I have truly found happiness these last few days...in just not having as much stress! It's amazing how I feel more patient, feel less overwhelmed, and enjoy my children!
Here is what I have committed to doing DAILY:
I start my day, throwing a load of laundry into the washer...which usually means, I am taking a load out of the dryer to carry it back upstairs...so far I have stayed ahead of the laundry and am doing just 1 to 2 loads a day. (BIG IMPROVEMENT and WAY LESS STRESSFUL to manage)
I empty the ice tray - and now we have so much, I think I can skip that task on the weekend!
Drinking water has been super easy. (three 24 oz waterbottles a day - which I carry with me everywhere I go)
Christmas has made it super easy this month, to send out a note to someone I care about (thank you notes galore right now!)
Doing something extra special for Joe (even if it's just coffee in the morning) has been a pleasure to do - but I need some more creative ideas...
Reading the bible has been quite rewarding...I have come upon scriptures that support my efforts - of gaining more patience, loving others, and seeing God's gifts right in front of me that sometimes I have missed- because I am too tired, frustrated or overwhelmed..
I have journaled a daily sentence, that I think I will add to this blog once a week. They have consistently been funny things one of my kids have said or done.
And I am reading Purpose Driven Life (last time I read it was 2004 - before kids!) and it has reminded me daily that my happiness is not really the focus, it's Jesus! Interestingly enough, the very first day of My Happiness Project, the first sentence of this book was: "It's not about you!" which was a very good reminder that although I am taking actions to increase MY "happiness", ultimately, my life should be focused on glorifying God in all I do...which I must say, is much easier when I'm not stressed out and impatient with my kids!
Another suggestion in the Happiness Project book is the create lists - so here is mine:
JUST DO IT:
-Take a cart in at the grocery store (or from another person to spare them the burden of taking it back)
-Be OK with who I am now (for example, I am a mom of 4 and that's about it - but, I'M OK WITH IT!)
-If you can't find something, CLEAN (specifically, pacifiers!)
-PRAY constantly
-Require a "Singing Voice" when necessary (from you OR your children!)
-Write Thank You Notes
-Take friends treats
-Wear cute underwear
-Paint your toes
-Plant a bigger garden (or compost in the meantime)
Find Happiness today!
Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
MY Happiness Project
What is your New Years Resolution for 2011?
I am not a big fan of “Resolutions”…I’d consider myself much more “Goal” oriented. It’s the athlete in me (which was in my previous life before kids!)
So, as 2011 begins, I am thankful that I read a great book called:
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.
It is an account of the year she spent testing the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happier.
On January 1, she started her happiness project, and each month, she pursued a different set of resolutions: to get more sleep, clean my closets, quit complaining, sing in the morning to her two daughters, read Aristotle, start a blog, remember friends' birthdays, imitate a spiritual master, keep a one-sentence journal. The book The Happiness Project weaves together philosophy, scientific research, analysis, and real-life experiences as she explains what worked for her—and what didn't. (I copied this paragraph from her website): http://www.happiness-project.com
I must say, I have been inspired by the idea of creating happiness within your life through setting small goals each month and building on them. And those small goals, I might add, are realistic, “check off a list” kind of things that you probably have thought of doing all along.
Now that the realization of having 4 children has set in (our baby boy is just 7 weeks old)…It became very clear to me that I needed to get EFFICIENT with my day. The littlest of things add up to BIG jobs if you don’t stay on top of it…specifically, LAUNDRY!
So, MY Happiness Project has began with some lists of “Things to do” Daily, Weekly, and Monthly…just sitting down and thinking through what I want to do was a huge step...then checking them off my list has, well, made me happy!
But here’s the short list of what I hope to do each day:
My 365 List
-Read Bible (even just a verse)
-Begin a load of laundry as soon as I get downstairs in the morning
-Drink 64 oz of water
-Empty the ice tray (we don’t have an icemaker)
-Write 1 sentence in my “One Sentence Journal” – something that made me smile that day (an idea from the book)
-Write a note to a friend
-Do something nice for Joe
My 52 List (my weekly list- I am sure I will add things later):
-Family Fun Night
-Exercise (hopefully this happens more than once a week!)
-Cook a new Recipe
My 12 List:
Monthly, there will be a new focus or key word to think about:
January - Energize (Sleep more, exercise, organize)
February – Love
March – Lighten Up (Parenthood, Enjoy Now)
April –Make Time for Friends
May – Pursue a Passion
June – Be Serious About Play
July – Contemplate Heaven
August – Pay Attention
September – Retreat/Getaway
October – Money *my husband wishes I started the year with this one
November – Go Love (serve)
December - Review
Some of these were the same as the authors, some just for me.
Additionally, I want to read a book each month, so if you have a suggestion that coresponds to the topic of the month, let me know!
JANUARY - I am reading (again) The Purpose Driven Life
I encourage you to be proactive with starting this New Year with a few goals to bring you happiness! Maybe even consider reading the book!
Want to know how My Happiness Project is going? Visit my blog every once in a while.
Happy 2011! May it be full of many blessings and much happiness for you!
Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!
I am not a big fan of “Resolutions”…I’d consider myself much more “Goal” oriented. It’s the athlete in me (which was in my previous life before kids!)
So, as 2011 begins, I am thankful that I read a great book called:
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.
It is an account of the year she spent testing the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happier.
On January 1, she started her happiness project, and each month, she pursued a different set of resolutions: to get more sleep, clean my closets, quit complaining, sing in the morning to her two daughters, read Aristotle, start a blog, remember friends' birthdays, imitate a spiritual master, keep a one-sentence journal. The book The Happiness Project weaves together philosophy, scientific research, analysis, and real-life experiences as she explains what worked for her—and what didn't. (I copied this paragraph from her website): http://www.happiness-project.com
I must say, I have been inspired by the idea of creating happiness within your life through setting small goals each month and building on them. And those small goals, I might add, are realistic, “check off a list” kind of things that you probably have thought of doing all along.
Now that the realization of having 4 children has set in (our baby boy is just 7 weeks old)…It became very clear to me that I needed to get EFFICIENT with my day. The littlest of things add up to BIG jobs if you don’t stay on top of it…specifically, LAUNDRY!
So, MY Happiness Project has began with some lists of “Things to do” Daily, Weekly, and Monthly…just sitting down and thinking through what I want to do was a huge step...then checking them off my list has, well, made me happy!
But here’s the short list of what I hope to do each day:
My 365 List
-Read Bible (even just a verse)
-Begin a load of laundry as soon as I get downstairs in the morning
-Drink 64 oz of water
-Empty the ice tray (we don’t have an icemaker)
-Write 1 sentence in my “One Sentence Journal” – something that made me smile that day (an idea from the book)
-Write a note to a friend
-Do something nice for Joe
My 52 List (my weekly list- I am sure I will add things later):
-Family Fun Night
-Exercise (hopefully this happens more than once a week!)
-Cook a new Recipe
My 12 List:
Monthly, there will be a new focus or key word to think about:
January - Energize (Sleep more, exercise, organize)
February – Love
March – Lighten Up (Parenthood, Enjoy Now)
April –Make Time for Friends
May – Pursue a Passion
June – Be Serious About Play
July – Contemplate Heaven
August – Pay Attention
September – Retreat/Getaway
October – Money *my husband wishes I started the year with this one
November – Go Love (serve)
December - Review
Some of these were the same as the authors, some just for me.
Additionally, I want to read a book each month, so if you have a suggestion that coresponds to the topic of the month, let me know!
JANUARY - I am reading (again) The Purpose Driven Life
I encourage you to be proactive with starting this New Year with a few goals to bring you happiness! Maybe even consider reading the book!
Want to know how My Happiness Project is going? Visit my blog every once in a while.
Happy 2011! May it be full of many blessings and much happiness for you!
Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Happy 4th Birthday Morgan!
Morgan had her 4th Birthday Party today - A TINKERBELL BIRTHDAY!
Our annual chair photo - Morgan was dressed in her Tinkerbell costume.
The Fairies that came to the party enjoyed watching a Tinkerbell movie!
Here are our Fairies! SO CUTE!
Morgan's daddy came home for lunch, Paige and Mallory came to help out again and the Fairies enjoyed their lunch.
The Fairies had "Butterfly Sandwiches"
This is Tinkerball Morgan's B-day cake - with 4 candles!
Here is the room all decorated for the big day - it's like Christmas morning all over again on our kids' birthdays...they go to sleep with the house normal and wake up with a conversion of the house into their birthday theme - Welcome to Never Neverland!
The Fairies began the party playing a game called Who has Tink's Ring?
Then there was a Treasure Hunt
The there was a Tinkerbell pull Pinata
Lunch was lots of fun with Raspberry lemonade, fruits, veggies and their butterfly sandwiches.
Then the Fairies decorated their green icing covered chocolate cupcakes - they could put on sprinkles, m & m's, reese's pieces, nerds or star candies.
The party closed with the Tinkerbell movie on while the girls played with balloons in the Romper Room.
Morgan got all kinds of wonderful presents from her Fairy friends!
IT WAS FAIRY FAIRY FUN!
Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!
Our annual chair photo - Morgan was dressed in her Tinkerbell costume.
The Fairies that came to the party enjoyed watching a Tinkerbell movie!
Here are our Fairies! SO CUTE!
Morgan's daddy came home for lunch, Paige and Mallory came to help out again and the Fairies enjoyed their lunch.
The Fairies had "Butterfly Sandwiches"
This is Tinkerball Morgan's B-day cake - with 4 candles!
Here is the room all decorated for the big day - it's like Christmas morning all over again on our kids' birthdays...they go to sleep with the house normal and wake up with a conversion of the house into their birthday theme - Welcome to Never Neverland!
The Fairies began the party playing a game called Who has Tink's Ring?
Then there was a Treasure Hunt
The there was a Tinkerbell pull Pinata
Lunch was lots of fun with Raspberry lemonade, fruits, veggies and their butterfly sandwiches.
Then the Fairies decorated their green icing covered chocolate cupcakes - they could put on sprinkles, m & m's, reese's pieces, nerds or star candies.
The party closed with the Tinkerbell movie on while the girls played with balloons in the Romper Room.
Morgan got all kinds of wonderful presents from her Fairy friends!
IT WAS FAIRY FAIRY FUN!
Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!
Monday, December 27, 2010
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
What a wonderful time of year!
The kids made Christmas Cookies while the baby boys slept.
Then, we went to Christmas at the Zoo - a must-do on a calm December night.
We attended Chritmas Eve service at church - which was the first time we ventured out with all four kids to church - it was a "kid friendly" service, which meant Jameson ran around in the lobby, Jackson slept in his carseat, Joey read the bible and Morgan colored in a notebook...until Morgan and Joey decided to join JJ in the lobby while I sat with Jackson peacefully smiling.
Christmas morning was a complete success! Lots of fun opening presents, kids enjoying their gifts TOGETHER, coffee for us parents and Grandma Williams' Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast - it was a Christmas to remember and treasure!
Joey got Legos
Morgan got a Geeration Doll (She looks just like her, she named her Emma)
Jameson got a Sing A Poo (which is a hilarious harmonizing stuffed doll)
Jackson got a kid-friendly Nativity Set
Daddy got headphones
Mommy got a soup pot with collander insert and a FitBit!
Merry Christmas 2010!
Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!
The kids made Christmas Cookies while the baby boys slept.
Then, we went to Christmas at the Zoo - a must-do on a calm December night.
We attended Chritmas Eve service at church - which was the first time we ventured out with all four kids to church - it was a "kid friendly" service, which meant Jameson ran around in the lobby, Jackson slept in his carseat, Joey read the bible and Morgan colored in a notebook...until Morgan and Joey decided to join JJ in the lobby while I sat with Jackson peacefully smiling.
Christmas morning was a complete success! Lots of fun opening presents, kids enjoying their gifts TOGETHER, coffee for us parents and Grandma Williams' Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast - it was a Christmas to remember and treasure!
Joey got Legos
Morgan got a Geeration Doll (She looks just like her, she named her Emma)
Jameson got a Sing A Poo (which is a hilarious harmonizing stuffed doll)
Jackson got a kid-friendly Nativity Set
Daddy got headphones
Mommy got a soup pot with collander insert and a FitBit!
Merry Christmas 2010!
Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!
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