It’s hard to believe that 31 days have passed in the year 2017!  How can we already have made it thorough one month of the new year? Blows my mind.

Here’s a little list of my favorite things from this first month of 2017.

Book:  I read three books! I know- some of you are thinking, “Wow! Only three?” That’s kind of a big deal. I mean, I feel like I have no down time to do anything around my house expect for running around after a three year old, and a seven month old who is Army crawling around like it’s nobody’s business.

Out of the books that I conquered, I think I loved Nicole Curtis’ book, Better Than New: Lessons I’ve Learned from Saving Old Homes (and How They Saved Me) the most. Nicole is just a boss. She doesn’t apologize for who she is, for what she thinks, or for what she says. She sticks to her guns, and goes with her gut. I find that admirable.

Music:  These songs are constantly on repeat. It doesn’t matter if I’m driving or on the treadmill. I can’t get enough…

Old Dominion- Song for Another Time

Brothers Osborne- Stay a Little Longer

Brett Young- Sleep Without You

Amy Grant (ft. Tori Kelly)- Baby, Baby

Carrie Underwood- Dirty Laundry

Scripture:  “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8

I lost my grandfather this month. It was very bittersweet. My grandfather suffered from Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s. At the funeral home it was so sweet to see how many lives he touched. There were people there from his entire walk of life here on Earth. I say that losing him was bittersweet because I said goodbye to him several years ago. It was difficult to see his mind go. The last time I saw him, he didn’t even know who I was. I do mourn that his presence is no longer on this Earth. It’s sad knowing that I no longer have any grandparents left. But, I do rejoice in the fact that he is healed, and that he is whole once again. I take comfort in knowing that he is in the presence of The Lord.

Down Time:  Mr. and I started House of Cards on Netflix. Neither one of us can get the boys to bed fast enough so we can watch one (or three) episodes. It’s great mindless entertainment…and it’s also eye opening to the fact that I never want a career in politics!

Looking Ahead:  I am looking forward to the month of February. I love, love. I love celebrating Valentine’s Day. I love surprising the boys with their Valentine’s gifts. I love receiving what they’ve picked out just for me. It’s just a very special holiday. I’ll talk to you guys a little more about what we do around here to celebrate. It’s just a fun tradition we started when Monster was born. I’m’ all about creating memories and traditions for our boys; I hope that it carries over into their adulthood and -one day- they pass along the things we do, with their families. Memories and traditions- easy and simple ways to make sure that this everyday love remains.