Welcome to Project Life Tuesday!

This year I’m using Becky Higgin‘s Project Life Kit as an easy and fun way to capture our little family’s daily life. I’m using the Clementine version with a Signature Black Binder.

And every Tuesday I link up with my good friend Jessica at The Mom Creative. Click the button below to see other Project Life posts and much more.

It has been a few weeks since I posted my Project Life album, but I HAVE kept up with the photos. I just haven’t had time to blog about it! In fact, I’m not even sure what week this is supposed to be: week 18? week 19?

Either way, here we go.

The whole spread:

I had a few inserts this week. One big one for my first solo flight and a few pieces of Miles’ artwork he made for Mother’s Day.

A closer look at the first page:

Top photo: Our butterflies finally came out of their cocoons!

Bottom photos: (L) Miles letting the butterflies go. (R) We met my Mom and her sister and niece in Branson for a few hours.

First Solo Insert:

This just makes me so happy.

Miles artwork insert:

A closer look at the last page:

Top Photos: (L) Hiking at Devil’s Den. (R) A before shot of Miles haircut.

Bottom Photos: (L) Nicole and baby Gavin! (R) Miles’s after the mohawk!

As a part of my 30 by 30 list, I’ve decided to learn how to fly! More on the how and why in my Learning to Fly posts.

Two flying video posts in one week? Yes, I know.

But I have a good reason.

I SOLOED THIS WEEK.

All by myself. Allllll alone. Just me, no instructor.

I can’t believe it either.

Untitled from Patrick Carter on Vimeo.

As a part of my 30 by 30 list, I’ve decided to learn how to fly! More on the how and why in my Learning to Fly posts.

They say Pride Goeth Before a Fall, right?

In last week’s video I really nailed that landing.  This week there was a strong crosswind. And let’s just say: It wasn’t pretty, y’all.

Not-So-Good Landings from Patrick Carter on Vimeo.

Maybe, just maybe, IF the weather cooperates I might have a solo flight to show you next time.

Life moves fast, doesn’t it?

I’ve had this post on my to-do list for awhile, and I feel like I just blinked, but today I’m starting my fourth week of being back at work full time.

Crazy.

This year, well, it has not turned out like I thought it would.

I have felt a bit out-to-sea this Spring. I wasn’t teaching because we should have been in the throws of newborn life, but that was not meant to be. But all this time off from teaching has made me realize that perhaps that isn’t the best fit for me anymore.

And then a few weeks ago, Patrick came to the sudden and stress-filled realization that he needed help with our business. Like, desperately needed help.

Things fell into place quite perfectly. Childcare was no problem, and Miles loves it.  And working with Patrick, fighting for a common goal, has added a new element to our marriage that has been (mostly) amazing.

I’m adding a new title to my repertoire: Wife. Mother. Teacher. and now: Office Manager. 

I even had training on how to use Quickbooks the other day. Hello Comfort Zone, I see you way off in the distance somewhere.

So to sum it up: I am working again. I love it. Patrick is happy. Miles is happy. Things are well.

Also: this picture has no relevance except Gracious I love that boy. And I need to do a post on funny Quotable Miles sayings from school.

As a part of my 30 by 30 list, I’ve decided to learn how to fly! More on the how and why in my Learning to Fly posts.

Well, I’m a weee bit behind on flying videos.

Rest assured that (except during our two weeks in Hawaii) I’ve been diligently keeping up with my flight training.

It’s just that

a) we’ve been crazy busy

and

b) we’ve been working on landing for the last, oh ONE MILLION lessons. Give or take.

And it was making me mad. I was quite sure that I was never going to land an airplane correctly.

But then, halle-FREAKING-lujah, I DID IT.

I just wish I’d spit my gum out before we took off. Excuse the chomping, mmkay?

In related news: I finished the written Pre-Solo Test. And if I passed (It was open book. If I failed it’s gonna be all kinds of embarrassing.) then I will be soloing soon.

Hold me.

I met Megan three years ago this Spring. I’d been blogging for awhile, but we’d recently moved to a new town and I didn’t have a lot of local friends. I heard about a Mom’s Night Out hosted by some bloggers nearby.

I had a 5 month old baby boy, and I was desperate to get out of the house so I jumped at the chance.

I sat in the parking lot that night thinking, “I have lost my mind. Why am I about to go hang out with a group of strangers?!”

But then I met Megan and we instantly connected.

I’ve been following the story of how Megan and Laura set out to write their book Spirit-Led Parenting: From Fear to Freedom in Baby’s First Year for quite some time now.

When she asked if I would be interested in reviewing the book I couldn’t say yes fast enough.

I knew it would be wonderful.

And I was right.  I wrote a review for amazon and said that this book feels like a big exhale.

A bit of the description:

Over the years, a mainstream approach to Christian parenting has emerged, and it’s one that promotes sleep training and feeding schedules for infants, warns that spoiled children and marital discord are certain by-products of homes where newborns are over-indulged, and promotes these methods as the Biblical way to care for a new baby. Unfortunately, the message of mainstream parenting advice preys on the universal fear of new parents everywhere: the fear that if they stray from the program, their babies and their marriages will suffer. In Spirit-Led Parenting: From Fear to Freedom in Baby’s First Year, two mothers share their stories. They tell of a journey that began in fear-soaked, tear-stained days marked by an overwhelming fear of failure that eventually found redemption in discovering the freedom to ignore the wisdom of man and follow the direction of the Spirit. · This gentle path looks toward the example of God the Father, seeks after Christ’s unequivocal call to servanthood, and leans upon the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in determining and meeting the individual needs of each unique child.

Mamas, or soon-to-be Mamas, you are probably familiar with the baby and parenting books written by experts that tell you exactly what you should to do to be a good parent.

But once that sweet little bundle arrives, you will quickly learn that things don’t always go by the book.

I spent the first month of Miles’ life deeply depressed because we failed at breastfeeding. Oh how I wish I could have read this book during that time!

Megan and Laura combine gentle tips and stories from their experiences when their daughters were newborns with submissions from other mothers. (There’s even a quote from little ole me tucked in!)

If you are struggling with feelings of inadequacy and I-have-no-idea-what-I’m-doing, this book is for you.

Spirit-Led Parenting is absolutely going on my list of baby shower gifts.

And Megan and Laura are graciously going to gift one of you with a copy of their book!

** CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Congrats to Christy S. Check your email for more details, friend!

If you’d like to win this book, leave a comment below telling me your best advice for new moms.

This contest is open to US and Canada and I will draw a random winner on Monday, April 23rd.

Also, check out the other stops on the book tour for other reviews and giveaways:

• 4/10 Gypsy Mama, Mama Monk, Little Hearts Books
• 4/11 Sarah Bessey
• 4/12 I Take Joy
• 4/13 Love Well
• 4/14 Joy in this Journey
• 4/15 The Stanley Clan
• 4/16 Simple Mom, Life Your Way
• 4/17 Lifenut
• 4/18 Fried Okra
• 4/19 The Pilot’s Wife
• 4/20 Nish Happens
• 4/21 To Think is To Create
• 4/22 It’s Almost Naptime
• 4/23 Keeper of the Home
• 4/27 Simple Organized Living

Last Saturday I drove a few hours south to soak up some photography knowledge from Ruthanne and Melissa at The Shoot Shop, a one day photography workshop.

I had such a great time getting to hang with two of my favorite bloggy pals and I feel like I’m beginning to get the hang of this picture-taking-thing.

I’m not even tempted to flip back to that alluring auto button on my camera anymore!

The setup for this workshop was perfect. We met at Ruthanne’s lovely home with a group of about 6 women. We spent time taking notes while she and Melissa presented information and then had time to wander around practicing with their help.

This is Melissa’s serious photographer face.

Practicing taking pictures of people practicing taking pictures… wait. Huh? Right.

This shot might be my favorite from the day. I like globes.

AND there were doorprizes! I won a fun print from lollipops.

I’m so glad I went to The Shoot Shop! Great job ladies!

I crossed another item off my 30 by 30 List while we were in Hawaii in March, but I’ve been fighting with the video ever since.

Maybe I should have added “Take  a Video Editing Class” to my list, because I kind of stink at it.

Anyway, the video is (finally!) done so you can see the awesome helicopter ride I got to take.

A couple of things I noticed:

1) It was a little rainy that day and towards the end you can see some water droplets on the camera. The Nflightcam+ takes really crisp footage, it’s just the rain making it a little blurry!

2) I really need to work on my posture. (She says while schlumping down in her chair.)

Enjoy!

Welcome to Project Life Tuesday! (Or Thursday. Whatever.)

This year I’m using Becky Higgin‘s Project Life Kit as an easy and fun way to capture our little family’s daily life.  I’m using the Clementine version with a Signature Black Binder.

And every Tuesday I link up with my good friend Jessica at The Mom Creative. Click the button below to see other Project Life posts and much more.

The last few weeks have been packed y’all, and mostly with good things, but still. Trying hard to keep my head above water here! I’m going to do the last two weeks today and hopefully be back on track next Tuesday.

I’m still really loving this project. Even on the crazy weeks, I’m feeling really proud that I’ve kept up with it so far!

Ok, Week 13:

The whole shebang- just one little insert to hold an Easter card that my parents sent Miles.

A closer look at the first page:

Top Photo: Working at the office for Patrick while he was on a quick trip.

Middle: An instagram shot of Miles’ new superhero undies. Every boy needs these, right?

Bottom: (L) I was a little short on photos this week so I cut down some of Miles’ art to fit a 4×6 slot. (R) We met friends at the park and the kids “wading” soon turned into “swimming”. They had a blast though!

A closer look at the second page:

Top Photos: (L) Miles asleep in the car. (He was NOT tired. Ahem.) (R) I got my nose pierced!

Middle: I cut up a package of my favorite Easter candy (after I ate them of course.) Also an instagram of my Mama’s lilac bush.

Bottom: (L) Miles playing soccer for the first time. (R) Wine tasting with girlfriends.

Week 14

Another busy week. We headed back to our hometown for the second weekend in a row to spend Easter with our families.

The whole thing:

A closer look at the first page:

Top Photo: Miles loves to “help” me in the kitchen.

Middle: Instagram of running. iPhone shot of Miles at the park.

Bottom: (R) Instagram of cleaning up the office. (R) We had a picnic dinner at the park to enjoy the gorgeous weather.

A closer look at the second page:

Top Photos: (L) Breakfast at our favorite bakery. (R) Back to flying lessons! If I learn to land it will be a MIRACLE.

Middle: My brother took this one of Miles coming down the stairs at my parents’ house with his pants around his ankles. I love blackmail photos.

Bottom: (L) Pretty Spring flowers. (R) My Mama reading to her two older grandkids.

All caught up! Phew.

Last week I talked my friend Sarah into going with me to cross another thing off my 30 by 30 List.

WARNING: If needles bother you, THIS IS THE TIME TO LOOK AWAY.

Seriously.

Still here? Okay.

I was in a cold sweat walking into this place, but I was really surprise how little it hurt! And I am not one to suffer in silence when it comes to pain.

It just looks sort of horrible.

All done!

A week later and it doesn’t hurt a bit. And I love it.

CHECK.