Today was one of those days that got away from me. I did end up doing many things but everything took longer and got done late. I guess all that matters is that it got done, right? I’ve had several good news lately and I’ve been feeling thankful and supremely lucky. With that also comes insecurity and nervousness and weird behavior and then regret for talking too much, too fast, etc, etc. So many issues so little time.
Nathaniel is completely obsessed with shoes. I love watching him try them all on.
And digging through drawers and evaluating contents.
David’s feeling better though he’s lost his voice. But no spitting today, no fighting. Mostly a good day for him. And I love him so much. He’s so sweet.
Nathaniel is getting more and more demanding. He will come over to me and demand to go up and then go back down. He will want something and then walk away from it. On and on. I can’t wait until he can at least talk and tell me what he wants.
And I get a lot of these faces when I refuse all of his wishes.
I’m sorry I’ve been low on words lately. I’m more hectic and tired than usual. Things will pick up soon. Thank you for continuing to come here and leave kind words and advice, I treasure each one.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had a nice chat with my husband tonight. I love that even after 16 years we can still talk and enjoy each other’s company so much. I think that’s rare and I am not taking that for granted for a minute.
2. I am grateful that I finally got around to printing more photos to scrap. The bottom of the barrel is always uninspiring.
3. I am grateful some time to catch up tonight. This week is full of night obligations and today’s my only open night so I am watching TV, processing photos, and I even hope to read.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. making the johnny appleseed craft
2. filling out my fun school magazine
3. doing a math work at school today and having my teacher show it to the class
Today was randomly hectic and quiet. I did get a bunch of personal and work items done but most of the day I just felt super-tired. And tonight I am going out so I don’t expect tomorrow’s going to be much better. But I had moments of pure joy, like this one.
And this one.
And of course, this one!
Right before we had to leave to get David, there was a flurry of urgent work stuff, as there often seems to be. And then his bus was late and then I had to rush to the dentist and I came home to not having snapped one single photo of David so I asked for one:
And then we chatted while Nathaniel ate his meatballs.
David said he had to sit at a table all lunch today cause he spit at a boy. Then he said it was like sticking his tongue out or whatever. I got really mad and reprimanded him harshly and I am hoping this was the only time. It does not make me happy but he seemed genuinely sad so I let it go.
The kids are finally in bed and I am about to rush out to meet book club friends. I noticed today that my schedule/routine/life works really well as long as I don’t leave the house…
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for an awesome email this morning, some happy crafty news!
2. I am grateful that I got some of the items on my list done and got some work done!
3. I am grateful for Glee tonight!!!!
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. making the K (kangaroo) and L (lizard) puppets at school
2. making my tree with apples at school
3. coloring my book box at school
David woke up with a low-grade fever today. Because I hate those parents who hate their kids to school sick and because he looked sad, I decided it was better to stay home and rest up. So he spent the day looking like this.
And resting and watching movies and even a little TV but mostly lying and reading books and coloring. The little one was restless today and couldn’t sit still or stay quiet. He played with his bottles.
And begged for food and whined about being on his chair. Slapped and kicked us without meaning to.
It was a useless day for the most part. I got a bunch of important work done but spent most of the day aimlessly wondering what to work on and not actually working on much. Oh well, tomorrow’s another day.
Things have been quiet here, I hope I am not boring you to tears or putting too many scrappy pages. Let me know if something’s wrong.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a fun BPS chat tonight!
2. I am grateful that my art journal that I posted here this weekend was the featured project at 2peas today!
3. I am grateful that David seems to be all better. Here’s to hoping the fever doesn’t come back tomorrow.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. watching kid TV
2. eating yummy snacks and fruit and my bagel
3. watching movies on my ipod
Another perfectly calm day. Loving these happy, uneventful days.
Nathaniel’s really gotten to be vocal when he’s not getting his way. Here’s a face he makes often when I refuse one of his wishes.
And he does like to sit down a bunch of times. I love seeing him sit and seeing how much older and bigger he is. It does make me a bit sad, too.
And then all my boys watched football for a bit while I made a layout.
And I captured the feet. I love these toes.
And he’s obsessed with the waters. The top on and off, on and off, all day long.
David spent quality time working on his market, putting lego men in it and making notes along the way.
He also read some of the books I bought at the fair. He’s becoming such an excellent reader and I am so incredibly proud of him. I read most of the day. I made a layout and rested and mostly read. I have a few todo items to get done tonight before I will let myself go back to my book. But I can hardly wait.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for another great book and mostly for time to read.
2. I am grateful three happy layouts I made this weekend. I love all three of them.
3. I am grateful for a quiet and still weekend. Love love love love those.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. reading my amelia badelia book and cowboy roy book
2. coloring
3. playing with my market
Nathaniel woke up at 3am last night and though he desperately tried he couldn’t go back to sleep. I tried everything I could think of. I hugged him, left him alone, held his hand, and even put him on the big bed and nursed him but nothing worked. By then I was wide awake, so we just got up. I read, he played, we hugged, he ate, David woke up and then I decided Nathaniel could go down again. So off he went and so did I. Jake woke up and fed David and I slept for a few hours. We both woke up then and it was much better.
A little while later David started his wii day.
I read more of my book (I am enjoying the Kindle a lot and don’t miss my Sony much) and then I fed the kids again and went to the book fair to get David some early reader books. Then I decided I needed to get out more so I took Nathaniel and went to a local cafe so have a sandwich. We ate and laughed and I read. I finished my book and then we went grocery shopping. I am always so much happier when there is a lot of fruit in the fridge.
When we got back, the kids ate again and Nathaniel was in his pre-bed funny mood.
I snuck a smile from David.
Nathaniel was lying on the floor and laughing and laughing.
And making these weird, funny shrieks.
And of course David joined in, he never misses a fun playing opportunity.
Then the kids had their baths and are now in bed. I did a few of my todos and rested a lot today. Now I am off to do some gratitude art and some layouts.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for simple books that you can get lost in.
2. I am grateful fruit. Fresh, happy, tasty fruit.
3. I am grateful some fresh air and quiet time Nathaniel and I got today. It’s rare I am out with only one kid but it’s also fun.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. playing wii
2. watching cinderella on my ipod
3. coloring
Nothing like nature to inspire and awe.
This week felt like it went by too too fast. I have a bunch of items on my todo list but none of them are inspiring me all that much so I keep putting them off. But I feel guilty about it so I get nothing else done either. Great, eh? Happens sometimes.
Nathaniel’s been really obsessed with shoes lately. Puts them on, takes them off.
my sunshine.
And eats them, too.
After we picked up David, he decided to play with Nathaniel by putting legos behind his back, inside his clothes.
And then they laughed.
And laughed.
And then came the hugs.
Love that they love each other. Love love love it.
And then Daddy came home and there was much much rejoicing. And playing with a box of goodies he got. They both sat in the tiny box and laughed and then cried and started having tantrums. Which meant it was time to eat and sleep. And me, I’m going to ignore my todo list, and read tonight. And then cuddle with my love. And then read more.
Here’s to a good weekend.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for my kids’ laughter.
2. I am grateful for the weekend. I will enjoy a little rest this weekend with no deliverables.
3. I am grateful for the pack of white cardstock I got. 100 sheets. You know I’ll be using them.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. reading the IQ book at school (about a mouse who wanted to be a student)
2. getting to read the story about our class and apples at school
3. putting legos in nathaniel’s clothes and making him laugh
I have a ton of imperfect photos today. There’s a lot of movement in my house when the kids are both here and it’s hard to capture that in a photo. It means blurring and missing limbs. I rarely take photos like that. But today I decided it would be fun to just snap photos anyway. Here’s one with the boys wrestling and laughing.
Nathaniel riding the car.
More wrestling, pulling, laughing.
Tugging back and forth on the quilt Jake’s mom made for the kids.
And, me, I got my Kindle in the mail! So I immediately made a cover for it. Sick of seeing this fabric yet? Not me!
Nathaniel looking out the window longingly. He loves loves loves being outside.
And focusing hard on the legos. I love that he sits on the chair now.
And David with his new crane that he made all by himself.
This is us. This is what our days are like. Work, play, laugh, whirlwind. But most of all, joy. A lot of joy.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for my new Kindle. What a joy.
2. I am grateful for the joy I’ve been able to hold on to for a few days now. Joy feels great.
3. I am grateful for kind words in emails, notes, messages from friends. Some even without my knowledge. So wonderful to have kind people around me.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. finishing putting together my new legos crane
2. being the star of the day at school
3. having my teacher read the book I brought to school for share day (Harold and the Purple Crayon)
Today passed too quickly and I now have to rush to get to my book club on time so I am going to keep it short. The morning was same as always, taking david to the bus, nathaniel napping, me working etc. Then around midday Nathaniel and I went to work to meet some work mates for lunch. A few more his etc, and I was back home and it was time to pick up David. This is a common scene in my house. Both my kids, playing quietly. Love them.
And I grabbed a smile. this one just for me.
After some more work, I decided it was time to organize my albums. I had ordered a bunch in the last few weeks and they came in. So here they all are. Bad photo, apologies.
Black for David, Brown for Nathaniel, Red for me, Light blue for both kids together, Purple for misc., and Darker blue for Jake. That’s it. Love having them organized and marked. And I made a set for my side table too. This holds one of each for current layouts. So when I am done photographing it, it goes into one of these albums. When they fill up, I put them in the big pile and take out a new one. Easy peasy.
I had moments of stress today and I chose joy and it paid off in a big way. Choosing joy really works! Then I took the plunge and did something I was afraid of and that worked too! and then I got a wonderful email and that made me happy, too. And some more amazing emails that need time and focus for a reply (tomorrow, I promise!) so I’ve been busy but really grateful and really happy. My big recommendation today: take a chance. Put yourself out there. You never know when it works!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for two emails. Two wonderful opportunities.
2. I am grateful for an amazing email from my sister. Kind. Authentic. Loving. I love love love you Yona.
3. I am grateful for and awesome phone conversation with my husband. He rocks my world!
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. putting together my new legos by myself
2. signing at school in music class
3. making my inchworm puppet at school
Happy Tuesday. I woke up exhausted thanks to my crazy brain and my inability to quiet it down. Little boy’s screams at 3am didn’t help much either but oh well. Such is life as a mama. We woke up and immediately turned the TV on to see this:
And just as David was complaining it wasn’t him, we also got some of this:
and he was so so excited. Screaming with joy. This was for Margie’s HSN show. And you can still buy the kit online. I made four layouts for her and I will show them over the next few weeks. But you can get two sneaks above. It was really quite a thrill to see my layouts on TV. Thank you, Margie, for the opportunity.
Then we drove David to the bus and came back home and got to work. Nathaniel’s been putting the little lego hats on his fingers ever since he realized they are the perfect size. It’s so cute.
And now he’s able to reach some of the crackers in the pantry. So we have to constantly remember to keep the door closed.
Around 2pm, we drove up to David’s school cause I had a meeting with his teacher (I am the room parent for the class) and then we drove back home. Daddy showed up soon after and David was thrilled to spend some time putting his new legos together. (They came in the mail today.)
A little running around, some food, and many smiles (and tears) later we were ready for bed.
Nathaniel’s growing up so much lately. He loves playing with shoes and puts them on and off all day long. He also still loves tiny lego men. And the fabric ball. And he can now climb up on the couch next to me and get down by himself. He’s also louder and screams a bunch. Which I do not love, but I still adore him to bits.
I’ve been really exhausted for days now and so I am very unproductive and feel tired and overwhelmed constantly. I am not sure what the cure is. I don’t seem to be able to sleep/rest enough. Thankfully, I don’t have huge deadlines but it’s still very annoying and I hope it passes soon.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful to get to see my little pages on TV.
2. I am grateful to be a part of the “i am enough” collaborative by tracey clark. i hope you read my words and leave me some of your own.
3. I am grateful for my husband and how very much he helps me and is patient with me and kind to me. I am a lucky lucky gal.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. putting together my new legos with Daddy
2. seeing Mommy’s layouts on TV and watching craft TV with mommy
3. playing Star Wars game outside during lunch
Today was a quiet day. I woke up and took care of the kids, drove David to the bus and then came back to do some work while Nathaniel did some acrobatics and entertained himself.
He also played outside some.
He took a really long nap which meant I could get much done. I’ve got so much to do that I am in that super-scattered place I get to when I have too much to do. So I accomplished a bunch but not nearly enough and then it was time to get David. Since picture day is tomorrow, we did a final bit or practice.
And then an authentic one.
Jake came home and played with the kids while I dealt with my allergy attack and I’ve been moping around ever since. Just feeling exhausted but I guarantee you my second wind will come in one hour, just when it’s bed time.
I wanted to take a moment and talk about work. My sister commented today that I don’t talk about doing work on the blog. And since I mention so many other things…I’ve been writing my blog for ten years now and I rarely ever talked about work over that time. A few cryptic posts when I was at Goldman, some sad, depressed ones from TFA and none from the job before Google. And nothing from my previous positions at Google either. There are several reasons for this. The foremost is that this is a personal blog. It’s not about work. It’s not even about technology so I tend to not focus on work, here. Secondly, I want to keep it completely separate lest I get carried away and write something that will get me in trouble. I have enough other things in my life that I don’t need to do that. Third, since this is a record for me, I prefer to focus on things I care about more like my kids, art, books, etc. However, lest you get the wrong impression, I work. Every single day. Some days more than others. Some days I am more productive, other days not as much. Just like I was when I worked at the office. Some days I had meetings all day long, some days I took a super long lunch cause I had to. Some days I got interrupted 100 times. Working at home is similar. The interruptions are different and I never take lunch and there’s no smooth beginning and ending to my day but there’s also no commuting and much more kid-time. It also means I can work in super-comfy clothes that may not be suitable for outerwear. But in case others are under the same impression, I do work almost all of the day, every day. I do most of my crafting early in the morning or after the kids are in bed. Or weekends. And I love my job. I love my team. I love our product. I love what I do and I am very proud of it.
So there you go. This is likely the most I will write about work for a long time.
One more thing, in case you haven’t noticed or read my blog through an RSS reader, I added a new “Little Notes” section to the right. It is a place for me to talk about things that may not fit in with my daily post or things I might mention earlier in the day. They do also go to my Facebook account but I wanted to let you know just in case.
Last week, I made four layouts for Margie, whose going to be on the Home Shopping Network with the Paper Girl line at 4am EST tomorrow. It’s a 24-hour crafting marathon on HSN and Tim Holtz will be there, too. If you have a Tivo, I recommend you record it. Maybe you’ll get a glimpse of my layouts. (I hope I do!)
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for my kind husband who knows that I am crazy but loves me anyway. Bless him for forgiving me for getting stuck in little things.
2. I am grateful that I know PHP and was able to tinker with the plugin on the side to make it do exactly what I wanted it to do.
3. I am grateful to have finished another wonderful book. I am on a roll lately.
4. I am grateful for a birthday call from one of my bestest friends, Levent, all the way from Turkey. Love you my friend.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. having some of Daddy’s poptart
2. playing with my paper airplane outside
3. checking out an Amelia Badelia book from the school library
And now I am 36. Closer to 40 than to 30. I’d say I’m sad about getting old but I really am not. I love each age for its own reasons. One of these days I will sit and write more on that. Funny enough, despite a strong love for chocolate, I am not a fan of chocolate cake. But doesn’t it look beautiful? Even with all those candles.
My day started at 3am today. Nathaniel kept crying. I went in there and his diaper was overflowing so I changed him and put him back down but then I couldn’t fall asleep and just when I was about to, he got up again and could not go back down so I just gave up and went to go get him. We hung out downstairs quietly and hugged and kissed and I read my book while he played.
Then David woke up and then Jake. He made me eggs just the way I love them (over easy) and toast for all of us and we all sat together and chatted and ate and had fun.
Then we had cake! Look at all that light!
Then it was time for presents. This year, I’ve been so spoiled: my 120gig iPod has just died last week and I have other little ones but I love love this one cause it has all my sons and audiobooks and just everything. It had been so hectic that I hadn’t even had time to mourn it yet and Jake got me the new 160gig ones. My old one is so dead, it doesn’t even mount but I had a backup for the most part so I immediately put my songs on this new one already. I also got some awesome books. And Jake’s mom got me some thread and new Martha Stewart punches coming in September (actually October now – boo). Because you know I need new punches. And I also have a new Kindle coming. My first Kindle since I am a Sony user! I got more AC albums, cardstock, ATG tape, coffee, journaling stamps. Mostly staples but all things I need and I am so deeply, eternally grateful for the kindness of everyone around me.
Then it was time for Nathaniel’s nap. So while he slept and David colored and played, we watched the A-team movie. And then he woke up and we played a bit and laughed and laughed.
And the kids rode the plastic car together and laughed some more.
We then took a break and went to the neighbor’s house. It was their son’s first birthday party. A little bit of chatting there and we came back home and I rested and read my book while the kids giggled and laughed. Nathaniel really loves the car now that he can get off and on by himself.
Some more play time in the yard and the kids ate dinner and went down. Jake then got the sitter and we went for a simple but wonderful lunch at a French restaurant nearby. I have now been up for 19 hours and I am quite tired. I plan to snuggle in bed and read my book. What an absolutely perfect day. My word for this year should have been gratitude cause I feel an overwhelming amount of it right now. But it is loved which I also deeply feel now so I guess that suits me fine, too.
I hope your weekend was as magical as mine. Thank you for all your kind kind birthday wishes. They mean the world to me.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for my amazing day. The perfect mix of family time, quiet time, joy, giggles, love and laughter.
2. I am grateful for my husband who went all out for me this year. Thank you Jake, I truly appreciate it.
3. I am grateful for that I don’t have any big plans or deadlines this week. I really hope to sit and get organized finally.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. having mommy’s birthday cake
2. family breakfast (getting to eat toast)
3. going to Ece’s house (for the birthday party)
Yesterday, I opened the front door to find these beautiful flowers. My wonderful husband had ordered an early present for me. I cannot tell you how happy the colors make me.
Today was the perfect day in that it was quiet, peaceful, and calm. It was David’s Wii day but he spent the morning coloring as Nathaniel played and I read my book. We then put the little one down and David and I did some reading. Then it was time for him to play.
Nathaniel took his nap, woke up and took the other set of controls (which had run out of battery) and thought he was playing, too.
I snuck in one more smiling-practice. We’re running out of days and it still looks funny. Though it does seem to be improving, no? I know it’s no big deal, it’s mostly for fun than anything else.
I spent the morning looking at some inspiration and finally did the cover of my December Daily album in the afternoon. I bought a 6×6 American Crafts album this year. More on this later of course.
I love how hard Nathaniel focuses on the little lego pieces. putting them on and taking them off.
I don’t know how I caught this shot but it’s a rare peek into his mouth which he won’t let me look at. Looks like almost all the teeth are out!
And finally caught red-handed with the little pieces in his mouth. I am not too worried cause he knows not to do that and he knows not to swallow. So while I still watch him like a hawk, I do let him play with them.
And here we are. My last day as a 35 year old. I am now off to read my new book and cuddle with my hubby. I expect 36 to be even more fantastic than 35 was. Though I am not complaining at all. If there’s one thing I learned this year, it’s that I have a lot to be grateful for.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for my new December Daily cover. I love doing this album and look forward to it each year.
2. I am grateful that I finished my book. Not the best I read but it was ok.
3. I am grateful for a quiet day and for two layouts I did last night with a lot of joy and no stress.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. playing wii (he played wario and lego star wars)
2. daddy helping/showing me what to do on the wii
3. coloring
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projects for twenty twenty-five
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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