Inspired by Soule Mama.
{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Archive for » 2011 «
21
Dec 2011
I’m taking a challenge this Christmas. A challenge to break free and be more present. A challenge to disconnect to reconnect.
It all started here. Check it out and see what you think.
I have felt frazzled lately, and to use a label, a little ADHD in regards to technology. I jump from phone to computer from this app to that one. My brain moves fast and I get overwhelmed by things that aren’t even really important. I create more work for me. I just want to back off, and I needed this challenge to push me.
During my time away (Thursday night to Wednesday afternoon), I will check my email in the morning and “surf” only at night while nursing AJ to sleep. I can focus on family, gatherings, and working in my 2012 Goddess Workbook preparing and dreaming of the new year.
Are you in?!
Category: Goals, Holidays
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18
Dec 2011
This holiday season, we are simplifying. It’s a little bit out of need to stay sane, to save some cash, but really it’s to ENJOY the season and teach our children what it’s really all about. It’s about being kind and giving to others from the heart and being with the ones we love. With that focus, I have done a few things differently this year.
::I bought all my purchased gifts online. I don’t like going to a packed mall to shop because people are rude and makes me angry in the season where I shouldn’t hold that feeling. It was so much easier just to shop while the kids napped rather than taking them out and causing stress for all of us. I understand the sentiment of buying local, but my focus wasn’t there this year.
::We didn’t purchase any fancy decorations. Val and I made decorations together and we really enjoyed our time together making salt dough ornaments and chain garland. It’s so cool to look around and see our work making beauty in our home.
::We cut a tree from our own property instead of going to a tree lot. We definitely plan on planting more trees and replenishing, so I don’t feel guilty getting a real tree. Val and I have plans to put it back outside after we have used it and decorate it with edible things for the birds. Maybe some peanut butter covered pinecones dipped in bird seed and strings of popcorn.
::We will be baking for some of our gifts using zucchini from our garden and eggs from our chickens. Who doesn’t love desserts made from real food and lots of love?
::As usual, Val will be gifting some of her crafts too. There’s beauty, creativity, and so much joy in her paint strokes.
HOW ARE YOU SIMPLIFYING THIS YEAR TO FOCUS ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS MOST TO YOU?
What really kicked off my thoughtfulness of this topic was The Organic Sister’s coaching calls related to the holiday season and how to thrive through it all. For only a few more days, you can treat yourself to the holiday thriving kit or a mindfulness meditation too. Go grab it for yourself. You and your family deserve for you to be calm, mindful, and thriving this year
Category: Holidays
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12
Dec 2011
I remember student teaching vividly and knowing there were two types of teachers. Ones that love glitter and ones that do not.
I had a teacher I worked with leave the room during intensives because she couldn’t handle our messy learning. It included glitter. Lots and lots of glitter. I love glitter!
So does Val! 
Category: Holidays, homeschool
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11
Dec 2011
I am surrounded by inspiration this Sunday morning.
::Next to me, my daughter is painting her salt dough ornaments and explaining to me how she’s decorating and why she’s decorating the way she is.
::The lights and smells of the Christmas tree fill up the living room.
::My littlest is in my lap exploring the world around him.
::The coffee is brewing a lovely candy cane aroma.
::The floors show how inspired we were to decorate the tree then go visit friends and family instead of tidying up.
Here are some links to inspire you ~
::Exhale
Category: Inspiration
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25
Nov 2011
I am thankful that these last few days I have been too busy living to post.
We traveled for my 6 week post-partum check up with a clean bill of health. Yesterday we spent our day baking pies and eating big meals with our families.
I hope to finish out my thankful posts for the month, but I will be focusing on family. This has been a great exercise in being aware how thankful I am and using that when I’m feeling down. It sure helps!
Category: Thirty Days of Thankfulness
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22
Nov 2011
I really enjoy getting special things in the mail – even better if it comes on the big brown truck.
Yesterday before nap time, UPS pulled in and left a little package on my porch. I assumed it was something I had ordered for the kids for Christmas. I waited until nap time to open it, so I could hide it away without Val seeing it. To my surprise – it was for ME. I had ordered Zenschooling, but kind of forgot about it. Hello Mommy Brain!
I am thankful for yesterday’s mail and the few minutes of quiet reading time that came afterwards.
Category: Thirty Days of Thankfulness
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21
Nov 2011
It’s my brother’s birthday today, and I’m thankful for him in my life.
He’s a busy guy – husband, dad, son, brother, hard worker, hunter, fisher, hobby farmer, he’s always doing.
He came by my house the other night after hunting and sat around to talk. He played with the kids and the puppy. It was such a nice time to connect because it’s usually far and few between with his schedule.
I’m grateful for my brother and I’m thankful for the times I get to spend with him.
Category: Thirty Days of Thankfulness
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21
Nov 2011
I am so thankful that I had an evening out. James and I took AJ and went to dinner with another couple last. They treated us to wine, which I gladly accepted. It was yummy and it was so nice to enjoy a dinner, at a table (mine is hubby’s office right now), have a conversation, and I didn’t have to cook or clean up.
After dinner was even better because we met up with a big group to see Breaking Dawn. How fun! I haven’t been to a GOOD movie in the theater in almost 3 years!!! Edward Cullen was a good way to break that streak.
So thankful for a great evening!
Category: Thirty Days of Thankfulness
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19
Nov 2011
I am so so so thankful for the connections I have online. I know, sometimes, we all “waste” time online but I have gained so many connections from the internet that I cannot even name them all.
First and foremost, I met my husband on the internet. We went to the same school, but we really met on the internet through old school ICQ. We chatted, we met at school, we went on a date, and it just kept rolling. Who would’ve thought that 12 years ago in some chat room, we were actually meeting our future spouse.
I was part of Bolt and LiveJournal back in the day too, and I am still friends with some of those people thanks for Facebook or Twitter. So many connections there that helped me process a lot of things with a group of people I felt safe sharing those things with.
Now I am a blogger, read others blogs, and I gain so much from that. Tips how to cook, how to parent, how to homeschool, how to be a good wife, how to be a good person. I have even met a few fellow bloggers along my path, and they were amazing visits.
I’m a member of the “Dingos” – a group of running moms who can’t even be put into words. They accept you even when you haven’t ran in months and months, they accept you as the woman you are, helping you face the challenges you are facing, and I want to live next door to each one of them for different reasons. A few of these ladies I have met in real life too, and it was like walking into a sister’s house. All with open arms and the comfort of someone you’ve known for ages because even though we talk online – we have known each other for ages!
Also, I’m a sister in the Organic Sister‘s tribe. She does coaching calls in groups about topics relating to relationships, raising children, being authentic throughout the holidays… These and the forums are a blessing. They challenge you, but all within a sisterhood of wonderfully wise women who are all trying to get to the same place. Happiness, contentment, and just being real.
I’m on Twitter where a whole bunch of mamas have my back, and I’m on Pinterest where I pin a whole bunch of things I want to aspire to be, do, get. Of course, I’m on Facebook where I chat with people I know, people I’ve met, people I used to know from other sites, and I share info about my blog, my business, and even my farm there.
The internet is a blessing because it brings so many people together. I am thankful for all the connections I have made this way.
Category: Thirty Days of Thankfulness
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