June 2016 – Evening Looks – 09

Here’s girl nine. One of my favorites.

she has a lot of shimmer. Here’s a closer look at the shimmer.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 08

Here’s girl eight.

she has a lot of shimmer. Here’s a closer look at the shimmer.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 07

Here’s girl seven. I just couldn’t do a good job with this gal.

no shimmer on this lady.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

A Book a Week – There’s Something I Want You to Do

I read There’s Something I Want You to Do because it was a book club pick. I rarely read short stories so it was a nice change of pace for me.

I wasn’t crazy about the book but I also didn’t hate it. If short stories are your thing, I think you might like it. Then again, if short stories are your thing, I would easily recommend Adam Haslett’s book first. It’s extraordinary.

But I am still not sad I read it.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 06

Here’s girl six.

she has a tiny bit of shimmer. Here’s a closer look at the shimmer.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 05

Here’s girl five. I had fun with her.

she has a bit of shimmer. Here’s a closer look at the shimmer.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

2016 Stories – 23 – Induction

David’s school has this wonderful tradition where the 5th graders get to have an induction night. On this night, they are inducted the Graduates of their school. To celebrate together, they invite back 8th and 12th graders who graduated from the same school. So those who are graduating elementary, middle and high are in the same room. They invite each set of classes to come up and share where they go to school now, etc.

It’s this wonderful night where our kids get to see the next few big stages in their life. Where they get to become a member of a wonderful club of kids who graduated from this school. Where they get to share their favorite memories with all these other kids.

I am so grateful for all these wonderful traditions. All these wonderful ways of building and fostering community.


Stories from 2016 is a year-long project for 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 04

Here’s girl four.

no shimmers on this gal either.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

Living Intentionally – 22

  • Weekly Intention:  After I took March off, I then decided to take April and May off too apparently. It seems almost pointless to do this, this week, since I am leaving in 2 days to go home and will not be able to update for at least 2 weeks possibly. But I am still pulled by a desire to do it so here we are. It feels like the last 3 months have been a blur. And I don’t want the next 6 months to feel like that. So my intention this week is twofold. One is to spend the next 56 hours filling some paperwork I need to, tidying up the house, and packing (when I am not working, of course) so that I feel a bit more ready for our trip. I’ve had a low level of stress about the trip the whole time, mostly because I am not sure what and how much to pack. So I want to settle things a bit here and feel more ready to go. I also would like to journal some and spend some time reflecting on my goals for the next six months of the year. I feel like things got off course a bit and I want to think about what getting back on course would look like for me.
  • Choices I want to make:
    • One: I will choose to figure out what will help me prepare for the trip and help with the low level anxiety.
    • Two:  I will choose to journal for at least one hour so i can see what i’m feeling.
    • Three: I will choose to spend some time with jake before i leave.
  • I am looking forward to: Seeing my parents, sister, nephews, and the rest of my family at home.
  • This week’s challenges:  A lot going on this week. Work, a test for one of the kids, packing, cleaning, tidying, a very long plane trip and likely some jetlag. But also so much excitement!
  • Top Goals:
    • Work: I want to get a few things decided and a few things underway so nothing lags cause I am gone.
    • Personal: I want to journal. Reconnect with my wishes and desires and see what they are.
    • Family: I want to spend so much time with Jake now and my wonderful family at home.
  • I will focus on my core desires (kind, strong, true, generous, brave) by: 
    • I will be kind to myself. I will forgive myself and find a way forward.
    • I will be strong by doing what it takes to get ready to go on vacation.
    • I will be generous with the possibilities on this trip.
    • I will be true to myself but also open and kind. Both can live. And I will give myself grace.
    • I will be brave by having faith that things will be ok.
  • This week, I want to remember: that all will be ok. We will make it home safely. Things will get done. Packing will be ok. All will be ok. And to breathe. Breathe.

Here’s to a wonderful week!

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 03

Here’s girl three. I like this one.

no shimmer 🙂


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 02

Here’s girl two. This one was super tough but I just wanted to try. I don’t like how it turned out but I am glad I tried anyway.

she has a lot of shimmer. Here’s a closer look at the shimmer.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

A Book a Week – Enchanted

I read Enchanted because my friend Marcus’ wife wrote it.

How cool is it that I have friends who are writers? I love that so much.

I read this one in one breath. If fantasy is your cup of tea, I think you will like this book. It’s a quick read and I am looking forward to reading more of her books 🙂