Daily Diary – April 17 2011

Happy Sunday!! I am not a fan of Sundays but I went to bed last night with a specific list of tasks so I woke up and did two of them right away. Then I exercised and then I showered and sat outside with the kids for a bit. I read to David. I also snapped some photos while the light was good. David made a sad face when I told him he couldn’t run around (he’s still got the bandaids in his head.)

Nathaniel was pensive, too.

Then he tried to entertain David by pushing his chair.

And he spotted the dirty chair on the corner of the yard so i went and got the clean one for him and he said and made his funny smile.

He really enjoyed sitting there.

I then snapped what’s likely my favorite photo of David in recent history. Look at those eyes.

This little one is super cute, too.

I feel like hugging him pretty much all day long.

We then went inside and Nathaniel went down for his nap, David played and I sketched. Daddy came home soon after and we took family shots.

with tickle time, of course.

there was much much laughter.

Then we went out to lunch but couldn’t find the cafe in Stanford that we were trying to go to so we went to our regular hangout instead. Ran into some friends, had a lovely lunch/dinner and then came home. Some wind down time and now we’re off to play legos for family time. I feel happy and grateful. I still have a few todo items on my list and my art journal’s been neglected all weekend so I will work on that next. then some resting and we’re off to start another week. Phew.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a lovely day. Quiet and filled with laughter.
2. I am grateful for my family. My husband and kids are so amazing. They drive me crazy often but they are also the biggest joy in my life, bar none.
3. I am grateful for some art time tonight. I miss my journal.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had some candy {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I decorated my tooth brush (with stickers).
3. I am grateful we went out to lunch.

April 17, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | 3 comments

Reading with David – The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy

David says:
I gave this story four stars because I didn’t really like the beginning because it wasn’t interesting to me and it was a little too confusing.

I thought it was interesting that someone disguised the cat and how the two cases were intertwined. I also liked that Jupiter figured it out about the cat and helped him realize Sardon might be a disguise, too.

I didn’t like that Sardon/Freeman tried to steal the mummy and its case. The part where we found out how the mummy whispered was interesting and clever. I also didn’t like that Freeman stole the cat.

I liked that in the end everything went back to its right place. The thieves were caught. The jewels were sent back. And the cat went back to Mrs. Banfry. In the end, this book was fun to read but not as good as the other two we read so far.

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.

April 17, 2011 | David, Dbooks 2011, Family, Reading with David | Leave a comment

Us Right Now – April 16

jake
This was another productive week for Jake. He spent most of the week at the office getting clients and setting up paperwork for corporations. He’s made so much progress in the last two weeks that it’s exciting and rejuvenating to watch. He’s also been really a huge help to me this week. He went to volunteer at David’s school and stayed with the kids so I could go to both my doctor’s appointments alone. It was so nice to be able to have that freedom and calm.

karen
This week was productive and stressful. I’ve been having more jaw pain than I’d like but I am trying to keep it in perspective. I’ve been specifically working on having more perspective and a more positive attitude. I am quite proud of myself for not completely freaking out with what happened to David and just doing the right thing and trying to stay calm so that he wouldn’t be scared. Now that the weekend is here all I want to do is rest and recover and do nothing productive. I guess that’s what weekends are for, right?

david
David went back to school after a week of being sick and then on Wednesday he was spinning around and hit his head on the lunch bench when he got dizzy. He made a pretty deep gash but thankfully he’s ok. They closed it up with bandaids and he’s been home the rest of the week. He’s been in good spirits but I am worried cause he doesn’t really understand the gravity of what happened and still jumps and bounces around unless I remind him to stay calm and let his wound heal. My sweet boy whose spirit is unbreakable. I love him.

nathaniel
Nathaniel is doing well, too. He’s thrilled to have David around and he’s been getting into every single thing. He opens drawers, burrows through things, has strong opinions and makes sure you know them. It’s lucky for him that he’s super-cute or I am not sure how we’d be putting up with all his antics.

Us Right Now is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

April 16, 2011 | David, Family, Nathaniel, Us Right Now | Leave a comment

Daily Diary – April 16 2011

I promised myself that I would rest this weekend. I need downtime as usual. I seem to have gone into a long long funk but I will not whine cause I still get stuff done and I am proud of myself for learning to recognize that I need sleep or that I need rest. So this weekend, I have a bunch of deliverables and I will check in on my class but otherwise, I will relax and rest. So this morning I got up late and then took my time. When I got up to exercise finally, David was sharing some of his cheerios with Nathaniel.

He’s been in a really good mood, thankfully.

Then I finished my book, surfed a bit, looked up sketch inspiration, sketched and did some cleanup while Nathaniel finally napped. And then it was time for family shots.

The little one was not in the mood.

one of my favorite parts of these shots is how Jake and I hug and kiss.

David was in a good mood after the shoot, too. Always in a good mood my boy.

Then we finished our book, picked a new one and then it was dinner etc etc. Now we’re hoping to make a quick trip to Target and it’s time for bed. I plan to do some art, check in my classroom, and finally close all the tabs I have open. Love nights with no huge plans!

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for another sketch. I am really working hard at them.
2. I am grateful I exercised. Still going.
3. I am grateful for a quiet night. Love those.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I watched TV {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with my legos.
3. I am grateful I am building a game.

April 16, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

Daily Diary – April 15 2011

Both boys were at home today and I had a bunch of work to do so the morning was quiet as David colored and Nathaniel played. David then came to show me some of his creations and explained them to me, which I enjoyed so so much.

There he is telling me the stories.

Nathaniel took a a long nap while his friends came to play here. I finally woke him up but then he just wanted to eat. Only after everyone left did he dig into the lego box.

He found a little car.

made some car noises.

and acted just like a little boy! Made me smile as I snapped.

Soon after, David joined in too and they played while I worked.

I rarely do black and white now but I loved this shot so I tried.

Between David’s sickness last week and my allergies, we blow our noses a lot here and Nathaniel has started imitating us often.

I got a lot of work done today and even had an hour of playtime with the neighbors and their kids. Now we’re off to the movies and then I get to art journal for a bit. This weekend is looking to be fun, I hope. I hope yours is too!

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for my kids’ stories and imagination.
2. I am grateful I had a bit of social time today. It’s nice to have friends over.
3. I am grateful for the weekend!

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I colored {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I told stories to mommy.
3. I am grateful for mommy and daddy and for playing with Nathaniel.

April 15, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

Healthy For Life – Week 15

Yes, well, apparently last week’s loss was a fluke as expected. I knew something was off but it still made me sort of sad when I saw the number this week. Especially since I’d gained more than I lost last week so I’m at a gain net net. What a bummer. The good thing is that while I was sad and dejected, I didn’t go and drown my sorrows in some fries or chocolate. Instead I got mad and worked out. I had added 30 leg lifts on each side and 10 crunches to my work out even before I weighed myself and I just kept doing those. There are still 8 months in this year and I am in this for the long haul so we’re good but it still sort of sucks to see the sad numbers there on the screen..

Exercise is actually going ok. 2.9 is not kicking my butt as much as I worried it might and I am making it through day after day. I still dread it and hate it and blah blah but I do it and I am always grateful and proud of myself for doing it. So, there we go with that.

And here’s another shot of me with some clothes. These are the tights with a black shirt and some boots. It just shows me that I did lose weight and am getting thinner. One step at a time.

and here’s this week’s card:

Healthy for Life is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

April 15, 2011 | Health, Healthy for Life | 4 comments

Still Sketching

About a week ago I discovered Andrea Joseph who blew my mind. She’s absolutely amazing and she inspired me to sketch. And right before that I had watched this amazing video and I had already decided to sketch daily after that. So when I found Andrea, that was it. I just started to sit and do it.

I did this ball using the tutorials here.

then I made a bottle.

the buttons were inspired by this.

and the pens are also inspired by her:

I did one while waiting for David’s bus and then added another later.

and then I tried the shoes.

I made one yesterday and one today.

Going slowly. Just trying to give it 30mins a day and see if I can progress. I love being inspired.

April 14, 2011 | Art, SG, Sketching | Leave a comment

Daily Diary – April 14 2011

Wow are we really almost halfway through April? This month is flying by.

Little boy decided to wake up early today so I woke up disoriented and tired but then I was delighted to find out that a guess I made at work was right. I exercised and decided to just turn my attitude around for the rest of the day. David was sweet and he seems to be ok thankfully.

He played on the computer some as I worked.

Nathaniel took a nice nap and then was delighted to have some stickers.

Here he is trying to smile at me so I will go away.

I am posting early today cause I am soon leaving for the dentist and then I have a BPC chat and I promised I will spend tonight with my hubby so here we are. Life is good here, I am thankful and I am trying to keep a positive attitude and remember how lucky i am. Hope you’re doing well, too.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am still grateful my son is ok. So so grateful.
2. I am grateful I got a bunch of tasks done so I can feel less stressed.
3. I am grateful for things working out ok at work. I feel proud of myself.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that mommy got me stickers {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I get to play on the computer.
3. I am grateful for mommy and daddy.

April 14, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | One comment

Daily Diary – April 13 2011

Well today was going great….I did my exercise and sketched and went to the jaw doctor and even made a layout. I got work done, Nathaniel took his nap. He woke up at 1:30 and as we walked down the stairs, the phone rang. I picked it up and it was David’s school. He was twirling at lunch they said and got dizzy and hit his head on the metal bench. He’s bleeding from the head. You should come pick him up.

Not words a mom wants to hear. So I rushed over to his school and thankfully he was more ok than I’d imagined. They’d cleaned it off and he was smiling. I took him to the pediatrician and they cleaned it more and decided to put strong bandaids and let it close on its own. There was no need for stitches and they thought there was too much tissue for the dermabond to work.

So we came back home. Nathaniel was mostly oblivious of course.

But he hadn’t eaten in hours and was mostly well behaved at the doctor’s office, especially considering how hungry he must have been.

But we already know how blessed I am when it comes to my kids.

David was brave and sweet the whole time. He held my hand and i told him he could squeeze me as much as he needed. I also tried to explain to him everything that was happening so he understood. He was calm and wonderful.

When we got home, he got to play on the computer.

I tried to take a photo of his deep gash but it’s all covered and thankfully inside his hair.

I am just so glad he’s ok. I worried all the way to school and kept calming myself down. And I was just so grateful he was ok and didn’t injure his head or anything else permanently. Life’s like that, it can change in a second. And I am so so so grateful.

I had some work stress this afternoon but I am trying to keep it in perspective. Then my friends Jim and Dan came and it was fun for all of us to just sit and chat for a while. The kids are sleeping now and David’s doctor even called to check on him (she is so so nice. she’s not even our regular doctor but she was making sure he was ok.) and I will wake him in a few hours to make sure he’s ok. I am just going to sit still for a while tonight and let the gratitude wash all over me.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful my son is ok. So so grateful.
2. I am grateful he didn’t need stitches, I know he was really scared and I am thankful he didn’t have to go through that today.
3. I am grateful for friends coming over, it proved to be a wonderful distraction, just what i needed.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I didn’t need stitches {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I get to read my book in bed.
3. I am grateful mommy’s friends came over.

April 13, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | 6 comments

Catalyst 130 – Miracles Happen – 21 Years Later

Catalyst One Hundred and Thirty is: Tell us about a Favorite/special piece of clothing.

Journaling Reads:
I have saved this pair of jeans for 21 years. They traveled with me from Turkey to Pittsburgh to New York to San Diego and to the Bay Area. People told me to throw them out several times. “You can never fit the jeans you wore at 17.” I heard again and again. But I couldn’t bear to give up. And now that I am finally losing all this weight, I can finally fit into them once again (they don’t close just yet but still.) miracles do happen.

Details:

April 13, 2011 | CGallery, Creative Therapy Catalysts, Layouts, Maya Road, Scrapbooking | 5 comments

A Book a Week – Raising Jake

I heard about Raising Jake from one of the women in my book club. She mentioned she liked it and I wrote it down to check it out.

I am so glad I did. While it wasn’t high literature, I actually really enjoyed it. I liked the parts with the son better than the Dad which made it a bummer for me that the dad was the narrator but, of course, I understand why he was. As the mom of a boy, I found the son exceptionally mature and good. I sure hope my sons grow up to be like that. (Except getting kicked out of school of course.)

It’s a relatively quick read but with some good bits. I’d recommend this book.

April 13, 2011 | Books Read in 2011, Literature | 3 comments

Daily Diary – April 12 2011

I think I’ve finally caught whatever David had last week. I am feeling achy and tired and worn out all over. I also have a sore throat which sucks. Well it shall pass, I spose. It was a nice day here so once we picked up David, I thought it might be nice to take a break and sit outside. I read to David outside.

While the little boy played.

I love the beauty of light. I love light. And I love this boy.

Then we went out to dinner but I was already feeling so achey and tired so we ate quickly and came back home.

The kids are in bed now and I do have a few items on my todo list for tonight but I think I will just return some emails, sketch a tiny bit, write in the art journal and snuggle in bed. I think a good night of sleep might likely heal me. (I can hope can’t i?)

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for another smooth release at work. So far, so good.
2. I am grateful for a delicious dinner with my family. I love sitting with them and enjoying our time together.
3. I am grateful for not having an overwhelming todo list so I can take the time to rest and sleep so I can get better quickly.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I read my book to the whole class {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I worked on my page for art show night for school.
3. I am grateful we went out to dinner.

April 12, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

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