Five Minute Friday: Open

It's Friday.  That means it's time to write without worrying if it's just right or not.  Five minutes flat, that's all it takes.  Won't you click over to The Gypsy Mama and join in?

Today's Prompt: Open

Go.

Open your eyes, precious baby.  Your arrival has been long awaited.  Not just through your time spent in Mommy's womb, but in the years that were spent trying to bring you to this earth. 

Open your tiny eyes and see the faces of your Mom and Dad who are doubtless never more grateful than they are now to see your face.  Feel the love of your Mother who was born to raise children- with her childlike heart and well of patience.  Feel the love and pride of your Father who is going to be the most amazing Dad.  Know that you are safe in their presence and more loved than you could possibly imagine.

Open your eyes and see they faces of your two cousins.  Special friends who will be yours for a lifetime.  They can't wait to play with you.  And see me, your Aunt, already a Mommy. I know the love of a Mother.  I know the love of an Aunt.   Feel the love I already have for you and joy that your arrival is near.  Your parents is so very special to me, and so are you!

Know the love of everyone in your family.  You have been born into a world of people who know your precious worth.  We open our hearts to you and welcome you to this life.  Can't wait to see what you make of it.

Stop.

My sister is in labor right now.  I am beyond excited to meet her little angel, and so thankful she is coming before I have to go home.

28 Goals Recap

My 29th birthday was last Wednesday and it's time to evaluate what I accomplished this year.  I am not too upset about what I didn't accomplish because, frankly, without making these goals I wouldn't be where I am today.  I feel great about what I've done.  Here is an update:

1. Go back to school- still working on this.  Going to add to next years goals.

2. Decide where to live- we're going to stay in Utah for now.
3. Exercise Regularly- other than the last couple weeks being sick I can definitely say exercise is a regular part of my routine
4. Learn to overcome some of my OCD tendencies This is and will likely always be a work in progress, but I have made positive strides in letting go of perfection and control.
5. Visit home more often I have actually been home a lot this year.  It's been great to spend so much time with them.
6. Potty train Zoe!!! Done and done.  I think we're going to try to get Paige potty trained before the end of next year.
7. Read 100 books- Changing this one for next year.  100 books is far to many for my busy life.  I think I read a grand total of 8 this year.
8. Take more pictures than last year (especially of Paige)- not sure how to figure this one.  I took pictures, but not as many as I would like. Still, I am pretty sure I took more than last year though.  I think next year I will make a goal to take at least 2 photos a week.
9. Replace porch light bulb- I did it, but now need to do it again because the black light bulb has been in there since Christmas.  :)
10. Get my piano tuned- definitely adding this to next year
11. Play piano 2-3 times per week- recently I have been, but not enough to consider this done.
12. Play flute 2-3 times per week- same as above
13. Sing full voiced as often as possible- I ALWAYS sing full voiced, and often.
14. Do one public music performance- I actually did three, and plan to do a lot more utilizing opportunities through Church next year.
15. Take walks regularly- adding to next year
16. Learn the guitar- adding to next year
17. Be happy with myself- I'm getting there.  Adding to next year.
18. Read scriptures daily-  I was doing well for a while, but dropped off, need to recommit.
19. Pray morning and night (at least)- same as above
20. Learn to be on time- excruciating that I haven't accomplished this one yet.  Much harder than I thought it would be.  Adding to next year.
21. Go to the temple once a month- Next year.
22. Drink 64 ounces of water daily on a regular basis- I regularly drink about 100 ounces.  Yay!
23. Start writing poetry again- I haven't written anything new in a while.  Adding to next year.
24. Find a place to go swing dancing and try to go often- Still working on this one.
25. Look for opportunities to provide service and take them!- I need to be more open to this next year.  Though I did accomplish some this year, especially recently.
26. Go rock climbing- next year.
27. Eat at least 1 serving of fruit and vegetables every day- Something that has definitely become part of my diet.
28. Quit my nervous habit- still at it.  Darnit.

Ten out of 28 completed is not half bad.  Especially for someone who never followed through on goals before.  I am especially proud of the strides I have made towards my health and my music this year.  I'm excited for what lies ahead for next year.  I will continue to focus on health and music but want to work more on spiritual goals and some of the others.  Stay tuned for next year's 29 goals page.  It's coming soon!

Closer

It's hard to believe we only have two days until Christmas.  My family and I have been in the throes of illness for two weeks now.  I am finally starting to feel like we might be nearing the end.  The relief of that feeling is indescribable.  You take for granted things like having a voice, being able to exercise, being able to breathe without coughing.  I can't wait until I feel like myself again.

I'm writing to you now from a hotel room in Cortez, CO.  We are on our way to my home, New Mexico, to spend Christmas with my family.  Unfortunately, the road into my hometown is closed due to a terrible snowstorm so we are stuck waiting. 

What do these two things have in common?

Being sick and being stuck in a hotel room, our home, a car together has brought us all closer.  Gratefully, I find my children endearing instead of feeling like they are driving me nuts.  Zoe spent the trip entertaining us with her new nicknames for us and her silly remarks. 

 Last night as we were all laying down to go to sleep she said, "Dad, I'm having trouble sleeping.  I think I'll count sheep."  We chuckled as she started counting aloud, only to burst out laughing when she said, a few seconds later, "Actually, I think I should play Angry Birds." 

Paige serenaded us with her singsong voice, talking until almost midnight and we were up early this morning because of her coughing.  Yet, as soon as she saw Dad up and awake she excited squealed, "HI!"  And suddenly the early hour wasn't so frustrating.

Not to mention all the time I've had to sit and talk with Matt, listen to music and just BE together while our two little ones enjoy movies in the back seat.  Blessed technology!! 

I'm grateful for the time to reflect and really enjoy my little family.  They are my greatest blessings and (especially after last year) I'm beyond excited that we are all together this year. 

Well, I'd better sign off.  The extra waiting has given me some time to get a little work done. 

Just in case I don't get the chance to get on here again, Merry Christmas to you all!  (Or Happy Holidays to those of you who celebrate differently.)  I'm so grateful to have you here!

Blogging?

What's that? I know I've been missing around here lately. What can I say except "life happens"? We've been busy shopping for the holidays, spending time with our extended family and each other, oh and some of the not so fun stuff like working, and the really terrible stuff like illness. Let's just say I've been a little busy around here.

I haven't even found time to exercise since last Friday! Yikes! I'm going through withdrawals. No really. Did you know you could have exercise withdrawals? Well now you do. In good news, despite my bad few days of no exercise I hit 10 pounds lost since the beginning of this health/weight loss journey. I don't know why, but hitting that number is extremely satisfying for me. Other than my random weight loss last year, I haven't seen these numbers in at least four, maybe five years. That is exciting! I'm also starting to really notice some changes, especially in my stomach area (finally!). That is always the last place to notice a difference. What this means is I am over halfway to my goal weight and then I can just work on maintaining and toning. Awesome!

Image Source

Another thing I have been busy with?  Music!  Yes, I joined my church choir at the invitation of the director after finding out they were doing a performance next Tuesday in addition to Christmas.  (I won't be here for Christmas.)  Unexpectedly, after joining, I also have the opportunity to play my flute.  It's hard to describe how happy all of this makes me.  Growing up, music was my life.  For the last few years, it hasn't really been that way.  Having this opportunity makes me feel like I've come home...to myself.  It makes me feel whole.  I'm very excited.

In just over a week I will be making the trip home to New Mexico to see my family for Christmas.  And hopefully to meet my new niece who is set to be arriving any day now.  So, there are many exciting things going on through the craziness! 

Last, my birthday is one week from today.  As I approach 29, I have looked over my goals I set for this year (see 28 Goals) and I accomplished far more than I thought I did.  Maybe not as many as I thought I would, but I made those goals a single Mother who had much more control over her time.  After getting remarried, things changed, but I still managed to accomplish a lot.  In the next couple weeks, I plan to write a new list of 29 Goals for next year, including some that I didn't make it to this year, and making a few of them more realistic (read 100 books, ha!).  I will, of course do a review of last years goals and cross off a couple more before then.  What I took from this year is that having something to work towards is the only way to live.  If you're not working towards something, you're not living, merely existing.  It's been amazing to live, and quite an eventful year. 

I would encourage anyone who wants to join me in making goals to accomplish next year (you can start them on your birthday and do them by age, or just make some resolutions).  Post them on your blog and leave the link in the comments on the 28 (soon to be 29) goals page, or just leave your goals in a comment on that page.  Check in with me when I post about goals or on the page throughout the year.  Let's see what we can accomplish!

Five Minute Friday: Color

It's been another one of those weeks. You know, the ones that pass you by in an instant. Where you know you were busy but you feel like you accomplished little. I'm ready to start a new week. Perhaps with a bit of an attitude adjustment. And plenty more playtime with my girls. Tonight is date night. Matt and I are doing our Christmas shopping for the girls. I'm so excited!! Anyway, it's Friday again! So let's get on with it. Want to join in? Please click on over to The Gypsy Mama.

Today's prompt: Color

Go.

Imagine a world without color. No yellow sun to brighten the days and bring out the vibrant blue of the sky and deep green of the plants. Every day would be that gloom of January. Gone would be the pink cheeks of my girls, Paige's bright blue eyes and Zoe's deep brown ones. I wonder how much the taste of our food is influenced by it's color and presentation? Nothing but the change of weather would differentiate the seasons. No pastels and vibrant colors for spring and summer, earthy tones for fall. What would Christmas be like without the signature reds and greens we are all so used to? I would miss the contrast of white snow against blue sky, the aqua blue of Matt's eyes against the contrast of his dark hair, and silly things like painting my nails- what would be the point?

Color is defining. It imprints itself into our memories, what we find significant or important. Color describes everything from our mood, to our taste, to our experiences. Without it, life would seem flat and dull and lifeless. My life and my memories are filled with color. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Stop.

What does color mean to you? (No really, cuz I had a lot of trouble figuring out where I was going to take this prompt.)

Five Minute Friday: Tired

It's Friday!  Please join me for five minutes of unedited writing prompted by The Gypsy Mama.  Please click over and participate!

Today's prompt: Tired

Go.

When I saw today's prompt, I had to chuckle a little at the prospect of writing about it.  I'm pretty sure "tired" is my state of being and has been for a long time.  At least since I became a Mother.  It is a feeling I am used to.

Sometimes it is my own fault.  I sit here writing this post, tired, at midnight, knowing I have to be up in five hours. 

Sometimes I'm up with one of the girls.

Sometimes I stay up to spend a little extra time with Matt.

Sometimes I just have too much on my mind and can't sleep.

But tired doesn't only mean lack of sleep. 

Sometimes I'm tired of what can be so mundane as a stay-at-home/work-from-home Mother.  Tired of these off-white walls and the view from my windows.

Sometimes I'm tired from the weight and the stress of my never ending to do list. 

Sometimes I'm tired of being the peacemaker, the housekeeper, the cook, the everything.

Until I remember that I'm tired because I have a job that allows me to work from home and be with my kids, I have a husband that loves me enough to lose sleep to hang out with me, I have two little girls who bless my life and the occasional late night with them is always worth it, and staying up late for a little "me time" while I write a post or read a book or whatever, that is cleansing in it's own way.

Tired, I'm used to it.   It's a part of my life.  It's a part of me.  Matt says, "I'll sleep when I die."  And though that may be a bit cynical, it's also something to think about.  Rest is important, but it's the things that make us tired, that are often our greatest blessings and sources of happiness. 

Stop.

What are you tired of?  Is the cause a blessing or a curse?