This week I'm participating in Ali Edwards' "A Week in the Life" project, at the end of which I'll have a small scrapbook album documenting the everyday events in a regular week in our lives. This is the kind of thing that I wish I had from my grandparents or my parents. How did they deal with the stresses of everyday living, especially without all of the modern conveniences we have now? What did they do day in and day out? How much did their groceries cost and what did they buy?
I think I'm going to try this every few years, just to give a glimpse of the stage of life I'm in as I go. Imagine how different my everyday life will be in five years... I'm really enjoying photographing the little meaningless stuff that adds up to be so meaningfully "us."
I'll be putting a little journaling onto each of the days of the week in my scrapbook...a schedule, some little tidbits about the day, what I was thinking about, what our moods were. My thoughts on faith throughout the day and the way my prayers transform my attitude will have a big part in the book, too. My faith is such an integral part of my life that it's sometimes unnatural for me to write about topics close to my heart without delving into my faith and why I value certain ideals in my life.
Have you ever been forced to play that horrible baby shower game, where they give everyone a clothespin and you can't say the word "baby" or someone can take your clothespin as her own? I hate that game. The moment it starts I simply say "baby" and get rid of the clothespin so I can simply enjoy myself. I know, I'm such a poor sport. At times I feel like I'm playing that game here on my blog. Trying not to offend or sound preachy with my thoughts on God, trying to stay neutral and sound universal. But it's hard to talk about the everyday things in my life without talking about the One who keeps my life afloat, both physically and in my spirit. I'm ready to give up the clothespin. I hope it won't seem presumptuous of me to share about my own faith, knowing that your faith is most likely different from mine. It may be taboo, but you'll be seeing a bit more writing about my own faith around here, because I'm simply not me without it.
Our faith is important to all of us, really, whether we trust in God or the government or our network of friends and family to sustain us in hard times and rejoice with us in good times. We all turn to someone when we're proud or we're struggling, even if it's only to ourselves. I hope when I mention the One to whom I turn throughout my everyday life, you can still follow along here and be strengthened in your own faith, or be challenged to think about what's sustaining your own everyday.
Here are some everyday moments from Monday through Wednesday. I'll share more soon.
Ty helps with the crock pot stew. At dinner that night...me: "I hate it when no one eats the dinner I work so hard to make." greg: "Then don't make stew."
haircuts...jake's came out a little uneven in front...just in time for picture day.
greg's usual late evening pose...with the t.v., the remote, the favorite chair, and the cat. I'm still in denial. But her name is Mittens Elizabeth, which means the boys just couldn't let go of calling her Mittens, but mostly we all call her Ellie. (Thanks for your votes on names.) And she's such a sweet kitty.
Finally taking a walk again, and the tire's flat. Trying to change it.
On our walk...taking a break as the boys play at the park...to read
my current book, which I'll post about (along with
her other wonderful books) soon. I love the walking shoes, park bench, lenscap, pen and book...so everyday for me. (Well, except the walking shoes part! Gotta get back into that.)
Dyeing the halloween costumes. What a project. "Tub dyeing...it's easy!" proclaimed the instruction manual! Ha.
Jumping on the bed during quiet time (which around here means 'go upstairs and play with your brother and work everything out on your own' time.)
Sunset in the corn maze at the pumpkin patch last night...I told you we go multiple times in October!