LIVING IN THE MOMENT

This year I have really decided to put in a special effort to not only achieve my New Year's Resolutions, but to continue making new resolutions throughout the whole year. My Happiness Project, as I've been calling it, comes from Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project. I have come up with a goal for each month of 2013. January's focus is to Live in the Moment. This also goes along with #1 of 10 Things I Want to do in 2013- Do One Thing Every Day That Makes You Happy.

Here's how I plan on doing it:

Get dressed! Being pregnant definitely makes me feel like lounging in sweats and no bra all day, but let's face it, that doesn't really make me feel the best. Like it or not, a well put together outfit and some fresh make-up can go a long way.

Walk with a purpose and keep your shoulders back. Not only does it make me feel happier, but I will look happier on the outside too.

Take a bubble bath.

Take time to make something with your hands. I get so much satisfaction from seeing something that I made get finished (and also getting complimented on something you make works like a charm). Lately I have been doing a lot of sewing for the baby's room and drawing in my sketchbook.

Call a friend.

Tidy up! Organizing and cleaning my house makes me feel so energized!

Eat a piece of chocolate.

I would love to keep adding to this list throughout the month, so feel free to post any things that you do to get happy!

NEW GOALS FOR A NEW YEAR

After a recommendation from a friend's utterly adorable blog (harleyandjane.com, check it out!) I began reading The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin. This book details one woman's yearly endeavors at making her life simply happier. She chooses 1 area of her life each month and focuses her attention on making that aspect of her life happier. Rubin is an upfront sort of writer and doesn't mind sharing her own failures and short-comings, which makes for a pretty enjoyable and motivational read. After beginning my own happiness project in December I decided to make several more goals to help me throughout 2013. This is what I came up with:

 

10 Things I Want to do in 2013:

1- Do one thing every day that makes me happy.

2- Develop an art-making routine.

3- Create weekly menu plans, and cook 4 days per week.

4- Work on the blog.

5- Become a mother.

6- Learn to share my accomplishments with others.

7- Ask for help.

8- Be kind to everyone.

9- Create a peaceful and stress-free home routine for me and baby.

10- Don't worry about things you can't control.

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS, 2012

Sometime last year I saw a cute idea for a Memory Jar on Pinterest, and decided to actually do it! Throughout the year I wrote down several of my favorite memories or exciting things that happened to me during the year. I kept them in this cute jar, right on my desk. I figured if I kept it handy I could write down things right after they happened. 

The blog that I saw this idea on recommended opening the jar on New Year's Eve and reading the things that happened throughout the year. I decided to turn my notes into several journal pages.

I had a lot of fun making my jar and reading the things that happened in 2012. I am definitely going to do it again in 2013!

P.S. I hit 30 weeks in my pregnancy today! That means only about 10 to go :)

A YEAR IN REVIEW

December 15, 2010

Happy Anniversary!

December 15,2012

Today is our Second Wedding Anniversary. I tend to think of this as the beginning and ending of the new year since it is so close to the actual New Year. At this time I want to look back at 2012 and all of the things that have happened to me and Justin this year. Some of my greatest memories go like this:

I graduated from the University of Utah in May 2012. I got my BFA in Art Education and Drawing and Painting.

My husband took me on an incredible tour of Europe where we stopped in Rome, Florence, Naples, Provence, Cannes, and Barcelona. In Rome I was finally able to see some of the incredible works of art that I have been studying for so long! The city of Florence was also incredible, we visited the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery. 

May 2012

I started a new job in the summer teaching at a charter school in Magna, Utah. I have been teaching 4th grade at Alianza Academy and have enjoyed working with tiny individuals! 

Justin and I announced the upcoming arrival of our baby boy. Baby Boy Ence will be here in March of 2013. I have had a great year of morning sickness (that lasts all day), strange cravings, and a growing belly. 

October 2012

Most of all we have enjoyed spending as much time together as possible, and with our close family and friends. I feel so incredibly blessed for the experiences I have had this year. I am also excited to see what the next year brings :)

WELCOME

October 2012

THIS IS US:

Welcome!  I'm Amelia, this is my husband Justin and somewhere in that picture is our baby boy. He is on his way and will get here in March. We couldn't be more excited. Seriously.

My new blog "Lady and a Baby" is a project that I am really excited about. My hope is that it will not only share my experiences of figuring out how to transition from graduating with a BFA only 7 months ago and taking a full time teaching job to being a domestic housewife (what am I thinking?)!!! Needless to say I am nervous about the upcoming transition. I am leaving my full-time job at the end of December (I will be substitute teaching occasionally) and will be tyring to figure out what to do with myself at home. 

I have always gotten a kick out of crafting, building, cooking, and the endless possibility of creativity. So here is my plan: I am going to craft my through this transition. And this blog is going to document it all. Every failed recipe, sewing melt-down, (maybe a few successes) and whatever else can happen along the way.