Stress reducers

Just wanted to share these little stress reducers with you. One of my BFF's gave this to me and I hung it by my washing machine so I can read it everyday. It seems I am by my washer and dryer ALOT! Where do all these clothes come from and who in the world puts them there? HA! Anyway, I hope you enjoy...I know I did.

Christian Ways to Reduce Stress

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say NO to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many)

8. Allow extra time to do things and get places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxieties. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it!

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have back-ups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the kid YOU everyday!

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest!

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a CD while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until its time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you are grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Runnin'

This was me and Holly (or Marathon Bird to the bloggy land) last year! We had SO much fun running together. I love that girl. I could not have made it to the finish line without her. Can you tell how excited I was...I think the finish line was coming up. ha! I have been running the Houston Aramco Half Marathon for 3 years. This January would have been my 4th....did you notice I said "would have been??" I am a little bitter! Well, alot bitter. This year the half marathon sold out in LESS THAN 48 hours!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?? Of course, guess who didn't get signed up? Yep, you guessed it....ME!! (Oh, and my sweet hubby. He ran the half last year for the first time and yes, he beat me...bad. But that's another post.) :) In the past I never signed up until around October. I think they at least could have given us Houstonians a heads up, don't you?

I am so sad. I always look forward to the training, the sweat and tears, my super cool running shoes, my ever so cute running skirt, running with friends, coffee after our Saturday runs and of course the BIG day! It's so much fun! I really feel like I got jipped! I have contemplated emailing the half marathon big dogs and giving them a piece of my mind...like they care. But, it would make me feel better.

Now, I am trying to decide if I train just to keep up with my exercise or just give running a break for a bit. I am torn. I love running but when I trained I was doing it for not only my health but to run the race! That was the prize! Not to mention you get a really cool medal, shirt and the all fun water bottle. :)

I guess the old saying is true...."you snooze, you loose!"

So, what do you think I should do?

Lost love letter

Macy's art table has always been a sore spot for me. I hate it...and it always looks like this. I clean it and then 5 minutes later it looks like this again. Sadly, I haven't cleaned it all summer. It was a mess...so yesterday I started picking up some trash, old broken crayons, beads, ribbon, stamps, markers, and letters to people. Macy is a writer! She loves to make lists, books and letters. As I was cleaning, I found this....and fell to my knees.

She had wrote this letter before Poppi passed away. It was tucked behind so much junk I am surprised I found it. I remembered her writing it because she wanted me to put a stamp on it to mail to him. I didn't. Boy, I feel bad now. I remember telling her that she didn't leave room for his address so we would have to put it in another envelope. Then we forgot. It got lost in the endless pile. I wish SO BAD that I would have mailed it to him. Of course, I had to open it...

Man, I wish I would have sent it. Guilt all over! I hope Poppi knew how much he was loved and how much of an influence he was in not just mine and my kids lives but everyone around him. My kids talk about him everyday....I miss him more than words can say. We love you, Poppi.

Blogging funk and chicken

Ok, so I really want to get my blog up and going. I feel like I have been in a blogging funk FOREVER! I struggle with what to write about. Also, what do people want to hear? Are you tired of seeing videos and pictures of my kids? And another thing...is there anyone out there that cares but my sweet mother? LOL I always have things go through my head that I want to blog about and then when I sit down...I have nothing. So, I guess what I am needing is some feedback....from you, Mom. :) And whoever else is out there...what do you want to hear from Heather's House? I need help.

Today we have done NOTHING and it feels oh so good!! I did take the kids to chick-fil-a and let me tell you...that place rakes in the money. Every time we go there, which is quite a bit, it is always crowded. I swear they could build another one right next door and it would do just as good. I think I might look into a franchise. :) So, other than an outing for Chick, we have been lazy. I love being home with my kids....I wouldn't rather be anywhere else. Well, the beach....but I want my kids with me. :)

Ok...this is it...for now...I promise. But, this one is too funny. I hope it makes you laugh today. Enjoy!

yummmmmy

Here's a shout out to my favorite fast food restaurant. :) Gotta love some Chick-fil-a. I love that my kids love eating there rather than McDonalds. Sometimes McDonalds makes me gag.

I have enjoyed eating there twice this week with the best company in the world.

And, BTW, this guy, Tim Hawkins is one of my favorite Christian comedians. He is so funny and has some really funny songs that he has made up to popular tunes. You can google him on You Tube or Tangle.com. And, thanks to Holly, I finally figured out how to put videos up. For some reason I could never get it to work. Thanks, Holly. Now, y'all might get tired of all the videos. HA!

Ever had one of those days when you feel you can't do anything right? Nothing you do seems good enough. Am I making a difference in my kids lives? Am I a good wife? Why did I say that to so-and-so today. yada yada yada....You know the drill. It has been a hard summer for me and my family....Today I was feeling a little blue and as I was checking blogs I found this precious little girl and cried and laughed and laughed some more...she is precious. She has the love of Jesus and it is contagious! It totally cheered me up...I hope it makes you happy, too! Have a great day....

"Faith is exactly what it takes to get through uncertainty. Faith is not necessary when you know how things are going to work out, - that's knowledge. It's in the time of unknowing that having faith is what sees you through to the other side. Faith is what gives you strength. Faith is that light in your heart that keeps on shining even when it's all darkness outside. Now is the time to keep that faith alive!"