Gratituesday: Sweet friendship

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." - Albert Schweitzer

I found a new walking path in my neighborhood. It is exactly one mile from my front door to the closest end of the path (add another mile if I walk to the farthest end, and another mile if I go down all the cul-de-sac streets along the way). I have decided to make it an as-often-as-possible occurrence to walk this path. Some days I will walk, other days I will run (race my PR), and some days I will mix it up. But if it's nice and sunny out... I will go down the path!

In the past week I have enjoyed this walk four times and the last three times in conversation with some of my dearest friends. (I should dig out my bluetooth if I'm going to make this a habit!) Friends... let it be known that there is nothing better for my soul than fresh air, good conversation, and a content baby all at very the same time.

Actually... a really good worship set at church is super good for my soul, too. :)

Earlier today I texted one of the ladies I had the pleasure of catching up with last week and I said "My heart is still so full from our conversation." And it is, it really is. My cup overflows. <3

So, tonight, I just want to take a second and express my gratitude for these little moments... the refreshing times of soulful conversation, deep breaths of fresh air, and an extra dose of vitamin D. Life is so good.

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Gratituesday is a weekly post I try to keep up with. Join us at heavenly homemakers by sharing your own Gratituesday post!

Gratituesday: On Mommy Guilt

So, last week I came across this link on my Facebook page. If you don't want to click through, here's the jist:

Dear Mom on the iPhone, It's okay. Sincerely, Awesome Mom Peer

Yes! It IS okay! I have this thing about Mommy guilt... it makes me sooo frustrated. It seems like moms in our culture feel guilty about everything - and we nurture each other’s guilt, too! It’s as if, subconciously, we are thinking “If I have Mommy guilt, it's because I care. And a good mom cares, right? Okay then, live on, mommy guilt!”

Except - a good mom also needs to believe in herself and the decisions she has made. She should stand by who she is and own herself - flaws, bad tempers, mistakes, and all. She should know mistakes happen, bad days come and go, and not knowing an answer is just a part of her role as a mama.

But, our culture thrives on Mommy guilt and it drives me batty. Do I suffer from mommy guilt? YES. I’m not going to act like I have it under control and I don’t second guess a LOT of what I do. But, what makes it worse is that we are constantly discussing our guilt, reading about it, and allowing it to naturally become a part of our identities as mothers. But, you all! It is such a waste of time and energy! I do recognize I am holding myself to a ridiculous standard sometimes, we all are. Luckily, I have amazing people in my life that help bring me back to reality when I need it most… and I am so blessed for it.

(And not to sound like a commercial, but, I want to genuinely add: if YOU need some life cheerleaders, I encourage you to “Like” The Motherhood Collective on Facebook and join in the conversation. We are all about loving and nurturing moms. Because we all need it.)

Okay, so, when I came across that blog post about being an iPhone mama and it being OKAY I was thinking "Yes! Yes! Thank you! Let’s join together and tell these mamas to STOP FEELING GUILTY about so much stuff!” Someone else on the internet GETS IT! I am a recent (last 3 months or so) iPhone convert and it didn’t take long before my phone became an important key to managing our lives. I respond to client emails faster, I can spew out a grocery list as I drive to the store, I share bits of Sunday's days with Tommy, I read a daily devotion… the list goes on and on.

So, for this Gratituesday, I've got two things: I am super grateful for moms that are about supporting one another. And, on a lighter note… I am also grateful for my iphone and how much it helps me manage all the going ons of our family. :) I am grateful to know I’m not the only mama who does NOT feel guilty about how often I use my phone in the presence of my family!

Tomorrow, I am going to share some of my favorite iphone apps with you guys. And I’m not going to feel one ounce of guilt about it!

Gratituesday is a weekly post I try to keep up with. Join us at Heavenly Homemakers by sharing your own Gratituesday post!

Gratituesday: Receiving flowers

So you know my post last week about being overwhelmed? I'm kind of still there... I don't know what has been up with me but I have had a giant Attitude (with a capital A) lately. And Tommy? He has been over-the-top, incredibly patient with me. I think he may have reached the "I will do WHATEVER makes her HAPPY" point. (Yikes!) So, he ran out to the grocery store on Friday and returned home with some beautiful tulips for me (along with a week's worth of groceries :)). And they have made me so happy...

I'm so grateful for a husband who offers grace when I need it most. When he has an attitude I struggle with having patience... but when the roles are reversed he is more patient and gracious than ever. He inspires me.

Thank you, Tommy. For your love, patience, grace, and surprise gifts to help cheer me up.

Gratituesday is a weekly post I try to keep up with. Join us at Heavenly Homemakers by sharing your own Gratituesday post! 

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Equipment used for these pictures:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens

Gratituesday: Vacuum lines

You all. I am overwhelmed. And for no particular reason, even. Actually... I get overwhelmed when my to-do list gets too long for me to "see" it in my head. And at this point, because it's a Tuesday morning after a weekend of traveling, I haven't had the opportunity to sit down with my calendar and to-do list to plan my week. I feel like I'm "winging it" as I respond to emails and get a few tasks done here and there. I need to take about 30 minutes and focus and breatheeeeee. Or! I could just go vacuum my carpets.

I know, what in the world?

Vacuum lines make me feel so good. Just as a shiny sink, a made bed, and a jar of fresh flowers make me feel happy inside. Vacuum lines have a power over me and my emotions. It's slightly weird, I know. But I also know I'm not alone! (For real, I just found this video tutorial of how to make perfect vacuum lines... can't make this stuff up, guys!)

Are you overwhelmed today? I know, it's a Tuesday, not a Monday. But, it's my Monday. (That's because my Mondays are your Sundays. Following me?) Want to join me in pulling out the vacuum cleaner and drawing some lines on your carpet? Could I be anymore of a cliche homemaker right now? Hah. Oh well, I'm going to go vacuum... as soon as Sunday wakes up from her nap.

In the meantime, I'm going to go work on my to-do list! And I'll post a picture of my vacuum lines to instagram this afternoon. Not because it's interesting, but because I like accountability. :)

This week... I am grateful for vacuum lines and the other simple joys in life. They make a huge difference in my every day life! <3

Gratituesday: The Interns

This is my first semester having interns on board with me and I am kicking myself for not doing it earlier. Chelsea and Becker both have so much passion for their work - as most artists do. They are excited about working for me and get as excited about the successes of my business as I do! Plus they are uber-talented and we have a lot of interests in common. I love having them around! However, I wanted to take a minute and clear the air about a few things.

Chelsea, my PR intern, is my social media guru! She does a lot of clicking around (pinning on the business pinterest account (I do also have a personal account), following people on pinterest and twitter, and reviewing my stats), but she never says anything. Anything that has been posted, tweeted, retweeted, or shared - it all comes from me.

My fingers, my heart.

Everything on my blog? Written by me.

Yes, I have had my interns write blog posts - for the mere practice of doing so. Some of the blog posts are too good not to share - so I will share them in the future. But, don't worry, you will know when I post blogs written by someone else. And they will be few and far between.

Becker, my graphic design intern, has been working on graphic design projects behind the scenes. If her work is ever shared - you will know that it is her work.

I want to be as transparent as possible with you all.

Having interns on board has absolutely been worth my time and effort and I hope working with me has been a great experience so far for each of them. We still have months left of our time together, but I am already so grateful for their contributions to this business!

So this week... I am so, so happy to have interns on my team! They are helping me in more ways than they know!