Cabin Fever? Already?

The other day I was walking into Elijah's Preschool and I ran across an article that was laying on the table. The title read, "How to Cure Cabin Fever: Ideas for the Little Ones" I was a little taken aback when I saw this and thought to myself, "ALREADY! The winter has just begun." As I continued to think about cabin fever, I began to realize that yes, normally by this time in the year people are looking for ways to get out of the house with their children. What can we do? Where can we go? I can't take another moment with these little ones! I have to go for a drive...go to McDonald's play land (GROSS me out!)...go to the mall...just SOMETHING....Somewhere...anywhere...

Yet...Honestly it's been a very mild winter (around here at least!)

Then...I began to think about my own life and pondering. Do I have cabin fever? Am I feeling cooped up? Am I getting tired of the children being under my feet? I came to these conclusions...

Cabin Fever, nope. Bored at times, yes, because I am still figuring out my hobbies. (You would think at almost 30 I would know what I enjoy doing in all my "free time") Getting tired of the children? Actually no. I have been enjoying just being able to be with them, play with them, cook with them, clean with them and just read to them. I was also realizing that I need to relax more...not less while I am "stuck" inside. It is hard for me to just sit and read, write, and relax.

Then I began to realize WHY...

2012:

• Started the business Kairos Enterprises LLC with another couple. A business set up to eventually fund missions.
• Bought a HUD House in April, our house church completely gutted it (I mean all the way down to the 2x4 walls) and rebuilt the entire inside. Moved into in October.
• Organized a trip for 19 people to Germany
• Went to Germany for ten days
• Started another business, Haven Property Management LLC, with another couple.
• Our first child started Kindergarten
• We switched Real Estate Companies
• We sold half of Revolution Builders Inc to Brent Hostetter (Very thankful for him and what he brings to the business)
• Bought a Four Unit Apartment Building through Kairos Enterprises LLC and worked really hard to get it completely rented out.
• Went to Indianapolis for 5 days
• I trained for a half marathon (That I did not end up running due to time. :( )

Needless to say, we are NOT getting cabin. In fact, this winter is MUCH needed for the Hurst household. Our kids needed to be with us and we needed to be with them. This winter has been fabulous...thus far.

Black and White

The older I get, I am realizing the more black and white I get. It is either this way or that way. There is no grey middle part. Do I think this is a good thing, no. Actually I know it can have its benefits at times, but for the most part it is not my best quality.
Take blogging for instance. In my mind I feel like I either have to blog EVERY day...or not at all. I put so much pressure on myself to be all in or I quit. It comes out in sports...Yes, I workout at least five days a week. It comes out in my parenting...Since Elijah is in gymnastics, I have to enroll Michayla in a sport, right? It comes out in my marriage... You name it, it tends to come out. Yes, I have grown a lot in it over the years...getting older, wiser...all that, but it is still a large struggle of mine.
So, here is to giving myself grace in my blogging and not being so hard on myself...and others...

P.S. Caleb is potty trained. We went from peeing in a diaper to peeing on the potty and wearing underwear in two days. I am so proud of that little boy!

New Year...New Goals...New Discipline...

Hey guys...I guess it's a new year. WOW did that come fast. I feel like just yesterday we were celebrating with our friends, Darryl and Kelly, the start of 2012. Well, we just celebrated the beginning of 2013 with the same friends, as we have for the beginning of the past 7 years! Tradition? I guess you could say that even though some of us are not too keen on traditions... :)
Kevin and I have set many goals as I am sure most of you have. As we were leading up to January, we began talking and processing what each of us were feeling were some of the Lord's goals for us in the upcoming year. It was fun to come to some of our own goals as well as very similar goals.
The one specific area we were feeling led in was to pursue more fasting as a couple this year. He will fast on and off, as will I, but it hasn't been very often that we have been a team in it. Of course, our flesh rises up and says a very exuberant, "NO!", but we continued to pursue what was on the Lord's heart for fasting. We can't fast food a whole year...THANK GOD! :) We went to visit Threshold on Sunday (It was awesome!) and Jeff spoke about many things concerning the new year, but one area specifically was fasting. OK Lord, we got it...
Fasting brings our flesh into an alignment with the Spirit and what is on the heart of the Lord. Fasting helps us to hear the voice of the Lord in a greater way because it rids our flesh of a desire and our spirit rises up above our flesh. So...we asked the Lord what it is to look like for Kevin and I and how can we involve our children?
Here is what we are doing this year. We made a list of 12 things we feel addicted to or areas we need to getting more disciplined in. For example, coming off the holidays our spending has been a little crazy. For the month of January we are on a spending money fast. Other than things we absolutely NEED, we are not spending money. At the end of the month our hearts are to ask the Lord what is on His heart for the "extra" money that was not spent. I am excited to hear his answer!
Are there areas that you need to be more disciplined? Ask the Lord...and consider a fast...it will do wonders for your spirit...
Much Love!
Me