Vision Board 2014: Faith

The final vision board has been something I have been shy and a bit hesitant about sharing...mostly because it is something so personal to me. And secondly, I don't want to offend someone.

 But in all honestly-this is me. Take it or leave it. 

In order to be completely genuine with myself- I had to have a vision board in this category of spirituality and faith. 

It is my rock. And one of my secrets to what keeps me grounded and happy in my life. 

So here it is.

I see:

-a Christ-centered home

-my daily blessings

-me kneeling in prayer

-making time to serve others

-attending the temple

-His plan for me

-reading and studying scriptures daily

-planting seeds with my children

-gathering together as a family

-spending time outside in nature

I feel:

-peaceful

-calm

-joy

-an understanding my personal mission

-pages of the scriptures under my fingertips

-sturdy on a strong foundation and steady on a path

-faithful in His plan for me

-bold

-in tune with the spirit

-humble

-ready to serve on His errand daily

-inspired

I smell:

-my home as we gather together as a family

-my church building as we gather on Sundays

-dinner in the oven for missionaries

I hear:

-chit chat from the youth in my church as I serve them

-my voice as I share with others my testimony

-silence as I ponder and meditate often

- a still small voice guiding me 

-the words of our church leaders inspiring me

-myself giving thanks daily for my blessings

I taste:

-treats I make for others

-dinner I prepare for the missionaries

-cinnamon rolls during conference weekend

My Vision Board for 2014 is complete. It hangs in my office so I can see it.

It is now time to start my Art Journal challenge... Do you have yours yet?

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: Career and Community

Last summer, before my baby was born, was the last official counseling session I had with a child/teen in person. It would be a lie if I said I didn't miss it (them) terribly. It would be another lie if I said I am not loving staying home with my two little ones. For me as a mother, it was the only way to keep sanity. I just wasn't bred to juggle a career outside the home and raise up my little ones. Counseling will always be there for me...the stages of my boys being little...will not. So, I came to the difficult decision to let go of my private practice (for now) and say goodbye to working at the hospital for now. 

The next chapter in my life begins as I find other avenues to make a difference...to share what I know and inspire others without it pulling me away from my kids. One thing is for sure...whatever I do- I must have a passion for it, find joy in, and use creativity. So another one of my vision boards for 2014 is for this very thing...Career and Community.

And I have to tell you that yesterday morning I woke up to a prompting to look up a counseling workshop this month...and what do you know-it was exactly the topic I needed to know about starting up a virtual counseling/coaching business on-line! 

So...the vision begins to unfold! I can't wait!

See:

-my business developing and growing

-the connections and friends I have made

-the rise in my blog following

-the lives that have been touched

-my own personal creative space

-organization

-endless possibilities

-donating my time and money to a good cause

Feel:

-the keyboard under my fingertips

-the paper as I flip through pages of books

-the feeling of inspiration

-joy as I share, create, and inspire

-connection to others

-inspiration by my readers, mentors, and clients

Smell:

-fresh paint on my art journal

-the Scentsy candle in my office

-of success (not sure what that smells like...just sounded good)

Hear:

-the snapping sound of my camera

-the voices of my clients, students, and friends

-sound of the keyboard

-music playing on the background

-seminars and workshops I continue to attend

-the stories others share with me

Taste: 

-the snacks I have at my desk

-the lunches I have with colleagues

-the treats I bring to groups and classes I teach

The possibilities are endless.

besitos, xo

Vision Board 2014: My Role as a Wife

I am over  >here<  today sharing with you how I went about my 2014 vision board this year. 

Today I share with you my vision board for my role as a wife.

Out of all my vision boards this is probably one I need to work on the most. At times I feel like I have given so much to the demands of my children that by the time Mister comes home- there is nothing left to give...I am tired, wiped out and ready to sleep. Oh how understanding Mister is... I keep telling him (and myself) that it is just a phase of life...I will get back to me- to us- one day I promise.

But I am so often reminded by the mistakes of my parents who slowly and quietly drifted apart and divorced later in life...that scares me. I can't let my relationship with my spouse be put on the back burner to focus on later. I always want to be working towards the ideal of what I want. Why can't I have it all? Who says it's not possible?

So I closed my eyes and envisioned what I wanted to see...

I saw us awake in bed one night- no kids- no phones- no laptops- just cuddling and pillow talking about our day and the funny things the kids did. I saw us laughing and flirting over dinner while holding hands. I saw little written notes of appreciation left behind for one another like we used to when we were dating. We were happy. We were in love and our kids new that. It was magical.

I see: 

-a partnership

-a team working together

-weekly meetings

-scheduled date nights

-serving one another

I feel:

-his embrace

-his kisses

-loved

-joy

I smell:

-the dinners I prepare

-popcorn at the movies

-my perfume I put on just for him

-chocolates and flowers

I hear: 

-words of appreciation and encouragement

-I love you every day

-flirty words

-laughter

-silence...kids are asleep. Cell phones and laptops are off.

I taste:

-ice cream

-food from our favorite restaurants

-my lip gloss 

Sigh... isn't dreaming wonderful? As I write this out and read it in my head...I realize that we are pretty close to this dream...It's nothing new... I just feel like there are so many more distractions that suck up time away from one another. It's about setting boundaries and scheduling time to make this just as much if not more of a priority as my role as a mother. It's the best gift I can give my kids...two parents who love each other and care enough to make their relationship a priority. Even if it just begins with me and what I do.

Don't forget to head over here on How Does She today and learn more about creating your own personal vision board!

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