Happy Friday!! I have had some serious lower back pain this week, which sucks! But I’ve also had a more upbeat attitude than usual all week which is awesome! I am working on being more present, optimistic, and just focusing on the good. And there’s enough good to go around.

Today was like any other day. Except David went on a play date right after school. So I got to work a bit later and then when I picked him up, we all sat in the backyard, in the new bench I got for the kids, and played with playdoh.

It was Nathaniel’s first time and I am not sure he understood exactly what it’s about. But he had a blast anyway (until he ate a piece which didn’t make me all that thrilled.)

David, too, had a blast. He ate his veggies and played at the same time. He made numbers, worms, balls, and I loved seeing the kids sitting together and having fun.

I snapped some more photos and sat and played with them.

Nathaniel took the opportunity to kick some balls around, too. He loves kicking balls.

My hope is that the kids can spend time outside at the table now that summer is coming. They can play with playdoh, color, draw, play with water. Whatever they want really. As long as they get some fresh air.

Then we came inside, ate, Skype’d with Daddy and now they are quietly playing in their rooms. We played so much that David and I forgot to take our walk so I paced back and forth in the backyard to make sure my step count was up to the 10K goal. Now I am completely wiped so I will sprawl on the couch and rest and read my book.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played with the kids outside. I love doing that.
2. I am grateful that we Skyped with Jake. We miss you daddy!
3. I am grateful that it’s the weekend!!

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I went to Maggie’s house for a play date. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that we played with play-doh.
3. I am grateful that tomorrow is my wii-day!

Lovely day here. I had a good chat with a friend and spent the whole day doing everything in a slower pace. I am trying to enjoy each moment more. Stress less and get myself less worked up. I am also focusing on what makes me happy and what triggers sorrow in me so that I can do more of what makes me happy or helps me walk towards peace. And less of the toxic things that upset me.

It’s a lot of work and constant work. But very worthwhile. I think.

Little boy wasn’t up for being photographed (at least not as much as he was up for eating graham crackers.)

And David was laughing so i just snapped one rare shot that didn’t have a funny face or fake smile.

Then it was time for David’s open house. I was a little stressed about going to it alone with the two kids but I wanted to make sure I went and David got to show off everything. So we got there early, took a walk, and he got to play a bit.

while the little one watched him:

Then we went into the classroom and I made the mistake of taking Nathaniel out of his stroller and he basically wanted to play with everything. With all the other parents and kids there it was pretty much impossible. And of course David wanted my attention and wanted to show everything to me which I couldn’t look at cause Nathaniel basically had a meltdown every second. In short, it was painful. But we managed it anyway.

We had a wonderful talk on the way home and some special time at home. Then he went to bed. And I am completely wiped. Aching all over. So I will lie here for a while, maybe answer some mail (though unlikely) and then just go to sleep. All in all, it was quite a wonderful and ordinary day. I am grateful for these every time. That much more now that I am focusing on the positive.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had a nice chat with my mom on skype today. I love getting to talk to her.
2. I am grateful that my son has an open house today and I get to see what he’s been working so hard on at school.
3. I am grateful that my hubby landed safe and sound. miss him and love him so much.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it’s almost summer. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that today is the open house
3. I am grateful that I played house with my friends at school today.
4. I’m grateful that I have a play date tomorrow

I must admit that writing these at the end of the day is harder because by around this time I feel worn out and my perpective on the day is paler than usual. However tired I might feel at this moment, today was a wonderful day. It was flower-day at school so we picked some flowers and made a cute little bouquet for David’s teacher which David took to school.

After David left for school, I exercised and then sketched for a little bit and then it was time to pick up my friend Caroline who happens to be in town for a day. She came back here and we chatted and hung out until it was time to pick up David. We picked him up and then I dropped off Caroline and came back home where David showed me his bookmark and “earth” (which is mostly covered with water, he tells me.)

Then I got a smile.

The little one has been obsessed with coloring at the table lately. Which would be just fine if he didn’t color with one color for a second before the said “done” and threw it on the floor. Again. Again. Again and again. One can quickly get tired of that game.

Now I am going to go take my walk with David and then it’s time to journal and do my leg exercises so I can go to book club. Hectic day. Tomorrow will be too but then I will have a quiet Friday and weekend. All the days are lovely in their own ways and challenging too. I am just thankful I get to pause a bit and take time for myself each day a bit. And be with my kids. And do work I love.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I spent the day with Caroline. She’s quite awesome and I am so thankful to have her as a friend.
2. I am grateful that I made a nutritionist appointment for next week.
3. I am grateful that I decided to take a few days off work. I need to rest a bit.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful we finished our book. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful Mommy and I took a walk.
3. I am grateful that I start a Junie B book tomorrow.

Happy Tuesday! My day was quite good even though it was no different than most days! I had two appointments this afternoon, though, so it meant the photo taking process was super fast and started with the typical silly faces.

And then me begging and some smiles.

But even the begging didn’t do it for the little one.

Who simply wasn’t in the mood.

So, alas, they are all blurry. But some days go like that.

I’ve been doing a lot of journaling lately and finding out things about myself. One of the things I did earlier this week was to focus on my word (free) and make a long list of things I wanted to be “free of” (from my past) and a list of things I wanted to feel “free to be” (future) so that I could asess progress a bit and also make some plans. And I’ve been working on the plans and already implemented a few. Free is a really important word for me so I am trying to make sure I keep it in the forefront of my mind all year and actively work on it.

I also did a lot of journaling on friendship. I’ve decided to drop some friends and cultivate other friendships. I’ve decided to listen closely to what makes me feel bad/small and what makes me feel good/empowered. And instead of beating myself up about feeling small, just focus on doing more of the latter. Being with people who make me feel good. Doing things that make me feel good. Visiting blogs/sites that excite me and get me motivated. Etc. etc.

So far. So good. I have some things I’ve been putting off working on. Like the class I mentioned and possibly another one. But I know the mood will strike and things will get done. They always do. In the meantime, I am sketching away and reading to my son, taking walks with my boys and enjoying every moment of the California sunshine.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that David took a walk with me, I love love love walking with my boy.
2. I am grateful that I went to the doctor and will hopefully see a nutritionist soon.
3. I am grateful my friend Caroline is in town and that I get to see her tomorrow!

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that the open house is on Thursday. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful Mommy and I took a walk.
3. I am grateful that I get to stay up and play with my legos for a bit.

Today was one of those days that flew by pretty quickly. I did my morning routine and worked and worked and then it was time to get David. When we came back home, Nathaniel wanted to sit on the chair and color. I asked him to smile and this is what he gave me.

Then I snapped some photos as David told me about his day.

He has such an infectious smile.

Nathaniel colored all the while.

And ate the caps. And colored on his fingers. And high chair. And everywhere else, too.

David and I read our book. This was a very long one but it’s almost over. I have an incredible headache now and I am not sure if I am just exhausted or it’s my jaw. I have several types of chronic pain between my herniated back and my jaw, it’s hard on days when I am more tired than usual or have higher stress. And it’s been both lately. So I think this is a signal that I need to rest and take some time off. Maybe I’ll take tomorrow off work!

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that David talked to me today. He was feeling sad and shared some of his innermost feelings with me. It broke my heart and I tried to make sure he felt my love but I am deeply grateful he felt like he could tell me.
2. I am grateful for people who exude happiness. People who make me feel happy to be around them. I am glad there are people like that in the world.
3. I am grateful for journaling. It’s been helping me a lot lately and I am now doing it daily. I am glad I took up the practice and the benefits are almost immediate to me.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we took a walk with mommy. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I made a fake head for open house (they are going to have faces and shirts to make it look like the kids are sitting at their chairs from what David tells me.)
3. I am grateful that the open house is coming in two days.

Happy Mother’s Day everyone! I woke up this morning and came downstairs to find this:

David tells me the banner was his idea and Daddy cut the hearts and he colored them. It says Happy Mother’s Day. Before anything else, I wanted to get my exercise out of the way so I worked out, showered and I then got to have some delicious yogurt and fruit breakfast with my boys. I got some beautiful pink tulips and lots and lots of love from my boys.

Then it was time for the family shoot. I always have to wait for Jake to sit cause when I am setting up the tripod, he’s always taller than I envision. Every now and then I catch these wonderful moments in the process.

Here’s Nathaniel looking at the camera (which he only does when he’s clicking.)

The rest of the shoot went something like this:

Then it was time to read to David so Jake got to rest and we read four chapters of our book while the little boy played. Then it was quiet time while nathaniel napped, Jake worked, I sketched and David played. After Nathaniel woke up, the boys ate their veggies:

And I took advantage of some nice light.

And the fact that Nathaniel was in the high chair and couldn’t run away.

Then we got to do part two of Mother’s Day celebrations which was to watch Bambi. None of us had seen it and I already told David that the mom died so he was prepared for it and didn’t take it badly. It was amazing to see how much Disney movies have changes since then. (And wow how many Disney movies don’t have a mom at all or have an evil one.)

Then Jake went to exercise and I read my book while the boys played. It’s been a while since I read a book for hours during the day and it was wonderful. Right as I was in the bathroom, David ran in and said I wanted to get a photo of “this!” When I came out, he was sitting at the table with Nathaniel and letting him color in his workbook.

I tried to get Nathaniel to look at me but he wouldn’t until I took the pencil away.

Which then made him super-sad.

So I gave it back, of course. Then it was dinner and family night. We played Atari together. Mostly the boys played and I worked on my photos and finished my book. Now the kids are down and I still have to do my art journaling, journaling and leg exercises. But, all in all, a truly wonderful and relaxing day. I didn’t make an art journal page which would have been nice and I didn’t cross off many items on my todo list. But I had a nice, relaxing weekend and I spent a lot of time with my boys and a lot of time alone, resting. So I am truly grateful and content.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had a wonderfully relaxing weekend.
2. I am grateful for all the inspiration out on the internet. For artists who share so I can get inspired to sketch. For writers who write books I can get lost in. I am so so grateful.
3. I am grateful for my boys who made my day so special. Who make all my days special. For my mom who’s extraordinary. For my sister who is absolutely the best person I know.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it’s Mother’s Day. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I made a banner for mommy.
3. I am grateful that we are playing atari for family night.