31/365: Landmark List

I love Studio 5. There is always something on the show that gets me thinking/motivates me to better my life (they also have awesome crafts...gosh I've turned so domestic). Today they talked about making a landmark list, similar to a bucket list. Like a bucket list, you write down the things you want to do before you die. Well, how do you know what you live for? You have to write down the moments that bring you joy DAILY; hence creating a Landmark List! This can help you find meaning in your life.

Examples:

People:

We can derive meaning from our relationships. Family, friends, and loved ones are usually the first things we think of when we talk about what makes life good.

Taking action:

This includes the activities that fill our time, hard work, professional careers, or hobbies. Even though some elements of work are unpleasant, they produce natural results of accomplishment. We can include both leisure activities and things that take effort. We may have to try something in order to discover what brings us energy and a sense of renewal.

Simple joys:

These will include things like traditions, favorites, participation, and enjoyable quirks. There will be times that both spontaneous involvement and established traditions give us energy. Learn the little things that you get excited about.

Culture:

Art, literature, nature, music, learning, sharing in customs, and creating something new can bring a sense of meaning to life. Instead of focusing on being entertained, look at how the arts can refresh you. These things can stir us and make us excited about life

Values and determination:

Recognizing values, understanding motives, and creating yourself can bring more meaning out of life. Feelings of worth don't go very far without developing a purpose to go with it. It will also be difficult to find purpose out of life if you don't feel like a person of worth.

My Landmark List...or as I like to call it, the things that bring me joy:

People:

Eric, Leila, family and friends.

My close relationships with these people bring me the most happiness in life.

Switching shifts at work and chatting with my co-workers

When my favorite tenant comes into the office to pay

taking action:

cleaning the house (I love a clean house)

blogging/reading other peoples blog

watching my favorite tv show with the hubs (at the moment it is The Bachelor)

simple joys:

long hot showers

smell of rain

dancing around the house with my little leila

chatting with Eric online while he is at work

singing in the car

putting on red lipstick

straight hair

sneezing

smell of rain

wearing my mumu

climbing into bed

naps

clothes right out of the dryer

sunsets

eating dinner together as a family

when eric walks in the door from work

holding my babe when she is asleep

chocolate/peanut butter/cupcakes

nursing my little babe

dreaming about our future home with Eric (its a daily thing now)

tickling Leila and making her laugh

taking pictures of anything and everything

getting my craft on

new pillows

making dinner with Eric

snuggling on the couch after we put Leila down for bed

chocolate

culture:

reading a good book

attending a play

discussing great ideas

getting an education

eating food from different countries

talking to people from a different culture

watching the travel channel

values and determination:

taking time to laugh

being on time - an accomplishment for me

honesty

being optimistic in the face of struggle

traveling to different countries

30/365

Love Sundays!

We get out of church at 11:30 and have the rest of the day to spend together as a family.

We cooked, played, and watched Valkyrie while Leila napped.

29/365

Our goal this year is to buy a home. We've dreamed about settling down in Sugarhouse. I'm drawn to the tree lined streets and unique, quaint homes with character. It reminds me of back home, Palo Alto specifically. I love the urban vibe of Sugarhouse, its artsy, cool, and doesn't feel like Utah. But most of the homes in our price range are old and need a lot of renovating. Eric and I like the idea of renovating a home and customizing it to how we want but we don't really have the time or energy. New construction is so blah...and BEIGE! Cookie-cutter homes in BFE are not for us.

And then we discovered Daybreak! This is new construction at its finest. What I love about Daybreak is that the homes are mixed in with other things that make life flavorful: lake, trails, shops, restaurants, good schools, swimming pools, community gardens, "beaches", kayaking, trax (in august) etc.

We checked out daybreak right after Leila was born and knew it was the place for us...although I can't believe we are going to become west sider riders...blah. I never wanted to live on the other side of the freeway again, but this place is different.

We've had our eye on some homes and have a real estate agent. We hope to move to daybreak by the end of the year! We can't wait!

Later that night we met up with some friends we haven't seen in ages, Danny and Alex. They introduced us to this uber authentic Thai place. The owner came to our table and talked our ear off. I love when owners of restaurants do that too. She told us her whole life story, how she moved here from Bangkok, met her husband who served in Thailand, has several kids in med school, works 90 hours a week, makes ALL the food from scratch daily at 5am, etc., etc. etc.. She is one sweet lady and a hard worker...but we hardly got to chat with our friends. And the restaurant was happening too.

Oh, and she said the coolest thing to me. She asked me if I was still nursing Leila. I have no idea how she knew because I didn't whip it out at the restaurant, I asked her know she knew and she said Leila looks like a very healthy baby and she can just tell. Wow. That was a huge compliment to me. We will definitely make the trek to Sandy for that orgasimic massaman curry and pad thai. Best. Thai. Food. Ever. Period. Check it out: Simply Thai.

28/365

This past week Leila has really been able to grasp at her toys. She now reaches for toys in front of her. Whereas a week ago she didn't have any interest in the toys around her unless they were on her lap.

Love Friday night date night...especially when we double date with our friends Laura and Guthrie. They have a baby Leila's age and they are so cute together when they play. We all love sushi (minus Guthrie) so we had to check out Happy Sumo and hit up the wine and dine after nine. Of course, we were starving before then so we killed some time and Pier One where we found the biggest eating utensils on the planet!

27/365

Okay, so I might upload more than ONE picture a day in my new Project 365 gig.

Today was our free trial at The Little Gym. Leila and I absolutely loved it. There are only 3 kids signed up for the class, not including us, so we got some great one on one attention from the instructor.

Although, The little Gym and Kindermusik have similarities, we both enjoyed The Little Gym so much more. However, The Little Gym is more expensive and further away. The decision is still up in the air. But I learned a lot of new activities we can do together in both classes. It's always fun to talk to other mommies too.

26/365

(This is a really horrible picture because I'm starting the Project 365 tonight at like 8:00pm and I hadn't taken any pictures today. So this is Leila at 6 1/2 months playing right before bedtime...taken with my iPhone).

It was a good day today. We did a lot of playing. I went to a mommy and me class calledKindermusik...it was our first day trial and we loved it. We twirled, we danced, we played, we massaged, we mingled. I think we'll go back, that is unless we like The Little Gym better. Tomorrow is our free trial class there...lets see who wins our time and money.

After work we played some more. Some friends and I are starting a playgroup. Its more like mommy and mommy time while the kids stare and poke at each other.

We discuss so many things and can't even finish one thought before starting another. Today we focused a lot on how to raise our children. Allowing your children to watch TV or not, letting them cry it out or not, making your own baby food or buying from the store, organic or not, etc. etc. etc. There are so many things to consider when raising your children and it just seems like everyone has a opinion about everything and people read into things too much. Ultimately you must do what you feel is right for you and your baby, but its hard when there are so many reports and studies out there saying otherwise.

Currently, Eric and I feel strongly about not letting Leila watch TV until she's two. Read more about no tv until 2 here and here.

Additionally, I make Leila's baby food. This is the best website that tells you all the in's and out's of wholesome baby food.

Project 365

I'm backlogged and overwhelmed. There are a handful of blogs I follow, from Mormon fashion blogs to craft and cooking blogs to cool mommy blogs. But why can't I take the time to blog about the little things that give meaning to my life?

I've been meaning to blog for so long...but I'm always playing the catch up game...overwhelmed. Where do I start? Do I go back? If so, how far? Or do I just start now? But what about all the exciting stuff that happened last week, last month, yesterday?

I would LOVE to document everything but its so much harder to go back. I say, the heck with it. As much as it hurts not to have posted about my pregnancy and the first 6 months of Leila's beautiful life, I'm starting today.

(I will post about last year in my work in progress

"Reviewed: The year 2010" post).

In all the blogs I follow, today I stumbled upon a blog, that lead me to another blog, that lead me to this article. I'm sure you all know how that goes. I am starting a new project called

Project 365.

In short, I am going to start taking a photo a day for a year.

I love taking pictures so that part wont be hard, its finding things that will be interesting and post-worthy that will be the challenge.

I really want to start it so I can be able to look back on any day and recall what I did, what I ate, who I met, where I went, and most importantly what milestones Leila has accomplished and how she has grown/changed. I mean its hard for me to remember what I did last week, let alone yesterday so I am so excited to start this new project.

Taylor McKnight posts these 6 tips to help you create your Project 365:

1. Bring your camera everywhere - check, not a problem for me.

2. Make posting easy

3. Vary your themes - this will be the challenge since I work 10 ft from my house 20 hrs a week, and a stay at home mom the rest of the week.

4. Tell a story

5. Don't stop, no matter what

6. Post early, post often

So my Project 365 starts today. Right here, right now.

In the dark

Dear Blog,

I must share something with you. I was having dinner with my girlfriends the other day and my dear friend Rachel asked me, "Does your blog even know you had a baby"? Well, bloggy blog, I'm telling you now that I did... I had a baby. I'm ashamed to say that since my last post I've gotten pregnant and popped out the most beautiful girl in the world. Her name is Leila Mae and she's 6 months old now. I just love her so much. I know...there's no proof of this exciting news anywhere. Time escaped me and I haven't made the time to blog about the changes in my life. I've neglected you and kept you in the dark. For that I apologize. I will be better, this is my new years resolution.

Xoxo,

Cyndo