Blog

link roundup / 26

I’m off at Texas Style Council, but in the meantime enjoy these links that I just discovered in my drafts. :)

>I haven’t been inspired by a DIY project in awhile, but this acrylic and wood message board looks so awesome! (photo above)

>I agree with everything Anne says in this post about boundaries in the books she reads (i.e. profanity/sex/violence) and I would add that I have the same thoughts in choosing other media like TV and movies as well.

>For as much as I love photos, I hardly have any as part of our home decor. I’m thinking of changing that with something like this.

>Trisha Harrison and the A Beautiful Mess girls are really making me want to try a 9×12 album for Project Life! I think I will switch for next year. I’m so tempted by the ABM subscriptions boxes, too.

>A blind date with a book. How cool is this??

>Thoughts about being a good mom.

March 20, 2015
off to texas style council

Well, it’s finally time for Texas Style Council. You’ve seen me mention it since last year and now I’m really going!

Although I’m extremely excited, I’m also pretty nervous about leaving my kiddos. As a volunteer, I have to be there around 10 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) so my plan is to drop the kids at daycare just like every other day and then make the drive. I will tell Meredith that I won’t see her for a few days, but my hope is that the blow will be softened by the routine of going to school and the excitement of getting to stay at her grandparents’ house. She has been suuuuper attached to me lately so I’m dreading the goodbye.

Liam is another story! Of course he won’t be sad to see me go because he won’t understand, and he is usually pretty good as long as he doesn’t see me, but I am still really unsure of how his sleeping situation will be. He has slept next to me his whole life and he still wakes up to nurse multiple times at night. Of course he doesn’t need to nurse (he doesn’t during the day) but that is how he is soothed. So I hope he isn’t too much trouble at night.

As a full-time working mom who rarely takes vacations, it feels surreal to be leaving. Like, who am I to abandon my responsibilities? I almost don’t feel like myself unless I am living my routine.

At the same time, I am very much looking forward to a break from real life for a few days and to relive my summer camping experiences. I love connecting with people and my goals for this conference are mostly to make new friends and be inspired creatively. Like I’ve said before, I don’t intend to make my blog a business but it is so much fun for me to work on it and tell stories here, so I hope to learn some things as well.

I have some links for you in a couple of days, but other than that I’ll see you back here next week! Have an awesome weekend.

March 18, 2015
week in the life 2014 : friday in the album

You guys I’m so happy about this album update! I think it’s actually my favorite day so far (see the others here). I think because I left room for simple filler cards, and there is a bit of a color scheme. I never use orange in my scrapbooking, but since it was Halloween I went with it.

On this page I actually used a flip page protector. I wanted to include most of the Halloween pictures, but I needed just a little more space to document some quotes and a favorite moment. It worked out great!

I love this last series of photos of Meredith jumping into David’s arms. She slept in her Spider-Man costume also. <3

I’m re-inspired to get this done! I have several more craft projects lined up so…gotta get working!

March 17, 2015
link roundup / 25

>I think I’m going to attempt to make one of these softies (with adorable clothes) for Meredith. She’s just starting to like to “take care of” her baby doll – so I think she’s at a good age for it – and I’d rather get rid of all the stuffed animals she doesn’t play with (aka most of them) and just have a few that are special. This would be. (photo above!)

>Speaking of crafts, did you know it’s national crafts month? Craftsy has a ton of classes on sale to celebrate.

>Slamdunk birthday presents for kids ages 0-8. Definitely bookmarking this one!

>I love Cup of Jo! She’s so cute in this post talking about what to do with gray hairs. I haven’t seen any yet on me but I don’t think I want to let them grow in until I’m older. How about you?

>I love reading Rachel’s journal excerpts.

>This essay encompasses SO MUCH of how I feel as a mother. (The part about her daughter’s tantrum: yes!)

>I’m reading this book for book club. I had never heard of it (or the author) but I’m really enjoying it! I’m also at the end of this audiobook and it has been an amazing journey.

>This weekend I’ve got a mani/pedi scheduled (can. not. wait.), and I need to prepare for Texas Style Council – which is next week! I have all the nerves re: leaving my kids (especially Liam) for 4 days, and a little bit of nerves re: meeting all new people, but mostly excitement.

March 13, 2015
making me happy

Learning to knit. This was my first ever cast-on. It has grown a couple inches since then, but it is also messier. I think I’ve got the knit stitch down, but if I make a mistake (which generally happens when I’m trying to watch the kids at the same time) I have no idea how to fix it. I also don’t know how to carry the yarn yet, so I have to drop the needle every time I wrap it. But I’ll get there.

A new Bible study. There are only a few more of Beth Moore’s that I haven’t done yet! I’ve had my eye on this one for a long time and so far I’m really enjoying it. That is, when I am actually able to DO it – for some reason Liam has been waking up even earlier since the time change. What gives, buddy?

We splurged on a blender – the Ninja professional with single serve. I’ve been making smoothies every morning and it is amazing. I also plan to make a lot of sauces in it, and it can be used as a food processor too.

This week I signed up for and started Frugal Real Food Meal Plans. That’s an affiliate link because I am a BELIEVER. I’m going to write all about our transition to real foods once I get some more experience, but so far this week we have had delicious dinners every night that haven’t taken long to put together and I have a plan and staples bought for the entire rest of the month.

Finally, these kiddos make me happy. They’ve been in pretty good moods all week long and we’ve enjoyed having a little extra light in the evenings to take walks to the park after dinner. Also helpful for getting my Fitbit steps in!

What’s making you happy this week?

March 12, 2015