Simplicity

I am totally overwhelmed today...not because things are crazy but because I have been lacking focus for the last few days and it's all crashing down on me today. I wish it was just one area of my life so I could clean it up really quickly but it seems to be everything at once...home, family, work, finances, health, spirit...EVERYTHING. This whole 2 month period was supposed to be about finding balance and health...as Dr. Phil would say, "How's that workin' for ya?".

At the beginning of this journey a friend recommended a book called, "Simplicity" by Mindy Caligure, perfect enough I thought, so I searched 3 different websites to find the one that could get it to me the fastest. It got here, I opened it, read the first 13 pages and it's been sitting on my nightstand for the last 3 weeks...true Jodi style. I opened it again today and this is what I read,

"Simplicity means taking action to align one's exterior world with one's interior values and commitment to God." and continues, "Through simplicity we become consistent and experience alignment, integrity, wholeness. We live out the values we profess; we discard what doesn't serve us. We feel complete-not pulled in many directions but rather resolutely pursuing the one path that really matters."

FEEL COMPLETE...music to my ears! EXPERIENCE ALIGNMENT, INTEGRITY, WHOLENESS...oh more beautiful sounds! THE ONE PATH THAT REALLY MATTERS...could it be any clearer Jodi????

I think I mentioned before I've started a journal for Parker and each day it's hard for me to feel like I do a good enough job telling him how much I love him and how there is nothing I wouldn't do for him and how my life would have less meaning if I wasn't his mom...Guess what, God feels that way about ME...in fact, sometimes it's hard for me to believe it, but His feelings are even stronger and His sacrifice larger than any I've had to give. I'm reminded that by pursuing the One that really matters simplicity will come, wholeness will be felt and life will be better.

I'm excited to get my thoughts out but I also feel pretty vulnerable...I have to believe that by sharing my feelings, experiences and thoughts I am getting closer to that alignment- this is who I am right now, inside and out.

Getting back to 'normal'...

What a week it's been! We had a great Thanksgiving in Sacramento with my brother-in-law, nieces and Zach's mom. I got all of my Christmas shopping done on Thursday night/Friday. It was so super easy and I feel great about the deals I got this year!

We came back to Chico Friday afternoon and I was off to my old ladies house for my 24 hour shift. Sunday was AWESOME...I cleaned out my closet and dresser! 4 LARGE trash bags full of items to donate (that WILL be dropped off today)! I L-O-V-E cleaning things out these days!!!! It feels like a 30-day cleanse in just one day! Monday, P and I headed over to the Campbell house to spend a couple of days with our friends, Keaton (11.9-his b-day's on 12/27), Bryce (9) and Kyla (6). It was super fun! Parker LOVES the 'Big Kids'. It was a great week and I am SO glad to be back home and getting back to 'normal'.

I was reminded again this week about the loss of our baby...the reality. We're all doing totally fine, but it's funny how it can just pop up in your face. I was also reminded that God is in control, as long as I get out of the way. His plan is far better than mine and I am so thankful for that!

I've also started a Parker Journal in the last 3-4 days. It's been so fun to write down my day to day life with him and to think about him reading it in 25 years. I am SO lucky to be his mom and SO grateful to have him in my life. It has reminded me how great my life is and how blessed I truly am...I pray I stay open to these 'lessons' that are coming in this 're-do' and embrace the changes that need to be made...or they'll be made without me...which is ok too. :)