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!

seeing beauty again | #gratituesday

These dogs have been less than enjoyable for me over the past year (maybe two?). I have had little to no compassion for them, very short patience, and quiet honestly, I think they have felt the same way about me. If it wasn't for Tommy, they probably would have run away forever and ever. (Instead they would run off during the day and come home at night to hang out with him. Every single day, guys. Every day.)

We finally invested in an invisible fence and they have learned their boundaries. They have stopped ignoring my commands and what do you know... I happen to give them bones a lot more often than I used to, too! Things are looking up!

And they are pretty good with Sunday, too. Hawkeye can't lick her enough and Traveler just avoids her (which is much better than the other option of telling Sunday how she really feels).

This past week my intern, Chelsea, snapped this shot of Traveler and posted it to Instagram. As I scrolled through my IG feed, it suddenly took my breath away. I forgot... how adorable she is. How much she is very much alive and well... and needs love and attention, too.

So this week we reached out with a little more effort. We've had a lot of doggy cuddling time and extra bones have been given during the day. Our relationship is on the upswing again and I'm feeling really good about that.

I'm grateful for these pups. They are so good... obedient, patient, and loving. Far from inconvenient or a burden - truly. I have a hard time remembering that. I'm thankful for my new perspective this week.

Join us for Gratituesday at heavenly homemakers!

Time on the trails | #Gratituesday

Well, it's about two years overdue, but we are finally trekking the trails together.

Tommy has been on his trail running journey for a while and I am finally dipping my toes into it this year. This past week we have been out on the trails three times as a family. It. is. awesome.

Sunday absolutely LOVES being out there. She is never more content and satisfied as she is when she's on Tommy's back and out in the woods. She inspires me so much. I try to not let the weather dictate our days together. It's been a goal to bundle up and go outside every day - in some way. It definitely doesn't happen every day, but setting the goal has helped make it happen a lot more often than it used to.

And I'm loving it. Fresh air and sunshine is so good for the soul. Uninterrupted family time, with no TV or laptops or work tempting our attention is so good for our family.

Here's to many more hours, days, even weeks spent in the great outdoors with each other!!

Join us for Gratituesday at heavenly homemakers!

Gratituesday: Normalcy

As the events of last Friday swirl around each of us, we are all getting a new perspective and reaching a different level of gratitude for the regular things in life. The worst nightmare of those families has come true and if I'm honest, I have a load of guilt hanging over me because my life is still normal. Sunday still cries out for me too early in the morning and she still nurses herself to sleep. What can I do at this time except stop to appreciate every waking moment I have with my baby girl and pray for those who can no longer experience these moments with their kids?

Today I am grateful for the toys on the living room floor, because they mean I have a happy baby who enjoys playing with them. I am grateful for the dirty dishes in the sink because it means I have a family to eat dinner with. I am grateful for the diaper pail of dirty diapers because it means my girl is healthy. I am grateful for loads of laundry with mixed colors because it means I have a husband who is here to help do laundry. I am grateful for the sound of Christmas carols and sparkly lights because they still carry a happy memory for me, unlike many people.

I am very blessed. I am very, very grateful. And I am praying every day for those families living their worst nightmare right now. I am praying that they know God and will lean on Him in this time. He is bigger and stronger than anything in this world and His comfort can bring peace. <3

Join us for Gratituesday at heavenly homemakers!