I am so sorry I didn’t get to write last night. By the time I came home from dinner it was 10pm and I was dead tired from being on my feet all day and just needed to go right to sleep. I would say it’s surprising that I took no photos during this weekend, but I have never been able to take photos during CHA so I am not surprised at all. The only photos I took were of the punches. I ran to the EK Success booth and took photos of every punch. Let me know if you want to see them and I will post. I have yet to look at them myself.

Before I tell you all about my day, I’ll start with the photos Jake took for me of the boys. I was so lucky in that he took photos with my nice camera and with his phone because he was able to upload the phone ones right away and I got to see this little boy staring at me with this face in the middle of the show.

And this handsome boy, too.

I missed my boys quite a bit so it was really really nice to have the photos.

I even walked around the Maya Road booth just to see their photos on my layouts cause I missed them so much.

I love them so much and am so grateful Jake took some photos for me.

Saturday was my only full day at CHA. I didn’t get to the hotel until 9pm or so and delivering my layouts, eating some food, chatting, etc, meant I wasn’t sleeping before midnight. Since I was going to get up at 6am for exercise, I was all worried. Obviously a little too worried because I slept fitfully all night. And woke up before the scheduled wake up call. I’d put all my stuff aside so as to not wake up my roommate, Katie, and went down to the gym, which was almost totally full. As I walked in, I realized I forgot my room key. Which meant I’d have to wake Katie up when I got back so instead I went down the to front desk and explained to them that though the room was not in my name, it really was my room. Thankfully, they sent security up with me and had me show proof of an object in the room with my name. Which meant I didn’t have to wake up Katie!!

Shower, getting dressed, etc, and we were off to the convention center. I’d never worked a booth before so I begged for some training and MR has a lot of products so I got some quickie training and that was it. Right before the show began, there were bagpipes and then we were on. Which meant that for the next eight hours with possibly an hour break, I talked and walked around to show clients product. I was on my feet for most of it which is amazing for me since I am generally very sedentary.

I got the luxury of having lunch with Dina Wakley and KL Yeary and Allison from Hambly (who was 7.5 months pregnant!) Then I went back to work. I got to talk to Stacy and Kayce of Big Picture and I did run to Little Yellow Bicycle, Pink Paislee, and The Girls’ Paperie briefly to see my layouts but that was it. The show ended at 6pm and I rushed back to the hotel with Katie so I could quickly change and be ready for Tracy to pick me up for the Big Picture dinner. Which was wonderful. But I felt pain literally on every single muscle in my body. And when I came back to the hotel at 10pm, I crashed. I was very worried I might not be able to do the 6am workout the next morning. But I told myself I was going to, anyway.

That was it for day 1. Just to give you a sense, ordinarily, I take about 8000 steps a day and on saturday I took 17,000 steps. So it was quite an active day for me.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got to spend a lot of time chatting with Kayce and I got to meet Tracey.
2. I am grateful that I got to experience working on the booth, it was hard work but also a lot of fun.
3. I am grateful that I got to meet Rebecca and Margie even if for a small second. It’s nice to put faces to the people for whom I work. I also got to meet Emily and Lori. It’s nice to meet people whom you email frequently.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Playing Wii ALL DAY
2. Play games on the iPhone
3. Grocery shopping with Daddy

Happy Thursday everyone! I had a quiet day and one with few photos so I will keep this short. Here’s the little boy playing. And me screaming loudly to get his attention.

And finally he looks.

And here’s David playing (and me screaming loudly to get his attention.)

And finally a “let’s just get this over with” smile

And there we go. Tonight is more journaling, some art, some preparing for tomorrow. Tomorrow I have the day off. I will be playing with my kids, packing, folding laundry and packing up my layouts and then in the evening I am of to Los Angeles, if all goes well. I have a long todo list but all small stuff so I have faith most will get done and that whatever doesn’t get done will not be essential.

Let’s hope i am right.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I spent time trying some clothes on today to ensure I have stuff to wear since I would have stressed if I left that to tomorrow (last minute).
2. I am grateful for some quiet time tonight. I hope to spend it organizing for the trip so that tomorrow can go smoothly and I can spend most of my free time just playing with the boys.
3. I am grateful for faith today. For people’s faith in other people and for taking a leap. I took one today and I am hoping the other person will take it with me. I am grateful no matter what.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that Ms. Merk has extra snacks in the class (he ate an apple extra today) {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played some games on the phone.
3. I am grateful that I played batman with julian today

I honestly cannot even remember this morning. I took David to the bus, came home and then rushed back out to the TMJ doctor. Then I came back and did work, put Nathaniel down, exercised, did work. Nothing interesting.

I got my third lesson for Soul Restoration and I have to say each week I’ve been trying to play with paint, do textures etc but I always end up scrapping those. I dislike what I did. I feel inadequate like it’s a mishmash of crap. I cannot seem to turn off the conversations in my head. Which is why I go back to fabric or paper. Seems safer, less messy, harder to screw up. I look at her painting (and others’) with awe and wish I could do it too. And yet, I seem to be missing that gene.

The little boy spent some time looking through my soul restoration journal today.

I think he liked what he saw.

Then he played with his beloved stickers.

And let me take a nice photo.

So did David, one nice one…

Before all the crazy, silly, fun ones.

Tonight’s a lot of journaling. I find the journaling is really, really helping me so I am going to do more and more of it until it becomes more second nature, more something I’m making the time for. And then if I have time leftover, I will do my soul restoration art work.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I am taking the time to journal and do my homework. I am learning a lot about myself and really appreciating these classes so much.
2. I am grateful that I am finally seeing a doctor about my TMJ and getting some help and things are improving. Really grateful for that.
3. I am grateful for the quiet week I’m having. This week is low on commitment and engagements. It’s giving me time to rest and recuperate.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got stamp with a dog on it at school {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played on the phone.
3. I am grateful that wilfin gave me a pencil

I started the morning by preparing my February newsletter and digital downloads. Here’s where I tell you once again, you can sign up for my newsletter on the right side of my blog. You get one email on the first of the month with exclusive free downloads. That’s it.

While I worked, Nathaniel played with a recent obsession. This monitor isn’t hooked up on the other side which means when you turn it on, it just beeps. nonstop. Makes you want to cry pretty much immediately. But, alas, the little boy loves it. Ugh.

Then I setup our family shoot. Which I tested and went through all of these. Me with the clicker, Nathaniel wanting it, and going all drama when he can’t have it and finally grabbing it and happy. Yep, happens each time.

Then started the family fun.

A ton of laughter.

I love these shots.

Then Jake went biking with David (which didn’t go so well).

And Nathaniel was very upset about being left behind.

David’s school is having 100th day on February 2nd and we’re supposed to do a collection. David suggested we punch butterflies. So we did and it turned out quite wonderful.

And when Jake came back home, he played with Nathaniel and the stickers while I scrapped.

After I was done, we had family night where we played a dino math board game. It was a lot of fun despite Nathaniel’s multiple breakdowns. And then the kids went to bed and I did some drawing and photo processing. The plan for tonight is more drawing and then replying to emails cause I still haven’t done that. I am pathetic, I know.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it was a calming and productive weekend. A lot of revelations. Some art. Some scrapping. A lot of family time and exercising and reading. Just perfect. Especially since the next three weekends promise to be too hectic.
2. I am grateful for family night. I always have so much fun and enjoy my family so much.
3. I am grateful for a short week this week. I will try to work extra hard because I am leaving for LA on Friday and I want to get a ton of work done before I leave.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that mommy got some new games for the phone {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful for family night.
3. I am grateful that we did the butterflies.

I saw this in the shifting ground classroom today and it resonated so much with me. Worrying is definitely something I do too much of and I could not agree with this quote more so it needs to be upfront and center in my life.

Today was all about rest. And finishing touches. I added a few more touches to one of my layouts. I took photos. I finished up an art journaling page which was also homework for Soul Restoration. I watched a lot of TV and relaxed a lot. As well as working, taking David to school and back and taking Nathaniel to the dentist. But those are just part of a day.

We were all quiet and playing today in our own way.

I love how he surrounds himself with toys and then plays with each.

And I love this shot of David. He looks so wonderful, as he is.

And I really love how Nathaniel snuggles next to him at each opportunity. I love watching them sit together. I love seeing Nathaniel’s feet. I love how his fingers are inside the lego holes. I love how engrossed David is in reading. I love these boys so so much..

Tonight is all about more resting. Lots of journaling. Setting up newsletter for February. If you’re not, make sure to subscribe. I am going to be making new digital downloads this weekend. Any requests?

My plan is to catch up to all my homework this weekend. Draw faces. Journal. Make truth cards. Maybe even paint some. Let’s see how far I get. I might even scrap a page or two but just for me. I will likely print photos, too, so I am ready for more scrapping.

Oh, and, thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement for the running. Today was a much better day. I was able to go all the way without so much pain. I even felt like I could have gone longer if I needed to. That was certainly a good feeling because I worried I might never feel ok again. So it’s good to know it wasn’t permanent. As with everything else, I imagine it’s constantly shifting and adjusting.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it’s the weekend and I don’t have anything I have to do. I work better when I am organized so I will plan some thing for the weekend before I go to sleep but if I end up “wasting it all away” that’s going to be ok.
2. I am grateful that Nathaniel’s teeth seem to be in good shape so far. He was very upset at the appointment but the dentist looked at his teeth and we’re good so far.
3. I am grateful for all my classes. Despite being a bit overwhelmed I am finding each of them very very valuable and I am grateful that I will now have more time to dedicate to each.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I read books on raz-kids {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played pretend (house) at school.
3. I am grateful that I played lego batman at school.

I have to make a plan to get out and take some photos. I’ve really been even more like a hermit than usual partly cause I am doing so much CHA work. But alas, it’s almost over and now it’s even getting warmer here. Lest you think it’s always laughter and roses here, today Nathaniel decided not to take his nap until much later. Then I had to wake him up because otherwise he wouldn’t sleep at night. So he woke up super cranky. And looked like this.

And this.

And this. It went on for quite a while. We went and got David and he was still crying.

The first thing he did was get David’s water out of his lunchbag which he does every night.

I snapped some shots of David.

And he acted all silly as he likes to.

Nathaniel watched suspiciously.

Then finally he started playing again.

But all that crying had gotten to me already. I feel tired and exhausted. Extra tired tonight since all the whining, wailing, and crying tends to wear you down a bit. I’m sure the little boy had a headache and I feel bad for him. I gave him lots of hugs and tried to play with him but he just needed to be alone and get over being tired.

By bedtime, he was throwing himself on the couch and giggling alongside David, of course.

Now they’re both sleeping and I am ready for bed myself. I have some organizing to do, some homework and a portrait to draw. Then it’s bedtime for mommy, too.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a good day at work. I got some important things moving and I felt good about progress.
2. I am grateful for a kind offer from a good friend. I am always filled with gratitude at the generosity of others.
3. I am grateful that a lot of people have signed up for my classes at BPC already. I really, truly love teaching there so I am very excited to have both my classes coming up. If you’re enrolled in either of my classes, thank you for taking a class with me. I know both your money and time are important and I truly appreciate it deeply.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I did a project that compared sawdust and wood shavings at school {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with mommy (we did workbooks)
3. I am grateful that I picked the people to invite to my birthday. I struggled a lot with this since we can’t invite the whole class (there’s a limit where the party will be) and so we had to pick some and not pick others. I told David to not talk about his party at all at school so as to not make anyone feel bad.