You could say procrastination is my middle name.  A name handed down by my father who my stepmom says is the king of "why do today, what I can put off until tomorrow?"  I do this.  I allow duties to hang over my head or ideas to go unfulfilled until they are lost from my brain forever.  Among my many flaws, another is focus...or lack there of.  In this, I am like my mother who will be, for example, mopping the floor when she remembers that she needed to put a load in the dryer, so she goes to do that.  She will then see that she has not made her bed yet, so she does that.  On her way back downstairs, she'll see that her pictures on the wall need to be straightened and dusted.  After straightening and dusting, she will notice her grandmother's silver needs a good polishing, she will take that into the kitchen to begin the process and see that she never finished mopping.  It's a vicious cycle--one I am guilty of at least once a week--of very similar a popular children's book that I've read 100's of times, "If You Give a Mouse A Cookie".  In addition to these, I am the recipient of some very good genes from my mother and father...strong work ethic (when I'm not procrastinating or faced with a bathroom to clean), dry sense of humor, creativity, passion in my convictions, level-headedness and calm, strong legs and awesome curls.  

So, knowing all that...going against every procrastination and inefficient multitasking gene in my body...I am looking to make some changes in 2014.  

In January of 2012, I started The Complete Course in Professional Photography...this year I finish it.

I've wanted to do one blog a week (let's start slowly folks)...this year I do it.

I've always wanted to be on time with birthday cards to family and friends...this year I'll do it.

I have a lot of ideas that never come to fruition or are often lost from my brain because I don't write them down and say "Oh I'll remember that!"  HA...this year I will write down my ideas.

This year I want to develop my photography skills and knowledge, enhance my business knowledge and begin the process of developing a plan for my business to thrive so when we return to the States in 2016, I can hit the ground running.  You may think "She's got plenty of time to do that!"  And there lies my procrastination, if these last six months have shown me anything, it's that time here will pass by in the blink of an eye.  

So, with all of that swirling in my brain, January 3rd, I sat down to do my devotional from the January issue of InTouch magazine from Charles Stanley.  The title "A Balanced Schedule".  He points us to Ephesians 5:15-17 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."  He goes on to elaborate "...seconds are precious because they are a creation and a gift of God.  How we use even these small time increments makes a difference...we must consider how we spend not just years, months and days, but even minutes and seconds.  And the time to decide is now, before any more of your life passes by."  

My time to buckle down and do some work is now, and I pray that I can keep my eyes trained to my God to help me see what He wants me to do and to glorify Him all the way through to His Son's birthday celebration next December.   

As I look back on 2013, it was a year of great adventure and change.  I look forward to 2014 and see lots of adventure still, but also growth in many facets of my being. Company DanzanteWhat a fun way to spend a winter's night! Quick trip to the city.

Game onMorning sunlight + Headbanz Egg roll New Orleans New Orleans New Orleans Family time. Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin Almost there! BFF's Over the ocean we go First day of school!! Florence Never leave home without him