MUST-haves according to ME

Pandora Radio - a must-have application for any smart phone/tablet

Francesca Battistelli music - great up-beat Christian music

Reebok's ZigZag Shoes - easily the most comfy shoes I've every owned

UGG boots - every midwest woman deserves a pair

TRESemme Dry Shampoo - for greasy roots

(does not take the place of showering)

Trouble sleeping at night?

Try taking a bath with J&J's Bedtime Bath before bed

a heated mattress pad is perfect for staying warm and snuggling in bed, just be sure to buy one with adjustable heat levels and an automatic shut-off timer

Havarti cheese is so good - it's similar to Swiss cheese

Amazing Grace Firming Body Lotion from Sephora

Smells AMAZING!

aussie Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment - saved my damaged locks

Anthropologie - an up-scale cross between Urban Outfitters,

American Eagle and H&M (cute clothes and home decor)

Clinique Up-Lighting Illuminator - for sun-kissed cheeks

Clinique Moisture Surge - great for combination dry/oily skin

Hurry up SUMMER!

I want warmth! and sunshine!! and water!!! and swimsuits!!!! and a tan!!!!! and to ride bike!!!!!! and to run outside!!!!!!! I want SUMMER!

Boy, the last few weeks have really made me stir crazy. Yes, we've had a couple days when temps saw mid-30s, but it never lasted long. I've tried pretending I'm lying on a beach while at the nearby tanning salon, but 10 minutes of sticking to hard plastic while trying not to think about the harm I'm causing my body is hardly my idea of a good time. Uh. This must be what people mean by the depressive days of winter. I'll take a large dose of vitamin D please! Or maybe a frozen drink with an umbrella? How about a day on the lake and a night in a tent? Anything to wash away this icky, stuck-in-a-rut feeling that comes with being cooped up for what seems to be an eternity!

As I was bah-humbugging last night while getting into bed, my wonderful husband, Adam, politely told be to snap out of it! I began making my argument, but soon became embarrassed by my childish moping and complaining. Boy, did I sound ungrateful! That being said, I didn't know how to take back my complaining, and found myself in a downward spiral until I was in tears. At that time, I knew I had to hit the Bible. And man did I ever need to read those words.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:4-8

We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed… Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16-18

Another 'saved by God' moment. I'm so thankful for those moments :) Maybe I'm being a little too hard on winter. After all, I do enjoy snuggling in front of our fireplace after a long day of sledding and snowboarding, and hot chocolate just isn't the same in the summer. I suppose I like warm bubble baths and my fuzzy Uggs, too. Oh, and there's indoor Zumba and weight training classes, and my favorite TV shows are on this time of year, not to mention March Madness... I guess winter isn't so bad after all!