Freedom

My "to do" list was big going into this week.  BIG.  Change my whole everything BIG, and deal with crap that has been piling up for 20 years BIG.  I can hear my friend Lara Casey's voice in my head, "feel the fear and do it anyway."

When I was in NY last week, I knew, in my heart of hearts, some things needed to be taken care of.  Done.  Crossed off.  And so, I took action.

I made that phone call.  I confessed.  I owned my past, and then let go of my past.  I've set the boundary.  I haven't bent my own rules.  I said "yes" to waking up each day and devoting time to God.  I've set boundaries around my media use.  I've focused on my work during my work hours.  I've said "no" to little lies that the evil one whispers in m ear.  I took a risk even though I feared rejection.  I only let one person be my LORD, Jesus.  Instead of depression, or fear, or worry or anger.  Only Jesus has rulership over me.  I indulged in what fires me up.  I dreamt a new dream.  I lived my ideal day.  Even though I'm not perfect, I made progress.  I invested in my marriage.  I invested in my kids.  I played.  I took care of myself.  I exercised.  I came from a place of LOVE each day.  I studied success.  I built my team.  I asked for accountability.  I said, "I love you because..."

I completed the items.  I felt fear.  I did it anway.  And the freedom in my heart is not able to be put into words.  It is indescribable, uncontainable, and who knows where it's going to take me.

And this place that I'm now in... this peace that now fills me, can't be matched by any other feeling or idea.  The truth.

Whats holding you back from having everything you deserve?  What lie in your head is telling you you don't deserve it?

Name it.  Feel it.  Look your fear in the eye, and do it anyway.

A Week in the Life of Shelly, Days 3-5

NEW YORK CITY! I want to raise my hands in the air and scream it at the top of my lungs! I don't even know how to put it into words, but I'm gonna try.

Day 1:  Weds, July 27...

 Me leaving from MSP!  So so full of hopes, dreams and with a heart ready for whatever is ahead!

Something about being up in the air to travel makes me feel like anything's possible! 

 My first view of the Big Apple... I don't think I've ever been more excited in my life.  I'm sure the lady next to me on the plane thought I was nuts.  It's okay, Lady, I am NUTS!

 My journal entry the night before.  Also, just as I got off the plane I checked my voicemail.  There was a message there telling me that I didn't get a job I recently interviewed for.  And I was so thankful.  Because I am not destined for that... I'm destined for more.  And the reality of that made my heart crack WIDE open.  While I wasn't really expecting to feel that way going into the conference, I'm so so thankful that's how it played out.  Whew!  I slept so well in NYC, by the way.

Day 2, Thursday, July 28, 2011

I awoke bright and early to take in a few sites before I got ready and went to the conference.  Also, Starbucks: Venti Iced Vanilla Soy Latte... Never tasted better at 7 am!!!!

 I think I'll live here when I move to NYC. :)  LOVE everything about the architecture in this city!

 OK, I'm ready to go "make things happen."  BTW, my curly hair has never looked better... apparently it loves NY!  Who knew!  YAY!

 On my way to the conference I spent some time on Hannelore's bench in Central Park.  It was the perfect place to finish my iced latte and soak up the day!  Have I mentioned that I love NYC yet?  Oh boy!  There's so much in my heart!

 After my morning stroll through Central Park, it was a day full of heart changing events.  I can't put it into words.  If you want to hear, we'll have to have lunch, 25 times in a row.  Really though, I've never been more moved, inspired, and down right at peace, than I was at 8:30 pm on Thursday night.  Because I KNOW what's ahead... and it's only an amazing life in which I live with the right priorities, in which I parent and am a wife to the best of my ability, in which I live for Christ in everything, and in which I allow, for the very first time every, myself, to DREAM bigger, to GO bigger, and to be the very best me I can be.  Life is too short to play small.  I am Making Things Happen.

A little stroll under the Brooklyn Bridge on my way back to the hotel. :)  LOVE NYC!!!!

A little stop at the Buttercup Bakery for the most wonderful Red Velvet Cupcake I've ever loved.  It was perfect, perfect, perfect. 

Day 5, July 29, 2011

One of my first action steps for MTH was to get up earlier.  So, I awoke at 5:30 NY time, which is 4:30 MN time.  I walked to Time Square and sat there enjoying my latte. 

Found this lovely "park" in between two buildings... and also sat there for a bit.. .taking in the sites, smells and sounds of the greatest city on earth!  LOVED every minute of this... my ipod blaring in my ears "Good Life." by One Republic.  Almost the perfect way to end this amazing journey.

Oh, hello Rockefeller Center!

I took a picture of the Chinese family, they took a picture of me.  It was perfect.

The most delicious bagel ever, and it only cost me $.75!  That's it, we're moving to NYC.

Goodbye Midtown Manhatten, you've changed my life.

So, it's over now, and I'm home.  And it is gonna be a good life.  I am full of gratitude.  If you are a part of my life, you are a part of my life for a reason, and vice versa.  Thank you for being my friends.  Supporting me along the way.  Because, whatever I do now, no matter what it is, it will be fully, a million percent, from my heart, authentic, and true.  It will be good.  Possibly the best three days of my life... the best insight and revelations ever, the best epiphanies, the best friends I've ever known, the best crying I've ever done, the most honest I've ever been with myself, and the best hair I've ever had.  I love you NYC.  I love you MN.  I love you Brian Brady Owen Wesley and Bella.  I love you Pamela.  I love you Tammy.  I love you Kim.  I love you Kelly.  I love you besties.  I love you family.  I love you.  I love you MTH NYC 3.0 Alum!  Lara Casey, I love you with all I am.  You are beautiful, annointed, and have changed my life.  Gina Z... I have never seen anyone get more real, and it touched me to my core.  Emily, only the world's most loving moms name their firstborn Brady.  :)  I love you.

Went to bed early, but I will tell you, I think Bella the doggie missed me most.  She has not left my side since I walked through the door.  And this morning actually jumped into bed and licked me in the face!  How's that for waking up happy! 

 "Go Big." A year from now, I can't wait to see... because I had the courage to start.  I had the courage to get real and dream.

A Week in the Life: Day 2

This is the time we pulled out of the driveway this morning... so much for summer break!  It was my day to drive the football players around, so we had to leave bright and early!

While they were at practice, I took the littles to the playland while I talked to my friend Pamoooola on the phone.  Talking to Pamoooola is both a. necessary, and b. entertaining.

The "boyz." All sweaty and stinky after practice. :)

This is the one who causes all the football traveling in our family... We are very proud of him, as he's extremely strong and a very hard worker.

Then, I worked on these proofs... all... day.... long...

We ate here for dinner.

Here's my love.

We delivered the proofs.

I got a treat.

We played in the yard.

And now, we're all going to bed.

The end.

PS: Stay tuned as tomorrow - Friday's posts take place in an entireley different state!  YAY!!!!

A Week in the Life of Shelly: Day 1!

And so it begins again!  I'm so so so thankful for all that's happened in the last year... Even looking at today's pix made me just beam with joy.  So much can change in one year.  Here's day one:

Our days always start this way... jammies and tv on the couch.

Confession:  I'm really behind on my editing.  It's about killin me!  I am so thankful to have so much work that I'm behind, but it's like a grey raincloud hanging over my head!!!!  My ham, cheese and pickle sandwhich helped though.

These shoes make me want to go to NYC!  I think I'll do that on Weds. :)

Me right now.

Kids, in the car.  This is a normal event in their lives.  Poor guys!  Since mom is the driver to all events like soccer and football, these guys live in the car sometimes.  A cool drink helped today!

This day included a walk around Lake Harriet.  I really like this gate that was by our car when we parked.  I love this neighborhood, too.  I love Minneapolis, also.

Dinner tonight:  Summer salad with strawberries and poppyseed dressing

and our family favorite: homemade pizza!  YUMMO!

The littles right before bed.

This wedding: I will be editing it until I die.  UGH!

NOTE: Need to hire intern to help with edits.

This is how my days end, watching TV in bed.  I also read, pray and journal too.  I'm trying to eliminate the TV portion of falling asleep and just do the other stuff.  Baby steps!

Until tomorrow friends!