Five Songs I Love Right Now

1. Speak O Lord- Kristyn Getty

We sing this at our church and I just love it. One line in the hymn says, "Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds; Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us."

I am trying to discern what God's plan for the next phase of my life will be and this reminds me that His plans are great!

2. Catch My Breath- Kelly Clarkson

I am trying to run and it is not working! I have worked up to five minutes but it is pure torture. This song is one that I listen to while running. It motivates me. (slightly) 

If you are a runner, does it ever get easier? Please say yes!!

3. Lead Me To the Cross-Hillsong

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last week and just had surgery on Friday. This song reminds me of where my focus needs to be. Not on the fear, not on the journey ahead, but on THE CROSS. 

 

4. I Will Wait- Mumford and Sons

This song makes me want to simultaneously dance a jig and ugly cry. It reminds me of the way I feel about my teenage son. 

These.Are.Hard.Years.

But...

I will wait for him to remember how much I love him.

I will wait for him to embrace his precious place in our family.

I will wait to see the amazing plans God has for his life be fulfilled.

He is so worth waiting for.

5. I Need You More- Jesus Culture

This is the cry of my heart. I need you, Lord!! More than words can say...

What songs are you listening to right now? 

35

This year, I will celebrate my 35th birthday. I want to make it my best year yet. I created a list of 35 things I want to do this year. This list is half goal list/half fun list. I tend to be a homebody so I want to make a point to get out and enjoy life with my family!

Marriage-
1.Go on an overnight getaway.
2.Do "The Love Dare".
3.Go golfing together.
4.Go to a marriage retreat.

Mothering-
5.Go to see Ruben graduate basic training.
6.Take Ethan golfing.
7.Take girls for a coffee date.
8.Take Ruben to PF Changs.
9.Teach kids to play tennis.
10.Create and use prayer journals for each child.

Personal-
11.Run a 5K.
12.Learn basic photoshop.
13.Finish my version of Project Life.
14.Take a ClickinMom Breakout Session.
15.Create a wardrobe that I love.
16.Have a "give back" birthday. (Celebrate my 35th birthday by thanking those in my life that are important to me.)

Home-
17.Create a beautiful desk area for myself.
18.Redo the girls room and get Aubrey a big girl bed.
19.Redo boys room for Ethan.
20.Plant white hydrangeas in the front of the house.

Financial-
21.Fund a trip to see Ruben graduate basic training.
22.Fund next year's tuition for the children's schooling.
23.Sell 50 things we no longer use or love.

Activities-
24.Go to the zoo.
25.Take kids to the Rivoli Theater.
26.Go to Betty Brinn's Children's Museum.
27.Go to Milwaukee Public Museum.
28.Go rollerskating.
29.Go sledding.
30.Go to a beach at a state park.
31.Have a game night with Grandparents.
32.Host a Thirty One Party.
33.Have a cook out with friends.
34.Take a retreat day for myself.
35.Go to dinner at Riverside Brewery with family.

Books To Read in 2013

After the craziness of Christmas winds down, I LOVE to look ahead and start planning my new year. One of my favorite things to do is write a list of the books I want to read.

Here is the list of books I plan to read in 2013-
1. Loving the Little Years- Rachel Jankovic

2. Almost Amish: One Woman's Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life- Nancy Sleeth

3. Constantly Craving: How to Make Sense of Always Wanting More- Marilyn Meberg

4. The New Strong-Willed Child: Birth through Adolescence- Dr. James Dobson

5. A Woman's Right to Rest: Fourteen Types of Biblical Rest That Can Transform Your Life- Denise George

6. Mended: Pieces of a Life Made Whole- Angie Smith

7. Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions- Lysa Terkeurst

8. Let.It.Go: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking In Faith- Karen Ehman

9. The Marriage Project: 21 Days to More Love and Laughter- Kathi Lipp

10. Grace Based Parenting- Tim Kimmel

11. She Did What She Could: Five Words of Jesus That Will Change Your Life- Elisa Morgan

12. The Heart of a Woman Who Prays: Drawing Near to the God Who Loves You- Elizabeth George

*Affiliate links used

Our Advent Tradition (25 Books for Christmas)- Books 16-25

I wanted to get this post up on Monday but my week has been crazy!

Here are books 16-25 for our Christmas tradition.

16. The Very Snowy Christmas- Diana Hendry

17. Silent Night

18. One Snowy Night- M. Christina Butler 

19. Mary's Christmas Story-Arch Books

20. Little Porcupine's Christmas- Joseph Slate

21. Merry Christmas, Curious George- H.A. Rey and Margret Rey

22. Merry Christmas Mom and Dad- Mercer Mayer

23. Hurry! Hurry! Have You Heard?- Laura Krauss Melmed

24. A Star So Bright- M. Christina Butler

25. The Small One- Alex Walsh

Do you have a favorite Christmas book? I would love to hear!

Our Advent Tradition- 25 Books for Christmas (Books 9-15)

Yesterday I shared my favorite Christmas tradition. I wrap 25 books for my girls to unwrap each day before Christmas. Today I will share some more of our favorite books.

9. If You Take a Mouse to the Movies- Lara Numeroff

10. Home for Christmas- Jan Brett

11. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever-Barbara Robinson

12. Tonight You Are My Baby (Mary's Christmas Gift)- Jeannine Q. Norris

13. An Angel Came to Nazareth- Maggie Kneen

14. The Legend of the Candy Cane- Lori Wahlburg

15. The Little Shepherd's Christmas- Carol Heyer

Check back tomorrow for the rest of our list!

Our Advent Tradition- 25 Books for Christmas (Books 1-8)

Every year, I wrap 25 Christmas books and put them in a basket. Each day, my girls pick one to open and we read it together. This is my favorite Christmas tradition!

I will share the 25 books we are reading this year over the next three days. Today I will share eight of our books! 

1.Grumpy Badger's Christmas- Paul Bright

2.Christmas In the Barn- Margaret Wise Brown

3.On This Special Night- Claire Freedman and Simon Mendez

4.Mortimer's Christmas Manager- Jane Chapman and Karma Wilson

5.The Friendly Beasts- Tomie dePaola

6.Usborne Lift-the-flap Nativity

7.  Room for a Little One- Martin Waddell and Jason Cockcroft

8. Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story- Sally Lloyd Jones

I will share the rest of our books over the next two days!

*affiliate links used

Celebrating & Savoring a simple Christmas Winner!!

The winner of Celebrating & Savoring a simple Christmas is....

DK Ethington said...

I love Crystal's blog and would love the opportunity to win a copy of her new ebook. I'm starting to hit panic mode with Christmas quickly approaching and a family of 7 kiddos to shop for and help to make the season loving and memorable! :)

NOVEMBER 14, 2012 1:51 PM 

Congratulations! Please email me at amkrewald@att.net and I will get you the information on how to redeem your prize!

If you didn't win, you still have time to get Crystal's book for $.99.

This special is good through Thursday!