30 Days of Lists, September 2013: My Journal

If you've never heard of this thing called 30 Days of Lists, well, it's exactly what it sounds like. Thirty days of list prompts, offered twice a year, by the creative gals over at the 30 Days of Lists blog. There's a whole community of fellow listers to inspire and motivate you, a private blog where ideas, giveaways, and daily prompts are posted, and a new-to-this-round private Facebook group. I'm also excited about posting my lists to Instagram (hashtag #30lists) and seeing other listers there, too.
The fun starts tomorrow, September 1st, and I'm all ready to go with my journal. I had this adorable Big Dreams Photo Journal kit from Simple Scrapper sitting around and decided this would be the perfect project for it.

And here's my album cover:

To set myself up for success, I pulled together everything I thought I might want to use in the album - printed-off 30 Days of Lists cards (included with purchase), the embellishments from the kit, a pen and mini glue stick, and a few extra labels, stickers, sequins and veneer from my stash. I'm pretty proud of myself. Going to keep it simple, and get it done. I tucked it all into this Timeless Beauty Bag from Thirty-One Gifts:

I don't have that much makeup, but I certainly have enough scrapbook supplies to fill a few of these nifty totes. Maybe more than a few. Priorities, people. 

If you're listing this month, too, share a link to your blog/Facebook/Instagram/wherever and I'd love to follow you. This project inspired my longtime friend Erin to resurrect her blog, LifeInk List Maker, and I'm super excited to read her words this month. Always thought-provoking. Or funny. Or head-scratching. Sometimes all three. She's pretty cool. 

See you back here next week for my next Project Life installment, and my first few lists!

In My Life Today

Why hello, blog, long time no see! Did you miss me? Life conspired this month to keep me away from my computer more than I have been in months. I spent a week in the hospital with our youngest, with many subsequent doctor visits. Our Internet has been down more than up this month. And I've simply been exhausted - running around like a crazy woman trying to keep up with the boys, the house, and other responsibilities. And you know how hard it is to re-start something once you've lost momentum. Today I noticed a great inspirational post over at The Daily Digi all about blog memes and how they are a great way to capture a "slice of life," either on your blog and/or in a scrapbook page. I liked the one they shared (borrowed from The Simple Woman's Daybook), so I'm going to participate here! If you decide to do something similar, I'd love to read your meme!

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is misty, gray and drizzly, but still in the mid-60s, which was warm enough for Cai to play out on the balcony (which is sheltered) for a while this morning.
I am thinking... of how very much I am behind on. Even with paring back some responsibilities this month, I still have so much to catch up on, and so little energy to do it all. 
I am thankful for... a heavenly Father who knows the long-term plan for my life and my children's lives, and promises that His will is good and perfect, even if all I can see is darkness in front of me.
From the kitchen... I hear uplifting Christian music from KLOVE, our local Christian station, because I'm at my mom's and she plays it 24/7. I love listening to the radio here, because our radio at home doesn't come in well. 
I am wearing... too-big hand-me-down jeans and a purple t-shirt. Also, my feet are bare, which is silly because they are cold, so I've got a comforter tucked around me.
I am creating... this blog post. Duh. Also on the creating to-do list for today: a rough family schedule and at least one scrapbook page (probably scrapping this list!).
I am going... to spend a night in downtown San Antonio at the Rivercenter Marriott next Wednesday with Josh to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. We plan to eat at the fancy Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse too! I'm so excited!
I am reading... The Parent Adventure by Rodney and Selma Wilson, for a small group study Josh and I are participating in at Northeast Bible Church.
I am hoping... that my Grandpa finds us the perfect minivan at an equally perfect price next week. We really need a second vehicle!
I am hearing... Avyn cooing, gurgling, and babbling in his seat on the floor next to me. And sometimes coughing, because he is sick again, poor baby.
Around the house... I don't like looking around our house, because it's a depressing, avoidance-coma-inducing disaster. I need a maid.
One of my favorite things... are Sonic cherry or cranberry limeades. Yum.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Church and small group on Sunday. Taking Avyn to the GI specialist on Monday. Celebrating our anniversary a little early on Wednesday/Thursday. 
Picture for the day:  My two bookworms :)

Thanks again to The Simple Woman's Daybook for starting this great blog meme idea!

Top Five on Friday

Hey, look, I made it on Friday this week! May this be the start of a long and happy tradition :D!
I decided to go for a pretty random Top Five list today. These are all things that made me happy this week, and who can't use a smile once in a while?!

1. I rarely buy templates anymore, because I have so many already and there are many available for free. BUT somehow Studio Basic at Mscraps keeps suckin' me in! Her template packs are always fresh and different, and each one is unique. Plus, I like the pretty colors she uses to color her templates - gray is so boring! This week's new release is an absolute must-have for me. I am in LOVE with all the frames/borders!

2. The Sara Scoop Double Daily. I had never heard of Paper.li before today, when I noticed that Sara had included my post about digiscrapping on a budget in her "paper" today - it's in the digiscrap section of her online newspaper. Thanks, Sara! I'm going to have to check out this online newspaper-creation thing, it looks fun!

3. I love organizational stuff. Doesn't mean I use it, but I love browsing the aisles at Office Depot or Bed, Bath & Beyond and ogling all the cool storage containers, caddies, file systems, and desk trays. This post on curbly.com has some great organizational eye candy, plus some great ideas, too! Maybe I'll actually put a few into practice in my walk-in-closet-turned-home-office!

4. What's your guilty pleasure? Mine is Cityville/Farmville on Facebook - I can lose hours a week (maybe a day... ssshhh) on mindlessly growing my empires. Everyone needs a stress-reliever, right?!

5. My last favorite thing today has nothing to do with the online world, and everything to do with what's most important in life - my family!! My oldest turned 2 yesterday, and while we have a party planned in a few days, we celebrated a little yesterday and let him open a few presents. Daddy and I gave him a play kitchen, set of toy food, and a Thomas the Tank Engine bedding set. He was absolutely thrilled with all of it, and has played almost non-stop with his kitchen since yesterday evening! Bedtime was also pretty smooth since he can now "sleep with Thomas"!

If you have a few things that are inspiring you today or making you happy, I'd love to hear about them!