looking forward

Last weekend, we spent a lot of time in the back yard (we are loving our new hammock), but it looks like this weekend, it's going to be in the 50s again.....SO this weekend, I am looking forward to:

1. Curling up with a new book

2. Making a felt project with Sienna I saw online recently...I'll let you know how it turns out

3. Finishing up my Housewarming Book and taking some photos of it

4. Baking some cupcakes with the kiddos

5. Trying to make a tutu for Sienna....I looked online for a tutorial, so we will see how it turns out???

seriously cute find

OK, just ordered these little reusable snack bags from this etsy seller

How adorable!! I know there are times when only a Ziplock will do the trick, but I think these will work perfectly for snacks on the go......and it makes me feel a little better knowing that I won't be throwing away quite so many PLASTIC ziplock bags :)

in-between

I am feeling quite "in-between" lately.......we have unofficially moved into our new office, meaning, we are in the process of moving in our furniture and "setting up shop," but there is still MUCH work to be done. In the meantime, I am slowly trying to figure out this new schedule of mine......learning how to be a part-time working mom :) So far, this has involved:

* a few new "work" shirts from Target

* lots of guilt over going back to work

* organizing files that have been sitting dormant for 3 years

* lots of anxiety over getting back into a field that I have been away from for so long

* feeling proud of myself for successfully setting up my wireless printer

* lots of trips to Office Max, Office Depot, etc....

This is a new chapter in my life, and I am trying very hard to be in the moment, to allow myself to feel excited and nervous and guilty and any other feelings that may come up without judgment!! Here's to new beginnings.......

happy st. patty's day

1. Remembered to wear green today and had fun explaining to Sienna why we wear green on St. Patty's Day

2. Looking forward to spending time with friends tonight....eating pizza, letting the kids run around and maybe even drinking some green beer :)

3. Inspired by:

* My friend's recent list on where she gets some of her daughter's adorable stuff

* Everything they are doing over here

* Heidi Swapp.......I know my husband gets so tired of hearing "Heidi Swapp did this," and "Heidi Swapp did that." I read her blog every single day and I am completely in awe of what she accomplishes in  a 24 hour period!! I try to just let myself be inspired by her and not let her accomplishments begin to make me feel inadequate........she is a dedicated mother and wife, has wonderful friendships, an extremely strong faith, an unbelievable work ethic and yet she still manages to be fun, uplifting, energetic and so very positive. This woman moved her entire family (of 7) to China 18 months ago, and the accounts of her experiences have been nothing but positive....tales of adventure and learning and personal growth. I know it seems silly, because I have only met her briefly one time, yet I count her as one of my biggest inspirations....a woman that I look up to with great respect.

Hope everyone has a "GREEN" day!!!

I had a tough weekend...visiting my aunt in Waco who is very ill. It was an intense reminder to me of how short life truly is, how important family is and how we should never take our health for granted....ever!! When we are faced with situations like this, I have determined that we can either crawl up in a corner somewhere and bury our heads, or we can cry for awhile, send prayers up to the Lord and then look for the lesson....it's what I call the "take-away." So I ask myself, "What is this situation in my life here to teach me?" or "What can I learn from this?"

I have been praying a lot the last few days and thinking about what I can take away from this weekend and here are just a few of my thoughts:

1. I simply MUST get more serious about my health.....I need to put regular exercise back on the to-do list, drink more water, eat more vegetables (actually, adding any vegetables to my diet would be an improvement) and begin to cook more healthful meals for my family

2. Happiness is a choice that we make every single minute of every day.....I know this, but I need to remind myself that negativity is an easy trap to fall into and it doesn't help ANYONE

3. Being in nature is soothing to me, my husband and my children.....GET OUTSIDE MORE

4. The love that I feel I am not receiving, is really the love I am not giving.....I don't remember where I heard this quote, but I LOVE it and when I am feeling wronged by someone or pouty about how I was treated, I go back to this quote over and over again

5. I need to practice Extreme Self- Care every day....OK so I am reading a book right now called "Extreme Self-Care"...this is a radical concept for some people....some people call it being selfish, but the author explains that we all need to be selfish so that we can give our best selves to those that we love....I get this...I am on board with this concept...I will be updating you on my progress

6. It is time to get serious about some of the clutter hotspots in our home....more stuff is simply draining and it doesn't leave room to let our house just breath

My children are a blessing to me each and every day....I was only gone one night this weekend, but I missed them so much.....looking at these photos from our park outing last weekend just reminds me how precious life truly is!!

spring

We went to the park this Saturday and of course, I took loads of pictures, but I love this one that Johnny took of Grant and I.....I can't believe we are both looking at the camera :)

today

This is what things were like at our house last week......lots of laying on the couch, Motrin, DVDs, chicken noodle soup, tears (Sienna's and mine), coughing, sleepless nights and Lysol.
And this is what we are thinking about at our house this week: SPRING!! We are all feeling much better.....getting the itch to get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather, to take walks, play at the park, bake more cupcakes, listen to the birds, invite friends over to play, freshen up the house and be thankful for our health.

Today, I am grateful for:

1. A great book ("The Middle Place" by Kelly Corrigan)

2. Seeing my little boy take a few steps on his own

3. Scrapbooking.....I am working on a little book all about what makes our house a home and it really has me thinking about the kind of home I am creating for my family

4. Getting a new batch of photos to add to my Project 365 album

5. Being a part of Rockwall Women's League and meeting so many new friends

6. Every single day, I am grateful when I hear my husband walk in the door from work

7. Beautiful weather

8. Yellow and turquoise.....love this combination

9. Knowing that when I am feeling anxious, I can go to the Lord in prayer and ALWAYS feel so much better

10. Sprucing things up around our home....one of my most favorite things to do