Summer List 2014 Update

Each summer, I love creating a Summer List. It gets me excited about the season--about being outside more and soaking up the sunshine and frolicking in water and enjoying time with family and friends.

For the past two summers, I've completed nearly everything on my list. (Here's a look at my 2012 list and my 2013 list.)

And then this summer happened. Things came up I hadn't anticipated. God sent a few large curveballs in my direction. My priorities quickly shifted, and I had to make choices about how I was going to use my free time.

Truth be told, because I'm a Type-A person, that didn't sit well with me--at least initially. I yearn to do, do, do and go, go, go, checking items off my list and accomplishing as much as possible.

But...as I get older (and hopefully, wiser), I'm learning to breathe...and just recognize that "it is what it is." I'm learning to be grateful for what I do accomplish, instead of focusing on what I don't get done.

Here's a look at what I did this summer:

1 | Get my Nikon D700 repaired and shoot away!
Check! I did get my Nikon camera fixed, but then I sold it--along with ALL of my Nikon lenses and gear. A few weeks later, I bought a Canon 5D Mark III! Yep, you read that right: This summer, I made the HUGE leap (well, huge for me!) from Nikon to Canon, and I'm really happy I did.

2 | Finish sewing 6 pillows for the family room couches.
Still to be done. I'm slightly embarrassed to write this, but the truth is, I made one pillow cover and it looked s-o-o ridiculous that I promptly packed up my sewing supplies and moved on to the next project on my summer list. Then, a few weeks ago, I asked a seamstress how much she would charge to sew six pillow covers and she said $60. I know that's A LOT of money, but I just may take her up on it, so I'll have some pillows on my couches before say, next summer.

3 | Complete our adoption website.
Check! I put a lot of time and effort into our website, and I'm pleased with it. Hopefully, it will help us connect with more birth parents. 

4 | Start a photo journal, adding one new photo per week.
Still to be done. I didn't get around to creating a photo journal this summer, but I want to make it a priority this fall. 

5 | Visit Oregon with Brian's family.
Check! We loved visiting Bandon, Oregon.  What a beautiful town!


6 | Indulge in a massage.
Still to be done. The gift certificate (from my thoughtful hubby) is riding around in my purse, and I'm hoping to cash it in soon.

7 | Host a play date with friends.
Check! We spent lots of time with friends--at our home, their homes and several local parks.

8 | Go on at least one date per month with Brian.
Check! And we have an August date scheduled for this weekend.  (Thanks, Mom and Dad!)

9 | Hike with family and/or friends.
Check!

10 | Attend a county fair. 
Check! The photo above was taken at the Nevada County Fair earlier this month.  

11 | Swim with Noah.
Check! We swam at several friends' houses and at two local pools.    

12 | Finish an article about search and rescue dogs and submit to a magazine. 
Check! I'm still waiting to hear whether my article has been accepted.

13 | Create a scrapbook layout about Noah's name.
Check! If you missed it, you can view it here. 

14 | Explore how to build a free little library for our neighborhood (with help from Brian).
Still to be done. I've pinned ideas to a Pinterest board and I hope to make this a reality in our neighborhood in 2015.

Your turn: What did you see/do/experience/eat/create this summer?

Scrapbook Circle | June Sketch Challenge

I'm on a roll with another scrapbook layout for the June Scrapbook Circle Sketch Challenge.

For this challenge, I selected a photo of Noah and Brian playing in the ocean near Bodega Bay. (I'll be sharing a post with more pictures from our trip next week.)


I thought this layout was the perfect opportunity to talk about the popularity of Noah's name (hence the title: "hello, my name is Noah") as well as how my name and Brian's name were quite common the year we were born.

I wrote the journaling on a brown tag that slides right behind the photo.



Here's the short note I penned to Noah:

Dear Noah,
When we chose your name, your dad and I had no idea how popular it was! Just recently, I learned that in 2012, it was the fourth most popular boys name and in 2013, it was THE MOST popular boys name. So chances are, you'll have quite a few classmates/teammates/friends with the same name. Oh how your dad and I can relate! In 1978 (the year we were born), THE MOST popular girls name was Jennifer and Brian was the ninth most popular boys name. I think you'll find (as we did) that nicknames and the first letter of your last name will come handy.
Love,
Mom & Dad

Your turn: How popular was your name the year you were born? Click HERE to find out and then leave a comment below!

July 2013 Layout

Inside Scrapbook Circle's July kit, I found this awesome 12x12 Jillibean Soup paper with die cut frames. 

It's just perfect for showcasing nine of my favorite iPhone photos from July.   


I love this shot of Noah grinning as he sits on my parents' ride-on lawn mower.  (Thanks, Dad, for snapping the picture!)

For Today

My two favorite cowboys

THINKING ABOUT...the Connie Schultz article I read in Parade on Sunday.  Every time I read one of her pieces, I find myself smiling--sometimes even chuckling, too.  Connie is a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist who crafts columns that are inspiring, funny, and insightful.  Click here to check out Connie's  essays.
 
THANKFUL FOR...my sweet husband who likes to cook.  On Monday, before he left for work, Brian made a batch of raviolis for me, so I would have dinner while he was gone.  So, so thoughtful.  

INSPIRED BY...Bumbo's commitment to the people of South Africa.  Nearly 100% of the profits from the sale of Bumbos go to support South Africans in need.  Kudos to Johan Buitendach, the inventor of Bumbo, for his generous spirit. 

WRITING...a children's article about how to create a scrapbook layout.  It's not coming together as easily as I thought it would...and it's due on Friday--eek!  Could be because I am just a wee-bit distracted by an adorable almost seven-week-old named Noah.  Oh, and let's be real: I'm a procrastinator by nature.           

LOVING...the beautiful daffodils on the windowsill in our dining room.  (Thanks, Aunt Susie!)


JUST FINISHED...reading Heaven is for Real.  It's a quick read, but definitely worth checking out.

READING...I Don't Know How to Cook and Marriage Rules.  I'm enjoying both so far!
 
LOOKING FORWARD...to spending time with my niece, McKayla at the end of March. 

PERUSING...Scrapbooks Etc. April 2012 issue.  Excited to see a Baby Love album in the magazine; I think I might be able to create something similar for Noah.

WATCHING...The Voice for the first time.  I'm amazed by the talent of the singers (unlike some of the contestants on American Idol), and the interaction between the judges is fun to watch.  Adam and Blake are my favorites. 

BAKING...Easy Coffee Cake (from I Don't Know How to Cook).  It must be pretty delicious--Brian had two pieces!

ENJOYING...Noah's smiles.

Hope you are having a great week!

J