Day 17 -- Short term goals for this month

During the month of June I have two different 30 day challenges going on. One, is obviously, to blog everyday, and the other is to eat vegetarian, more specifically not to purchase meat with our grocery trip.

As we are trying to be more mindful with our money, we have made a few changes to try to save (use the AC as little as possible, hang laundry outside to dry, and not to purchase meat to name a few). The point of this goal was to save money on the grocery bill (which it did, it brought our $300 monthly bill down to $240), we have on the other hand seen other benefits. We don't eat out nearly as much, which obviously saves money also. Because of those two changes, I have noticed a drop of about 5 pounds.
Charlie is a "meat and potato" kind of guy, so we really weren't sure how we would like this experiment. Well I am pleased to say that after nearly 3 weeks of preparing meals with no meat, there has been only one meal that he hasn't liked. And we are intaking so much more vegetables and learning vegetables that we didn't even know we liked.
Another goal I have is to make it to the pool a few times a week with Ethan. The point with this is to help Ethan become acclamated with the Texas weather, learn to love the water, and get a small workout in (not to mention getting me out in the Texas weather a little this summer). Our only issue with this is that having Ethan around the chlorine so often isn't very good for him, however the lakes are gross and all of them cost money, so we are in a catch-22.

Finally, one last short term goal I have is to not waste money. Charlie and I both have a bad habit of wasting money, whether it is on eating out, or wasteful spending on things not needed. In the last month, we have gotten very good about not wasting as much and being better at watching our spending. The goal is to continue on the better habits that we have begun.

Are there any short term goals that you are planning throughout the summer?

Day 16 -- Picture of Someone Who has the Biggest Impact on Your Life

When I truly found Jesus and made a turn to live my life for him, it changed me radically. Before, I was an adulterer, liar, thief, and so much more. But when I made a choice to follow Jesus, he saved me. He turned me from all those things I used to be and into his beautiful child. The sin has been taken away and "as far as the east is from the west" is how far he took it. I thank Jesus everyday that he did not force me to love him, and that he patiently waited for me to come to him. Because of it being my willful choice, and knowing the price he paid for my salvation, it means so much more to me.

Day 15 -- Favorite Super Hero

To start this out, I am not a superhero kind of girl. Up until the last few months I had never seen Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, or Captain America. Due to the release of "The Avengers" my husband was shocked I had never seen them, and asked me to watch them with him. I will admit, they were not bad, just not a movie I would pick out myself. So when I started thinking about this blog and what superhero to choose, I was completely unsure. However, I wanted to give this blog a real answer and not just skate through it with no effort given. So I went and did a Internet searched and pulled up the Wikipedia page on "Superhero's" and I even went to a website called "Superhero Database" and read up on some superheroes (and superheroines). Needless to say, I was in nerd heaven, and was lost.

I read the bio's on a few superheros I knew of, Superman, Batman, Captain America, Hancock and some I never heard of, Ariel and Zatanna. I read the comments on each of them. People are arguing about who is stronger Superman or Hancock, Batman or Captain America. People get as passionate on their superheros as I do on Labor/C-section and Breastfeeding. It was fun to be brought into a different world for a few hours. A world that is so out of my realm, but I still can relate to.

That brings us to my answer. Who is my favorite super hero and why? After reading up on a few of them, I have decided to choose......Batman.

I chose Batman because according to the Superhero database, although Batman has no super power he is one of the best super heros on pure intelligence alone. Batman can beat his opponents by wit. And if that doesn't work, he can always fall back on the insane amount of Martial Arts he knows. According to his back story, Bruce Wayne became Batman after watching his mother and father be murdered. He swore that he would protect Gotham City. I can relate to this, I watched drugs kill my mother and father, and I also swore never to touch them. Batman always seems so calm and collective, and that deep voice is so intimidating.

Obviously my research on Superheros is no where near exhaustive enough to claim to be an expert, nor to say that had I learned about others I may had a different answer, but as of now, learning what I have learned about Batman, I choose him.

Who is your favorite superhero? It was a fun topic, lets continue the discussion.

Also, I am having a little contest over at my facebook page, if I receive 100 "likes" before my 30 day challenge is up, then one lucky winner will receive a handmade hemp bracelet and necklace. We are already at 54 and today is the halfway point. If you have not already "liked" my page, please do so now.

Day 14 -- A habit you wish you didnt have

Two things come to mind when I read today's topic. First I wish I wasn't so chained to the computer. And secondly, I wish I didn't care so much what others thought of me. Considering the second one is not really a habit, I have decided to talk about my dependency on the computer.

The computer, specifically facebook, has become such a crutch in my life. I think regularly about shutting down my facebook account. What stops me is the support groups I have there, and my family is in Michigan, and we keep in touch through facebook, especially now with Ethan. I truly do not know if these reasons are legitimate or just a reason to keep myself online.

You see, I don't have a ton of friends in Killeen right now, and the few close friends I do have are getting close to leaving (they will all be gone by November), so my friends in the computer make me feel less alone. If I am feeling any such way, I have someone to talk to. I am apart of La Leche League support groups (breastfeeding), weight loss/healthy living support groups, I have family members, I have high school acquaintances, not to mention my newest group of friends that live apart of my blogging world.

I think that the Internet has become a way to hide in my comfort zone, yet not feel alone or depressed (although writing this blog has suddenly made me feel that I am depressed, lol). On the plus side though, Without Wednesday's bring me one step closer to life outside the interwebs. And each week I spend the day offline, I love it more and more. Who knows, maybe one day, I will be web-free.

So, what is the habit you wish you could kick? I would love to hear.

Day 13 -- My wish for the future

My wish for the future has always been the same. When I die, I want everyone to think/say that.....

 I loved Jesus

that I was a great wife

the best mom possible

My desire is to do all of those things so well, that there is no doubt in anyones mind that those three things are the most important things to me. These are the things that matter....not the money in the bank account, not the job I have, not how clean my house is.

 I want to leave a legacy. I want for generations my children, and their children, and their children to say how great Grandma Kari was. I want for my grandchildren to know that Grandma Kari was always happy, always loving, always spoiling but still strict. That Grandma Kari loved Jesus more than anyone they knew, followed Him to the best of her ability. And not to mention that no ever doubt the love Grandma Kari always had for Grandpa Charlie.

With all the death I have experienced in my life there is lots of talk about "how" certain people lived their life.

I am told all the time that there was no doubt, my dad loved us kids more than anything.
My mom was only strict because she wanted us to grow to be responsible adults.
Grandma loved Jesus and just wanted to go home to him.

However, a long with those great things, I am overwhelmed by the negative that took over their lives (or death).

My dad is more well known for his suicide than for his love for his children.
My mom is currently more well known for the drugs that overtook her life than for the good she did for us.
My great grandmas death created a wedge in our family that is still there years after her death.

My prayer is that more positive things are remembered about me than negative. I don't want to be remembered for my past, the infedelities, lies, divorce. I want to be remembered for the future, my love, my commitment, my parenting.

What type of legacy do you want to leave behind? If you were to die today, what would you be remembered for? Think on that for a little bit today?

Day 12 -- My favorite place

In my husband's arms

 and

playing on the floor making my little guy laugh

I tried to think of literal places to do this blog for but I just could not think of any place I loved more than these two places. What can I say, I am a simple gal.

What about you? Where is your favorite place?

Day 11 -- What I am currently reading

Since I have started "Without Wednesday" I have been able to sit down and read more. In the last month I have finished 3 books, and currently on my 4th. Not a huge accomplishment, but considering I was reading one a year or so (due to laziness) this is a refreshing change. The book I am currently reading, I am two chapters into it, so cannot tell much about it yet, therefore I will also mention a few of my past reads also.

"The Last Sin Eater"

by Francine Rivers

Like I mentioned, I am still at the beginning of the book. Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors, so I expect it to be good. I gave up reading the back of books for the most part, I don't like plot points to be ruined early, lol. I will keep you updated on how it goes.

My last two books were...

"Blessed Child" and "A Man Called Blessed"

by Ted Dekker and Bill Bright

 The cover of "Blessed Child" promised that this would be the best novel I had read in a long time. It was good, but certainly not the best, and definitely not the best Ted Dekker novel. "Blessed Child" is about a 10 year old boy named Caleb who is a Ethiopian orphan who was raised in a monastery. Up until now he had never been out of the monastery. The monastery gets attack and he is brought to America. Caleb has such a close relationship with God that he is able to do amazing things.

"A Man Called Blessed" is the sequel in which Caleb returns to Ethiopia and rebuilds the monastery. It is believed by some that he holds the key to finding the original Ark of the Covenant and he is being chased to the desert to find it.  

As I said, both books are good, definitely worth reading. However in the scheme of Ted Dekker, the circle trilogy was definitely better....by far.

What books are you reading? Any great suggestions? After "The Last Sin Eater" I have nothing planned. I am considering the Narnia series, but we will see. Once again, "Without Wednesday" is upon us, see you Thursday. 

Day 10 -- My favorite memory

At the risk of repeating stories, I am not going to tell the story of Ethan's Birth or our wedding/proposal. So that leaves me thinking....so I am going to choose to tell you about my Baptism.

On August 28, 2011 our church performed a baptism at a nearby river. After a long consideration, Charlie and I decided to get baptized. It was a 3rd baptism for me. But I felt like it was needed.

sharing my testimony

Charlie's testimony

My first baptism happened when I was young, like 8 or 9. I had no conception of what it meant to be baptized, all I knew at the time was that my friend was getting baptized and I wanted to be with her.

My next baptism was when I was 14. I knew Christ then, and knew what it meant. However, in the next decade I would falter with my walk with Christ dramatically.

When discussing this baptism, I waivered back and forth quite a bit. I knew I did not need another baptism to be saved and accepted into heaven when I die. However, I also was starting a new life. I was newly married, I was pregnant with Ethan. I believe baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision. As Charlie and I were beginning our life over, and he was going to be baptized, I decided it would be a great way to start our marriage out.

So we approached our pastor and asked him if he would baptize us. He readily agreed. And as the day approached we were getting more and more excited about the concept.

What makes this one of my fondest memories is that as we went up to be baptized, the pastor said he would first baptize Charlie and after he had been baptized, that he would be able to then baptize me. So not only were we able to start our marriage off on the right path, following God and expressing our love for Him, but my husband, my dearest love, was able to perform the act for me. It was one of the most meaningful moments we have experienced as a couple (of course right behind the birth of our child, and our wedding). I love that my husband and I have that between us.

Day 9 -- Mood = Song

When I miss my mom, and feeling sad this song always helps me. Who am I to question the creator of the universe? I shall always praise Him in the storm.

When I am feeling happy or want to be. I promise that singing this song to my little Ethan always makes both of us smile. No way to be sad or grumpy then.

Going on a road trip.

orrrrrr

Lovey Dovey song

Reminds me of High School

or

How about you? What song sparks certain emotions or sets a mood? Trip down memory lane? I'd love to hear.

Well this has been fun, and maybe one day I will add to this, but for now, its time to finish the movie I am watching with my man. Peace Out.

Day 8 -- My favorite vacation

How often do vacations not live up to the expectations that were set out. You were promised sunshine, got rain. Needed a stress free week, and somehow things could not have ended more stressful.

Well last July my boyfriend and I went on a trip to California. A trip that promised me to see the Pacific Ocean, Sequoia National Forrest, a trip to visit my cousin in LA, and biggest thing, to meet his mom and sister. I knew I had to make a good impression. I wanted them to like me, after all, I held the newest member to their family in my womb. So like me or not, we had a future together.

We drove to California, and made it with little complications. Met everyone, things seemed to be going good. Was let in on inside jokes, visited things I had never seen before. It seemed like this vacation was not going to be a let down, it was actually going pretty well. Then on our second to last day there, we drove to LA. This is where my simple trip to California started out good, then turned great, and later would turn to the best vacation ever.

Charlie, Jamie Jean (my cousin) and I did the star walk of fame in Hollywood. It was fun. We had gone to Ripley's Believe it or not Museum, saw tons of fun stars (on the ground, lol), walked past a premiere of "Captain America". Then we realized it was getting close to our time running out at parking so we started to head back. Charlie, at one point, stopped at a blank star and asked me to take his picture at it. Then...he proposed to me. It was absolutely perfect.

When we had gotten back to his mom's house, the idea of getting married on the way home got brought up. We could take a small detour home and get married in Las Vegas. That sounded great to both of us, but the problem was, we were leaving in a day. Neither of us knew if we could get it all coordinated in a day.

Needless to say, we did. Everything fell into perfect place. The price, the times, the marriage license. And on July 21, 2011, the tail end of my first vacation west, Charlie (who started out the trip as my boyfriend) became my husband. I was Kari Rose Hache. Life was perfect.

This vacation not only lived up to, but succeed all possible expectations and wants. The perfect vacation.

What is your favorite vacation? How did it surpass all your expectations?