One Little Word 2012

My dear friend, Christine, introduced me to One Little Word a few years ago. I feel so lucky in life, I just really never have anything I need to resolve to do so thinking of one word better suits me. Sure, I could always use some improvements, but I've never had a real desire to make resolutions in the new year. 

This year, I'm choosing the word nourish. 

My journey toward this word and idea actually started a few months ago and has been a reason I haven't been blogging. I have been concentrating very hard on nourishing my family, my self, our house and homeschool. It's not even that anything has been drained or not doing well! I truly believe that I have absolutely everything I need, right in front of me and I want to take care of it. I want everything around me to flourish and grow, and that takes nourishment. 

Later this week I'll tell you what I've been up to and why it's taken so much of my time!

Until then (it's a real cliff hanger, I know) I'm going to remember something another friend of mine said: A new year comes once every 365 days but we get a new day every 24 hours. I hope we all learn to live each day to the fullest so that the year truly counts." 

Welcome to 2012, friends! 

Knock Knock

Who's there?

Boo.

Boo who?

Aw! Don't cry; I'm right here!

It seems like I just can't get it all done these days! Keeping with my "focus" theme this year, I have just been trying to pay attention to the things right in front of me. It just so happened that while John was gone I was able to neurotically list all the things I wanted/needed done in this house.

Rockin' 80's country theme (before). See the monster shelf in the right corner? 

Ah, a bit more my speed. Light, new, and CHEAP. I spray painted a bunch of stuff
I already owned, made the fabric panels on the wall, painted the CRAZY brass fire
box and sewed new pillow covers (you can see the first colorful cover peaking out).

I've been working on a lot of school stuff for Turner, baking and dinner making, playing out in this gorgeous weather and hanging out with my dudes! I have missed out on a TON of sleep as Deacon finally got two more teeth but we've all been quite well!

John ran a marathon!!! 

A Little Spray Paint

So this whole focus thing is working out pretty well for me. I know we're only five days in to the New Year but I've realized just what can be done with a little concentration. Might be easy for you, but I have to constantly refocus my attention. It's tough because I literally get 10 minute increments during the day between the kids, the house, school, etc. 

I even got this little guy done in just a few hours (drying time). I love it and I think I'll add a little wood finish to give it some depth. I'll wipe most of it off so it's not an all over darkened effect but just a touch of something else. 

I've always hated this "bachelor days" table and have banished it to the guest room.

I decided if it had to be in the living room, it needed some color! 

So, Valspar's "Mediterranean" it was...

Love it now! 

This fabric is finding a new life as a braided circle rug. We need one for our preschool work and I couldn't spend $110 on an ugly rug! I just couldn't. So, I found a tutorial at Moda Bake Shop and was totally inspired to make my own beauty. I've even gotten color ideas for the room now! Going with grey on the walls for the first time. John is skeptical, but I've got BIIIIG plans. 

One Little Word 2011

Last year, I tried to choose a word to give me some inspiration. One little word that would help me through a difficult year. I totally lost sight of it because it was an ill chosen word for my particular situation that year. When my friend, Christine, mentioned OLW again, it was without hesitation I knew my word.

FOCUS

I am choosing to focus on our little life when there are so many distractions. 

Focus on my children, individually.

Focus on my marriage while we have the time to do so. 

Learn to focus on the projects I want completed. 

Focus on myself, in time. 

By just reminding myself to focus, I have made progress in just three days. I was able to organize

my one measley pantry by Mod Podging some boxes with fabric.

From this...

In to this! 

And I turned an old black picture frame in to this pretty awesome white board!  

 I'm excited to see what the year holds and I'm positive that this word will help me remember to just 

focus on what's important to me. 

Right now the important stuff is right in front of me 

(well, at least the aftermath is). 

Balance

My dear friend, Christine, mentioned One Little Word she's using for motivation this year. It got me thinking, I need a word...

There are quotes I've always thought of, my favorite being from To Kill A Mockingbird, and phrases I've repeated (I will not harm my child, I will not harm my child) but I've never thought of a single word for inspiration or motivation.

I chose 'balance' because things feel chaotic right now. Not that I ever really have a handle on anything, but I'm feeling overwhelmed by situations I have no control over. I hate that feeling more than anything. Also, it's the first word that popped in to my head. Given my incredible creative talents at the moment, I stuck with it.

My one little word will mean different things throughout the year. At this very moment, it will remind me to find balance in day to day chores and enjoying my babies at this stage in their life. They need me right now; the laundry can wait. I have to remind myself that I can't always be mommy; I have to balance mommy and daddy. There are days when the boys just need to roll around on the floor and I have to be daddy, regardless of a belly. I need to remember balance in my diet as I grow a baby and prepare to nurse. Balance in my mind as I talk to two toddlers all day.

In a few months, I hope my 'balance' reminds me to understand that caring for three boys isn't something learned over night. That I can't be a super mom without stumbling a few times. It's ok if I stumble, and it's ok if I fall. It's inevitable, but I hate letting my kids down and I will stop at nothing to do what needs to be done the night before just to be mommy in the morning. Some times, I need to sleep instead!

I need to remember to balance, to stand on two feet when I feel like I'm spinning. We only have this one moment in life and if I don't balance, I might miss it.

Balance...Oommm...uh, oh...here come the tears!