We've Moved!

While I have loved Blogger for 6 years, I wanted a little more flexibility in my website and blog, so I've moved on over to WordPress.  Please update your bookmarks to www.paulaweigel.com, and visit often!

Birthday Girl (or Gil) T-Shirt

So my little bean turned 2 today.  It's so hard to believe she is TWO.  She's quite the character, and we're so blessed.  More on her budding personality in posts to follow.  Tonight, it's all about the craft.

I found this adorable shirt in Gymboree last week, and almost shelled out the 22 bucks for it, but thankfully my frugal voice reminded me that she would only wear it one (maybe two) days, then outgrow it unless I bought it three sizes too big for the next several birthdays.  It did inspire me though, to get my craft on and create a little shirt that shouted to the world that my little girl was celebrating her big day.

I found this basic little pink tee from Hobby Lobby, and used my beloved Cricut to cut some remnant fabric I had.  The floral fabric is from Hobby Lobby too, many years ago, and the dark pink is excess from the vintage pillow case I used on this dress last summer.

Cutting fabric on a Cricut is an art ... and one I have yet to master.  You need a good quality interfacing (I used a thin Wonder Under and it wasn't strong enough).  Your speed should be slow, and your pressure high, and your blade depth at around 5 or 6.  I really should have used a new blade, but since I didn't have one, I made do.  The letters came out ok, but next time I'll use a much wider font.  In the end, the letters didn't have enough stabilizer to actually STAY on the shirt (as evidenced when the 'girl' became a 'gil' today at the doctor's office ... ahem).

I cut out a little bird and fused it on the shirt as well.  Then just because I felt like it wasn't quite enough, I stitched a little embroidery around the edge of the bird.  Just because it looked cute.  A couple of makeshift french knots over the "i"s and I was all set.  Cute cute cute.  All in all, about 2 hours time (because I was fighting with my Cricut over the settings), and $2.99 for the t-shirt.  It's no cupcake Gymboree shirt, but Kate loved it all the same.

Happy birthday little bean.  Thank you for making my world so much brighter every day!  Lots of love, and then some more ...

2011 Intention: Presence

Instead of making resolutions which I never seem to keep, then follow up with a ton of guilt, last year I chose a word that I wanted to focus on for the year.  Simplify was the theme of 2010.  In retrospect, it was a pretty big deal.  My life is (or was) by far, simple.  With a dozen obligations, a full and part-time job, two kids, a basement full of hobbies, and an entrepreneurial spirit, simple is not a word I've ever used to describe my daily activities.  So it indeed was a challenge.  But it was a guiding principle in a lot of the decisions I made throughout 2010, and was a nice seguay into 2011's theme for me:  Presence.

Again, for me, this is a biggie.  I'm a multi-tasker.  I pride myself on my efficiency because I can do a thousand things at once.  I've never been one to have idle hands.  In fact, it's really hard for me to sit and just watch television because I feel like I could be accomplishing something else at the same time. I really don't know the true meaning of vacation since I tend to pack a ton of to-do's with me to complete inflight, on the road, or on the beach.  All of this go go go has made me extremely productive, and also a bit mindless at times.

When you're engaged in several things at one time, your brain can't focus on just the one.  It's constantly moving back and forth, not giving each individual activity its just attention.  I actually just read an article by John Freeman (geared more towards email but timely, none the less) on this phenomenon of how we communicate, and how we are becoming more and more like the machines that have delivered all of this technology to us.  It reminded me that the more we do at one time, the less we are really present in what we need to do.  So what, really, are we doing?  And what/who are we doing it for?

Enter the theme of 2011 for me.  Presence.  I really want to be present when I'm working, when I'm creating, especially when I'm with my family.  It is so convenient to get online on the laptop during breakfast, when I'm half-way engaged with listening to my kids and surfing some activities for the weekend.  It's very easy to think about all the tasks on my to-do list while I'm reading books to Kate, rather than really watch her while I'm reading and notice how she stomps her feet and claps her hands to certain parts of her new favorite book. 

I want to be more engaged in my life.  Really be more involved.  And that sounds funny considering how active I am right now, but I plan on it being a different type of involvement.  I want to be one of those people who, when you're talking to them, they make you feel like you're the only person in the world.  You know those people?  I have a few friends like that, and when I think of presence, their faces come to mind.  I want to be more like that. 

When I'm at work, I want to focus on work.  On getting the job done.  On really understanding and diving into what I'm doing.  I do that a lot now, but my mind is prone to drift onto other daily tasks that need to be completed.  One. at. a. time.

Now, don't get me wrong.  When I'm sitting in carpool, I'll likely still write thank-you notes, or call my mom on my Bluetooth on the way into work on Monday mornings.  But my goal is to really take stock in the little (and big) things in life that I tend to combine with all the others ... and make each moment something that I can remember and be proud of. 

What about you?  What are you focusing on for this fresh, new year?  I pray that 2011 brings you all the best, and that your intentions/resolutions for the year give you blessings and happiness!

Merry Christmas

In lieu of sending out mass Christmas cards this year, we've posted this video, created by Cunningham Photo Artists, for our friends and family.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year in 2011!


Merry Christmas! from Paula Weigel on Vimeo.

Reflection

It's been busy lately.  Life, work, home, family, relationships, part-time incomes and full time dreams have all fought for center stage in my world.  We've made a lot of changes this year and a lot of promises for next.  Here are a few:

Owen started a K4 program at a local school.  It has really been great for him and our family.  He has become more disciplined (as much as possible for a four year old) and LOVES to share his prayers with us and teach us everything he has learned.  It has been great for Kevin and I to find a community of parents and educators and start getting involved.  I've been volunteering and really finding my place there, which is what I've always wanted.

Kate is learning lots of new words and adores her big brother.  I guess we really haven't made a lot of changes with Kate.  The biggest change has been with my relationship with her.  Rather than focusing on the question of what I'm doing right or wrong, I'm just focusing on being with her.  Really enjoying every snuggle, every book, every wink of her eye and every hair bow she pulls out.  Trying to capture each moment in my mind so it's there to pull upon when she's outgrown these sweet little moments.  She is all girl (much like Owen is all boy) and it's really cool to see the differences between the two of them.

I've been working a lot at some new responsibilities with the 'day job' this year, and trying to make a 10 year career innovative and new and fresh.  I love the work that I do, so I'm keeping focused on creating new ideas for the corporate world and trying to make my mark.

I signed up with Thirty-One Gifts as a consultant this year, and have loved exploring this new opportunity.  It has meant some much needed supplemental income for our family, and I've made some amazing friends along the way.  It has really been a blessing, and I'm excited to see where 2011 takes us.

In keeping with my SIMPLIFY theme of 2010, since I added a new responsibility into my life with 31, I took one away.  One which was very hard for me.  I have always loved pottery, but lately it has become more of a job than a passion, and I knew it was time to take a break.  I fired my last kiln in October (fire #101 actually), and have set the clay aside for the time.  When it's right, I'll get my hands dirty again.  This has really been one of the hardest decisions of the year for me, but I haven't regretted it yet.

On the crafty side, I've been exploring other avenues of expression, and have been working on sketch books, ideas, and web layouts for some new things I'd like to pursue for ME.  I have a few ideas for new websites, new ventures, new inspirations.  No deadlines (for now).  Just a little creativity starting to peek through.  In its own time, not mine.  Again, another hard thing to grasp for me. 

Like many people, I've experienced a lot of ups and downs this year, but really attribute a lot to my faith.  Through my connection with 31 and some recent personal events, I've learned more than ever that my faith is my rock.  It's gotten me through a lot recently, and I'm holding on to it tightly for 2011.   I've been giving a lot of consideration to my theme for next year, and I want to wrap this year up and start fresh with a new perspective.

For those blog buddies of mine, your consistency in keeping your blog fresh and current is an inspiration to me, and I hope to provide the same to you in the months ahead.  Thanks for continuing to check in. :)

Away in a Manger

Away in a Manger from Paula Weigel on Vimeo.

Behind the scenes: Owen has been creating these elaborate trains out of his new bulldozer, fire truck and whate ver else he can string together. After his lovely rendition of this holiday favorite, he finished it off with: "Toot toot." It's really a shame the camera didn't catch it!

Sometimes

Sometimes, it's just doing the Hokey Pokey with your 4 year old to remind you how sweet life really is.

Sometimes, it's just having them snuggle on your neck, just an extra second longer than normal.

Sometimes, it's how they reach for you when they're hurting, or call your name for attention when they've done something they're proud of.

Sometimes, it's remembering just how little they are, and realizing how fast they will grow.

For me, sometimes should happen more.