Spring Engagement Shoot

       I love when I meet with clients for the first time and we just know we will work well together. This has definitely been the case with Mike and Jes, who are planning a fall wedding! We went back and forth about the engagement session, pretty much me trying to convince Mike that it wouldn't be painful! I think the best thing that happens after an engagement session for me is when the future groom says, "that really wasn't so bad!" The whole idea behind the engagement session is to both capture this beautiful season of life, while also giving just a bit of practice and reassurance for the wedding day! 

   We had a beautiful shoot in the spring blooms in Historic New Castle, which even included their fur babies, Alden and Wesley! I am very much looking forward to capturing their wedding later this year! Enjoy...

Monday Confessions

Hello inter-web friends! It's a crazy Monday as ever but the sun is shining! Why is it I always yearn for things to "slow down" but really I think I just feed off the crazy! We have perfect weather here today so I took kiddos swimming...yes swimming because my in-laws pool is already open and even a little warm! Here's to it almost being summer! I have a few things to confess today...

1. I truly CANNOT believe this is the twins last week of preschool ever! They have preschool graduation on Wednesday, prepping the tissue box now! 

2. Mother's day was lovely. It certainly started nicely with the sun shining and our family heading to church. We were also able to spend a nice lunch out with family and some relax time later in the day. My family was so very sweet to me and I appreciated it!

3. Speaking of Mother's day....if you have not heard of the movie that just opened, Mom's Night Out, you need to get out to see it! It was both hilarios and encouraging. Who knew Trace Adkins could act so well?! He was one of my favorite! 

4. I was in line a couple weeks ago behind a lady in Kohls who had a HUGE purchase. She had a cart full of kids clothing, shoes, etc. I totally get it, new season and kids grow! I have to say though when she got to her total, I had to speak up because I had a coupon on my phone for 15% off your purchase. I let her use it because I guess I can't even let other people spend their own money like crazy?! I saved that lady $65 off her purchase! Always check for coupons my friends before you walk into ANY store!

5. We got to go to Sesame Street Live last Friday too and the kiddos loved it! I definitely recommend it for their age group. I did have one struggle with the kids though, constant begging for things. Anyone else deal with this? As I heard my own advice coming out my mouth, I thought I might try to heed my own words. "When you are continually looking at things you don't have and wishing you had them, you miss all the things in front of you that you do have. You forget to be thankful for what you have!" Guess I will work on taking my own advice!

6. I am going to kick off my first challenge group with Beach Body very soon! If you are interested for a 30 days challenge with accountability and support, drop me an email! emily@emilytroutmanphoto.com I am excited to help you reach your fitness and/or weight loss goals. 

I have to run, many more things calling for my attention today! Hope you have a great week friends!

Southport Wedding Sneak Peek!

As a little girl she loved this tree…it was always a vision of hers to have bridal portraits under this tree in Southport, NC and last weekend her dream came true! Working on these beautiful images! 

Monday Confessions

SO this morning I was one of those people that I thought I might never be, I was at a fitness studio by 5:30am for a circuit workout. It was great to get my body up and moving! I was back to my house before anyone else was even up and I know I burned a few hundred calories.  I have to say though, I might be ready for a nap by lunchtime! It is REALLY nice though that my workout is already done and I can go about my day. So here goes confessions...

1. Last week I cooked my first ever ham. Some of you might be laughing but for real, I did and it was delish. My whole family even ate it up! The only casualty was a burn on my hand. Last week's house chores were tough on my hands! I got a cut last Monday putting laundry away too...

2. Have I ever told you friends I am Delaware native? Born here and never left! I know, crazy right?

3. I confess... I watched Tori Spelling's new documentary style reality show, True Tori,  which is capturing her dealing with her husband's infidelity. I have to be honest, there's so many things about her life I disagree with but I am very drawn to her as a person in her books/reality show. I have to say though, the show was very sad to me. It's hard to watch a mom of 4 littles going through that...especially her every move being chased by paparazzi. I don't know if I will keep up with the show but it was interesting to watch it all from her perspective. 

4. I finished up another book, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Klein. I really liked it, mostly I think because it is a fascinating part of history I knew nothing about. A lot of the tale is actually heart breaking but there was some redepmtion in the end.The orphan trains operated between 1853 and 1929, relocating about 250,000 orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children, taking them from Eastern cities to the Midwest. Unfortunately a lot of these kids found what was more like indentured servitude within the homes they were adopted to. Definitely give this one a read! 

5. Want to know my favorite summer Starbucks drink? It's a black tea lemonade. Yum! I do like it sweetened so I tried with agave instead of sugar...not too shabby!

6. We are doing A LOT better with potty training, thank goodness. We are still having trouble convincing little man to do # 2's on the potty but # 1's are all good! No accidents with those for at least 3 or 4 days!

7. I had a great engagment shoot this past weekend that I will share on here soon, but what I want to chat about happened after that.  I was down on the river in a historic district in Delaware and I saw a gorgeous older couple with a classic car. I saw them chatting when he leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. I was smitten with them, I had to speak up and offer some photographs. Totally harsh light, tons of people around and nothing ideal, but I have a feeling their grand kids will cherish these! I enjoyed my few moments with these sweet people, hearing their story. I guess my point for sharing is don't be afraid to interact with people, sometimes it's worth it! 

I hope you all have a great week ahead! I have some travel ahead this week so I don't know if I will get to other posting but I do have some photography I would love to get to share soon! :) 

Monday Confessions

   Can I get an Amen for today's weather? Even the crazy wind isn't bothering me so much because it's fairly sunny and warm! After a LONG winter here in Delaware, the sun and warmth feels like therapy! We had GREAT weather for Saturday's mini sessions too, which I couldn't be more happy with! 

1. We had a nice slow Sunday yesterday after church, which rarely happens. I think though that when I actually slow down the pace a little, it shows me how much MORE I need to slow down the pace and keep priorities straight. I learned a long time ago you can say "yes" to lots of good things and still be missing the "best" things. I am trying so hard to protect our sanity and schedule but even with that focus, the next few weeks is insane! I confess though that I really do need to slow down a bit more. I am ready for the change of pace that summer brings! 

2. I confess that teachers want out of school just a much as students! Only a few more weeks of the semester with my photo class, which I very much enjoy! Every semester there are suprises and dissapointments but I am always reminded how much I love teaching!

3. I finished a really good book yesterday, The Little Way of Ruthie Leming, by Rod Dherer. It is a non-fiction memior style book written about the author's life, most of it being focused on his sister and her battle through cancer. I actually knew nothing about the book when I put in for a hold at the library but I kept hearing it recommended. I can really see why people like this book, it was an easy read and I enjoyed it. It made me very contemplative though and even inspired last night's dinner menu when I made jambalya and sweet tea! I have spent some time on a few different trips to Louisiana and it reminded me of my time there. Small town Lousiana is most of the setting for this story. It really made me think on relationships and life and all those things you don't like to think about when racing through the speed of life. If you're in the mood for a thoughtful read that will require a few tissues along the way, this is a good one!

4. I did my first p90x3 workout today! I just finished up Beta round of T25 and am ready for something new leading up to summer! It's definitely different than other things I have done. I realized I am not half the beast I like to think I am...a pull up bar can humble you quick! I am ready to try something new though and see how all the strength moves change my body! 

5. It has been quite a while since I have sat down to take a vocabulary quiz but there have been a few new words crossing my path lately and I am going to attempt to work them into conversations :) I am not going to lie, I learned one in church and one from reality tv! You can guess which is which!

en·mi·ty  noun

1. the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.

taw·dry  adjective

1. showy but cheap and of poor quality.

   We had an adventure to the local orchard this morning to run around and soak in some sunshine. Luck smiled on us though because it wasn't supposed to be open to the public today (depsite their very confusing website) but thanks to a private party we were still able to go in for a few hours!

   This morning because all the kids were home and it was a beautiful day, we headed to the local orchard to run and enjoy the fresh air! It was little cloudy and windy but that didn't stop our fun. The kids got to play on all the playgrounds and do the petting zoo...there was even an appearance of the Easter bunny!

   

   Have a great week friends! 

Monday Confessions

  Hello friends, I have had a crazy Monday with the kids. We went to the Y with my mom this morning in her town in Maryland. Unfortunately after a short time swimming in the indoor pool, an elderly man had a collapse and we were all evacuated out. I have been thinking over a lot of things this morning like the brevity of life, how people respond in an emergency, and even trying to teach my children the well being of others is more important than our preferences. The kids didn't quite understand why their swimming adventure was cut so short although they witnessed the collapse of the man. When a team was gathered around the man working, I led a prayer with my kids. It's not necessarily miraculous on our part, but it recognizes WHO is in the business of the miraculous! These are certainly teachable moments...

So after the events of this morning, and probably the weather, I am in somber mood. It seems silly to share my trivial confessions. As we lead up to Easter though, I've been trying to have consistent devotions. This morning reminded me that the Cross was the entire purpose of Christ. 

"The heart of salvation is the cross of christ. The reason salvation is so easy to obtain is that it cost God so much. The cross was the place where god and sinful man merged with tremendous collision and where the way to life was opened. But all the cost and pain of the collision was absorbed by the heart of God" ~Oswald Chambers 

Hope you all have a wonderful week and check back next week for more confessions and hopefully some mini session photography!

Friday Engagement!

We have made it through another week my friends and I am excited to share some of this engagement session with you! Ashley and Adam are getting married later this year at Rockwood Carriage House and I couldn't be more excited to photograph their engagement and wedding! They are such a sweet couple that bonded over thier love of Jesus, music, and good coffee among other things. The rain held off and we had a lovely time shooting in historic Dover, Delaware. Enjoy friends!

Won't she make a gorgeous bride?!

Monday Confessions & Spring Mini Sessions are here!

Booking now for limited spots on April 12th in Historic Odessa for Spring mini sessions! Planning on shooting in the beautiful spring gardens in bloom! Email me today, emily@emilytroutmanphoto.com, spots are very limited!

As for this Monday, another week is upon us!

1. Monday weigh in after two full weeks of clean eating and T25 consistently... down 4 lbs and trying to stay strong! 

2. I have to confess that a yummy organic white peach tea with honey has been saving me on those afternoon desires to snack! Snacks are allowed, just not empty calorie snacks. Have I gone off the deep end you ask? Not at all, just trying to get shaped up and ready for shorts and tank top season! (Lets NOT EVEN TALK about the forecast for snow tomorrow!)

3. We had a visit to the dentist this morning for the twins! All is well thankfully with their teeth. Is it too early to pray not to need braces?! He's a comendian even in the dentist chair :) 

4. Yes I confess that I did go for free Rita's water ice last Thursday with the kids! I got the sugar free mango (it's made with Splenda which isn't "clean" but it was still way better on the calorie side of things and I don't want to miss out on fun in life!

5. Who's a zombie watcher?! So can't believe it's the season finale of the Walking Dead next week! We will be tortured I am sure with some sort of major cliff hanger until the fall season! I have to say that I am definitely not a zombie lover but got sucked into the characters and the whole idea of surviving in some kind of apocalypse!

Here's to a wonderful week and let me know if you want in on one of those mini sessions! 

Outdoor Hunting Shoot

          I have the privilege a couple weeks back of doing an outdoor shoot for some friends. They are Shoreboys Outdoors,  who are "just a few friends who have a passion for the outdoors, conservation, & filming hunts." They are fairly well known water fowl hunters in the Maryland/Delaware area. For me this shoot was a fun combination of outdoor photography and something new for me! I admire some different hunting photography, it's an intriguing field to be in, no pun intended.  :) 

         If I am honest, I need some inspiration lately. This was a good stretch for me of using what I already know about using natural light and applying it to a different type of photography for me. It was a good stretch to see how my style could translate into a different genre. I hope you enjoy!

Monday Confessions, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's St. Patty's day but feels a bit more like April fools with the mini blizzard going on outside my window! 

I know everyone's Irish on St. Patricks day but I do honestly have a lovely Irish heritage on my mother's side of the family. I have them to thank for the freckles I am sure! Here's an Irish Proverb to start your day, 

As for confessions...

1. I feel like Olaf from Frozen..I want summer!!!!!

2. Here's what I see out my window...poor cozy coupes were loving those 60 degree days we had!

3. I confess that as a 32 year-old woman, I just made my first fried eggs this morning! I have eaten them all my life, if someone else makes it. Not so sure why I never really tried it until today?! They were a lovely over easy and went great with a slice of whole wheat toast. Here's to attempting whatever intimidates you, even if it's frying your own eggs!

4. I have been slowly bringing out the spring decorations to brighten the mood but this weather keeps toying with us! What are your favorite Spring/Easter decorations to put out? 

5. I am thankfully going strong on my T25 challenge with clean eating, down two pounds from last Monday! I have to confess though, we had a busy weekend of parties and events that I had a couple things not on "the plan." I think the social situations are the hardest! I encouraged myself by getting right back on the wagon and making the best choices in the situtations. I had lots of fruits/veggies and even some wheat crackers, etc. Had I not bee on the challenge though I would've been far more likely to gobble down all kinds of things. I think challenges are great to really open our eyes to what we consume when we aren't paying attention! 

 This has been one of my motivational mantras this week...

That's about it for me today, going to try to keep myself joyful and motivated even if everything is crazy! Don't forget free iced coffee or tea at Dunkin!! Off to find some green to wear...

Monday Confessions

Hey friends another week is upon us so it's time to confess!

1. Thank goodness the sun is shining and tomorrow's weather forecast for 63 degrees and sunny has me giddy!

2. I kicked off my first challenge group today with a group of girls doing T25 Beta round for 4 weeks. I am excited to eat clean and be held accountable to workouts to see where it gets me over the next four weeks. Believe it or not, next week has the first day of spring! I will be starting up more groups later this spring and early summer if you want to get in on it!

3. I asked my social media friends if I should keep reading Gone Girl by Gilian Flynn. I am over 100 pages in now and I am struggling to stay with it. I have heard so many people loved it and I am trying to figure out what they loved? The input on facebook was to stay with it but I have another friend who said, "life is too short to read bad books." Thoughts?

4. It's the second Monday of free iced coffee or tea from Dunkin Donuts! I haven't gotten one yet! Last Monday was a blizzard and today I was busy elsewhere. I might take a walk to the Dunkin near my house later and get that iced tea. I am too tempted to get an iced coffee with yummy sweet stuff in it (remember I just started a challenge group and trying to stay strong!)

5. I think I have underestimated the effect of a long winter on kids too. My little cherubs have been extra crazy and it's been challenging me. I think though that they're all on the cusp of new ages and stages in life. Max is sort of rejecting some his age appropriate transitions, like potty training (don't ask...it's that bad). The twins though are growing, changing and inserting lots of independence. There are just some areas I wish they would exhibit that independence more than others! 

Have a great week friends!

Newborn Sweetness

It's true, I have bogged myself down in some business decisions lately. I think it's often daunting for creative types to really deal with business savvy. Even this very website you are looking at, haunts me in my sleep a little. I am so ready to update but it's a massive undertaking of choosing new work, etc. I am also brainstorming about some new pricing structures. I think the best way to get out of a rut like this though, is to remember the photography! I need to remind myself of what I feel when I hop behind the camera and go into the creative zone! I LOVE that part of it...so the pricing, taxes, accounting, websites, files and business decisions can beat it for a bit to let me dream. 

      Last week I had the pleasure of doing a short little session for a sweet (and alert!) baby girl newborn!  I hope you enjoy these sweet images as much as I did taking them. We got her fed, warm and snuggly but she wanted nothing to do with sleep. She is a girl after all...she knew something was going on and didn't want to miss it! I just went with her lead and just captured her as she was! I have to be honest, the less "styled" a newborn shoot, the better for me. I want you to see all the simple sweetness of the baby! Enjoy!

Couldn't you just eat her up?! 

Monday Confessions, Snow Day

Welcome to the first Monday in March to another crazy snow day! It's funny, I left my kids snow pants hanging in our laundry area. I kept thinking to myself, "should I be putting these away?" Well thankfully I didn't and they're ready for action today!

1. I am already on my second cup of coffee (who wants a free iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts in a blizzard?!) Here's the view of my back yard at the moment and it's still coming down... We did see the grass for a few days!

2. I am already on my third load of laundry. I really don't know how 5 people can truly make so much laundry but I will blame winter and multiple layers for this one! Do yourself a favor though and put on the Pandora Motown station to fold to! I swear Motown makes it all better!!

3. Thanks for all the well wishes when I was really sick last Monday. I am doing much better but still seem to be fighting some cold symptoms. 

4. I just finished a great read, The Art Forger, by B.A. Shapiro. It was fascinating in relation to real facts and the world of art forgery. The story relates back to the infamous 1990 art heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston in which a large stash of works were stolen, never to be recovered. This story takes on a fictional turn of what happened to one of Degas' famous works. I really enjoyed it, espcially coming from a fine art educational background. It's a mix of mystery, drama and of course a little romance mixed in. 

5. I am currently burning my new fave delicious smelling Anthropologie candle, in Willow. I got it on a steal in the sale room and then used my birthday coupon! It looks cute too of course!

6. Any of you friends bread makers? I would love to hear if you have favorite recipes or tips! I just keep reading all these stories about horrible chemicals in our foods. It's giving me stress to think about what to feed my family. I am not a big overeactor in general, but it's so hard when it comes to feeding a family and wanting to do it well!

I will live you with some wisdom for this week! (Original source unknown)

Monday Confessions

Hello friends! Yet another week is upon us and I am really sick which is no fun! My kids so kindly shared their virus with me. I don't know what it is about being an adult with a fever and all, but it's just rough! As we all know too, moms don't get sick days! We just have to keep on moving! 

For those of you that missed this, I wanted to share. We heard a slight rattle in our subwoofer when watching movies. We knew that Max has slipped a thing or two in there. My husband finally decided to take it apart and found this treasure trove of items! That apple tv remote had been missing a good 6 months! Kids will keep you humble...

I was very excited to start P90x3 workout program today but it looks like that will have to wait until I recover! Hope you all have a good Monday and I will see you back here next week hopefully with more to share! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

In honor of love and engagements we are running a special this month! Contact me today if you're interested!

Monday Confessions, Birthday!

My birthday has fallen on a Monday this year! It's very much a regular winter Monday around here. It snowed last night and left me a nice covering of ice for my birthday! I am happy to say that I treated myself and drug the kids out for a Monday morning workout with friends. Being a grown up, birthdays are just so different than they used to be! The kids want to know where are my balloons and party?! I just want to know if I can get a day off from adulthood?! Haha...this year though I am just thankful for my family's health and so many other things! Today I am counting my blessings while hanging with the kids, tackling some photo work, and looking forward to a family dinner later! Hope you all have a beautiful week!

Monday Confessions

Happy rainy Monday! The kids in our district are stuck home for another "snow day" but it's just pouring! I will feel really bad for them when it's the third week of June and they're still in school...ick. Anyhow, it's Monday so you know that means it's time for my confessions!

1. I confess I have some exciting Emily Troutman Photo news coming in the next day or so about a February special I am running! 

2. It's almost Valentines day, do you buy or craft your kiddos valentines for their class? I am on the fence mostly because I think it's just fine to buy them or craft them! It's mostly just what you have time for or if you feel like trying to motivate your kids to help! I am not sure yet what we will do...

3. I have gotten in my workout this morning and this leads me to some more fun news. I have taken the plunge and joined Team Beach Body as a coach! I love helping and motivating people, especially when it comes to making their life move in a healthy direction. I am a year out from when I decided to get back into shape last year. It was one of the best decisions I made both for myself and my family! I am anxiously awaiting the new P90x3 in the mail, it's a 30 minute version of Tony Horton's famed p90x. I will let you know what I think of it as I et going! I am here to simply help people, so if there's something you've been wondering about as you get on a healthy track, feel free to email me, emily@emilytroutmanphoto.com

4. I got to photograph my first wedding of 2014 on Saturday and it was beautiful! I am excited to get back into photographing as the season picks up. 

5. For any of you that are like "has she seriously lost her mind?! She's photographing, teaching and added another thing to her plate by coaching...." I am a little crazy I know. I am just taking it one day at a time. Thankfully things have seasons, ebbs and flows. I feel like this season of my life is figuring out lots about motherhood and what else I am called to do. I love all of these things and am passionate about them. I am just taking it one day at a time my friends to seek out what God has for me!

6. My kids won't stop singing "Let it go" at the top of their lungs! It's the song from the Frozen soundtrack if you aren't familliar with it. I have to say though, it's some sage advice....whatever it is, let it go!

Ok friends, off to the doc for a follow up appointment for one of my kiddos! I am still fighting sickness as well. Seriously ready for spring on so many levels!!! Have a great week!

Monday Confessions, Polar Vortex

Well it's Monday again and we are still in the middle of this Polar Vortex business where artic air swoops down into our area. I am, like most people, really over it. I love some good snow but this "feels like 3 degrees with the windchill" business needs to head back up to Santa's workshop! 

1. I am a potty training failure. After pushing Max to work on the potty for a solid 5 days with little successes, I am giving it a break. I am hoping as he gets closer to 3, he will take initiative. 

2. I have already showered and used a hair dryer! This is a win....

3. But I have not worked out....I am telling myself I will do a 4 o'clock workout before dinner. 

4. I ate more yesterday than I have eaten in one day in a long time! We had a beautiful brunch to celebrate my mom's retirement at the Hotel DuPont. It was lovely but I ate my weight in yumminess! (See why I need to get to that workout?!) Congrats Mom on your 25 years of faithful service and here's to what's next!!

5. I am taking the kids to an indoor play center today...there, I said it! I am taking them to run their little hearts out even if it costs me a few dollars, it will be worth it if it helps us all survive another day together with better attitudes and grateful hearts!

This pretty much sums up what I want to leave you with today...

Have a great week! 

Monday Confessions, MLK Jr. Day

I want to start with an appropriate MLK Jr. quote today....

I love this on so many levels. Of course MLK stood for civil and human rights, but this applies to all of life. You can't move forward if you don't start trying somewhere! I needed this reminder this morning when it seems like it's the middle of January, I am potty training a defiant toddler, and dealing with life in general. 

1. I confess I despise potty training. It's like a horrible game of trying to get a toddler into submission while dealing with bodily fluids. This just isn't a good combination. Some of you might think "hey, I thought she potty trained him at the end of the summer?!" I sure was trying but he started a huge regression so I let him be for a while. I told myself after the holiday hub-ub, it was time. He got his "big boy" toddler bed this weekend and we have been trying to convince him that big boys don't pee their pants! 

2. What is up with the fact that I have another birthday right around the corner and seriously the gray hair has divided and conquered?! It's no joke friends, might have to start taking drastic measures! 

3. If you are a stay at home mom, I read the funniest blog post I have seen in a while. It pretty much sums up most of mom life at home. I WANT TO THROW MYSELF INTO TRAFFIC: AN ESSAY ON BEING A STAY-AT-HOME MOM . There's lots of good one liners, "My house would be the epitome of a Pottery Barn catalog ... My husband would wonder how he got so lucky to have such a perfect wife and prance me around town like a sparkly little show pony, and my kids would idolize my every move. Usually this fantasy also included me winning a break dance competition of some sort in front of a crowd of hundreds." Hilarious....

4. I have three screaming children as I attempt to write this...Nothing about being a stay at home mom is glamorous and it rarely feels productive which is a struggle for me! One child is begging for cheese curls when he has not yet even eaten his waffle. I know, why did I even buy the cheese curls?!! Oh and now the youngest has peed on the floor...AGAIN....

5. I just finished reading Silver Linings Playbook, which I really ended up liking. It is written from the perspective of a man who has spent years in a mental institution. It's also written in the setting of Collingswood, NJ and Philadelphia, PA. A good friend lived in the town next to Collingswood for a few years so I am familiar with the setting, as well as all the Philadelphia Eagles references. It was a different type of book for me, which was refreshing. There were strange concepts like a hatred for all things Kenny G, but that's what made it endearing. You definitely find yourself rooting for the lead characters! I am going to try to rent the movie now to see if it lives up to the book!

 
I better run today friends! I have tinkle to clean and a glamorous life to lead! Ha....I wish! I also hope to get back to blogging photography as work rolls in. February 1 is my first wedding of the year that I am very much looking forward to! Have a great week friends! I am currently booking sessions now through spring/summer if you are intersted or know someone who is engaged!

Monday Confessions

     Yet another week has greeted us this morning! I just read my Jesus Calling devotional book and it was a great reminder to start my day. It started with "Try to view each day as an adventure, carefully planned out by your guide. Instead of staring into the day that is ahead of you, attempting to program it to your will, be attentive to Me (Jesus) and to all I have prepared for you." I confess I often start days thinking, what will I have to endure today?! It's a much better way to start it off thinking of what He has prepared! The coordinating verse was, "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118: 24

1. I confess this devotional was a much needed mental adjustment to the start of the week! I don't want to wander into "complain mode" but we have just had one thing after another coming at us recently. We feel a little like we are running uphill a lot...remembering that God plans our days and gives us strength to persevere!

2. As soon as I am done this blog, I will go put on my sneakers for Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30, week 3. Hope I survive! That girl is no joke! Trying hard to maintain health and manage stress in the new year!

3. The spring semester of teaching starts this week, I am both excited to meet a new batch of college students and a little anxious at how crazy my schedule will be this spring. One day at a time right?!

4. I confess that I REALLY did not like the plot turn that Downton Abbey took last night. It was very upsetting and I know it will impact the season very much. What did you all think?!

5. We are definitely dealing with cabin fever and winter blahs at our house. What are you favorite ways to combat it with kids? 

6. This months' Thriving Family magazine has a handful of great articles that I am gleaning wisdom from. One I read yesterday about "When Your Parenting isn't working," it was both humbling and helpful. I am always thankful for helpful resources that get to the heart of the issues! Thankful that a new year is full of fresh starts on many levels. A huge issue I am dealing with is yelling or actually trying not to! 

7. As for what I am reading, I just finished up Longbourn by Jo Baker last week for my book club I am a part of. It was essentially Pride and Prejudice written from the servant's perspective. I have to say though that I wasn't a huge fan. I realize the entire book was written to bring some thought to the reality and not the romanticism of living in those times in England. I guess I just didn't love her writing style, among other things. Another possibility for my dislike is that I maybe only wanted to think about the romantic side of living in the English countryside and not the realities of war, etc. Apparently that is the reason Jane Austen originally wrote P & P, to be a distraction from all the hardships England was facing. I believe I like the escape better than the reality!

I think that's about it for me today! I have to go deal with screaming kids and try to tackle that work out before all motivation is gone! Hoping you all have a great week as well!!