Currently

I think I've waded through the messiest parts of the blog move. There are still a lot of little details to fix, much like repairing drywall in an old house or painting over nail holes from a photo collage you no longer have in your entryway... I'll get there. And in the mean time this blog is livable again, and should be used. 

I recently upgraded my computer too, so no longer does the laptop screen need to be propped up just so, stationed against a wall, never moving. This means that I am now free to write from the comfort of a cozy chair or my dining room table or the Starbucks coming in down the street. (I'm not going to lie to you, having a Starbucks just a mile away in going to be like a dream! I am already planning on tucking the kids into bed at 7:30 every Thursday night so I can slip away for two hours of uninterrupted writing. Hallelujah!) 

All of this also means any excuses I am using as to why my blog isn't updated regularly will hold no weight. I am putting this out there to hold myself accountable to you all -- because if I ever hope to become a writer I need to write. Anne Lamott told me (okay, so I read it in Bird by Bird) that I should be writing daily and I've got a month of Sunday's I need to work on making up for.

Now on to what's currently happening in my life:

Reading: Hands Free Life, by Rachel Stafford

I picked up this book on a Saturday evening because I had nothing else to read at the time. By Sunday night I had read the last chapter, and as I set the book down I felt inspired and in need of change in my own life. Rachel is the author of Hands Free Mama, A Guide to Putting Down the Phone, Burning the To-Do List, and Letting Go of Perfection to Grasp What Really Matters! This book, Hands Free Life: Nine Habits for Overcoming Distraction, Living Better and Loving More, follows up with some practical steps on how to live a less distracted, more joy filled life.

This book encouraged me to be more mindful of living in the present moment; to put down my phone to look at my husband and children in the eye and hold meaningful conversations with them; to stop viewing every moment as an Instagram moment, and to instead soak in the colors and smells and sounds, and capture more of life's memories that way. I am all for technologies and social media, I think it can be a great encouragement and useful tool. But I also know from personal experience that it can be a time-filler, where I no longer allow myself to simply enjoy the stillness of life, or to get bored, because any lull is filled with newsfeeds and captions. Many of these are areas that I, and many others I'm sure, could grow and improve in. I truly enjoyed this book, and now intend to read the first book as well.

Note: this book was given to me by Booklookblogger.com in exchange for an honest review.

 
Loving: The wit and humor that shines through Carson's personality more and more with each passing day. This week one night Carson bumped his head while playing in the basement with Mia, our dog. He came upstairs crying and asking to go to bed. It was earlier than he typically goes down for the night, but after brushing his teeth and getting his Lightening McQueen pajamas on, he was ready. That is until he heard the clank of a spoon against a bowl. Herm was out in the living room enjoying a late night snack of granola. Going to bed was quickly forgotten as he raced out to join Herm, eager to slurp the last of the milk that might be remaining. I sat down on the couch next to them. Carson's eager hands were too quick, and with a sudden jerk the milk splashed over the edge of the bowl and landed on my protruding stomach. Carson patted my belly as he said "Dat's for da baby!" and went on, as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Dreaming: About sleep. Am I allowed to dream about something as shallow as that? Between late night trips to the restroom because baby gets a kick out of jumping on my bladder and trips to Carson's room because he still doesn't appreciate the value of a solid night of sleep, I haven't been getting much myself. This too shall pass, right?

Wishing: For a good blizzard that would keep me housebound for two days straight so I could get caught up on that stack of books from the library, and wishing for sunny weather that is above freezing so going out for walks and jogs wouldn't feel like such a chore.

Thinking About: Baby names. At our house this is how it works: I come up with a list of names and Herm crosses all of them off immediately. I'm thinking about holding a contest where blog readers can submit their suggestions in the comments below. Winner will get, um... I'm not sure what yet. But something. :)

Listening: To the Happy Hour podcast with Jamie Ivey.

I am slightly obsessed with podcasts, and I think the reason why is simply this... As a stay at home mom of a toddler, I don't get a lot of adult conversations in my life throughout the week. And while Carson is very chatty, our typical conversation might go something like this, "Mom! mom! MOM! Diss tractor is red, diss one blue. Do you wike tractors? I wike tractors. Papa has tractors. Mom. mom. MOM! Can I go to Papa's house. Pweese." I adore these moments, but sometimes I really like to hear what is going on in other peoples lives. Listening to the Happy Hour feels as if I'm actually out with my girlfriends, sipping on drinks and talking about whatever it is girlfriends talk about, and all while I'm doing the menial tasks of laundry and housekeeping.

If you haven't already listened to the Happy Hour, I'd recommend you start with episodes #67 with Sarah Bessey and #44 with Tasha Morrison.

What are you currently up to?