A little bit of happiness...

Do you remember Ramona? The "Ramona Books" as I called them, were the first books that I devoured in elementary school. I loved reading about silly Ramona, and I especially remember Susan and her boing, boing curls.

So I decided to try reading this with Katelin about a week ago. She loved it and anticipated reading every day. It has been so fun to rediscover this little kindergartener with Katelin. We read a chapter every day while Seth was sleeping, and the only disappointment was that we finished and have to get back to the library before we can read another chapter book.

I really think one of the keys to being happy at home with your kids, is to find things you both enjoy. For Katelin and I, that is reading. Sitting and playing princess games in any way may drive me crazy, but this we have in common. Ramona is so much more interesting than Ariel, or Snow White, or Sleeping Beauty, or even Belle (my favorite princess --- because she is at least a little bit smart). Thank you Beverly Cleary.

Today

Seth

Katelin

I am happy to have days like today. My kids played with the nativity sets. I talked to my Mom, did laundry and made lunch. Katelin cut up her own carrots and attempted to teach Seth how to "sew". Seth laughed a lot (laughs I treasure), bonked his head, tried to bite me multiple times, and wiped away most of my kisses. Katelin managed to step in the poopy diaper I had just removed from Seth, then mashed it into the carpet. I cleaned the carpet, and later ignored my kids and the unfolded laundry while blogging. Nothing amazing about this day, but I am happy to be here, and hopeful that being here and taking the moments to teach and focus on my kids is making a difference. I really believe that it is.

Daily Essentials

Nothing beats playing on the stairs

It seems I am constantly working to find a perfect balance of time to myself, playing with my kids, and tackling the endless items that end up on my to-do list. I remembered today that for me, a few things are essential:

1. Exercise
2. Quiet time (nap for Sethie and quiet play for Katelin)
3. Taking several breaks to just laugh, read, or play

Cleaning and laundry are definitely optional. I'm always amazed with my kids. They both have their moments, but overall they are remarkably joyful little souls. Give them food, sleep and a bit of attention and they are usually good to go. Could my own needs possibly be that simple?

Three Simple Things Update

The simplest and best part of my day is playing with these two kids....

So maybe you are wondering how I've been doing on my three simple things. Well I have learned something. If you set three goals, and you only procrastinate one of those goals, you do AWESOME on the first two! I've found that the scriptures and workout are quite easy, while the organization is easy to procrastinate. Usually, I do just a tiny little bit each day -- if anything at all.

It's strange, because I love to organize and more than that, I love to be organized, but I am at a standstill in my house. I've made a lot of headway, but I've hit a wall. The remedy whenever you hit a wall is to dedicate a large chunk of time to get started and dig in... Either that, or avoid the task all together and go to the playground.

Three Simple Things

Katelin gets some exercise. I wanna be like her.

My goal is to do these three things every day -

1. Read at least one verse of scripture.
2. Get moving. Twenty minutes of exercise.
3. Organize one shelf, one box, or one closet.

Notice my emphasis is on consistency, not quantity. Getting started is my challenge, but if I just do that little bit I keep the habit.

Today I've already danced to the Yoga Booty Booty Ballet Hip-Hop video (thanks for lending it mom) and read a conference talk and scripture this morning. Now I just have to dig into the book closet. That could be scary... but worth it... I hope.

Dejunking

This is not really my junk drawer. I'm currently unable to download photos to my computer; gotta buy a new cord so I stole this shot from some lady - (here). I don't really have a junk drawer, because I only have a few drawers available in my house. Instead, I have a shoe organizer hanging inside of my closet which serves the same purpose as a junk drawer, only it looks worse and holds more junk.

You may be wondering why, after my declaration on spending my time and talents on the "Best" stuff, I have come back to my blog so frequently over the last week. I will tell you: I have determined that blogging, more specifically writing, is important to me.

I am still working on dejunking my life. I reiterate, it is much easier to dejunk your junk drawer than to pull out and look over all pieces of your life. I've been struggling to pull it all out - feeding the kids, grocery shopping, working on Young Women -- these things are all going back in the drawer. Aimlessly searching and reading the internet, talking on the phone when my kids need attention, volunteering for something that makes my life too crazy. This stuff can go to goodwill for someone else to pick up, or else maybe to the trash. Then there is the maybe pile - selling modbe, organizing my cupboards, going to storytime with Katelin. I just don't know how these fit into my life. First, I've got to take care of the important stuff. Stick to the basics. Then we'll see.

The best thing I've done with all of this is to rediscover and re-emphasize the items that were sort of buried before. Playing with my kids - on purpose. Talking to Trevor about something besides diapers and potty training. Writing. Exercise. Reflecting.

It isn't easy to make each day, each moment matter and seem important, and it is so easy to let junk seep into your life. But it seems, as I'm working at this day by day, it gets easier and I'm finding the things that really matter to me giving me purpose and happiness.