Too Cute!

About a year ago, I made these really comfy... and, in my opinion, very stylish pillows for the bench that was on our deck in the apartment. Max has a really big outdoor bed and so he never sat on my bench. Now we have the bench and his bed on the back deck and I can usually find him enjoying outside on his bed!

Today, I let him out in the backyard and totally forgot he was there because a repairman showed up at the door. When I relized he was still outside I looked out the window to see if he was on his bed. I didn't see him and after scanning the entire yard, I started panicking! I walked out the door and felt someone looking at me.... It was the cutest sight ever! He had decided to jump up on the bench to get in the warm sunlight! I had to share it!

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Change your world

This month in church we have been talking about "all in" finding ways to give all of yourself to make a difference in your world. I had a chance to sing a special song that looks at this conflict we have within ourselves. Finding ways to give while fighting off the negative thoughts that plant the seed of doubt in our mind is a hard challenge.... but all that matters is you start! check out some links I have put below! These are organizations/ministries that I have either worked with or have heard about that make a huge difference in our own backyards as well as around the world! I hope that in this season of giving you find a way to give to others and not just to yourself! If you have another ministry that I can list, or you have given to any of these links, please let me know by commenting below!

Action Sports Outreach

Bridge of Hope

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

purpose vs. profession

I often dwell on the question, "what is my purpose?" It has been the focus of some posts in the past... seems like football has taken over my blog. I guess that makes my header appropriate! Anyway, I have been facing some overwhelming response physically to stress. I am tired, fiesty as Brett calls it, so tense in my back and shoulders that I am in never ending pain, headaches, constant stomach pain. I basically have decided that if it hurts, it is stress.
I have started to read the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. The whole focus of the book is about how love should be our focus. Love in the form of awe and wonder and adoration and praise of Jesus Christ. He says that our churches find themselves in a state of lukewarm attitudes so easily because the blending of society and "religion" and the mindset of tolerance and "not offending people" is the focus. The mindset churches need is one that calls out sin in our lives and focuses on God's glory and falling in love and creating a relationship with Him.
So... "what is my purpose?" Well my purpose is to Love and Adore Him more than anything else in my life. This will spill over into loving and looking forward to the chances to love Him. I used to think it was all about what job or function we performed on earth. God has made it truly clear to me that my job, my profession, whatever it may be, is only the vehicle in which He provides financial support for me and my family. Some people's vehicle for God's provision could be a cash for clunker car or it could be a tricked out Lexus with a reserved space at Braves games! What my profession is should not define who I am supposed to be in Jesus Christ.
Francis Chan is a pastor! He said that he would get so worked up about little crises that would pop up at church (work for him) and it would consume his thoughts and his physical body. I can identify. Especially if you are someone who really cares about doing a job well (even if it isn't your dream job), you allow it to become part of you! But he came to realize that once he let everything go and saw the "profession" as God's way of putting food on his table, and stepped back and looked at everything from a big picture point of view it all changed.
At one point I was putting this into application on my day to day activities. I saw problems that arose as temporary and I made a point to go work out or something else in order to clear my mind and get it back on Jesus. I didn't take people's rude behavior as personal and in turn I didn't take that out on others. Lately I have fallen out of practice in this matter. My body has told me basically that I need to get back on the right page. I need to serve my purpose not my profession.

The Amanda Project 4 week update

So, new update on the bettering myself project....
1. Sew more often: as you can see, I have been really hitting this one hard! I am so excited about the fun stuff I have been able to make. I just finished my 3rd and final dress and I am still looking for new ideas! I believe I have accomplished this particular goal.... check it off the list!
2. Cook more often. I have not really blogged about cooking, but I have begun to get better at really trying to plan ahead for home cooked meals instead of eating out.... but with the football season in full swing, it sometimes feels easier to go out but we have fought against this as much as possible. I will say that this goal is still in process, but I have done better already! Tonights menu: Turkey chili! Even though it isn't cold, coming in soaked always makes you crave something warm!
3. Learn to play guitar... I am in full swing of Lessons and am already losing feeling in my fingertips... and I can carefully play one of the two songs I am in process on all they way through without any real mess ups! Next step, be able to smoothly play and sing it! I am really loving it, I'm not perfect yet, but one day! 4. Lose weight. So, I haven't really shared where I have come from on this particular goal. I was 115 lbs when I got married, at the doctor in February of 2007 I was 140 lbs. It is not easy to type this and I guarantee you that this was not my heaviest point, however it is the heaviest I have recorded. In April of this year I weighed 135 lbs, so obviously everything I had tried never really caught on. I started working out pretty regularly by just running on an eliptical. Cooking at home versus going out to eat has helped a ton.... except in the case of $5 footlongs at Subway which became every meal at one point! As of today I weigh 120 lbs. and have gone down a pants size and in some pants that size is a little loose!
I still want to go down 5 more pounds and tone up some areas in time for Christmas pictures/cookies/family visits/etc....hopefully I will see my results by then!

modeling...

As requested by Jen, here is the dress being modeled! I use the term Model loosely!

Snuggie....

So, there is a little project I have always wanted to try. I have always looked at this snuggie on tv and thought, I can make that! So, today, I decided to try it out. Hancocks had fleece on sale and so I made one for me and one for Max.... Brett was nice enough to model it for me!

....New Sewing Project complete!

Yesterday and today (Labor Day), Brett had to go in to work so it is me and Max all day!

Yesterday, in particular it was all about my "Project" I went to Church in the morning at my friend Teri's Church. The worship was amazing and it really set a great tone for the rest of my day!
I came home after grabbing lunch and got to work on my second dress. (I had cut the pattern out the night before while we watched football.) I spent the day finishing up the dress. And I think this is my favorite one yet! It has pockets, a cute gather at the top front, and it has a bow in the front!
Let's just say, I am holding myself back from the fabric stores today because I want to make another one!

...Sew Fun!

I have been searching and searching for clothing patterns that work for women... there are a lot of tutorials and free patterns out there for kid clothes and diaper bag-esque accessories but nothing for adults that are baby free! I went to A&E Pharmacy when I was in Pensacola a couple weekends ago and they honor coupons from Jo-Ann's and they had 40% off patterns and .... let's just say I went a little crazy (after telling Brett I was done spending money that weekend! sorry honey! ).

I picked a few dress patterns and came home with new projects I was determined to finish! I completed a shirt and last night I finished one of the dresses I had a pattern for! I am getting together with a couple friends to work on some projects they wanted done! this is the best kind of practice: new projects, learning new techniques, food and fun, and it's free for me because the girls pick out their fabric! I am hoping I can help them learn a little about sewing too! hmmm.... we may be on to something.... a modern day sewing cirlce? Update on guitar, weight and cooking coming soon!

The Amanda Project... bettering myself

So, I am in process of what sounds like a very self absorbed activity... the Amanda Project. Yes, I guess it is considered self absorbed.... just because it is named after me and all about me... but it is for a good cause! (isn't that what everyone says?)

Being "Married to the Game" as many coaches wives call it, you deal with your husband out of town for away games, they come home late, leave for work early, and you have a lot of free time to yourself. This year, Brett really is home much more than he was in the first 3 years at Tech. I am blessed to have him home right after practice most days... which is around 7. But this summer I really turned a corner and decided to get my life to look like I want it! You know... the things you wanted to be able to do often go on the back burner to your everyday life. The fun things in particular!

When you go to college it is the freshman 15 that attaches itself to your hips, stomach, thighs, chin, and odd places all over! You get it under control either by effort, or pure stress while planning a wedding and look fabulous in your pictures. Then, when you get married it is the newlywed 19! You go out to eat because it is almost cheaper than cooking for only two... and, for me, during football season only one! The quickest ways to get food after working all day are always the most fattening... and pretty soon, you almost don't recognize yourself... all you want to do when you get off work is lay around and debrief from the stress of the day... don't even consider exercising... which I call the devil's boring activity or diet coke... the devil's drink.... it is all sugar and laziness!

So, because I have some things I want to bring back to the "front burner" of my life... I have started what I call "The Amanda Project" The overall point is to better myself by becoming more well rounded!

So here is the full layout of the project:

1) lose weight... so this has been a hard one but I have been in process since early summer.
I am trying to run 30 minutes after work at least 2 times a week, smaller portions of food, less fat, less snacking. I have seen some great results and I have lost 15 pounds since my heaviest point in my married life!

2)Learn to play guitar well.... so, I just started this portion of the project. I had a guitar sitting in the corner of my living room for about 6 months asking me to teach myself... I had books and everything people! I went one day after reasearching all over Atlanta and signed up for lessons. I have taken my first lesson and have officially practiced like a good student since the lesson, My fingers are hurting... I am trying to play through the pain!
3) Sew more often and with more confidence... So I have been sewing since I was a kid. My mom always had a project going and I always helped... especially if it was for me. I have recently recovered an ottoman and chair cushions by myself and made pillows and a bench seat for my deck. Recently I have made a nursing cover for my friend Britney and am working on finding more projects to practice on. 4) Cook more often and get amazing at it.... um, I just want to be able to come home and whip up a great meal... I have already made an effort to cook more, I believe it has contributed to goal 1, lose weight! I am hoping to have a wide variety of good meals to whip up quickly for a family of 1, 2, or more!

The project is underway.... we will see how I do... Update in 4 weeks!