Taking photos every day is inconsistent. Some days life is too busy for any photos, other days we get too many. Today’s one of those too many photos kind of days. We started with the family shoot. Which always starts smoothly.
Then Nathaniel starts wiggling like you’re choking him.
Then the tickling begins.
Daddy sneaking in a kiss while the boys are doubling over from laughter.
More shrieking and more laughter.
And Nathaniel is about to fly out of my lap.
David actually did fly of Daddy’s lap and smacked right on the floor. Then there was the grabbing of the clicker because both David and Nathaniel covet it. So there you go, it’s amazing we get any decent shots amidst the chaos.
After the shoot, I exercised, read to David and we put Nathaniel down after he and Jake went to get David’s cake. While he napped, David played with his legos.
I should correct that to say while he did not nap because Nathaniel didn’t actually take his nap today. He lay there, wide awake. So I finally gave up and he played quietly in the living room until it was time to go.
David played quietly too. So I rested and read a bit.
Then it was time to go to the gym for David’s birthday party. He had been there last year, too so he knew exactly what to expect.
And made sure to make the most of every moment.
Nathaniel ate some snacks and watched quietly.
Amazingly this was the only cake photo I was able to snap before David blew out all the candles and got down to eating. This year, I didn’t get any good “David and cake” photos at all. Oh well, some years are like that.
After the party, we came home and both of the kids were excited to open David’s presents.
Dinner, bath time, some playing and it was the end of our long and eventful day. Another day to add to the list of gratitude and blissful moments to hold on to forever. I love you so much, my son, happy happy birthday.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we were able to have a small but wonderful party for our boy and that he truly enjoyed it very much.
2. I am grateful that I got a lot more rest than I’d anticipated today so it all went more smoothly than I thought it might.
3. I am grateful that I get to do some art and have some quiet time tonight. I love having it every day but especially on days like this when there’s been a bunch of noise (no matter how wonderful) in my day.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had my birthday party {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful for my new legos
3. I am grateful for mommy and daddy
David says:
I gave this story three stars because it was a sad book because the witch was turning people into stone and she tried to kill Aslan.
I loved Aslan because he was nice and the saved all the people who were made into stone. He sacrificed himself for Edmund and then he died and then didn’t die because he came back. I like Santa because he gave them presents. I like Peter because he had a sword and he was brave and killed the monster. I like Edmund because he killed the witch in the end. And I like that they became kings and queens.
I didn’t like the witch because she turns people into stone and she tricked Edmund and was going to kill him. I also didn’t like the dwarf because he handcuffed Edmund.
But I liked that it was a happy ending!
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 started the day with eating my frog which meant that the rest of the day was going to be great and then I exercised and then it was time for the Big Picture class chat. I am loving the energy in that class, btw and it was a wonderful chat!! Then I worked on my Soul Restoration work and did a lot of my homework. A ton of journaling which centered me and made me feel so much better. Right before the exercise was, of course, family shots.
Which were exceptionally challenging this time.
Then it was time to take David to a birthday party. It was closeby so we took a nice stroll to it but then when we got there, he got really really upset and scared of the Jedi who was the entertainment at the party. He immediately cried and refused so after ten minutes, we just walked back home. It was a really beautiful day so I just enjoyed the walk and tried to be happy to be with my child. Then it was time to go to our appointment and by the time we came back, the light was all gone. So I snapped one of the little boy.
And then asked his dad to hold him so I could snap another.
I wanted one of the big boy, too, but he had a bloody nose. He’s been picking it too much!!!
Tonight is the art part of the Soul Restoration homework, a bunch of comments in my class, some art journaling and if i am lucky maybe my portrait. Tomorrow is a hectic day so I will need some solid sleep, as well.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I journaled today. I love the feeling it gives me. I need to make it a priority.
2. I am grateful that I did my big frog work for the weekend. I feel so much better when that “dreaded” task is done.
3. I am grateful that I get to do some art tonight. I love love love getting to do art.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we started a new book {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful tomorrow’s my party
3. I am grateful for mommy
jake
Jake had a long week this week. A lot of early mornings coupled with afternoon meetings. But the week is over and next week promises to be quieter for him. He’s been happy and excited and optimistic for most of the week and it always makes me happy to see him so happy. His positive attitude is always contagious.
karen
I feel like I’ve had a relatively long and unproductive week. This week went faster than I would have wished and there wasn’t enough downtime during the weekend to catch up on the balls I dropped during the week. And next week looks even more stressful with two trips to David’s school, a playdate, a visit to another school, and a day with no school. And then there’s class chat, etc. Not to mention work which promises to be hectic and stressful. But, of course, it will all turn out ok and I have lots of faith. I am always grateful.
david
David turned six this week. Six years old. I cannot believe it. He’s been so wonderful, too. He was excited to be center of attention at school and have us come and read. He was excited to get a lego set he loves and he’s really excited about his party tomorrow. He’s been happy and thankful and appreciative and not one bit spoiled about anything. I am so thankful for his kind heart and thankful attitude. I hope it continues through the years. I also hope his party goes well and he has a really good time.
nathaniel
I introduced Nathaniel to David’s ipod this week so he could watch Thomas while I watched my own TV or turned off the big TV altogether. He’s quickly learned where the lock button is and can turn it off just fine. He has yet to master anything else though so he always takes it off Thomas and then cries to get it back. He does love having it with him though and I love not having to deal with the choices the Google TV version gave him and all the frustrations that came with him changing his mind every five seconds.
and here’s the card version:
Us Right Now is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.
Today started hectic as I had a webinar early in the morning and then exercised and then did a layout and then it was time for work. It wasn’t until after I picked up and drove David to the doctor that I realized I hadn’t taken any photos. So I tried to snap some.
Little boy was eating his veggies.
Which he likes considerably more than the big boy.
But the big boy is better at smiling on cue.
Then we finished our book which took way too long to read and the kids played with their daddy while I relaxed. I have a lot of back pain lately so I feel wiped at the end of the day. And I still have a few important errands to finish tonight so I can’t just lie on the couch like I wish I could. I also have the art journaling, portrait, and Soul Restoration homework to do. Alas, all wonderful things to spend my time on so it could be much worse.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it’s the weekend. I really really need the rest.
2. I am grateful that I finished all my scrappy homework for this week so the weekend will all be art and no major deadlines.
3. I am grateful that while I have a long long list for this weekend, it’s all things I want to do and things I am grateful to get to do.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we finished our book {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I get to play wii tomorrow
3. I am grateful for mommy
We are almost halfway through February and I must admit that the 2.7 is getting more bearable. I cannot imagine 2.8 at all and 2.7 is still something that requires a lot of my personal motivation to get to but I can do it and I am not weeping like I was the first few days of the month. I know that’s how it’s supposed to work, but it’s still nice to see.
I’m still hungrier than usual and sneaking a bit more than I should which is why I think I’ve lost so little in the last few weeks. I’ve even had to weigh myself a few times to see a loss and not gain. Cheating? Maybe but I only note it if it does show a loss. And long term it all equals out anyway. I need to stop sneaking and eat better and more.
According to the fitbit, I am moving more which is good. Most days, I reach 9,000 or more steps now. And I am happy about that. I am trying to take the longer way, park far, and not be too lazy to go upstairs, etc. So that I can use the excuses to move more. The TMJ doctor helped me with my tailbone a bunch this week too so it’s feeling better and that makes a tangible difference. So all in all, progress is being made. However slow and small. Progress is progress.
and here’s this week’s card:
Healthy for Life is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.
This is another Pink Paislee layout I made for CHA. It uses the Butterfly Garden line.
Journaling Reads:
My wonderful sister, I cannot believe how long it took for all of us to get back together again. I am so thankful that I took this trip to NYC so I could finally see your amazing family again. Those two days were some of the best in my life. Next time we will do it much much sooner.
Nathaniel’s getting better and better at rummaging through stuff and expressing himself. I love this in general but it’s hard on some of the longer, tiring days.
I wanted to get some nice shots of David but he wouldn’t let me.
And then he gave me that sneaky smile. The one I love.
Nathaniel wasn’t happy I got between him and Thomas.
And got wildly dramatic so I just walked away and let him have it.
I have really strong allergies (or a cold) so I’ve had nonstop headache for two days in a row now. It’s no fun. What is fun though is that my class started and it’s wonderful! I love love love it.
Tonight’s plan is book club! So I need to get my stuff together quickly so that I can go and come back and go right to bed. I need all the sleep I can get lately since I am not all that well.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that my class is finally open. I’ve been waiting for it for so long.
2. I am grateful that it’s one more day and I get to rest some. Even though the weekend is a bit more hectic than usual, I love the rest.
3. I am grateful that we have book club tonight. I am dreading it a bit at the moment but I know I will love it when I go.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that in two days I have my birthday party {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I made a chain of hearts in art class
3. I am grateful that i got creature power at school (dragon fly).
So I’ve been carrying these thoughts around for weeks now. Some of them for months and I originally wanted to make a post for each but I’ve quickly realized that it will never happen. I will postpone it forever. So ,instead, I’ve decided to write paragraphs for each and clump them together. This might be one post or if it’s too long two, three posts. I will just write until I have nothing more to say or I am tired. I hope this doesn’t annoy you. They are not in any order at all.
1. Your Words Come True. Henry Ford said, “If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.” I think this statement is very pithy. It shows the power of your thoughts. Regardless of facts, your thoughts play a big part in the outcome of your actions. I firmly believe this holds true of your words, too. If you say you can’t do something, you likely cannot. But the power of words go even further because since they are often outwardly expressed, they end up affecting others around us as well and they start to believe what you say. If you say “I’m fat” enough times, people around you start seeing you as fat. If you tell someone you’re dumb, they stop thinking otherwise. I promise you, it works consistently. The number of times you need say it out loud might differ but words are powerful. They convince people eventually. So it’s better to say things that are empowering instead of defeating. Even if you don’t think you can do it, you can say “I can try.” or “I can give it my best.” That’s what I do with the exercise. I tell myself that I will give it all I have. That I can do it. I don’t always believe it, but I say it anyway. So this is for you, and for me, to remember that words have power. What you say comes true. It’s a way of calling things to yourself. So why not call the best?
2. Being Busy is not Always Bad. I always favor a long todo list. I like being busy and I like doing doing doing. For a while, I worried that this was my way of avoiding some deep issue. That I wasn’t ok to stand still and I would break down if I did. Or something. I am not sure what but it had me worried. And then I had a bunch of time off so I slowed down. A lot. I realized that not having much to do or not doing much didn’t cause me to breakdown. It caused me to be lazy. I sat on the couch and moved very little. I read. I wrote. I watched TV. But overall, I felt sad. Empty. Like I didn’t really have a purpose. I like having purposes. I like a schedule and todo lists. I like deadlines. I like getting things done. Not because I am running away from something but because I love the feeling of accomplishment. Even finishing a tiny task makes me happy. Rearranging my table. Finishing a layout. Whatever it might be. So I decided to stop worrying and feeling bad about who I am and what I do. I can sit still and read for hours and it’s great, but being busy is not bad. It’s who I am and I’m all about embracing who I am these days. So there we go.
3. I am not Fun.Here’s another one I’ve clung on to for years and years. I am not what you’d typically consider to be a fun person. I don’t dance, drink, do drugs, or go out partying. I talk a lot. (A lot!!) but I am much more of a 1-1 person. I prefer deep, authentic conversations. For the longest time, I felt bad about not being fun. When I saw people with lots of friends partying or having fun, I felt envious. But then I forced myself to think of what I am. I am authentic, reliable, loyal, kind, patient, and loving. Helpful. Genuine. I will do anything for the person I love. I read a lot and have a wide range of interests so I can talk about most subjects and have a wide variety of friends. So I don’t drink with them or go dancing. But I am me. And I am here. I think it’s time I made peace with that instead of desperately wishing I was everything I am not. Being consistent, dependable and loyal is nothing to sneeze at in a friendship. Right? They will just have to go drinking with someone else.
4. Sarcasm. I am so so done with sarcasm. I never got it. I think it’s a way to be mean without getting in trouble. It sounds mean, bitter and sometimes even nasty. What’s the point? I think it’s completely overrated. I’d rather have a kind, genuine friend who’s happy. Any day of the week. So if your thing is being sarcastic, I am letting you know now, that I am not going to respond to it. I will not feed it. I refuse to be a part of it. I think it’s destructive. And mean. There, I said it.
More coming next week.
And here are the drawings for this week.
I am still working out the details on how to do each facial part.
Especially the nose. I struggle with the nose.
I am still enjoying these quite a bit. But I am also struggling. Just trying to take it one day at a time and focus on drawing the faces.
Six Portraits a Week is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.
You know how there are some days that just get away from you and at the end of the day you wonder where it all went? That’s how today is for me. It started really productive and then just disappeared into air. I can’t remember where all the hours went and now I am left with that empty feeling you get when days like this happen. It’s okay. This, too, shall pass.
Here’s a photo of the big boy putting together his birthday present.
and wearing his crown that he made at school on Monday.
And the little one, not looking at me.
But yet looking out the window. Anywhere but the camera.
I learned another lesson in being careful today. My first instinct is to always say yes and to help out anyone in any way I can. So today I found myself in a situation where I said yes to something and then immediately regretted it. I know from past experience that this immediate regret is a sign I should have never agreed. Normally, I’d suck it up because I like to have high integrity and stay true to my word but this particular instance, I backed out. It hasn’t resolved itself yet so I am not sure how it will work out but I can tell you that the minute I sent the email I felt 100% better. Another sign that it was the right thing to do. I hope that the other party does not resent me forever and it resolves itself smoothly but it’s yet another lesson for me that I need to curb the instinct. I need to let things simmer and not respond right away to anything so that I can make sure it feels right and so I never have to go back on my word ever. It’s terrible to disappoint others. Especially for me. And I hope that it will resolve ok. (As I type this, it resolved itself and it was a wonderfully kind and positive outcome. I feel even better for having done what feels right in my gut even if it meant backing out.)
Tonight’s plan is to do a portrait, art journal a bit and then journal a bunch. And rest. I think my soul and heart are a bit broken from today’s experience so I need to let myself rest and heal.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had the courage to back out of a situation that didn’t sit well with me.
2. I am grateful that I made another layout this morning. It’s definitely taking a while to get back into the rhythm but I love telling our stories.
3. I am grateful that I am learning to be gentle with myself, especially on days like this.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I’m six {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that we wrote on different kinds of paper at school today (they’re learning about paper and where it comes from, etc.).
3. I am grateful that i put my lego present together.
Now that CHA is passed, I wanted to share some of my The Girls’ Paperie work I made for the show.
Journaling Reads:
Nathaniel, you’re so very lucky that you have two nephews who save their old toys just for you and send them to you regularly. I didn’t think you’d care for those snuggly toys from Jeff because David never did. But you absolutely adored them. Thank you, Jeff!
All products are from The Girls’ Paperie Vintage Whimsy or Mix and Match lines.
Details:
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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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