Take Twelve: February

 

This year, along with Stacy Julian's online class called Twelve (registration is now closed), I'm taking twelve pictures on the 12th of every month.  I've been wanting to share, but this month is the first month I've actually sat down and put together a collage of my photos.

Since February 12th fell on a Sunday, I took pictures to capture the quiet, reverence we try to have in our home the first day of each week...

 

Notes:

• The day starts with church.  Right now, Cheerios and baby books are part of our weekly take alongs.  :)
• DH had just arrived home from overseas the night before and was enduring jet lag.  We do take Sunday afternoon naps now and then, but this day it was out of pure necessity!
• Sunday evenings are when the boys get their allowances for the week ahead.  I usually divide their age by the number of weeks in the month and that is their weekly allowance amount.  At their ages, it doesn't take much.  LOL!
• Sunday evenings are also our time to look ahead and plan out the new week.  DH and I usually sit down and go over what appointments, events and to do's we have and then plan together accordingly.
• The boys often spend a quiet Sunday afternoon doing art activities of their choosing.  This particular Sunday they wanted to work on Valentine's Day themed things...with a side of hot chocolate.

One Little Word Blog Hop

I'm stepping out and doing something for the very first time here on my blog!  As you've probably noticed, the majority of my posts are about cards I have made.  This year, one of my resolutions is to expand my horizons a bit and do more scrapbooking & journaling type projects.  That said, I am all signed up for Big Picture Classes One Little Word with Ali Edwards.

Today, it's time for the One Little Word (OLW) February Blog Hop and I thought I'd share what I've created so far with my word for 2012.

This word had been on my mind a lot toward the end of 2011.  With three little ones to care for on a daily basis, it's really been hitting home how much influence a mother has on her children.  I decided one day that I really needed to focus on nurturing my little family.  I find myself sitting and wondering what it is exactly that I'd like to nurture in them & in myself.  This first assignment was to explore our chosen words and I think I've come up with a few ideas, although, I'm sure these will quickly expand as the year goes on!


Below is my first page for this project.

Project Notes:

1.  I wasn't sure I wanted to use my own handwriting at first, but I decided this was a personal study and, to me, personal handwriting is so unique that I just couldn't ignore using it!

2.  The butterflies came to mind as I was trying to think of something that could represent my word.  They have such a delicate beauty, don't they?  Nurturing, if done right, can bring out such beauty in a person and I want to see that revealed in myself and my loved ones!

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**Now head on over to Karen's blog for more One Little Word inspiration!**

Here is the order of today's Blog Hop if you get lost along the way:

Margie

Sharyn

Jill

Lynn

Jenn

Carmen

Marilee

Kristina

Cindy C

Kelly

Cheri

Amanda

Cindy

Brooke

Naomi

*Melissa* 
(You are here.)

Karen

Melissa S

Devon

Donna

Dawn

Katrina

Sam

Monica

Kimberlee

Missus W

Kaylea

Nikki

Erin

Jo

Coley

Beth

Veronica

Jamie

Monica B

Lisa

Rebekah

Jan

Cate

Stephanie

Orange Gearle

Tere

Junelle

Ruth

Becky

One Little Word

With the beginning of 2012, I am stepping out on a journey with Big Picture Classes (one of my favorite online creative learning sites) called One Little Word by Ali Edwards.  I had wanted to follow along with this class last year, but life got away and I fell behind after the second monthly prompt, realizing how many other things were on my plate already.  This year, I am ready to start fresh and have chosen my word for the year:

Nurture

I love this quote I found today:

"And while it takes courage to achieve greatness, it takes more courage to find fulfillment in being ordinary. For the joys that last have little relationship to achievement, to standing one step higher on the victory platform. What is the adventure in being ordinary? It is daring to love just for the pleasure of giving it away. It is venturing to give new life and to nurture it to maturity. It is working hard for the pure joy of being tired at the end of the day. It is caring and sharing and giving and loving…"

Marilyn Thomsen

As a wife, mother, daughter & friend, I want to learn to make this word more a part of my life.  So many times, I get caught up in "doing it all."  I'd like to learn to slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy this part of my life, nurturing my body, my spirit, my soul, my family & my friends in a way that will bring out the best qualities in myself and others.  I want to be a quiet, positive, encouraging influence without having to think much about it...to have it flow naturally and easily from my life.  I'm thinking I'd better start with what's in my heart.

Here's to taking that first step on the One Little Word journey!  I'll share a little as I go along and, if you think you'd like to join in this year, go on over and sign up for the class!