How are we close to the middle of January already? We know that time flies, but it's interesting what it does to your perspective when you make a conscious effort to capture a small part of your life. Every. Single. Day. My goal for this project is pick up my DSLR every single day and shoot for the purposes of capturing my own daily life. With that said, the iPhone is super convenient and when there is a moment that moves me, if the iPhone is all I have, the iPhone it will be. So when we talked last time I told you that one of my goals was to stop eating everything in sight. Mission accomplished! I've worked out 30 minutes/day every day in addition to clean eating and I feel really good. Let's try to keep this up, huh? We all know that the New Year is a great time to start something to better ourselves. I do great this time of year. Every year. Until about Easter time when the chocolate bunnies come around and destroy me. Easter usually coincides with the beginning of Wish Photo Company's busy season (which lasts until November). Then it's a full on Emotional Eating Buffet (EEB). By November, I'm usually back to pre-New Year weight. Eat and repeat. The goal is to keep the EEB shut down for good. I'm ridiculous. If this is also you, PLEASE reveal yourself because no misery loves company you feel me? We can eat quinoa together! I'm down 2 pounds and 6 inches after a week. Pray for me. Here's a Week 2 recap:

Day 8: In the spirit of full disclosure, since I've already told I'm a workaholic and an emotional eater, I must also tell you that I'm a compulsive makeup buyer. So you've gotta know that I work really hard at buying makeup! Anyhow, this is my new obsession. My first time around the block with these precious, colorful gems I bought one. The second time around I bought three. I don't mess around.

Day 9: My sweet Liv. Since her last gymnastics meet in October, she's been through quite a bit. She got a concussion and was out for a while (not at the gym, it was a crazy school playground mishap that you wouldn't believe if I told you so I'll spare you), then was hit with a long bout of pneumonia in November. On top of all that she had developed a fear over the summer of backwards tumbling. This fear has festered and grown into this huge obstacle for her, and now she isn't performing her major tumbling pass. At the meet on Day 9, she started on floor and performed with excrutiating anxiety. It was hard to watch. Have you ever felt powerless as a parent? Like you want to take it away but you can't? So yeah, this is me. But you know what? There's a lesson here and I'm not one to take away a lesson. As much as I want to take it away, I know that Olivia needs this challenge to prepare her for other things in life. So what happens next? This little person with all her might, took to her next event, the vault, and pounded out such a fantastic vault that it earned her the top of the podium that day. She has a long way to get, yet. However, these little moments will serve as building blocks for the confidance that she needs to accomplish all that she will in her life. Believe in yourself, sweet girl. 

“Though she be but little, she is fierce!” - William Shapespeare

Day 10: Emi's first basketball game! Oh the little one. So content to sit in her older sisters' shadows much of the time, Emi is used to not being the center of attention in our family. All the reasons I love this kid, let me count the ways. But first, let me take you back in time and explain to you how basketball runs in our genes. Back in 4th grade, I warmed the bench with style and finesse knowing that one day, my time would come. When I was finally called upon in the last few minutes of garbage time, I was fouled immediately. How dare they? I would show them! And I did...I have a 100% free throw average after sinking in both of my foul shots, potty shot style. Yep, that's right, potty shot style. With basketball pedigree on her side, Emi embarked on her basketball journey. She hustled her way around with energy and enthusiasm. The only girl on the court, she held her own in a sea of pretty aggressive boys. I am hoping that from them she learns that it's okay to go for the ball, that is what you're supposed to do, and that over time she becomes less intimidated. What I loved about the whole experience is how they focused on sportsmanship and encouraged the kids so much no matter if you were the best one or the one who was just learning. Here's an example of that...the post game high fives! Emi got a star at the end of the game from her coach to reward her for her sportsmanship. That's my girl! 

Day 11: The elusive middle-schooler makes her blog debut. It's not easy to document the goings on of a middle school girl. The camera is a threat to her privacy and thus, the middle-schooler will hide as a means of self-protection. So on this Sunday night, in the desperation of finishing a social studies project, she let her guard down and I got her! She's studying ancient Egypt and has been really enjoying it. On Day 11, hard to believe that she's 11. The project gone done just in time, and in true pre-teen fashion, she went back in to hiding...

Day 12: My breakfast! You need to know this why? First, it was delicious. Second, it kept me full until lunchtime. Two eggs, some ham in there, and half a grapefruit. I need a lot of protein in the morning, and the grapefruit helped curb my sweet tooth. Mission accomplished. 

Day 13: Getting in my 30 minutes of exercise each day is a huge challenge with my schedule. Now, that I haven't started shooting yet this year, I have had a much easier time fitting this in and it's wonderful! However, the 30 minutes does cut in to my time with my girls and that is hard to give up. On this Tuesday night, when my older three were at dance, Emi joined me for my workout session. She does this quite often, in fact, and I have to say she impresses me every time! She held her forearm planks a lot better than I did, and when I had to modify, she kept going. Quality time and workout time, check! I didn't have to give up either, and got them both done. I'd say it's a win/win!

Day 14: I believe in exceptions. I do. As a parent, there are so many instances that are absolute and don't allow for flexibility, that are truly not negotiable. I won't flex on those. EVER. However, there are certain things that typically aren't allowed that I feel under special circumstances, I may flex on. Enter the school night sleepover. Da da da da...da da da da (ominous music). On this Wednesday night, Natalia had her friend Ashley come over to hang out. The next day was scheduled to be Twin Day at school and the girls had their outfits planned. How fun! They slowly and carefully hung around me in the kitchen, snacking and talking, hinting about the possibility of how cool it might be to have a sleepover. Yeah, I know what you're doing. I wasn't born yesterday. When I was your age...blah blah blah. The bottom line is this. One day, when you're old and gray (or almost 40, whatever), you'll remember that exception as one of the most fun and memorable nights of your life. So, yeah, I made an exception. The school night sleepover was celebrated by some good old-fashioned jumping on the bed and falling down in a heap of laughter. My job is done. And yes...the other girls were pissed off I allowed this. My response? You never know who the next exception will belong to...

Week 2...in the books!