Sharing "Substance" and Revisiting My 2012 Word

I am so sorry for the lack of "substance" posts. I have been busy with my part time job, as well as homeschooling and marriage saving. Our Retrouvaille process involves a lot of writing, and combining that with my part time job (which involves writing) means I get a little tired of writing by the end of the day. If I could just mentally post, instead of typing words out, I would be in business. Even my homeschooling blog is horribly neglected. I aim to fix that soon! It honestly depresses me to not blog, because I love creating these records for my family. I really, really hope to get back to sharing both my thoughts, and our daily activities soon.

How about a quick marriage update? We're working hard. We are still not where we need to be, and I agree with the Retrouvaille philosphy - we'll always be a couple in "recovery" (once we feel we really are on the road to succeeding at the changes we are learning to make). How we are doing depends on the day or the week you ask one of us. This week I'm struggling, but last week and the week before was better. I found our communication once we were back in the same house after his business trip was a let down (both of us at fault there). Also, we were hoping for a promotion in his career that stalled out once again.

While I am at peace knowing God has His timing (and I have hopes for where we could get a house, and this potential opportunity would not give me that), we came so close that it was such a boost to think we could dream about moving to a rental house and have a yard for our kids again. I have so much to offer up and sacrifice this Lent - among them letting the small, yardless space where we live get me down (I also believe much of 'this' is seasonal depression, as I can tell things are getting better as we approach the time change!). We are SO blessed and we need to sacrifice these materialistic feelings when we have so much more than many - and I need to pray and work toward building up the ones who struggle more than we do in prayer and alms. Please keep praying for us, and paying life forward as you can to others to build them up! If we have internet access to read each others' blogs, we have much to share (or at least scrape together) to help others.

It dawned on me I have some prompts I could be using to blog. When I picked my Word for 2012, it
seemed to divinely break down into 12 descriptive words. Kris suggested I write about these words each month. Well, I am already behind on the words:
 
atone - January
retrieve - February
fulfill - March

So, be on the look out for my catch up posts for January and February. I'll probably  post date them so they fall in the months they were meant for (in case I ever print out this blog), but since I'm not sure if they'll show up on reader that way, I'll link to them. I'm sure I'll get to March's word at some point this month. It's a great way to really focus on my 2012 word - Redeem. I think, especially in my marriage, it is a word I need to dissect and reflect on daily.

I also am underlining like CRAZY in my Little Black Book for Lent. I hope to share those "lights" soon.

Until then, I leave you with a (RANDOM) little slice of peace I had this evening:

Yes, I could afford to drink the Mike's today - ha!

 The weather is lovely, the days are getting longer again (which makes me feel better!), we are taking advantage of our porch again most days and meals, and I'm relearning to eat properly again. I've lost 11.4 pounds since starting my new lifestyle January 22. I've got a long way to go (I did a LOT of comfort eating after our surprise move and marriage crumble). But, with the support of friends and family - I'm getting back on track - and even having fun in healthy moderation. I am getting inspired always by Kris, Gabriela, Patti, my Ninja in Training at Life by the Seaside, Blair (she has a great check in on Mondays!),  Mary (be praying for her and her amazing daughter Courtney, who has gotten some disheartening health news of late) and Kate as always, among MANY more I get inspired by who are creating new healthy lifestyles. I know I'm missing even some of my combox buddies.  Hey - do me a favor - let me know your health goals and if you are blogging about them. I want to pay special note! Let's help each other!!

Ok - I need to spend time talking with my husband. He's home from his guy's night out and spiritual support group. Much love to you all!!