Favorites on Friday

Favorites on Friday, a photo by Marvett Smith (Savoring the Simple) on Flickr.

A few of my favorite things on this Friday:
1. Volunteering at my sweet boy's school and having one of his friends show me his new boots. Size 13 1/2, which he translated to "they cost 13 1/2 dollars." Soaking up the innocence of these kids is always a highlight for me on Fridays.
2. Having lunch with my mom. Whisking her away from reality for just an hour or two to spend quality time together and catch up.
3. Costco shopping. I'm slightly addicted to this store. I captured a bit of today's loot for this shot. It's really just the tip of the iceberg. I came away with a huge haul today. Love stocking up and being organized.
4. Volleyball with my girl. Favorite game, wonderful company. What more is there to say.

Holidays

Holidays, a photo by Marvett Smith (Savoring the Simple) on Flickr.

Day 17 of The Gratitude Project- Today I am grateful for the holidays. I love everything that the holidays bring. Especially time with family, but you already knew that right? :)

Together Time

Together Time, a photo by Marvett Smith (Savoring the Simple) on Flickr.

Day 5 of The Gratitude Project- Today I am grateful for together time. With all of our crazy schedules sometimes life can get hectic. I love when we slow down and make time to be together to laugh and make new memories. The gift of time spent together is invaluable.

Peace In My Heart

Peace In My Heart, a photo by Marvett Smith (Savoring the Simple) on Flickr.

Day 4 of The Gratitude Project- Today I am grateful for peace in my heart. I have learned over the last couple of years that there isn't anything worth the price I pay when I let go of peace in my heart. When I have that peace I can relax and enjoy every day moments like this one, and I wouldn't want to miss this for the world!

The Power of Change

The Power of Change, a photo by Marvett Smith (Savoring the Simple) on Flickr.

Day 3 of The Gratitude Project- Today I am grateful for the power of change. As my daughter changes from one sport to another, I am reminded of what a gift change has been in my life throughout this year. Just like her new found smile with this new sport, I have also found new happiness in the changes I have made for myself and my family. Sometimes change is worth it even when it's scary.

Service

Service, a photo by Marvett Smith (Savoring the Simple) on Flickr.

Day 2 of The Gratitude Project- Today I am grateful for the gift of service. Days like today make my heart sing. Once upon a time my dad took special care of me when I needed it, and now I have the opportunity to re-pay him. Spending days like this basking in the sun, dreaming out loud together and taking him to visit those that he loves most are worth more than any money could buy. My days with him each week are absolutely priceless!

The Project

At the end of the school year my best little buddy brought home a cup filled with dirt.  He was a ball of excitement as he approached the front door after quickly hopping from the bus.  He was like a two liter bottle of pop that had been shaken one too many times and he was literally bursting to show me his cup of dirt and to let me know that he had planted two sunflower seeds that we needed to plant in the garden.  We have planted a garden for years, but sunflowers have never been on our list, so this was a new project for all of us.  I took him to our garden spot and he quickly found the perfect place to plant his sunflowers.  Over the next couple of weeks we checked on them regularly.  He was eagerly waiting to watch them grow, and it didn't take long before their heads popped through the dirt.  After that it seemed like they grew several inches over each night and soon they were towering above my boy's head.  He was so proud of the large stalks and the massive flowers floating on top.  I must admit that their beauty sucked me in each time I visited the garden.  I was drawn to the tall guardians of the garden every time, and I became as excited as Doop did to watch them bloom.  I even fought off the bees to photograph them on more than one occasion.  It didn't take long before their heads began to hang toward the ground, and soon the seeds were showing.  Needless to say Doop was thrilled.  He had done it.  He had seen his project through from start to finish, and it was beautiful to watch.  Not only the flower itself, but watching my boy quickly run to check on them each time we visited.  He believed from day one that they would turn into something amazing, and he was absolutely right.  This was the summer of the sunflower for him, and I know that he will be repeating this process again next year when the sun returns.  I'm grateful to have participated in this new project that he brought home.  It was beautiful.

P.S.- You can find me blogging over here on this site too.

The Dark Side

The theme for this month for The Creativity Project is The Dark Side.  I have to admit that this one was difficult for me.  There just isn't anything about the dark that I really like.  Well, except for dark chocolate maybe.  I tend to gravitate toward beautiful light and color, so when the theme was presented I knew this one would be hard.  I did my best to capture some dark and moody images when I went walking recently, but as you will see it only lasted until I rounded the corner and then the world became bright and beautiful again.  I just couldn't help myself.  Before you judge me too harshly take a look.  The bright side was just so much prettier than the dark one.  I promise I'll do better next month.  :)  Head over to my friend Julia's blog to continue through the circle.  You won't be disappointed.

Practice

"Sometimes the only way to tell its practice is by what you're wearing." -Anonymous

This is pitching practice.  With the lucky socks on.  I've been spending lots of time right in this spot.  Right behind my girl.  I'm helping to support the dream, and occasionally tag teaming with JM to take my spot on the bucket to catch for her.  We've been spending lots of time at the ball park this summer, and although this sport is not one that I call my own it is growing on me quickly.  Some of my favorite memories from the summer so far are the ones we have created on the diamond playing this game together as a family.  I have many more softball images and stories to share, but in the mean time we'll be outside practicing.

Spring

We have been enjoying spring. The beauty, the hope it brings, and of course time spent together. Here is a glimpse.  

A Really Long Post About Change

Since I've been working so hard on my one little word for the year, I thought I would share some insight into some of the things I'm working on and how I'm finding success in accomplishing it.  Before 2012 ever started I knew what I wanted my one little word to be for the year.  I knew I wanted to make some big changes, and I knew I really wanted to focus on ways to make them happen, and so when 2012 arrived I heard the starting gun sound and I began embracing change.  This alone was a big change for me.  I haven't always been a fan in the past and learning to love change has and still is taking some time.  I am well on my way however, to making the changes I have been after.  So what are the changes I am focusing on?  Well, there are actually several, but I'll just share with you a few.  Here is a short list:

• Obtaining and nourishing a healthier spirit
• Budgeting better my personal time and our money
• Enjoying a healthier lifestyle and the benefits that come with it
• Spending my time on things that matter most
• Living with no regrets

The list goes on, but you get the gist.  When I decided to take this word on for the year, and really step outside of my comfort zone to make the changes I truly want happen, I had to decide on an approach that would work best for me.  This is still a work in progress, but I have found a few things that work well for who I am, and because a few of you asked I am going out on a limb to share.  Keep in mind that these are things that work well for me.  I realize that we are all different and therefore different approaches may work better for you, but it has taken many years to not only develop my own personal strengths, it has also taken many years to recognize them as well as my weaknesses.  So here are my thoughts on change.  This is my personal 5 step program.  

1. Planning.  In order for me to accomplish change of any sort (especially the specific items I listed above), I need to begin with a plan.  This is the part where I stand up to the mic and say, "Hello my name is Marvett, and I am a planner."  It's true.  It's who I am.  Right down to the core I'm a planner.  Always have been, always will be, so why fight it?  For me, choosing to approach change is a big deal so why not put one of my strengths into action and make a plan.  For me, planning provides peace.  It allows me to map out my time and maximize it so that I can accomplish the things I want to.  (It also helps me to be efficient.  (This is the part where JM is laughing to himself.  Yes.  I need therapy for my addiction to being efficient!)  If I relate planning to the important changes I want to make in my life, it means that I will actually plan time into my day to work on them.  It means I will plan time for nourishing my spirit.  It means I will allow time to work on lifestyle changes including plans for healthier meals, and time to exercise.  It also means that if I want to spend more time on the things that matter most then I will avoid planning anything during the few hours in the week when our whole little family is all at home at the same time.  Those hours are few and far between and they should be saved for memory making.  I realize that there will be times when this won't be possible, but I have to tell you that over the last year and a half I have learned a ton about how quickly time can pass by, and how quickly a year can be gone and once it's gone it's gone.  I have learned that time is not only valuable but precious, and for me I want to spend it making memories with my family whenever possible.
   
   
2. Lists.  I know, I know, this goes right along with the world of planning, but again lists help me to be successful.  I like to think of lists as another tool in my box to help me savor peace and make sure that everything gets done.  Besides that, I'm one of those people who finds great satisfaction and accomplishment in crossing things off the list.  I've done the background work and decided on the things that I really want to work on changing in my life, so making lists of things I need to do to accomplish them is just another part of the arsenal to attack the work in doing them.  For example, I have a very specific list of things I want to do to nourish my spirit.  I have another list of things I want to research more and learn about to have a healthier lifestyle.  I also have a list of things I'm working on to help with budgeting our money, and I have a very long list of things I would like to check off to assist in using my time wisely.  This may seem overwhelming to many people, but it works for me.  Lists help me get my thoughts out on paper.  They help me to organize the things I'm thinking about.  Once those things are on the list then I can decide if it's something worth keeping there, or if it needs to be tossed.  Once the list is final I can then insert items on a weekly basis into the planning stage.  I can choose which things are most important for me to accomplish during that week, and then plan time to do it.  Again, it may seem overwhelming, but in reality it's not.  I have a whole year to work on making these changes, and once I really get into this I have a feeling that this will become a new lifestyle for me.  I have a feeling that change will be something I crave and look forward to instead of fearing and dreading.  Ticking one thing off the the list per week is rewarding for me, and I'm finding that when the list gets shorter my mind thinks of another thing that can be added to the list.
   
   
3. Organizing.  Ok stay with me here.  If you've made it through the list section than organizing should be a breeze!  For me, organization comes next.  When my home is out of control, my life is out of control.  When my life is out of control, my thoughts are out of control, and I just can't focus.  Let me relate it to the changes I want to make in my life.  If I want to spend more time on the things that matter most, nourish my spirit, and change my lifestyle, I can do that easier in a life that is organized.  Once again having a place for everything and having everything in it's place makes me more efficient (ugh, there's that word again!).  For example, if the pantry and fridge are organized it means I can save money buying the things I know we need and not extra of stuff we already have.  It also means I have more time to focus my energy and thoughts on the changes I want to make.  If things are organized, it also brings me more peace.  It means not worrying about the little things.  You know the ones I'm talking about.  Like if the homework we have worked so hard on all week has made it into the hooligans backpacks, or if the meat is thawed out for the dinner I want to make,  or if the softball uniform is washed and ready for the next game.  It's all of the little things that I don't want to keep me up worrying.  If I have a process in place to ensure that these things are taken care of (including making lists, organizing, and planning) then I can fully enjoy the time I need and want to spend on making change.
   
   
4. Focus.  For me change means focusing.  It means deciding on the things I want to work on, and then doing whatever it takes to make them happen.  I'm a competitive person, and I am determined.  Usually when I make my mind up about something I will see it through.  It's who I am.  I have found however, that the older I have become the longer it takes to accomplish things.  I have many responsibilities now that I didn't have once in life, and those things take up time.  It doesn't mean I will give up though.  I'm learning that it's important to just keep going.  Take baby steps if necessary, but keep moving forward down the road.  Whatever you do, DO NOT GIVE UP!  Making change is hard, and change takes time so be patient with yourself.  I'm learning to do the same.  It's probably one of the things I will benefit from most in this process.
   
   
5. Attitude.  Last but not least (at least for now), is attitude.  My daughter plays softball.  She is a pitcher, and learning the mechanics of pitching has been extremely difficult.  There are so many things to think about all at the same time, and that can be a big task to ask of our brains.  I have echoed my collegiate volleyball coach time and time again when I have told her to check her attitude.  Our coach used to tell us that he only required us to bring two things to practice on a daily basis and those things were attitude and effort.  A good attitude and your best effort are something you are in control of, and they make a vast difference in your success.  Like I said earlier, change is hard, but when I find myself getting frustrated or down I remind myself to check my attitude and effort.  I remind myself that I am choosing these changes, and I remind myself of how badly I want and need to make them happen.  Just starting on the path is a huge success for me, but sometimes I forget to cut myself some slack and give myself credit.  I have put a lot of thought into this whole change thing, and it's something I really want in many areas of my life so I will not allow negative thoughts to set me back.  I know where I want to go, and I am slowly but surely finding ways to get there.  It may take the whole year, and it may take longer, but forward movement is forward movement, so as long as my attitude and effort are on the right end of the spectrum I should have no problem getting where I want to go.

I realize that this is a lot of information and really a bit out of the ordinary for my little blog, but you asked me to share so I am putting myself out there and doing exactly what you asked.  These things may not work for you.  You might be hyperventilating at the thought of lists and organization, but these are my strengths.  These are the familiar tools that I am choosing to use to step outside of the box and make some big changes in my life.  I encourage you to do the same.  Put your strengths to work and use them to help you be successful in whatever endeavor you are tackling.  If you don't think you have strengths, think again.  I promise you have at least one, and I'm certain that you have several.  If you're not sure what they are then ask those around you.  They will be completely honest, and eventually you will learn to be kind enough to yourself to not only realize what they are, but to embrace them and be proud of them too.  

And just for the record, a post is not a post without a picture.  On this blog anyway!  I'm slowly learning to incorporate my camera back into this different life, so I will have more pictures in the future.  For me life is much better when I use my camera.  It inspires me to see and feel things that I don't any other way, so I'll leave you with this image of a slice of my mom's front yard.  Happy Spring!

Come on Spring

"Spring is nature's way of saying Let's Party!" -Robin Williams

Been spending lots of time outside partying!  We've been going to the park, riding bikes, and soaking up warm hugs from the sun.  I can't wait for Spring to be here in full swing!

Chasing the Light

I've been spending lots of time taking care of my home and helping my parents out lately.  I haven't taken a lot of pictures, but over the weekend I noticed the evening light.  I quickly ran inside to grab my camera to capture a slice of it, and as fast as I made it inside and back out, the light was all but gone.  I was literally chasing the light.  I was running for this one, and although I didn't get the image I had in mind, it still turned out beautiful.  Chasing the light is a good way to spend my time with or without my camera in hand.  It helps me create the prettiest pictures, and finding the light in my day to day life always ensures that I'm in the right places doing the right things.  It's a picture I love living in, and I'm learning to train my eye to find the light more often.  It's where the happiness is.

Today

Today I stayed home from work.  My daughter had a fall on the ice at school and she needed some TLC.  

Today I met my little man outside in the driveway when he came home from school.  I watched him jump down from the bus and run on the sidewalk as fast as his legs would carry him in an effort to beat the bus down the road.  He didn't win the race, but he smiled the whole entire way.  

Today I baked banana bread.  I cleaned up the kitchen, and I used up the old brown bananas for a tasty treat.  It made me feel like my mom.  It was like stepping into the picture I remember in my head of her and walking in her shoes.  It felt good.  

Today I played Hot Wheels with my boy.  I picked my favorite car out of his box and I entered the imaginary world that he loves to visit on the kitchen counter.  We drove our cars through the jungle, around an eagles nest and across an old wooden bridge.  We raced and we crashed and we smiled more than anything else.  We only played for a half an hour or so, but it felt like more than an hour had passed when we cleaned up.  It was good fun.  

Today I enlisted the help of all three hooligans to finish a set of gifts for the new women on my visiting teaching route.  We all sat around the table and put everything together so they would be ready for delivery.  Having them share in my service was a good choice for all of us.  

Today I set my studies aside and played cowboys and outlaws with the whole family.  We turned all of the lights off in the house and crept around until someone got scared enough to scream.  We shot our pistols and we laughed out loud until someone said, "Let's do it again!"  It's the best family night we've shared in a really long time and I know that for certain because the hooligans told me so.  

Today I felt like a mom.  Today I was present in my own home.  Today I felt productive, and today I felt like I made a difference.  Today was oh so good.  I'm looking forward to many more days just like this one.  This is exactly what I've been waiting for for such a long time.

Lately...

Lately we've been...watching the snow fall and shoveling the driveway.  Eating lots of Cuties because they are our favorite winter treat, and catching some snowflakes with our tongues.  Sometimes the everyday dull moments are the very best!

First Snow

Our winter has been really weird this year.  It is so warm one day and cold the next.  We finally got our first snow though.  It's only about 2 months behind, but hey better late than never.  It was only supposed to be a light dusting, but we woke up to much more than that.  The kids couldn't wait to go out and use their sleds.  There really wasn't enough snow to do much sledding, but they were so excited that they decided to make the best of it.  I had to catch a few pictures of the beauty.  

Winter Walking

We went walking this week.  We are experiencing an amazingly mild winter so far.  It's been nice.  So nice in fact, that we talked Grandpa into going on a walk.  The winters are long for him.  It's painful for him to be out in the cold weather, so when the temps hit a warm 49 degrees, he agreed that a ride outside would be a good change of scenery.  We started out with all three hooligans fighting over who would get to push him down the road in his chair.  There aren't many things that bring a smile to his face anymore, but three little people loving him this much made him feel pretty special.  It made me smile big, and I had to laugh when my little man won the fight.  It was an adventurous ride for Grandpa, and that's putting it mildly.  It's a little hard for Doop to see where he's going since he's shorter than the wheelchair, and combine that with the slope in the road and there were a couple of times that I was sure my dad was going to end up in the ditch.  His remaining leg got a pretty good workout trying to stop the chair and get it turned back in the right direction.  It was good for him, and good for us to spend time together.  It's not something we've done in a while.  The sun on my face, and watching the kids interact with him and Grandma was priceless.  Here are a few images of our time together.  If you're feeling the winter blues, go outside and take a look around.  Look hard.  There are so many beautiful things to see, and I promise you will be glad you did.  I've decided I need a lot more winter walking!

The Beauty of Kindness

"Kindness is like snow- It beautifies everything it covers."

Share some kindness today.  Someone somewhere close to you needs it, and kindness is beautiful.

The View from Here

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.  Those who don't believe in magic will never find it". -Roald Dahl

Found this bit of magic in my backyard searching for an image for Day 5 of Picture the Holidays.  My stomach and hands were frozen by the time I finished this.  It may not look like it, but it's only 26 degrees here today.  In my cold, barren backyard this little beauty was a bit of magic and warmth, and I really had to dig to find it.  When I stepped outside to find a subject for my camera it was difficult.  I finally decided to plant myself in the middle of the backyard and look around myself from every angle possible.  Every time I looked around I was repeatedly drawn to the light and it finally hit me that I needed to get down low and look at what the light was shining on.  That's when this little treasure caught my eye.  On this day I had to dig to find beauty.  I had to search for it and change my perspective.  It was a good lesson for me.  Sometimes the magic and beauty we are looking for can't readily be seen.  Sometimes we have to want to find it bad enough before it can be found.  As cold as it was I'm so glad I stuck it out.  This image gives me hope.  It reminds me of the importance of slowing down to really look at the world around me.  To look at things differently and to notice beauty in unobvious places.  It inspires me, and I plan to find more of this tomorrow because the view from here was magical.

Books, Enough, and Firsts

Books.  14|30

Today I am grateful for books.  For the opportunity to read and enter worlds that I never would otherwise.  For the privilege that it is to read and understand the words.  For the things that I learn by doing so, and for the never ending books available to take me away when I am stressed out.  On this day I am grateful for this, one of my favorite pastimes.

Enough.  15|30

Today I am grateful for enough.  Enough food to eat, enough money to pay the bills, and enough clothes to get through the week before having to wash them again.  It isn't construed as glamorous to live and just get by sometimes, but right now I am so grateful for it.  It's not much, but it is definitely enough and that's more than some can hold onto right now.  For this realization I am truly grateful.

Firsts.  16|30

Today I am grateful for firsts.  First homes, first glimpses of a brand new baby, first steps, first words, first jobs, first kisses, first anniversaries, and first trips to Disneyland.  So many firsts that happen in our lives, and the repeat of any of these events is just not the same when done over.  Firsts leave a mark on our heart and our memory much more so than anything else, and today I am grateful for the opportunity to experience so many of them.