This month we were to find "one little action" to push ourselves to DO during March. March for my family is all about birthdays. In a 15 day time span my two boys and my husband all celebrate their birthdays. I typically end March feeling frazzled and drained. I knew that this year March would be as hectic as always but I wanted to DO some things to bring my word into perspective. I wanted to find ways to be more "present" during these many celebrations.
My goal was to find a way to enjoy my boys' birthdays. I decided, since I stay home now, I could begin a tradition of birthday breakfasts. On the actual day of their birth each of them got to decide what would be served for breakfast. Now I have to confess something here. I don't cook breakfast, unless it's being served as dinner. My children make their own cereal or toast on any given morning. So for me to get up and cook a special breakfast was a big deal. But it gave us all the chance to sit down, first thing in the morning, and celebrate together. And I actually got to participate cause once the food was made I could enjoy it too!
My second action for the month was that I made a conscious decision to not video tape during the parties. I still had my camera but I took way fewer pictures. I tried to relax and enjoy the moment, not just run around like a crazy person organizing and capturing everything. And it worked...mostly. :) Rome wasn't built in a day you know!
Orange is my happiest color so I used a lot of it on this page. I couldn't find a tag like the one Ali used so I made my own embellishment. I cut the mod looking frame with Sure Cuts A Lot (or SCAL) on my Cricut. When I had the pieces assembled I popped the whole thing up with pop dots to give it some dimension.
When you open the page up I used two more orange papers. I loved the bottom one with the large glittery flowers!
For the top spot I used a more simple orange cardstock but it looked pretty bland. So I cut out one of the flowers from and extra piece of the patterned paper and added it to the cardstock. I love how it brings the flow up and ties the two pieces together!
I really focused on those two tasks. Birthday breakfasts for my boys and my husband, and no video taping at the parties.
Here is how the page looks when it's closed. Love all the orange!
And here is what it looks like next to the enlargement from February. So glad I have kept up with these projects! Can't wait to see what April brings!
To see more inspiring projects hop over to your next stop with Chrissy at http://getcraftywithchrissy.blogspot.com/
And in case you get lost along the way I've listed all the stops below.
Kathryn www.katlodesigns.com
Jennifer www.studiojenn.blogspot.com
Jen www.byjen.com
Cheri A http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Kimberly http://foreverdaisies.blogspot.com/
Julie Ann http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com
Lisa A http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog
Orange is my happy color too! I'm still trying to convince the hubby to let me get an orange car next time we upgrade! ;) Way to go ~ be present. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteBirthday parties as so much fun, but so much work too. It is hard to be present when you are trying to entertain and capture every moment. I love your pages!
ReplyDeleteOH! I love the orange and with that black & white photos it rocks!!! We're full of birthdays in March as well - me, my mom, a cousin and my brother! Guess there was lots of cake going around !
ReplyDeleteLove the orange! I always remind myself when I miss the perfect photo, that at least I was living the moment and seeing it firsthand. Great actions to take :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post - and such a great idea too - all about building memories and family traditions and about you enjoying them too - brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThe Orange is so happy! May is our big celebration month. I'll have to remember to cut back on the video/picture taking and enjoy the moment. Your pages look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHa! No, Rome WASN'T built in a day - I'll have to remember that, too. :) Thanks! Your pages look super - and happy! I love the steps you've taken - simple, but really significant. Excellent! Blessings as you continue on...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to celebrate a birthday - with breakfast. I love breakfast foods. I also love orange and think your pages look great!
ReplyDeleteLove your bright orange color! So vibrant! March is a crazy month for our house too, with two birthdays to celebrate! It always begins the fun, busy days of spring/summer. I have a hard time adjusting, but my OLW is helping!
ReplyDeleteNo videoing is a great action to be present during these occasions. The orange looks fab on your pages.
ReplyDeleteLove love love the page! I use to not like orange, but I am beginning to embrace it.
ReplyDeleteMonica, I loved reading about your goals and the birthdays in your family. Isn't it amazing how one little word can really get your attention and lead to life changes?! Blessings ~ Deb
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Love the orange!
ReplyDeleteGreat project, I like the pop of color.
ReplyDeleteI love the orange! And great embellishment you created yourself. So whimsical. Too bad I don't have a Cricut as I'd love to reproduce that. Great actions for the month too. I love bday breakfasts! Thanks for joining the blog hop!
ReplyDeleteI love the orange! And great embellishment you created yourself. So whimsical. Too bad I don't have a Cricut as I'd love to reproduce that. Great actions for the month too. I love bday breakfasts! Thanks for joining the blog hop!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Love the orange!
ReplyDeleteMonica, I loved reading about your goals and the birthdays in your family. Isn't it amazing how one little word can really get your attention and lead to life changes?! Blessings ~ Deb
ReplyDeleteLove love love the page! I use to not like orange, but I am beginning to embrace it.
ReplyDeleteNo videoing is a great action to be present during these occasions. The orange looks fab on your pages.
ReplyDeleteLove your bright orange color! So vibrant! March is a crazy month for our house too, with two birthdays to celebrate! It always begins the fun, busy days of spring/summer. I have a hard time adjusting, but my OLW is helping!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to celebrate a birthday - with breakfast. I love breakfast foods. I also love orange and think your pages look great!
ReplyDeleteHa! No, Rome WASN'T built in a day - I'll have to remember that, too. :) Thanks! Your pages look super - and happy! I love the steps you've taken - simple, but really significant. Excellent! Blessings as you continue on...
ReplyDeleteThe Orange is so happy! May is our big celebration month. I'll have to remember to cut back on the video/picture taking and enjoy the moment. Your pages look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post - and such a great idea too - all about building memories and family traditions and about you enjoying them too - brilliant!
ReplyDeleteLove the orange! I always remind myself when I miss the perfect photo, that at least I was living the moment and seeing it firsthand. Great actions to take :)
ReplyDeleteOH! I love the orange and with that black & white photos it rocks!!! We're full of birthdays in March as well - me, my mom, a cousin and my brother! Guess there was lots of cake going around !
ReplyDeleteBirthday parties as so much fun, but so much work too. It is hard to be present when you are trying to entertain and capture every moment. I love your pages!
ReplyDeleteOrange is my happy color too! I'm still trying to convince the hubby to let me get an orange car next time we upgrade! ;) Way to go ~ be present. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete