Gratitude.

I haven't blogged in awhile because I don't anything to say. Maybe that means that I shouldn't say anything.  Or maybe it means I just need to get in the habit of blogging again. So today, in an effort to get back into it, I want to share some things that I am grateful for:

1. Ben made chocolate chip cookies today. It has become a Sunday tradition, and I love it. 
2. Girlfriends.  I have the best girlfriends in the entire world, and they are all over the world. I love getting encouragement and love from women I love and adore. 
3. Sunday naps.

There it is.

Happy Sunday.

My Lovely Ambition.

Do you like the new blog design? It was time for a change. I love changes that I can control, I think it is the best kind of change. In case you are interested, I used Designer Blogs for my new layout. I have used them for another blog, and am totally impressed with their work and how quickly they get everything finished. 

Now this is where I get into why the title of this post is My Lovely Ambition. You see, for awhile, I have talked about keeping track of the outfits I wear.  Well, I did have a private blog with my sisters, but I was ready for something else, so I started, My Lovely Ambition in December. It is a place where I keep track of my outfits, and write things that I wouldn't want to share on here. You know, like how I have three skirts for every pair of pants. Or regular pictures of what I am wearing and other ramblings that I don't think my dad, brothers (are you there?), or grandparents would want to read. So I created a space that I can write without worrying about my audience, since as of now, my audience is about zero.  Which I have found is not so bad, because I post for me, not for anyone else. However, I wanted to share this with you all, since you are my nearest and dearest.

So, if you like, take a look. 

Making incorrect assumptions.

A children's museum in Tijuana. 

When I posted about taking classes and that it was going to be busy, I really had no idea what I was talking about.  I assumed that I would be busy.  I assumed that I would have to change our schedule a little.  I assumed that I would be able to continue doing everything as normal.  Now I know what assuming does.
 
I have been busy.  All of us have been really busy.  I study at night when Ben gets home, and while I study, he puts the kids to bed and cleans the kitchen (nice, huh?).   I have attempted to blog or write e-mails, but every time I try to get on the computer, or even look at the iPhone, the kids protest.  I am too tired to stay up past 9:30 or 10:00, which means there is no time for the computer.  I don't mind, but I have been out-of-touch with most everyone.  It will probably be that way for awhile.  The blog is going to be neglected, and it could be a few days, or it could be a few months. 
As I speak both of my children are crying for attention. 

We are alive and mostly well, just busy.

Take Care.

Repose.

(According to thefreedictionary.com)

Repose: n
1. The act of resting or the state of being at rest.


2. Freedom from worry; peace of mind.

3. Calmness; tranquility.

Repose is one of my favorite words.  I don't have it, and wish I did.  It is my goal.  I need to find a way to incorporate repose into my life.  How I plan on doing it?  Balance.  My entire life I have struggled to find moderation in all things.  I might struggle for my entire life to find balance, but I will always try. 
For the next little while, I am going to post less.  I am going to use the computer a lot less.  I hope you will understand. 
 
Lots of Love.

(After this post, I am also going to turn off the comments, at least for a little while.)

I finally did it.

Thanks to blurb.com, the first two years of blog posts have been printed!  It was pretty easy, and once I ordered the book, it was in our house in less than a week!   I ordered the hardcover, image wrap, in the Standard Portrait size. 

Next time, I think I might get the bigger size, and I will take more time on the backgrounds, as this one has a lot of white space.  However, I am really happy with the quality, and the finished product.  It makes the blog feel more like a family record, which is one of the goals with having a blog.  

Anyway, I am super excited, and thought I would share. 

Oh dear.

The last post has several things wrong with it.  The first, I wrote it and published it when Ben was out of town.  He usually acts as my filter.  I come up with a lot of things to write, and he lets me know if I should publish them.  This is one I am certain he would have stopped me.  Second, after re-reading it (for the 50th time), I think it seems that I am looking for compliments.  Although I love compliments, it was not my goal.  Third, it was late when I wrote it and when I it is late, I get tired.  When I am tired, I think I am brilliant.  Not so much. 
It is great that Ben is back in town, and I hope he doesn't have to go out of town again for awhile (for so many reasons). 
I should have a policy to not publish anything thought up so late. 
I don't think even my mom or dad will read if I keep that up.

To compensate for this unfortunate ramble, here is a video of Jack singing and dancing to "I Gotta Feeling".

Another glimpse into my mind.

For those of you who use Blogger, have you noticed that there is a new tab on the Blogger Dashboard?  It's the Stats tab.  I am not a fan.  A few times I have thought about using some sort of stats tracker on my blog, but I have ALWAYS stopped myself. 

The main reason, I don't want to become obsessed with numbers.  I tend to do that, you know.  When I was on facebook, I loved adding friends so that I could have more friends than ... {insert name of someone I know}.  Then I would get frustrated because I really didn't know some of my 'friends'.  Technically I knew everyone I was friends with; however, knowing is kind of a loose term, maybe I was friends with their sister, had been to their house once and saw their picture on the mantle.  You know things like that.  It was about the quantity not the quality. 

I think I was trying to prove my "coolness" with the number of friends I had. I have never thought of myself as being very cool, and I thought that this would work. It didn't work, and eventually for many other reasons, I took myself off facebook and concentrated on the blog.  I don't know how many people read this little spot on the Internet.  The only way I know someone is reading is when someone tells me they read it, or they leave a comment.  I am quite content in my ignorance. 

The problem is now that tab is there, calling to me,

"Find out how many people read your blog.  You have to find out; you need to look the Stats button". 

As wonderful as it has been living in ignorance, a part of me wants to know.  In all honesty, it shouldn't matter.  I love blogging, and I absolutely adore the people I have met, and absolutely love those I have been able to keep in touch with. I don't need to know how many people read my blog.

{Perhaps this little dilemma is a little pointless, as is this blog post.  However, that's why I have a blog -to be able to write what is on my mind.  Nice, right?  The inner workings of my mind, aren't we all lucky?}
 
Just like on Facebook, it isn't quantity, it is definitely is about quality, and I know that I have that.
 
Thank you for reading.  Thank you for not judging.  Thank you for being my friends. 

{Even the ones I know read this blog, but don't leave comments.  In fact, they are some of my favorites.  Most of them share a last name, have shared a last name, or at some point someone in our families shared a last name.  Love you, mean it.}

I don't want to look, but I probably will.

Comments.

Okay, with the advice from my wise friends who left comments in regards to responding to comments, I have made a decision.  If you leave a question, you will get an answer, just check back.  If it is something big enough, I will just make a post.