My 30

Last month I turned 30. I was reading through one of my weekly reads, Imperfect Homemaking blog, where I got inspired to write 30 things I have learned over the years. So here it is, my 30 things, I have learned.

1. Everyone has an opinion on child care and how to raise kids. You can let 85% of that flow out the other ear.
2. Food matters. You are either working for or against your body and, you are responsible for what goes in your kids' mouths too.
3. Children are a blessing from the Lord. Psalm 127
4. "We spend our lives dreaming of the future, not realizing that a little of it slips away every day" -B.J
5. God created each plant for a purpose. Gen.1:29
6. Fast food and seedless fruit/vegg are, in fact, from the devil! Ha ha
7. I can't keep my home constantly tidy with 3 kids, 7 and under, without missing out on life.
8. Cooking takes a lot of time away from family. Our meals are a combination of fresh and quickly cooked food. No fuss.
9. Exercise is so important. Our bodies yearn for movement and fresh air.
10. STOTT Pilates is a really great form of daily physical activity.
11. My scrapbooking might have to wait. And, my other projects too.
12. My style, "Jane Austen meets Bollywood" in fact is, simply, "bohemian".
13. His Grace is New Every Single Day.
14. Divorce is not an option and by believing that, makes us work harder towards a stronger marriage.
15. Taking loans and borrowing money, is not biblical and does more harm than good. We can live a debt and loan free life and we are! It's so liberating!
16. Refined sugar is bad, if not, evil.
17. There are thousands of things to be grateful for, as corny as it sounds, there are. Truly.
18. When God's behind it, it is possible.
19. Most things we own are baggage.
20. I love minimalism. Hard to imagine, with a bohemian like.
21. While traveling, it's not detrimental if a child doesn't stick to a certain rhythm.
22. There is great freedom in letting go and not trying to be in control of everything.
23. It is far more important to be godly than goodly.
24. I am a TCK (Third Culture Kid) and my kids are too. I have peace with that.
25. It takes two to tango. 
26. I love growing my own vegetables and I see it as an act of worship and a way to meditate.
27. I love to homeschool and it feels the most natural way.
28. With God's help, I could overcome my biggest fear of moving away from my parents. Not just down the street, but across continents!
29. Simplicity of life is something I value, i.e writing hand written letters rather than emails.
30. The old educational system was wrong. I am not stupid. I'm a Swiss Army Knife. 'Nuff said.  

Eucharisteo -Thanksgiving

A few weeks ago, I came across this study on "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. 'Eucharisteo'. Eucharisteo, meaning grace, joy and thanksgiving. Living where we are at. Counting our gifts and blessings. Stopping to see, to live fully, seeing God's grace regardless of our circumstances. 

I took the challenge. I am counting one thousand gifts. This has been life changing for me. The things that drive me most crazy, are the things I am most thankful about.

12. small hands, small nails, painted pink. Covered in dirt... <3 br="">

13. smiles, cheeky faces...

14."I love yous" daily...

a week goes by...

131. Joshua's serving heart

132. Avocado

133. Cucumber on rye bread

another week goes by...

212. When holidays lasted "forever" as a kid, when I knew how to live here and now, fully.

213. Unconditional love

214. Jesus

and another

382. Lucy busy ripping through a "Leisure Guide" paper, focused...

383. Waiting for a letter, the excitement!

384. Shades of lipstick, pink, red...

and more

452. That bad habits CAN be broken...

453. and that good habits created...

454. As we walk home and Kayleigh is holding the hem of my dress...

Still going...

Will you take the challenge? Please visit http://www.aholyexperience.com/ and be prepared to be changed forever, for the good.

Eucharisteo

Living a Life of Thanks