11 months old...be still my heart

My litttle man is 11 months old today...I can hardly believe so much time has passed. I can hardly believe I'm already planning his first birthday party. He is loving black beans, anything sweet, music, his big sis and as of a few days ago, walking. I look at my two little ones and see my heart outside of my body. I see miracles and am reminded how blessed I am...I am reminded how amazing my God is. My faith is instantly renewed.

I came across this little "letter" of sorts through a blog I read, and it moved me, hit me hard....
the idea of "leaning in"....hmmmm....
http://www.mommycoddle.com/2009/12/a-christmas-letter.html

I was thrilled to get my handmade bag from moop....came today...
pretty package with handwritten note....

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37688267

I LOVE IT! It is more beautifully made than I could have imagined. The color is dark and rich, and just what I wanted. So happy with it. I need to clean out my old bag, and switch over my wallet to this one I purchased from Anthro.... (in taupe)

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=943336&navAction=jump&search=true&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS

Supporting fellow crafters is important to me...and the products they make are so superior to mass-made items.

My amaryllis in full bloom....she bloomed Christmas morning....right on cue!

I put a little birdfeeder outside on our deck, and suddenly our backyard is ALIVE! I could sit all morning and watch the beautiful birds feed. SO MANY! The bluejays love the sunflower seeds. Isn't he handsome?

Cheers to knowing how to build a sustainable fire that allows us to use our woodstove and turn off the heat when it is well below freezing! I'm proud of that accomplishment!

Welcome 2010!

Goodbye 2009, it was a great year!

Here's to walking away from bad habits, guilt, excuses and unnecessary worry....



Cheers to:
> establishing better habits
> eating more whole foods and exercise
> enjoying every moment of my time home
> taking photos and blogging again
> trying new things
> learning how to let things go
> staying organized, one day at a time
> remembering the stories that mean so much
> growing relationships
> being gracious when it's hard to be

A new start is always intimidating and exhilarating at the same time for me....a chance to begin anew while keeping in mind little lessons that have shaped who I am today. I've grown so much this past year in so many areas of my life....so here's to "leaning in" to 2010....bring it on!

11.11.09

I'm excited about getting in on the Holiday Exchange. Check out the badge in my sidebar for details....what a great idea. Veteran's Day today....so we hung out as a family and enjoyed running a few errands.

Big J got a set of bongo drums, and I picked up the last of the things I needed to make my December Daily. I've decided on what I want my Advent Calendar to look like....I'll have to post more as I begin.

Need to post some photos too.

10.15.09

thinking about yesterday...


when I took this photo, this is what I saw, and what I thought about....lately I feel like I am riding that fine line between calmness and chaos....just like the line in the water where the wind has begun to make a ripple...

acorns totally remind me of fall....for this shot I just set my camera on the ground and pulled the trigger...

interesting mix between beautiful color, the greeness of the clover before the frosty weather sets in and the already browned up leaves....summarizes this time of year...

*yesterday, big J and I had this conversation...look ma, it says "carpenter" on that truck in that driveway....the dog in that house must have peed all over the carpet and the "carpenter" must be fixing it.

10.13.09

*cleaned all morning....I often wonder what it would feel like to have everything in its place...what would I do?
*while at the commons, little j fell asleep in my sling, while big j fell asleep in the stroller....nothing like an extra 60 pounds of pushing and hauling to make for a good workout in the brisk fall air
*keep asking myself, do I really need it? is it useful or beautiful? will it improve my quality of life?
*love lululemon's manifesto....scored a mini poster while there today....wish their products were cheaper
*wanting to give myself more me time....need to take better care of myself
*wanting Halloween to be over already....I'm ready for the holidays....so much fun with two
*clean sheets tonight....my favorite
*mandating quiet...no tv/no computer time during the day....what a difference even an hour makes....I miss quiet....it's so nice
*meatballs and spaghetti for dinner....hit the spot
*not looking forward to busy wednesday....
*...."do you suppose", "that's hilarious"...favorite sayings today from big j
*little guy is teething big time.....
*wanting to clear out the garden....
*must photograph the foliage....it will be gone all too soon

10.12.09

because my mind has gotten a bit mushy
and I've become indecisive
and always end up changing my mind
wanting a clean start, starting, then never completing much

wanting to remember things
so here's where the remembering begins...

*firehouse visit, reds, seeing new friends again
*more colds, wondering about his teeth, wishing for a peaceful sleep
*creating memories through family customs and realizing that I can be a catalyst of new things
*figuring out how to have more by having less (stuff that is)
*wishing I could complete more tasks
*knowing that accomplishing even the littlest things makes me feel good
*needing to set some realistic health goals and acting on them