Picture Perspective

(Baby just woke up, so this is the abbreviated version...)

So, the other night I couldn't sleep. And when that happens, I get out my journal and do a "My Mind Dumped..." It's sort of a download, from mind to journal. Then I list everything that's on my mind until it's empty...

I ended up listing a few things that are some of the "BEST" things that I'm not creating time for...You know, the good, better, best talk by Dallin H. Oaks?!? Surprisingly, one theme was dominant on this list. PICTURES. I have made many mistakes, Yes, I have. One thing I have done right is taking lots and lots and lots and LOTS of pictures. Thank. Heavens. Even though they sit in folders on my computer, cds, and external hard drive, some printed out, they ARE there. BUT, I am dying to create Blurb books/ Blog book so we can enjoy them even more!

I just finished looking through photos from when James and I were engaged all the way through these days...I had an epiphany. Those pictures tell a story. Not of how much money we had in our account at the time, not how clean my house was. Not how much debt we had, not even how fit I was, or what clothes we were wearing, or even what car we drove...They tell a story of the JOY in our lives..A snap shot of the happiness that sparkled in Jaxon's eyes, James' eyes, mine, my family and friends' eyes...A peek into the journey of my marriage with James. So sockety to watch us growing. Our love. What perspective! How inspiring! Now, right now...I am re-committed to go create more joy. Forget about.......the rest...........How many things occupy my thoughts--Both worthy and unworthy of my energy and precious time, that fit into ........the rest..........category?!?! Love this paradigm shift. Feels like something the Christy Jex, on her death bed, would tell the Christy Jex of now, with babies, and many things that could rob the JOY, if she could. I'll take it!

I think this is what Dallin H. Oaks was getting at. Each of us DESERVES to take inventory and decide what it is that deserves our T.I.M.E? I am taking inventory again....While I'm at it,

SAY CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!!! click.....

My New Life

Hahaha, I was initially being sarcastic about the whole "Yearly Post" title, but I dang near pulled that off! Shoot! Well, I have been "tied" (lovingly) up with other things....and people...

Speaking of, we have a new little person that joined our crazy family three months ago. He has had a viscous ear infection, since he was four weeks old. Five different antibiotics later, our wonderful pediatricians, Michael Whiting and Kim Mortenson, concluded it's tubes for this little dude. Except going under isn't as safe until three months of age. SO, today was that day! He got his tubes, and it went great. Poor little guy, he had one hell-of-a-time waking up from the anesthesia...He looked POOOOOOOOR!!! (You know when you see someone suffering, or even just looking less than adequate at something they are diligently attempting? That's called "looking poor.") Broke James and my heart. OUCH. He has done better as the day has worn on. Looking forward to some serious relief for this sweet little fella. He SOO deserves it! Not to mention, some solid hours of sleep all in a row sounds heavenly.

I have been pleasantly shocked and also just plain shocked at life with two babies. HOLY MOLY! I have learned more than I could possibly put into words. ALL about patience, finding peace amidst CHAOS, more intensely actually creating JOY amidst chaos, and loving moments that would have sent my OCDness into a blustery whirlwind 3 months ago. And THAT, my friends, is excellent news. Aren't we here on this earth to LEARN and GROW!?!? I am grateful for the growth I have felt, even though those after pains of growth can ache, I TRULY AM grateful for these intense, sleepless, S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G, lessons.

Also, I have been working my post baby BEAUTIFUL (positive affirmation) body ;) out!! I must say, the first time I ran, I could feel every ounce of that 30 pounds I had to lose! POUNDS is right! I felt like an elephant pounding that poor treadmill! It feels so good to move my body. SO good. I dreamt of moving all sorts of fast, and furious while I was a whale that last month of pregnancy...So HAPPY DAY that I can! My whole point in bringing this up, is as I work out, I think of so many things I want to blog about. SO many! Apparently, it's my "thinking" time. I am convinced without regular work-outs, I would be on some sort of anti-depressant. Those endorphins that are released are REAL! I can feel them rush my being, spirit, and body! I LOVE IT! Even when I hate it, I love it. So, my working out has re-inspired me to take a few minutes and exercise my writing muscle. I LOVE TO write! And it truly is a release for me, so when I feel inspired, I will write, when I don't I won't! I am committed to keep this blogging thing a HAPPY thing, not a "I'M SO BEHIND" thing. So, there it is.
I love my life,
I love my family.
I love my framily.
Happy day and happy night.

Yearly Post

It has almost been a year since I posted on my blog. Wow..If you scroll down a couple of posts, there is a post about me not feeling like blogging is my thing. Maybe it's not. But writing sure is. Connecting with people I love sure is. MAKING A BLOG BLURB BOOK sure is. JOURNALING IS. SO........I feel like at this point, I would love to commit to accepting exactly what I do and calling it perfect.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get caught in the "If I can't do it perfect, I don't want to do it at all" trap. Hence, the blog famine. Not one more thing to "DO!" or be behind on. BUT, journaling has always been a passion of mine. And that's the reason I started in the first place....My friend talked me into it dangling the "making a pretty glossy blog book at the end of the year" idea over my head. I ADORE that idea. Absolutely. So, Maybe it's a good time to re-commit. I love being real, and sharing my passion, journaling my passion, Jaxon's hilariousisms, lessons learned, priceless perspective that only occurs in the heat of each moment. Those moments pass, then......Poof, the window closes and a moment is potentionally lost.

Here I go.

New moment. New day.

Love.