writing

Current book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I try to read this book once or twice a year. It’s just a wonderful reminder that each of us were created by God for a purpose.

Current blessing Receiving a letter from the boy Jimmy and I sponsor at Niños de Mexico. It makes me heart so incredibly happy to know that he is safe, healthy, has a home, and is learning about God.

Current beauty product Yes To Carrots Super Rich Body Butter. It fits my beauty product criteria: natural, smells good, and works great!

Current goal This is a lofty one, but I want to finish the first draft of my book by the end of the year. Can’t believe I’m putting it out there, but I’m hoping it will help me stay accountable.

Current indulgence Watercoloring. I love pulling out my paint and brushes every now and then. This time I was making some simple art to put in a 5×7 frame for our bedroom. I chose the bottom right one.

Current drink As always, coffee. Really enjoying the single origin organic Peru beans from Aldi. Also had an iced vanilla latte the other day and it hit. the. spot.

Current craving I want to paint my nails. I just need to find a chunk of time when Mavis is sleeping so I don’t worry about picking her up with wet nails, ha.

Current food Vegetables from our garden! I know we’re nearing the end of the gardening season, so I’m trying to soak up all the garden time I can.

Current confession I don’t want summer to end, but at the same time I’m looking forward to fall and the holiday season. I’m planning a fall dinner for Jimmy and I and looking forward a new season of Gold Rush.

Current obsession Anything that has to do with our fur babies. Jimmy and I brought Mavis to her first training class this week and it was so much fun!

Current need Absolutely nothing! Feeling extremely blessed.

Current procrastination Mopping the floors. I’ve Swiffered the living daylights out of them, but I know they need a good old fashioned mopping.

Current excitement My mom bought a truck! She was torn between a few different Chevy models and the Ford F-150. She went with the Ford and told me she is loving it. I can’t wait to take a ride with her!

Current prayer For all the victims of Hurricane Harvey to find comfort, safety, hope, and solace. Watching the news has been heartbreaking. I highly recommend checking out the nonprofit I.D.E.S. if you’re looking to donate.

Current mood Happy. Looking forward to the weekend!

Current question Have you ever had someone tell you that you look like your name should be something other than your real name? I cannot tell you how many people have told me I look like my name should be Daisy. I’ve also gotten Alice, Genevieve, and Luna (apparently I look like Luna Lovegood?), but I get Daisy a lot. So much so that my parents call me Daisy instead of Allie.

I don’t have any specific goals for this year. It just feels like too much pressure. Rather, I have some inspiration. There are things I want to do, see, accomplish, and experience. Ultimately, I’m leaving what happens in 2017 up to God. He’s way better at planning than I am. I’m just going to follow His lead. Love God and love people. That’s what I want to do every single day.

I hopped on Pinterest and started an inspiration board for the upcoming year. Actually, I named it my 2017 Happy Board. I browsed around and wanted to see what would catch my attention. Some things surprised me (I didn’t pin as many travel pictures as I thought I would), and some things definitely didn’t (I pinned all kinds of dogs).

So, here’s a breakdown of my inspiration for 2017!

It appears that I want 2017 to include copious amounts of coffee, studying my Bible, and writing.

Really, though, I am determined to get on some sort of a writing schedule for my book. I’m thinking I may lock myself in our office for a few hours on my days off of work or head to a coffeeshop so I’m not tempted to do household chores. Either way, I don’t want to stress about it too much. I love the quote I pinned, too. I need to believe I can finish my book!

As for the Bible studying, I’m going to study the women of the Bible this year and seeing what God has to show me in their stories. I’m currently reading Ruth and really enjoying it. She was such an upstanding woman.

Ah, creativity. This didn’t surprise me one bit. Anything that involves a paint brush, camera, or any type of crafting makes me happy.

I’m inspired to use my camera and capture memories big and small. I’m also hoping to frame some of my watercoloring if I deem it acceptable, haha.

Gardening, yoga, campfires, and house projects. A random conglomeration, yes, but I’d like to make each of these things happen.

I’m already wistfully counting down the days until Jimmy and I can start our garden again. I’m hoping to paint a coral accent wall in our office, refinish a bookshelf in our living room, have campfires with Jimmy, and continue to practice yoga. Bonus points if Malcolm joins me 😉

Dogs. Always dogs. I don’t know if this means I’d like to have another (eek!), or if I just want to keep pet sitting as much as possible. Either way, I hope 2017 involves lots of dogs. The volunteer quote is so true. I’ve been in contact with an organization I applied to volunteer with in the upcoming year. Hopefully I’ll be able to share more details soon!

Oh, and how pretty is that bedroom? Jimmy and I might do a bedroom overhaul this year. We’re thinking of getting a headboard, maybe painting a peacock blue accent wall, and just updating our sparsely decorated bedroom. The top right picture reminds me that I want to have as many dates with my sweet husband as possible.

This last collage is totally random, haha. The cake is inspiration for Hannah’s bridal shower. Yes, I am making her bridal shower cake and I am so pumped! The kitchen is another renovation I’d like to work on this year. Mostly, I just want to repaint our cabinets and walls.

Hot cocoa reminds me of coziness, and I I’ll take as much of that as I can get this winter. The bottom right picture is from Washington DC. It has been a few years since I’ve visited and I’d love to go again. The top right picture is always what I hope to be. It reminds me to love others as much as possible.

While it may sound kind of silly, writing this post helped me have more of a focus for what I’d like this year to look like. I’m praying I will follow God’s lead for my life and do my best every day.

Living My Full Life

Currently: September 2017

2017 Inspiration in Pictures

Happy New Year!