Wednesday Hodgepodge

What's left to be done on your Christmas to-do list?

Wrap Christmas gifts for two of the kiddos, cook lots of food, clean the house.

The Hodgepodge lands on the first day of winter this year. What's your favorite thing about winter?

I love when it's cold outside but warm in the house. My electric fireplace is "burning" all day long and it feels so cozy. That's what I love most ... coziness!

In what area of your life are you immature? Feel free to elaborate or not.

The official definition of immature is "not fully developed". In what ways do I still need growth? ... In being the daughter God wants me to be, a good daughter to my earthly parents, a good wife, a good mother, a good teacher, a good friend. I have room to grow in every area of my life, so I would say I am pretty darned immature.

What was the most (or one of the most) important lessons you learned in 2016?

I  have talked about this a lot on the blog lately. I have really realized how much I have "hidden" myself away over the past year or so because of fear and a lack of confidence. I have realized here in the last few weeks of 2016 that I have a light to shine, and I need and want to shine it brightly.

It's Fried Shrimp Day ... are you a fan? What's your favorite way to eat shrimp? Will there be shrimp somewhere in your holiday feasting?

Yes, I am a fan. The kids are fans of fried popcorn shrimp, so we eat it at least every couple of weeks. I like to eat those popcorn shrimp in shrimp tacos. in fact, I think we'll have that for dinner tonight! My favorite way to eat shrimp is fresh from Joe Patties in Pensacola, Florida, sautéed in butter and garlic and herbs with mushrooms and diced tomatoes served over fresh pasta.

What sound lulls you to sleep?

The sound of my air purifier.

What one word best describes your 2016?

Nana. I became a grandmother for the first time on August 22nd. We found out Kyndal and Collin were expecting on January 1st of 2016, so my whole year has revolved around her pregnancy, the birth of our precious Bennett, and absorbing myself in being his Nana.

Insert your own random thought here.

I am thinking about starting an Instagram Challenge for 2017 called #2017Daily4. I have found that there are four things I should do to start my day that makes it exponentially better: Get up in the morning two hours before anyone else (currently 7:00 a.m.), Spend time in the Word, Exercise, Shower and get ready for the day (makeup and everything). I think every person, especially women, have 4 things they could do each morning, before anything else is done, that would make their day go more smoothly. I know that I love "challenges" and tend to complete them, especially if I post them on social media. I'm thinking of posting a four-square collage each morning showing me completing each of my Daily 4 with the hashtag #2017Daily4. This is one of the ways I am going to let my light shine this year. I really am hoping others will join me so that we can start a revolution of women intentionally making their days great! Plus, it's fun to see other women succeed and support them in their efforts. We need that kind of encouragement and accountability. I know that I do. And one more absolutely unrelated random thought: Whiny baby angry fit throwing Democrats ... GET OVER IT! Your party lost the election! Geez!