{start to finish}
Life is a collection of yesterdays. And, all too often life's pace has a way of leaping us ahead of tomorrow and even already into next week or month sadly enough. Prior to the purchase of a fancy camera or an iPhone, I took the time to document a day with the boys from start to finish here. With no words and just pictures, this 4 year old memory is one I cherish looking back on. Now, with both the treasures of a fancy camera and an iPhone, I decided there really are no excuses for not capturing the heartbeat of our home on a daily basis more often. No editing. No fancy. Life. Real & right before us. Happening. It is my hope to manage memories a little more meaningful by using the gift of wicked awesome from one Mr. Steve Jobs.
I give you our 3.11.13 from start-to-finish:
{from left to right by rows}:
- I began my day in prayer. I was on Day 21 of my 40 day prayer challenge reading this book. It talked about praying for the discernment of God's will for your life. I liked that it spoke of your will being for His glory. I long to be more unselfish in my walk. He is working on me in big ways here.
- I then went to take the recycling to the garage. Once there, I looked over to see my car freshly washed on Sunday afternoon by Kenny. I stopped right then, snapped a picture and then thanked God for the sweet gift of a clean car from my husband.
- Math time outside with basketball and chalk was just after spelling & writing time. Hit 2-Solve 2 is our drill. Eli and Casey both are blowing me away with their math skill comprehension. They get it. They love to show they get it. Their accuracy and proficiency is a blessing and a joy for this teacher/mama.
- Inside for carpet math. Time & money. Brother check and Mama monitor. Challenges. Quarter till. Quarter after. Half past. 1:07. 8:48. Change back. Rockstars.
- Casey Face helped me make sandwich bread pizza for lunch. We made a community plate and pretended we were eating in a restaurant.
- Two men delivered flowers to my doorstep. I love getting flowers!
- After lunch, Eli wanted to count money and give himself challenges all on his own. The power of self motivation is noted here.
- We stopped to take an hour break from school so I could finish up some sewing. I snapped this picture from my sewing studio window. Eli is in camo gear with a muscle basketball shirt and combat helmet. Casey is from head-to-toe in Superman costume. They are pretending they are in battle.
- I finished 2 Nantucketts during this 60 minute time span.
- On the way to the post office, Eli brought his Harry Potter book he is reading independently. He is on the 2nd book of the series. At a red light, I snapped this picture of him laughing at something funny in the book.
- On the way home from the post office, it started raining.
- I received this image from my best friend. It is of Jeremiah 29:11 that I sent to her in the mail. She sent this picture to me thanking me for sending her encouragement and letting me know that OCD in her put it in a ziploc bag so it wouldn't get messed up as she planned to carry it in her purse with her at all times. I stopped and thanked Him for her and the joy she brings my life when I received this text.
- I'm wearing navy on my nails this week. Had a little fun with my index finger and pinstripes.
- Upon returning home from the post office, I read with each boy for our reading time. Snapped a picture of reading with Casey on his bed. It was sheet washing day, so we piled atop a naked bed and sprawled out to read. He is mastering huge words. His intonation is just the best. He loves getting into each character in the story. Reading is becoming a joy with him. I love that he has "b" snuggled up under him while reading. This serves as a soft spot to this homeschooling Mama. "B" wouldn't be in his classroom. "B" makes everything possible to Casey.
- I timed myself 3 different times during the day for 5 minute intervals to stop in our living room and fold laundry. It stayed their until it all was folded by around 9:00 PM and then just moved into piles in each bedroom to be put away the next day. I liked that I didn't let it overwhelm or consume me to finish. Laundry is a priority. It is not THE priority. Love the image of Jack & Jill, our cats, piled up sleeping together in the recliner.
- Evening time we began our monthly canvas project. Art time brings out the best in my boys. Their mood settles and lifts. Teamwork beams out of them, too. I love that they talk the entire time about their plans for the project bouncing ideas off one another
- I joined them in painting working on some dreams I have for myself. This mess serves as sweet reminder of what together looks like. I left this mess just right where it was to go workout with Kenny. I enjoy this time together with him. We endure. We sweat. We are making the choice to make our bodies stronger.
- While monitoring Casey's bath, I drank a glass of wine and sat on closed toilet seat and talked with him. I also sent this picture text to 3 of my girls in a group message toasting them to friendship. I loved that I got 3 pictures back from each of them as a toast back. Sometimes these sweet easys are the love that lifts us most.
- I love the blueberry cheesecake candle burning in my living room. It is my absolute favorite scent I sell. I decided to snap a picture and spread the word on my k.Mac Facebook page about the upcoming sale of this scent. Impromptu & all.
- I snapped this picture in my socks and on the wet concrete of my back porch. It was as if heaven was smiling down and saying, "I can hardly wait for you!" After this, I came inside, finished folding laundry and watched The Biggest Loser with the entire family. We then had our family devotion time where we finished our first devotion book together. Prayers and boys to bed left time for Kenny and I to talk with sleepy eyes and in between yawns about our day in tidbit fashion. I showered, lubed up with an excessive amount of wrinkle cream and then snuggled my guy until dreams found me.
Start to finish. Life's yesterday. Thank you, Steve Jobs.
.mac :)