What Happens in January

Jude's 1st birthday party was Saturday!  Oh...  It's almost more than I can stand.  He turns one for really reals on Wednesday.  Then Chris and I leave for Denver on Thursday for my Grandparents' 90th birthday celebration.  Oh...  The craziness.  It's almost more than I can stand.  And I'm putting together the slideshow for their party...  And I just sit at the computer and cry like a giant baby.  Because...  Yes.    It's more than I can stand.

So...

Anyways...

Back in January, I took a photo every day of something that was going on around here.  It usually had something to do with a little boy.  Or four.  Then I posted one photo every day...  Mostly.  Sometimes.  I know it's mid-February now...  But here they are!  Proof that we were all here in January.  Wearing pajamas and playing with Legos.  Which by the way, is a great movie.  And by the way, I think they based the character of Unikitty off of me.  It's uncanny...

But I digress.

Little boys.  Legos.  Go.

Thankful Days Project

I'm a project girl.  Not a, hey let's just keep up with the house and make sure everyone has clean underwear to wear kind of girl.  

Projects are more my bag.  Starting January 1st, I started another little project.  Every day, I take a photo of something that I am thankful for and post it on Instagram.  (incidentally, I did not think of this idea myself.  I saw others do it through 2013 and then I brazenly stole it.  Because I don't have an original thought in my head.)  These are almost all taken with my iPhone.  Some are not great quality, but that isn't really the point.

Here's the thing.  I'm not crying out upon the rooftops that I am thankful for God's blessings so that you will think that I am a good Christian.  

The opposite is closer to the truth, actually.

I do not think I am a good Christian.  I know the workings of my own heart and mind too well to think so.  I know the reverse to be true.  I am selfish.  I am proud.  I put myself before others.  I hold onto resentment and bitterness.  That is why I want to take the time every day to slow down.  Open my eyes.  And be thankful.

Not because I am a good person.

But because I want to be.

A thankful heart brings me closer to my God.  I want to see His hand in my every day life.  In the chaos and the mess.  Because in that chaos and mess, over the top of it, touching the tops of my babies heads...  It's all bathed in beautiful sunshine streaming in through the window.  And that's where I see my makers hand.  That light.  It's worth stopping.  It's worth my thanks.

A photo a day for a year.  (You can follow me on Instagram if you want to keep up.)

Here's (most of...  I think.) January.  Mostly babies.  Not a surprise.  I'm pretty thankful for them.

Photo-a-Day- Fiddles

There is nothing cuter in the world than a tiny boy playing a tiny violin.  Nothing.

January Photo a Day Project- Just a Few

 Just a few photos from the pile I have to catch up on posting for my January Photo a Day project.  I love doing these projects.  Because I'm really good at getting things done.   Because I love how if forces me to slow down and see how beautiful every day is.  I'm a lucky girl...

Someone has finally decided he's ready to pee and poop in superhero underwear every day be potty trained.  We're working on it.  Sometimes, when your mom is in the shower... you steal her phone.  Then, sometimes...  you get cozy on her bed.  Then...  Sometimes you're having so much fun playing Angry Birds Star Wars that you pee and pee and pee.  All over Mom and Dad's bed.  Or, just to switch things up, Dad's leather chair.  It's awesome.  Don't worry though.  We always wash our hands!  (And then maybe throw a fit because Mom won't let her use her shirt for you to dry your hands on.  She makes you use a towel like some kind of commoner!)

Jude wants to be in there with his brothers so desperately...

Oh, Jude.  You're so deliciously squishy.