I read and love Karen’s blog so I knew that The Beauty of Different would make it to my Christmas list. It was actually the number one item on my list. And I bought it as a gift for one of my sisters-in-law. I wasn’t sure what to except and I didn’t fully understand what the book was about to be honest. But I knew I liked the way Karen writes and her photos and I was going to like her book.
It was wrong.
I loved it.
I was not prepared for how much I loved this book. How amazing I think it is. It is above and beyond anything I expected. It’s thought provoking, inspring, emotional, and all around wonderful. I am so very glad I asked for it and I am so very glad I actually took the time to sit and read it.
And I will be reading it again and again.
I am a little less grouchy this morning but I will admit that it’s not by much. I am working on it though and getting closer to faking it till I make it. In the meantime I am operating on doing the absolute essentials which includes exercise, a lot of work and that’s about it. I took a photo of Nathaniel lining up his cars.
And a smile from David.
And I love this one cause it shows how Nathaniel always likes to play by David. He often plays in the chair right behind him. He likes the proximity. I am like that, too so I totally get it.
Tonight I am hoping to move forward a bit. I think getting some things done will help my mood. I will put some serious time into my classroom, write some posts, maybe even scrap a page. And there’s TV to watch with my hubby. I will also go to bed early so I can get some rest. I have noticed that it makes a considerable difference when I am well rested vs not.
I’m sorry I haven’t had a lot of pithy things to say lately. I am sure things will snap back to normal soon. They always do. Whatever “normal” means.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that the release was blessed and already out the door. I am hoping there’s some good news coming with this one.
2. I am grateful for a nice chat with my mom today. She’s been sick and I hope she gets well soon! It was wonderful to get to chat with her and have Nathaniel chat with her today.
3. I am grateful for some extra special Nathaniel time today. He came and sat next to me and we read his Thomas books together. It was such a joy.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had computer workstation at school today {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with Julian during lunch
3. I am grateful that i get to sit with Daddy before bed
Just when I thought Soul Restoration was over, they gave us a bonus lesson. So, of course, I had to sit and do it. As I knew, this is all continual work. I need to make it my focus each and every single day. Like with everything else, what I don’t pay attention wilts. I know this page is not really even worthy to call an art journal page but alas this is what I did so here it is. Sorry that it’s not so great visually or so super artistic. But, alas, here’s what I promised to do each day on this very simple page.
1. I will take quiet time each day: I find this restores my soul like no other. Time to rest my brain, my soul, my body and my heart.
2. I will get things done: I’ve written about this often. Getting things done is magical for me. It’s what makes me, me and I feel most at home with myself when I am getting things done.
3. I will spend time with my boys: All three of the men in my life are magical. They make me feel special. They bring me joy and happiness and fill me with gratitude. I will focus on them. I will not neglect them. They are truly my biggest priority.
4. I will take the time to journal: Journaling helps me stay centered. It helps me not only pinpoint issues but also find solutions. It works. Again and again. I will prioritize it. Every single day.
5. I will practice gratitude: I’ve already written oodles about it. Gratitude works. More than just about anything else. It keeps you aware of the good in your life. It’s a very important perspective.
6. I will take the time to exercise: I will value my health, my body, and show myself that I can do this. I can reach whatever goal I want. Even the ones that seem challenging and unreachable. Like exercise.
7. I will take photos of my family: photos help me be more in the moment. To focus, to pay attention. To look more carefully. To capture. To preserve. To live and re-live and appreciate and I am deeply grateful for them.
8. I will take the time to do art: Art makes me happy. It fulfills me in a way most other things don’t. I feel texture, color, pattern. I get messy. I am out of my element. I am using a different part of my brain than I do in the rest of my life. It feeds my soul. I am aiming to do a bit each day. Even if a tiny bit.
9. I will take the time to read: Reading, too, makes me happy. It takes me to worlds that I don’t otherwise get to inhabit. It helps my imagination. It calms me. It slows me down. It makes me feel at peace. It is probably the most peaceful thing I do. And peace is good.
These are the things that bring me peace. I want to feed the peace. The joy. The gratitude. The awareness. Taking time to do these is not selfish. It makes me a better person for me, for my family, for my friends. It makes me better at my job. It makes me better in life. It is worth taking the time each day to do them. And it’s daily work to keep the soul fed Just like my body. I feed my body with food. I feed my brain with work. I feed my heart with my husband and kids and family and friends. And I feed my soul with these.
They are just as essential as food.
Several people have asked me about Soul Restoration, I have a post coming up to talk about the class and my thoughts.
Weekly Art Journal is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.
I tried to get some photos of the little boy but he would not accomodate me.
Nor would the big boy.
But then I caught a few good ones of Nathaniel while David played.
I especially like this one.
Nothing amazing going on here. I am exercising, volunteering in David’s class, working, and trying to keep things afloat here. I am not sketching or even doing my art journal really. I am moody. I am grouchy. I have no reason to be. Yet I am. Can’t seem to snap out of it. But you know what? Tomorrow is another day. Things have been quiet here lately too. I hope you’re all ok.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got a bunch of happy mail this week.
2. I am grateful for a quick shopping trip to Anthropologie.
3. I am grateful that even though I dropped it on the ground, my phone did not break!
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I made a chart of people who like to play games {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with Julian during lunch
3. I am grateful that i got play time on the phone
I had the honor of being the December 2010 Guest designer for October Afternoon. This is one of the layouts I made for them.
Journaling Reads:
One of my biggest regrets as an adult is that I never learned how to ride a bike when I was a kid. I tried a few times in my twenties and even in my thirties but it’s much harder when you’re older. So I am adamant that Daddy teach you how to ride a bike so that you will not end up like me and enjoy many years of bike riding like all kids. I love you my wonderful David.
Details:
Sunday meant another family shot day. I love the way Nathaniel is looking at David here.
Today’s session deteriorated quickly and it was tickle time.
I love how everyone’s laughing and happy and lost in the moment.
Before the photos, I exercised, read to David and did some art. Jake went to a Cory Booker event. He came home, we took photos, and then today’s family time was a special one where David and Daddy got to play Wii so they did that early since we’re going out tonight. And Nathaniel played with his stickers.
And then his legos while I just sort of lay on the couch thinking about reading my book but not actually reading it.
And in case you were wondering, David had a blast.
Now it’s the end of the weekend already and mine was super-unproductive. But I did the exercise. I read to my kid. I sketched a bit and did art a bit. So I am calling it a success. Especially after how hard the week was. I needed rest and I got it. Now it’s time to put the kids down and go to the movies. I am thankful.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I am still going with the exercise. I still dread it but I do it.
2. I am grateful for a quiet weekend and big, huge hugs from the kids.
3. I am grateful for my big boy. He’s so kind and so funny and such a good soul.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got to play wii with daddy {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got a new game on the phone
3. I am grateful that i did workbooks with mommy
David says:
I gave this story five stars because I like that they all became friends and that they want to visit Chester in Connecticut. And I liked that he was famous and there was a crowd listening to him.
I really liked Tucker because he gave his life savings to Chester so he could pay back Mario. I liked Harry because he tried to put out the fire. I like Chester’s story of how he came to New York City. I like that Mario found a house and some food for Chester and he adopted him as his pet. I like that the Chinese man gave Mario a fortune cookie and that he gave him the bell for Chester.
I like that Chester played songs that Mama Bellini liked so he could make her feel happy. I like that Mr. Smedley wrote a letter to the paper so everyone else could find out about Chester. I also liked the ending because even though Chester leaving was sad, he would be happy there and his friends were going to visit him soon.
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.
I had very few things on my todo list today. And as is typical with such days, I got none of it done! I did my exercise, read to David, sketched, and began a mixed media piece but I am not even feeling like finishing it. Oh and we took family shot, too, of course. Right as I was setting up, David said “Mommy take a picture of us.” So I did.
Then he wanted Nathaniel on his lap so Daddy helped him with that.
And when it was time for me to sit, he took them both on his lap so David could continue to have Nathaniel on his lap.
I love Nathaniel’s sneaky happy face here. He’s got the remote and he’s enjoying it.
All of us are fascinated by the remote clicker.
After photos, Jake went to his office, I went to exercise and David was playing Wii. Halfway through, he decided he’d rather play on the phone instead.
When I tried to snap one more photo, I was met with this stare. So I stopped.
Tonight I feel up to doing nothing. Maybe it’s a sign I need to rest. Some days are like this. I am hoping this is a sign tomorrow will be considerably more productive.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that even though I didn’t finish much this weekend so far, I am not behind in anything so I don’t really need to stress.
2. I am grateful Jake went grocery shopping. I love having fresh fruit at home.
3. I am grateful for a relaxing day with my boys. I love love love my boys.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got to a new level in my game {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I had some apple juice
3. I am grateful that i get to stay up tonight
jake
Jake was the reason I was able to function this week. Not only did he take care of this children for three consecutive days but both Tuesday and Thursday, he woke up at 3am, went to work and then came back home at 10am so that I could then go to work. I didn’t even make it back home until around 6pm on each of the days. And as opposed to my daily crazy, he was calm and happy when I got home. He’s my hero.
karen
I had a long long long week but it was also super productive. I worked really hard all week but especially on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I woke up did my work at home and then went to work for the whole day. I worked, worked, worked. On Wednesday, I had the privilege of meeting and escorting Brene Brown which was incredible and I am so thankful. On Thursday night, I had a BPC chat and on Friday we had one hour when Nathaniel had a friend over. Other than those, I pretty much worked the entire week.
david
David had a good week at school. He’s been playing with his friend Julian most days now and comes home happy from school. He loves music and p.e. and I think he’s gotten more and more used to being there. He still claims not to like it when he hears that he has to go to bed because it’s a school day but I do think he is really enjoying himself. And I am very grateful for that.
nathaniel
Nathaniel is learning more words and now he says “done” and he is paying more attention to every single thing. He’s so happy lately. When I go to get him from his nap, he’s smiling a big, wide smile. When he picks up his plastic phone, he makes the song play so he can dance in circles. He’s also been watching the iPod and eating green beans and graham crackers with cream cheese. Anything with cream cheese to be honest. And he’s also learning to share since we now have weekly playdates over here on Fridays. My big boy.
Us Right Now is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.
Work is still going heavy and strong. But thankfully I was home today and it was considerably less stress and more comfortable. I did my exercise and even managed to read to David this afternoon. Everything else is at a standstill. I will catch up on them this weekend.
The house was a huge mess so here are the kids, cleaning up.
And then eating. My sweet boy.
Most days, they are so great about listening to me. I am so blessed and lucky. (ok, I am lucky even when they don’t listen but it doesn’t always feel like it!)
Tonight I plan to relax. I have some more work this weekend so I will take it easy. Relax, go on a date night with Jake, do some art journal (which has been sorely neglected) and watch some of the movies for the two classes I’m in. And then this weekend more art, some sketching, lots of hug time. Bring it on!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I am learning and growing and trying. It’s uncomfortable but also exhilarating.
2. I am grateful for date night. Movies. I love the movies.
3. I am grateful for the weekend. I’ve earned this one even more than usual!
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I get to play wii tomorrow{* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with Julian at school
3. I am grateful that i get to play wii with daddy for game night on Sunday!
And another two pounds. It feels good to see some progress finally. Even if I know that the Wii numbers are not reliable. Considering the loss from last week, I am inclined to believe that I have managed to lose some weight in the last two weeks.
Increasing to 2.9 miles was really hard during the first few days of March but it’s getting better. I am still really really tired and worn out when I finish but I can do it without feeling like I might fall over. Which is a good sign. And I am still going, 160 consecutive workouts as of last night. Not too shabby..
I’d like to say this is how I’m eating but this photo is over a year old. Since I was at work three days this week, I ate healthy, cooked food for lunch on all those days and didn’t snack at all because I was too busy running around and working.I also walked a lot more steps than usual. And drank less coffee. But in general, I have been doing well with vegetables and fruits. Though I am still drinking 2-3 coffees a day and eating a bunch of graham crackers. Well, at least I am trying to be good most days. Onward and upward.
and here’s this week’s card:
Healthy for Life is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.
I did this layout for Pink Paislee blog for today. My focus was tools. I, of course, used punches. Edge ones, deep edge ones, and shaped ones. I also used copic markers to color both “love” and “read” in my title.
I can never scrap enough about my kids reading.
Journaling Reads:
Reading has always been my favorite thing to do. Other hobbies might come and go but I never stopped loving to read in all these years. So one of my favorite things to do is to pass this love on to the two of you. I just taught David to read this past summer and he’s already at level two. Just watching him read makes Nathaniel interested, too. And seeing your love for books makes me deeply happy. It is, by far, one of the greatest gifts I can ever give to you. So I will make every effort to support your growing interest in books. I love you.
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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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