How does your Blog grow?

I've been wanting to write so much. It's not an itch, because I can easily ignore it (though I feel bad about it). It's more a secret wish....one I am afraid will not happen. It won't happen not because I have little time to spare on any 'extra curiccular' pursuits right now (and I really do not have extra time with three preschoolers at home). I mainly fear that I can't find it in me the talent to write. I know I need more than talent, but dedication, commitment...work! I think of my hubby's garden. This year it has yield very little because he just hasn't had time to work on it. It's not that dh is not talented 'enough' to grow a garden, but we've had so much going on with a newborn, two small kids, family coming to visit and us going to visit family. Colds, stomach bugs, and sleepless nights (and days). The usual stuff really! But deep inside is our desire to one day find the time and energy to dedicate to our vegetable garden (and I say we though so far only dh has put in the effort by building the garden boxes and working at it!). But something interesting happened this summer. Where we had set up a sort of compost pile for our weeds and 'dead' plants, several tomatoes have sprung up on their own, without being tended to at all. (We found out they are called 'voluntary' plants- I guess they volunteer to take charge and grow themselves). I love how nature works. And that's what I am hoping for myself, that naturally I will grow into a writer. That a few good posts will find themselves spring up in this blog. Without a schedule or time table. That they will just happen, because right now I realize that as much as I want to write I must also tend to my 'garden' growing at home, my family, my children, my sweet abode (and all that that entails!)
I want to be a good (dare I say very good?) writer. There I said it. I am really itching to delete the last phrase...because what if others will laugh? I feel like a third grader, shy and insecure about what 'others will think' about what I write, especially how I write seeing that English grammar and syntax is not my forte. I fear also that it won't happen and I will, once again, be labeled someone who starts but never finishes....What a dilemma. The truth is that I write because I love to share my ideas, thoughts, hopes, dreams, insights...and because I learn more about myself, my life, my faith, everything....when I start putting things into words, first by talking, and then writing it all down. I realize how fast time is going by, and even if time is indeed my problem right now, because here I am with not quite four hours of uninterrupted sleep, cramming in some time at the keyboard while little Zuzu (our almost three month old daughter) is in her bouncy chair with hiccups, my other two are thankfully (and amazingly) still asleep in bed, all because I promised myself and a friend that I would WRITE a blog post by today! So yes, here I am, last minute writer, procrastinating as usual (and with many excuse why it is so hard to find time to write!) But I am here. This morning. So how will my blog grow? How will I know what I am supposed to write about ? I have a gazillion things in my mind at all times, and many ideas and topics I am so passionate about. Well...that I haven't yet figured out. So for now this blog will grow just by trial and error, writing whatever I want, pursuing whatever direction I need ....until I get the hang of it and my true talents will shine through and it will be less work, and just fun and pleasurable : )

Tuesday March 8th: Buona Festa delle Donne!

 Tuesday March 8th, 2011

 International Women's Day & Carnevale, last day before Lent 

Outside my window...clouds and rain

I am thinking...Italy...I am missing home and life there...it's different. I'm different. I'm all grown up, married and with kids!...I've been listening too much Italian music today and it reminds me of the dreamy times I had as a teen listening to the radio....and singing with friends....and dreaming of my future...growing up and where would i go, who would i be....ok, too much reminiscing.

I am thankful for...'il dolce far niente' (sweet 'do nothing!) Sometimes it's okay to not clean up your messes  and celebrate life and blessings instead...(so I've been surfing Italian music instead)

From the kitchen...not much is cooking yet...but hopefully some yummy tilapia with bell pepper and olives (and maybe some rice krispie treats!)

I am going...to seek God for my city during Lent

I am hoping... and truly it's just hoping right now, to see Jovanotti, one of my favorite artists growing up who is going to be playing at Bonnaroo this April...but don't have the money for the full event (and really wish to only go to his concert)...hoping he'll be playing some other place in the Nashville area (so I'll think positive, Serenata Rap anyone? or Bella or now that I am a mommy and auntie to my own Lorenzo, this beautiful ninna nanna (lullaby) E' per te ) ?

I am hearing...well, Jovanotti of course- my Lorenzo 1994 zio Robbie bought me back in...'94!

Around the house...kids are dancing and learning italian rap ;-)

One of my favorite things...is enjoying music. I don't take the time to listen and today I listend to Chris Rice, Claude Debussy, Jovanotti and rediscovering a 'newer' Italian band Negramaro. I love the song Meraviglioso that was first sung in the late sixties by Domenico Modugno, another legendary Italian singer (Volare is his most famous song)

A few plans for the rest of the week: well it's the first week of project simplify over at simple mom. However I intend to simplify mostly from the inside out...I have too much on my plate, but mostly b/c of what smashes inside my head all the time, thoughts, ideas, feelings that I always feel I need to act upon. I always feel the need to do more and make more...vs. be more, enjoy more, just take my time more. Simplifying my internal life is harder for me I think than simplifying my surroundings. And I think I must start there to really make any differnce. Lent will be a great time to dedicate to that internal waiting, simplifying, transforming into something more quiet and alive, fully living the moment

 

 Auguri a tutte le donne del mondo! Dio vi benedica! 

Simple Woman Daybook~ Monday Feb. 28th

Outside my window...some sunshine after the rain storms, clouds rolling in and out

I am thinking...too much ;-P Need to relax some.

I am thankful for...the 'fs' in my life that keep me well nourished: faith, family, friends and good food!

From the kitchen... a new healthy snack experiment: "Maroccan Chickpeas Snack" 

I am wearing...comfortable lounge pants and a tee shirt that is getting a bit too small to wear

I am creating...goals and hopes for this coming month and spring before baby arrives

I am going...to be patient with myself and especially the children who are a bit wired today

I am listening to....Chris Rice "Living Room Sessions" Calming piano hummed hymns.

I am hoping...for spring! 

I am hearing...washing machine, kids playing....and "Hermie the Caterpillar" talking to himself on t.v. need to turn it off!

Around the house...Several items to be freecycled and organization anticipation.

One of my favorite things...is looking forward to spring and getting excited over the sprout of crocuses. 

A few plans for the rest of the week: On my mind is some more 'mind and house' decluttering as well as preparing for Spring Challenge starting next Monday from SimpleMom.net: Project Simplify

Planning my Home Planning Journal

So here is my post on creating a "Home Planning Journal." There are a lots of ways to call it: a homemaking journal, home management journal, or home keeping journal, or scratch journal and call it planner, since it helps you plan your day and care for your household. Simply put it is one place (a binder) where to keep everything you might use on a regular (daily, weekly and monthly) basis. I first came across this before our children were here through reading "Sink Reflections" by the Fly Lady. I was looking for a way to get more organized and less stressed when it came to keeping house as a new wife and home maker (laundry, dishes, you know...). The Fly Lady calls it a "Control Journal" and that's the name I used when I first made a simple one for our household of two.  Simplify 101  has a free e-book on how to make one for yourself that you can download and it's very helpful.
 I admit that I rarely used it back then but once Jman came around I soon found myself in need of something to help me organized and stay organized as a SAHM (stay at home mom).  I switched to the name "(Family Name)'s Home Blessing Journal," once again getting most of my inspiration from Fly Lady (who encourages us to see taking care of our families and house not as a duty or chore but as a way to bless our family.) The idea of home keeping as "blessing" doesn't make it easier to do, quite honestly, but it gives me the right perspective! I stopped using it as time went by, derailed mostly by changes in our circumstances or longer vacations. However a few things did stick with me: having a bedtime routine, where I clean off the table and the kitchen, so it's ready to be used in the morning. I also started making/preparing breakfast so I wouldn't have to rush for that in the morning as well. And for a while I also sticked to a morning routine, where I would wake up early to have some quiet time. This past summer I purchased "Steady Mom" by Jamie Martin for I liked the idea of creating steady routines: predictable yet flexible daily and weekly schedule to not get loss in chaos or apathy and to be more intentional and meaningful in my time at home with the kids. When you have a whole day it is easy to get stuck in a rut, not plan fun things and especially waste time with t.v., computer and other non-important things. I know I still struggle with that. So that was this past summer and I am finally picking it back up and once again trying to implement more intentional activities at home/with the kids as well as my daily 'to do' lists. There is a lot more in this book about staying at home 'intentionally and professionally' and it's a very slim book if you are interested.

Here are some ideas for what type of information you may want to store in your home planner. You can get so many ideas by simply googling "home making planner" or some other type of word. Most will be ideas from other bloggers.
- Health Records (I keep mine in a file cabinet, but I might keep the kids 'alternative immunization' schedules and what shots they have had handy in the "Home Journal/Planner")
-Events coming up (invitations, flyers, etc. that you throw away once the event has passed).
-Play groups, Day Care, Babysitter Information
-Phone Numbers and Emergency Contacts
- List of fun things to do in your town
-Your daily, weekly and monthly activities
-Important Dates to Remember
-Menu Planning and Grocery/Shopping Lists (this is a must for me, possibly one of the most important 'planning' sections
-House Cleaning Routines
-Travel and Vacation Checklists

You can get even more detailed with recommended reading list, web sites, DVDs or videos to rent, etc. Basically it's your daily planner with an emphasis on home life. If you lack time but have money there are many 'printable' home planning journals to purchase online. In my quest to keep it simple and frugal I am making my own.( Though I must admit that I have spent too many hours online researching and saving links on this matter and nothing is done at home!).


Right now it's not completely organized, but I have my morning routines thanks to Inspired to Action's "Maximize Your Mornings" challenge, with a couple of lists of 'things I want to do soon/Thins I'd like to do sometime I downloaded from the free e-book (click on the previous link). I also have their prayer calendars for praying scripture for your children and spouse (check the 'resources' section at Inspired to Action). I have my bedtime routine from back when Jman was a wee babe. I am starting to fill in with some Gluten Free Foods lists and menu ideas, some favorite recipes, as well as other healthy eating information I'll most likely refer to. I have my grocery lists printables from SimpleMom.net. I have some current information about doulas for our next birth, medical information for myself as well as babysitter phone numbers. It isn't labeled yet but they are in there and I have been using it!

One free printable I want to share is the one I found on SimpleMom.net. I actually have used several of her free downloads but I have been grateful for the Daily Docket which I have been using for the past few weeks. While eating breakfast I use the Daily Docket to plan my day. I hardly ever get all I have written down- mostly because they are not 'urgent'- but it's been very useful. I love putting a verse I read that morning in the "Inspiration" section at the top right, as well as checking off the "water droplets" to keep track of my water intake. I think I have felt so much better physically since I now have a way to keep track of how much water I've been drinking!

Having a planner is just one step for me. I know the hardest part is actually ACTING on it, and following your routines and schedules. Time to make lunch now!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Tuesday February 22nd

Outside my window...clear blue sky, city noises and an airplane passing by

I am thinking...of some good friends who are far away

I am thankful for...ALL the children are taking naps today (even Jman!)

From the learning rooms...wondering what God has in store for me regarding school...my education and for my kids' own education

From the kitchen...Clean up time...didn't happen this a.m. Easy "pasta col sugo al pomodoro" for tonight :) (oh, gluten free!)

I am wearing...my jeans and an old long sleeve shirt covered by a prettier purple flower tee

I am creating...peace, so I pray, in my heart and mind first, then in my home and relationships

I am going...to wake up the kids...so they won't be too wired for bedtime tonight

I am reading..."How would Jesus raise your child?" (picked up in the dollar section of a bookstore a while back) and the Penguin Book of Baby Names

I am hoping...for more sunshine and nice warmer days, to be outside, hang the clothes and gets some fresh air

I am hearing...another airplane flying by! (nice to have an airport so close...all my friends far away come see us!)

Around the house...silence, golden sweet silence :) not for long though, then there will be nice laughter (and some toddler/preschool crankiness! oops one of them is up!)

One of my favorite things...is making popcorn for my kids and other special 'easy' treats :) 

A few plans for the rest of the week: 

OB appointment tomorrow, sweet friend will watch my 'big babies' as I go to get a check up with this 'baby in the tummy' as Liv call him/her;

Work more on my home journal (more to come about that, finally!), hopefully skype more with my mom, my sister and my new nephew Lorenzo!, teach the 2s and 3s bible class- gotta prepare for that; Make chili, meatballs and easy tomato soup- all gluten free mostly this week! Start back up my bible study group with some wonderful group of ladies with an intro to Acts- very much looking forward to this; storytime probably on Friday morning. Some things have come up that might keep my busy this weekend working on the computer. If it's not a lovely day outside we might go celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday at Davis Kidd. We love green eggs and ham!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing.

..

Simple Woman Daybook~ Monday Feb.14th~ Buon San Valentino!

Monday, February 14th

Outside My Window...sunshine and blue sky!

I am thinking...of love and food (loved my 'plaki' style fish at the Blue Olive restaurant this weekend where we celebrate early Valentine's Day)

From the learning rooms... of nine and half years of marriage, I am so very blessed to be with my beloved another Valentine' Day- one of our first dates being on Valentine's Day Feb. 2000

From the kitchen...warming up some sourdough wheat bread from Serenity Farms bought on our way back from weekend getaway

I am wearing...sweat pants! And that is okay today!

I am creating...a home, a life

I am going...to work on a 'gluten free' menu for the next few weeks

I am reading...the book of Genesis

I am hoping...to keep a smile on all day long

I am hearing...the children playing in their room

Around the house...there are some overnight bags to be unpacked and some house chores to do

One of my favorite things...is starting 'new'

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...

We are home again home, jiggedy-jig :) Enjoying rest at home after some time away

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Sharing a picture from the web of Chateau on the Lake hotel where my beloved and I had an elegant and peaceful
breakfast brunch Sunday morning before returning home yesterday.

Brother and Sister

Sometimes we have 'coloring' time, sitting still with colors and paper or coloring books

Liv really enjoys it now, even Jman who is not much for an 'arts and crafts' project will want to color some

I was trying to capture both of them, but Liv thought Jman was much more fun and interesting first thing in the morning

This was the sweetest scene: Jman reading 'by heart' to his little sis "Brown Bear Brown bear what do you see?" while she sat on his lap.

           Here we have the two siblings enjoying the mud, yes, even little princess Liv got muddy and didn't mind! Just more laundry for mom!

Simple Woman Daybook~ Monday Feb. 7th

Monday, February 7th

Outside My Window...rain slowly dripping from the sky

I am thinking...of my hopes and goals for another day at home with the kids

I am thankful for... home and the kids!

From the learning rooms... of my quiet time spent in the Word: may kindness rule my everyday speech and instruction, especially around the children (Proverbs 31:26)

From the kitchen...lots of piled dirty dishes....lots of work to be done, true, but what a blessing to have good food to eat :)

I am wearing...pj pants and warm brown sweater

I am creating...a mission statement, to keep grounded, focus and at peace with life's ups and downs

I am going...to try and be more industrious and focus in my every day activities: no back and forth to the computer all the time to check e-mail!

I am reading...or need to read/skim through "Creative Correction" by Lisa Whechel before I must return it to the library :)

I am hoping...to keep first things first, to have God's Kingdom's always in focus

I am hearing...the heater drumming, the cars slushing through the rain on their way to work and school, the rain quietly knocking on the window panes

Around the house...there is cleaning and organizing waiting to be done, but even cuddling on the couch, enjoying books, playing dolls and building blocks time too

One of my favorite things...Is having a longer 'morning time' while kids sleep in because they went to bed later the evening before (Oh, here comes Jman!)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Getaway weekend with just hubby, children with family in Arkansas while we spend some fun, uninterrupted and leisurely time alone as a couple (I am VERY excited, can you guess?)! 

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The diaper cake I made for a 'diaper' baby shower I wrote about last week :)

Being a cloth diaper mama I am interested in knowing you can make a 'cloth diaper cake' too :)

More Lego construction

More of Jman's creations. Again, he likes color schemes.

                                              Silly face Jman with one of his ultimate creations!

                                        Picture not centered, but notice the symmetry of the 'castle'

                                          Jman with his last creation and sister looking on approvingly :)

 He is now coming to me with his works wanting me to take pictures! I am usually in the kitchen, so might need to steer him to another table setting since the top of the washing machine is probably not the best place to take pictures. I am going to see about getting him into these lego competitions I have heard about. I think he would thrive doing such big projects with a team when he is older. In the meantime lots of wows from mom and dad is always the best thing!

Simple Woman Daybook~ Monday

Outside my window... sunshine has gone, gray is back...oh but spring will be here soon. Plus the sun is setting anyways.

I am thinking... of all I want to do and why I always want to do so much with so little time

I am thankful for... a good start on my first "maximize your mornings" challenge...as well as a sweet hubby who will pick us up dinner since I didn't have enough frozen soup for tonight :)

I am wearing... my long sleeve teal shirt and my comfy cozy gray lounge pants that I did yoga in this morning

I am remembering... that I get to see the last episode of Downton Abbey tonight on the local PBS station :)

I am going... to make a diaper cake this week for a baby shower

I am currently reading... well, I was trying to finish "The Divine Conspiracy" by Dallas Willard, but it is so thick (takes in lots of brain work and is long) I am taking a break and reading "No Graven Image" by E. Elliot 

I am hoping... for wonderful news about the elections that took place in Southern Sudan, praying for freedom and peace

On my mind... my kids running and playing in the other room

Noticing that... I still have to get stuff done :) and it is THAT time of the day!

Pondering these words... "I will rejoice in His Love" (that should keep me from focusing on 'business')

In the kitchen... a little soup warming in the Crockpot. Leftover home popped popcorn for the kids snacks and my quasi empty fridge that could use a nice cleaning!

Around the house... pitter-patter of running little feet....they love to run around by the end of the day. We don't have carpet, so they take off their socks so they won't slip!

One of my favorite things  my daughter's precious little two-year old sentences

From my picture journal...

skyping with family so far away, one of my favorite things to do :)

Maximize your Mornings Challenge

Over at Inspired to Action the blog author Kat and her co-leader are encouraging women, especially busy moms, to get back in touch with the quiet early hours of the day, starting with time spent knowing and praying to God as well as taking care of ourselves first (exercise, breakfast, getting dressed and ready for the day) before we serve and take care of the rest of our troop and their daily needs. I know that I have in the past been a very good morning routine keeper. I would even have everyone's breakfast and hubby's lunch ready by the time they woke up. I have been on again and off again, but since my bout with morning sickness, and even before that I have NOT been waking up early enough in the mornings. And it shows. It really does. When I was waking up early for prayer and reading the Bible it did make a difference. I am not trying to be cheesy, just stating an actual fact. I usually start too big so I need to readjust a bit. I want to start with my quiet time, waking up 30 minutes earlier to do so and have my cup of tea before Jman, my first riser and followed closely by Liv wake up. First thing is to get my alarm set. I don't like alarms for I have a great biological clock. However, even though I do tend to wake up around 6 am (mostly b/c hubby has just gotten back from delivering papers!) I let myself go back to sleep! Not very disciplined uh? So I must make friends with the alarm clock.
 But my end goal will be to be also exercising, doing some stretching/yoga as well as hopefully walking. Finally I want to have had breakfast and hub's take-to-work lunch done as well as breakfast for all ready so that we will NOT have morning cartoons!! I might need to use tv (PBS/Qubo channel) from time to time, but I really want to reduce the time kids watch T.V. There are plenty of other times I need it so I hope to eliminate mornings. It will be hard for them because this is our routine now (mom turns on tv for Jman and Liv while she prepares their breakfast and hubby's lunch. Finally, with lots of interruptions she sits down an HOUR later to her breakfast, starving, and keeps the kids watching TV so she can have some time to herself online, writing emails, reading the news, planning her day, etc.)

 I think it will work best if I do the things I need to for myself FIRST. I will be a less grumpy person in the morning, giving a great boost to my busy day.

 You can join the challenge too. They actually have accountability partners (called captains) through twitter. I don't tweet (enough distractions with email, blogs and facebook for me right now, maybe when I am finally in a good routine and better with my time!). They also have a link on facebook so you can follow it there. Of course just go to the website, start following Inspired to Action so you can download for FREE her Maximize Your Mornings E-book (if you are like me and are wondering : how long is this e-book? Not long. It printed a total of 32 pages.)

Happy Mornings to me and to you then!

Our Architect in Training

Jman has always had engineering abilities since very young. He has loved building train tracks and towers and such for a long time. It's one of the few things that can keep him occupied longer than anything else (not hours but even whole 15-30 minutes depending on the scope of his enterprise!). He likes to show off his finished work to me, his dad, and his grandparents on skype. Nonno and Nonna (my parents, the Italian ones!) enjoy so much watching him display his 'towers' and 'buildings' made of legos on the floor in front of the computer camera while chatting on skype. Nonno is an architect and he told his grandson that he will soon have an assistant opening for him! Jman actually sound interested for a few seconds, of course he has lots to learn before he can truly design buildings and such as his nonno! But who knows? Maybe that will be something of true interest in the future! But wait, remember he is just four and half!

 Here are a few of his most recent endeavors:

His Uncle Robbie & Aunt Mona from Firenze got him these Lincoln Logs for Christmas. He has been following his "map" (as he calls the instruction booklet) to make his own cabins :)

These are some of his lego constructions. He loves color schemes as you can see. I just realized that some of his latest and 'greatest' works are still on the camera and I have yet to download them so will have to post them later!

Simple Woman Daybook~ Monday

Outside My Window...

I see gray skies again, but it's sunnier inside

I am thinking...

of how beautiful the earth is going to be when it's spring because it is resting now

I am thankful for...

a healthy growing baby in my belly

From the kitchen...

hot tea is steeping

I am wearing...

my warm brown flower sweater everyone compliments me about (so European ;)

I am creating...

another blog post

I am going...

to be gentle with my kids as our day unwinds

I am reading...

parenting books

I am hoping...

for our last month and a half of winter to be calm and enjoyable

I am hearing...

the heater warming our house

Around the house...

it's getting close to the 'bewitching' time where I will need to cook dinner, put up the clean dishes. finish laundry and keep the kids patient and calm so I can get the above mentioned done!

One of my favorite things...

is evening quiet time when I can unwind from the day