Advice

I am planning Myers' first birthday party....I have a little over 2 monhs left but I love to plan ahead! Plus I will be planning Manning's 3rd birthday (I can't believe that my sweet boy is almost 3 years old!!!!) shortly after Myers turns 1, so I am trying to get ahead start. I loved Manning's first birthday cake and theme.... I used primary colors and polka dots.

I can't decide what theme I want to use for Myers' party. I have a few options that I like. Tell me what you think and any advice would be appreciated.

1. Option A: Nautical theme. I would use blue and red as my colors and do sailboats as my theme. I love the vision for this but don't know where I would find materials. I would like the cake to be shaped like a sail boat on a blue bottom tier.

2. Option B: Colors light blue and brown. 3 tierd cake just like Mannings but in light blue and trimmed in brown with his initals in brown.

What are your thoughts? Looking forward to getting some much needed input.

Holding me Accountable...

I have never been one to make New Year's Resolutions. I had no reason not to; I have just never felt compelled to set these yearly "goals" for myself. This year, however, was different. Not only did I make one resolution, I made a whole list of them. I want to be a better believer, a better wife, mom, friend, teacher....and it goes on and on.
1. First of all, I want to be more devoted to my heavenly Father. I need to commit more time to prayer and Bible reading.
2. I want to do the sweet things for Kevin that I did when we were dating, engaged, and newly married! I love him more now than ever, but show him so much less!
3. I want to spend MORE time playing with my kids and their toys and LESS time picking up behind them and their toys! They are only babies and toddlers once.... I vow to enjoy every single second of this precious time!
4. I want to keep my car cleaned out and neat. For whatever reason, my van has always been the dumping ground. If you needed and couldn't find it- check in my van ! I promise a family could have lived for a week on the contents in my car. (Kevin would lovingly whistle the tune to "Sanford and Sons" when he got in!) This is no more! The week after Christmas, I cleaned everything out and took my van to Snappy Car Wash. I spent $65 of the money I got for Christmas (hello- my shopping money) and got it completely detailed. I even had the carpets shampooed. It looks brand new! I am so proud of us - so far we have done wonderful at keeping it clean!
5. I want to grow my hair out. I haven't had long hair since I got married almost 6 years. Kevin likes my hair long so for the last 7 months I have been patiently growing my hair. For a girl who loves getting her hair done, I promise this is an act of LOVE!
6. I want to cook more and eat out less. Anyone who has good, EASY recipes, I would appreciate any advice!
7. I want to stay up-to-date on my scrapbooking. It is so much easier when I stay on track, rather than having to spend hours upon hours catching up on all the months that I have neglected to scrapbook!

Finding time for the MOST important things

I have always struggled to devote DAILY consistent time to Bible reading and prayer. I try to read my Bible everyday and I have attempted to read the entire thing in a year, unfortunately I have never made it through. I pray...I even pray often. However, until recently I lacked a set time during each day that was completely devoted to talking to God. Just me and God. Not group prayer, not prayer with Kevin, not prayer with my boys, not blessings before meals, not quick 30 second chats. (Not that these are not all Awesome....I just needed to make time for lengthy one-on-one time with my Father) How can I expect him to change me if I never sit still long enough to hear HIS plans?

Growing up, bedtime was the part of my day that was spent conversing with God. I rarely fell asleep without saying my prayers. As I got older, I would pray while I drove because this gave me the perfect time to connect with my Savior. However, my circumstances have changed (in a wonderful way)....I now have two wonderful little boys who keep me very busy (I am in noway blaming them or looking for an excuse). I know that I spend too much time on facebook, watching TV, etc that I could spend reading my Bible and praying. This is a failure on my part and my part alone. I just cannot commit to praying in bed anymore because I am too tired. By the time, my head hits the pillow I am gone. I want to give God the best version of Amy....this is not it! I also have a hard time talking to God when I am driving now. First of all, I am seldom in the car alone. Most of the time, Manning and Myers are in the backseat and I am talking, singing, or laughing with them!

I was recently telling Kevin about all of this and he gave me a wonderful suggestion. Pray while I take my nightly bath. (He lets me take a long bath EVERY night after he gets home from work. It is glorious! I have an awesome husband!) So I thought, why don't I make a new commitment to not only praying each night during my bath but every morning while I am in the shower? That's my goal! Hold me accountable. My question to you...esp to you very busy moms- When do you find time to devote to God?