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march goals

Welcome March and the beginning of spring right around the corner. I’ve been pleased with how these categories of goals are working out for me. I think they are definitely helping me make small improvements in my life that might not otherwise get done. Here is what I have planned this month.

Nagging task: organize purse

I don’t even carry that much around in my purse but it’s still very frustrating to rummage around in it. I need a better system, so I think I’m going to try a purse organizing insert.

Purchase: real pajamas

I have really been wanting some actual pajamas that aren’t sweatpants and a t-shirt, and since I’m basically going to sleepaway camp in a few weeks, I figure this is a good time to upgrade.

Style & Beauty: do another closet and makeup purge

I did a closet purge last summer, but now that we’ve been through a couple more seasons I know that I can get rid of even more stuff. And I don’t have a lot of extra makeup, but I could still definitely stand to simplify.

Leisure: take a knitting class

This is happening on Saturday! Implied in this goal is also that I will spend some time practicing afterwards. :)

Memory-keeping: complete Friday and Saturday in Week in the Life album

Really want to get this project done! If I’m ambitious, maybe I can finish the whole thing.

Blogging: optimize two previous posts

There are a few previous posts of mine that I find myself linking to and I want to update them a bit.

I feel good about these goals! Here is how I did in February:

Replace dead light bulbs – done

Purchase iPhone tripod – yep, I bought this one and it’s going to be so helpful.

Find a tinted moisturizer – I’m loving my Tarte, as discussed here.

Take a knitting class – scheduling was out of my hands, but I’m signed up for this Saturday!

Complete Wednesday and Thursday in my Week in the Life album – done and done.

Design blog business cards – designed and ordered.

March 2, 2015
LIGHT : february

Here is this month’s update with my relationship to one little word (light).

spiritual

I feel kind of weird discussing my spiritual “progress” or lack of, since it’s a matter of the heart. I know that my actions matter, but I am not necessarily judged by them. Anyway, in the future I might leave this section off of these monthly updates unless I really have thoughts. For now I just want to note that Scripture memory is harder than it seems, and I still believe it all comes down to prayer (which I am not very good at).

physical

what’s been going well : I am done with long-distance races for now, and I’m pretty happy about it. David and I had a talk about health that was encouraging, and I’m hoping it leads to positive changes for our whole family.

still weighing on me : I’m in a transition phase at the moment; going from training hard for a half marathon to more of a sustainable whole-body fitness routine. I’m still figuring out what that will look like for me, but right now I’m thinking of cardio 3x per week and strength training 3x per week. Not necessarily on the same days. Once I know what’s working for me I’ll devote a post to it.

emotional

what’s been going well : Private journaling has been really helpful with decreasing the noise and chaos I sometimes feel in my mind. Now that I’ve started making nagging tasks monthly goals, I find that it’s kind of addicting to check them off and I’ve already tackled some extra ones. Our schedule has calmed down a ton and I’ve had much more time to rest and be productive.

still weighing on me : Being productive also leads to me becoming inspired to do more and more, so my list of goals becomes longer and longer. I have to struggle to be okay with projects that are in progress. I’m still somewhat stressed about finances in a big picture way, and my work PTO is at an all-time low (as in I have none).

relationships

what’s been going well : David and I had two date nights this month! We’ve also had a bunch of fun family outings. And although it’s very difficult to know how to handle Meredith’s tantrums, we started some new tactics to deal and so far it’s at least helpful to have a plan.

still weighing on me : Having a spirited, strong-willed child means I have a lot of battles in my life. I battle with her over many things, but more importantly with myself. I battle to stay patient. I battle to be compassionate with her 3-year-old struggles. I battle to stay calm and keep the anger at bay. I battle to not feel guilty over how we discipline, why she isn’t compliant, what she eats, the fact that it’s my own daughter who seemingly brings out the worst in me. I hope that she also brings out the best in me, but I don’t know. This phase of parenthood is hard.

creative

what’s been going well : I’m slowly but surely getting caught up on projects! Having a plan and only working on one “extra” thing at a time is very helpful. (Right now it’s my Week in the Life album.) Knitting lessons are happening soon, and I’m pretty excited.

still weighing on me : Just wanting to do all the things at once! But really I’ve been in a good place with this.

In class this month we were prompted to create a vision board. I used to do projects like this back in high school and college! It was pretty fun to cut and paste things again. Here is what it looks like:

I made my board on an 18 x 24 canvas. For the scripted word “light” I got creative. I knew I wanted it on there as a title of sorts, but I don’t have a machine to do cut files. So I just printed the word out (font is Blackjack), cut it with precision scissors, traced it (mirror-image style) onto white cardstock, then cut again.

This was the only prompt in the class for February, so the album updates were minimal. I took a photo of the canvas and had it printed 8×10 to put it inside.

Then on the back I printed out this perfect word art that Ali Edwards shared on her site.

I just added a simple cork star.

Then there is this mini page which I am using to hold monthly reflection cards. I will add to this as the months go on and I may move these pages around.

That’s it for now! This is one of my favorite projects in a long time. :)

February 27, 2015
updates to my natural beauty routine

Last year I wrote a long post about all the natural personal care products that I use. Recently I’ve made a few changes and wanted to share those with you. I still stand by all the products in my original post, and if a change is not mentioned, I still use them.

Face

The only change I’ve made to my facial care is that I’m now using handmade body butter as a moisturizer at night, and in the morning too if I feel extra dry (which is often, during the winter). I also started using a tinted moisturizer during the day, but I consider it more of a makeup item.

Makeup

My skin has been too dry recently to use powder foundation; all my little wrinkles were standing out clearly. I switched to Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer with spf, which has a light coverage but it gives me just what I need. On top of that I still use a little powdered sunscreen to take away the shine and set it in place.

Right now I’m using bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara. I think it’s just as good as Tarte Lights Camera Lashes (what I’d been using before) and it’s cheaper.

I also added a brow pencil, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, to the mix. I’m in love! My eyebrows have been thinning as I get older and this looks so natural but really defines my face.

Miscellaneous

I started using Everyone Lotion for my body (apart from face). It’s perfect.

I carry around Honest Company lip balms. Still love Lanolin but these are easier. :)

Two things I’d like to try:

1. A physical facial exfoliator, like a Clarisonic Mia, or maybe this cheaper version by Olay. Anyone have either of these? I wonder why there is such a price difference?

2. Lipstick! I’ve never worn it, but I think it might be fun for church and outings.

Anyone use any of these products? Anything else I should check out?

February 25, 2015
taking time for yourself

I have alone time on the brain this morning because I have a day off work, during which I planned to get lots done on my projects that I can’t do with the kids around, but Liam has perfectly timed his second round of pinkeye to coincide so instead I’m on motherhood duty again.

Recently David and I both took a personality test and we had a date to discuss the results. It was fun! One of the aspects of personality it measured was introversion/extroversion. This has to do with what energizes you – alone time, or being with other people. Unsurprisingly, I scored high on the introversion scale. (Yet my personality type – ISFJ – is usually very social, which explains why I love to connect with others so much.)

I’m very tempted to feel guilty by my need for alone time: if I love my husband and my kids, shouldn’t I want to spend the most time with them possible? Especially since I work and our time is already limited?

But it was a mind-blowing discovery for me in recent years when I realized that, being an introvert, I really need time to myself to recharge. It’s an act of self-care. And I’m not going to be a very good version of myself for my family if I don’t get it.

Unfortunately, that time is extremely hard to come by as a mom, as most of you probably know – whether you work or not. I think back to before I had kids and I wonder: what did I DO with myself? Why didn’t I get so much more done? Why didn’t I do all the things??

Have you heard the saying that no one is going to GIVE you time to yourself, so you have to take it? That sounds kind of aggressive, but I think it’s mostly true (except sometimes my husband or my parents or in-laws intuitively know when I need a break and help me out).

David is an extrovert, and in addition one of his top love languages is quality time. So it doesn’t naturally occur to him that I might want alone time, and that’s why communication is so important. I think he is finally starting to understand, although he still can’t relate and has had to learn not to take it personally. But he has been supportive all along, and every weekend he tries to give me a large chunk of time alone. During this time he usually takes the kids on an adventure – something fun or just running errands. (Don’t ask me about naptime; it’s a sore subject.)

I don’t get alone time much at all during the week the way our schedule goes (mostly because I go to sleep at the same time as the kids – maybe one day that will change), so this break on the weekends is critical for my sanity. I notice that when I don’t get it – like when David is sick, or we have too many commitments scheduled – I start to get irritable and depressed.

Liam basically a toddler now, but what about when you have a little baby? Do you think it’s possible to have restorative “me” time WITH your baby? I think yes, to a point. You can’t do every solo activity you might want to with the baby around, and you don’t get the mental break of freedom from caring for others, and you might not get a break from all the touching. But until the baby is mobile, I feel like I can go a lot longer without having complete alone time. (Now, if it’s just me and Liam, constant vigilance is required and it’s not relaxing at all.)

What are your thoughts on alone time? How do you fit it in? What activities do you do when you do get time to yourself, and what about when you’re with your baby? I’d love to hear also from moms who are extroverts – do you still feel like you need breaks like this?

February 23, 2015
link roundup / 24

My planner and my favorite pen.

>I love this new series of inspiring items.

>I never have time to watch TV but I’m addicted to reading recaps of The Bachelor by Ashley (hilarious) and Sharleen (former contestant, very insightful).

>Some of my new favorite lifestyle/crafty blogs: Green Fingerprint, The Lovely Laura Life, Azzari Jarrett, Lily and Twig.

>This post on blogging by my friend and founder of Texas Style Council hit home in so many ways.

>I’m inspired by these journaling cards. They add so much interest while still being simple.

>I love this easy quilt by my friend Becca. I should have started with one like this instead of the one I did!

>Purse organization is one of the nagging tasks I want to tackle this year!

>Some of the best thoughts I’ve read about the advice, “Enjoy this time” that is all too frequently given to mothers with young children.

February 20, 2015