a day in the life

Still here, still home and 12|12|12

And it is lovely to be home. This week I have rested. A lot. I have pinned. A lot. I have texted. A LOT. (Thank goodness I switched to Sprint and now have unlimited text or I would be in t.r.o.u.b.l.e.) I have journaled. I have EATEN. Food is still slow, but I am eating more every day. I have to. I have to eat-pain or no pain. I have lost 26 pounds. In just over a month. There are literally no muscles left. I wore a size small skirt today (thank goodness I tend to keep my favorite clothes because now I have a whole new free wardrobe.) I will be looking quite professional for the next few weeks-lots of skirts and dress pants from pre-kids teacher wardrobe. But it is better than yoga pants every day. Just makes me feel better.

So I am better. Next infusion will be next week-not really looking forward to it, but everything is a step closer to health. 

The biggest problem I have right now is patience. They said it was going to be a long road back as my body suffered some pretty major trauma, but it is so frustrating that I cannot stand up from a chair without assistance. Basic things like showering. Walking up and down stairs. Opening a dresser drawer. It is all so hard. So exhausting. 

But I am getting better. I am home. I am NOT in the hospital. 

So my new mantra is I am healing. I am strong. I am getting better. I say it to myself many, many times a day. I write it. I think it. I am trying so hard to be positive on this very, very long road.

My goal this week was on Friday to feel a bit more normal. So I did my hair (ok put it in a pony tail as I am RIDICULOUSLY overdue for a cut.) Put on make-up. First time in three weeks. And took photos. So no, still am not lifting the big camera, but once again so thankful for my iPhone...so here they are 12 on 12 for October (and previous months will come soon too...)

1. My big outing to the doc for blood work. Wearing a skirt that hasn't fit in a long time. 2. Stopped by the pumpkin patch on the way home. 3. Still can't believe how many leaves have fallen. I am still stuck in warm September...not mid October. 4. Another view of my beautiful front tree 5. Front porch decorated beautifully by some very, very, very sweet friends. Makes me so very happy. 6. Gorgeous. Beautiful. Perfect. Thank you friend. So much. 7. Resting again, next to my beautiful flowers from a sweet friend. Note: I have the BEST friends. 8. My fall view today 9. Fall candle 10. My mama made this for me when I had the chicken pox when I was three. How perfect she found it today in the toy box. Thirty-two years old. 11. Me. 12. Opened my computer for the first time in probably three weeks. Longest I have ever gone. Thank goodness for my iPhone and iPad.

I am healing. I am strong. I am getting better.

12 | 12 | 12

Well I am back. Someday I will actually get the photos from June and July done, but it will have to wait. I felt a little lazy yesterday and didn't even get my camera out (except for an actual client shoot) but lazy = actually getting photos posted as OH HOW I LOVE INSTAGRAM. And Big Huge Labs.   
1. Only Jack and I made it to church (you will hear why later) because we had an impromptu appointment with a friend and speech therapist. One more reason why I love my church and will be sad if we end up leaving-the willingness of others to help. It may even become a regular thing. Very thankful for that.
2. Lots of laundry catch-up today. Well at least folding, no putting away (ha.) The only thing I like to fold is towels. Is that odd? Perhaps because they are pretty :)
3. We have had this train set since Lillian was a baby and it is still one of the most played with toy we own.
4. And now for the reason only Jack and I made it to church...poor Bj threw out his back. Although I tried very hard, I am the WORST nurse as everything I seemed to do made him laugh. Something about not being allowed to laugh makes everything funnier.
5. In between all the work I took a little Dr Pepper/Pinterest break. Once again I will say how much I LOVE Pinterest. :)
6. Love that the grass is greener due to all the rain as of late. Don't love the amount of weeds and clover and bare spots in the yard. I will get to it-still working on the inside of the house this year. Hopefully a few more treatments will improve upon the quality enough to match our dear neighbor who I predict will hit 30 mows today.
7. I practically barred the door, throwing the kids outside to play. They have been a little cooped up with all the rain, but they did get to have a little snack break. Oh this face. These eyes. Those beautiful eyelashes.
8. Lillian wanted a turn too-they thought the big head perspective was hilarious.
9. The blue sky on my way to a shoot.
10. I usually don't include clients in my 12 on 12, but this one is different. My dear old friend Mark from college. He made my college years hilarious and wonderfully full of drama-the stage kind, not the Jersey Shore/reality show kind. So glad to have reconnected with him.
11. My beautiful Mama-who's birthday is TODAY :)
12. I love the collection of self portrait shots I have with my Mama. I must do a layout of all of them someday.

Somehow seems like not such a lazy day when you look at all the photos. It was definitely not a lazy weekend. It was one filled with work, walking in the Bicentennial parade with the bigs, puzzles, reading books, movies, massive game night, and via a little blog hopping, discovering a FAVORITE new album. Ian Axel, This is the new year. It has been on repeat ever since.  

12 | 12 | 12

May edition! Despite the fact that I put it in the June folder and named the collage June. It is still May. Renaming all files ensued. Just wishing it were June. Can I get an "Amen?"
1. Charlie before the game. Looks like an absolute pro. Lining up. Listening. Rocking the foot skills.
2. Charlie during the game. Won't play. Won't listen. Won't cooperate. Turns to jelly. Any advice? I really don't want to throw in the towl just yet.
3. Jack LOVES Maya. This is his hide from strangers pose. Maya is a safe place to go. I love that.
4. Charlie. On the field, but with legs spread because HE wanted to BE the goal. *sigh*
5. Lillian. Tall. Long flowing hair (snicker.) Looking about eight in her new glasses. Goodness these kids grow up way too fast.
6. Oh Jack. You are too cute. Seriously. Just too cute.
7. Daddy playing some catch. Not with me. Have to say that despite the fact that I used to play football every day at recess in fifth grade I am a bit skittish about catching a football. Now softball, sign me up.
8. Doesn't it look like Charlie just slammed that ball out of the park? Yes, let's just go with that.
9. This dear old man came up to me and asked if he could take our picture. Bless his heart, another blurry stranger photo. But I love it because he was funny, sweet to offer, and urged me to vote for Obama. Of course sir.
10. I love tickling children trapped in swings. This may be the last summer of the baby swing. Wow. That is a sad thought.
11. As Jack just learned to walk, he is doing it all the time. The shuffle thump is pretty much gone. How sad.
12. Run, Jack, Run.

And as there seem to be a lack of Lillian in this month's 12 on 12, the official I just got my glasses today picture. May 8, 2012 you are excited. We will see if you are as excited in 20 years...

12 | 12 | 12

Once again the 12th came around on a Thursday, which is officially my busiest, craziest day of the week. I remind myself that preschool M-TH is only going to add to that craziness next year. And, Jack and I are going to miss Charlie like CRAZY.
1. Apparently Mick Jagger's favorite new place to play is in the toybox. Don't ask me why he is unzipped like that, but I think it may have something to do with Charlie as when I sent him upstairs to get dressed, his jammies were the same. Weirdo boys.
2. Ahhhhh-haircut! While the during is fairly awful and horrible, the after is much better (although I will miss those curls.) After the cut we stopped by to hang out with Grandpa and play a little hide and seek around Great Grandma Watson's chair.
3. Bj was home today with a horrible case of bronchitis. Now there is "man sick" and there is "wow are you being stabbed in the chest every time you cough" sick. He had the latter. Smoothies make everything better right?
4. After naptime. My goodness you are handsome Jackson.
5. And, your tiny feet are also very chubby. And the crib is dirty. Hey, it has been used almost non-stop for 6 1/2 years.
6. Driving again. Let me just recap. Drove to Charlie's school to pick him up. Got a smoothie. Back home. Drove to get Jack's haircut. Drove to M&D's house. Picked up Charlie. Home. Drove Lillian to dance. Drove home. Went back to pick up Lillian. Drove home. Drove to Cassie's house. Drove home. Lots of driving...
7. We actually arrived early and had time to stop next door to pick up a new skirt for Lillian (50% off, whoo hoo) and just hang for a moment before class. I love that she finally gets to take dance here. Makes me very, very happy.
8. Well bighugelabs cut it off, but goodness did I have Charlie laughing hysterically after I asked if I could take his photo. He is a bit INYOURFACE during photo time.
9. And again, laughing hysterically. I kept yelling at him NOT to look at the camera. He either thinks I am crazy or hasn't caught on to reverse psychology yet.
10. This is Lillian's "WHY are you taking my picture AGAIN" face. Because your Aunt Elizabeth said I had to honey. Now smile.
11. Thank you.
12. And me. After all that running around. Of course I looked this refreshed after a long day. Or perhaps I use a bit of Fotoshop by Adobe'. Perhaps. Just keeping it real here folks. Don't think I even had time to shower that morning...

12 | 12 | 12

This did not go as planned. I woke up on the 12th excited for another new day of photos. I planned some shots, took some candids, concentrated on how lucky I am. Got a shot of Jack that was just perfect-he was looking out the window at the trash truck. Kinda looked like he was going to break through the window with the toy in his hand.

But.

They are gone. Somehow I lost every photo I took on March 12. I don't know how. I have the surrounding days. Didn't lose anything else, but somehow, they just disappeared. Even that perfect one of Jack. So I had to do something different this month. I just chose 12 photos that I loved. And although I am really (really, really) sad I lost those photos, I love the photos here. They are a true picture of our busy month.
1. Lillian lost her second tooth. 2. I got new studio lights in the hopes of next year doing some pre-school photos for the schools. Charlie was my first subject. 3. We took some fun shots in preparation for his Superhero birthday celebration. I think he looks quite hero like, don't you? 4. One of my favorite shots of Lillian ever. It is SO hard to get her real personality and smile in the camera. But this is it. 5. And here is Jack's serious face. NOT hard to capture as he really is quite a serious baby. Until he isn't. 6. Shuffle, thump. Shuffle, thump. 7. I gave Jack a spoon for the first time. It went as to be expected. 8. An excited little birthday boy. The party was a success I think, except for the poor sister who was suffering from a sad tummy. 9. I got to go to a wonderful and rare event. My grandfather was inducted into the Ashtabula Basketball Hall of Fame, posthumously. And my mother was the one who got to speak for him. I know she was nervous, but her speech was perfect and touching and made me so proud. 10. Cupcakes, cake balls, gluten free cupcakes, gluten free cake balls, and one last birthday cake for the birthday boy. Let's just say this is my fanciest and least "wrecked" cake I have ever decorated. It is just not my speciality. 11. After all the brother celebrations I thought it would be nice to take Lillian to see Mirror, Mirror with some friends. Before hand we stopped for a few photos. Not natural, but I love her laugh. 12. I even managed to get my monthly self portrait in. Just before the movie. Me and my girl.

Not how I planned it, but still, a month documented. Perhaps they will turn up in my computer somewhere. I hope...

12|12|12

Here is the FebruSNOWary edition!
1. Lilian was THRILLED to be out in the snow. Lots of giggling.
2. Charlie was also THRILLED. And it was cold outside so my camera fogged up a bit.
3. Lily's snow angel.
4. Charlie's ahem, forced snow angel. He is still a bit wary of the snow and doesn't really like to lay down in it (although he can make a mean carpet angel ;)
5. Upside-down snowman!! FINALLY. I have only waited since September to make this thing. Yes, I MADE IT. We waited too long and by the time we got outside it was freezing so the snow wasn't packing very well. Thus, my tiny upside-down snowman.
6. Me and the hubs. Tomorrow (or today as I am writing this) we celebrate our re-dating anniversary of 14 years. Wow.
7. Ahhh a cute picture if you do not know what was covering the kid's nose.
8. Let's get Daddy!
9. Me, proud of my upside-down snowman ;)
10. I really need a pair of real snow boots and coat. These just aren't cutting it.
11. I laughed at myself (and probably looked like a huge crazy person, taking a photo of a tree and laughing) because I just saw a video making fun of things photographers say and do. One thing was closely examining and taking multiple photos of a tree. Ha.
12. After a warm-up bath, hot chocolate for all!

Poor Jack, didn't make it in 12 on 12 this month as he was napping during snow play. I promise to get a good session in with him soon. And thanks to Bj for taking a few shots for me-trying very hard to get into the picture this year.

12|12|12

As I was talking to Jess on the eve of the 12, she mentioned she was going to take a photo every hour for 12 hours. Brilliant, I thought. And it just so happens that I had about the busiest day ever. So here they are-12 hours in my day.
1. Breakfast with Charlie, and probably my favorite photo of him ever. He was looking at me with that sweet smile. 2. Talk about sweet smiles, Jack with Nonnie while dropping him off at the grandparent's house. 3. Charlie in the middle of getting out of the car saw me with my camera and said take a picture of me NOW Mama! Well, when you look this sweet, I am happy to oblige. 4. Volunteering at Lillian's school 5. Quick trip back to pick Charlie up from school, then back to Nonnie and Grandpa's house for lunch-sadly bighugelabs cut off Grandpa's pirate eye.  6. Sitting for a moment to drink my Dr Pepper and put a few words in my game with Jess. (I am winning-she only wins when I accidentally give up-hahahaha) 7. Either like mother like daughter, or like Aunt Katherine like niece Lillian. I found this Ariel while going through one of my old boxes and it just so happens Lillian has been making all the Muppets and now Tinkerbell fairies just like this. I must say though, I think Lillian's is brilliantly done. 8. Almost every day Lillian gets off the bus this excited, runs up the driveway, arms extended, ready to tell me about her day. It is awesome. 9. Originally I thought this was Lillian practicing piano in her dance clothes (yes I need a new piano light) but when I was editing, I noticed this photo is something more about the awe of a younger sibling. Did you catch it? 10. Dance class! 11. Dinner with the boys (Jack was laughing) 12. I have decided in an attempt to get more photos of me, I will be included every month (blurry and all...VERY small bathroom) I was all ready to go out to my first MOMS Night Out in Ohio.

So yeah, this was a very busy day! (Oh and dear spellcheck, I believe it is officially time for Muppets to be included in the dictionary...)

12 Goals for 2012

Normally I am not much for New Year's resolutions. I am more of a lets pick a fairly simple goal and just stick to it. I am talking one year I made my bed. Every day. Simple. Did I do it every day? No, there were a few times I skipped, and perhaps a few days that I may have made it approximately 30 seconds before I got in bed (yes, I AM a little crazy) but I feel like I now make my bed more than I don't. So progress. This year though I am jumping on the 12 bandwagon. Cause 12 months, 12 goals for 2012 just seems way to perfect. Here they are...in no particular order.

1. Blog more (this is my big one for this year.) This will also include finally editing and getting the rest of 365 up on the blog from 2011. I think I can I think I can...
2. Take 12 photos on the 12th for 2012 (I am doing this with the help of a kit from Ella Publishing. Super excited to see that a few of my internet girlies are jumping on this bandwagon too. Won't you join me too?
3. Scrap more
4. Cook more. Waste less. I have not had a problem with cooking more for a long time, but sad to say, this kitchen (which we are hopefully redoing in the next year or so) has put a serious crimp into my cooking. I am determined to use up all those leftovers with other meals too-not just reheating things.
5. Join MOMS Club around here.
6. More organization. When we moved in, I was on a get us functioning as quickly as possible quest. Thus, things are thrown in random drawers, still in boxes, and just not helpful to my super busy three children life. 7. Less stuff. Goes with #6. I cannot keep everything. Tough choices, but it has to be done. Although finding gems like a note from someone named Chris in HS (no clue who this is) who wrote "Poke poke poke poke poke poke" over and over on the side of his note was pretty funny. So Facebook didn't invent poking, random Chris did.
8. Get more haircuts. Really. When it looks like it does right now, it is time.
9. Build my photography business and expand to taking pre-school photos. I want to take the fun personality ones in the Spring. Hope I can make this happen this year, but may just prepare this year and do it next.
10. More family time. Not just all of my family hanging out and me doing laundry, cleaning, etc. But actually sitting down all together at non dinner times.
11. Visit far away friends. I miss them so.
12. Lose the baby weight. Again, not really for January I'm going to lose weight promises, but for better or worse, there it is.