Naptime confession: I fight a bully.

A few years ago, I was walking down the street in New York City and came upon this...one of my favorite all time images.

"We can do it." 

I constantly remind myself of this. 

Like the time I ran a marathon with little to no training. I had never ran more than 5 miles prior to running that day. I told myself...I can do it.

Like the time I pulled all-nighters after all-nighters studying for my licenser exam... and passed!  I can do it.

 Like the time I gave birth. Twice. Enough said. I can do it.

Like the time I pulled myself out of bed to feed my newborn with 104 degree temperature and the flu. I can do it. 

Like the time I carried both kids and a bag of groceries through the front door while I was consoling a friend on the phone. I can do it.

Like the time I managed to complete all the laundry in one day- folded and put away. I can do it.

Like the time I spoke at a seminar in front of hundreds of people. I can do it.

Like the times I got out of bed even when I wanted to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. I can do it.

I am not going to say I don't have moments where that bully voice in my head gets the best of me and I wonder what in the world am I thinking... why even bother... might as well give up.  

Oh yah bully... 

I push up my sleeves, put my game face on, and flex my muscles. 

Oh. Yes. I. Can. Do. It.

Watch me.

I refuse to listen to that inner bully.

And so should you.

Besitos, xo

Visionboard 2014: My Home

Yesterday we woke up to a driveway full of snow and a case of pink eye. 

Needless to say, it was a stay home day. 

And it was glorious... no obligation to be anywhere and plenty of snow to stomp around and play in. I love days like this. I think I finally am getting over my post holiday blues and embracing reality... But it's not too hard when my reality is spent home playing with my littles.

Sometimes that is the problem though. That is all I really feel like doing... housework... not so much. But I do love a clean and organized home. 

Sigh...so it's got to be maintained. Anyone know of someone I could hire? I forgot to add her to my vision board. :) Seriously though...I may need help with this one.

When envisioning my vision boards I originally just rolled Home into Motherhood into one...but as I got started on the vision boards- I realized that the Home needed it's own vision board. It is a space rather than an actual role... and it needs it's own undivided attention over here.

I see:

-organized space

-countertops without piles 

-a family working together 

-traditions and daily rituals

-smiles

-forts being built

-bright pieces of furniture

-photographs of my family on the wall

-guests coming over for dinner

I feel:

-peace

-joy

-bread dough under my fingertips

-tiny hands in mine

-my apron around my waist

-complete

I smell:

-lemons

-fresh flowers

-dinner on the stove

-fresh bread

I hear:

-laughter

-family prayer

-kind words exchanged 

-kids playing outside

-greetings at the door

I taste:

-homemade bread

-hot breakfast

-cookies

-fresh garden veggies

Mmmmm....doesn't that sound nice? Is it too ideal? Why not strive for ideal right?

That's all. Kiddos are asleep still and I just may get a shower in this morning if I hurry!

besitos, xo

Vision Board 2014: Motherhood

Holidays are over and done. Sheesh someone should have warned me that the whole Santa gig... is a whole lot of work!

Now it's time to ease back into every day life... it's hard to do. I feel a slight emptiness. I miss my husband who is away at work. I miss my three- year-old who is away at preschool. I miss my sisters and family who are stuck in the Domincian Republic still due to flight cancelations. (I secretly wish I was there) I miss the anticipation of Christmas and New Years. I miss Christmas music and the smells.
sigh.

But here we are...time moves on whether we are ready or not.
2014. Hello.
What do you have in store for me?

This week's art journal will be on creating a mission and vision for 2014. Without a vision or a mission- how will I know where to go?

 I will be on How Does She tomorrow sharing how to get started and since I created 5 mini boards for each area of my life that I want to focus on- I will post one each day this week and share a little more about what I am striving for.
 Starting with today...

My first board is on Motherhood. It is something that is always on the forefront of my mind and a rather easy board to pull together.

I asked myself this: What do I see, feel, smell, hear, and taste this year in regards to being a mother. 

 This is what I envision.

in 2014 I hope 

to see:

-playing 

-reading

-learning
-swimming
-exploring
-traveling

to feel:

-the wind in my face as we bike ride

-the grass under my toes as we play outside
-the sand in my hands as we build sand castles

-the embraces of my little ones

-my lips against those chubby cheeks

to smell:

- warm dinner on the table

-clean home
-clean babies from the bath tub
-the outdoors

to hear:

-giggles

-family prayers

-my son's jokes and chatter at bedtime

-splashes from a pool
-music
-kind words

to taste:

-fresh bread

-homemade pizza
-ice-cream
-weekly donuts

besitos. xo

My little knight in shining armor.

My little knight and shining armor,

I just wish sometimes I could freeze time. 

I love this age. 

I love that you still like to hold my hand. I love that you still want to snuggle in the mornings. I love that  I am your best friend. I love watching you learn and discover new things. I love that you make me laugh every day. I just love the little man you are becoming. 

But...don't grow up too fast okay.

I often wonder what the world will be like 12 years from now when you will be a young adult. You face such a different world then when I was your age. I hope and pray that I can prepare you to keep on your armor and be ready to fight any fiery dragons that come your way. 

I love you no matter what. I am grateful for the privilege to be your mommy.

Just some  thoughts this morning.

Besitos,

Your mommy

Do we set our kids up to misbehave?

As parents do we set our kids up to misbehave?

 I would say the answer to that often times is... YES! 

It's like me asking this 18-month-old to pose and smile at the camera and be still. 

Seriously- 18 month-olds are not wired to be still. End of story.

 In fact, that is the busiest time of their life. How could I expect that from him? I literally could not even keep him in my arms for more than a few seconds to get this blurry photo!

But even with any other age- parents overlook what is really going on through the eyes of their child. We want a quick fix and solution to the problem...and fast. We have forgotten what being a child is like and really their emotional needs are really similar to ours.

Two things to remember...

Kids want to feel connected and belonging. (just like us)

and 

Kids need to feel like they have some sense of power and control in their life. (just like us)

If we are constantly choosing, demanding, saying "Don't do that...Get off of there...Eat this..." we just might find a little fighter who feels misunderstood, discouraged, and powerless wanting to demand some attention and control in their life.

How would you behave if that was what you are experiencing?

Two things you can do...

Spend daily one-on-one time with your child being 100% present- no phones, no tv, no distractions. Place all your focus on them. (It's harder than you think)

and

Give them plenty of choices for them to choose from on a daily basis. 

*Also keep in mind HALT- I talked about it in this post HERE. Some reasons children misbehave to keep in mind...Hunger, Anger, Loneliness, and Tiredness.

I know I act out with any of these...and so do they.

Next time your child is not doing what you want them to do... take a moment and think of the last time you had one-on-one with them or that you gave them he opportunity to feel in charge.

I have so much more to say about this...but let's leave it at that for now.

besitos, xo

Put your feet up...Happy Mother's Day.

I recently heard two women having a conversation about how they hate Mother's Day. It's not the first time I have heard that. 

Their reason- "mother's guilt." To them it was a day of feeling guilty for all the things they didn't feel like they measured up to.

I mean... really?

I know mom guilt can exist....but only if you let it be there. Let's stop comparing ourselves to others and be proud of the title we have been blessed with. 

 So instead of dreading the day... 

Put your feet up.

Let those who love and appreciate you- serve you.

You deserve it. 

Here is the sweetest little video that my sister-in-law Darlene did for this post on Howdoesshe.com! My belly just make a debut so be on the lookout. 

You can find more Darlene's work here.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you who make an impact on the life of children every day in some way, shape, or form.

The other day I saw an older man at a restaurant sit down and help a mother of  newborn twins feed a bottle to one of the babies. I over heard him telling her how amazing mothers were.

He is right. I wish every mom could just see that.

besitos, 

xo

Awake to think...Refocus.

Have you ever laid awake just thinking? 

Thinking of the day before, the next day, what it will be like to have two little responsibilities instead of one, what preschool is a good fit for little man, should I even put him a preschool, trying to solve all the world's problems....blah blah blah. It's like my mind kicks into overload and doesn't shut off. 

Lately, I am awakened to an early morning pregnancy bathroom trip. I hop back in bed...(well not really hop but more like waddle over and plop) and my stomach rumbles with hunger. I try to ignore it. But then the mind begins to dream up what it would be like to be biting into Toll House Pie- (one of my favorites from a The Dodo in Salt Lake)...mmmmm... I almost get out of bed to bake myself one. 

Self- control Cristi....pull it together. Instead,  I grab a banana and some trail-mix. Sad face.

With an already over-analyzing mind- I find myself at 4:00 in the morning and wide awake.  50 minutes later after multiple failed attempts to force myself to sleep- I give in.

So here I am.

With nothing but the sound of quiet. Just a humming of my computer, typing sounds of the keyboard, sound of the heater, and cars passing by on a distant highway is all I hear. I have to admit. It is nice. 

As a mother you are never alone. Even when you are physically alone. Your mind always has a spot reserved for your child. It seems like the mother brain doesn't have a power off switch...well at least completely. Even as I write this- I keep thinking I hear little footsteps coming towards me- like it is only a matter of time before he knows I am awake and we start our day. 

I have been teaching a few different parenting classes in the community and finished up a series this week with a group of women. I think I love teaching groups so much because of all the strength that women give to one another and the strength I get from observing and listening to their stories. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they have an unspoken understanding of one another- and understand the  struggles and joys that come with the title of being a Mother. But the need for personal alone time and space comes up 100% of the time. As women, we are really bad about taking the time to do that. Moments of stillness and pure solitude are way too far and between. 

I think I can count on one hand the naps I have taken during the 7 months of pregnancy. I mean this should be my guilt free moment to do so right? Why don't I do it then?

Deadlines.

I seem to always have some pressing deadline hanging over my head. I've decided this morning as I am procrastinating working on a deadline that it's time to REFOCUS and cut off the things in my life that prevent me from doing the things I truly want to be doing... like writing more in this blog for example.  So, with the few projects that I am wrapping up in the next few months- my goal is to be 100% done with the session shooting portion of my photography business before the baby is here and then not taking anything else on. Even if it is saying no...which is a weakness of mine.  

Then just maybe I can go back to the photos of my family vacations that I took over 6 years ago and actually finish editing them. Then just maybe even create some albums from the tens of thousands of photos that I have on my computer.

So, I have about 7 weeks to tie up loose ends...

 But for now, I am off to edit and finish up some photography deadlines.

That is if Little Man isn't awake...I swear he has a radar for when I am up early.

Are there things in your life that you feel need to be taken off your plate?

besitos, xo

Watch out...There's some Nesting Going up in Here.

About two years ago I came upon this cute little egg... so I took a picture of it. I have a weird thing for nests and eggs...and was excited!

Then out of nowhere came this mom bird...she puffed up her chest and stared me down...I took this one measly photo...and backed away slowly.

For the next few days I watched this mama bird sit on the roof of the neighbors house keeping watch over her little one. She would stare down anyone who dared to come close.

Lately, I can relate to this mama bird.
 Pregnancy brings out the protective and dare I say- ornery side of me. I apologize in advance in you ever have to witness it.

But this past week my mama bird has been paired with the intense desire to NEST!

I am not sure if it's the fact that I am starting to realize that I only have a few months before I am a mother of TWO but my mind is constantly racing with ideas on all the things that need organizing, fixing, rearranging, etc.
It doesn't turn off.
I wake up in the middle of the night planning.... planning for when he will be here...what will it be like...what do I need to have ready...etc. And the inability to not be able to just get up right then and start moving furniture around kills me!

Not to mention, the lack of sleep mingled with my racing brain has totally affected my mom factor the last few days... I feel unavailable, preoccupied, impatient, and really just plain grouchy. And apparently it has been rubbing off on Little Man because he seems to be feeling extra emotional, needy, and impatient as well. Or does it just seem that way because I feel less patient? It's like I am in a hurry to be somewhere... but where? It's as though I have to have it all together and life figured out by June...how do I stop? As much as this instinct is a blessing it makes it so difficult to enjoy the moment. I am always thinking about what has to get done for the future- how can I get back to being in the moment?

Well I think I found the cure...I wrote the above paragraph yesterday during nap-time... and since then I had my little man up in the middle of the night with severe growing pains- so bad in fact that he even threw up from the pain. It was then that the burdens that I had placed on myself were lifted and I could just focus on enjoying the moment of spending the night cuddling my baby or actually my not-so-baby boy.

Hopefully, this feeling stays around.
besitos, xo

Flashback Friday...How to turn a 20 minute task into a 4 hour one.

For the past few weeks I have been teaching a parenting curriculum called Child Parent Relationship Training (otherwise known as Filial Therapy) that I will tell you more about soon- and it has been so much fun to listen to these moms who have such different situations in their lives but can relate to one another with the pure experience in itself of being a mom. I am just always so amazed at how fabulous mothers are. We really have such an important job that we do every day while we juggle everything else we have going on! It's amazing. 

So, in honor of the crazy lifestyle of a mom- my Flashback Friday I reflect on this feeling I had (here ) of being a new mom for  just under 8 weeks and adapting to the new life of a mother and trying to meet his needs while doing a simple task that used to just take 20 minutes tops!

Note to self: You can not start and stop the process of rice crispee treats... hardened marshmallow equals impossibleness to cut and clean up.

Date: April 14th, 2010 

  

So, I was in charge of our combined Young Woman and Young Men's activity last week and thought I would make an easy treat for about 50 youth...so, what is more simple than a little Rice Crispee Treat right? A little butter, some marshmallows, and rice crispees thrown together and VUALA- Pure yumminess!  No problem...20 minutes max right? How about almost 4 HOURS!!! This is how my day went:

12:10 pm- With Little Man sleeping in his crib, I ventured into the kitchen and went to work taking out the ingredients and warming up the butter and marshmallow mixture. 

12:20- I was in the middle of mixing the warm marshmallows and butter mixture when I heard Little Man begin to cry.... Being a new mom that shutters to the sound of her baby crying- I stopped mid stir and ran to his rescue. 

12:50- With a full belly, Nixon rested in my arms not wanting to be put down while I re-heated the mixture and began to stir...this time it being almost impossible with one hand- quite the arm workout! One handed, I tipped the rice crispee cereal in the mixture and tried stirring it in a bowl only to realize my bowl was too small and it came pouring over the bowl and all onto the counter top. Oops!

1:00- with the bowl overflowing of sticky marshmallows mess and rice crispees spread all across the counter, I grabbed another bowl with my sticky marshmallow hand and attempted to transfer the now hardened mixture into a larger one to finish stirring and then transfered it again to a glass dish...not an easy task for the one handed.

1:15- With one batch finished, I starting the process over (one handed)... lets just say it was nearly impossible yet a humorous balancing act.

1:20- Fed-ex man at the door- my hands covered in marshmallow goo and literally stuck to the wooden spoon...I opted to ignore it. 

1:45-  Nixon is hungry AGAIN...time to feed.

2:20- Continued where I left off now with Nixon now in a sling. 

2:45- Phone rings and I run to get it stepping on melted marshmallow goo that had fallen onto the floor. I then scramble to rinse my foot off in the sink to only run over it again while running to the phone.  I missed the phone call.

3:15- Tried cutting treats with a heart cut out... nearly impossible to do. 

3:45- Giving up after cutting out 30 hearts I finished cutting them with a bread knife.

4:00- Finished. Exaughisted. Time to clean up the disaster mess... after taking a few photos of course.

How did a 20 minute recipe turn into a 4 hour mess?

Besitos, XO

Confession: I used to be a feminist.

Today's confession:

For many years I identified myself as a feminist. 

It was something that developed in my late teens and in college as a way to rebel...still not sure who I was rebelling against... society? Mormon culture? Men? I don't even know.

 I knew I believed in my faith but was annoyed by the culture of women who I figured were all secretly Prozac-popping, unhappy desperate housewives forced to stay home and bake cookies.

I distinctly remember after watching "You've Got Mail" in high school fantasizing about cutting my hair short like Meg Ryan (which I did) and living in the city with my dog and my business... Oh wait she ends up with the guy in the end...I think I just loved Meg Ryan. What else did you need?  Sex in the City in college added to these fantasies about living a single and sexy life in a big city. Who needed anything else but girl friends and fashion?  My goal was to pursue a PhD in psychology and then one day have my own radio talk show... and a dog. Perhaps I would one day marry and have children and he would be able to accommodate to MY lifestyle and perhaps even stay home so I could fulfill my life long dream?

Well, needless to say- neither of those fantisicies happened.

I never moved to the city with my dog.
However,

I DID fall in love and marry my husband...although, I didn't change my last name for years.

 I DID go to graduate school.
I DID pursue my career. 

And after 6 years of marriage, I DID get pregnant.

Another confession...

During that time, I was having a difficult time getting excited... or at least showing it. I felt like I had to explain to all my non-married and non-parent friends who were well into their careers a reason for my decision. I began to feel slightly resentful towards my husband. "How come his life doesn't have to change at all but mine does? How come he doesn't have to get fat and sacrifice his body for this little human? He has no idea what it is like to stay home all day because he still gets to go to work and do adult things." 

Blah Blah Blah. 

But it wasn't until I almost lost my first baby and then did in fact loose another baby when I pleaded with the Lord to give me strength and knowledge on how to over come these trials. What was I to learn from all this?  






All of a sudden "How come he gets to____ and I don't" began to transform into,  "I am so lucky to experience my divine role as woman and as a mother."  I know several woman, including my dear sister, who are struggling to have a baby. I can't take this gift for granted and I know that not every woman is fortunate to experience this. But there is a divine role for every woman...and for every man specific to their innate and eternal gifts and it is individual.

 I finally stopped wasting time fantisizing about another life and actually started LIVING and LOVING the one I was creating.

I asked the Lord to help me understand my individual divine purpose as a mother... and found confirmations all around me. Which I am going to talk about more in depth in another post.

All of a sudden my eyes and my heart were open to my individual divine role.  It may look different than yours or your neighbors...and I encourage you to pray and seek for answers on what it means to you. But all I know is that I don't have the need to compare myself to anyone else. I now understand my individual purpose and I know there is a specific plan for me.

I don't have to hide behind the title of a feminist. 

I now see myself as a EMPOWERED WOMAN. One who doesn't need anyone else or titles to prove that I am of worth. I am proud to be woman and embrace my feminine traits that have been given to me for a purpose.

To all my fellow sisters who felt that wearing pants to church last Sunday was making some sort of statement about inequality in your religion- I encourage you to take up that issue with you and the Lord. Pray about it.  Remember when we continually think like a victim- we become one. Stop asking, "What more is in it for me..." and start asking, "How can I give more to someone else."

Remember, this month's challenge: LIVE FOR OTHERS.

As for me and my beliefs, this quote by Clayton Christensen, a professor at Harvard and fellow Mormon, sums up my beliefs: 

"I still have many questions, but I don't have any doubt."  

Time is up- my little one is awake from his nap... please excuse my grammar and misspellings....I have been made aware that I need an editor...haha and it's true.

xo 
Besitos

November 2012's Challenge: Give Thanks Daily

This month I have been working on teaching Little Man what gratitude means. Every night after we say our prayers we go around the room and say what we are grateful for. Every night he looks up at me and says, "I am grateful for you mom." It melts my heart. 

 I promise I don't do that every night just to hear him say that- although I love it when he does. :)

I am not totally sure if he gets the concept of gratitude but I know he is well on his way and I am planting the seed by doing it daily. The best way to teach our children about gratitude is to have a heart of gratitude ourselves.

So, your challenge is to:

Last month I asked you to take the time and be still on a daily basis. This month, you will set your alarm on your phone just like last month, and when it goes off- stop whatever you are doing and for 30 seconds or so list in your mind (or on paper) all the things you are grateful for right there and then at that moment. 

It will fill your heart with love and charity as we get into the holiday season.

I will be sharing a million ideas I have thought of on how to teach your children about gratitude and I would love to hear your ideas as well!

But for now- go make that list!

besitos

xo

HALT! Four reasons your child misbehaves.

You would think that a kid who was so excited about being a rocket ship for Halloween would let me take a million photos of him wearing his costume. 

Nope.

I had to beg him to let me take just one photo and this is what he gives me...he practically is taking it off before I can even snap the shot.

However, we had a lovely Halloween.

I've been busy at a Play Therapy Conference and will talk more about that later. 

But I thought I would share with you a little reminder I had as a parent yesterday. When our child misbehaves, our first response as a parent is to stop the behavior. But as parents we ourselves have to HALT and look through the eyes of a child. Children usually act out because they are one or more of these four things:

H- hungry

A- angry

L-lonely

T- tired

CONFESSION:

I had an experience yesterday where little man had a HUGE melt down. The reason being that the chocolate he had in his hands melted and he was sad that he didn't get a chance to eat it. Well, that is what he was telling me. But I knew he was coming from a place of hunger, tiredness, anger, and loneliness. He has missed his nap that day, filled himself with candy, and it had been a long day out of our usual routine where he needed some time to reconnect with me.

And let me tell you, it probably took a good 30 minutes of uncontrollable crying and some play before he felt better. Luckily dad was there to help out.

If we would have become upset and told him to get over it- how do you think he would have been left feeling? Would any of his needs have been met with that response?

How do I act when I am hungry, angry, lonely, or tired?

Just something to think about this weekend.

besitos, 

xo

P.S. Winner for the giveaway has been announced. Congratulations Deveney!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween. Enjoy this day!

{Little Man's "Four scary ghosts"}

 *Halloween Art Made with paper paint and googly eyes!

{Little Man's Spider and Spider Web}

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for $100 worth of cloth diapers and products right here!

Besitos,

xo

One week later...

Remember that tree I showed you in this post?

Well, when Little Man and I went back ONE WEEK LATER...this is what we saw.

I mean seriously...how could 7 days make such a drastic change?

WOW how grateful I am for taking the time to spend that afternoon being still and taking the time to notice all around me. 

I mean who would have thought just ONE WEEK LATER the yellow leaves would have been gone?

Speaking of time, can you believe this month is almost over? How did this month's challenge go? 

Was it difficult? 

How did taking a few minutes each day to be still change the rest of the day or your perspective?

CONFESSION:

I admit there were easier days than others. Some day I could only acknowledge the need to be present and would quickly turn my alarm off as if it never happened. Some days I would close my eyes and take the full two minutes if not more to be still... sometimes almost falling asleep. ;)

It is amazing how resistant we are as human beings. At times, I would find myself in the middle of a hurry and the soothing sounds of the bells on my phone would go off and I would roll my eyes and think, "Great- last thing I need right now is to take the time to spend two minutes and just be still!"

BUT

If you didn't dare do the challenge or found it impossible to do it everyday...don't beat yourself up. The monthly challenges are not for 100% changes... they are about celebrating the percentages. If you were only able to do it 2% of the time... Props to you!!  That is change.

If you don't know what the heck I am talking about and/or haven't tried the challenge this month...STOP RIGHT there and take 30 seconds and just close your eyes and breathe.

There. You did it.

Oh it's 3:03pm...my alarm is going off...Little Man is asleep still and I think I just may close my eyes and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Besitos, 

xo

Stopping to Smell the Roses...Literally

The sun is waking up and I hold a warm bowl of oatmeal in between my hands. I love the way it feels. Little Man is sleeping in which gives me extra time to reflect and think about my challenge this month.

I feel like it's been a busy week -but who doesn't have busy weeks? There were several times I was consumed with the business of my day when the little bells on my phone came on to tell me to take a few minutes and become present. (October's Challenge)

How often do we get stuck in the daily tasks of our "to dos" to really enjoy each moment to the fullest?

The other day Little Man and I were at our weekly library stop... he loves to take his SWEET time to and from the car. I am usually on a mission to get home and get dinner ready and practically drag him to the car.

Not this time.

This time I pushed aside that need to rush on to the the next thing and entered his world and explored with him for a moment. Stomping and crunching through piles of leaves, I followed and observed.

I stopped and noticed the things he was interested in.

We took time to smell the roses. Literally.

Then he ran to a patch of grass and just laid there curiously observing the things in the sky. Feeling quite hungry, I resisted the need to get back home... I went over to him and laid beside him. The sky was bright. We watched an airplane in the sky.

And then I saw this.

Right in front of me was this beautiful tree...the very same one we pass every time I rush to the car. But from down there- it just really struck me. In a few weeks this tree will be bare. I would have missed it's beauty because I was too busy focusing on the next thing to really observe what is in front of me all along.

Reminder: take in the beauties of fall...soon they will be gone.

It was a good day.
besitos,
xo 

Channeling Lucille Ball...

I'll be over at How Does She right here talking about my:

It's where I use Reflection Boards or Soul Collages to process how I feel.

Here is more on one I did over the weekend.

I started with an initial large kitchen timer image. It looks like the one I have in my kitchen that helps me manage my time (more on that later) and I started by gluing it on the page. 

To me this timer represents lack of time and the desire to either stop time completely or find a way to get more of it.

I haven't figured out how to do that quite yet. ;)

I then added books in the corner and it reminded me of how I feel so much like a student still in my field and as a mom. You think you are going to get out of graduate school just knowing everything there is to know about the human psyche but life experiences continue to be my teacher. I feel like I learn new things each and every day from being a mom and a counselor.

Then, I added my girl Lucille Ball (or at least a look a like) and was drawn to her because of who she embodied as her character on "I Love Lucy"- I mean how can you not love her? Plus, I love that era and sometimes feel like I should have lived in the 1950s! I came across an article about Lucille and did you know that she didn't have her baby until one month before her fortieth birthday after several miscarriages? I knew she was my girl- there is always hope.

Then of course amongst her fabulous outfit I had to include her wearing a large "Mom bag" with  little toy robot sticking out of it. It represents to me the reality that motherhood brings but also the possibility of feeling feminine still and being able to laugh and have fun especially at those "Mom moments" like sporting around a ridiculous huge "Mom bag." You know what I am talking about.

I continued to add images and words until it felt complete. 

As I ponder on what I created in my reflection period- here are a few that come to my mind on what they could represent.

Anyhow- you will be seeing a lot more of this as I am beginning to get ready to launch my new website. Stay tuned.

Besitos, 

xo

Grandma's Peaches.

Today Little Man and I went for a walk outside and he felt a slight breeze on his face and he said, "It's wind mom."

 Then a few moments later he followed it up with, "It's good."

Yes, it is good I thought. I would have never even noticed it if he hadn't pointed out to me.

I love how children live so much in the moment and really experience life aroud them like it is their first time.

One thing that gets me excited every time as if it were the first time I ever had them are these:

I love peaches... but not just any grocery peach...I love fresh juicy peaches from my grandmother's tree.

 And I just read 5 ways to use them here on how does she.

besitos,
xo