And back to work and back to school means back to our regular schedule. Up at 6, reading, eating, packing, dressing, bus, layout, etc. etc. And the little boy is still being funny.
So many people ask me how I get so much done in a day and can work from home. A big part of it is this.
My kids are just amazing. They play by themselves for hours. Happily. Every now and then they interrupt and we play together, we laugh and then they go back to playing alone. I am lucky, I really know it. Here’s David, showing off his gratitude journal.
And then having a bit of silly time.
I missed it but this is seconds after Nathaniel went over to hug him.
And then went back to playing.
And playing some more. He still into the blanket carrying of course.
And here’s David, playing on the iPhone which he gets to do after writing his gratitude, eating his veggies, and reading with mommy.
Nathaniel learned the word yellow today and he also started taking my finger and making it point at the things he wants. He’s getting more and more communicative and he’s so very cute. When we get food, he’ll nod yes or no and then point at his tray to show us where to put the food. Love that boy.
I have two more layouts to do and I am ready for CHA. Phew. I will like having something else to do in the mornings. I will like printing new photos out and gathering some stories. I need a little break after this. I will enjoy taking time to journal more and work on my classes more.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. Today, I feel a deep gratitude for my children. I am truly blessed as a mother. I have two incredibly nice, kind, loving and fun kids. They are so full of personality and character. I hope that it continues to be so. I feel so grateful.
2. I am grateful for another day of exercise. I must admit even after 109 days, it’s still really hard. I still have to drag myself to the garage. I still think I won’t ever get through it. I still feel tired at the end. But I do it. I am thankful and proud that I do.
3. I am grateful for a good, productive day. Some days feel out of control but today felt good. I have some todo items and I am woefully behind on email and replying to comments but still I don’t feel like I am drowning which is good for me.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got a card from school (it’s a photo id) {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played on the phone
3. I am grateful that I went to school. He had a good day at school and worked on some fun projects, he tells me.
And here we are, already at the end of our long weekend. It’s 6pm which means I have this entry, a few more entries, a portrait, possibly some journaling and bedtime. And then it’s officially next week.
Our morning started with a trip to the dentist. Where David did awesome, as always. I took this with my phone.
I took another photo when we got home to show off his newly cleaned teeth.
Nathaniel made lots and lots of his expressive faces.
And laughter.
More faces. Oh uh.
Then he watched his brother play on the phone.
After nap time, it was time to take another family photo. As I set up, Jake ate some peanuts and, of course, Nathaniel wanted to be a part of that, too.
I cropped this out of one of family shots. He looked so wonderful.
There’s always much laughter when we do these shots. So we have a lot of outtakes.
and blurry shots.
Then, while I processed the photos, Nathaniel showed his dad some of his books.
And then spent some time looking through David’s notebooks.
While he played on the iphone.
I love this shot of both of them occupied and engrossed.
I spent most of the weekend doing homework and as of this morning I have a ton more (and even more is coming tomorrow). I decided I will have to come up with a schedule for all the homework I have in Misty’s class. I want to, scratch that, need to, spend more time drawing before I can move to painting. And same with painting. So once CHA comes and goes, I will spread it out. A month of just drawing, a month of painting, a month of collage, etc. Next month, I have the sketching class, too. Not to mention the two I’m teaching. Ugh. It looks like things will stay busy for a while.
Just the way I like it.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a quiet day. It was busy in the morning but I spent most of the middle of the day lying on the couch, watching misty paint. Can’t think of a better way to spend my day.
2. I am grateful that we took another set of family shots. We already have more photos of us than we did in all of 2010.
3. I am grateful that I made an appointment for Nathaniel at the dentist. I am a bit scared since it’s his first and we haven’t been so good about brushing his teeth but I am grateful to start taking care of it.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played on mommy’s phone {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that mommy and I read together
3. I am grateful that I did my workbook.
It’s so nice to have a three-day weekend. I sort of wish they were all 3-days. In 2002, I used to work 3 days a week and I never ever got used to it in a way where it felt long. It was the perfect number of days to work. Just when I started feeling tired, it would be time for my long weekend. I volunteered and took classes on the two weekdays I didn’t work and it just was the perfect schedule for me. So if every week was a 3-day weekend I think I would still enjoy it to bits.
Today started on the same schedule as everyday. I try to take family shots every day that all four of us are around so we set it all up but it was really early so there’s a lot of noise in the photos. Here’s one of the outtakes.
And another.
After I scrapped and exercised, it was time to read. We took the book basket down and Nathaniel picked a choo choo one.
And David picked a level 3 to read to me. Which he read beautifully. Then I read to him.
After that, it was quiet time for all of us. I did manage to snap this wonderful photo of David before I sat to draw some and journal some.
The little boy played.
And I love this photo. Jake took this while I was sitting and drawing. But look at the face Nathaniel’s making to try to get David’s attention (he was watching harry potter.) I love that Nathaniel sits with David so much and looks up to him so much.
And I love that David’s nice about it almost all the time.
We briefly had some friends over and then I had to run out and buy some shoes. Which reminded me how much I hate shopping. Then it was time for family night. We played some more Zingo and then Jake and David got to play a tiny bit of Wii because Jake had promised him earlier and they hadn’t gotten around to doing so.
And now the kids are asleep and I am moving a bit slowly but I feel good. I’ve done most of my homework in most of my classes. I have a bunch of setup I have to do for my blog and creative therapy, etc. But that’s on schedule for tomorrow. Tonight is about my portrait, some journaling, and some more drawing, all while watching the Golden Globes.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for family night. I love family night, even when it’s short.
2. I am grateful that I finally bought some shoes. I’ve been meaning to buy flats for a really long time.
3. I am grateful that I took the time to draw today. It was calming and I am thankful for the time.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I get to play will with daddy {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful for family night
3. I am grateful that I get to play with my legos a bit in my room
I don’t want to start each of my entries with how tired I feel so I won’t tell you that today. But rest assured, I do. Anyhow… Despite the fact that it was a weekend, I spent my day with a very similar schedule to my weekdays. Except, instead of working, I lay on the couch and read all the content and watched all the movies for my classes.
While I scrapped, the little boy read some more books.
And reacted to each page.
While the big boy played with his legos.
Then Nathaniel went down for his nap, I read to David, I exercised and then showered and took the Christmas tree down and then set up the camera for our family photo. Here’s me doing a test run.
And another. I told Nathaniel there was a squirrel in the backyard to get him to look at the camera, hence the expression on his face.
Here’s an outtake from our shot. David looks like he’s hurting cause he was playing wii and focusing too much. He took a long break after this photo.
Then he and Jake went to Target while Nathaniel and I rested.
And I snapped some photos.
While he laughed.
and laughed at me.
and then he realized his brother was gone which meant he could mess with the remotes.
The boys came back, we all put everything away and had dinner and now they’re almost ready for bed.
I plan to do a lot of the homework in my classes tonight. I stopped doing portraits two days ago and plan to restart that tonight, too. I must admit that I am most behind misty’s class. It’s partly because there’s a lot of homework but mostly because I truly feel like I can’t draw. I try and it looks terrible and I get impatient. I know it’s practice but when it sucks so bad you don’t even want to practice. Several of you commented on doing more emotion or shading etc with my portraits. The thing is I feel like I am so far from the basics that I am not ready to add expressions, feelings, my style yet. I can’t even draw two eyes that look the same. I can’t make noses or lips I like. I am working on those for now. I work hard every day to quiet the voice inside me that yells “you’re not an artist” or “you’re no good at this.” Again, I know it’s a lot about practice but it’s hard to feel inspired to practice when I think so little of what I create. anyhow….so I put it off. Which, of course, doesn’t help at all.
So off I go to journal, draw my portraits and maybe do another few drawings from misty’s homework. And then journal more and make some cards for the soul restoration class. Long night but full of joyful work. Let’s see how far I get.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that the tree is down. I loved having it up but I also like it gone for some reason. I put some lights up so that I can still feel the joy.
2. I am grateful that I have only five layouts left to do for CHA. I like making them but I think I’m ready for a break.
3. I am grateful for some quiet time tonight. I have some jaw pain again and I look forward to curling up and being artsy and introspective for a while.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that i got some shirts for school {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played wii
3. I am grateful that I get to stay up and play in my room a little tonight
I am really really thankful it’s Friday. I am still continuing my schedule but I am ready for a 3-day weekend. Here we come! I didn’t even take photos until the afternoon today but when I saw Nathaniel reading books, I couldn’t resist.
I adore this child.
And he’s so funny, he laughs at himself even.
When I picked David up from playdate, this is the first look he gave me.
But then I got a better one.
And the little one is still with his blankie. Blankie everywhere.
We have company tonight which means I have to rush again. I’ve been doing that too much lately. Six more layouts to go. One more delivery coming tomorrow hopefully. And then things will start to settle down. I even did some of my homework today in Soul Restoration. Photos coming Tuesday since it was in the art journal. I have to draw my portrait tonight since I skipped yesterday. And that’s it. Then I go to bed, wake up, and do it all over again.
I am so grateful for my life.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. So David went on his first alone playdate today. He got off the bus with his friend Maggie and her mom. He called me to let me know he was safe and there. He played and then I went to pick him up about an hour later. I was all worried about it. I kept thinking about all the things that could go wrong. But I decided to be brave and let him to this. And I am glad that I did. All went well and he had a great time. I am grateful that I had the courage to just let it happen. It’s hard for me so I am proud of myself.
2. I am grateful it’s the weekend! Especially since it’s a 3-day one!!!
3. I am grateful that I did some art today. I broke down and cried for a moment when doing the homework but it was wonderful and powerful and that’s exactly why I took the class so I am deeply grateful.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that i went to Maggie’s house {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I sat with mommy
3. I am grateful that I have a new partner at school
I’m keeping it short today. I am tired and grouchy so I think it’s better that way for all of us. My days are all the same right now. I wake up, I give kids breakfast, make david’s breakfast, read to david, take him to the bus, scrap, work, put nathaniel down for a nap, work more, exercise, work more. play with nathaniel. work more. get david. work more. make kids dinner. get them to go to bed. work a bit more. blog. draw my face. paint it. that’s about it. i have homework in my classes so i also try to do a bit of that. everything else falls through for now.
Nathaniel is still into the blanket. Not sure why. But I think it’s so cute.
Looks like a little baby, my boy.
My older boy. He’s so wonderful.
And so is this one. I am so blessed.
I am going to take some time to rest now and then I will go do some painting. Maybe it will restore my soul.
How are you doing? It’s been quiet so I just wanted to check in. I hope I haven’t been boring you. Let me know if you’re out there.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that my family is so supportive and so kind. They make my heart burst.
2. I am grateful for the kind words of all the people around me. Comments you leave here or in other places where my work is. I am always amazed by the kind words and never know how to reply. I just feel so thankful. thank you.
3. I am grateful that tomorrow is Friday and then we go into a three-day weekend. I need some extra rest and it’s coming soon.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that i played in the playhouse during choice time at school {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with legos
3. I am grateful that I played on the computer this morning
Feeling exhausted today and I am about to leave for book club soon. I feel like it’s been so hectic here for the last ten days. I need to slow down so I can catch up. Any ideas?
Nathaniel likes to play this game where he’ll hit himself and go “ouch!” he likes to do it often.
He also smiles and laughs a lot.
More attempts at getting a good David shot.
And then he’s like enough! so he’s making funny faces at me.
Nathaniel is into anything David is into. All his electronic toys. And they turn off and he goes oh uh oh uh until someone turns them back on.
And today he decided he needed one of his blankets with him all day. He’s never done this before but he looks so so cute. Doesn’t he?
My plan tomorrow is to sit and get organized. I have about 8 more layouts or so for CHA. I have homework in all three classes. (I already did the one for my fourth class) and I have my own daily tasks. Not to mention the email and comments to respond to. So it’s time to get organized.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got some wonderful new product today. It made me swoon and I almost shed tears with gratitude.
2. I am again grateful for the fedex man who came to my house cause I am not a fan of going to the post office and it’s so awesome that they come to pick it up.
3. I am grateful that I lost another 3.3 lbs this week! I was so shocked this morning because I felt really bad and thought I must surely have gained weight. But here we are!
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that i played golf {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played star wars at school
3. I am grateful that I played legos with mommy
I’m going to do this quickly tonight because I have a webinar for Masterful Scrapbook Design in 45 minutes. If you’re taking the class, I hope you come to chat with us. If you’re not, you should be :).
Since I’d printed my photos and planned everything I was able to wake up today and get right to work. I did one page and have the next two planned as well. Though I’ve found out that I have a batch of product coming tomorrow so I am guessing Thursday morning will be back to doing CHA samples. And then more product comes towards the end of the week, and finally another batch next week. Phew. It’s all ok though, I love working with these products and I am a truly lucky gal. Wouldn’t whine for a minute.
Today was a bit wonky cause I had to go to the jaw doctor again and then Jake had a childhood friend in town and Nathaniel decided not to nap on time. So we ate lunch together and it was oatmeal. I think he is a fan.
David gave me a nice smile today. Love this.
I’m always amazed at how Nathaniel has a thin layer of grime on his face at all times. No matter how many times I clean it.
But he is so very cute.
Lots of work today. Did the developer release and a bunch of triage and now I have the webinar. Then it’s time to paint my portrait and do some more drawing. You’ll get more detail tomorrow but my classes have all begun and with lots of homework so I am trying to do a little bit each night. Once all the CHA work is done, I’ll distribute to night and morning. So off to get ready!
I hope you’re well and if you have a moment, come say hi and let me know what you’re doing and what’s inspiring you. I need some new inspiration in my life. I’ve almost stopped reading all my feeds because it’s all feeling like same old same old lately.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I have so much fun and new product coming my way. it’s always fun to play with scrappy goods.
2. I am again grateful for all the classes I’m taking. They are each inspiring me deeply and pushing my boundaries and stretching me.
3. I am grateful that despite the cold outside, it’s nice and warm in here. I used to live in a house with a terrible draft and I never take the warmness and wonderful heat for granted.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we played a balloon game in PE {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got to play didj
3. I am grateful that I looked through my lego magazine
I am seriously running out of photos. I have to get out and take some.
Today started all groggy and I couldn’t snap out of it for some long while but thankfully, i did eventually and got a bunch of work done and read to david, and exercised and even did workbooks with him. I didn’t scrap or do anything else this morning. I was too tired. I did read all my lessons in all my classes (more on these tomorrow) and I printed photos for tomorrow’s pages so I am prepared. I also processed all my CHA item photos and I have to put finishing touches on one page. All this to say that I let myself off the hook this morning. But I’ve also realized once more that if I am not focused on something to do, i basically do nothing. I surf aimlessly, I get more tired and more cranky. So it does not help. It helps to have a focus. Even if it’s to read my mail for 30 minutes or check FB. Having time limit and focus is really way more productive.
The little boy took his nap early and short today and I snapped a photo as soon as he woke up. I love his face when he first wakes up.
He played with his toys and walked around most of the day.
With many hugs and giggles in between. I do wish fewer of his toys made noise. Sometimes it gets really noisy in the room.
When David got home, he played with legos. I asked him for a photo and I got this.
When I told him he was making a funny face, I got this.
My sweet boys! Well I am off to draw some portraits. I have a lot of other drawing assignments from Misty’s class. I am a bit stressed to be honest, but I will pace myself, organize all the work over the week and get a bunch done. This class is for me because I want to learn to draw better. That will only happen with practice and practice takes time and patience. Time and patience. Neither of which I have enough of, ever.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that tomorrow I get to go to the TMJ doctor again and hopefully he’ll fix my splint which broke.
2. I am grateful that I exercised despite really really not wanting to do it today. Today was my 101st consecutive workout.
3. I am grateful that I am taking all of these classes. Even if I don’t get to do all of my assignments, I am learning a lot of information and I can pace myself and use and reuse it throughout the year.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I am going to make a snowman book this week {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got to watch ghostbusters
3. I am grateful that I built a jail with matthew at school
Wow what a great weekend! I was super productive starting with Friday. I feel great and like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I still have a bunch of CHA stuff coming up but I can breathe for a bit now. I’m also caught up on my emails so if you’ve sent me email and I haven’t replied please know that I must have dropped the ball somewhere along the line and please resend your email!!
I snapped this shot in the morning while I was doing my art journal. I love that Nathaniel plays wherever David is. I love love love watching them play together.
And here’s me. I was testing the placement of the tripod as I prepared to take another family shot.
And an outtake from the morning. You can see how the depth of field is shallow so I look blurry because I am more forward than the rest of my family. This was also right after I popped Nathaniel’s thumb out of his mouth and he simultaneously burped so we all laughed and he’s looking at me to see why I’m laughing.
Here’s a great shot of two of my boys. David, again, was behind me so he got cut off.
Here’s the sunshine of my life giving me a smile.
And the other sunshine of my life. Also giving me a smile.
Here’s David working on his math workbook. I love watching him work.
And my little boy playing and smiling and having a good time.
And finally, tonight was family night. Something else we started for 2011. Every Sunday we spend the last hour of the kids’ day playing games together. Well, Nathaniel just watches for now. Tonight we played Zingo and Boggle, both chosen by David. It was really fun and a wonderful way to end our weekend.
After the kids went to sleep, I processed the 300some photos I took of all my CHA projects and everything else I did this weekend. And now that I am almost done, I will just work on the blog a bit and then read my first lesson from Misty. I will write a post about all the classes I am taking and teaching in the next two months. They add up to something like ten!!
I hope your weekend was amazing!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that the weekend was so productive and still full of lots of family time. Reading with David, doing workbooks, family game night, etc. Feeling really full tonight.
2. I am grateful that my hair seems to look perfect. I washed it and it’s great. The treatment did a great job.
3. I am grateful that we had family game night tonight. I really really enjoyed it so much.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we had family night {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got to watch star wars with daddy
3. I am grateful that I have a nice mommy (whoa two days in a row, i must be doing something right)
David says:
I liked that Mr. Wonka gave the factory to Charlie because he is so poor and has so little chocolate and it was really nice of Mr. Wonka to give it to him.
What I didn’t like was that the other kids bad things that Mr. Wonka told them not to do. The one I liked the least was the girl who tried to get the squirrel (Veruca Salt) because she could have hurt the squirrel.
My favorite characters were Charlie and Mr. Wonka. I liked Mr. Wonka because he gave the factory to Charlie and Charlie because he didn’t do anything bad.
My favorite part was when the bar of chocolate goes through the TV because if that were true anytime you saw candy on the TV, you could reach out and get it.
Reading a book a week with my six-year-old son David is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.
Well, today didn’t go as planned. I went to sleep last night after sending myself a list of what would get done first thing in the morning. I woke up, ignored my list, and went on to make some of the altered items I’d bought for my CHA projects. And they took up my entire day. I am also only two thirds of the way there.
So much for my list.
Jake started the day by videoconferencing with his brother and their little baby. David loved talking to both.
Then I got them all around the tree so I could take a family shot. Here’s a shot I took while I was setting things up.
And here are two of the boys. As it turned out, I’d left the shutter wide open which made the depth of field way way shallow so having four of us meant one or more of us were blurry at any moment in time. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow.
Nathaniel had to entertain himself since it was David’s Wii day and he didn’t get to watch choo choo. So he played with legos instead.
He was so cute even David wanted to give him a hug (though Nathaniel wasn’t a fan).
And here’s David’s “please please let me play” smile. What I love is that Nathaniel always likes to be around his brother. He will sit with him on the couch or play near him. It’s so wonderful to watch. Especially since David’s very kind to him and never complains.
David and I read our book this morning too and he did a writing workbook today. He’s getting so good. His workbook was for grade one and he sailed right through it. Now that they are asleep, I have a bunch of todo list items I quickly plan to get off my list so that I can alter that last item sitting on my desk. I didn’t do a portrait yesterday and likely not today so tomorrow the plan is to do my art journal page and two portraits. Let’s see if I can…
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that both my altered items turned out somewhat cute. I am really really sucky at altering anything. Really. So this is a big achievement.
2. I am grateful that despite the pain, the aches, the tiredness, I am still going in the garage and exercising every day. Every single day.
3. I am grateful that Jake got us sandwiches tonight. A rare treat for me and one that I love.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I have a nice mommy {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played wii
3. I am grateful that I have a nice daddy
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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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