Art and Soul

Wordless Wednesday...Having fun!

2012-02-15T13:36:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

He was scared at first, but he finally went in...

Look at that cute smile!

My favorite!

Reading...

2012-02-11T18:19:00.000-06:00

I love watching them read together. It is so sweet!! :)

Just write #11 and journal pages

2012-02-08T07:58:00.003-06:00

I am just sitting here in the quietness trying to take it all in. J was up at 7 this morning which is too early for me (at least today). I'm glad that I left him in his bed to play because he fell back asleep. Yay for more me time! So I am enjoying this quiet time on my computer, but I'm not really doing anything constructive. Just playing on Twitter and watching YouTube videos. I should be exercising or at least trying to finish the laundry, but I always put stuff like that off until later and then I usually end up not getting to it. Oh well, it will always be there for me to do. I need this quiet time in the morning. I'm listening to him toss and turn and cough a little. Every time I hear him I think, this is it...time to start my day. When he goes back to sleep though I do a little cheer in my head...5 more minutes for me! :)

Baby journal page

2012-02-05T10:18:00.000-06:00

Ugly journal page...

2012-01-30T20:09:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I just give up on a journal page when I feel like there isn't anything else I can do to "make" something out of it.

Exercising...again!!

2012-01-28T11:46:00.000-06:00

Today I started Bob Harper's DVD...the Beginner's Weight Loss Transformation. I am ready to get my weight under control and if I have to force myself to exercise every day then I will. It actually wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The hardest part was the squat thrusts, the hand walks, and the plank. Only b/c my wrists were hurting me. If anyone has any suggestions on how to strengthen my wrists or how to do these exercises without them hurting then please let me know. I also have his Totally Ripped Core DVD that I will be starting soon too. I plan on mixing these DVDs up with other exercises too. I have a treadmill, spinner bike, and elliptical at my home so I have NO EXCUSES not to exercise everyday (even if it's just a little while). I will need to find some motivation inside myself...somewhere!! I would appreciate any advice on how you stay motivated. :)

turkey sausage patties

2012-01-22T19:40:00.000-06:00

I have been liking to cook more and more lately. I don't know exactly why. I guess b/c I like knowing that I am feeding my family healthy things. I like knowing exactly what goes into our food b/c I control the ingredients.

My latest creation is turkey breakfast sausage. It is easy to make and super easy to heat in the morning to give J some extra protein.

My basic ingredients were ground turkey, chopped carrots, chopped celery and spices (especially Sage b/c that's what makes it taste like sausage). You can pretty much add any veggie you want to the meat. I like "hiding" veggies in our food. It is a real easy way for us to get all our servings of veggies for the day.

Form the meat into patties (any size you would like). I made smaller ones b/c it was easier for J to eat by himself.

Just grill them up until they are fully cooked.

When they are cooked, just let them cool. Then I put them in a ziploc bag to freeze. Just make sure there is waxed paper in between the patties or they will stick together as they freeze. I hope you try to make these b/c they are delicious!! Let me know if you do! :)

Texture is what it's all about!!!

2012-01-19T18:36:00.000-06:00

I love texture in my art journal! Especially if it takes a while to realize what the texture was made with.

Journal page with old greeting card.

2012-01-14T08:13:00.000-06:00

This is what I do with old greeting cards I get. I store them away until I can use them for something. I love using them in my art journal. Whether it's the words or the picture I want I usually find something to do with them.

Wordless Wednesday...sleeping...

2012-01-11T08:47:00.003-06:00

Get a life!! (Just write...#10)

2012-01-09T07:29:00.000-06:00

I got woken up early this morning by my whining child and a flood of text messages. My parents are back from their cruise and they had to tell me about it. I am really glad they are back. We missed them a lot. Point being that we live really close to each other and I wasn't able to see them everyday. That was hard for me. Aside from the fact that AF was here and making me extra emotional, I had a very long weekend. I don't know what to do with myself when I am here alone and everyone is at work or on vacation. I think I need to fix that. I just walk around thinking how bored I am and then I get aggravated with myself because I feel like I have nothing to do. I need to do some soul searching and find out who I am and what I want in my life. I can't just always rely on other people to make me happy and find things to do for me. I am very dependent on other people (I always have been). Well, I need to find a way to be dependent on myself. I need to find stuff to do and start loving myself for who I am cuz those people in my life won't be around forever.

Homemade gift tags

2012-01-07T11:07:00.000-06:00

I went to wrap presents one morning and I realized that I didn't have any more tags. All of my sticker tag pages were empty. I had to figure something out. So I took some old Christmas cards that I had and cut them apart to use as gift tags. It worked beautifully! I also took some colored card stock and just put some Christmas rub-ons and stickers on them. That worked as well. You could pretty much use anything you have lying around.

I made enough to use for a couple of years...

My gift wrapping mess...

Here are some close-ups of the gift tags.

My pet ducks...

2012-01-07T09:57:00.001-06:00

I still miss my little pet ducks. They were so cute!

Using tape...

2012-01-04T19:55:00.000-06:00

I love how paint looks over tape! I love using tape in my art journal b/c it's just so easy and quick. You put tape down, paint over it, then rip it off...instant layer! :)

12 things to accomplish in 2012

2012-01-02T14:36:00.001-06:00

I ALWAYS make resolutions, but don't normally follow through with many of them. This year WILL BE DIFFERENT!!! I WILL follow through with my resolutions (even if it takes ALL YEAR LONG to accomplish them).

1. Lose AT LEAST 10 lbs.
2. Get J17m room in order.
3. Organize my house. Mainly all the little piles of junk that annoy me.
4. Blog AT LEAST twice a week.
5. Cook better and more often. Meaning actually use a recipe to cook instead of trying to make something up.
6. Make a year round wreath to put up on my door. Probably one from Pinterest.
7. Actually take the time to do more art journaling.
8. Knit/crochet more often.
9. Keep my house cleaner then it is now. Stay on top of things.
10. Go on more "adventures" with my family. That could mean any outing (except shopping) b/c we rarely go anywhere now.
11. Keep up with printing out my pics and putting them in photo albums.
12. Run/Jog a 5K. Even if it is just me doing it at home.

What do YOU plan on accomplishing this year?

(12 things in 2012 from Baby Rabies)

The rest of Christmas...

2012-01-02T13:58:00.002-06:00

He loved my bell necklace...

His kitchen center...

I love getting books!

He forgets it isn't real fruit...LOL

Getting the hang of opening gifts...

He loves puzzles!

Christmas eve... (part1)

2012-01-01T09:50:00.000-06:00

Yay for puzzles!!

I love my fruit pouches Nana!

My first car!

This is fun!!!

My first drum set!!

I'm a little nervous about it...

Now I'm getting the hang of it!

I will be posting Christmas Day pics soon!! Hopefully in 2012 I can keep up with my posting! :)

Collaged journal page...

2011-12-29T21:22:00.000-06:00

Trip to the pumpkin patch...

2011-12-28T19:33:00.000-06:00

I am going to switch gears here (or should I say holidays) b/c I just realized I never even showed y'all our trip to the pumpkin patch. I apologize that I am so behind on my blog. I have just been too lazy to upload my pictures to the computer. I will be trying to catch up with my posts this week. So keep checking back, you never know what I will write about next! :)

He kept trying to pick up these huge pumpkins.

Until we found these little ones...

Looking at the pig...

So cute sitting on the miniature swing.

His favorite part was the chickens.

This pumpkin was as big as he was!!

I love these pics with all the orange pumpkins!! :)

He didn't let go of that same pumpkin all day!!

In the new year I will try my best not to wait so long to blog about something. I know I am on the computer often enough to post more often.

Beginning of Christmas...

2011-12-27T14:51:00.000-06:00

Putting up the tree at my mom's house...

J17m almost missed the whole thing...

My hubby helping with ornaments...

while I held a sleeping baby...

He liked playing with the ornaments...

He didn't really know what was going on, but he liked the colors...

My little bro setting up the tree skirt...

At our house, he was fascinated by the lights...

He liked them a lot...

He was making sure daddy did it right...

He loves the carousel from his Nana...

I didn't put any breakables on the tree this year...

This was the best pic I got with J in front of the tree...

Otherwise he had a melt down...

This is only the beginning. I know I should have posted these long before Christmas, but I kept forgetting. I will try to post more Christmas pics later on in the week...

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-25T06:51:00.003-06:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I hope you have a wonderful day with your families!!! :)

Again. (Just Write #9)

2011-12-20T08:11:00.001-06:00

I am sitting at my computer with my legs sticking to my exercise ball. It's more fun to sit on than a chair and I need more fun in my life.

My legs are cold b/c I wore shorts to bed last night and when I woke up it was cold outside and in here. I should at least go put some socks on or the heater.

My little man is still sleeping on and off. I can see him on the monitor. He cries for a second and then goes back to sleep. He giggles for a little while and rolls everywhere around his bed, then he goes back to sleep. I like to leave him in his crib until he is happy to get up otherwise it will make for a long, cranky day. He likes to play by himself anyway. He just got on his knees and put his booty up in the air. I love when he sleeps like this. It's so cute.

I wonder what we will do with the day. Probably the same thing we always do. Play with toys, watch TV, stay inside. Maybe I will wrap some Christmas gifts today. At least that would be something different to do. I would like to go somewhere, but J is just getting over his first real fever of 5 days and I wouldn't want to do anything to make him sick again. So I guess we will just stay here. Again.

Random journal pages...

2011-12-17T22:04:00.001-06:00

Playing hide and seek...

2011-12-14T09:11:00.002-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

Riding his bike...

2011-12-12T08:30:00.001-06:00

I can't wait until it's warmer so that we can go outside to play. It has been too cold lately and I feel stuck in the house all day. I would love to go take a walk with my little man. He loves his bike and so do I. He will be able to use it for a long time because we can adjust the settings so he can grow with it. For now it is in the closet until the weather changes again. That shouldn't be long though...

He loves the TV...

2011-12-07T16:20:00.001-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

Thoughts racing... (Just write #8)

2011-12-06T09:36:00.001-06:00

Sitting here just thinking about starting something new in my life. Something that is very challenging and time consuming for me. Something that will give me something to do more often. Something that I have been thinking about doing for a long time. Have I done it yet? Nope. Why? Because I am too scared to do it. It will be hard and time consuming. There are too many instructions on how to get started and I don't understand most of them. I just want someone else to do it for me, but they can't. I have to do it myself. I am scared. What if no one is interested? What if no one likes my stuff? What if it's too much trouble? I also think...what if I love doing it? What if other people like my stuff? A lot? All of it is too scary/too much for me to think about. That's usually how I am. I think of something, then I chicken out. Well, I am not going to chicken out this time. I am at least going to try! Even if I don't even know where to begin....

5 more miles gone!!

2011-12-01T09:41:00.001-06:00

I just finished 5 miles on my spinning bike! I haven't exercised in a couple of weeks. I had let my goal slip by the wayside, but not anymore. I have approximately 74 miles to go until 2012 and I will finish every last one of them (even if it takes me up to the last minute)!!
I definitely need to add some exercise into my routine if I want to continue to lose weight. It's just not an option for me not too and I feel so much better when I move my body. I just need to stop being so lazy!!! I moved my spinning bike into the living room so that I have chances to get on it more often. I rode while J was eating breakfast right next to me in his highchair and I finished the rest of my ride while he was playing in his play yard right in front of me. It is so much easier to ride when my bike is in the living room. I have to stare at it and tell myself just to get on it, that I will feel better if I do.
I have learned that nobody else will make me exercise and eat right that I have to want it bad enough for myself!! I have to remind myself everyday that I am doing this for ME and no one else!!
I could use all the encouragement that I can get though!!! :)

My BIG little man...

2011-11-30T17:10:00.001-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

Boring journal pages...

2011-11-29T08:01:00.001-06:00

Do you ever think some of your journal pages are boring? Like you are just putting something/anything down that will fill the page. And even though you don't like it, you just leave it b/c you don't know what else to do with the page. I do that a lot. Usually when it's at the end of a journal and I am ready to start a new one. I always like new ones. They have fresh, clean pages where I can start all over. I have always been like that. I love getting new notebooks and new pens; fresh things to use! School supply shopping was my favorite thing about school (and writing on that first new page of a notebook). I am still like that. I love shopping for art supplies and new sketchbooks. They make me feel like I am starting a new beginning. Sorry I am just rambling on and on....

Y'all are visiting....

2011-11-28T07:18:00.001-06:00

Because of the small amount of comments I get on my posts (usually none) I just didn't think anyone was actually coming to my blog or reading any of my posts. Since I have put that Live Traffic Feed over there on my sidebar I know differently now. People actually ARE visiting my blog. People from ALL OVER the world. I just want to say thank you to everyone who visits and reads my blog. It is more fun to write/post pictures when I know other people will be seeing it! :)

Hidden places...

2011-11-26T08:31:00.001-06:00

I have always wanted a place like this to go and be myself. A magical place where I could journal, draw, read, explore, etc and just BE! Whether it would have been a tree house, a window seat a tent or a little corner to call my own I just wanted one. I still do, but now I am an adult and can't have one (not like I would totally want anyway). I have my art room, but there isn't anyway I could set it up exactly like I would want. I just don't have time anymore to do those things. I guess I will just keep dreaming about a space to call my own...

Up too early... (Just write #7)

2011-11-25T07:18:00.001-06:00

I got up too early this morning. Around 6:45 because J made some noise, woke me up and I couldn't sleep anymore. My mind was racing. It's always racing about stupid things. Things that I shouldn't even be thinking about at this early hour. It's too cold in this house, but I refuse to turn on the heater because it's just going to be warm later. I have to pee really bad so I suck it up and get out of bed (even though J is still sleeping). I dress very warmly and sit down at my computer. I wish I liked the taste of warm tea b/c I would be drinking some right now. That would warm me up. I will be sitting here the next hour. J will probably sleep that long and I am thankful for that. I am thankful for these moments of "mommy alone time," but I wish I did something more constructive with them. I will just write on twitter, check my Facebook, get some free books for my Nook Color, write a blog post, check my email and maybe check some blogs. That does take up a lot of my time, but it is what I choose to do most mornings. I always figure I can read or draw later, but it never happens.

.

Random journal pages...

2011-11-24T07:03:00.001-06:00

I love poems...especially by Jewel! :)

Swinging...

2011-11-21T08:28:00.001-06:00

My little man loves to swing. I usually sing songs to him or try to catch his toes and he giggles and giggles. It's so cute!!!

I remember when I was young I loved to swing too. It felt like I was flying, like I could go anywhere on the swings. When I got older (about 6th grade) I tried to be like the "cool" kids and flip off of my swing. Needless to say (being the nerd I was) that it didn't end very well. I got scared half way through and my face got dragged through the dirt. I was a mess! If I just wouldn't have been afraid to let go it wouldn't have happened. I would have completed a flip and my mom wouldn't have had to scrub my face for a week with pink soap to get all the dirt/rocks out of my skin. I still have trouble letting go sometimes...

Muted journal pages...

2011-11-18T18:18:00.001-06:00

These journal pages don't have a whole lot of color, but that's okay. I must have been feeling in a blah mood when I created them. I like looking back over my old journals and seeing what I was feeling at a particular time.

Just some journal pages...

2011-11-17T08:14:00.001-06:00

Love is all you need...

2011-11-14T20:45:00.001-06:00

Love of reading... (Just write #6)

2011-11-13T19:11:00.001-06:00

Oh how time passes. My mom used to read a Thanksgiving book to me and my brothers when we were little. Every year she would read it, starting in November and would read about a chapter a day. I love reading and would always want her to read more, but my brothers would get bored with it pretty easy. I loved listening to my mom read and the time that we spent together and the tradition of it all. Even when I moved out on my own and got married, I still borrow the book from her and read it to myself. Now that I have my own child, I have been reading it to him. He's too young to sit and listen to it just yet. He mostly plays with his toys while I read out loud to him, but I know that he is hearing me read. I hope that one day he will want to sit and listen to it. I hope that I can instill a love of reading in him just like my parents did with me.

Breastfeeding card...

2011-11-10T20:44:00.001-06:00

This is a card that my mom's friend gave me for my baby shower. The text on the card says, "We heard that babies suck, especially when they are hungry". It was so very cute!! I love her creativity in making this look like a nursing bra. :)

Where did summer go? (Just Write #5)

2011-11-07T07:33:00.002-06:00

Summer is no longer here. It is now cold outside. No more running around outside on spur of the moment. I now have to check if it is cold. I now have to take the time to put on his cute sweaters and hats and shoes. Oh well, it's a new season. The leaves are falling from the trees. He loves to pick up and carry the leaves in his cute little hands. I love to hear the crunch of dried leaves under my feet. He pulls off his hat, doesn't like wearing anything on his head. I have to distract him with more leaves or sliding down his slide. My fall garden is growing. He likes to help me pick the lettuce (well, maybe he just plays in the dirt). It is totally dark outside by 6:00. I can't stand that. It cuts the day short. I don't have as many hours to do things (at least that's what it feels like). At least it feels cooler outside when we can be out there. Summer is gone, fall is here and that's okay with me.

Addiction...

2011-11-04T06:18:00.002-06:00

As you can see, I am a little addicted to water bottles. When I go shopping, I usually have to check if they have anything new. A new shape, a new spout, even a new color. I drink a lot of water most days and it just helps to have a cute cup to look at while I do it. Is anyone else addicted to water bottles?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T06:19:00.000-06:00

Link on up over here if you want to participate!! :)

7 miles gone....

2011-10-29T07:41:00.000-05:00

I have done 7 miles since last Tuesday!! That is huge for me! :) It is only the beginning though. I still have 93 miles to go until 2012! I can do this! I am keeping this goal in the back of my mind and every time I feel like sitting down I change my thoughts to "I can do one more mile today". It's just about 15 minutes for me. I like to do walking tapes. That makes it easier for me to just do something. Anyone can just march in place for a little while. I hope y'all are out there exercising with me!! :) You can do it!!!

More journal pages from me...

2011-10-28T07:59:00.001-05:00

100 miles by 2012

2011-10-25T08:19:00.000-05:00

I have waited too long in my life for something to happen to my weight. I have waited and prayed for it to just fall off. Is that going to happen? NO!! I have to DO SOMETHING about it or it will just keep piling on me. I have recently (or always) been very depressed about my weight and how I look. Most of my depression stems from this. Yes I know how lame that sounds, but it's true. So recently I have realized (whether I wanted to or not) that I am THE ONLY person that can change my weight (with God's help of course)!! I am THE ONLY person that will get my butt off the couch to exercise and I am THE ONLY person who will stop putting the food in my mouth!!! I am taking charge of my life TODAY!!!

I have vowed myself to do 100 miles of cardio before 2012. That may not sound like much to some of you, but it sounds like a lot to me. I don't do ANYTHING right now (other than chase after J). As of this morning, I did 1 mile on my treadmill (a walk/jog). BIG VICTORY FOR ME as I actually got my butt out of bed and did something!!!! So I now have 99 miles left to go. I will update here on my progress as often as I can.

If you would like to do this challenge with me then feel free to do so. I need all the help I can get to get this done. I will need people to comment and ask how I am doing with my challenge (if I haven't updated in a while). Feel free to kick me in gear with your comments if you see I am slacking!! :)

Journal pages...

2011-10-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

These are the only two I could post without them automatically turning sideways. It's crazy that it is doing that again...

It's hard....(Just write #4)

2011-10-18T11:18:00.000-05:00

Sitting here. Listening to the rain pour on the roof of my home. It's very soothing. I am trying to calm down. J had his 15m checkup today and it's too much. Too much information for my brain. Too much stuff for me to remember. I need to write it all down somewhere. Thank God my mom comes with me because she remembers a lot of the stuff that was said. I don't know what I would do without the help. We come home and J is screaming. He won't stop screaming. He doesn't want to play. I realize he dirtied his diaper again and he has a bad rash. He moves so much I can hardly clean it, but it hurts so bad. I know it does. I try not to get stressed from the screaming and moving around. It's hard. I know he doesn't do it on purpose. It hurts, but it's hard. His teeth are coming in all at once. I hope they finish coming in soon. Being a mother is hard. I am trying to handle it, but it's hard. I want to be good at it, but it's hard. I am only human. I make mistakes. I tell myself that it's okay, but it's hard.

Making crayons...

2011-10-17T09:07:00.000-05:00

Get your little one doing something where he won't get into everything. It just happened to be lunch time when I decided (on a whim) to make him some crayons. He can use regular ones, but the ones I make are just easier for him to hold.

Make sure to peel the paper off of all the crayons. This is the hardest part in my opinion because it hurts my fingers. All my crayons are old too so the paper was practically melted on.

I used parchment paper to line my muffin tins. It makes the crayons a little creased looking around the edge (not like a smooth circle) but it's so much easier to take out when they are done. It didn't matter what they looked like anyway...J didn't care. As long as they put color on the paper. :)

Put whatever colors you like together. You can make them perfect and put all the exact same colors together or you can mix it up (like I did) and just add "similar" colors together.

This one I just put all the leftover colors into.

Set the oven to 250*. Any low setting will do...

Put them into the oven and just watch them melt. Mine took about 20-30 minutes.

Let them cool in the pan until they are totally hard. The parchment paper will come right off.

Aren't the colors so pretty? I really like doing this. I love to see how they turn out b/c they will all be different.

If you want to, you can mix the colors with a toothpick or something when you first take them out of the oven and they are still liquid. That will make them a more unified color and they won't be marbleized like mine are.

I hope you enjoy making your own crayons as much as I do. I would love to see pictures if you try this and blog about it. Just link back to my blog so I can see them! :)

Going away for the weekend!!!

2011-10-14T12:13:00.000-05:00

This weekend I am going on a girl's only trip with my co-workers. We do it every year. Last year I couldn't go b/c J was only a couple months old, but this year I am not missing it. He sleeps through the night and we don't breastfeed anymore so it's perfect. We are only gonna be like 45 minutes away so it will work out great. My hubby is going to take care of J while I am gone. I am a little nervous, but I know that they will be fine. I need this trip away. I deserve this trip away. Even if it's just for the weekend.

Art journal page...

2011-10-10T08:48:00.000-05:00

He will play with anything...

2011-10-05T08:40:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday...

Waiting for nothing... (JW #3)

2011-10-04T22:10:00.001-05:00

Sitting, waiting. Waiting for something different to happen. Waiting to be a better parent. Waiting to lose weight. Waiting to be happy. Waiting to have friends. Waiting for health. Waiting for love. Waiting for hope. Waiting for the tears that I know will be coming.

Take some deep breaths. Think happy thoughts. That should help it go away. This dark cloud that's consuming me so many different times a day. Go away!! I don't want you here anymore.

Play yard fun...

2011-10-01T09:49:00.000-05:00

My little man loves playing in the play yard with his daddy and me. He has a blast jumping all over us and flipping around everywhere! I love it too. I get to actually "play" with him without just having to chase him all over the house and just wearing myself out. He is very much a digger and an explorer. He doesn't usually just sit down and play with anything in particular. He just likes to run around the house and get into things he isn't supposed to. So I do allow times for that, but it is nice to just put him in the play yard where I don't have to worry about him if I have something else to do (i.e. cook supper or do some laundry). He has fun and I know that he is safe in there. :) What do you do with your kids while you are trying to get things done around the house?

Layers...

2011-09-26T08:28:00.003-05:00

I love how this page has writing underneath and drips on top! It makes my senses happy! :)

Everyday Questions... (JW #2)

2011-09-22T08:30:00.001-05:00

Sitting at my computer. Listening to J whine in his play area. Listening to the clackity clack of the washing machine. My mind going in a hundred different directions. Should I exercise, fold the clothes, mop the floors, play on the internet, read, draw? That is the questions I ask myself all the time, everyday, never ending questions. They aren't life changing questions, but whatever I choose at that certain moment could make or break my mood later. J is at the moment falling asleep. If I choose to clean I will be annoyed if he wakes up too soon and I can't do something fun. If I choose something fun right now, I will be annoyed later that I didn't get anything done around the house and feel guilty. Those are the questions on my mind.

Random art journal pages

2011-09-19T14:26:00.001-05:00

Longing to paint...

2011-09-15T09:13:00.000-05:00

Today I am anxious to get in my art room and journal until I am covered in paint, but alas that cannot happen. I am far too busy doing laundry and playing with my little man. I guess my little heart will have to wait to be expressed. I just hope it doesn't take too long. For now I will just have to sketch and not do anything messy. I usually would wait until J goes to sleep at night, but then there are chores to do and mommy has to sleep sometimes. One day I will get my hands on my journal again and put it to good use.

Just Write... #1

2011-09-13T08:37:00.000-05:00

I am just sitting here at my computer, trying to think of something to do today. We have just finished breakfast and it's early. J is playing in his play yard and letting out whines here and there. I guess his teeth are bothering him...who knows? I really wish he would just be quiet and play though. This is the only time I really get to myself (other than nap time). Will I ever get time to myself again? Then I think...what am I really doing that is so important? Playing games on FB, twittering? That's all? None of this is really important enough to spend time away from J. Time for this mommy to turn off the computer and play with him.

This is to participate in Just Write on a new blog I just found, The Extraordinary Ordinary. It is really fun to "just write" about what is going on at the moment. I will have to do this more often. You should try it too! :)

J's First haircut...

2011-09-11T09:37:00.000-05:00

Before we got started...

He was scared at first. He mainly just didn't want her touching him.

But he calmed down after a while.

We gave him Grannie's keys to keep him occupied.

He was a squirmy wormy, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Look how much fun I am having...

Now I look like a little man...

After we were all finished. Don't I look handsome?

2011-09-08T07:56:00.000-05:00

2011-09-05T15:41:00.001-05:00

My little cousin let me borrow her "energy" bracelet last week and it has helped tremendously...at least for now. I have gotten up every day on time (or at least not still feeling tired). I have cleaned out part of my art room. I have been organizing J13m's room. I am going to tackle some kitchen cabinets next. I haven't felt really tired or anything, like I usually would. I don't know if it's the bracelet itself or just the fact that when I see it I think I should be doing something, but whatever the reason is...I like it! I haven't procrastinated cleaning things like usual and I have gotten off the couch more than normal. Today I went for a walk with my aunt for over an hour. Now don't get me wrong, I was tired afterwards, but not for long. I ate lunch, rested for a little while and then started washing some clothes. I have to give the bracelet back to my little cousin soon so I think I will suck it up and spend the $35 to order me one. It seems like a high price to pay, but if it gets me to do more stuff around the house then I am all for it! :) What motivates you to do things around the house?

2011-09-02T13:13:00.001-05:00

I still miss my grandma...everyday.

Organized journal page...

2011-08-26T13:10:00.000-05:00

Chaotic journal page...

2011-08-24T08:20:00.000-05:00

I did this page a few days before J was born...

This journal was my little cousin's old spelling book...

Journal pages...

2011-08-22T19:11:00.000-05:00

This is one of my more boring pages...

I love how this page turned out!

J is growing..

2011-08-17T19:13:00.000-05:00

I love that smile!!

Anything that has to do with electronics is alright with him...

"What's up everybody?"

My brain is kinda scrambled tonight. I keep typing stuff over and over and keep deleting it b/c it doesn't make any sense. I just can't think...this is not good when I am trying to write a blog post.

J has been doing so many new things lately. He amazes me sometimes with what he comes up with. He is making all kinds of new sounds. Some of them even sound like real words...lol! Like "thank you" or "love you". He still calls everything "da-da" though. He definitely knows that sound! Everything is "da-da". It's so funny! He is walking all over the house and falling a lot too. Mainly b/c he tries to run and his legs can't keep up. I bought him some mega blocks today and he already knows how to put them together (with a little guidance of course). He loves to read books and to point to the pictures, only for a few minutes at a time though. He gets bored with them easily...unless there is a dog in the book. My child LOVES dogs. Every time he sees one he yells "dog dog"! It's so cute! I figured he would love animals, especially since I am allergic and he would never be able to have one. He has been playing really well by himself too. He can keep himself entertained for a long time in his play yard. We got him some outside toys too. He likes to sit on top of the slide, but he isn't too sure yet about what it is. By next spring though I won't be able to keep him off of it. He loves to be outside. He points to the door a lot when he wants to go out, but we just can't right now (at least not for very long) it's just too darn hot outside. I guess that's about it. I know this isn't very organized or anything, but I was just sorta typing what was in my head. It's what seemed to be easiest for me at the moment. I hope everyone has a good night's sleep. :)

Some journal pages...

2011-08-13T15:40:00.000-05:00

Rambling...

2011-08-12T10:03:00.000-05:00

This is my 480th post. That seems like a lot to me, but I have had this blog for about 4 years so actually is doesn't seem like much. I especially don't blog a whole lot since J was born. Oh well, I figure my blog is always here and I can always blog more. I feel like my life is pretty boring so I don't have much to say. I guess that's why I don't blog a whole lot. I either post pics about my art, pics of J or I just have posts where I ramble on about nothing (like this one). That's about all there is to it. I don't feel like I have much to say or do in my life so I guess my blog kinda reflects that. Oh well, it's really only here for me and if anyone reads it then that's just a bonus. :)
Today I am just doing chores, mainly washing clothes and dishes. I think I will be baking some banana bread later. I have to, b/c the bananas are taking over my freezer. I need to use some of them. Maybe I will get out my Nook and read a book today as well. That's about it though. That will pretty much be the extent of my day. It's only 10:00 in the morning. It feels like it would be later, but it isn't...oh well. At least it's Friday! That's something to be happy about.

My little man's first birthday!!!

2011-08-05T14:05:00.000-05:00

J's first picture of his birthday!

Mommy, this crown is annoying me!

#1 Cake!!! I made it myself. I was so proud!

I also made cupcakes for J to eat!!

He would only eat it with a spoon!! Silly little man!

This cake is good Mommy!!

My cousins are helping me play with my new toys!

My party wore me out!!!

Just rambling...

2011-08-01T06:55:00.000-05:00

Today is going to be a good day. It has to be now because I said it. I am tired of being unhappy and depressed most days for nothing. I don't have anything to be unhappy about (other than my hormones or the chemicals in my brain are out of whack or something). My hubby has a good job, I have fun hobbies, I have a wonderful little man who keeps me on my toes and laughing every day. I have a great life!! I am still trying to lose weight (as I always probably will be). I am not doing much with that at the moment. Just trying to make better choices and move a little bit everyday. I figure it's more then I was doing last year at this time. I just get so bored with exercise. It's like the same thing everyday. I guess I will just have to resolve to make myself do it until my body craves it. My body used to crave exercise years ago when I would exercise everyday with my aunt, but I gradually stopped and became lazy again. I will just have to build up my endurance and love for exercise all over again. My little man is awake. I guess I will just write some more later. I hope everyone has a good, creative day!!

Chickens...

2011-07-29T08:10:00.001-05:00

These are my mom and dad's chickens. They just got them this spring. They got 8 to begin with and 2 of them died when they were little. These last 6 look very healthy. I can't wait until they start giving eggs. Yummy!! I like to throw food to them and watch them run around chasing each other for it. J12m loves to watch them as well. He thinks they are funny! :)

Things to be grateful for:

new smoothie recipes from Dashing Dish
wanting to exercise
getting to sleep at night
hubby's new job
new workout shoes
J12m playing alone for a little while

Friends journal page...

2011-07-25T19:21:00.000-05:00

Today I am grateful for...

2011-07-19T09:26:00.000-05:00

being able to exercise before my little man got up this morning
my hubby having a new job that he is happy at
having time to plan my supper tonight while J is napping
twitter
having time to blog today

Art journal pages...

2011-07-16T13:08:00.000-05:00

FOCUS

2011-07-14T09:31:00.000-05:00

I love this page!! Of course because of the bright colors that I love, but also because of the message it has. I usually focus on all the negative things in my life, but I am trying to remedy that. I need to focus on the positive things that go on with me. That is why I try to think of things I am grateful for everyday. I don't always write them down, but I should.

I am grateful for:

My hubby's new job
Watching my little man learn new things everyday
Losing inches (even though the scale doesn't show much)
Being able to move my body with exercise (even though I don't always want to)
Having a part time job so I can be with J most days
My creativity

It's all in the details...

2011-07-09T07:14:00.000-05:00

I just love the little details in my journal pages. I could look at my art journals over and over again and still miss some things I have done to a page. I put layer upon layer of paint, collage, writing, etc in my pages and I never know what will come out in the end. That is what makes up my pages...all the little details that I put into it.

Journal pages and grateful...

2011-07-05T07:09:00.001-05:00

Today I am grateful for:

changes in my life, without them I cannot grow as a person.
being able to move my body to exercise (even though I don't like to or want to most days)
J11m growing and learning new things everyday
my job, which allows me to have some time away once and a while
family, who helps me out no matter what my problem may be

My "I don't have to think" box...

2011-07-01T18:52:00.000-05:00

This is a box I made with tons of prompts in it. I use this when my brain just doesn't want to think of any ideas. I just pull out a paper and I do what it says. They say anything from "use yellow" to "write down everything you ate today". Just things to get my mind off of making a perfect page. It just gets my creativity flowing.

I love collage and writing...

2011-06-26T13:08:00.000-05:00

Collage and circles...

2011-06-19T08:36:00.000-05:00

I love how "collaged" this one looks!!

I love making circles in my journal!

2011-06-14T08:38:00.000-05:00

These are old journal pages...back when we thought my baby was a girl!! Boy was the ultrasound tech wrong...lol! :)

Just some journal pages...

2011-06-11T07:41:00.000-05:00

I am way behind on posting these journal pages. These are from last years journal. I just finished my most recent one and I am about to start on another one. Oh well, you will get to see them all eventually! :) I am just so busy most days that I can't really get anything "fun" done. No posting on my blog, art journaling, etc. I am dealing with it though. I have learned that things will just get done when they get done. :)

Our garden...

2011-06-05T08:52:00.000-05:00

These pictures are from about a month ago when our garden was healthier and happier. Our garden doesn't look like this now. We desperately need some rain so our garden can grow some more. Everything looks wilted now.

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

More tomatoes

White seedless Grapes

Cherry tomatoes

Can you tell that I love tomatoes? I have gotten to eat a few cherry tomatoes, but no regular sized ones yet. I am hoping that it rains soon so that they can grow properly. We water everything in the morning and at night, but the sun is so hot that everything stays wilted all day. I wish I knew how to do a rain dance...lol!! :)

Gratefulness...

2011-06-02T19:17:00.002-05:00

I am not always aware/grateful for the things that happen in my life, so I am going to start making a list of "things I am grateful for" right here on my blog.

Things I am grateful for today:
1. a nap
2. my little man's rash is looking better
3. my mom cooked supper for us
4. I had time to take a shower
5. my hubby is giving me computer time right now
6. jogged at 4.0mph this morning

Eating healthier...

2011-05-27T15:18:00.000-05:00

I have never been one to like to cook or try and eat healthy, but since I have gotten pregnant and had my little man that has all changed. I am trying to make sure he is eating the healthiest/freshest food that we can provide him. In turn, my hubby and I are trying to eat better as well. As J10m is getting older he is noticing the difference between what we are eating and what he is eating so we are doing our best to set a good example for him. I have been trying to cook more often as well. We are trying not to eat out as much as we used to. I know it's not as healthy and it is more expensive then actually cooking our own dinners. I am still learning of course, but I do the best I can.

These are just some homemade purees I have made him. Nowadays I leave his food a lot chunkier so he can get used to the different textures of foods. The only thing he doesn't really like the texture of yet is rice, but we are working on it. I am lucky in the fact that he eats anything we give him (even though I can tell that he doesn't really like it). I am enjoying this now, because I know it won't always be like this.

2011-05-23T07:25:00.000-05:00

He brightens up my life!!!!

Homegrown green beans...

2011-05-22T12:04:00.002-05:00

These are our green bean plants. It is only a small part of what we grow. I am really enjoying our garden this year. Usually I loathe going outside everyday to water the plants and weed them and pick the veggies, but this year was different. My parents have a garden as well so we are helping them with theirs too and sharing the things we grow. I don't really know what was different about this year (other then I am eating the stuff we grow and I actually think it tastes good). Hopefully our tomatoes do really good because that is my favorite thing. There is nothing like eating a home grown tomato! :)

Feeling good...

2011-05-17T15:05:00.000-05:00

Today I am feeling good! It is rare for me to feel good all day long...usually it's just half a day or even less then that. I don't know. I woke up today in a good mood and it has continued. My little man slept all night so I am not sleep deprived. I have gotten my exercise done. I have also not been eating all day long and I have been drinking all my water. I wish I would feel like this more often. It also helps that my little man is in a good mood and not fussing too much either. I need to learn how to feel good like this even when things are not going right. That would make my life so much easier.

Negativity/Positivity

2011-05-10T07:44:00.000-05:00

Now if only I would remember this while I have anxiety or things like that. I usually forget and just focus on the negative stuff.
In my mind, there is a lot of negative stuff going on...body image (mainly), money troubles, in general just negative thoughts about most things. I need to make a mind shift and start focusing on the positive things in my life. I will try to remedy this. Every time I notice I'm thinking a negative thought (which will be most of the time) I will automatically change it to a positive one. That should make my days go better. Actually my days are perfectly fine, but my negativity won't let me think they are. I usually just focus on the bad stuff that happens and not the good. That is where my mind shift will come in handy. Just focusing on the positive stuff will make my day/life seem better.

My first Easter...

2011-05-03T13:05:00.000-05:00

All he wanted to do was eat the eggs. LOL

He loved the easter basket from his great-grandparents.

Mom...can I go play now?

I'm so excited!!!

Love...just love!!

2011-04-30T09:43:00.001-05:00

I love when he falls asleep with his daddy!!

Alcohol drops...

2011-04-27T18:53:00.000-05:00

I just loved the way the alcohol made circles on this page so I didn't want to cover them up.

A baby's life...

2011-04-17T09:09:00.008-05:00

My little man turned nine months this weekend. My how time does fly when you're busy! I can't believe it.

He is learning so many new things. He knows lots of babbles and tries to talk all the time. It's so cute when you know he is trying to say something and it's really important. He loves to try and imitate anything we are doing. He waves to everything he sees. He loves our neighbors horses and waves to them too. We bought him an outside swing and hung it from a tree. He loves it. He could swing a long time. He just stares at the sky and almost always wants to fall asleep in it. He is really starting to recognize people and is apprehensive about people he doesn't see often. He isn't totally scared of them though, unless they try to take him from us. He is starting to get more brave about standing/walking too. He will actually let go and balance for a few seconds before he sits down. He also pulls himself up on everything and "walks" along the edge of the furniture. I definitely think he will be walking before his first birthday. He loves to eat and he has started to recognize that different things taste different. He is just starting to not like certain things (which is not much). Sometimes he eats it even when he knows he won't like it. Also, I usually can't eat my food around him when he is eating his baby food because he wants my food instead. It's like he knows that it will taste better than his! LOL He loves to dance. He will dance to any noise he hears. He has started waking up in the middle of the night again. I really think it's because his skin itches when he wakes up and he just can't get back to sleep. Last night was the worst...he was up every 2 hours. Usually though, he is just up once or twice so it isn't too bad. I am still breastfeeding him and I plan to continue to do that as long as he will let me. I have really come to enjoy that time with him. I think that is about it for now. He amazes me everyday with the new things he is learning how to do.

"It's a Girl!" Journal page...

2011-04-13T08:58:00.003-05:00

I made this page back when I was pregnant and we had just found out that it was a girl.

I had to correct this later of course when we found out it was really a boy.

This is a confusing art journal over all because a lot of the pages are pink and talk about me having a girl. Then toward the end of it I have pages in blue where it talks about our little boy. Oh well, I think it just makes it interesting. :)

My birthday wish list...

2011-04-03T20:26:00.007-05:00

I am so excited!!! My birthday is in 16 days!!! I love when my birthday comes around. My mom cooks all my favorite things throughout the month. Things that I am too lazy to make for myself throughout the rest of the year. :) Thanks mom!!!

Here is my wish list:

1. I would love an ergo baby carrier. I usually use my Moby wrap and I have a ring sling as well, but I think I would use a structured carrier more often. I think it would be easier to get on and off during the day just for short babywearing times.

2. A Heart Rate Monitor that counts calories. I am still debating if I want to get one with a chest strap or not. I would rather not have a chest strap, but I don't know if it is accurate enough without one.

3. Gift certificate to Hobby Lobby. I can ALWAYS find something over there.

4. Books...lots and lots of books. I have a big wish list of them through the Barnes and Noble site to get on my Nook Color. I also have a huge wish list at the library.

5. I would love a cover for my Nook Color.

That about sums it up. I am sure that there are lots more things I would want, but I can't think of any right now.

Journal pages and blogger editor...

2011-04-03T09:40:00.003-05:00

I love the dripping on this page.

I HATE the new blogger editor. Whenever I try to post it never works out. This post is only here because I changed it back to the old editor. In the new one, I can't move my pictures where I want them to and I can't even put my cursor where I want it to write. It's ridiculous!! Do you agree or disagree? Am I just using it wrong? I just don't know...

Today feels great!!!!

2011-03-31T10:56:00.000-06:00

I feel great today!! I have been so down in the dumps lately (thank goodness it isn't everyday or all day) that I haven't wanted to do anything. I love days like today when I feel like I can accomplish something. I made a to do list this morning and I plan on doing almost everything on it. I have already exercised some and washed clothes and put my supper in the crock pot. I think this is an accomplishment already because I usually leave that kind of stuff up to my hubby. He's great about it and doesn't complain, but it makes me feel guilty sometimes. Even though I have J to take care of, deep down I do know that I can get more done around the house. I am usually just lazy and don't feel like doing anything, but that makes me feel lousy. I makes me feel like a bad person, but I know I'm not. I just need to make some changes and stick with them. I know it won't be everyday, but most days of the week. I need to harness this feeling that I have today! I can accomplish anything that I put my mind to and I will not be lazy about it!!!! I am not a lazy person!!! I will be happier and enjoy my life!!! I will put this in writing everywhere in my house to remind myself. I can be different!!! I just need to change my way of thinking.
I hope y'all have a great day as well!!! :)

Homemade donuts...

2011-03-28T08:08:00.000-06:00

Here is a recipe I got from Paula Deen on the Food Network. It was super easy and really delicious!! You should try it! :)

I made my own glaze because I didn't have any chocolate in the house. You could use whatever you wanted. Powdered sugar would be good just sprinkled on top as well! :)

I better stop now...I'm making myself hungry!! :)

2011-03-25T05:52:00.003-06:00

This is my 450th post! I hope everyone is still enjoying my blog, even though it hasn't been quite as interesting for a while. I don't really have much time to post anything so I usually just do something quick. I am going to really try hard to post more often and put different stuff up here, but it's hard to find the time. I guess I will have to start using the "drafts" folder...I will just have to write a little at a time until I can get a whole post. *See...I can't even finish this one...my little man just woke up!*