So I threw out my back last night and it’s been in quite a lot of pain ever since. Nothing reminds you the importance of health like getting sick. Nathaniel decided 4:15 was a perfectly reasonable time to wake up so he did. I was also awake, so I just took him down with me, nursed, played, and fed him and then put him back down at 6am. I also went back to sleep and slept for an hour and a half more. David was awake when I came back down but Nathaniel slept for a good 4 and a half hours. He even slept through the vacuum of the cleaning ladies.
When he woke up, he was still clutching his little duck and wouldn’t let go of it.
But he was in a really good mood.
And David was so happy to see him and played with him and made him laugh.
Then he played with his legos while David played with his and I worked a bit, hurt a lot and tried to relax.
Then he discovered David’s balls and played with them, with me, and later with Jake for hours. Jake even taught him how to kick it. It was quite fun to watch.
Besides the awful awful pain in my back, it was a good day. I am feeling good about all that I accomplished in June so far. A lot of new things I wanted to do are done, a lot of nagging tasks are completed, learned a few new skills, and got organized. Wonderful.
I even cleaned up a bit of clutter today. Yey. Now only if the pain would go away.
Happy longest day of the year!
Note to Self:
Still thinking about The Happiness Project and trying to decide what my areas of focus would be and what my secrets of adulthood are. Interesting to think of my beliefs. So far I have: friendship, health, passion, attitude. I can think of some projects I want to do, too. Like writing 30 thank you letters. Drawing 100 faces. Writing a novel….I am working on organizing this. I have to focus on it some more. All ideas welcome of course.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Grateful that I didn’t hurt myself even worse. It’s bad but at least I can still function.
2. Grateful that my kids are so easy and kind that my back hasn’t been a huge problem.
3. Grateful for another good book I’m reading. Love books!
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. playing legos with daddy. daddy ordered david some legos and when they came in the mail today, he was literally jumping with joy.
2. finding cool lego pieces with mommy (we looked through his buckets of legos to find the great pieces he liked).
Flowers, bugs, animals. Those seem to be my favorite subjects (except for the family of course).
Today I woke up before the kids. It was quite amazing. I opened my eyes scared of the silence and tiptoed over to their rooms to find both of them sleeping soundly. I came down and spent a few quiet minutes reading my book. Then David joined me. Nathaniel didn’t wake up until 7:30. A record.
While everyone else was sleeping, David and I finished his Father’s Day card and we excitedly waited for Daddy to wake up. Once he came down the stairs, David whipped out the card (photos tomorrow) and presented it proudly. I then made them all breakfast. Daddy wanted eggs with a lot of cheese so that and some blueberries and raspberries is what he got. David got to have a vanilla and oreo yogurt, some toast, and some graham crackers. Nathaniel and I each had one egg, some toast and he had some berries and graham crackers, too.
Wonderful way to start our day. Then Daddy took some alone time while the kids played and I read. I read two books this weekend and loved them both. Love it when that happens. Nathaniel went down for his nap and I told David he could play some more Wii since he was so good. And I kept reading. When Nathaniel woke up, we all went out to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Donato.
The boys didn’t accomodate me so this was the best shot I got of all three of them.
But I did take some individual ones. One of the big boy with the long lashes.
And one of the little one who just discovered crayons and how good they taste.
And one of the man of the hour.
We ate and laughed and talked and even drew on the table.
After we came home, the boys played some Wii while I finished my book. The minute they took a break, Nathaniel grabbed the remote to attempt his own game.
Dinner, bath, and the boys were in bed. When I leaned over to kiss Nathaniel goodnight, I threw out my back and it’s hurting like crazy. I am praying that a night of sleep will ease the pain so I am headed to bed really soon. I did a little bit of painting and might or might not get to finish my Weekly Gratitude work but I am not worried, I will catch up tomorrow if needed. I’ve already accomplished such a monumental amount this June that I feel really good about it.
Oh a few other things I wanted to mention: David has a tooth that’s wobbly. I thought it was too soon but I guess it might be falling out in a month or so. Wow.
And my butterfly photo got chosen by Pioneer Woman for group 5 set on bugs which also made my day.
I promised my friend Deb that I would send her an email this weekend about my exercise goals and while I’ve sort of been thinking about it, it’s been on the list of things I’ve been postponing doing. I just don’t understand why this has been such a struggle. I wish I could do better.
Note to Self:
I just wanted to take the time today to thank my wonderful husband who is also my best friend in the whole world and my companion in every sense of the word. I like him, love him and I am so in love with him. He is my favorite person on earth. I am so thankful that we found each other and that we stuck together. He completes my life so fully. He is the best father to our amazing two kids whose faces light up the minute he walks through the door. And so does mine. We love you, Daddy!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. My husband. Today and every other day.
2. Thankful for lots of quality family time today. I love my family so deeply and feel so grateful for them.
3. Thankful for good books. They can be such good fodder for thought, conversation, and entertainment.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. playing wii with daddy.
2. playing wii alone.
Great, wonderful day today. I felt happy so much of today. Little boy woke up super early but I hugged and nursed him and did some art while he played and then David joined us, too. Then we all ate and Nathaniel played some more and went down for his nap. I finished my book while David started his Wii day.
After Nathaniel woke up, he kept walking up to David and wanting to be with him. David was really gracious despite the interruption to his game. He hugged him back.
And then made funny and angry (which Nathaniel thinks is also funny) faces.
And made him laugh and laugh.
After a while, he decided to finally play alone but of course right in front of the TV. David didn’t even say a word.
He just kept playing.
I did some art, some reading, some more art. I even went to Ikea and I have a few more things tonight before I go to bed. Still feeling good, thankfully. Hope you are, too.
Note to Self:
I’ve just finished The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. A lot more coming about the book but I am also thinking maybe I will do a happiness project, too. I was originally thinking I will start in 2011 but now I am thinking maybe I should just start in July. Why put it off? There’s a good six months left in this year. Why waste them? Not sure yet. Still thinking about it….
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. This morning, while Nathaniel was napping, David snuggled up right next to me and played Wii while he was sitting next to me and I was reading. It was truly wonderful for me. I love having him next to me. I am so grateful for that.
2. I am grateful for Nathaniel’s smiles. He’s such a sweet boy. He walks around, and then comes up to me and when my eyes meet his, he always breaks into a smile. I love that!
3. I am grateful to have completed two things I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. They were both things I wanted to do but I was putting them off. Grateful to have them crossed off.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Daddy.
2. playing Wii.
Nathaniel has been sleeping slightly later. Not that I want to jinx it by saying it out loud but here we are. Not much but closer to 6 than 5 and it makes a noticeable difference in my mornings. This morning the kids decided to wrestle. With two boys I don’t expect less of course.
And then they were both wiped out.
After Nathaniel’s nap, we went to the art store cause I was supposed to work on my Pam Carriker classes today but I realized I didn’t have any angular brushes. When we came back, David and I worked on his workbook a bit while Nathaniel looked at us longingly.
Then the kids played. I love this cause biting that bottle is something Nathaniel does often and I am glad I captured it.
And he goes through my scrappy drawers too often, too. Taking stuff out, destroying stuff, etc..
And he’s been playing with the doorstops lately again too. Partly cause I have been using the gate so he can’t venture too far.
After they ate and we played, I started working on a piece of art for my brother in law and his wife and the kids played together.
Jake came home early thankfully and fed the kids and did everything while I did my art. I love that. I love him. The kids are tucked safely in bed now and I am going to do a bit more art before I start getting ready for date night. Yey!
Note to Self:
Still feeling a bit more sluggish than I’d like but getting there. Getting and feeling more productive. Fewer conversations in my head. Thinking about July already and whether I will do a month long project or not. I am thinking I’ll go back to my art journal which has been neglected. Any other ideas for July?
Oh and, one of the items on my list for 52 Things and for this month is to make items for my etsy shop. I am in need of ideas. Any ideas? Anything you’d like? I’m not sure I’m interested in selling things but I wanted to ask just in case there’s something someone might like to have me make.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I decided to take today off work and just relax and I’m grateful that I did. It was nice just to be with the kids, work on projects, read and snuggle up. Good to take a day off for no reason every now and then.
2. Grateful for date night tonight. I was inclined to stay home and work on my embroidery but I know I will enjoy date night a lot.
3. Grateful for my amazing husband who’s always so kind and patient with me and so good with the kids. We’re all so lucky.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. daddy.
2. and daddy again!!
This is one of the photos I snapped while we were on our walk yesterday. Love the colors.
Today was a miracle cause Nathaniel slept until 7am. 7am! When we came down, David was already in the living room, playing with his legos. They played while I worked for a bit. Nathaniel is still making sounds and raspberries.
And playing with his blocks, trying to be like his brother.
And hugging him like mad.
He was wearing one of David’s old shirts today. One that his grandma got him. It says Menemsha Blues, Martha’s Vineyard. Instantly covered it with food, of course.
And then he went and gave David some more hugs.
What I love is that David isn’t annoyed one bit. Even if he’s in the middle of something, he stops and hugs him right back. It makes my heart swell.
After the naps and attempted naps and some more playtime and worktime and lunch etc, we decided to take a short trip to Target so David had to finally get out of his pajamas.
We got some groceries, some eggs so we could make banana bread, diapers, a little album for me for my gratitudes, a pair of shoes for Nathaniel (he owns none) and a little blow-up pool for the backyard for Nathaniel, a workbook and a Lego minifigure sticker book for David (which he’s been playing with nonstop since we’ve been home). And now we’re waiting for Nathaniel to finish his dinner so the kids can go to bed and mommy can rest. Mommy needs her rest.
Note to Self:
I am feeling better. Not great but better. Able to quiet the conversations a bit more right now. Let’s see what tomorrow brings. I am going to try to be extra-productive with the little dangling tasks tonight and see if it helps, too.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for one small email that helped my mood shift significantly. amazing how that can work
2. Grateful that I found a wonderful little album to store my gratitude photos in. More coming on this later this month.
3. I decided to take the day off work tomorrow. Grateful for some extra undivided time with my kids.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. lego sticker book.
2. mommy (yey!).
I decided to take it easy today. Give myself permission to relax and not accomplish much. And I certainly did not accomplish much. I’d say barely the bare minimum. But that’s ok.
There’s still so much love in our household.
It makes me so happy and fills my heart with joy.
In the afternoon we took a short walk so I could take some photos and we could all get some sunshine.
And then we came home and the kids played. Nathaniel is getting better and better at playing by himself.
Especially with the blocks. He loves them and spends hours figuring them out.
And I don’t know if you can see it here but he makes noises and funny faces while he plays. That’s my favorite part.
I worked, rested, read, walked, took photos and now I am heading to the garage to clean up a bit and then back here to work on some catalysts and then it’s bed time for me with my book. Some days are like this.
Note to Self:
I made an entire entry on my note to self today so that’s what I’m going to leave it at.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Our little walk around. Always good to get some sunshine.
2. I spent a long time talking to a parent about private schools today. Something I’m struggling with and I am so thankful she took the time to really explain a lot to me. I wish I had this guidance last year.
3. I am thankful for a quiet-ish day that meant I didn’t go deep into a funk and was able to make some plans to help me more regularly. I also cleaned up my mail which makes me happy. Didn’t respond yet but did clean up a lot.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. daddy.
2. i’m grateful for finding some of my legos (he means in other bins for different toys, he discovered he still had some legos hiding in the boxes.)
I tried something with layers and blending and stuff and I’m not sure I like it but here we are.
This morning Jake and David did some scooter-time. I’m not sure we’re making a lot of progress with it and I am really worried about that for reasons I can’t really explain.
And then they threw a football around for a while and Nathaniel watched them from inside the house.
Then Daddy went to work and Mommy got to work and Nathaniel decided it was time to show David some love.
Here he is in process.
And landed.
We went out to lunch cause I was going stir-crazy and then when we came back I had a meeting so the kids played quietly.
and then gave each other more hugs.
After my meeting, I worked some more, David and I picked some legos, and then it was dinner time. I have to rush this tonight cause I still have to put them down, get ready, do art, and go to my book club.
Note to Self:
I’m in a really bad mood again. I need to keep track of this to see if I can find a pattern. Maybe I’ll just go read through my entries cause I do think it happens quite regularly. And it sucks.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Grateful for book club tonight. Looking forward to going out.
2. Grateful that I took the time to go out instead of sitting at home and sulking. It helped a lot just to get out.
3. Grateful that I have great kids who are so great at playing by themselves.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. playing football with daddy.
2. i’m grateful for looking at legos.
Nathaniel seems to be sleeping in late on the weekends and waking up early on weekdays. Not sure how he does that since he goes to bed at the same time each night. But I am still grateful for the extra sleep. So he woke up early today and I was too tired to do anything. I watched a bit of TV while I nursed and we relaxed until David woke up. After breakfast, I let them watch Toy Story 2 which I had just recorded for David on the TiVo. I tried to get a good photo of them watching but I couldn’t and of course it lasted a mere second.
Then Nathaniel napped and I worked and David played. And then it was craft time and Nathaniel watched us while we worked.
As we waited for the glue to dry, the kids ran around and played and laughed.
And I caught this shot of David.
And then he hid while the little one played some more.
And then it was dinner and now we’re going up for our bath. Days pass quickly when you’re having fun.
Note to Self:
I’ve noticed that it’s actually better to do no more than 1-2 crafts/art a day. When I do more, I like it but then I feel burned out. If it’s more like a long-term project where I get a lot done and do a little each day, it doesn’t ever get me to the burned-out place. So, as with most things, small bites and patience almost always pays off.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Grateful for Jake coming home early. It helps me so much when he’s around more to help.
2. I am grateful that despite feeling a bit bummed, I still feel a deep sense of peace.
3. I am grateful for some more craft time tonight. I am really enjoying making all this art and scrapping and sewing. What a luxury.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. watching toy story 2
2. crafting with mommy
2. i’m grateful for daddy.
Odd kind of day today. I think I felt good most of the day but now it’s 8:25 or so and I still have a long list of things I would like to do before bedtime comes and feel a bit depressed that the likelihood of that is low. Even though most of the day was decent, the ending is coloring my perspective and making me remember this as a not-so-great day.
I started the morning by finishing my book, which I loved. I’ve already begun another. I then did some sewing, some knitting, some playing. And Nathaniel gave his brother some more hugs.
Then David and I used the bean bag numbers to create some large numbers and read them out loud. We practiced for a while.
While Nathaniel was napping (and I was reading) David and Jake watched some World Cup.
When Nathaniel woke up, they chatted with Jake’s parents on Skype and then he watched David play. He loves watching David play.
But he hates it when David puts the toys out of reach.
David wanted to return some of the love and hugged him a bunch, too.
After his second nap, Nathaniel woke up groggy and unhappy. He cried for some time and then seemed ok. He played for a while and then fell on his face while walking and busted his lip a bit. He was really sad but I am quite proud that I didn’t freak out. He’s totally ok now but it was swollen a bit (not sure you can see it so well but this was the best shot I got.)
And now the kids are sleeping and I am trying to make good use of the last few hours of the day while I watch the Tony awards. Another weekend zoomed by. Another month halfway here. It’s stunning how fast time passes.
Note to Self:
i was thinking that I enjoy doing a week-in-the-life project and I do take a lot of photos but there are certain things that can only really be captured by video. And I rarely ever take video. So this week I decided to do A week in the life, the video version. I took a bunch of video already and I hope to continue. All are short little snippets to give a flavor of our life now. It might not work out or it might be a nightmare to edit but for now, it’s something I plan to keep working on. Let’s see….
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I spent a lot of time creating things this weekend. I like making things and I especially like making things for my family or things that I use regularly.
2. I am grateful for the internet. I did a project today that I would otherwise have spent days trying to figure out but thanks to the net and thanks to YouTube, it was all possible. I am so thankful to live in these times.
3. I am grateful for our quiet, little life. It’s hectic sometimes but, for the most part, it’s simple and full of love. We’re all so very lucky and I am thankful so very much for that.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. watching a lego movie with daddy.
2. mommy.
Not a good photo day. Happens sometimes. I spent the morning playing with some fabric and while I was doing that, Nathaniel made a mess with my yarn and crochet thread. He made quite a sizable mess.
I then went to the hairdresser which was long overdue. Then I came back and finished my project while Nathaniel was still napping. When he woke up, we went to lunch cause it’s been absolutely beautiful outside. We did a bit of fruit shopping and then came back home. I rested and cleaned up while David played the Wii and Nathaniel tried to balance one of my bean bags on his head.
And then he walked around more, creating a trail of mess right behind him.
By then it was dinner time so we ate and now we’re getting ready for bed, winding down. After then are comfortably in bed, we get to go on our date night. Short but great day!
Note to Self:
It’s amazing to me how quickly one can go from feeling good about oneself to feeling bad. I’ve been feeling happy, secure and generally good about myself lately. Nothing too amazing but slightly better than usual. Then today something happened (or actually something i wanted to happen didn’t happen) and here I am all doubting myself and feeling small already. It amazes me that I allow others to have this much power over me. I need to learn to have faith in myself.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Date night! Always look forward to date night.
2. I am so glad to finally have my hair cut and dyed. Yey.
3. I am so thankful for a quiet, wonderful, family-filled Saturday. Simple is exactly how I love it.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Daddy
2. wii!
A quiet, wonderful day here. Some sewing, some playing together, a bunch of work, some more playing, some reading and of course some photo taking.
The little one is still snot-nosed.
But there’s still a lot of love and impromptu hugging here. It’s so lovely.
And David is so good at playing with his little brother.
Who is also so good at playing by himself. Not whining or needing me even when he’s all snot-nosed. They are such good players. Extra thankful for that since it means I can do work.
And they laugh together a lot.
David was so excited to receive the legos his grandparents bought him. He immediately went to work putting them together and hasn’t stopped playing since.
Except to be kind to his brother.
I am off to feed the boys and bathe them an on and on. Then I get to have some quiet time to do today’s catalyst. Then I get to read some and maybe start a project. Or maybe just rest. This weekend will be relaxing, or so I hope. And I am feeling peaceful today.
Happy Weekend.
Note to Self:
I’ve been slacking a little on getting on top of and staying on top of the blog. I usually schedule posts in advance for some of the recurring things to ensure that the posts do go up daily. But lately I’ve been a bit more “in the moment” which means I’ve been behind. And this does stress me more than I hoped it would so I’m going to have to pay some attention to it. Is there a specific day you look forward to? Or something you don’t care for? Just curious…
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that my kids like playing so much. That they can play by themselves and together. I know this is a luxury and I am thankful for it.
2. I am grateful that my plans for June are going well and I am getting stuff done without feeling stressful or overwhelmed.
3. I am grateful to finally be going to the hairdresser tomorrow. I badly need a cut and a dye job.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Amore and Opapa
2. My new legos
Today was David’s last day at pre-school. He’s now officially on summer break. And then in September, he starts kindergarten. How quickly time passess…
I grabbed a bunch of photos with his teacher (one of them, his favorite) but I didn’t want to show a face-shot in case he doesn’t want his photo all over the net.
And here’s a shot with several of his closest friends. I blurred all the faces but, honestly, i think the photo still shows how funny and sweet they were all being.
Then I snapped one more of David on his way out. We’ve been going to this preschool since he was 2.5, we’ve got quite a few memories here.
Nathaniel’s still sick and he’s very very cranky. He didn’t take a morning nap and spent 35 minute crying after he woke up from his afternoon nap. Just lay on the floor here and cried. Neither of us could stop him. But earlier in the day, when we came back from school, he walked around for a while and just randomly gave David a hug. I couldn’t believe my eyes and grabbed the camera. David was totally shocked too..
He kept walking around and then coming back to give him a hug.
Again and again.
It made me cry to see how much he loves his brother and that he learned to hug!
And of course David hugged him back, too.
I know they are bad shots but it was hard to catch it especially since I was busy being so emotional.
It was a good day in that I decided to take the day off and I finished my work for BPS and AMM and now it’s just doing catalysts and sewing and painting etc for the rest of the month. It was relaxing not to have to juggle work and the kids. But it was a rough day cause nathaniel was so sad and so frustrated that it broke my heart.
Note to Self:
I realized today that I’ve done 41 layouts since the beginning of May. And 84 layouts since the beginning of this year, plus the week in the life mini and the week in the life digital project. Plus my project for the upcoming BPS class. That’s a lot of scrapping in half a year. I still don’t really feel burned out. But I do want to do some of the other projects I’ve been wanting to do. So besides working on the catalysts, I’m hoping to take a little break. Do some sewing, knitting, crocheting, drawing, and painting. I am so thankful that I have so many creative outlets I’m interested in so that when I take a break from something, I can still be doing something else creative. Yey.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a day off work. It’s nice to be able to focus on just personal projects and my boys.
2. I am grateful for David’s preschool. It was a great place for David to go for three years. He made good friends and had great teachers. He loves school and they are to thank for that.
3. I am grateful to have done some sewing today for a fun little project for David. I suck at sewing but it makes me happy.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. mommy and daddy.
2. playing with moon sand.
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projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
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