Slow Down A Little

It's been a little while since I've posted. So what have I been doing instead you might ask? Well, I often ask myself that same question. As a stay-at-home, I am often faced with long days that seem extremely busy. After all is said and done and I'm resting my head on my pillow I'll question, "What did I do today?" "Where did my time go?" Sometimes the answer almost makes me cry as I feel the frustration of being occupied and busy all day and accomplishing "nothing". Other times, when the stars have aligned (the kids have played nicely together, random last-minute plans haven't come up, I've remained motivated for most of the day) I feel happy and glad that I am able to have such freedom to get so much done during the day. Sometimes I will sell myself short and think I can't do something because I have the kids. Other times, I short change them by cramming too much into the day and not really attending to anything aside from their basic needs. Staying at home is all about finding the balance. I haven't really found it yet, but some days shine as a beautiful beam and encourage me to hope that perhaps I will. But anyway, that was a very rouge topic that came out of nowhere. I was actually going to post about what I've been up to... as if you cared. It's probably more for me to refocus than anything.

So, Thanksgiving has come and gone. It flew by like the flock of geese I saw the other day. I wish Thanksgiving would last longer, but it's not nearly marketable enough and so, alas, Christmas takes over all too soon. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. Joining together to celebrate the birth of our Savior is my favorite time of the year. I just also really like Thanksgiving. Anyway, it's gone and I just need to move on. The weekend of Thanksgiving was really fun for me. I got to shoot several families (with the camera... come on!) and it was so much fun.

I love taking pictures and I'm getting somewhat better at it thanks to the practice. I really would like to formally learn more about photography (especially portraits), but I think I better work on the program I'm currently enrolled in first. So with the photo shoots came photo editing (another class I'd like to take) and distributing the finished products. Other things I've been up to have been preparing for our ward activity, helping people here and there, going to Ikea, working on my skills (sewing, guitar, lyric writing), hanging out, doing loads and loads of laundry, yard saling etc. We had an awesome party at Dallas and Jamie's the other night. It was a white elephant gift exchange and who doesn't like that! I totally hit the jack pot with two "Santa" bowls and a box of Fruity Pebbles. Afterward we all just sat around and talked... mostly about novels (apparently I hang with a pretty sophisticated crowd... ha ha). Looking back I guess I haven't really been that busy. It won't last, though. This weekend I've already planned visiting teaching, a play date for Braden, a ward Christmas party (which I'm on the committee for), The AquaBats, a teaching assignment in church and also... I have final projects due in both classes. KachoW! It feels good to have things to do, but sheesh I think it will be nice when things slow down a little.