My Top Twelve of 2012

1. January: Quaint Anniversary Picstory Glancing back at our anniversary outing made me smile.

2. February: Little Red Dress Experiment pushed me in ways I didn't expect. I learned so many valuable lessons, one is that I can do without more than I think.

3. March: Packing Tip We took our family to New York and it was my first time to go. Getting ready for the trip was so much fun; I found a really easy way to pull all my outfits together

4. April: From the Potholes of My Heart A deeper post about my struggle with belief and spiritual stuff.

5. May: Summer Manifesto This list really helped me do things this summer that I often forget to do before the season is over.

6. June: Summer Fun We started the summer right with Jo's Sno Shack and swimming.

7. July: Letting Go My daughter went to Africa and it stretched me to let her go.

8. August: Only One Wore Glasses Identical in all but eyesight.

9. September: Creativity Does Extraordinary Things Trying an experiment with my Grandmother proved how powerful creativity can be.

10. October: I Forgot Who I Am Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in who you'd like to be and forget who you are.

11. November: Doghouse Kingdom Painting an original for my brother was so much fun!

12. December: Fairy Sightings Because there should always be magic in the world.

I hope 2012 has been good to you. Browsing back through my posts made me grateful for mine. It's easy to forget how many wonderful things have happened until looking back. What was your favorite moment of 2012?

Celebrating a First

We celebrated my son's first year in football this week at a banquet thrown for his team. It's no secret I wasn't a fan of letting him start football. The chances of getting hurt are high. But, I agreed to try one year. I didn't expect him to grasp the game until the end of the season. He proved me wrong; he was unstoppable. And even though my protective mother's heart would rather he do something a bit less aggressive, I have to admit he enjoyed every moment of it. We've now moved into basketball season and I feel a bit more secure with this venue.

Each of these firsts remind me of past beginnings. It's difficult not to feel these childhood days are slipping by too quickly. I want to remember the smile on his face every time his teammates rallied around him, and the funny little jump he did after an amazing tackle. I don't want to be so caught up pining for the past of little fingers and slobbery hugs, that I forget to treasure the beauty of today. Tomorrow, I'll look back on this memory and pine for it. So instead of holding onto the past, I want to be present for it all.

Football Survival 101

So my son started football. I'm a little nervous for him, but trying to embrace it. He showed me his arm muscles the other night and I about choked. How does a five-year-old have muscles?? Okay, he's eleven, almost twelve---but still. Since practices are a ways out for me, I stay to conserve gas. That gives me two hours to fill. I've found a few things vital to surviving my wait at football practice.

Books and planners. It's amazing what a little plan time can do for the rest of the week.

A good parking spot. It's fun to see what the little man is up to, so I like a good view.

Drinks. I take tea or flavored water to keep hydrated. Sometimes I treat myself with Starbucks.

Snacks. Lately peanut butter has been my go-to snack along with peaches and grapes.

Do you have times of waiting during your day? What do you fill it with?

A Day in the Life

Few pics from a day in my life.

Starting the day off right. Usually I make coffee in my "kitchen cafe" but on this day I met a friend for coffee. YUM!

My kids love when I sing in the car. *wink*

Waiting for my daughter to get out of class.

Jotting ideas for blog posts while I wait.

What's a day in your life look like?

A Day in the Life

coaxing my kids from their beds

coaxing me from the house

i do believe in fairies!

doctor's waiting room = quiet reading getaway