And after days of waking up at 5am, today we hit the jackpot with 4am. Yep 4am. God help me.
I nursed the boy, watched some tv until I could open my eyes and then got up to do my layout while the kids ate breakfast. Of course, Nathaniel was completely wiped by 7:30am and wept and cried so I put him down and that meant David missed school. Not the perfect day. He slept, I worked, David played. When Nathaniel woke up, he played peek-a-boo with the blanket again.
And again.
Cracked himself up.
And then we put him down for another nap, played quietly while I worked and after he woke up again, we went for a short walk but it was way too hot. David let me take a photo and he even smiled.
And now they’re playing ball in the backyard while I type this up so I can go on a date night. All’s well that ends well.
Note to Self:
I’ve been thinking so much about how strongly attitude effects everything. Feeling good gives you the energy to do more, do be more, and to be happier, which is annoying since feeling bad does the opposite. But it also means that you can work to change your attitude and that can change your day and that can then have a snowball effect.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Watching my boys play ball together. It’s so much fun to see them playing together.
2. Grateful for another date night. Just the two of us. A rare luxury.
3. And grateful for a relatively quiet weekend. Yey.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. daddy daddy daddy.
2. nathaniel.
Long day here. I think I’m just exhausted and having a hard time catching up on sleep. Tomorrow’s Friday and I am hoping I will get to rest a bit this weekend.
Uneventful day here for the most part. Jake was home so he took David to school while I went to a kindergarten information session at his new school. They showed a little movie and I got all teary eyed. My son’s old enough to go to kindergarten already?
Then I came home and got to work. Jake got David, I fed the kids, put Nathaniel down and went back to work. The mailman brought the June kit from A Million Memories. An absolute stunner. I lay it all over my table and worked to match my photos with the papers as I always do.
Nathaniel woke up from his nap and had that tired look. I love that look.
Here he is still out of it a bit.
And then he woke up and smiled.
I caught him sneaking a few snacks behind the cabinets.
And walking away with them.
We played around for a bit and then the kids had their baths and just went down. A little later than usual today cause of the late afternoon bath.
A few things:
1. Several of you asked about my new BPS class. It’s a process class about putting together a process that will help you collect, track, organize and use your stories. I am a firm believer in telling and preserving your stories. A lot of people tell me that once they put their page together, they never know what to write about so my goal with this class is to create a process that’s custom made for you that allows you to have your own stories at hand at all times. This way, when you sit to scrap, you always have a story idea waiting for you. Feel free to ask questions about it if you want in the comments and I’ll make sure to respond. It’s scheduled for early September as of now. I’ll make sure to let you know when it’s open for registration. Thank you so much for asking. I haven’t taught much in 2010 so I’m excited to teach this class. I’m also hoping to teach more in 2011 so if there’s a particular kind of class you’re interested in taking (especially one you want to take from me.) let me know and I will do my best to put it together.
2. My plans for June are actually right on schedule as of now. I haven’t posted my projects yet mostly cause I am tired and busy and working on the projects. If I can finish my todo list early tonight, I’ll come back to post them. If not, tomorrow. I just got another project added to my list so I will have to adjust three days around a bit.
3. Apologies on the delay on the digital download. That’s likely coming tomorrow, too.
Thank you for your kind words on my opening images. That was one of my goals for 2010: to take more non-family photos and I’m enjoying them so far. I really appreciate your kind words.
Note to Self:
I listened to a book on tape today while I worked and I have never done that before and I really enjoyed it. It was fiction even! This was a reminder that sometimes I should try new things even when I think I already know how I feel. I don’t always know how I feel. Lesson learned in the nicest way possible.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I’m grateful that it looks like David will be attending a good, happy school. I am thankful that we have good public schools where I live.
2. I am grateful for everything I’ve already accomplished this month. Some important things I wanted to get done are already done.
3. I am grateful for the nice, beautiful weather we’ve been having. it’s a little bit too hot but I love the sunshine and I am trying to enjoy every moment of it.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. mommy (yey!).
2. nathaniel.
Today started on a really badly. Nathaniel woke up at 5:10am and I felt like I didn’t get sleep all night. Likely I only got an hour or two. And I couldn’t get out of the funk all day. I did the invitation for Cheryl and she liked it (yey!) and then the day just dragged here and there. Nathaniel was so tried he whined loudly and kept crying so I had to put him down which meant David missed school and of course that messed stuff up, too.
But the kids did play together.
And I adore watching them play together.
Seeing how curious the little boy is.
And how kind the big one is.
And they are rough housing already. I shudder to think what will happen when they are older.
My sweet, sweet boy.
And later I tried to get them to relax but it lasted for about 4 minutes.
Our neighbor came over with her son for a bit and then Nathaniel started melting down so I put him down and I am doing this so I can get ready for book club tonight. And now gotta work hard for the next hour before they get here so I can get some BPS work done.
Note to Self:
This process of making a list of things to do and then doing them for the month seems to be working so far. I know it’s only been two days but I am already thinking of all the items on my list and figuring plans for how to move them forward. It will be interesting to see if this whole month works as I hope.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Doing some more crochet. Getting the hang of it now.
2. Finishing Cheryl’s invitation. I wanted to make sure I could help her. I love Cheryl and I am so happy I can do something for her, even if so small.
3. I am thankful for how well my kids play together.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. mommy (yey!).
2. my whole house!
3. also my daddy.
Nathaniel had been waking up at 6am for the last three days so I was hoping this meant that he had moved his schedule. But, I find out this morning that I was not so lucky. 5:10am and he was crying. So, reluctantly I got up from bed and dragged myself to his room. Which definitely didn’t start my day on a sad note, but then something amazing happened. At 5:30 my phone rang. After I got really scared, I answered it and it turned out it was Margie Romney-Aslett calling me to give me amazing news! I was so shell-shocked I think I didn’t say anything about how excited I really was. If you’re reading this Margie, I am so sorry! I absolutely adore Girls’ Paperie and I am so excited and honored to have the opportunity to design for them.
Yey!
So that turned my day of course. Then I sat down and did my book cover and a little bit of my BPS class project while Nathaniel played. I was stunned to take this shot because his face here looks exactly like David at that age.
After we dropped off David, I worked, Nathaniel napped and then we went to pick him up, ate lunch and I got back to work. David drew some pictures and I acted all scared (those are ghosts and dynamites there.)
Then the two of them started to play together. I know these photos are crooked but they are so much fun.
And here’s Nathaniel actually playing peek-a-boo all on his own. We were both shocked when he did this.
After the kids went down, I finished my BPS project and now I am off to work on some more BPS work.
Note to Self:
I’ve been feeling really grateful and peaceful lately. I still remember those bunch of blah days a few months ago and now that I have the opposite, I am trying to ride it as long as it’s here. I feel driven, excited, motivated and inspired. I don’t stress much, I sing a lot, I smile, I hug my kids, I create without too many conversations in my head (a bunch but not so much that it drowns me like it usually does.) and I get work done and try to not let that stress me out either. I love my family, my parents, my husband, my kids, my sister and everything. I feel like that girl Jessica in the YouTube video. (here’s the link again cause you can never watch this enough.) Just full of love and happiness. May it last as long as possible.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Girls’ Paperie of course! What a wonderful first manufacturer to work for, I am thrilled and grateful.
2. I am so grateful to work from home and get to watch my kids run around and laugh while I work. It’s a true luxury.
3. Grateful for Glee tonight!
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. daddy daddy daddy of course.
2. playing legos with daddy.
Butterflies. I love them.
Last night, after I wrote up my post, we got dressed up and went out to Marissa’s birthday party. It was the first time we’d been out and not going to a movie in a long time so I decided to try on this dress I’d bough before I had David that I loved. Simple, light, black dress. It fit like a glove. Well, it was a bit tight on the top since I am still nursing, hence the scarf. I dreaded the party but as it turned out we had a lot of fun and played mini-golf and won two prizes for David.
But it also meant I went to bed later than usual and woke up really tired and I feel like I didn’t recover from that all day. It’s 7:30 and I am still overwhelmingly tired. Will go to bed early tonight. Because I was so tired, this morning lagged a lot and the layout took me a lot longer than usual and then my sewing machine died (it turned out I had threaded wrong, so it was totally my fault.) By the time I was done it was almost 11 and Nathaniel was up from his morning nap.
David put together one of the prizes we won last night (a puzzle.)
And of course, Nathaniel wanted to check it out.
When he started destroying them, David literally guarded it with his body.
So Nathaniel found some other forms of entertainment.
And David made some angry faces at me. Cause aren’t they more fun than smiling?
We were invited to Jake’s boss’ 40th birthday party, so we got the kids dressed and I snapped some photos of Nathaniel in his Istanbul shirt.
Doesn’t he look so cute?
Then we headed to the party which was wonderful fun. Two parties in two days, that’s more than we’ve been to in the last three months. And now I am going to organize some things for this month and maybe write up a post for tomorrow explaining some June plans and then hopefully hit the sack with my book. Here’s to a great June.
Note to Self:
Despite working on it a lot, I find myself still telling myself “I should do” this and that or “I should be” like this and that and that I need to change somehow. Yet while growth is good, the ability to accept myself as I am is also good and I am getting closer but not there just yet. If awareness is half the game, though, I am halfway there. Getting more and more away day by day.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. This has been a full but wonderful weekend. I am grateful for so much time and laughter with my family.
2. I am excited for my plans for June and grateful that I feel ambitious and creative right now.
3. I am thankful to all of you for cheering me on this month and all the nice comments I got at 2peas and amm and facebook. I feel really thankful for all the kindness and generosity of spirit.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Daddy. (He’s really into his dad lately.)
2. The birthday party and playing with Nico and Geoff.
I wish I’d gotten a better photo of this frog. It’s quite something to look at.
I still get so much joy from watching him walk. It makes me happy.
Yep, drooling.
David loves tickling him.
And chasing him around the house while Nathaniel giggles.
And then finally they both got quiet. (for like three seconds)
I know this photo has Nathaniel blurry but I love that they are both reading. Look at my boys.
Good day! Layout done, lesson four completed, pedicure and eyebrow wax, some more crochet practice, Skype with mom, playing with kids, taking photos. And now it’s time to put the kids down. We will be going out to a work party for our date night tonight. I’m not a party-person so let’s see how I like it.
Note to Self:
Today, I’ve been thinking about how sometimes things come to you exactly when you stop craving them. When you stop seeking and just go on with your life, things just stumble in. I wonder if that’s cause you’re just being authentic or if it’s completely unrelated. I do notice this pattern a lot and wanted to make sure to capture it so I can think about it some more and be mindful of it.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Grateful to be done with the first versions of all four of my lessons for BPS. Big step for me.
2. Grateful that I do seem to be getting the hang of crocheting finally
3. Grateful that I get one more day of vacation. Yey.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Daddy (of course!)
2. and Mommy (shocker! tho he said it’s cause i let him play a bit more wii today.)
Another one from the academy of sciences.
Today kept feeling like Sunday. I’m glad it isn’t. And it was a relatively productive day. I did my layout, finished my book and when Nathaniel woke up from his nap:
we went out to lunch to this French cafe we discovered that we love. We then went shopping for some of the items we needed to stock up on and as Jake and the kids were unloading, I snapped these photos.
David helps his Dad by carrying the grocery bags to the kitchen.
And Nathaniel likes to just hang out by the door when it’s open.
My sweet boy. Love him and those blue eyes.
It was David’s Wii day so he played while Nathaniel played with his toys.
And I practiced more and more of my crochet. Getting better at it. Still got a loooong way to go.
I had a hair appointment today but my stylist got sick and had to reschedule, then I made an appointment for a pedicure only to show up and find out they were closing. I had to reschedule that. too. It was one of those kinds of days. Now the kids are playing in David’s room while I sit with them and type this up.
My plans after they go to bed are to write my third lesson for the upcoming Big Picture Scrapbooking class. I want to get most of the content down this weekend so that I can perfect and tune the class in the time left. Let’s see.
I’ve already started the next book: East of Eden. It’s 1450 pages on my reader. Ugh…. but I’m told it’s really good.
So some writing, some reading, some June planning, choosing the photo for tomorrow’s layout, and then bed for me tonight.
Note to Self:
I’ve learned that, for me, doing an activity for at least 30 minutes is necessary. It takes me that long to get in the groove. In programming, we generally call this being in the zone. It’s one the reasons meetings are evil (amongst many others) because it takes a while to get into the zone and then you perform at your highest when you’re there until you feel like you rode it all the way through. For me, this applies to doing scrapbook pages or art. It applies to writing. That’s why I plan and then sit and write the whole lesson in one shot. It works much better for me when I have the flow. It also applies to reading. I get into a book much more after I’ve focused on it for over 30 minutes. (so 10 pages a night might eventually help me finish a book but I don’t really ever get into it that way.) It even applies to learning something new. When I’ve been crocheting for over 35 minutes, I am much better at it and at picking up new things than I am if I do 10 minutes a day. So this means that I need to set aside at least an hour per activity to really do well and get enjoyment out of it. Good to know.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. A delicious lunch (goat cheese, salad, and pesto panini), on a beautiful day, with my wonderful family.
2. Finishing my book. I really loved it. Rare for me to love a short-story collection this much.
3. The sense of calm and peace I am feeling. I am thankful for that, I am not taking it for granted.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I’m grateful for the Wii-time.
2. Going out for lunch.
More from the academy of sciences. There’s more too.
I wanted to get some simple snapshots of the ordinary parts of our day. Here are the kids playing as they do for hours every day. They like to rummage through the drawers and I love watching them.
David chasing Nathaniel around and both of them giggling.
Me trying to learn how to crochet still. This is picot stitch.
Nathaniel playing by himself.
Trying to figure out the details of the toys.
Me, trying to do a crochet in the round.
More playing. Walking around and discovering more toys.
And finally David and I playing legos (building a house in case you couldn’t tell.)
A wonderfully ordinary day: layout, breakfast, school, nap, work, school, food, skype, reading, working, crochet, nap, play, more play, daddy, dinner. wonderful.
blissful.
Note to Self:
I just finished my most recent audiobook and one of the points they make which has been true for me lately is that inspiration is fleeting. So when you feel inspired and are excited, you really need to sit and do the work. Because at those times you do 2 weeks of work in a day and when it’s not there you drag for weeks sometimes so while you feel inspired, dive in, capture it. Take advantage of it. I think this is really sound advice.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I wrote the first BPS lesson last night and I am loving it and feeling in the groove. Grateful for groove.
2. For daddy coming home earlier and helping mommy out so much.
3. A nice, long weekend with some small but fun events planned.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Lego house.
2. Daddy. Sitting next to Daddy. Love Daddy.
From the Academy of Sciences. I am a bit obsessed with butterflies.
I love watching Nathaniel and David, especially Nathaniel being so curious and getting in David’s business. So far, David’s quite kind with him.
And there’s much rejoicing when Daddy comes home.
Especially from this one.
And then tickling and laughing.
And more hugging and love. It makes my heart swell.
May 27 already? Another ok day but I can’t remember much of it. I am so tired most of the day. Some emails, a bunch of work, taking care of the kids, and poof the day is done. Tonight I hope to read some and work on my BPS class some, the deadline is coming fast.
Note to Self:
A bunch of great links for you (and me) today. Talks that are definitely worth your time. Elizabeth Gilbert and Simon Sinek on how leaders inspire action via Kelly Rae Roberts.
And this movie about the surprising truth of what motivates us is also awesome.
All of them are worth your time. And food for thought and soul.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful some great videos I watched that inspired me and made me think (see above.)
2. Grateful to find some awesome, simple crochet videos, been looking for those for a while now.
3. Grateful for this feeling of peace and self-content I have had lately. It makes me happy.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Daddy baby he’s so loving his daddy!
2. sticker book we bought at the store while mommy was getting crochet needles cause she couldn’t find the ones she bought before despite searching for hours.
More of my anniversary tulips. There will be more. I love these tulips.
We had quite a wonderful day today. I worked on my layout, Nathaniel and David ate and then Nathaniel napped while David was at school and then played by himself while I worked.
And then we went to get David.
After lunch, the kids Skype’d with their cousin Maya and their paternal grandmother and grandfather. Nathaniel is really into Skype. As soon as he sees the ringing tone, he looks for the screen and gets all excited. He also loves loves loves music and instantly starts to dance when there’s any on.
And then Nathaniel did a bit of this.
And then we put him on his chair while David and I did some crafts.
I also wanted to capture this little gem. He always likes to put his foot under the tray. He straightens his leg and sticks it right against the back of the top of the tray. Love these little quirks.
And now we’re winding the day down. I am about to go put the kids in the tub and we start our night routine. Daddy will watch some iphone movies with David and then they sleep. Then I get a few hours to unwind, read, and relax. And then bed.
What a wonderful life. I am so grateful.
Note to Self:
Now that the month is almost ending, I am trying to think of my project for June. I know the AMM kit will be coming in a week or so and I have to do more layouts but I still want to come up with something else for the month, too. I love getting up and being creative first thing in the morning. Maybe it’s finally time to jump into my portraits class with both feet which also means a return to my art journal, which I am ashamed to say is sitting untouched, no journaling, no art, nothing. I also have a whole bunch of creative therapy catalysts to work on. Maybe that should be my next priority. Maybe a combination. Maybe some stitching? I am not sure. Still exploring ideas. Anyone have suggestions?
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Getting some of my “really need to do this but I am putting off” items done for work.
2. Craft time with David. Loved today’s project!
3. Watching my kids Skype with their grandparents and cousin. It was so awesome to see how into it they were and how great it was to discuss the day’s events like they lived right here. I am so grateful for technology.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Craft time with mommy.
2. Daddy.
Flowers from the love of my life. They didn’t bloom yet but I wanted to capture them anyway. Tulips of all colors. Makes my heart swoon.
Today is my eighth wedding anniversary with my husband. We’ve been together sixteen years and married eight. We had a lot of different ideas on how to celebrate today but finally settled on going to the California Academy of Sciences as a family. At this stage of our lives, I cannot imagine having had a better way to honor our marriage than a day as a whole family, loving each other and having fun together. (We will go out to a fancy dinner, too, I promise, Mom, on our next date night. But we didn’t want to drag the kids to a nice restaurant. We wanted it to be fun for all of us.)
So we drove to the city and we first went into the rain forest. I even put shoes on Nathaniel in case he wanted to walk. (He didn’t all that much and he wasn’t a fan of the shoes so I took them off pretty soon after this. And his pants are all bunched up cause Jake was carrying him most of the time up till then.)
David loved the rainforest, seeing all the frogs and the lizards and the butterflies. And he liked being able to hug Nathaniel too since Daddy had put him down.
Here’s a green basilisk lizard for you.
And a frog.
We then went to the aquarium where I asked Jake to get some shots of me with the kids. I promised myself I would do that more. Even though the kids don’t seem to care much. That’s ok.
Here’s David showing Jake some fish that he saw. They had a lot of fun looking at everything.
We then took a break for some food since I knew Nathaniel was starving. And he was, poor guy, he devoured everything I gave him.
After “lunch” we went to see the penguins. Because there was no way I wasn’t seeing the penguins.
Some more food, a bunch of games, some more sightseeing and it was time to come home. David fell asleep on the way home but not the little one. He really does not like to nap in the car. I came home to the beautiful tulips and fed the kids, put them down and here we are. About to watch Glee. A wonderful ending to an incredible day.
And, of course, here’s the love of my life.
The father of my children, the owner of my heart, soul and my best friend in the whole wide world. I love you madly, deeply, and with every single part of my being my amazing husband. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you.
Note to Self:
Early in the day I watched Brene Brown’s Up Talk. Brene is an expert on on shame and shame resilience and I cannot recommend this movie enough. It’s profound. It’s really worth your time. I will likely watch it a few more times. I hope you take the time to watch it, too.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. My husband. My wonderful, amazing, patient, kind, funny, truly awesome husband.
2. Our full and fantastic day.
3. My family who remembered our special day and called us to congratulate us. I thought of my grandmother again today; she would have definitely called me. I love you Omama.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Our trip to the California Academy of Sciences
2. Getting to play video games at the academy of sciences.
Happy, relaxing day today. After last night’s LOST finale, it was hard to get up at 5 but the little one wakes up when he does and there’s no stopping him. So we woke up, we hugged, nursed, and just lay there until I felt awake which is when I started my layout. Took a bit longer to get going than usual today. But I had taken the day off so it was ok.
I pretty much lazied around all day. Read my book, surfed, etc. Then I played legos with David while Nathaniel explored everything around the room.
And in the drawers.
David and I built a lego restaurant that was on fire so the fire-woman came to put it out.
And then I made dinner for the kids while David continued to play.
A little glimpse into a life where I don’t work. Quite different, at least stress-wise. And now that the kids are sleeping, I plan to write tomorrow’s gratitude post and spend the rest of the night reading my book. I have tomorrow off, too so it’s another relaxing day waiting for me. I can’t believe there are only 7 days left in May. It passed way way too quickly.
Note to Self:
One of the things Karen mentioned during the retreat was to spend one hour a day playing with your kids. Where playing means not doing anything else and doing whatever they want. So today. I did that. I told David we could do anything he wanted. He had some trouble coming up with something at first but then he decided to play legos. We sat on the floor and built things and talked and had so much fun. And I think when we were done, he was genuinely happy. So was I. It was great to have some time just for us. I want to make a point of doing this more. Anything David wants. Just for a bit. It’s hard being a kid and being told what to do all the time, so I think it’s nice to give him some time everyday where he gets to make all the decisions and knows that he has 100% of my attention.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Playing with David and Nathaniel today.
2. A quiet, relaxed, happy day.
3. A beautiful, touching card from my wonderful husband.
Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. playing legos with mommy.
2. daddy! he’s so thankful for daddy so often that it makes me happy.
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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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