Bookworm......

Hey, friends!!! I hope your 2015 has gotten off to a fantastic start so far! Ours has been a little crazy (hence the lack of posting here). My poor husband has been struggling with some health issues which has landed us in the ER a couple times along with multiple doctors visits and tests. We're still getting to the bottom of the issue, but thankfully none of his symptoms are life threatening at this point!

Personally, I didn't make many specific resolutions for this year. Like most, I want to make healthier food choices, lose those pesky pregnancy pounds, and continue to grow in my walk with the Lord. At the end of December, though, one area of improvement really jumped out at me - my reading.

Photo Credit

I actually have always loved to read, but I have struggled to make it a priority in the last few years for two reasons:

1. Kids! Need I say more??

2. The Internet. My inbox, blog reader, and Facebook feed are constantly packed full with articles to read. In one sitting, I can fill my mind with the best deals at Target, some devotional thoughts from the Psalms, satire on the SAHM, and 10 healthy crockpot meals! I read a lot, but not much sinks into my mind and my heart.

It's not surprising then that with all that miscellaneous information, my mind becomes discombobulated and distracted. That confusion actually then spills over into the other parts of my day!

In fact, in the last week, I've come across several articles on the importance of reading like this blog and this video!

I don't plan on giving up reading different blogs. After all, that's one of my favorite hobbies! BUT, I am striving to read more entire books this year! I'm excited to get to know those authors more deeply through their writing and make more focused strides in my spiritual and emotional growth.

Here are a few books on my reading list already.....

I'm re-reading this book as a part of a fitness/health group on Facebook! It's so convicting and encouraging at the same time! *

Here are a couple books that are being released later this year that I can't wait to read! *

I just started this book and am so excited about learning more about reading and studying THE BOOK! *

Can you believe I've never read this book? It's on my list too! *

My to-read list is continuing to grow and grow and I'm really excited to check some of these books off! There's still only 24 hours in day, of course, so some other areas (like blogging) may have to take a back seat for a while! In the meantime, we can always connect here and here !

I can always use more ideas! What are YOU reading in 2015? 

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Small triumphs and working out....

One of the sweetest things my husband has done for me lately is summed up in this picture.....

This is us after our very first workout with Shaun T's FOCUS T25 DVD Workout. I asked for it for an early birthday gift with the condition that we would do the entire 10 weeks together, and Adam agreed. We're on week 9 and haven't missed one day! 

His commitment to not only the tough workouts, but to ME absolutely means the world to me! As crazy as it sounds, the 25 minutes we sweat together each morning is one of my favorite parts of the day. 

Both of us have noticed big changes in our bodies including more cardio stamina. That's why a couple Sunday nights ago, I felt a strange urge to go running. 

I say "strange" because I am by no means a runner. I forced myself to train for a church 5K a couple years ago, and was able to finish by a combo of jogging & fast walking. 

I pushed myself harder than I ever have in my entire life and was able to run for 15 minutes straight without stopping. Now, I know that may seem silly to some of you runners, but for me this was HUGE! Even in high school, I could barely make it 1/2 way around the track before walking during our PE runs. 

It was exciting to see all of the hard work from the last 2 months really pay off. It makes me want to continue working hard to become even stronger! I'm thanking God for this small, but super significant physical triumph! 

What areas in your life have you seen triumphs lately?? Do you follow a workout program? If so, I'd love to hear about it! I love new ideas!