the unlist

i am a list maker. i like making them so that i remember all that i need to do, and then marking off what gets accomplished. typically that is supposed to make you feel good. yes, i have gotten it done! however, ever since i have had children, the lists have gotten longer and longer and the marks through them have gotten fewer and fewer. and i end up feeling bad. frustrated i haven't gotten it done, irritated at the things that keep me from getting them done, and guilty for feeling that way because typically i don't get them done because of being a wife and a mother. which is my highest calling in this life! i am tired of this cycle. 

i have been reading a lot lately on heather's blog and it is so inspiring! one of the many things that i have taken away in the past couple of days is her idea of the unlist. essentially writing down the things at the end of the day that i did accomplish. they may seem menial (like laundry) or they may be the things of mothering that i want to capture, that i want to take time to remember and cherish, and repeat, and cherish and repeat (like chasing and tickling my kids). so this unlist, that is still a list (works out nicely for my organizational need), is something that uplifts and points me to rejoice in the things that i can so often overlook in my busyness, or just completely miss out on because i don't take the time. 

today's unlist

• did two loads of laundry
• finished making emma's skirt
• started on abby's skirt
• went on a "movie date" with abby
• heard the sweet sound of samuel's first giggles (thanks mom! i was in the other room and missed the very first one, but now i know what does the trick)
• chased my girls around the yard, tickling and jumping in leaves
• picked up dry cleaning and alterations
• washed dishes again and again and again
• got a picture printed for a late christmas gift (better late than never right)
• paid overdue bills (again... better late than never)

to hear these videos push pause on the playlist at the bottom of the blog.

first laughs

this is a good shot of my everyday. one of the girls (emma in this case) being cute and silly, and abby losing it because she doesn't want to see what emma is doing. and then emma deliberately continuing to do what bothers abby. at this moment i chose to laugh about it instead of getting frustrated. i need to do that more often. you can't hear the music coming from the guitar to good, but she is doing a funny dance thing to it.

abby in the car with my parents on the way home from tyler. in case you don't recognize, the song is from snow white.