Nathaniel’s getting better and better at rummaging through stuff and expressing himself. I love this in general but it’s hard on some of the longer, tiring days.
I wanted to get some nice shots of David but he wouldn’t let me.
And then he gave me that sneaky smile. The one I love.
Nathaniel wasn’t happy I got between him and Thomas.
And got wildly dramatic so I just walked away and let him have it.
I have really strong allergies (or a cold) so I’ve had nonstop headache for two days in a row now. It’s no fun. What is fun though is that my class started and it’s wonderful! I love love love it.
Tonight’s plan is book club! So I need to get my stuff together quickly so that I can go and come back and go right to bed. I need all the sleep I can get lately since I am not all that well.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that my class is finally open. I’ve been waiting for it for so long.
2. I am grateful that it’s one more day and I get to rest some. Even though the weekend is a bit more hectic than usual, I love the rest.
3. I am grateful that we have book club tonight. I am dreading it a bit at the moment but I know I will love it when I go.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that in two days I have my birthday party {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I made a chain of hearts in art class
3. I am grateful that i got creature power at school (dragon fly).
You know how there are some days that just get away from you and at the end of the day you wonder where it all went? That’s how today is for me. It started really productive and then just disappeared into air. I can’t remember where all the hours went and now I am left with that empty feeling you get when days like this happen. It’s okay. This, too, shall pass.
Here’s a photo of the big boy putting together his birthday present.
and wearing his crown that he made at school on Monday.
And the little one, not looking at me.
But yet looking out the window. Anywhere but the camera.
I learned another lesson in being careful today. My first instinct is to always say yes and to help out anyone in any way I can. So today I found myself in a situation where I said yes to something and then immediately regretted it. I know from past experience that this immediate regret is a sign I should have never agreed. Normally, I’d suck it up because I like to have high integrity and stay true to my word but this particular instance, I backed out. It hasn’t resolved itself yet so I am not sure how it will work out but I can tell you that the minute I sent the email I felt 100% better. Another sign that it was the right thing to do. I hope that the other party does not resent me forever and it resolves itself smoothly but it’s yet another lesson for me that I need to curb the instinct. I need to let things simmer and not respond right away to anything so that I can make sure it feels right and so I never have to go back on my word ever. It’s terrible to disappoint others. Especially for me. And I hope that it will resolve ok. (As I type this, it resolved itself and it was a wonderfully kind and positive outcome. I feel even better for having done what feels right in my gut even if it meant backing out.)
Tonight’s plan is to do a portrait, art journal a bit and then journal a bunch. And rest. I think my soul and heart are a bit broken from today’s experience so I need to let myself rest and heal.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had the courage to back out of a situation that didn’t sit well with me.
2. I am grateful that I made another layout this morning. It’s definitely taking a while to get back into the rhythm but I love telling our stories.
3. I am grateful that I am learning to be gentle with myself, especially on days like this.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I’m six {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that we wrote on different kinds of paper at school today (they’re learning about paper and where it comes from, etc.).
3. I am grateful that i put my lego present together.
My big boy turned SIX today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID!!!
He started his birthday by waking up at 4am and coming in to my room to tell me he had a bloody nose. We cleaned it up and got him back to bed but I couldn’t fall asleep. So I just lay there until it was time to get up. Jake was taking the morning off so that we could celebrate so we all got dressed and went to the local pancake house.
The kids colored while waiting for mickey pancakes.
Nathaniel imitated his brother of course.
My three boys. They are truly my favorite people in the universe.
I completely forgot to take photos when the pancake came with the candle but we had a great time. We then went to David’s school where Nathaniel went right to the books.
Jake read David’s book to the class. David chose “A Visitor for Bear” which was his favorite for a long while. It’s a book we used to read to Nathaniel together.
I tried to snap another shot of the boys but the birthday boy wasn’t accommodating!
The three of us then left and Jake went off to work while I struggled to wake up more. Once I did, I exercised and then listened to the new lessons for Soul Restoration. This one will require pages of journaling before I do the art. Then I worked a bunch as Nathaniel didn’t nap and then napped. We then went to collect David from the bus.
When David came home, he got his first present. Which was a lego set he really wanted. He was happy happy happy.
While David played wii (another birthday luxury), Nathaniel got to watch his Thomas on the ipod.
Which he is definitely grateful for.
And then it was the end of our day. I can’t believe I didn’t get a candle photo. I will have to make up for it on Sunday when we have his party. At bedtime, he did say that it was the best day ever. So overall I feel good about it. I scrapped a page today which was my first since leaving for CHA. I have about four more to do this week and then another set coming up next week. It felt good to be telling my stories again.
My free class starts on Thursday. I hope you’re signed up. Embrace Imperfection. It’s a small and fun class. I hope to see you there. I also have a webinar coming up for Masterful Scrapbook Design this week. It will be on titles. You know I love my titles.
I also have book club this week. And TMJ doctor. And David has his six year checkup. And we have a tax appointment. And David’s birthday. And I have my BPC class chat on Saturday. Oh, yes, it’s a full week here. Well I am off to draw my portrait. I hope you are all doing well and thank you for the kind comments on my art. It means so much to me to know that I am not alone in my thoughts, worries, personality. So much.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it was David’s birthday!!
2. I am grateful that I got to make a layout and do my art journal today.
3. I am grateful that I am feeling better. Nothing changed except my attitude.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it’s my birthday {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that mommy, daddy, and nathaniel came to school.
3. I am grateful that i played wii and got new legos.
So the good news is I did take today off. I woke up and decided it needed to be a personal day. And I spent most of the day doing not much. A little art journaling, some tiny journaling, some email replies, etc. The bad news is that it didn’t really have the desired effect. I don’t feel much better. (Though I do feel a little better.) But I did decide that it’s time to just snap out of it. If it won’t get better by itself, I will have to force my way through this annoying place.
I also completely forgot to take photos until the light was almost gone. So when I tried to snap a few before I gave Nathaniel his dinner, this is what I got.
David, of course, was a lot more accommodating. His very last picture as a 5 year old.
I tried a bunch more times with Nathaniel after giving him some blueberries. He’s looking to the side because Thomas was playing behind me and he’s looking around me to see it. Nice eh?
He wouldn’t stop eating long enough for me to take a photo.
One would think he never gets to eat. But alas, even when he looked right at me, it was while shoving some food in his mouth.
so I just gave up and let him eat in peace.
I’ve already done all of my night time stuff (drawing a portrait and writing some in my art journal) so tonight I think I might journal some more, pick a few books to read, watch some TV and go to bed really early. Tomorrow’s a big day for David.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I took the day off and didn’t chastise myself for not getting too much done.
2. I am grateful that we finished all of David’s class Valentine’s in one sitting. It was super quick and they turned out very cute.
3. I am grateful that I get to go to bed early tonight. A little extra sleep will do me good.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that tomorrow’s my birthday {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I get to play wii tomorrow.
3. I am grateful that i played a game on the computer tonight.
Today started calm and relaxed. I didn’t journal but I did do some work on my art journal and I printed all of January’s photos for scrappy pages. I haven’t made a layout in about ten days which is really long for me. But I have some commitments coming up so I wanted to have photos at hand. I then did my exercise and then the most important item on my todo list. So overall I was feeling good already. Then we took the family shots. (Look at Nathaniel enjoying his book.)
When Nathaniel woke up from his nap, we all got in the car to drive to Filoli Gardens but when we got there we found out that it was closed for a few more days. So we went to a nearby diner called Buck’s. I’d already changed my lens which is why Nathaniel looks like he was captured with a fisheye here.
Then we went to Elizabeth Gamble gardens in Palo Alto and Jake’s dad grabbed this of us. If Nathaniel didn’t look like he is about to pass out, it would be great.
I snapped a million flower photos and then took one of the little boy.
My inlaws with David.
And one with both the kids.
Then we came home and it was evening routine time. We were all wiped from the food and then walking in the sun. So the kids went to bed, Jake and his parents went out to dinner (and then airport) and I am lying on the couch, trying to decide if I will do more work. I think I will finish off a few more simple to do items and maybe journal a bit.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I finished the big todo list item on my list (my frog for the weekend).
2. I am grateful that tomorrow is completely obligation-free and I might even take it off work so i can really relax.
3. I am grateful that there’s Glee tonight!
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I went to Meme’s hotel {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I had some pancakes.
3. I am grateful that we went to the garden.
Most of the day is a blur today and to add to the crazy I didn’t accomplish anything on my personal list. I did go food shopping and we ordered David’s cake and of course I exercised and journaled too. But nothing else really. David got to play Wii early today because his grandparents were coming later in the day. And, of course, Nathaniel was sitting right next to him.
Then I set up the tripod to take some family shots.
It was super early so we had to use really high ISO and here’s a typical shot of everyone looking in a different direction.
This one is a bit better.
In the afternoon, David did some puzzles with his grandfather.
When we came back from the shopping trips, it was really late so I tried to snap a few more photos before I lost all the light. And Nathaniel smiled at me while I snapped.
David ran into the house and managed to bust his lip as he banged on the trash can (don’t ask….) so you can see that if you look closely (upper lip.)
We were supposed to go out tonight but I am completely wiped and the idea was so so overwhelming to me that I just decided we needed to stay at home. I needed to and I think Jake felt the same way. I am just going to relax and watch TV and make some book lists for myself and maybe work on my art journal a bit. I have to write something but I am not sure it’s possible to do it when i am this tired. Let’s see….
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we did a lot of the chores for the weekend and I ordered all the stuff I needed for David’s birthday.
2. I am grateful that we didn’t go out tonight and Jake was (as always) wonderful about it.
3. I am grateful that if I don’t get anything done tonight or even tomorrow, it will not be a problem. So I can really just relax.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got new Legos {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I put legos together with Papi.
3. I am grateful that we ordered my birthday cake
Another rushed day. I seem to have too many of them lately. But that’s ok. Life goes on and life’s wonderful so I am not really complaining. I got very few photos today.
Here’s Nathaniel digging into the raisins while he plays and I work.
And here’s another one of the boy with the blue eyes.
I tried to get more shots of Nathaniel but by the time we came back from the school interview, all the light was gone so I snapped several, all of which were blurry.
So here we are. At the end of another day. The exercise this week has been hard so I am extra proud that I kept with it. I haven’t done a huge amount of creating but I did do several projects and I’ve journaled almost every single day. Stephanie’s class is over as of today so I am hoping I will just continue journaling anyway. It’s been incredible and I really really want to keep it up. Thankfully, Melody’s class is on a few more weeks so she will encourage me to keep journaling for now. And my class starts next week too. I’m really excited about that!
We’re off to another date night tonight. We’ll be driving to the city to meet with a friend of Jake’s from high school and his wife. I am excited for a good night with good conversation.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it’s the weekend. I plan to do a lot of creating this weekend. Just want to play play play.
2. I am grateful that Alisa’s class starts on Monday. I am hoping she’ll get me started on my sketching journey.
3. I am grateful that I don’t really have any plans this weekend and we get to have another date night tomorrow. Yey for both.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it was the 100th day of school {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played on papi’s computer.
3. I am grateful that Hassen gave me a silly ring (ice cream shaped)
I think I should go track the cycles I seem to have on my blog. I get the sense that I get depressed and tired and whiny every six weeks or so. I don’t know if it’s biological or just feeling worn out after living a go-go-go life for a while. Either way, I seem to be on the down spiral right now but I know from experience that the pendulum will swing the other way soon. I am trying to wait patiently while I still continue to live my life.
I got these photos of David today that I love.
Especially this one. My stunning, stunning, boy.
Nathaniel was watching TV.
He’s gotten really demanding lately and wants me to put on a specific thomas and then changes his mind and gets super cranky and I cannot deal with it since I am working so now he gets no TV.
Which of course means breakdowns. and weeping. Thankfully, my mother in law got him a Thomas book so they read that together.
And then he read it a bunch on his own.
And then he had several more breakdowns at which point I decided he was ready for bed and now he’s lying in his bed playing of course. Ugh. I have a long list of things to do tonight and I sent everyone out of the house. But my hunch is I will end up just lying on the couch, watching TV, drawing, and maybe doing some art. That’s about it.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I made it through my 2.7 miles today. It was even harder today. I truly didn’t think I’d make it. But deeply grateful that I did.
2. I am grateful it’s Friday tomorrow. I really really need some more downtime.
3. I am grateful that I finally started the big art journal I wanted to do a la Judy wise. It’s been fun so far and I will show pictures at the end of the week. I am just so happy to play with watercolor, stamps, and just have fun.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I get to be the star of the day for tomorrow which is 100th day {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played on papi’s computer.
3. I am grateful that i get to play legos in bed tonight
I woke up in a better mood today thankfully. Things are still a bit fragile but I feel like doing some art last night really helped a lot. I got up and did pages of journaling, I exercised, Nathaniel didn’t nap and then napped and then was cranky. I worked, I read to David. So I did most of what I do in a day. I feel a little frazzled and disorganized still but I am feeling less depressed and less fragile which is wonderful.
Little boy having fun while watching choo-choo.
A good smile from my big boy.
And one from my little boy.
That’s all I got today. I still have to feed dinner, do some more work, post two more posts, draw my portrait and get ready to go out to date night so I will say good night and let you know that I will respond to comments ASAP and I am not ignoring you and I am deeply grateful for all your kind comments and thank you for visiting me day after day. thank you thank you thank you.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I made it through my 2.7 miles today. It was really hard and I didn’t think I was going to make it but I did.
2. I am grateful for another date night.
3. I am grateful that I journaled and made some art. Each time I journal more and more issues come up and get resolved, it’s truly like magic lately.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it’s groundhog day {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played star wars with julian at school.
3. I am grateful that i started my dalmatian (named spot!)
I’ll start by telling you that I am still in a really grouchy mood. I can’t seem to snap out of it so I am just going to let myself off the hook and just let it get better when it needs to and in the meantime i will try to minimize the damage around me. Thankfully the boys are being amazing for the most part.
Excited when toys make noise.
David told me could he smile while he played please?
I explained that I needed a full on smile with the eyes.
And Nathaniel laughing while watching choo-choo.
Tonight’s plans are a bit in the air. I don’t want to do anything but have seventeen things to do. So let’s see which one I end up with. My inlaws just arrived so we have more options than usual for our evening.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had a new lesson in four of my classes. Despite feeling overwhelmed, I love getting the new lessons and feeling inspired.
2. I am grateful that I got a lot of sleep in the last two nights. I needed the rest badly.
3. I am grateful that I was able to do my increased exercise today. More coming about this soon.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that meme and papi are coming to visit {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I read my book box at school.
3. I am grateful that mommy and I read our book
I woke up this morning and it didn’t take me long that I had somehow gotten up from the wrong side of the bed. I felt off. I think fragile is sort of the best word for it because I was weepy for a while and then tired and worn out and ended up the day grouchy. All day long, I literally did nothing. I finished my book, read to david, and exercised. I had the day off work so I could have accomplished a million things but I just didn’t feel up to doing anything at all.
At some point in the day, I just gave myself permission to waste this day away. My body and mind and soul needed the rest I guess. I am thinking it’s likely from having been away from home. When you meet me in person you can see that I talk nonstop. I mean a LOT and really fast. I am talk talk talk talk. I tend to come off really extroverted. But the fact is I am not. I much prefer quiet, introspective time. So when I am in a social situation nonstop like I was this weekend, I really need to wind down and go back to my comfort place which is always home. What I didn’t do today, which I should have, is journaling. I think writing would have helped but I didn’t even feel up for that. Maybe a few hours from now, I’d be up for it. I also hope I feel up to drawing my portrait which I also haven’t done yet. Let’s see.
The little one was very accommodating for most of the day and played quietly.
Here’s David, thinking of what to write in his gratitude journal.
And then writing it.
And then here’s Nathaniel trying to figure out which toy to play with while Choo-choo is in the background.
And then he asks for some grapes while he’s playing and he immediately spills juices of it all over everywhere so I tell him he can’t have anymore. And this is what I get:
Ah the joys of being a mom. And the plans for tonight are plenty but realistically I am guessing maybe one more thing will get done and that’s it before I head to bed. I will try to do my monthly review since January is now finished. By the way, newsletter goes out very early tomorrow so if you want the exclusive digital downloads, make sure to subscribe on the right top corner of the blog.
Happy Monday!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had the day off, I really really needed it.
2. I am grateful that I didn’t have anything that was super time-sensitive so I was able to do nothing without too much worry about letting someone down.
3. I am grateful that new lessons in my classes go up tomorrow. Can’t wait.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got to show the class my 100th day collection {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I finished my snowman album at school.
3. I am grateful that mommy and nathaniel came to school today (I volunteered in his class this morning)
So after the crazy day yesterday, I woke up again before my set wakeup call. Quietly went down to the gym (remembered my key this time!) and did my 2.6 miles. I was quite proud of myself to be honest. I then got dressed, packed, and put some makeup on. I snapped this right as I was leaving and there was absolutely no light hence the horrible quality..
While my boys where giving Daddy a hard time.
And being all sweet.
Laughing.
And being silly. As David loves to be!!
After a quick breakfast stop, we headed into the show again. We were there a little early, so I coveted the punches once more and then started working again. I worked all the way until about noon and then left with Michelle who owns A Million Memories and Jennifer and Tonya who design for her. Grabbed a quickie lunch and went in search of my shuttle. It was pouring rain by this point so getting on the shuttle was quite an adventure but I made it safe and sound and sat at the airport, read my book, got on the plane, chatted with the two lawyers who sat next to me, and made it home safely. I hugged and kissed my kids and hubby all the way home and made them dinner, cleaned up, put them to bed, and here I am. Safely home.
I must admit that while I liked going there, seeing friends, and seeing some of the products, I worked hard and really really missed being home. There’s nothing I love as much as being at home. Nothing. So I am deeply thankful to be home. And looking forward to going back to my routine. Sad, I know, but I love my routine. All of it. Even the hard parts.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I made it home safely and I am really grateful to be home.
2. I am grateful that I got to see Michelle and Tonya and Jennifer even if for just a little while.
3. I am grateful for all the nice comments from everyone about my layouts and just filled with gratitude over the kindness.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that mommy’s home {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played some games on the phone.
3. I am grateful that I got some new games for the phone
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projects for twenty twenty-six
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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