Messy House

Ok, so intentional living doesn't always mean a messy house, but this weekend, I definitely let my house chores go.  I did the very basics so my house wasn't dirty, but I let go of hounding Arie on putting stuff away, let her sing and play to her heart's content...I didn't make a huge deal about putting everything in it's "home" because sometimes that is exhausting and a messy house isn't the end of the world.  

This has led to a happier me, a better relationship with Arie, and quality time with her.  She listens better when I am more patient with her.  She has also become better at communicating her feelings with me because I am better at communicating with her.  I have avoided the voice-raising, the nagging, the yelling to get her to do things.  Taking just a few extra minutes to explain why I need something done has been working really well.  I hope it's not a fluke! 

I was also able to take the time to do something I love.  I finished a quilt for Arie.  It was such a great weekend!

Art Does the Soul Good

There is something amazingly therapeutic about drawing and coloring at random.  Aurelia enjoys this very much and it has become a way for her and I to bond, focus on each other, and relax.  We take a blank piece of paper out with all of her crayons, and just start to draw and color randomly.  

Aurelia loves to play pretend with her dad, and will never let me join in, so it was a delight when I found something just she and I can share.  What a treat! 

Tonight, I brought out the oil and chalk pastels and we had a blast blending colors!  

One of my on-going goals is to really be present when I am around her.  I feel that it is especially important now with a baby on the way when special alone time with this girl will be limited.  I hope she loves being a big sister and that the transition goes well. 

A quote that really stuck with me all day today is:

"Enough is abundance for the wise"

I am enough.  

I may not be making pinterest-perfect projects with my child, but we do make art together and that time together is more than enough for me.

Play and Rest

Aurelia's imaginary play is so robust lately, and it's very entertaining and a bit inspiring.  She has different voices for her different characters etc...she loves to sing and make up songs....it's pretty awesome:

I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes in a book I recently read by Brene Brown:

"We are a nation of exhausted and overstressed adults raising overscheduled children. We use our spare time to desperately search for joy and meaning in our lives. We think accomplishments and acquisitions will bring joy and meaning, but that pursuit could be the very thing that’s keeping us so tired and afraid to slow down.

If we want to live a Wholehearted life, we have to become intentional about cultivating sleep and play, and about letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth."--Brene Brown

Here's to a great start to a new year full of play and lots of rest!