A Month of Mornings

I have hesitated to write about this new project that a few of the girls from my photography group and I have been doing because it seems a sure fire way to make sure i don't complete it. This has been a real challenge for me for a number of reasons. I guess I should start by telling you what the project, if the post title didn't give it away that is. Inspired by these amazing ladies, who did a YEAR of mornings, we though we wouldn't commit more than we could accomplish so rather than a year of mornings we are just doing a month of mornings. Now you wouldn't think that it would be that difficult to take a photo a day for a month in the morning but I have found it quite a challenge. First of all 3 of my 4 children are gone by 8:20 in the morning so that means unless I want a month of Bonnie's then I need to get my night owl butt awake enough to take a photo before I can put a cognitive sentence together! I am up early during the week, I take Sam to cheer at 5:45 so it's not that I'm asleep just not all "there" if you know what I mean. I have managed to get 13 of 13 days so far, even though some may have been taken at 11:45 it's still technically morning, and although they may not be the most inspiring of photos they are a little piece of my mornings. Here are just a few of my mornings. If your curious and want to follow along, or you'd like to know more about the photos, you can see my set on flickr here.

Listography version1.0

My friend Mary, who just happens to be an amazing photographer, and all around AWESOME person does this really cool thing on her blog. She calls it listography. A series of lists. I like lists. I make them often. I find that if i wake up in the morning and write everything down that I need to get done, including showering and eating then I am so much more productive. In an effort to record random things about me and who I am that would never otherwise be recorded I will try to do a listography every so often. Today's list:Lists Here are some of the Lists I hope to make.

1. Movies I could watch over and over again

2. Life's best moments

3. What I don't want to forget about my kids when they were little

4. 10 wishes

5. 10 things every mom should know

6. What's in my purse

7. Quirks

8. What I love about being married

9. What I love about being a mom

10. Things I miss about living in a house

11. Favorite songs of all times

12. Places I want to travel

13. Places I have traveled

14. Favorite quotes

15. Pet Peeves

16. Things I fear

17. Things I'm not good at

18. Things I am good at

19. Top 10 books

20. Favorite photos of all time.

So there you have it, not that anyone really cares about this crap, but who knows someday maybe my kids or grandkids will. I mad add to the list as the inspiration strikes! And since i can't leave you without a photo I give you one from my latest attempt at a photo project...more on what the project is later!

This is what I did during General conference. It was fun! Thig smaller one is about the size of half a toothpick!

What I want...in life

I have been pondering a lot lately on what I want most in life. You know, what is really most important and where should my time and efforts be spent. Steve Jobs said "your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life." I often compare myself to others. Their stations in life, their kids, their creativity levels, and all it does is make me depressed. I then saw this quote on Pinterest (such an inspirational place for wonderful words to live by)



So in my quest to decide what I want in life I have had to let go of all the comparisons I find myself making. So what do I want? I have and do give this so much though in my daily life. Especially since I have found myself in a position where we are basically starting over. The interesting thing is, I though that all I would want (especially after living in a 5th wheel travel trailer for the past 6 months) would be to build a big beautiful home. Now while that is still on my list it has really been dropped down the list quite a ways. So cut to the chase...what does Kristin want?
I want to follow the teachings and be a disciple of Jesus ChristI want to teach my children to love the Lord and follow him as wellI want my children to know who they are and where they came fromI want to continue to nourish and strengthen my marriageI want to build a family bond that will be unbreakable and more importantly impenetrableI want to have happy kidsI want to have kids that love each other and are friends with each other and protect each other.I want my kids to grow to be contributing members of society
While on our friday night date Terry and I were discussing common teenage problems and how we can avoid them. Lets face it the time is rapidly approaching when the outside world will be a big influence on my kids. As we talked about drugs and morality issues and how we can protect our kids I just said that I think if I desire it enough and make it a priority then those things will not be an issue with my kids. Terry just smiled and looked at me like I was completely nuts. They are kids with free agency and all we can do is teach them right and hope they make good choices. I would like to think the if I have enough faith and desire that the lord will protect my kids from the dangers of the outside world! Lets pray that keeping my priorities in order and my desires righteous that what I want will become a reality. Some days though, I just want a nap!
So what do you want?