at the beginning of the month my
SIL kate gave me the best mommy day ever!
she came down to visit and hangout and surprised me with these 4 green boxes each with an envelope and instructions.
the idea of this is just awesome. she created a day for me to put myself first. to do the things that will nourish ME. everybody deserves a day like this. it was so exciting to open each box and see what was inside for me to do!

the first box said "to remember" (click on the pictures to read the card and instructions enclosed):
this box had two blank picture frames and two sheets of picture paper for me to take pictures of something for me to rememeber my life right now.
put them in the frames and reflect on them.

the second box said "to let go": in the box were plates and markers and a plastic bag and a mix cd. i was to right on the plates all the fears, frustrations, stresses, and negative things i am holding on to. then place them in the bag and smash away. love this!

the third box said "to inspire": this box had a journal, little pots of paints (in awesome colors kate!) a gessoed canvas, paint brushes and another great mix cd.
the fourth box said "to renew": this box had two yummy candles, a set of bath salts and soaks from kate's mom soap shop stoney oaks farms, two PURPLE polishes, and a great mellow mix cd. i think the mix tapes, i mean cd's were one of my favorite parts!

there were also a few envelopes that had beautifully written words of encouragement and love from kate. and a super awesome NANNY TICKET! good for one nanny for the day.

and this beautiful plant to remind me to take care of myself and nourish myself.
so after kate "released me" and all the guilt that is associated with letting someone else watch your children, i sewed for a bit, playing one of my new mix cd's, then took a shower (without someone watching me or showering with me for a change!) got ready and headed to my favorite coffee shop to journal. i brought a few of the projects with me and started them, but mostly just sad and journaled, drew on the blank pages, prayed, and met god in the pages of my journal. it was awesome. and i completely needed it. to have that uninterrupted time with god, to create, and to actually finish a thought was priceless.
*when i was in college i used to journal daily, i needed it. it was how i breathed. i have a box with journals chock full of inspirations, thoughts, prayers, dreams and hopes, words, collages, soon-to-be paintings, art projects, etc.
then after that i came home and painted. i hadn't painted in a while.
and something released in me. it sparked a new fire of creativity and inspiration that i had been longing for.
then justin and i went out on a date to sierra nevada brewery (my fav!) and it was wonderful.
elliana picked out my entire outfit. the dress, sweater, jewelry, shoes and even my purse! she loves it when we go out on dates i think because she can "get rid of us!"
it was a wonderful day and i am so thankful that my wonderful sister in law and best friend was so thoughtful to do something like this for me. it meant so much to me. thanks again kate!
:)
creative update:
*i've been working on two paintings, one i will share soon.
*have several new purses in the works,
*new ideas for the Green Baby Expo in june and
*some ideas for a quilt for tucker.