random notes for today:
If you ordered an art print last week and have not yet received it : IT IS ON ITS WAY!
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My baby is S E V E N today. Seven! I get teary just thinking about how fast he has grown. I don’t know why I get so sappy on my baby’s birthdays : don’t I want them to grow and flourish? Of course! But there is something slightly mournful about knowing my son will never be little again. I guess that is why they say “cherish every moment”.
I could not love this boy more. He was the sweetest baby, the most delightful toddler and now a kind, smart, goofy and amazingly creative big kid. I’m pretty proud to be his momma. See? I’m crying.
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I had a minor break down on monday {although I’m pretty sure my husband would not call it minor}. Sometimes I just get a little overwhelmed by life and responsibilities and all my to-dos and asking for help is not my greatest strength. While I may look like I’m good at balancing marriage and kids and business and hobbies, I can assure you I struggle mightily.
So monday after calming down, I created a calendar for myself to help avoid said meltdowns. If you would like to print your own, I’m happy to share. You can download the pdf file, save to your computer and print them weekly to help you {and me} stay organized.
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Once again, thank you for all of your nice comments, your amazing encouragement to me, your support of my business and my blog. I am so thankful for the many ways you bless me.
I just wanted to say I have been printing out this weekly calendar ever since you first did this blog post. It has been a life saver for me, I feel like I can’t function if I don’t have it up on my fridge! It truly keeps me organized. Thank you so much for having this available!!
Visiting your page is a blessing to me today! It has made me smile from ear to ear with every click. Thank you for your fabulous free printables… You are such a talented lady! God bless! :)
I LOVE THIS! But as a youth minister, I need BIG Sundays. Much goes on on Sundays. This is fab though! If you’re up for a church staff-friendly version, “HMU.”
This is a life saver now that I started a blog! It is so hard to get organized and make sure you spend quality time with all your loved ones.
Having no luck at downloading the file, any thoughts?
I simply LOOOVE this calendar! It is something that will totally help me stay on track better and I’m loving the “Pray For” section! What a perfect way to remind us of things and to take a moment to slow down and write out specifics that we need help/guidance with from God! I just love it! Thank you oh so much for making this little helpful sheet and sharing it!! Hugs!!
Terrell
Oh my goodness! My work buddies are going to be so jealous of my weekly calendar :) They sure beat the generic copies used at work. Thanks for being so generous by sharing!
I love the “pray for” section! What a great idea. I have never seen that on a calendar before. As common sense as it is to stop and pray for something, I forget to do it all the time and try to control things myself. Thanks for posting this!
I always say to myself and to my husband, I may be able to do it all, but I CAN”T do it all good. I sturggle with that as well. If there were just a few more hours in the day, then I would be able to get it all done…probably not true, and that is why God created the days as he did :) we need a break!
Hi, where did you get the lovely image of he number 7 from?
cheers,
Victoria
This calendar is amazing. I love that it includes a place for prayer reminders! :) Thanks for sharing.
This is JUST what I needed. Thank you!
Emily, thanks again for such wonderful inspiration! Congrats to you, I have a seven year old too…and he is my youngest, I love that age and don’t they grow up too fast?!! Enjoy your day!
i have three boys and my oldest will be 7 this year and it freaks me out to say the least. He was and is such a cute little man. He was a great little baby too. I kind of miss that age but as he grows up he’s so remarkable. I think it’s great to watch them grow but hard to let go.
wow, wow, wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!! As an English teacher that was WAY too many exclamation marks, but I just can’t help it!!! Thank you so much :-)
I really love looking at your blog each day. Your style is very inspiring! I saw this blog post and maybe it can help w/your new organizing?
http://designaglow.com/inspiration/printing-your-workflow-board-on-a-budget/
Plus… I bet you can add your own style and pizzazz to it and have it be adorable!
All I can say is…your timing is impeccable! I was just going to make myself a weekly calendar yesterday (but put it off). Yours is 1000% prettier than what I could ever come up with.
I, too, am stressing out because of all the roles I have to balance – wife, mom, teacher (I homeschool), employee (I work from home), volunteer, friend and newbie blogger – and couldn’t sleep last night. Know you are not alone. The ones who look like they have it all together have their struggles, too. Remember that God’s grace is sufficient for you (2 Cor 12:9), you can do all things through Christ (Phil 4:13) and that we are not to worry, but think only about today (Matt 6:34). I’m praying for you, girl.
One other practical help…the frugal girl has a great series on productivity that has really encouraged me: http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2011/02/productivity-frugal-girl-style-dont-waste-your-leisure-time/. Hope that helps. Keep doing what you are doing. Your family is VERY lucky to have a woman with a tender heart and sweet spirit like yours.
Life is I think, crazier, as a work at home mom. It’s very hard to separate work time and personal time…at least from my experience. If you have any tips please share. :)
Thank you for the calendar. I am updating my home management binder and this will be a perfect addition.
Thanks for the calendar…..love its layout…Hope you have a better week…breakdowns can be good, we recover and more on!
so, I am a tool and commented on the wrong post – so –
thank YOU for this download!!
I too know this “meltdown”, you know…the minor kind ;)
Are you kidding me?? Just today I had my own (not so) minor breakdown with my sister on the phone. “How do I balance everything? Enough time for me, my kids, my husband, the house, my hobbies and not be exhausted at the end of the day?” I am so glad that I am not alone and someone who even looks like they have it all together such as yourself struggles. Well I’m not glad you struggle, but you get what I mean :-P Thank you so much for the awesome weekly planner. It’s exactly what I need.
Happy birthday to your little man!
Thank YOU for this download!
I too know this “meltdown”…you know, the minor kind ;)
Emily – I LOVE this calendar design! You come up with the greatest graphics and designs! I just printed off templates for a home notebook from Organized Home at http://organizedhome.com/printable/household-notebook and got the idea from Passionate Homemaking at http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2010/03/building-a-home-planning-notebook.html but am not excited at all about the design of the pages and I am truly passionate about graphics and design but don’t have the software to do my own. You are so gifted to do what you’re doing – I wish you could make templates like these for a home notebook for everyone to be organized at home. Thank you for sharing your talent with us – you did a sign for my son’s room and I have received multiple compliments on it and love it every time I look at it! Thanks Emily!
Sheesh! Even your handwriting is awesome! lol Sorry you’re having a rough time. Thanks so much for the share! I am a list maker and so this will be awesome!
Emily – I feel the same way. I am already dreading the day when my boys leave the house and head off to college and they are only 4 and 2 years old. Life passes by way too fast and I wish I could freeze time forever and we could all stay young.
Emily- Thank you for the lovely calendar. I feel your breakdown. I wish I could say it gets better as they get older. Busy days certainly makes time fly by. You will be happy you have your blog to chronicle life’s moments. Enjoy,enjoy,enjoy and take in every moment. Everyday I miss the sweet moments of my children’s childhood.
Happy Birthday to your sweet boy. I love the calendar, and I’m encouraged by your prayers for balance. Don’t we all need it?!
Dear Emily,
You are so very human, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and freak out every once in a while! You DO have 4 little ones, a business and household to run! My sons were pre-preschool age when I started working at my church. I would sometimes cry from the stress and feel guilty. Now, they are 14 and 15 and I miss those precious young years so. Guess what? When I look at the pictures of my little boys I cry because I know in a few years they’ll be gone. So, it’s okay to be a little mournful on their birthdays.
Okay, so your little boy is precious, your calendar is awesome *and I’m printing out my copy right now,* and it’s a relief to know that life sometimes overwhelms even the most put-together among us! Thank you for this sweet post!
I have never thought to add the special things I am praying for on my To Do list. Brilliant! I have printed mine for next week.
Thank you for your daily striving to be closer to our Heavenly father. It reminds and inspires me…
I too struggle with all that I am suppose to be responsible for in life—-it’s nice to know that I’m not the only wife/mother out there who feels this way. I also love that I am able to utilize your creative ways to help me and remind myself that God has blessed me and my family with the ability to do so much! I love this calendar and I LOVE my print I ordered for my baby boy’s room “be thankful”. And I am. ps-happy birthday to that adorable baby (7 year old) boy of yours!
I LOVE.LOVE.LOVE that calendar. I love how you included the prayer section as well, this will help remind me to pray for others in my life on a daily basis. Your son looks like he is a sweet boy. I wanted to cry right along with you. My son is only two but that has gone by wayyy to fast, I can’t even imagine 7 years. I really wish someone would invent something to pause them sometimes.
happy birthday to your boy, sweet, sweet words
here’s to calming!
happy birthday to your sweet boy! Thanks for the calendar- I SOOOO hear what you’re saying. I’m sure you know that you’re not alone in wanting to do it all- and feeling overwhelmed by the reality that no one can! Again- I get that. And let’s just say you’re not the only one that’s had a meltdown this week!
xoxo
I wish your calendar could also organize the piles on my desk. And drafting table, and spare room, and…… just SOOOO unorgaized right now. ;) thank you for sharing! It will give me a start wont it……..
I’m serving breakfast for dinner, it’s been one of those days…I feel your minor breakdown pain ;)
Thanks for the calendar!
1. Your boy is absolutely ADORABLE. Although since he is a very big boy of seven, he probably doesn’t want to be called “adorable.” He still is, though. :-)
2. I love the calendar and am feeling VERY overwhelmed these days, myself. And I am very thankful for a very pretty calendar to organize on!
I just wanted to send you some more love and encouragement, because you absolutely inspire me. I adore your decorating style, your crafts, your fashion, and the way your prioritize your faith and family. I’ll echo Lauren in appreciating your “real-ness” with your followers, because it truly makes you that much more approachable and lovable. Thank you for being a person of integrity that I can look up to and pray that one day I somewhat resemble when I have my own kids!
What a cutie pie!
…Melt down’s my middle name these days, I’ve got high hopes for this adorable calendar. Hopefully it will keep me and my girls a little more organized. Thank you so much!
Megan
aka: hood canal gal :)
oh my gosh, you’re all so beautiful… and i’m sure most people who know you are in awe of the balancing act you do. i’m sure you needed that release… and now it sounds like you’re feeling more calm and you grounded yourself. who wants to be around someone who shows little emotion… not me
I think we all have those times where all that is going on breaks us into admitting we can’t do it all. Props to you for admitting that and sharing it with us! That’s why you have so many “blog friends” aka followers. Happy birthday to your sweet son! Major thanks for the calendar. I love staying organized, especially in a cute way! The chevron is great!
You’re son is soooo adorable! Thanks for the beautiful calendar! That is so helpful! Thanks for being a blessing!
#1. He’s adorable.
#2. As soon as I saw that calendar, I was like “I wonder how much money I’d need to give emily for her to send that file my way?”
#3. YAY!!!!!!!!
Awesome calendar. And congrats to you on your son’s birthday! You and your blog are such a huge inspiration to me, especially as a new mom.
It is hard to do it all. I think you’re doing an amazing job. Thanks for all of the great ideas you share on your blog.
~ Julie
I so look forward to your “posts”! I can always relate to you whether it’s crafty, design, style, organization or just the mother side. Thank you for being normal and human. Hang in there! PS-Love the photos-what a cutie!
Oh my goodness! This is exactly what I needed! I was just thinking last week (in my own craziness) that I needed to make something like this. As I scrolled down and saw yours, I loved it…love the color of the edges, love the layout, love the “to do”, “pray for”, and “notes to send” sections (you seriously must have been reading my mind!) and love the spot to right in the dates! LOVE IT! THEN…I scrolled down further and realized I could download it…for FREE! Thank you for your generosity and your fabulous talent! I have little ones also, and I am trying to find the joy in our everday routines and to do lists…this little bit of organization will help tremendously! : ) I am big on doing things in order of priority to help me get through my week, and this will be great to be able to see the week in review…stuff that I don’t necessarily need or want on my calendar…FABULOUS! Thank you, thank you! : ) Also, I hope your week has gotten better…you just made mine a bit brighter! : )
I also had a “minor” break down this week… hubby told me to get take out for dinner so I could take one of the items off the pile of crap to do. lol.
the calendar is a fabulous idea… I am needing that at this point in time. SO many things to do in the next couple weeks- and no guarantee it will calm down at all after that. *sigh* its better than being bored though! right?
Thanks so much for the calendar download!
Thank you for the awesome weekly calendar! I’ve actually been looking for something like this to post in my office. It is my personal belief that every woman needs a good meltdown once in a while. It certainly brings everything into perspective.
And happy birthday to your handsome little man!!!
Your blog is amazing! I’m a new follower and am amazed at your daily accomplishments. You are an inspiration. A new to do calendar and a cup cake are the cures to a melt down.
Yes, time flies! You have such beautiful children. They are blessed to have such a wonderful mother. Keep up the awesome job!
Hi Emily! It’s crazy how fast kids grow up! I don’t have any of my own, but plenty of nieces and nephews and I can’t get over how big and fast they are all growing up. Your post was beautiful today. Life is always crazy and there’s always a million things going on, but everything seems to work out in the end. Thanks for the calendar download, I’m always a fan of everything you do! Keep your head up…you do really great things and inspire people everyday whether you intend to or not.
My oldest turned 8 in december, I almost had a mental breakdown. Ya’lls family is beautiful and I know how much you must love raising all those little ones.
Emily, you are so beautiful inside and out. We, your readers, feel like we do know you, and view you as a special friend. How wonderful is that! Happy Birthday to that precious boy of 7, what a blessing and privilidge to be a mom. It’s very apparent you are a wonderful wife and mother, we all have meltdowns, get bogged down in obligations and responsibilities. You handle it all well, while sharing with all of us when you struggle, and when you fly! You truly are always generous with us from this great calendar (thank you!), to the gift tags at Christmas. I’ve enjoyed the beautiful note cards that you also taught us to embelish….to your art prints. Keep it up….we love it all!
Love, love, love this calendar!
Love that you included “pray for” and “notes to send” <3
Thanks for sharing!
I love your honesty. I think we all have our moments in trying to live up to so many expectations.
One thing that helps me is to remind myself that we are all “crazy loved” by God and that keeps me going. A parent’s love is deep and then on top of that multiply God’s love. Does that help?
I am crazy about your glorious weekly lovely planner. I printed it out and am filling it in…
pve
Aw, he realy is an amazingly cute kid! Love that shaving cream photo, so funny :)
I think we can all relate to the ‘overwhelmingness’ sometimes…hope the schedule cools down for you soon & you’re able to enjoy it all!
Yay for a calendar! Thanks Emily! Btw-love your art prints!!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents with us! I’m glad you had your freak-out. They’re cathartic {I think} and always serve to set us back on the right path. Enjoy your day and Happy, Happy Birthday to your beautiful BIG baby boy!
Thank you for the download! You are so generous. I don’t have children of my own, but I can certainly imagine there must be many emotions involved in watching them grow up! You have such a beautiful family. And juggling it all…yes, it can be so hard! My husband has told me in the last week that I seem to be really down on myself, and he’s right. It seems sometimes that the harder I work, the more I feel like a bit of a failure! Weird, right? I’m glad you got through your little breakdown and I am sure I’ll get through my little funk too. I’ll start with printing out your calendar and planning my next week ~ thanks again…xo
I KNOW IT!!! Blink and they are big :0( – my youngest turned seven this year… GREAT age!!! Thanks so much for the calendars, what a treat!
We all have days like that. And I get teary-eyed thinking about my babies’ birthdays – and they are all in their 20s. Oh my.
Lists and schedules are my thing – frees up the brain from trying to keep it all in order. Thank you.
emily, that first image of you three is gorgeous!! what a good looking little family :)
please dont rush my images…you can just send them with the stationary. no hurry what so ever. i totally understand.
love the calender & thankyou!
just what I needed, I think I’ve had a meltdown every day this week!
d e n i s e
~ I love that next to your calendar…. is a “keep calm and carry on” print!
{notes to send, pray for}…o.m.w. this is exactly what i need! making my day right here!
I hate that you had a meltdown, but to be honest, it helps me. When I see people who appear to have it all together (even though I don’t think anyone does), then I get so jealous and envious. Some might call it sin, but let’s not get too deep. Anyways, it’s just great to hear people that I look up to (even though I’ve never met you) be real about their meltdowns. Mine was yesterday. ;)
I am the very same way! I get all choked up when my babies have… well almost anything happen. =) But seven does seem so much older than 6. Don’t know why that is. My oldest is 6 and I have a feeling when he turns seven this year I will be on big ball bag. =)
I have meltdowns too {and I don’t even have kids yet! ha!} I think it’s just one of those things we do to get everything out of our system and then amazingly we feel better. So crazy! And thank you so much for the cute calendar – you’re so creative! Have a great day :)
Although I do not wish the trial on anyone…it does make you a slightly more human stranger out there in the world! With all of your talents and beautiful children a husband and home to take care of its no wonder you feel stressed it happens when you put your whole heart in all that you do! Hoping you get a break soon! I was just wishing for a calendar to make my days weeks…heck even minutes less of a mess! Thanks and hang in there we are rooting for you! ;)
Thank you for this!!!!!
Thanks so much Emily…I am going to print this out and use it right away! I feel like you do so often!! What a special wee, though, for your son. You have a beautiful family. Thanks again for the great calendar:).
~Julia
PS: I am going to post about this…is it OK to use one of your pictures?
ha ha! i CRACKED up when I saw the little comment. I didn’t even notice. I had to scroll back up and then think about how it sort-of did look like you could have been naked! but, we all know you weren’t! :) i feel the same way and I commit to WAY too much. I can’t believe everything I have my hand in. Isn’t the blog world and it’s women (and our readers) such great encouragement!? Love the printable…thank you! xo, cat
you have such a beautiful family Emily :) Thank you so much for the downloadable weekly calendar – I especially love that there’s room to write down prayer requests!
just so you all know … I AM wearing a dress in that first photo of our little family. It is just strapless …
Thank you Emily! I had a day like that too. I’m trying to be all techno organized so I’ve been keeping a calendar on my ipad….BUT I hit something and was in the WRONG WEEK ALL DAY yesterday! I can’t win for losing. I think it’s back to the printed calendar and a sharpie for me!!
thank you so much for the calendar! i love it!
i can completely understand breakdowns – and i’m only juggling marriage, a pet and work (not kids or my own business!) we’re all there at some point! i hope you’re feeling better soon! :)
I found your blog from ohdeedoh’s post about your daughter’s nursery, and now I’m hooked.
You have inspired me to get more creative with my open shelving in our kitchen and to work harder at getting scripture all over our house!
Thanks for the calendar, I’m definitely going to use it.
And I hope to buy some of your art/cards soon!
The end,
Molly
Thanks for sharing! I just found your blog a week or so ago and am hooked and inspired!! THANK YOU!!
Emily,
As I read your blog you seem like super woman. You’re a sweet mom, you’re beautiful, you’re creative, you have a sweet family, beautiful home, you’re a woman of faith and you seem to be on top of the world. But it’s nice to know that not all of these things come easy. It’s nice to know that you’re human too :)
Thank you for the calendar. It’s beautiful and I’m totally going to print one out this week and use it before I lose my mind with all of my to-do’s as well.
Have a great week!
~Robin
my oldest turned seven in october so i know exactly how you feel. there is such a delicate balance and longing between wanting them to stay little and desiring to see the person they are becoming. seven is a fun year though. trust me.
and thank you for the calendar. the moment i saw it, i hoped you would share :) i gave up my depended-upon-since-i-was-in-7th grade planner/daytimer this year to try out using my ipad as a planner. but it would be great to have something visual to see all the time as well. so thanks again!
I am also a little addicted to your blog! You have inspired me in so many ways and I appreciate it so much. Thanks for the calendar too!
What a precious little guy!!! Hope he has a wonderful birthday. I understand, we have seven children, ages 23 down to 10, and as hard as it is not to have little ones anymore, each stage bears the most incredible fruit! And as you see them become amazing men and women for the Lord, your mother-heart expands exponentially! Now our oldest is married and expecting our first grandson!! And my heart gets to grow even more!
Thank you! I have been slacking on getting a calendar because cheap and picky are a bad combo. I especially love the “pray for” part!
I LOVE the verse at the bottom. What a great reminder. I finally bought a day planner for the first time since college and let me tell you, it filled up FAST. I’m thinking about doing a chalkboard wall in my kitchen with a permanent monthly calendar. Gone are the good ole days where I could keep it all in my head!
Emily, {I say this as if we’re the best of friends! HA!} eventhough you have breakdowns, minor breakdowns, it inspired you to make this super cute calendar, and you’re so sweet to share it, too. Don’t be too hard on yourself! Thanks again for inspiring me and sharing again!
So, you had a breakdown Monday? Mine hit Sunday night! I FEEL you girlfriend! This dreary pacific NW weather doesn’t help, either, does it?
Thank you for the calender, I think I’ll use one as a to-do with kids, appts etc, then use another one as a cleaning/house/crafting/etsy stuff organizer. Cause my brain can’t do it by itself :)
Happy birthday to your seven year old sweetie :)
I had the same day yesterday and I appreciate so much that you are so real life about it on your blog. Meltdowns are part of normal life around here. Between myself and my dramatic little mini-me 3 year old girl. My poor husband….I’m waiting for his meltdown one day! Love the calendars! I’m printing mine out today!! Thank you!
I understand completely… We try to be strong all the way around but it is so hard. I also have a hard time asking for help and I don’t even want to think about my babies getting older. Sometimes I get so excited and then I get sad. What a roller coaster, but gotta love the ride.
Thank you for the calendar… I especially enjoy the reminder at the bottom of the sheet! ;) Before heading to the blog today I was thinking how happy I am that your shop is up and running but sad because it means less blog posts (I’m slightly addicted to your site!) and lo and behold the title is crazy!
oh gosh emily, I sooooo totally understand all of this! My oldest turned 7 in December, and while I am so proud of the young lady she is becoming – it pains me to see her grow so fast! Yesterday we were snowed in and spent the afternoon watching old videos of the kiddos when they were little. To see them as babies and chubby little toddlers brought tears to my eyes. Time flies, huh?
I just LOVE that first pic of you and your sweet family. I love all your pics! Thanks for the cute printable and sharing your sweet mama heart with all of us. Just know you are definitely not alone in your struggles. Hugs to you!
Here’s one of my favorite sayings (not sure where it came from) “the days are long, but the years are short.” So true!
How beautiful! Thanks so much!