One Little Word : Mid-Year

Simon

My word for 2009 is nurture.

I am nurturing a young boy's love of Star Wars & leogs &
reading & Harry Potter. I am nurturing an inquisitive mind by answering a lot of awesome seven-year-old questions about the way in which our world works. I am nurturing his social skills as I encourage and model and role-play.

Anna

I am nurturing a baby girl's enchantment with the world around her. I am nurturing her physically as I nurse her and emotionally as we engage in all that great mama-baby bonding. I am nurturing her natural rhythms and helping her adapt to life in our home.

I am nurturing my relationship with Chris as we navigate the waters of being busy parents (with passionate professional lives).

I am nurturing myself as a second-time mama with as much patience as I
can muster. I have been taking things slow and focusing on the projects I
think are most important and letting the rest go. I am trying to live
fully present in this season of my life without hurrying on to the
next.
It's a minute by minute choice.

I am finding that a lot of my creative energy is currently going into
nurturing
my relationship with my kids. I feel really good about this. Life with two kids is a very creative
endeavor. Creativity in focus, in juggling, in entertaining, in attitude, in setting up a day that
is "full of life" for each of us. To me "full of life" means a
combination of healthy things: play, rest, work, nutrition, etc.

I may not be producing as many layouts and projects right now as I have in the past, but I am exactly where I want to be in terms of being available & active in the lives of my children.

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How are you and your word getting along this year?

Did you write anything about your word back in January that you can review now? One of the reasons I love having a blog is being able to go back in time and see what was documented. Reading what I wrote then vs. how I am feeling today is a gift to myself.

Don't feel bad if you haven't really connected with your word this year. It's been my experience that some years I have a strong connection with my word and others not so much. Have you really given your word a chance?

Take some time today to reflect or reconnect with your word. Consider posting an update on your blog or here in the comments.

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58 thoughts

  1. Jacky Carter says…
    06/29/2009

    Great timing, Ali! Last night I had the urge to revisit my word because I'd been thinking (for months) how it wasn't right for me any more. My new word feels like a much better fit: http://www.jackycarter.com/2009/06/29/updated-word-for-2009/

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  2. Carole says…
    06/29/2009

    I loved reading how you are nurturing yourself and those around you. My word for the year is strength. I'm finding it difficult with all that is happening in my life at the moment. Some days I know I have the strength and other days it is all gone.

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  3. Kristisb says…
    06/29/2009

    Thanks for the inspiring post (as always). I just had to comment that the picture of Anna is adorable, but what really caught my eye were her little curled toes...SO CUTE! Love it when I get a picture with that kind of detail that I wasn't trying for, or didn't even notice when I took the shot. Your devotion to your kids is inspiring and their happiness is so evident in your pictures.

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  4. jkhenson says…
    06/29/2009

    My word has been put to the test. I chose peace this year. Working on having peace and not worrying was my big goal. I have been successful in some areas, but not others. It is a continuing process for me. :) I am working on having peace with what comes our way... Thanks for being inspiring! :)

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  5. sharna says…
    06/29/2009

    When I chose my word "calm" I was expecting a challenging year with BIG changes and knew I needed to be the calm that kept normalcy alive in our family. What I did not know was just how BIG (and even devestating) those changes and challenges would be. I'm so thankful I started focusing on "calm" way before I needed to draw upon it in a big way. I had amassed some thoughts in a journal and quotes too and I have again and again found comfort there.

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  6. soulemama says…
    06/29/2009

    Oh, Ali. I am loving your words today about your word. What a perfect choice that was for you this year. You're nurturing beautifully. xoxo.

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  7. Loretta Artful Yogi says…
    06/29/2009

    Oh, gosh. I will have to track back to remember my word! I remember last year's but not this.
    i love how you admit to taking more energy to nurture your family. Good for you. I often am amazed at how you can complete so much with two little ones in the house. Those lists of layouts will be there when the two little ones are off at school.

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  8. Betheroo says…
    06/29/2009

    My word for this year is open, and I have been trying to be open to new experiences. I also try to be open in my thinking and not make snap judgments.
    On another note, I wish I had been able to slow down more and live in the present when my children were young. I was not as aware as you seem to be and I admire your maturity in doing this and not getting lost in the day to day craziness of rearing children!

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  9. janaina says…
    06/29/2009

    My word was beginning, and indeed has been so many beginnings for me, you made me reflect and write this on paper, so I can concentrate on my beginnings

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  10. Allison Kimball says…
    06/29/2009

    Beautifully said Ali!

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  11. Jenny C says…
    06/29/2009

    my word was serenity. although i haven't made a conscious choice to put my word into action, it has been put into action none the less. i feel myself going with the flow more often. i am for sure that while i haven't thought about my word since i chose it, it was the right word for me and for this year.

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  12. Vintage Mommy says…
    06/29/2009

    Sweet sweet pictures.
    I didn't choose a word in January, but I wish I had. I'd like to choose one now for the next half of 2009.
    I first thought of focus, but it's too directive. Then I thought of balance, but I've settled on equilibrium - much more poetic!
    Thanks for this idea.

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  13. Samara says…
    06/29/2009

    Wonderful thoughts, Ali. The problem with New Year's Resolutions is that people often don't make a plan to come back to their goals, reassess and commit to making progress on them through the year. You coming back to yours is great reminder for me. I really enjoyed reading this post -- lovely photos and all.

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  14. Calli Taylor says…
    06/29/2009

    "Do" has been my one little word... and this year I launched my blog called "Make it Do" http://makeitdo.worpress.com I have been focused on making and doing projects with and for my family. "Do" is about not being afraid of hard work. But I have tried really hard to work hard with purpose and focus on what's really important.

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  15. jakki says…
    06/29/2009

    ummmm I like your word...can I borrow it?

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  16. Jen Davis says…
    06/29/2009

    Wonderfully and thoughtfully put Ali, this is what it's all about really. =) Anna is just so sweet!

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  17. Marla says…
    06/29/2009

    Ali,
    This sentence made me tear up: "I am trying to live fully present in this season of my life without hurrying on to the next." The best parenting advice I ever received was from an elderly friend at my baby shower before my first was born. She said, "Don't wish away the present age, phase, challenge, or joy. Savor each and every stage your children are in, while they are in it, because it all goes by so quickly." I think of that often as I look at my two (now 11 and 7) and catch myself thinking about the next phase. There is always so much to treasure in TODAY. My baby girl is about to turn 8 and it seems like only yesterday that she was Anna's age. Thank you for sharing your beautiful blog, and a peek into your life.
    Marla

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  18. Anna Aspnes says…
    06/29/2009
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  19. rebekah says…
    06/29/2009

    But layouts and projects are how you make your money, right?
    I'm starting to notice a cycle with professional bloggers. At first, they give so much of their lives over to building their blog and readership, and then later in building relationships with sponsors. This all goes well for a time until, for whatever reason, the blogger needs to scale down and take part of their life back.
    All of the sudden, the bread and butter of their blog isn't there like it used to be. The readership may get disappointed because they aren't finding the 'product' they were initially drawn to, but no one can blame someone for wanting to devote more time to their family.
    My question though is this. I remember a post a long time ago where you said that you were motivated to create on a regular basis because that is how you supported your family. Now you are saying (and with good reason!) that you need more time for your children. But, if you're running a business, as you said, how can you keep expecting people to pay you for what you aren't doing anymore, or not doing with regularity?
    I think this is the difficulty with lifestyle blogs. The blogger wants to make money off of what is basically their personal life, turning their day to day life into a business, but they still want to be able to take a break or just slow down whenever they want to. I don't think any other kind of business could survive with that kind of business plan.
    In the end, can a balance be found? For the blogger? The readers? The sponsors who are expecting the blogger to use their products and talk them up on the blog?
    Maybe the greater focus of your blog from now on won't be on projects and will focus more on your personal life. I hope that readers and sponsors will feel comfortable making that shift with you as you have great talent and have really made a lasting impact on people's lives.

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  20. Casey M says…
    06/29/2009

    My word has taken on a whole new meaning. It is create, and originally it was chosen to inspire me to create more art this year, possibly even an inventory for a future Etsy store. After finding out that my son and I have Celiac, it has turned into creating a whole new way of eating and living for our family. Now that we can't have gluten, I have to create new menus, new recipes, new ways of eating, of viewing food. We are creating a new, healthy way of life.

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  21. Ashlee Archibald says…
    06/29/2009

    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.

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  22. Sue says…
    06/29/2009

    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.

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  23. Susan Westberg says…
    06/29/2009

    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!

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  24. Ali Edwards says…
    06/29/2009

    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.

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  25. Elizabeth says…
    06/29/2009

    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!

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