One Little Word

My word for 2012 is mindful.

At times last year, I found it hard to focus on how blessed we were amidst the chaos. I really want to be mindful of the blessings we have. In being mindful of what we have, I hope to be more content with what we have. When we moved, I did a big clean out of all of our stuff, I would really like to keep this apartment as clutter free as possible so that the next time we move (which won't be for some time!) there won't be as much. Of course, I know we are bound to collect as we go on. I just hope we are able to shed the things we don't need as we have new things. I took so much stuff to Goodwill.

I also want to be mindful that although we are still in an adjustment period here and that this single mom thing is rough, we really do have so very much to be thankful for. When something seems like it is not going to work out, something else happens and it does. God always provides. I really believe that it is only because of Him that we have made it.

My 2011 word, faith, really brought me through and kept me going. Now I feel like it's time to reflect and be thankful. For all of the struggles, for all of the lessons learned. We will come out ahead. It will get better. We just have to keep going.

Project Life

As 2011 came to a close, I thought a lot about our Project Life album and what it means to us. Cameron, surprisingly, has taken an interest in our scrapbooks lately and really likes looking through them. It is hilarious to listen to his comments on the pages. Overall, I feel like our album really gives a great glimpse at our life in 2011. Someone asked me if I took out pictures and information from earlier in the year, before I was divorced. I laughed and said no. That was our life then, our life changed, and this is our life now. Although I would love to forget some things, we had a lot of good times while we were together as a family and I feel like that is really important for Cameron to know. I am trying harder to take away what was good, and forget the bad.



Going into 2012 there are things I will be doing just the same and there will be things I want to do differently. I want to the journaling cards differently. I want to be able to see them all better, rather than having to flip through them each time. I want to use the day and number stickers more. I loved using the arrow stickers and will continue to use those. I love how customized some people make the albums, but realistically, it's not something I will make time to do and I need to accept that. I'm still working on our cover page - it definitely needs some more personalization. The Instax camera I received as a gift for Christmas is going to be invaluable. I am using the heck out of that thing already. However, I really do need to make an effort to get Daphne out more. Love those DSLR photos. :)



I feel really accomplished, having finished our 2011 album. Obviously, there are many photos I want to make pages with, but I'm getting so much recorded. I am hoping to post our layouts weekly on here, but I'm not making any promises. :)

If you want to see some photos of the beginning of our 2011 Project Life you can do so here.

Potty Training

Hopefully later on in 2012 I will be able to say we are a diaper-free household. We'll see. I do know that we are working on potty training. Cameron moved up to the "2's and 3's" class at his school earlier this year, and well, they potty train in that class. Every day he sits on the potty. Sometimes he goes, sometimes he doesn't. Either way I'm proud of him. He's doing really well. I'm trying to get some incentives going around here. Including printing out a Lightning McQueen potty training chart. I let him know that he would receive a prize for every 5 times he uses the potty. We'll see how it goes.

We have a book that helps us. It's called "No More Diapers for Ducky". It's really great, Cameron loves it. I purchased it through his school so we could have something potty related to read while he sits on his Cars potty seat. We just got a new Scholastic pamphlet today so I'll probably hunt for another potty related book as soon as I get a moment to look at it.

Cameron isn't really, really interested in going on the potty yet. He cries or whines when the teachers or I put him on the potty. I don't want to push him, but I also don't want him to get away with not trying. He does actually go sometimes when he sits on the potty.

Basically, we're getting there. 

Hello.

Long time, no blog.

I'm a really bad blogger, I know. One of my goals is to get back into the habit of blogging. I can make time, I just don't. I choose to watch Gossip Girl usually instead. :)

Things have been going well here for us. We have settled into our new life, our new routine, and our new home quite nicely now. Frankly, being able to do what I want to do, guilt-free is pretty amazing. Cam and I can go visit my parents, or we can stay home. When Cameron is with his Dad, I have all the time in the world to do whatever I want. (During the my school term, it's usually home work.)

This past weekend that free time meant quite a bit of crafting. Christmas time got pretty hectic, but before then and, now, after Christmas, I've found some time to make things. It's been so nice. I've really enjoyed decorating our place. I get to pick out everything without having to hear the opinions of someone else. I never had my own place, I've always lived with other people so it's really great. I'm learning I have to do it slowly, but it's getting there. One week I buy curtains, the next I buy curtain rods, the next I make a wreath. One step at a time.

A lot like how I'm taking life these days. Sometimes I get overwhelmed. With all of my responsibilities. With how long I have before I finish school. With the financial aspects of both. It's scary being on your own. But then I think of how proud of myself I am. I'm doing this. Yes, I have help sometimes, but a lot of the time I don't. It's just me and Cam. And God, of course. He always makes sure we are taken care of. We are so blessed.

I promise to make more time for this in 2012. One step a time.