- October 12-19 goals -

Hello & happy Sunday!
The girls and I are enjoying a quiet day in so I'm taking advantage of this beautiful day off to write up this week's goals!

- October 12-19 goals -
-make & send current orders
-stock the shop
-finish Fervent
-buy snacks for the day care
-run 10 miles (I can't believe I still haven't hit 10 mi in 1 week. Time to change that!)
-drink Greens before coffee every morning!
-get the girls' halloween costumes ready
-read Awana book and memorize the long version of the verse with the girls.
& most importantly,
-journal & pray everyday!

Doable goals for sure. Now to stay focused on the list and not on my pinterest or instagram feeds...

Any suggestions on staying focused on goals and overcoming distractions?


Erin

Introducing my Etsy shop, Together In Love

Hey everyone! All I can say is THANK YOU!
This blog has reached 38,000 page views! You guys.. this is just incredible. <3

I have been struggling with figuring out where to fit everything into my life. A few months omg, a year ago (how did that go by so fast?) I wrote about my priorities and finding balance. Since then I really haven't spent any time on this blog, even though I have been wanting to come back and give you guys the time you deserve! I want you guys to know that I appreciate every single one of the repins and views and feel so, so blessed. I really hope you guys enjoy the next phase of my blog!

Over the last year I've tried my hands at different things, but the one thing that has stuck has been crocheting. My mom taught me how to knit while I was in middle school, but it didn't become a major hobby until I had kids! I wanted to knit the whole world for my baby! Well as it turns out, I'm not a very good knitter so I taught myself how to crochet. Since then I've made a little of everything, selling my things on Etsy, at the local farmer's market and baby shops. I'm having the best time! I get to pay a few bills by doing something I'd be doing anyway, and I get to do it at home with my kids! How can it get any better?

My most popular item by far has been the Custom Stuffed Animal Hammock. 

The first hammock I made was for our own bedroom. It was January of 2014 and we were living with my in laws. We had four people's things stuffed into one small room and I was getting pretty crafty with my organization capabilities but there was still too much. Keep in mind we had two babies under two at the time.. We knew we needed clothes, diapers, creams, blankets and other misc baby items within reaching distance 99% of the time so that left us dealing with all of the toys and they. were. everywhere. 

I remembered something my mom used when I was very young. It was some type of net made for the trunk of our car and she repurposed it to hang our stuffed animals from the top corner of our bedroom. Genius! I whipped up a big triangle net and that was the beginning!

The first hammock I made.
It's no longer bring used but I'll probably keep it forever. ;)

So that's it! I had already had an Etsy shop set up, but I finally started using it in September of 2014. It was the best decision I've made in a long time. Since then I've been staying busy with church, my caregiving job and raising my girls who are now 2 and 4! If you like the stuffed animal hammock please or have any questions/suggestions please let me know! And if you don't mind, take a second to answer the survey I have on the right side of the page. I'm super excited about growing my business and learning about target markets and branding has been unexpectedly fun! Thank you.

Erin

My own happiness project.

Hey everyone! Since my last post, I've really been trying to narrow down my list of daily chores and feel happier.

I started reading The Happiness Project a week ago and although I haven't started my one year challenge yet, I have noticed a big difference in my attitude toward life, chores, and being happy!
One of my favorite parts of the book so far (I've only gotten about half way through), is where Gretchen Rubin talks about making a list of what she really likes vs. things she wants to like. This hit me really hard! My husband and I are so different. Like we barely have anything in common. So when I made this list, I realized that most of the 'want to like' side were things that he likes. Of course it's not a bad thing to try to do some of the things that he enjoys if it makes him happy and brings us closer together, but the problem was that I was so stressed trying to do all of the things that he likes on top of the what makes me happy. And I believe that it's been pushing us apart.

Here's part of my list.

What I want to like:
-wearing make up
-cooking
-world news
-going to/hosting big parties
-speaking spanish
-drinking alcohol
-growing a garden
-raising chickens
-having a horse
-exercising

What I actually like:
-coffee
-organizing
-crocheting & knitting
-going to church
-stretching
-creating
-minimalist design
-eating organic (myself and my kids)
-reading
-making lists

I am still working on a few things from the top list because I know (from reading The Happiness Project) that you won't always feel happy doing something that will bring you long term happiness. Some of these include cooking, growing a garden and exercising. I know that if I took the time to cook more often, I would be happy later because Jorge will be happy and my kids will be eating a healthier meal. Growing a garden would bring long term happiness because I will be proud of my hard work and we will be able to save money on veggies. And obviously exercising will make me happier in the long term in many ways. So why don't I take more time for them? That's a good question! I'm still working on putting together my personal happiness project that will last one year. Cooking and exercising will definitely be included somewhere while a few others will be cut out. I can't wait! I'll do my best to keep up with my progress on here.

<3 Erin

I did some organizing immediately after reading the part of The Happiness Project where she decluttered her home and organized some of her kids' toys. I knew my bathroom needed some help so I went straight there and I'm happy with the results!

Drinking coffee while keeping up with a bible plan is my idea of a perfect morning. Right now I'm juggling a few different plans: The One Year Bible, Soul Detox, and Habit of Happiness.

Currently reading! & I highly recommend this book. :)

Some crafting I did recently.

Trying to turn my love of crochet into a source of income. So far I haven't had a sale. But I'm keeping my chin up! I have over 500 favorites on my Etsy shop, so I'm sure a sale will come soon. 

One of my favorite recent purchases. Organic lip balm from this Etsy shop

Surrounding myself with bible verses have been a helpful reminder of how to live my life and grow closer to God. I don't always remember them during the day, but seeing them over and over helps big time.