Lilly and fasting Day 2

I don't think I ever posted about my puppy that I got. I had been wanting another dog for Cyrus for a long time and I knew I wanted a boxer (cause that's what Cyrus is a mix with.) But we could never find a cheap pure bred boxer. That is until one day Ben found an ad for some very cheap ones. So I called and the next day we drove 2 hours to go pick her up. She was the runt and the only girl left so I just had to have her. My early Christmas present.

That was about 2 months ago. I would post pictures but I'm a slacker and forgot to bring them with me to work to upload them but believe me she is the cutest darn thing you will ever see. She is also the meanest. She is only about 20lbs right now but she has full authority and control over Cyrus (who is 80 lbs.) Don't get me wrong she loves to cuddle too but she is in full puppy mode still and full of spunk.

Tomorrow she gets fixed. I am sad that she has to go through it but I know it is necessary. Cyrus also gets to go to the vet to get his shots, so tomorrow morning should be interesting. I am making Ben go with me cause there is no way I could handle them on my own let alone if there are any other dogs there (Cyrus insists on being friends with every dog he sees)

As for fasting, well....I will be honest and say it is freaking hard. Ben got really sick last night and couldn't go to either of his jobs and I woke up this morning with a splitting headache and was incredibly shaky. Since Trin is doing this with me, we decided that since Pastor Aaron said we could split it up any way we want we decided it would be best to do one day of just water once a week. So I had an apple this morning and it was awesome. I feel 100% better. I will still be following the guidelines for the Daniel Fast for 21 days. I can honestly say that I can already feel God moving in my life. If it's only day 2, I can't wait to see where I'm at on day 21.

Daniel Fast- Day 1

Ben works third shift and last night was the first night be has worked in 2 weeks because he was on vacation. Since we started fasting today, he had to go all night without food. He came home this morning whining like a baby about how hungry he was. It had only been 8 hours. Something tells me he's not going to be a happy camper by Wednesday evening. But I suppose I too, will be pretty grumpy by the end of today so I can't really say anything.

I have many things to be praying about and can't wait to see what God is going to do.

To everyone else out there fasting, good luck and my prayers are with you!

Short update

In preparation for my upcoming Daniel Fast which starts on Monday....I have cut out soda's already from my diet. My last one was on Christmas day and let me tell you, it's been a rough week. I have had some pretty horrible headaches from lack of caffeine but that makes me realize more than anything that it needed to be done.

Also, Ben has decided to do the fast with me. You have no idea how excited this makes me. No idea. Not only is it going to make it easier for me to do, but for him I am deeply excited. I mentioned before that I had a pretty crap-o-la year and well Ben did to. I know he's been struggling big time and having a hard time getting over his past and putting faith in God but we had a long talk the other day and he is ready to be a warrior for God and put his past behind him. Am I am too! I am so anxious about what God is going to reveal to us during this fast and what plans He has for us this year.

The devil kicked us around pretty hard in 2008 but this year it's not going to be that easy for him.

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. " - Psalm 25:4-5

Some pretty pictures for you

I took these pictures on our anniversary camping trip to Brown County State park back in October. I have plans to put them in frames on my living room wall.

Christmas

Every year my family does breakfast on Christmas day. It has always been at my grandparents house and is usually very nice.

Well since my grandparents have passed away and we no longer have the house, my mother decided to have it at her apartment this year. Her 2 bedroom apartment. Oh, did I mention there are about 24 people who come. Yeah, it was a bit cramped.

Other than that, I had a very nice Christmas. After we had breakfast and opened presents at my mom's, we went to Ben's parents house for lunch and that was much less cramped. From there we went home to spend the afternoon doing nothing. Well I napped and Ben played his new computer game. When I woke up, I decided to clean. And not just a little. I scrubbed the basement floor, did the laundry, dishes, vacuumed, and cleaned off the table. Sort of unorthodox for Christmas but it just needed to be done. We ended the day with a couple episodes of Lost and went to bed rather early. All in all, a very peaceful day.

Who is the most impatient person you know?

Well that would be me. At least I'm aware how bad it is.

Since Ben and I did our Christmas presents way early this year (I got a puppy and he got parts for his bike) we are just doing stockings like we do every year. And every year there is a disagreement on WHEN we should open them.

I always win.

So we both went to Walmart separately yesterday to get all the fun stocking stuff and then when he got home from work I nagged him endlessly until he finally gave in. (not fair play but who cares) He would rather wait until at least Christmas Eve but I just won't have it.

This post is really about what he got me as a "stocking" gift. If you can even count it as that considering it's about 3x bigger than the stocking. He got me this pillow. I slept with it last night and it was pretty much fabulous. I usually have a somewhat stiff neck when I wake up but not this morning. If you don't have one, order it from that link. You will not be sorry.

A blah year

For some reason this year, I have not been able to get into the Christmas spirit. In the past it has taken nothing; I hear one chord of a Christmas carol and my heart is overflowing with Christmas joy. Not this year.

I just now got my shopping done and it consists of mostly gift cards because I was in no mood to be creative or thoughtful.

I am so sick of Christmas music. I think it's making me grumpier.

I have yet to wish ANYONE a Merry Christmas.

I'm not sure why I'm such a Grinch. Maybe it's because it was a really crappy year and I'm just ready for it to be over.

On a completely different note, I'm going to be doing the 21-day Daniel fast along with many others at my church at the beginning of the year. Since my husband won't do it with me (because he thinks he will die) Trin is going to do it with me and we will support each other. I'm really looking forward to this because I know it will bring me closer to God and help me to rely on Him even more and become stronger in my walk with Christ. I'm ready for the challenge and the awesome experience and the deliverance it will surely bring.

Also at the beginning of the year I will be starting a ladies study of the book of Esther. I can't wait to start this either. To delve into the life and actions of this amazing woman will be pretty awesome.

Needless to say, I am determined to have a better year next year and there's no better way to do that than give the first fruits to God.