memories I could be making with them.  I vowed that from now on, when I am with them, they will have all of me.  I would enjoy my time with them and be present in the moment.  No more iPhone when I am with them.  Period.  There is no room for compromise.  In my book, these faces are worth it.   

Technology is great, but not at the expense of our children.  They deserve more.  Thank you Jon for driving home that point.

What can you do today to show your children they mean more to you then the things of this world?

Giving it up

So Lent started today and I was tryng to decide what to give up for the next 40 days.  I knew it needed to be something really difficult, so I narrowed it down to Facebook and t.v.  In the end, I decided on t.v.  I know you all probably think I am crazy, but I'm actually excited to see how my relationship with the Lord grows as the result of laying one of my idols down at His feet.  I am saying no to t.v. and more of Him.

There are a few times that I will allow myself to watch t.v.  Well, really only one.  If we have a movie night with the girls over the next 40 days, they love movie nights, I will partake so that we can spend that time together as a family.

Are you giving up something for Lent?  I would love to hear about it and encourage you.

This post is short because I am off to pack for Blissdom.  Yipee! I leave tomorrow afternoon.  Big thank you to my hubby and my dad for holding down the fort while I am gone.  Can't wait to see all of my blogging friends and meet new ones too.

Wordless Wednesday

Snipits

I don't remember the last time I blogged. If I have any readers left it will be a miracle really. To be honest, I just haven't felt like it. I do want to write a few snipits if I may.

Still dizzy, worse actually. Exercises not helping.  Have a call into my doctor in Tampa to see how to proceed next.


Getting ready to attend Blissdom next week here in Nashville. At times, I wanted to sell my ticket because, let's face it, blogging hasn't been a huge priority.  Brian encouraged me to still go.  It will be a nice getaway and I hope it will inspire me to blog more.


Held my first juicing class a few weeks ago at my house and it went really well. We all had a great time. Next class scheduled for March 7th.


Had an impromptu trip to Birmingham over the weekend. We surprised my family who was down there running the Mercedes Marathon as a team relay. It was alot of fun. So proud of my sisters, Stacy and Rachelle, my nephew Mario, my dad and my bro in law, Bill. Brian ran the 1/2 marathon. Great job guys.


Still haven't posted our DisneyWorld pics. Maybe one day...

Brooklyn lost her third tooth at the end of Jan.  She was excited because that means she lost a tooth a month starting in November.


Brian surprised me with a date afternoon Friday (he's a keeper). He took a half day off and we went to a late lunch and then saw "The Vow". I loved it. So inspiring, and I love that it's based on a true story.


Haven't lost anymore weight. Still holding at 13 lbs lost. Still eating really well so I think it's time to switch up the exercise routine.


Still loving yoga.


Waiting to see if the snow will really fall tonight in the 615. Hoping not, so the girls can have their Valentine's Day parties at school tomorrow.

Read a book called "7: An experimental Mutiny against Excess" by Jen Hatmaker that rocked my world.  I highly recommend it.  Lots to let soak in.  Action is required.

My sweet Jonathan would have turned 1.  Tears....

Sydney continues to sing constantly and I can't get enough of it.  She was born to perform :)

Brooklyn was selected to have a piece of her art from school hang in The Frist Center in downtown Nashville.  She is over the moon excited and we are so proud of her.  We can't wait to preview it next month.

Thank you Lord for Grace that is abounding.

If you are still reading, thank you.  Thank you for the comments.  I promise to get back to each one of you. 

Ups and Downs

I'm having one of those days.  I know we all have them, but today just plain stinks.  I really want to throw myself a pity party right here and now, but I'm going to refrain.  Really, what would it help anyway.  It wouldn't do anything but letting the devil get an even bigger foothold into my life than he already has.

In a nutshell, I have a migraine and the dizziness is getting worse.  How can this be?  I finally have a diagnosis and therapy to help it, but it's not. Would you please pray for me?  I'm at the end of my rope.  I called my hubby in tears today at the office.  I hate doing that, but sometimes I just have to and it's better to break down to him, then in front of the girls.

So as sweet and supportive as only my man can be, he blogged about it.  You can read it here.  He doesn't know I am writing this, but if you would love to leave him a comment on his blog, that would be awesome.  He would be thrilled.  I'd love to do a little something for him to say thank you for taking such good care of me.  Thanks y'all.