BE PRESENT.

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Sometimes God grants us moments of clarity...I had one of those moments last week.

Let me see if I can clearly communicate my simple and somewhat obvious revelation:

On a regular basis...

I look back- at the days or hours that I’ve missed with my boys (age 3 and age 1). Whether it was me choosing to spend time doing something with a friend or whether work took me longer than I had planned...I feel guilty. Even if it’s advantageous and worthwhile...I struggle... I feel like I’ve missed out on time with my husband and/or kids.

I look forward- at the tasks that lie ahead. I think about the busyness of our schedule...I become overwhelmed. Even if it’s advantageous and worthwhile...I struggle... I feel like I’ll miss out on time with my husband and/or kids.

Sometimes I allow distraction in the now, like technology: phone...tv...computer....PINTEREST...to keep me from engaging in the moments that are available and matter now. Many times, because of my constant connection with technology, I am presently and voluntarily missing out on time with my husband and/or kids.

These scenarios whether thinking back, looking forward or being captivated by technology, so often take me out of the now and FURTHER distract me from the opportunities that lie right before me. I have this very moment, the here and the now to take advantage, interact and engage with the people I love but many times I’M NOT BEING PRESENT. 

So effective immediately...I’m going to make every attempt to actively BE PRESENT.  When possible, no more being disengaged by dwelling on the past or future when in the now are my husband and kids waiting to connect...I’m going to redeem this moment and BE PRESENT as a wife and mom.

That being said, I’ve got to go spend some time with my husband.

Out with the OLD - In with the NEW

An introduction into some of the new things in our lives...

New Things in the Family: Over the last month we’ve been entering into something new in the Ward home...it’s called the toddler stage. It’s actually not a new phase for us as a family (having a three year old- Elias) but Liam has reached the big “1” and with that comes new things. First of all, we said goodbye to bottles...with the elimination of the bottle comes the elimination of the hypoallergenic special formula for those with sensitivity to milk proteins (both of our boys needed). I figured in one year for Liam we’ve spent over $3,000.00 in formula alone. We also said goodbye to his meds- so goodbye prescription costs and annoying medication syringes. We also moved from the infant car seat to the front facing toddler car seat for Liam. Oh...and Liam is walking. While we were at it- we packed up all the infant clothing...the changing table...the exersaucer...jumperoo and most other “baby items” to which we don’t anticipate needing again (no more babies for the Wards). Another somewhat new thing in our family- that’s already getting old- is Elias’ potty training. He has nearly transitioned completely to using the potty- except for the occasional accident to which he declares “I like peeing my pants”. Again, another major money saver when you don’t have to purchase diapers- even if we just used the cheap Target brand. Elias is officially three now and officially getting older...I’m officially unsure how I feel about this.

Goodbye Ceremony for Medication Syringes

                                                                          July-The month for projects...

New Things on the Outside: Our backyard is being transformed into something new...we’ve added a new concrete slab to extend our patio area- Elias thinks this is his "road". We have primed and painted our fence (actually we hired a friend to paint the fence) goodbye red and hello tan. Next was the installation of the new playset- a family gift to both of our boys for their birthdays. Installation went successfully due to Tyler’s dedication and assistance from our buddy Judd Johnson. We replaced our front and back door- which makes a huge difference. Louie, our dalmatian helped to “break in” our new screen door by running through it- nice.

Old Back Door

New Back Door

Red Fence to Tan Fence

Concrete Patio

Playset

New Things on the Inside: Some rooms in our house are looking new... we’ve painted and redecorated our master bedroom, master bathroom and guest bathroom. The pics show the before and after...the rooms aren’t yet complete but are on their way...it’s nice to have a new look. It’s amazing how when you make things new...it gives you a renewed excitement for your home.

Old Guest Bath

New Guest Bath

Old Guest Bath

New Guest Bath

                                               

Old Master Bath

New Master Bath

Master Bedroom

Pinterest Art Project

Random New Things: I’ve stumbled across a few new things. Maybe they aren’t new and they’ve been around and I’ve been ignorant to their existence but nevertheless, I appreciate them. 

1. Spicy Ketchup at Red Robin it is addicting.
2. Chick fila Ketchup Containers- why didn’t someone think of this before now?!
3. South Bend Chocolates (and their delicious gourmet pumpkin popcorn at fall time- now just down the road).
4. Pinterest- I’ve been utilizing this new love now for officially a couple of months and still can’t get enough. It’s a hub of creativity and I’m a testimony of someone who actually does some of the projects that I pin. 

We continue to anticipate all of the NEW things God is preparing to do in and around us...for now, though, we are enjoying some of the newness of our recent projects.

Back Again...

So here I am- back again- returning to a familiar world that I used to know so well. In 2005 Tyler (my husband) and I began to blog (www.tyler-natalie.blogspot.com)...it was the new thing and it was a good thing. We stuck with it for a good 4 years until about the fall of 2009 and then we fell off the face of the earth. What could it have been that interrupted our joyous inter-web journaling?  Oh yes, pregnancy #2 and so became the decline of our committed blogging venture. So here we are - with an almost 1 yr old and 3 yr old moving into a season of life where we aren't just maintaining or barely surviving but are once again finding the opportunity to breathe and to look forward into something new - an old love, blogging. 

Tyler and I love adventure - we are always looking into something new to do with our lives...

Our boys are crazy - they are ALWAYS looking into something new - in our cupboards - in the dirt - wherever...

We are always looking for opportunities to introduce our boys to something new - vacations - experiences - technology - music - games - people...

Our jobs are always giving us the opportunity to dive into something new...

Most of all I recognize that God is always using people, experiences, the ups and downs...our journey to make us into something new...

So hence the blog name: "Into Something New"- The story of our journey of new things that I and my family are encountering and learning from everyday life that are all apart of God molding us into something new...