Challenge - Blog Every Day in May

Jenni over at Story of My Life is hosting a blog challenge for the month of May.  And a challenge it shall be - blog every day!!  While I may not blog every day, I plan to join up most days.  Jenni has come up with a great list of topics, which I think will be entertaining:

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it
Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member
Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?
Day 7, Tuesday: The thing(s) you're most afraid of
Day 8, Wednesday: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.
Day 9, Thursday: A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words)
Day 10, Friday: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill. 
Day 11, Saturday: Sell yourself in 10 words or less
Day 12, Sunday: What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)
Day 13, Monday: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.
Day 14, Tuesday: Ten things that make you really happy
Day 15, Wednesday: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)
Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it
Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why
Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. Use Grooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

BTW, go check out Jenni's blog.  She is a great writer who keeps it real.  No sugar-coating over there.  One of my favorites is this post about her wedding anniversary.  Add her blog to your reading list ASAP.

Anyone want to join me in this challenge?  Any topics above that you really want me to write about?  There are definitely some that will be easier to write than others.  Let me know what you think.  Cheers to May and a challenge!

Fear / Worry / Doubt

I often feel like so much of me is filled with fear and worry and doubt.  I tell myself to stop it and hand things over to God, but I sometimes just can't make it go away.  So many thoughts are continuously running through my mind - from personal to work and beyond.  And again, my devotion book, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, saves the day.  Today's devotion says:

"I am always with you, so you have no reason to be afraid.  Your fear often manifests itself in excessive planning.  Your mind is so accustomed to this pattern of thinking that you are only now becoming aware of how pervasive it is and how much it hinders your intimacy with Me.  Repent of this tendency and resist it, whenever you realize you are wandering down this well-worn path.  Return to My Presence, which always awaits you in the present moment.  I accept you back with no condemnation."

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

 --Psalms 46:10

Being the accountant/control-freak that I am, it's hard to let go and let God, but it feels so much better when I do.  It feels good to know that He is there no matter what, even when I make the same mistakes over and over again.  

Friday's Five Faves

Another week down, another work deadline almost done.....come on April 15th!  Here are some things that are making me happy this week:

1.  Watching my friend, Leanne, as she awaits the arrival of her baby boy.  I love it that she is at the anxious & not sleeping phase (sorry, Leanne!).  Check out her blog and adorable nursery.  My guess for Asher's birthday is April 26th.  Not much longer!

2.  I had my second beach trip of the year last weekend.  The Boyfriend had a work conference in San Destin, FL so I tagged along. 

3.  Working out - I feel the need to brag on myself a little that I've still be going to the gym some mornings.  It helps so much that I have people to go with and that makes it a little better when the alarm goes off at 5:45 am. 

4.  Pool time - I'm hoping it will get warm enough this weekend that I can spend a little time at my neighborhood pool.  Can anyone say "lounge chair nap!"

5.  Caffeine - given the early mornings at the gym, I've needed a good dose of caffeine to keep me going.  I love that Starbucks now has an iced caramel macchiato.  Perfect summer version of my favorite coffee drink!

Happy Weekend!  Make sure you have your taxes done by Monday!