Joy Leanne

“Many years ago, Sharon and I decided we would clutter our lives with people instead of things. Our most valuable possessions are relationships.”  My dad shared many other sweet, tender, challenging thoughts in the letters he gave to my husband me on the day we got married seven years ago. He talked about prayers he had prayed and how I am so much like my mother when she was young. He gave advice and offered praise. While all of his thoughts are ones I will treasure… my parents’ philosophy on life is the sentiment that has stuck with me the most. I often wonder if I am living my life well, if I am making choices I can be proud of when I look back on my life. The answer isn’t always “yes” but as I look back over the past few months I see my husband and I taking steps to live a “cluttered” life. The weeks have been filled but with things of value. A visit from my mom. A trip up to see my sister and do nothing really, other than curl up against the cold and the rain with the baby between

*make a list* of things that inspire you. of why you are doing whatever it is in the first place. of things you love. of things to try. Of things you hate. of things to do. of things to do never do again *roast a chicken* *bake cookies* *help some one* help some one else with something THEY love. being around people who are filled with passion will often trigger your own *copy something* don’t rip any one off, but find something you like and build on it. re-write the ending to your favorite story. print out a favorite picture and embellish it. find a sewing project online and see if you can reproduce it. keep copying until it takes on a life of it’s own.(be sure to share the source of inspiration if you share the finished project online) *take a walk* *work on an unfinished project* even if only for ten minutes. clearing away clutter physically (a “work in progress” craft project) and mentally (a half-finished story) makes room for new things. *try something a new* a new technique, a n

 I haevn't been around here much lately. I could give you a lot of reasons... The transition from two to three. Abi's transition from private preschool to public kindergarten. Maddie's transition from home all day with me to half day preschool. Lack of sleep. Lack of inspiration. Lack of motivation. And in a way all of those are true. At the very least they are excuses I have been making for avoiding this place. The truth, however, is simply that I have been scared. Things have been hard lately. Not necessarily bad... just hard. We have been in a stage of constant transition for the past 11 months and it is starting to take it's toll on all of us. Abi especially is slow at adjusting to changes so the past year has been a difficult one for her, and I feel like I am only now starting to understand the stress she has been under and how to help her cope with life in general. And I have been unsure with how much to share. am I strive to be honest and real in this space. How