READ: The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst

This was my October book I read. Ya'll it was sooo good! I have to tell you I almost didn't read it because I totally pre-judged the content of this book based on the title. Gasp!

I thought this book was going to be about learning how to say "yes" and "no" to things that people ask of you and I thought to myself I'm already pretty great at that so I probably don't need to read this book.

Wrong!

Although the book is about making wise decisions, learning to say yes to the right things and no to the things that don't it's so much more than that and here's why! 

The Best Yes is about knowing your part in God's kingdom. Knowing his plan for your life, your calling and how to make the best "yes" decisions based on those things. 

I love that so much because to often we say yes to things that we don't really want to do, that we have no passion for, and stuff that we don't really care about only to please someone else or make them happy. Mean while we're not saying yes to the things God wants us to do. The things that he's set aside for us that are waiting for us.

I know I've made decisions before based out of what I think people will say, fear and insecurity. And just left God totally out of the question. One of my favorite quotes from the book:

" If we want his direction for our decisions, the greatest cravings for our souls must not only be the big moments of assignment. They must also be the seemingly small instructions in the most ordinary of moments when God points His Spirit finger saying, Go there."

There are so many good nuggets of wisdom in this book, I know that if you read it you will find that too. For me it opened pieces of my heart and desires that I forgot were even there, it opened my eyes to realize don't just say yes because you think others want you too, say yes because God does. Because it furthers his Kingdom, because it's part of the plan he has for you. 

"A woman who lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule will often ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul."

The Best Yes is about honoring God with the time we have to give. I really love this thought because isn't it so true? I want to honor God with my time and not just fill my schedule because I can. 

I really think this is a book for all women no matter what the stage of life you're in. There's wisdom I think all of us can pull from it. 

If you've read this book I'd love it if you'd leave your own thoughts below on what you learned from it.

If you haven't yet read this I encourage you to read it in this new year! 

My Favorite FREE Fitness Resources

Don't let the excuse of not being able to afford a gym membership stop you from pursuing your fitness goals. For a year and a half I've been working out at home using free resources to meet my fitness goals. Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite free resources. I hope it inspires you to get back on track and take back your health. 

Favorite Work Out Video Resources

These are two of my fave workout video resources. I use them both on a weekly basis to keep my work outs fresh and not boring. Each of them offer a variety of work outs, and great posts on fitness and over all health. Check them out, click the links below.

Favorite Fitness Blogs

Fitness blogs are a great way to gain motivation and inspiration, they are also filled with great stories and articles for food and meal planning. Here are a few of my favorites. 

Honey We're Healthy

Mama Laughlin

Skinny Meg

Favorite Meal Resources

Diet is an important part of any weight loss or health journey, here's a few of my favorite resources for meal planning and healthier versions of food! 

Skinny Taste

Balanced Bites

Whole 30

Favorite Fitness Instagram Accounts

@hausofgirls_fitfamily

@fourfitsisters

@mollyrunsforlife

@skinnymeg31

@mamalaughlin

@againstallgrain

Ok, there you have it! All my go-to resources that I like to use and have used during the last year and a half. The best part is they are all free, it gives you a place to start and no more excuses!  

What are some of your favorite fitness and health resources? Leave their links in the comments below. I'm always looking for more ideas! 

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DECEMBER Goals.

Holy wow! Can you believe that it's December 1st today?! I can. not. I realized yesterday that we're 17 days away from Zane turning two! I can't hardly believe it, he's grown so much over these last few months into a little boy. My little mommy heart can't take it. So as if December isn't crazy enough with Christmas, throw in a birthday and let's take it over the top. I for sure don't want him to fall into the December birthday trap and not celebrate it. 

So we will be celebrating his birthday just a few days before Christmas. #iwillsurvive

Ok, so let's quick review some awesome things that happened in November. 

I addressed all my Christmas cards, I kind feel like a rock star! 

I read two new books.

I successfully prepped and sold at my very first show last month. It was fun exposing everyone to my new stationary stuff and getting to talk to customers. 

We decorated our home for the holidays. It's nice to start December with a fully decorated home for Christmas. 

DECEMBER GOALS:

01// Read one new book.

This has been one of my favorite goals every month. I'm reading so much more now.

02// Work on a house project.

Ahhh.... we haven't worked on a house project for months. I'd like to tackle some projects this month. My step dad will be in town this month to help us with some stuff.

03// Finish Christmas shopping for Orion.

I finished all my shopping for my kiddos, their gifts are wrapped and hiding in my closet. Not so much for the Hubby. I need to finish for him.

04// Clean & de clutter my office for house guests.

We've got guests coming into town and they are using our guest room/office. But last month it was my shipping/prep for Phoenix flea and it's a mess in there. I gotta get it cleaned up before they get here.

05// Plan a service project to do while family is in town.

Orion and I both want to plan something missional to do while our family is in town. It's important for us to keep the reason on giving back to others during this time. And I think it would be really fun to do this as a family. 

We Decked the Halls.

It's true, we've had our tree and all our decorations up for about two weeks now! I just couldn't wait any longer, I love this time of year and I wanted it to last a little bit longer. 

So we pulled out all the Christmas decorations from the garage and made a day of it. The kids had so much fun helping us. Especially Ava, she's at the age now where she really understands things and we're able to explain to her the true meaning of Christmas. Which makes it all the more special. 

One of my very favorite Worley House Christmas traditions; every year we take a picture in front of our Christmas tree on Christmas day, frame it and hang it on the tree the following year. 2007-2013, there's my heart right there. Fun to see how our family has grown and changed!

I love our tree. We upgraded our tree from a 5 ft one we've had since we got married seven years ago, moved it upstairs and got this 7.5 ft one for downstairs. 

Zane was so tired from decking the halls he fell asleep while eating lunch that day! I hope to have a video Christmas home tour for you soon!

Have you put up your tree yet? Tell me some of your favorite Christmas traditions in the comments below, I'd love to hear them!

10 Things I'm Thankful for This Year.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that you and your families are enjoying a relaxing day today. This is my favorite time of year. Today I thought I'd share with you ten things that I am thankful for this year. I was just talking to my Husband the other day and telling him how fast I feel like the year has gone. It's flown. It's been hard, it's also had amazing joys as well. I have learned a lot about myself and a lot about the Lord. I'm so thankful. 

1. My sweet family.

My hubby and our two kids they just are everything. Everything. I love them so much. 

2. My sweet kids.

Zane will be two soon. I can hardly believe it, from the day he was born he's completed our family. Truly. 

My sweet little Ava she keeps me on my toes, she loves deeply and has the most tender heart. 

3. Our health.

Last year my kids were sick all the time. This year we've been healthy. I'm also thankful for the health of my extended family. I believe in a healing God and God is faithful. I'm thankful for an extended family member who has had cancer completely removed from her body.

4. My Grandparents

They moved back to Arizona a year ago, and I'm so thankful to have spent this last year with them. Thankful that I get to spend another year with them. We're so close and I'm grateful to have the relationship I have with them. 

5. Thrive Moms

I feel really blessed and thankful to be apart of this ministry. I'm thankful that they intrust me to lead and use my gifts to further a bigger purpose. I'm so excited to be apart of what God is doing here. It has touched my heart so much this ministry. 

6. Faithful friendships.

If I'm being honest I would tell you that this year has been a hard year for me in my friendships. But God has reminded me that he's placed key people in my life for a reason. I am thankful for tried and true, faithful friends. Here for me through it all, the tough stuff, who accept me for who I am. Ones that are willing to challenge me and make me a better person. 

7. This blog.

This year was a year of transition for me and my blog. I'm so thankful for the way you readers have embraced this new blog and stuck with me on this journey. I've got some fun things planned for 2015 that I'm excited to share with you.

8. The Everyday Shop.

I'm so excited about all the new stuff added to the shop! I feel like I've finally narrowed down my vision and what I want the shop to be. 

9. Our Church.

My family and I we crazy love our church, our pastors and the people there. They have sustained us during some difficult times in the last couple years, and we've grown so much. Truly thankful that God placed us there three years ago.

10. God's provision.

I'm so blown away how God provides and continues to provide for us in our lives. He continues to amaze me with his love for us. I'm very thankful for this.