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what i read : april 2015
This month I started letting some things go to get my stress level down (see my last post) and although reading is definitely still part of my life it obviously took a back seat in April. Only one (and a half) books finished! Oh well.

The Magician King by Lev Grossman – this is the second in this modern fantasy series and it was just as good or better than the first. Definitely not your typical middle-of-a-trilogy slump. (5 stars)

The Future of the Mind by Michio Kaku – this nonfiction book about technological advances regarding understanding and manipulating the power of the mind was for book club, and I wasn’t able to finish because I had to return it to the library. What I did read was fascinating (although ethical concerns were somewhat glossed over) and I would love to finish it one day.

Reading challenge:

This year I’m participating in Modern Mrs. Darcy’s reading challenge. I didn’t make any progress on it this month, but here’s where I stand:
- a book you’ve been meaning to read – The Magicians by Lev Grossman (January)
- a book published this year –
- a book in a genre you don’t typically read –
- a book from your childhood –
- a book your mom loves –
- a book that was originally written in a different language –
- a book “everyone” has read but you –
- a book you chose because of the cover –
- a book by a favorite author –
- a book recommended by someone with great taste – Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (February)
- a book you should have read in high school –
- a book that’s currently on the best seller list – The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (March)
May 1, 2015
my de-stressing regimen

It’s in my nature to be productive and to pursue many different interests. I truly enjoy so many different things, am highly goal-driven, and am constantly trying to achieve more, learn more, and be involved in more. For the most part I have felt like I have things balanced and under control.

However, I’m honestly struggling as a mother lately. I don’t blame the kids at all, but my reaction to the tantrums hasn’t been good, and I have less and less patience as we go. It got to the point where I felt like I couldn’t handle it at all, and I was considering going to counseling just so that I could move past the rough spots and enjoy motherhood again.

So far, though, I haven’t had to enter therapy because I am following some advice from my mother-in-law instead: to let some things go. As much as I believe in theory that we go through seasons in life, and this is the season where I’m a working mom with young children who are my priority, my thoughts and actions don’t always align with my values. I have about twenty different hobbies (okay, at least ten) and most of them aren’t kid-friendly. So I try to work on all of them in the extremely limited time that I have alone, and when I’m not working on them they are occupying far too much brain space. Even though I don’t realize I’m doing it, I’m putting pressure on myself to accomplish all these extra things.

For example, my monthly goals. I love making them and planning for them and doing them. But most of them aren’t really necessary. I have low-level stress about achieving them and I worry about trying to fit them in. So then if the kids are giving me trouble that stress is amplified and I lose my patience and get super frustrated because my goals are being thwarted. So I’m dropping them.

I’ve made an attitude change, but also some practical changes regarding my hobbies and lifestyle that have made this possible, and I wanted to go over those here.

Blogging

I’m definitely not giving up on the blog, but I’m changing my approach a bit. There are a few features that I’m keeping: book reports, Meredith lately, and Project Life spreads. On top of that, if I finish some sort of project I will probably post about it, and then I want to do weekly-ish personal updates with photos, like the around here or currently series. And that’s it, unless I have the extra time and inspiration.

Documenting

Memory-keeping projects are important to me but are definitely something I can simplify. Starting now, I’m going to be using the Project Life app for my spreads and then printing the 12×12 layout. I think this will save a ton of time and I can do it on-the-go instead of needing dedicated time alone at home. As for any extra albums, I’m going to finish 2014’s December album (since I’m in the middle of it) and then I’m thinking of just doing photobooks for this year.

Reading

I’m in a book club that meets monthly, so I’m going to start listening to the audiobook for that (and I’m cutting back on the number of podcasts I listen to). That way any reading I do is just for pleasure.

Home Life

David is taking on some extra chores that I normally do. I’m going to simplify my meal planning and cooking; I’m still using frugal real food meal plans, but instead of trying so many new recipes I’m going to rotate our favorites and do one new one every couple weeks or so. For now, I’m not going to worry about extra decluttering or decorating unless it just happens organically.

Miscellaneous

I’m reducing the number of days I’m willing to drive to the medical center to work. Other crafts (such as needlepoint, knitting, and sewing) are just going to happen when I have spare time and really feel in the mood. In general, I’m just going to say no more.

I haven’t been exercising lately, but I feel like that’s one thing that will actually improve my mood if I do more of it. So I’m going to make an effort to start running again 2-3 times per week, right after work. I also want to go on more dates with David.

So that’s my plan, and so far I’d say it’s working. I feel a lot less internal stress and pressure, which in turn increases my patience with the kids.

What are your strategies for when you feel like you can’t handle one area of your life? I’d love to know! Tell me I’m not the only one!

April 29, 2015
meet the forbes kitties

We weren’t really intending to get kittens, but I took the kids to an event at the animal shelter where adoptions were free and one thing led to another and here we are.

I have to say that so far I’m pretty happy about our decision. Having always had dogs, it’s amazing how low-maintenance cats are in comparison. And kittens – oh, they are just SO adorable! The workers at the shelter actually recommended kittens for us (instead of a fully grown cat) because of our young children. Kittens aren’t scared of kids yet, and they can be trained. Plus they are way more tolerant of being picked up and grabbed and squeezed. It makes me happy to think about these little ones growing up together.

We got two because everyone says they are happier having a friend at home, and we told Meredith one is hers and one is Liam’s. Of course, I consider them both mine. ;)

Ziggy is the black one. He is tiny, barely a pound, and he was born with a crooked tail. It literally looks like a zig-zag, at right angles, when you hold it out. Shout out to my brother for coming up with the name. We brought him home first (by two days) and he is super sweet and cuddly. He is more tolerant of being held and easier to be found.

River is a beautiful black and white. He doubles Ziggy in size at two pounds which makes him extra squeezable. He’s a lot more playful so far, but also more likely to run away when you try to pick him up. His name is shortened from RiverRun which is what he was called at the shelter. He technically belongs to Liam, which is appropriate because Liam is also chunky and wild. :)

Both of them follow us from room to room and sleep on our pillows or laps at night. They are already best friends. We are animal lovers and having them around increases my quality of life.

(Look for more of them on Instagram in the future under #forbeskitties.)

April 27, 2015
around here

The biggest news around here is that we adopted two kittens! Ziggy and River joined our family this week and we are pretty darn excited. Ziggy is the black one and is so named because his tail is crooked like a zig-zag. River’s full name is River Run so I’m assuming his former owners were Game of Thrones fans. They are both boys and are making us happy. More on this soon!

Around here Liam went through another two ear infections so we finally took him to the ENT. Currently his ears look pretty good and so far no serious damage has been done by his recurring infections, so we are going to do an antibiotic prophylaxis trial. He’ll get antibiotics daily for a month and if he gets an infection despite that, he’ll need tubes.

Around here I have my December album out so I can add to it little by little. I’ve also joined in on a stitchalong for the My Sweetiepie ABC sampler and am really enjoying getting back to cross stitch after a long break.

Around here Meredith is still sleeping in our bed even though we had two successful nights. Her tantrums are kind of bad at the moment so when we get them back under control we’ll try again. We are still really struggling with age 3 (understatement) and for all of you who keep telling me that it gets better at age 4…if I don’t see immediate improvement this July I’m coming for you. ;) Really though, I am holding onto that hope and counting the days, and hoping I don’t do permanent damage to her psyche in the meantime.

Around here I’ve been kept busy by doctor’s appointments, vet appointments, learning about kitten care, keeping my family fed, intense childcare, and frantically trying to make it through our book club book. I haven’t had much time to work on the blog lately (so posts might be totally random), am a bit behind on Project Life, and have hardly made any progress on my monthly goals.

This weekend I have a family reunion, my nephew’s birthday party, and book club. Around here life is a little too full, and I’m struggling to deal in some areas, so I’m evaluating my priorities and hoping to let some things go.

April 24, 2015
everyday professional feature

I’m excited to be featured today on a new favorite blog of mine, Delaney Paige. She has a recurring feature interviewing professionals about their jobs and creative hobbies. Kind of a perfect fit for me!

You can find me there today chatting about my job as a nurse, career advice, and how I fit personal projects into my life. Take a little time to check out her blog as well; we have so much in common that I bet you’ll love it like I do! Check out the feature here.

April 23, 2015