Project 365: 26

For me: Tall Sugar-Free Vanilla Skinny Latte
For him: Tall House Blend with Sugar
For us: DATE NIGHT! :)

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Project 365: 25

I am so sick today. My head feels like it's full of concrete, my sinuses are stuffed beyond capacity, and my body feels like it weighs 10 tons. It's not a good day for Momma. On the other hand, my kids, (who lovingly passed this gem of a virus on to me), have recuperated from their weekend of sickness and are at the top of their games. They are both bouncing off the walls and itching for excitement- something I just can't give today. However, Miss Abigail seemed up to the challenge, so I let her feed herself her bottle for the very first time today. She did great! Milestones milestones milestones.

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Project 365: 24

Sometimes, my kids make me want to pull my hair out. It can feel like when I finally get one happy, the other is screaming. Sometimes, I want a break.

But then there are moments like these, when they're both calm, both peaceful. This moment lasted about 3 seconds before big brother was ready to be done with the cuddling (see second photo) but while it lasted, I was one happy momma.

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Project 365: 23

Is it too early to start thinking about summer barbecues?

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Project 365: 22

This photo has a special place in my heart. It shows my dear husband, Mike, standing next to his amazing freestyle handiwork. Now, you should know, my husband used to build houses for a living. The man built me a house in our first year of marriage, and has continued to blow my mind with his mad skills (with a hammer) ever since. There are times, though, like today, when Mike doesn't feel like helping me out. It's times like these that I treasure- a moment for me to point out to him just how clearly his negative attitude is showing through his work. Needless to say, he was unimpressed. He was even more pleased with me when I begged him to smile for my photo-of-the-day!

Note: the hooks have since been straightened. ;)

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Project 365: Week 3 Layout

Like this? I'm giving away the template for free!

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FREE Project 365 Layout Templates

Do you like the layouts I've been using for my Project 365 photos? Well, now you can have them! For FREE!

The .zip file includes three 12''x12'' 2-page layouts using the same simple theme I've been using. These are layered .psd files to be used with Photoshop.

Click on the image to download.

Need a crash course on how to make these work? Check out this post.

Project 365: 21

This photo marks the end of the third week of 2012!

This little angel face is deceiving; you would never guess she single-handedly gave the whole house her chest cold, and somehow is the only person feeling good today. It's all worth it to see her feeling better, though, after a week of watching her feel miserable. C'est la vie.

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Project 365: Week 2 Layout

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Project 365: Week 1 Layout

I might be willing to make up a layered Photoshop template for this layout if enough people are interested. Are you? Leave a note for me in the comments.

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Project 365: 20

I know, I know. It's still the 19th. But this photo is just so perfect for my Project 365, so we're all going to overlook the date, okay? Okay.

Oh the many wonders of string cheese. If she could talk, my teething 5 month old would tell you it works wonders for a sore mouth. Also, meet the hubbster. :)

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Project 365: 19 (and a recipe!)

Gosh, I just love carbs. Seriously.

Check out the recipe here: http://thefrugalflambe.com/2012/01/19/recipe-bran-muffins/

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Project 365: 18

Yay for manipulation! I got this adorable photo with the following:

"Hey Aaron, wanna watch a dinosaur movie? Yeah? Smile for Mommy!"

Works (almost) every time.

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Project 365: 17

When you're eating healthy in the winter, eating cold salads and fruit medleys can get kind of... chilly. At least for me, when it's 9 degrees outside, I want something HOT, but I don't want to waste a ton of calories. It's times like these I turn to "zero point soup"- a Weight Watchers delicacy. Take broth (any), veggies (any, except the starchies like corn and peas), and some spices (any), throw it all together in a pot, simmer until veggies are tender, and devour. Warm, diet friendly comfort food even your personal trainer can get behind.

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Project 365: 16

Since having my Aaron in August of 2008, there are many things I have done that I never imagined myself doing. For example, this morning, he wanted to play with his race track. So, before a shower, before make-up, before my morning coffee, I spent 20 minutes putting together the coolest racetrack ever (a little self-encouragement never hurts, right?) according to his exacting specifications. And I liked it. Nope, never thought I would do that in a million years, but now it's my everyday. So thankful for this little one.

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Project 365: 15

This time of year, our family is pretty much desperate for warmth. Here in Minnesota, January has been historically the worst and coldest winter month of the year. Today, though, it was a "warm" 35 degrees! We felt so spoiled. We walked to the park with the kiddos, played for a while, and then rushed home to thaw out. Part of the thawing process includes eating a snack- and what better than the taste of sunshine and summer!

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Project 365: 14

Soon, these photos will all be switched out with more current ones (we're now a family of four, for example). But today, it's still a wall-sized scrapbook of a very memorable period in our lives- not better or worse, just very memorable.

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Project 365: 13

My little girl is growing up. Today, she sat unsupported for the first time ever. Yesterday, stood, (holding onto a laundry basket), without my hands keeping her steady. Has it really been almost five months since she was born? Does time really move that quickly?

Apparently, yes.

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Project 365: 12

With a three year old, there's a limited window of opportunity to snap that adorable photo. There's about 10 seconds of cute smiles, and then the window closes. When I miss it, (and I say "when" because I usually do miss it), this is what I get. Snark. Pure snark.

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Project 365: 11

My life sometimes feels like a tower built of wooden blocks.

Strange thing to say, huh? Bear with me.

I work really hard, every day, to build my "tower of blocks". Building upon a foundation of hope and trust, I do dishes, read books to my kids, make dinner, balance our budget, find creative ways to interact as a family, keep the house in some semblance of order, and pray (often); I do whatever I can to ensure a stable and comfortable environment for my family. Most of the time, I'm successful. We are generally happy and comfortable. It feels good. With every little thing I do, I add another block to the top of my "tower". And it's a nice tower. It is strong and is built with love. I love that tower (security) (are you following the analogy here?)

It never ceases to amaze me, though, how quickly my tower of blocks can be leveled. In the span of 3 seconds, (the approximate amount of time it takes for a speech therapist to say, "Your son has been diagnosed with the inability to process speech," for example), my tower comes tumbling to the ground. In an instant, I feel insecure, alone and afraid. I find myself wishing, however futile my wishing might be, that I didn't just hear what I heard. I question myself, my husband, my capabilities as a parent and my ability to make a positive difference. I stare at the pile of fallen blocks before me and wonder how I'll ever build it back up again. How will I ever feel secure or protected again? I pray, cry and share my fear and sadness with those I love.

And then, slowly, I realize that I was wrong. My tower isn't leveled. Sure, the fancy spires and towers have fallen, but the foundation remains. Firm and strong, my hope and resolve are still there. The faith upon which I had built my tower in the first place still stands, and it fills me with the strength to start rebuilding.

My mom once told me that there was a point in her life where she was faced with a choice: she could give up, lay down, and let her life direct her, or she could get up, take a shower, and choose to direct her life. Today, I'm making the choice to direct my life. I'm going to start rebuilding my confidence, restructuring our strategies and reinforcing my faith in in a firm foundation that can withstand the worst.

Today, I am victorious.

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