Inspiration Monday

"Maybe being oneself is always an acquired taste." 
- Patricia Hampl

Project | Creative Workspace

Now that I'm home for a while, I needed to claim convenient workspace for everyday tasks. Luckily, our house has a built-in desk area in the kitchen. The workspace project blossomed into a re-organization of the kids art supplies. 

The first step was to create a homework/supply caddy for the kids to use on the dinner table that is located in the kitchen. This handy caddy is easily removed off the dinner table when it's time to eat. I already had a wooden tray to serve as the caddy. Throughout the house, I found the containers for the supplies. Since some of the containers came from the pantry, I took some scrapbook paper and wrapped them. Then is was time to sort through all the different creative utensils. 

The next project was my workspace which is also located in the kitchen/informal dining area as well. The cabinets above the workspace contained more kid art supplies. I went through the cabinets and purged any used or old supplies. I used tupperware containers to sort the items and then placed them back into the cabinet. I placed the most used items such as coloring books, paints and beads on the bottom shelves so the kids can reach them easily. I added the kids artwork to the inside of the doors to really give the creative space some interest. 

My computer, sketchbooks, and the few pieces of paper that I need to keep neatly fit on the build-in desk area. I even have a fish companion to keep me company while I'm getting inspired. It took me about 2 hours from start to finish. Most of that time was sort through the chaos and finding materials around the house. The cost was absolutely $0 because I shop my house. 


I am super happy with the results. I enjoy sitting in my space to catch up on emails, bills, finding inspiration and sketching/journaling my own ideas. The kids loved the homework caddy. They have turned it into a school store and charge me a dime everything I want to use a pen. 

The simple things about being a parent

This is a short list of the moments that make up my life as a parent. 

• comforting arms
• first steps
• wiping tears
• smiles that light up your world
• giggles
• goodnight kisses
• playing on the floor even through there is furniture all around you
• experiencing the simply things as if they were new again
• learning or trying to learn to be patient
• reading books out loud
• taking the time to teach
• learning that it's not all about you anymore
• watching your children grown inch by inch
• learning when to let go
• mistakes (mostly mine)
• being there no matter what
• listening
• interacting
• being present
• kindness
• eating dinner together
• holding hands until they grow up and don't need to anymore
• creativity
• being brave even though you are scared
• loving your husband and letting him know that you appreciate him
• taking a couple of moments for yourself
• lots of "I love you's"
• cherishing the past but living in the present

And so a new year begins. . .

I started this blog in 2007 when I found out I was pregnant with Jonah. It was the easiest way to get updates out to all my distance family and friends. Its been something that I have enjoyed and like the history that it produces for our many adventures as a family. 

For those of you that come to my blog often, you have found it void of content updates. Hopefully, you continue to check back. 

I have the same excuse as everyone - life just get so busy. Blogging is not my full time job and definitely not my second one either. I have tried many times over the passed couple of years to streamline the blogging process. I get good at it for a short period of time and then the crickets begin again. 

This post is not to inform you that jamesandcarrie.com/thewillardfamilyblog is shutting down. It's more of an evalution period. How often and what gets posted to this particular forum. 

There are so many social media connections and distractions out there to take part in. The small, quick updates of daily life get captured on facebook. My creative inspiration gets capture on Pinterest (you can follow me there as well). Hopefully this blog can take a hearty approach to the Willard's misadventures and of the learnings we experience as a family. 

Stick with us and come back often. Happy New Year!

Little Surprises

before. . . 

Kids are always surprising their parents. Whether it with their words or their actions. McKenna surprised both James and I on Saturday. We were at the mall looking for some furniture. As we were walking around, McKenna said, "I want to go get my ears pierced at the earring shop."

after. . .

Since we were not having any luck with the furniture, we walked on down to the earring store. McKenna jumped in the chair and picked out her earrings. When the  time came to actually do the piercing and she got nervous. She sat on Daddy's lap and stared into my eyes. Then it was done. Two little, sparkly earrings were now a permanent fixture on her ears. She said it hurt just a little. 

I thought for a moment she was going to chicken out but she found her courage. I cannot believe how brave, determined and composed my four year old daughter can be. 

The Happy Dance

James noticed that when Jonah gets super excited about something that he does a little dance. It's similar to a jumping jack but the arms and legs don't go out to the side.

We asked Jonah to perform the happy dance for the camera. Of course, we got some added flair to the traditional dance. He has to throw in some boy mannerisms as well as some hip-hop moves.

It's so cute. I love that fact that he has a happy dance. Everyone should have one! Watch the video and try not to smile :)