One Little Word : Mid-Year

I did think of a word that beginning of the year, I did just recently create a family contract, our word? Go. Go outside and play in the sunshine, go for a walk around the block. We want to be able to do more and to enjoy our family. We get caught up in being tired and end of being lazy around the house. Now that's it's summer, we are focusing on going and doing and experiencing the blessing that God has provided for us.

Hope is my word for 2009. While our economy continues to be a mess, hope is what we have to hang on to. Hope was the word I used before our family vacation a couple of weeks ago. I was hoping that everyone would arrive safely and have a great time. Hope rocks! 16 of us in a mountain cabin for a week was a wonderful time. Hope is my anchor this year.

Hi Ali! My word for the year is BLISS. I find myself seeing the word while out and about every once in a while. I've definitely been connecting with my word this year ... I'm doing things that are making me happy and not really caring what other people think. Sometimes it can be a challenge because of other people's choices that don't cause bliss in my life, but I try and center myself and bring positivity back into my life so bliss is what is being created!

Hi Rebekah - thank you for the thoughtful comments and for giving me the opportunity to clarify.
From the beginning this blog has always been a mixture of personal posts & projects/layouts. At times it has been heavier on one end or the other, but both have always been present. It is continually evolving & shifting back and forth between the two.
This blog continues to be a big part of the work that I do. My creative time is also spent making layouts for my monthly column in Creating Keepsakes (this past month I put together 14 layouts for an upcoming issue), designing digital products for Designer Digitals each week, and right now I am working on content for a three-month long class for Big Picture Scrapbooking.
I think my comments today spoke more to an awareness that some of that same creative energy I have put into making pages in the past is now going into the raising of my children. I think that has always been the case but I am noticing it more now that I have two.
I am definitely not stopping anything - just ebbing and flowing and continuing to move forward documenting & celebrating our lives.

THANK YOU!!!! once again Ali. Reading your blog entry has made me take a step back and STOP. Through the rush of keeping the kids busy during summer break and the thought that I could use this time as a "catch-up" time to do all those things I wasn't able to do earlier this year, makes me realize the importance of prioritizing and to "JUST BE".
My "to-do" list is so long and daunting, I feel overwhelmed. Thank you for reminding me yet once again to live in the moment and enjoy the little things! Have a great day!

I actually have two words for the year: Live Simply. I am realising that life is too short to be complicated and focused on the future. I am still processing what that means for my family, but having that in the back of my mind has helped us to make family vacations a reality (and a priority) and deciding to keep our smaller house in lieu of a bigger one so we'd have more time/money to spend on each other instead of our stuff.

My word was "SELF". Being new to the "empty nest" I felt lost and deserted and found myself floundering like a fish out of water. I bought a framed doodle of my word (linked from you) and it sits in my studio where I spent 95% of my time. I asked 10 of my friends to send me "definitions of me" the way they see me for a journal and that was enlightening. I have scheduled activities for myself that did not include kids. I have attended GASC. I just got back from a weekend with Cheryl Darrow and Tim Holtz at Ten Seconds Studios. After 6 months of crying and pondering I am happy with where I am and realizing my "SELF".
ms.cheryl

I am so impressed with your thoughtful and thorough response, Ali, to Rebekah's comment. You share so much with your readers, including your example of being true to yourself and your family. I appreciate your honestly and candor. Thanks.

Thank you for revisiting your word! I've been thinking about mine lately, wondering if it really fits. I choose 'courage' and planned on taking on challenges and pushing myself creatively. I imagined myself learning to fly, so to speak. Instead I've been learning to look fear in the eye and creating anyways. Baby steps. Still hoping to fly a bit by the end of the year!

Thanks Ali - It's good timing for me to reflect on my word for 2009: ACT. I have been doing a lot of "taking action" this year and it is good for me to remember that because I am always down on myself for not getting enought done. In 2009 I have really gotten into actually scrapbooking instead of just collecting scrapbook supplies. I am getting married and trying to get pregnant (big big ACTS). I took a financial planning course. I connected with a bunch of local creatives. I started a serious exercise program. Thanks for the reminder Ali.
PS - I am happy that you wrote about your creative focus these days (your children). I noticed that you haven't been on your blog as much and I was hoping that you were doing something fun and satisfying (even though I miss you).

First, I can't even remember what my word is/was. :-( I'm thinking it might have been patience. If that's the right one then I'm not doing good at all. Thanks for the mid-year reminder!
Second, PERFECT post! Sounds like you are right where you want to be and are loving it!
Kiddos look adorable as usual.

as with many others, I think your timing is perfect with this post. My intentional-ness has long disappeared back into the chaos of my life. I need to refocus adn redirect.
I work a short week this week and then move onto vacation for three. A good opportunity to renew!
thanks

Perfect timing to come visit your blog today:) Thanks for the inspiration. Now to figure out just how to do that.

My word was/is professional. Of course I chose this before I knew I was going to be a mama again! While it's been a struggle with all the restructuring and mistakes made around the workplace, I'm overall pleased that I've been able to make this word mine.
Thinking about another word for the second part of this year...

ali, thank you for your response! you are awesome! i really love your work, your vision, everything. i'm glad you took my comments as an honest inquiry, and not as an attack. i find the business end of the creative world to be fascinating, and since this is a somewhat new industry (as far as blogging goes), i take interest in seeing how things evolve.
again, thank you so much. i was really looking for your views. thanks for taking the time to respond and answer my questions.

what a great post, thanks for encouraging thoughtful care of children and reflection!

Oh Ali! As always...I love to visit your blog. You are truly an inspiration. My little word is "Hope" and it has helped me tremendously. I constantly surround myself with "Hope". Thank you for inspiring us with "one little word", and for inspiring us with "your world"! I have appreciated so much more since I started to visit your blog (Fall 08).

Simplicity was my word for this year. I chose it as I was getting ready to come home from a 6 month deployment. Although, I experienced several new and demanding activities while deployed my life was simple. Now home with a full time job, two beautiful boys and a wonderful husband I find it a daily struggle to simply live.

Ali,
I love that you remind us about our yearly words! I decided to repeat my word from last year (create) since I didn't do as much creative stuff last year as I wanted to. Guess what? Reusing it again has really made all the difference! I finally finished my book, "Dirt and Sunshine" and got it printed, now it's on Amazon! So there is much power in focusing on a word. The past few months are a testament to that for me! I would love to send you a complimentary copy (for you and your family) if you wish to contact me offline. There is a section about 'living in the moment' that I feel will resonate after your post today. You are always such a breath of fresh air and it's a pleasure to visit your blog!
All the best
Kathy Besser

Ali - Can I pick a word mid year?! My word today is JOY. As a frequent reader of your blog..(but a very infrequent poster of comments!) I have to tell you..you inspire me...in many different ways. You seem to balance everything so well. I am inspired by the way you create. The way you love what you create. The way you nurture your children. And your husband. I love the way that everyday life is reflected in your blog. And I love the way you share that you are many things. A wife, a mother, a woman, an artist. I am amazed by very few people...you amaze me!
Today I had week 12 of a 12 week chemo treatment...There were days I didn't think this day would get here!! Reading your blog really was calming for me...just that you are living life with a joy that is clear in your pictures and your postings. Thank you for sharing your world, your talent, and your own inspiration with all of us. I hope to continue to find joy in the little things..because after all...that's what really matters.