WHERE TO BEGIN?

It's been a while since I've posted. Goodness....where to begin?

Well for starters, I'm up at 5 AM! And it feels awesome! As you know, I'm part of the 5000Moms project and one thing we do in 5000Moms is fill out a WE (Weekly Essentials), a goal/accountability sheet where we track our goals for Soul, Home, and Body Essentials as well as list our Business activity, To Dos for the next week and our Thoughts on the current week. Using the WE has helped me to have so much more balance in my life and hence, I'm on the computer less often and when I am on, it's very efficient. Shawna, the Marketing Director, and I connect at a weekly regular time to discuss my week and the great thing about Shawna is that she and I have so much in common in terms of our work ethic, business drive, etc. But, she's about 10 years older than me, so I get to learn from her mistakes and it's been such a blessing in my life. I used to be hard-core scheduler, to do list girl and with two kids, it really just does not work. Shawna inspired me to wake up before my kids and get that essential quiet time in to start my day. So, this morning, as soon as this post is done, I'll be doing Pilates and meditating. Then I'll get started on some household chores before the kiddos wake up. I don't do it every day, because sometimes my mind and my body are just too tired, but when I do wake up early, I'm such a happier mom and am so much more open to what the day may bring and finding joy in whatever happens.

Okay, on to other things. If you're on Facebook, you'll know I'm in the market for a new camera! I really love love love my friends blogs who have big beautiful photos to illustrate their post, so give me a month or so to figure out what kind of camera to get and find a good deal and my blog will be much more pleasing to the eye.

Landon: What an angel?!?! Need I say more? This little boy is such a sweet thing. He's so happy and loves to smile and try to have a conversation with me. He's a total wiggle worm and strong. He eats really good and developmentally, is right on track. I'm totally in love with him.

Sophie: Poor girl busted her lip yesterday. It's really not as bad as it sounds, but it was the first bloody incident she's had (I think), so it was quite an event. Yesterday, Daddy took her to the golf course for the first time. It was what we assume to be the last 60 degree day, so Adam took her with him and I met them there for the 5th whole because it's next to the road and I took her home. She wouldn't have enjoyed all 18 holes, but she had a blast being there with him. I picked her up in the stroller and got some great exercise. She is so full of joy and has so much fun with her imagination. It's fun to sit back and watch her.

Toy Update: Sophie actually enjoyed helping me organize her toys yesterday evening. Sometimes it's hard to catch her in that cleaning/organizing mode, so I was grateful for her help. I don't know what I didn't think to do this on my own, but I'm grateful for all your suggestions. I actually have some excellent cabinet space with adjustable shelves in my basement bathroom. It's a lovely full bathroom, but stays clean and doesn't get used much, so it's not weird to have toys in there. Anyway, many of Sophie's bigger toys, like the Fisher Price Barn, Ball Popper, etc. were all too big to put in toy boxes, so they were just chilling on the floor. Now they are on the shelves and my basement looks so much better.

When we go to Denver for Thanksgiving, the girls are all doing crafts while the guys go to the Broncos game. This wall art is what we are making. I'm in love with the scrapbook paper I got for it and plan to hang it in the basement, which currently has no personality. I'm going to hang it on the big windowless, doorless wall and would like to put some other smaller things up on the other walls. I thought about doing a magnet board because Sophie's table and easel are down there. I want it to be cute, kid friendly room, but not look like a preschool/daycare and still have some sophistication.

I'd write more, but this is plenty long. I'm looking forward to your crafty ideas.