another tooth bites the dust

I was at a loss for what to post a picture of today.

And then at bedtime, my 7 year old lost another tooth.

Love the toothless grin. :)

xo

the last of Christmas

This is my favorite ornament that didn't make it onto the tree.

I didn't find them til after Christmas (yay for sales!)

I bought a few for next year and kept this one out because I like them so much. It makes me smile whenever I see it. Must be all that glitter. :)

xo

words for the year

I like choosing a word for the year. I think my word last year was "live".

I'd like to think I was successful in that, but I know I wasn't. We never know what the future holds. I made it maybe 1/4 of the year before life just got me down. Of course, I got back up again, but my goal changed from really living to surviving.

I chose two words this year, or rather they chose me:

create and grow.

create: bring something into existence, cause something to happen

Isn't that broad? I love it! I want to create more stuff around the house, with my kids, little craft projects here and there...but I'm excited about all the possibilities that little word holds!

The definition of grow was a lot more complicated, as in there were many to choose from. When I think of grow I usually think of the role I play in my kids' lives. In a nutshell, I want to help them grow into adults who love God with all their hearts. I'm trusting Him to fill in the rest. But I kept being hounded by the word actually applying to me as well. So I think I must have some growing of my own to do. One of the definitions said to be capable of growth, to develop so as to become, to thrive.

It definitely sounds interesting. :)

When out running errands I happened upon this candle (see! this word is totally following me!). So I got it as a little reminder.

xo

a failed attempt at bokeh

I couldn't think of what to take a picture of today.

Our Christmas lights are still up outside so I decided to try the bokeh technique.

I think it's probably best to wait until you're not sick and you've already read your manual.

Then you won't have to read everything over and over again and then goggle what this term and that term mean and then read that explanation over and over...and your pictures will probably turn out better. :)

I used this tutorial.

I think I'll try it again once I've read my manual...hopefully in time for next Christmas. :)

xo

I just asked my girls what they thought of the pictures and they laughed. :)

ugh.

xo

This is how my new year's starting...

...of course it's better to start before you're already sick but better late than never right?

I am doing this, hoping that it'll motivate me to get to know my camera a little better. :)

Wishing everyone a Healthy and Blessed New Year!

xo

21 days & 9

The other day I was on house of 3 looking for some last minute ideas to put together a little sign for my daughter's 9th birthday.

I came across the kit for the 21 day challenge and I thought, I so need this!

I don't know about you, but I struggle with motivation

especially this time of year so I need all the help I can get to get things in gear.

I think the challenge started last week, but I started Monday.

My 3 goals are simple...but I've been having a hard time doing them on a regular basis (or at all).

1. Read my Bible at least 5 times a week

I'm so embarrassed to admit I don't do this but I don't.

I've learned if I don't make something priority in my life (or put it on a list) it doesn't get done. Sad but true.

2. Exercise at least 3 times a week

Since we moved I haven't been exercising and I need to...badly.

3. Unpack the rest of the house

The upstairs is unpacked...the downstairs not so much. There's a lot of sorting that needs to go on down there...

4. Create! Something, anything at least once a week.

I enjoy trying to be crafty but just random crafting doesn't usually make it on the to do list. So I'm putting it on there.

My newly 9 year old.

It's all going too fast.

And I couldn't not include a halloween pic even though that was almost 2 weeks ago!

My hubby got home safely from Uruguay. He had an amazing time (of course). We obviously survived without him although it got a little dicey towards the end. :)

Happy Fall!

xo