My Word for 2018

If you happen to follow along on Instagram, then you likely remember me posting my word for 2018. I wasn’t planning on sharing it on the blog, but the more I thought about it, the better an idea it seems. Now, blogging is pretty vulnerable. You are basically putting your thoughts, opinions, and ways of life out there for anyone and everyone to read and the world is a scary place! But this also relates to my word this year. Ready? 

Liberation.  

“lib·er·a·tion

1) the act of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; release.

2) freedom from limits on thought or behavior.”

I know it is sort of a strange word, but do hear me out.

I'm the person who always lets self-consciousness and perfectionism hold me back from doing things. Thing is, I'm also the person who learns well and quickly from mistakes.  So, this year, I'm not holding back. I'll write the horrible blog posts. I'll take the mediocre photos. I'll speak my terrible German. I'll take chances at work. I'll put myself out there. I'll say no. I'll say yes. But I will do it all free from my own selfish inhibitions. I'm tired of not doing things because "it won't be good enough."

Now this is not to say that I will do everything and anything. I still will be intentional in everything I do (and actually, I plan on taking on fewer responsibilities so I can focus on doing them well). But this year, I will be intentional about choosing to do things that will develop my character for good.

2018 is my year. I can feel it. 

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Do you have a word for 2018?

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My Top 6 Reads of 2017

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Since I was a child, I have loved reading. I remember getting so car sick when reading on the road, but taking a book regardless and consuming as much as I could before nausea set in. If it was night, there was less nausea, but less light and I'd wait for the stop lights and street lights to illuminate my page so I could get a few more sentences in (I know I wasn't the only one to do there! Where are my bookworms at??). Unfortunately, over the years the time to sit down with a book has become less. This last year I was a little more intentional about my book reading and then it occurred to me that I've never shared any book recommendations on the blog. I've had several people ask me about some of my favourites, so I decided to change that this year.

Because I have such a long commute, audiobooks have been my constant companion. Driving and reading when one is in the driver's seat is not ideal, so I get a good hour and a half of books read to me each work day. I don't mind. Audiobooks also allow me the freedom to use my eyes on other things, like my crochet projects and the muffins in the oven. 

While I have so many favourites, I decided to only share my top six from the year 2017. I chose six because that was the first number that popped into my head.

1. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

Okay, yes, this was kind of late and I missed it while it was more trendy, but oh boy was this a good one! I read it way back in February - twice - and I can't even tell you how many people I recommended it to. I even made my poor husband listen to it on audible. But guys. It was great. It confirmed my minimalistic desires and served as a practical tool as I had already been cleaning out all of my things! Life was good, but got even better after this book. (Get your copy here!)

2. The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

Who doesn't love a little bit of Chip and Joanna Gaines? I listened to the audiobook and it was pretty much amazing - mostly because Chip and Jo read it. It made their story come alive, and I came away from it wanting to quit life and start businesses. I didn't, of course, but it was definitely motivating. (Get your copy here)

3. Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

I laughed, I cried, it moved me. Also read by the author, it was the true story of Nabeel Qureshi and his journey to Christianity. Amazing. (Get your copy here!)

4. David Livingstone: Africa's Trailblazer by Janet and Geoff Benge

Another true story about David Livingstone that I actually read because I was teaching it in school. I think I enjoyed it more than the kiddos did though, and that's why it made it into this list! In case you haven't noticed, I love true stories. There is so much inspiration found in watching the lives of others. (Get your copy here!)

5. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work by Timothy Keller

If you've ever wondered what the purpose of work is or how you can stay true to your values while advancing in your field of expertise, this is the book for you! Keller offers deep insight and surprising advice and answers relevant questions about our work! By the end of this book, you'll be walking a little taller and striving for excellence, discipline, creativity, integrity and creativity when it comes to your work. (Get your copy here!)

6. Love Does: Discover A Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff

This book. This book is great. Bob Goff tells unbelievable stories and experiences from his life and you just feel as if you're sitting with him in a coffee shop as shares valuable lessons he's learned in life. I was moved to do things because, well, love does. (Get your copy here!)

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What were some of the best books you read in 2017? I'd love some recommendations!

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Astra's First Christmas

You can make fun all you want, but naturally, we had to document our cat's (aka child #1) first ever Christmas, right? I've been reeeeeeeeally trying not to spam you too much with her on Instagram, so you get this quick Christmas post instead!

Time has flown by since we got Astra, but we have enjoyed every minute of it. And in true "new parent" fashion, I present to you: our kitten. She's grown a bit since you last saw her.

Of course, we had to get her an ugly sweater. It's just the thing to do! She still isn't sure how to feel about it, but she handles our craziness very well.

Ain't she cute? I know it. I look forward to her company and cuddles every morning - though I'm not sure what she loves more: me or all the knits in the house!

I'll spare you from suffering through more pictures....for now. We are just really attached to our little fur baby! Definitely didn't see that one coming :)

Merry Christmas from all of us over here, and a Happy New Year!

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Meet Astra

You may have gathered as much on Instagram, but two weeks ago, our family grew by one: my husband and I adopted a sweet kitten!

Meet Astra! We chose the name Astra because it means "star," and she is all black and has one small white spot on her belly and one on her throat. 

It became very clear very soon that this little kitten loves to be near her humans. We are constantly having her tangled in our legs as we walk and we wake up to her in our arms in our sleep. When we escape to the bathroom, she's scratching at the door. If she's fast (which she is) she makes it in there before the door can be closed and hangs out on the bath mat. If anyone is in the shower, she'll run between the shower curtain liner and curtain along the edge of the tub in a flash.

If I'm working at my desk, she jumps up on my rolling cart and snuggles down for a nap. She is definitely never far from where I am. I had to add a fleece so she would be more comfortable since she insists on being right near me.

She likes chilling with my husband too and is content just sitting under his chair. It's amazing how laid back she is!

She's a seriously curious critter and loves to check out every corner and watches everything we do very intently. We've come to find out that she looooooves knits, and perches herself on every homemade blanket she can find. She even loves my mood blanket, so I naturally had to update the post with some more pictures.

So now you've been introduced to our new sweet kitten. My grandma is still waiting for us to have a child, but she'll have to settle for a great-grandcat for now. We've been told that people with pets live longer, so we have some time now I suppose :P 

Is she not the sweetest?

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Do you have a pet? What do you love about it?

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Turning Twenty-Something

My birth date and I have sort of a love-hate relationship. I both dread and anticipate it every year. On the one hand, I become a year older (and perhaps a year wiser as well?), but on the other hand, I usually get showered with love and feel appreciated. What human doesn't appreciate some extra love??

In an attempt to do something a little different (if you were around last year, you saw my reverse bucket list), I decided to share what I did on my birthday. Unfortunately, my birthday fell on a Thursday: not only did I have work that day, but I had a job interview scheduled awkwardly in the middle of the evening. 

During work, my eyes started burning and my head began to pound. I started to feel feverish and just plain awful, so I set off to go home much earlier than planned. I figured that I would take some fever reducers and tough it out. If there was one day I needed to be on top of my game, it was that day.

As I drove into the driveway, I saw some gold coming through the windows and got excited. My husband knows me well, and sure enough, as I walked in, not only had he strung gold balloons up, he had our family on Skype and FaceTime singing.

It's kind of strange I didn't suspect the latter, since I was on the phone with my mom and heard Skype in the background. I didn't really think anything of it though - just assumed it was the television or radio on her end. I did ask her what that "Skype noise" was, and she just said, "I don't know." She is a horrible liar. Always has been. Which I guess is a good thing?

By the time that whole ordeal was over, I was feeling pretty gross, so I took some meds, opened my gifts, posed with the banana chocolate chip muffin (my favourite!) and took a nap.

I'm totally spoiled and my husband knows me too well. These weren't even all the things I got! Thoughtful friends and family sent cards and flowers and gifts as too. 

After a surprise pottery painting ordeal, we went to one of my favourite restaurants to eat dinner and to a market to walk around before heading off to the interview. In hindsight, I should have brought the camera, but I was so out of it and so nervous, that it was the last thing on my mind. Those of you who follow me on Instagram followed along that day though! 

It wasn't even all over after that! It was pretty late by the time I got out of the interview, but my husband still had something up his sleeve. I seriously thought he was planning some kind of hike (don't ask), but when he pulled up to a roller rink, I had to laugh. While fighting a fever and the urge to sleep (I will enjoy my birthday, I told my body), we roller skated in circles until we collapsed. 

I did pay for it; I spent the weekend in my bed with a high fever. Totally worth it. 

I hope this next year treats me even better than the last. Oh, and in case you were wondering, I did get the job! You'll hear all about that soon. 

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Ever had to press through to make the most of your night?

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