A Word For 2014

The kids and I have been down and out with hacking coughs and congestion since the day before Christmas.  For myself, I wasn't entirely surprised, as I'd felt the stress mounting--up, down and up again.  It was stressful this year, even as much as I used to think Christmas was never a stressful time, I felt the pressure accumulating thick.

The funny thing is, when Christmas morning came, there was a release.  All my ideals came to a thudding halt, the noise turned down and there was a stillness.  And I realized how much of my worry and the pressure I was carrying was because of my choice to entertain it.

Woosh, another Christmas gone.

The cold of winter brings a sense of barrenness.  I've been collecting myself, thinking of ways that I can continue to be in awe this season, to be stimulated and filled up, how I can give thanks all season long.

I'm thinking along the lines of less TV and electronics, and more outdoors.  How I'd love to hike around Jones Creek with Husband, and tromp around the property with my Nikon strapped around my neck, documenting winter in images.  There's something in this season for me, beyond the mothering, writing, reading, studying, long runs, and a few winter bathes.  Whatever it is is waiting for me.

I haven't settled on a resolution(s) this year.  I haven't done that for a couple years, as I've learned like many of you that resolutions can become problematic.  I want to breathe in each day knowing I've given my best and it must be simply so.

Last year, I did choose a word to focus on, and I liked doing that because even though it is just one word, it can be all encompassing.

The word for 2013 was WRITE.

What's funny about me and writing in 2013, is that I did less in a sense, but what I did do, was more.  Without plans to do so, I blogged less.  Then later, I decided that my blog needed some fine-tuning.  I felt the authenticity of SFS slipping between trendy-natured posts and a pressure to write more regularly to "have a successfully read blog" (i.e. increase numbers), than to write hard and meaningful for me, and if it so happens, for others along the road of exchange--however that happens over the interwebs.  I've watched a handful of blogs that I love become so overrun with marketing, links, products to buy, etc. that I've actually quit reading.  I'm making it a point to go and seek beautifully written blogs for their content, alone.   I love a good story.

My word for 2014 is EUCHARISTEO.

In the Greek translation, it means to have joy and to give thanks.  I first learned of this word last year when reading, "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp.  It's a book that has altered my thinking; it has firmed me up spiritually.  I've found that in giving such thanks there is an exchange that occurs.  I give You my broken pieces and questions, and You give me Your comfort, unending love, Your beauty, and deepen within me a joy for life in its intricate and fragile mess of wonder.   "Thanksgiving always proceeds the miracle."

"The root word of eucharisteo is charis, meaning “grace.” Jesus took the bread and saw it as graceand gave thanks. He took the bread and knew it to be gift and gave thanks. Eucharisteo, thanksgiving, envelopes the Greek word for grace, charis. But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning “joy.” Charis. Grace. Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy."  Ann Voskamp, The High Calling

The thanksgiving is a way of life.  It's a present term; active and free-flowing.  It's words falling off saddened lips of loss.  It's thanks during disappointments that have penetrated deep.  It's the thanks for the blessings which have miraculously arrived after doors have slammed shut.  The thanks keep me in close relation with God, it keeps me joyful, and it keeps me humble, too.

Here's to eucharisteo; here's to the exciting New Year!

Did you do a resolution or do you have a word for this year?

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A reading resolution

I may not have yet completed my New Years resolutions or goals or what have you for the year, 

but No. 1 is definitely:

READ MORE BOOKS.

I'm going to go big this year and aim to read 20 books.

Now I'm excited to plan what these twenty books are, AND have an excuse to go to Powell's Books. Wait.  One never needs an excuse to go to Powell's Books. 

Do you have a reading resolution?  What's your goal?

Happy Weekending!

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Welcome 2013 + the Joy Dare {a movement}

Friends, I hope your New Years was rocking and full of laughter and great friends!  We played club beats, feasted--thanks to my excellent cooking friends, all while children ran rampant.  Sound busy?  It was! We even missed the countdown due to a makeshift couples "newlywed" game that was both ridiculous, enlightening and hilarious.

But of course, we had our own countdown ten minutes later, and listened to the men give some creative, rambling toasts.  It truly is special to watch Husband and his friends--all who he's known from the wild middle school years, as grown men, toasting to the future. 

As for resolutions for this year, I haven't yet wrapped my mind around any.  However, some exciting things have happened and began already in this new year (i.e. new hair, a Paleo challenge down at my Crossfit gym--I've got this! and the beginning of a new life-changing list).

A few months ago, my sweet friend, Danielle and I sat out on a Portland patio, pondering life, callings and dreams, while sharing fondue and drinking cocktails.  When we returned back to her house, and before I headed home, she handed me, "One Thousand Gifts," and said it reminded her of me.

You know how some books you read and others you fall into?  The sort of books that are like old friends that you've known most your life, who only visit once or twice a year, but when they do, you stay up until wee hours of the morning, because there is much to catch up on?  "One Thousand Gifts" is like an old friend.  The story and its purpose has settled right into my heart and has completely revamped my outlook for this New Year.

I'm excited to say that I've accepted Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare!  Which means over the next year, I'll be documenting three daily blessings--simple, unexpected and wonderful little things to add to my list of gifts.  By the end of the year, I'll have documented 1000 gifts, and I already know that documenting these gifts will do a number on my heart.

Here's the details:  I plan to post my 1,000 gifts for the Joy Dare on Thursdays, as that has been the day that I've shared my similar lists--the little things.  But then I'm going to link into Ann Voskamp's "Multitudes on Mondays" linkup.  Do you want to join the movement?  Here is all the information that you need to begin your own Joy Dare, but first, you should watch this touching short video.  It's the perfect place to start.

 

Do let me know if you blog your gifts!  I'd love to share in your joy!

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Happy New Year!

How was your New Year?  Ours was spent at home with friends and the little ones, playing ping pong, Singstar and Dance Dance Revolution.  My five year old has some serious dance moves that I wasn't aware of!  It was so cute to watch her dancing it up and following along as well as she did.  

It was quite fun and a nice and relaxing close to the New Year.

I've been contemplating my goals for the New Year and one main thing is at the forefront of my mind...

1.  Grad School! 

Come June, I'll be back in my program to finish my Masters in Teaching.  Now that my kids are a little older, it's time to jump back in and do what I planned for so many years--teach English.  It's exciting and it feels good to be working toward such a goal!

Here are a few more...

2.  Use my Olweus Bully Prevention Program Certification

and become a resource on this topic for the schools in the area.  It has been difficult in knowing how to extend myself and my passion on this subject since I am not working in the school system, but I'm going to be seeking out ways to get involved and make good contacts.

3. Be intentional in my parenting & in my relationship with God.
I pray for guidance this year as I strive to strike a balance with family, raising my sweet babies, being a good wife and partner, and accomplishing all that God has for me during this upcoming year. 

4. 12 Books in 12 Months.

I can't wait till I can change this to 24, 36, 50+ books in one year!

Right now, I'm lucky if when I sit down to read I don't fall asleep!

5.  Become a good weekly meal planner.

Do you have a good system?

6.  Renovate.  Paint.  Decorate.

A whole lot of this is on the horizon here at the McCully Ranch.

When it happens--you'll know it. 

7. Write.

8. Create.

9. Write more.

and lastly,

10. Grow this blog. 
If you read, or if you are here from Facebook, have you followed, already? 
If not, I encourage you to officially follow by clicking on the "join this site" button on the sidebar.

Thanks so much for reading!

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a new year

The Christmas lights have come down, the stockings are packed, and the once perfect noble that stood tall, filling our home with the scent that only a fresh-cut tree could, has been tossed to the curb.  A deep-clean is in progress and winter decorations are underway--a perfect way to begin this New Year.

Speaking of New Years, how was yours?  We headed out to the beach, where it was clear, cold and gorgeous, to spend New Year's with family.  We enjoyed Chinese take-out, card games, Toy Story 3, and had a tiny midnight celebration with our little ones.  They're always up for staying up late and love a reason to cheer!  They were especially excited when Husband and I snuggled in to camp on the floor next to them.  New Year's Day we did a clam dig, and returned home to a hot meal {including crab}, lovingly cooked by our Aunt.  It was a wonderful time, and I hope yours was as well.

I'm a believer in New Year's resolutions.  I'm a believer in goals, short-term and long, and sticking to the game plan.  So it is with much enjoyment and satisfaction that I lay out a list of resolutions for 2011!

Here they are in short...

1) 12 books in 12 months.  Four classics.  
Don't get me started on how guilty I feel as a reader. 

2) Start and complete an entire journal for 2011.

3) As a family, move to become self-sustaining in at least one way i.e raise chickens, green roof, fuel, garden and canning.  We're excited for a whole new way of life, come our upcoming move. 
More on this later...!

4) Write, write, write, and finish the story.

I can't wait to see what 2011 unfolds.  I just know it is going to be a wonderful, promising year!

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A big year and million little pieces

With the New Year still new, millions of thoughts and ideas for how I will spend 2010have crossed my mind. I decided to go without a list of things that I will "resolve" during this year and chose two words that sum up two main areas that I desperately would like to lend my focus.

1.) SIMPLIFY--Limit the ways in which I over-extend myself to emotions, people, projects, obligations etc. I'm learning that the simplistic life is a happy life. I realize that this day in age living a simple life is not so simple, yet I refuse to be completely ruled by the ways of society! I plan to garden and take in many breaths of the four seasons as I enjoy the outdoors and the beauty of the NW this year. I'd also like to reduce excess spending and use up what I have before I buy more!

2.) CHERISH--My children are growing up rapidly! I am lucky to be a stay-at-home mama, but I am a busy/ambitious/business oriented stay-at-home mama. Did I ever mention we own a business? This year I plan to focus on cherishing the simple, everyday moments as much as possible. I refuse to be overrun with have-to's and am resolving to be more in tune with the beautiful family I've been blessed with, and the love and happiness that they offer me day in and day out. The memories, growth, learning and all that having a family has instilled within me over the last four years are the things that are irreplaceable. They're the things that I cherish, and want to cherish even more.

As for my writing, I have yet to zero in on a concrete plan. I had hoped to be knee-deep in a book proposal by now, but I am not. Instead, documents and scenes flood my word processor and my mind. The plan is to meet with Kerry Cohen, the author and memoirist who has kindly offered to help guide me in my process, so that I can begin the mountainous trek involved in writing such a proposal, and really, such material.

For years, I've practically felt plagued by my need to write my story, while without the exact knowing how to go about writing such memories; worrying that I might be overcome with depression while trying to invite such dreadful memories back in to be able to write them, means re-living them to an extent. And really, living them down is what I have been trying to do for so long, that re-living the memories is daunting, and frightening.

Monday, I was on the phone with my Mom and was telling her about the last three weeks that I have pretty much taken off from everything--blogging, reading, writing. I had been feeling so overcome with it all that I was feeling depleted, and to be honest, I feel like I am still coming to.

During our conversation, I jumped around talking about a possible business opportunity, while another thought of an Etsy shop crossed my mind. Then it dawned on me, here I go again--searching high and low for something to fulfill the ambition that my heart wants to zero in on. Then I find myself fighting back the urge to just cry because of how difficult it is to want to write but feeling unable to find the right balance to do so while raising a family. There is something inside me that can't seem to reconcile a little less time here to be used over there, so I pull back. Oh, balance. What a tricky fete to conquer! But then I have to wonder, is it me feeling guilty to want to take large quantities of time away from my kids to try and write this book, or is it some of this and feeling cold feet? Kerry Cohen said, writing a memoir is like telling the world your secrets. Certain days, I am not sure I am up for all that.

My Mom's and my conversation ended pretty abruptly. I was in the driveway of Brooklynn's preschool and had to get out to greet her. As I waited for her to be released, I stood shivering in the rain. Why would I even think to wear running shorts without pants today, I thought. Then I looked down into the large puddles in front of me. I watched as the rain fell, drops expanding to create a ripple effect, growing larger and larger. Then my writing came to mind, and I was reminded that my writing isn't all about me. It's about the others who might be affected by my sharing and the ripple affect that may be created. Then it all feels worth it. The rainy years, the tear drops, the pivotal moments. I don't believe it was for nought. In fact, I know it wasn't.

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