Spending money when you don't have to.

I was talking to a friend yesterday about not spending money that we don't have to spend.

For example:

When I got to HEB and I really want to buy a new lipgloss when I already have 10.

Or....when I want to buy the kids their Valentine's cards on December 31st....

Or..... like the time that I went to Target to buy socks and saw a really cute bathing suit for Madi. In January.

Now, I didn't buy the bathing suit, but why the heck do they have to put that stuff out yet??

Because there are suckers like me.

I used to be REALLY bad at this. Sometimes I like to buy a magazine at HEB and that's okay. No harm done. However, I have really forced myself to stop buying things I don't actually need.

Also, I have been talking about how I want to move to a bigger house. We don't actually HAVE to, but I find myself getting annoyed with our home and critical. When in reality, I actually like our home.
Since I've been running, I have grown increasingly thankful for our neighborhood and I really like the we are getting to know our neighbors (and that they are coming to church with us!)  God has us here for a reason. Remembering things like that helps me to get focused.

Contentment.

Is that another part of this change thing in me?

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

Well, I did it. 

I started the Couch to 5K program. I bought the app and everything. After my good friend Abby raved about the program I decided it was the way for me to go. 

And I love it so far. The first day was brutal. I went 1.2 miles in like 26 minutes. Monday I went 2 miles in 26 miles. So that was better.  I'll complete the 1st week tomorrow morning. 

I am pretty sure that the Lord is doing a new thing in me.  Here I am getting up everyday to do my quiet time and now I am exercising. I don't even know this person.  Change?? Yes, lots of it. 

Also, I started reading again. Like, non-fiction. (Gasp!!)  I am currently reading The Bible, Jesus Calling devotional and Power of a Praying Wife. 

Girls, I can not tell you the huge difference Power of a Praying Wife has made in me. I think we all (at some point) walk around annoyed at something our husbands have done or even down right mad and angry. I have, so often, prayed "Lord, please change him!!" or "Lord, please show him that it is all his fault and he needs to apologize to me."  I have been so convicted of the fact that it is ME who needs to change half the time. And not only that, my pride is a hinderance to what God wants to do.  Ugh. Convicting. And please don't think that for a second just because we are in ministry we don't struggle.  I thank God for a husband who is loyal and listens for the voice of the Lord, but marriage takes work.  

Couple of other things: 

*This week we went to Texas de Brazil. Our friends, Josh & Kelly had groupons and invited us to join them! It was super yummy and really fun! 

*This verse is setting me free. 

*I am so in love with this baby, not to mention her beautiful cousin next to her!  Madi will be 1 in 8 days!! 

*God has placed so many amazing people in my life who in the last 2 weeks have sent me scriptures, encouraging texts or have challenged me to be better. 

*Jason and I started watching Parks & Rec and oh. my. Lord. Funny. 

 

*I am currently obsessed with Pandora and listening to life changing worship music. Geez. 

*I am amazed and shocked at how expensive gas is again.  We are going to have to make a big decision about our cars soon. You can pray for us. 

Gotta go. Madi just put an entire roll of toilet paper in the toilet. 

Change

So I posted recently that I felt the Lord leading me to change in another area, but I wasn't ready to share.

I'm not sure I'm ready now either.  But,  alas....I must out of obedience. 

I've struggled my entire life with my weight. Well, as long as I can remember. Okay, well since like 6th grade. 

Whatever. It feels like my whole life.  

Anyhow,  as I have gotten older I have clung to my 5'10 frame and have always been grateful for that, but with 3 babies it has been hard for me to get to a good weight and keep it there.  Jason has never, ever made an issue out of my weight and always tells me how beautiful I am.  He truly has accepted me how I am and not just acceptance, but he likes the curves. ;-)  While I like the curvy frame, I don't like feeling sluggish and self-concious.  

I have lost all the baby weight, but I pretty much do not exercise on a regular basis. Plus, even though I may be at the pre-baby weight, I needed to lose weight before that happened anyway. Before I got pregnant with Madi, I had started running and loved it. 

I never really started again. I've done The Shred and I've been doing Just Dance, but I'm not serious about it.  And really, it's only been about losing weight. Not doing something that gets me in shape and makes me feel good about myself.  I don't want to just lose 40 lbs. I am 5'10 and I'm never going to be a size 6. I don't want to be a size 6.  That would look scary.  I just want to be healthy. 

So, here is my 2nd change.  Lose weight. Exercise. Eat right. 

Run

Lose 20 lbs by the summer.   

Run more

Lose 20 lbs more by the end of 2012. 

My plan:  I am still figuring that out with my schedule. I hate running at night, but I am not sure what else to do! 

Suggestions? 

I may get a little more daring as time goes by with the specifics. Please share your ideas! :)