One Day at a Time

At the start of 2009, I choose the word intentional as my word for the year. Earlier in December I had found a great challenge in my Creating Keepsakes magazine called Project 365. The concept is to take a picture each day of 2009 and scrapbook & journal, so that you have a year of "everyday life" when it's all over. I loved this idea from the start. It would be a great way for me to look at each day and keep those everyday memories that make up my "real life." So, here is just a snapshot of my book, which is different from the kit designed by Becky Higgins. (Which sold out very quickly and is not available for purchase right now.)

I am journaling on my computer, then printing out the pages. I printed my pictures at Target in a 5x7 collage, so they are each about 1 x 1.5 inches. I used a pretty 3-ring binder as the book and put each page in a page protector. The most challenging part for me is that I am stamping around the pictures, which is a new scrapbooking technique for me to use! I am learning very much about how to do this better, so I am hoping that over the year my stamping will improve.

My sweet husband added to the challenge that I could only take a picture on the days I had spent time with my precious Lord, which I am trying to do early in the morning. Which right now I am about 50/50~ remember I am a night owl, NOT a morning person! :) I have only missed taking a picture 3 days~ oh how I wish for those 3 days back, to have had my sweet time. Even at this time I'm not sure why it didn't get done, except that I did not make it a priority. Oh my precious Lord, please forgive my lack of diligence.

I thought it would be so great to add what God is teaching me through this year also. So I also have my spiritual journal amongst the pictures. He is really at work in my heart, so I am so excited to look back and see how He has caused me to grow!

The other aspect I am including is important papers or favorite art of my sweet boys! I also love that this project is simple and easy for me to keep up. I am going to work on this past week tomorrow night!

I thank God for each moment He allows me to be a wife and mother. I love all the everyday tasks that when joined together make a beautiful life. I have so much to be grateful to the Lord for and so much that brings me joy, even at the most random moments. For instance, sitting at the dinner table the other night when Luke got down without permission, then proceeded to run into the living room. Wesley said, "Luke, please come back to the table." Well...the sweet child (who was wearing socks) tried to stop and turn around and well, it is hard to explain but it was hilarious. Wesley and I could not keep our composure and completely lost it laughing so hard, we were both crying and out of breath!

Thank you Lord for providing the perfect balance of your joy even amidst the laundry, piling bills, discipline, lack of focus, trying moments, schooling, serving...the list goes on and on. BUT so does Your perfect provision and joy! I am looking forward to being able to praise you at the end of 2009 for all the goodness You have shown to me.

Just a few of my favorites so far:

Happy Birthday Bug!

I know! Mama feels the same way...today you are turning 5! I cannot believe how much you have grown. Oh my precious Eli, I pray that you continue growing in the truth of God and that one day soon, He will fully reveal Himself to your heart and you will bow your knee to our amazing God. I pray for your eyes to be fully opened to see the darkness of your own heart and the beauty of the free gift of salvation. Jesus Christ is worth living for with all that you have been and will be given in your life! I pray that you will come to a complete understanding of being a passionate follower of Jesus Christ!

Last night Mommy & Daddy asked you what the best part of being four was~ and you said..."That I got to be 4, for so long." Oh, you make us smile!

You say so many things that make us smile, so I wanted to capture some of my favorites....

"Mommy! You are disobeying the instructions!" (cooking one day when I changed the ingredients)

"You don't grow by eating vegetables, you grow by having birthdays!"

"Daddy really loves badasco (tabasco)."

"Isn't it fun having good Eli around?"

Wesley had just jump-started the car and was letting it run. Eli asked me why and I told him that Daddy was letting it run to give it some juice. Eli replied by saying, "I didn't know that juice came out when it ran."

I also love every time to ask to eat "logrit" (yogurt).

"Mommy do you have a plan for the day?"

Happy Birthday my big boy! I am loving my life being your mama, it is so full and fun each and every day!