Project Life

I have had so much fun putting together my Project Life album this weekend.
http://www.beckyhiggins.com/projectlife/#
In honor of this project I will make my Sunday blog posts a collection of photos from my Project Life picture of the day (POTD). Here are a few of my favorite POTD's from this past week, oh and I verse I just had to share. It really speaks to me today... enjoy and have a blessed week!

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:6-7

Looking ahead... looking forward

For me, as a habitual planner I love having things to look forward to. Things to plan and prepare for... gives me the motivation I need to get out of bed and live my life to the fullest. So here is a list of things I am looking forward to doing this year.
Reading a book (yep, just one!)
Learn to sew
Take a cake decorating class
Turn my aspirations of running into reality - run the Disneyland 1/2 marathon
Complete Project Life - http://www.beckyhiggins.com/projectlife/#
Scrapbooking
Date nights with my hubby (even if it's in the living room!)
Build a savings account
Work on strengthening my faith
Enjoy fun creative learning opportunities with my boys
Go on a family vacation
Go camping (Yosemite would be great!)
Loose this "baby" weight
Build a summer garden for me and the boys
Go on a summer hike
Improve my photography skills (i.e. learn about lighting!)
Have fun with friends...
most importantly, continue loving my 3 boys - Robert, Ezra and Jonah
and last - TO RELAX, let the little things go and enjoy this beautiful life I have been blessed with!
What's on your list?

Exactly where I want to be...

My dear sweet Ezra... today he would not go down for his nap. He has always struggled with sleep. I have been trying to get him to lay down by himself for naps, but haven't much success. So after an hour or more of him getting out of bed, playing, changing clothes, asking for water, etc. I decided screw it... I will lay down with him and get him to sleep. I tuck him in (for the millionth time!) lay down, and turn my head to try and limit the interaction. Ya know, cause thats what the books tell you to do! Ha! Instead, he gets close to me, leans over and say with his sweet yet serious voice. "Mom." Really, it warms my heart. There was a time not that long ago in the midst of PPD that it would frustrate me into a bit of rage while I threatened and yelled at him that he better get in bed! Now, I am happy to report that I was able to roll over and say, "what baby?" and he reaches towards me to give me a kiss. A moment I could have lost if I would have let my anger and frustration get the best of me. He layed his head down and relaxed his body and soon was soundly asleep. I lay there thinking... this is exactly where I want to be. This is my purpose. Really it is. Sure it would be nice to get dressed for work, interact with adults, have a lunch break to myself - even pee by myself, have a little more money in the bank... but none of it really matters. Being home with my boys is such an awesome gift. I really appreciate the fact that Robert supports me in this and has been willing to make all the sacrifices that it has taken for me to stay home. We won't be going on any grand vacations, or buying a new car, or wearing the best clothes - heck at this point the Sunday paper, cable and a home phone have even become luxuries we have chosen to live without. In the end... I really don't care about those things. I am proud that I have chosen this life. I know that being a mom is my purpose in life... and really I am ok with that. I have struggled for years trying to decide what I want to do when I grow up - well, the reason I can't decide is because I just don't have a passion for anything besides motherhood. Like most things in life there are good parts and bad parts... motherhood has been the most challenging experience in my life, but I am happy to report that even those struggles I have started to appreciate. Why? Because it is all apart of the process. This is what I wanted. The late night feedings, the bickering, the messy eating... I should be so lucky to have these "challenges." There are women in this world that would give anything to experience these challenges... they pray night after to night to have these experiences. I have been blessed with two beautiful, at times out of control boys and I love every minute of it. Honest I do... even when I am complaining, as that too is part of the "process!" For today, I have learned to relax, listen to my children, while also listening to my heart... instead of always fighting it, I am embracing it. Again, this is exactly where I want to be, and it feels great.

Balance!

So my friend Jenny encourages me to start blogging. I immediately think, no way... I don't have time for that! Then I get another prompt from her. An email about the "Date My Mate Challenge" which is what really perked my interest. I started reading and browsing through Jenny's blog, and her sister-in-law Erin's blog. Hmmm... interesting stuff. All of it stuff I need to remind myself. This year, 2010 is about finding balance for me. Historically I have been an all or nothing kind of girl. I totally throw myself into one thing, while letting the rest go. There are so many areas in my life where I have fallen victim to this trap. Well, it's time for change. Bob (oh how I love him!) from the Biggest Loser was sharing with someone on the show how the reason they had failed in their weight loss efforts was because they had learned how to loose, how to gain, but they didn't know how to maintain. It was like Bob was talking to me! So this year it is my goal to learn to maintain (and we aren't just talking diets here!) - which in my eyes is all about balance. Taking time to reconnect myself with the things that are important. Having fun with my boys, reconnecting with my husband and taking care of myself. So here we go..... oh and check out the link to the right for the "Date My Mate Challenge" on the bringingupburns blog. Thanks Jenny for sharing!