Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Summer

Wow! The year flew by...it's finally here...SUMMER! Yeah! I'm so happy to have the kids home, a little extra time to sleep in and a lighter and less crazy schedule. I'm not happy that my kids will be bugging me on a daily basis to keep them entertained. I'll hear "I'm Bored" countless times over the next few months...agh!!!

I've been trying to put together a daily schedule that will remain posted in plain sight for all to view. My son constantly needs a timeline for the day (where does he get that from???-he he!)
I did find an idea on the internet for an "I'm Bored" Jar...


Inside the jar I placed pieces of paper with fun ideas and also chores. A few ideas are...
Wash the car
Clean the studio
Clean your room
Odie Day (take the dog to a dogpark)
Invite a friend over
Movie
Library


The ideas are endless! Everytime I hear "I'm Bored", the complainer has to pull a piece of paper not knowing if it will be a fun idea or a chore. They are so excited about it so we'll see how it goes!


Our summer evenings are often filled with swimming, dinner outside on the patio and movie time by the pool. We also have a firering so S'mores are a frequent snack for the kiddos. I decided to make my life easier and put together "S'more Jars" that are always full and ready to go. They are a hit!


I'll happily post any other fun summer ideas I come across and would love to hear yours as well. Happy Summer to ALL!!!







Tuesday, May 17, 2011

What A Month!


I can't believe it's been a month since I've last posted...and what a month it's been! So much has been going on and it all started with a health scare with my mom. I won't go into details but she has been through a lot including surgery and there were many ups and downs. Thank God all has turned out well and she has a clean bill of health!

In the beginning, I made the decision that no matter what, I was going to go through this journey with my mom every step of the way. She has always been there for me and is my rock so I wanted to help her through the bumps in the road. During her surgery and recovery, I often had time to sit and reflect. It's been a crazy year full of so many activities and I sometimes find it hard to even breathe. I admit to taking life for granted, living in the fast lane and not stopping to smell the roses. With so much "downtime" (aka sitting in the hospital or at home hanging out with my mom) the last few weeks, I was able to read some fun books, work on some craft projects and do some thinking. I decided life is too short and goes too fast. I want to spend more time with my family, doing things I love and stopping to smell the roses a time or two.

Summer is right around the corner and I'm ready to hang out with my kiddos, travel and hopefully relax (and, yes, train my awesome clients too). I have even been smelling the roses and other flowers too...literally! Last week, I cut roses from my own bushes and made an arrangement. Today, while grocery shopping, I bought myself a $4 arrangement of flowers and placed them in a spray painted mason jar with decorations (pictured above). How can that nnot bring a smile to your face? I hope you take the time to enjoy life a bit and smell the roses (or whatever flower you like) too.


I leave you with one last thought...

You are constantly changing, growing and becoming.

Love yourself along the way.

Believe in you!

Jan Bethancourt