A Year of Elizabeth, Part II

Because it would make one post just to long and she is just that cute, some more Elizabug pictures to enjoy!

 

 

 

 

A Year of Elizabeth, Part I

I know that in a week she will be fifteen months, but I thought I would put together some pictures of E’s first year.  As every parent says, it is so hard to believe that it has been over a year already!

      

  

  

The Great Gatsby

One of my new year resolutions, view here, was to reread The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  I had read it for a project in high school, but wasn’t truly able to grasp why it was an American classic at the ripe old age of fifteen.  As I needed a slight break from Jane Austen, which I am loving but takes me awhile to read, I quickly devoured Gatsby.  I wanted to be able to share it with Eric but knowing he probably wouldn’t read it I planned on us to watch the movie.  You know the one… with one of the most beautiful men ever…

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Mr. Robert Redford.  This man is gorgeous and incomparable in every way.  He is one of only two men on my beautiful men pinterest board… but I digress. Seriously, I could go on and on about this man forever.  Unfortunately neither my library or two local video stores had this version in stock.  We don’t do the Netflix thing so we had to settle with the A&E version featuring Paul Rudd.  Although it was ok… it does not compare to the 1974 version.

I made a party night for our little family.  Homemade jalapeno poppers, stuffed mushroom caps, strawberries with chocolate to dip into and champagne (sparkling wine actually).  It was so much fun.  Next time I will have to take pictures.  I LOVED the book. Enjoyed the movie and we, yes myself and my husband, are anxiously awaiting the new Great Gatsby! 

 

 

 

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One last picture to leave with, the original mansion that inspired the book:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Competition Overload

We are so lucky to live in the era of the internet.  Information is at our fingertips in such a vast field of knowledge.  This quick access to information can be so beneficial, but it has its downside also.  The lives of others that seam so great and beautiful, glowing and special are put out there for others to see.  For a nosey person, such as myself, this can be wonderful.  I love to look at other people’s lives and see where they live, what they wear and what they do.  For a jealousy inclined person, such as myself, this can be horrible.  I look at other people’s lives and see where they live, what they wear, what they do and measure my life up to theirs. 

In the world of reality tv we are able to watch more affluent people than ourselves and compare what we believe to be their quality of life to our own.  They always looks perfect.  They are able to work out.  They drive such a nice car.  Did you see their house?  Oh, look at her rock!  To say that we never compare our lives to others is hypocrisy.  How, then, can we use this to fuel our fires to live our own lives to the best of our ability?

I have been struggling with this a lot.  Between Instagram and Pinterest, I “see” all of these flaws in my life.   I don’t measure up as a mom to others.  They take their children so many places.  Their kids eat such a variety of all organic foods.  My house is a dump compared to that persons.  The thoughts go on and on.  Just like all of the people I follow, we only put our “best” life forward.  I only show that spot of the floor that has no dog hair in it (two German Shepherd people, enough said.  Even though they are not in the entire house, it always shows up…)  I only show certain parts of my face or body so I don’t appear as heavy.  We all do it, and we all know we do it.  Now we just have to remember that others are doing it too.  They are only sharing the “better” “cleaned-up” parts of their lives as well.

Slowly, I have realized that I get to design my life to a certain extent.  All of the things I see others do or have is now starting to light a fire underneath my rearend.  For the first time, I am actually starting to study for my test days before rather than just the night before.  I am taking a little bit of time for myself each day to do two different devotionals.  I try to work out a little every day… still trying to get that on a routine though.  All of these little tweaks and changes has truly changed how my days are going and I love it!

Sledding

When your yard looks like this:

You take to the hills!

    

This was Elizabeth’s first time down the sledding hill.  She only went twice,once with each of us, but I can see the love for snow already building!