Secret Confession.

Don't tell my husband, but I love baseball. Do I watch it? Nope. Can I name more than 5 MLB team? Highly doubt it. Do I know any professional's batting averages? No. Can I catch a fly ball in right field, or hit a home run? Never have, but probably with a lot of practice. But despite my clear lack of experience and wisdom about the sport, I can't help but love it. I love the Sandlot. I love reading books about baseball, and I get knots in my stomach when the bases are loaded and it's the top of the 9th. I LOVE that "chink" sound when the ball hits the bat, and I love baseball hats. I once declared I am a Redsox fan because I love the way the hat looks. Superficial? maybe, but maybe I am just a sentimental American, who loves a rich pasttime.

(this is an illustration I did. check out my website: arielcoleart.com)

The Good Life

Well, it happened. I graduated with my Bachelor's degree. I feel so happy, relieved, and blessed. Really, this was a modern-day miracle, every bit as real and amazing as when Moses parted the Red Sea through the power of God. Being a mom and a student was tough, but I did it. I felt the Lord's hand guide me everyday, and I know I cannot take any credit. Somehow when I was up A LOT with Max, or when I had to stay up until the wee hours working on projects, I had strength and energy to keep going the next day. It was really amazing. It was a perfect semester. I was pushed so much, but I really improved in so many ways. For one, this was my first semester doing only digital illustrations, and now I don't think I will do anything else, at least professionally. I also had probably the biggest paradigm shift yet with my art. For some reason I have always had so much fun sketching, but I would get so anxious and rigid when it came to my actual projects. I would WAY over work each piece, and about have a panic attack in the process. But I learned, and I am SO happy I learned this before I graduate, that you can just be loose and expressive all the time! I know, I know, it seems obvious, and I think I probably would have said I knew that before, but I hadn't internalized it.

SO now? 

I am just living the greatest life of a full-time momma, and part-time, squeezed in the cracks, arists, which is just the way I love it! ( I am contacting publishers and art directors which is fun and very scary!!)

Being a mom, by the way, is NOT easy. Actually, I am realizing that many things about school where so much easier than my life now. For one, I was on campus for 6 hours, so I could get a lot done, and I didn't have to put on my "diaper changer, feeder, entertainer" hats on. Now, I am with my little guy pretty much all the time. It is wonderful, but it requires a lot of love and energy. 

I made a discovery recently...many another, just as important paradigm shift. 

Sometimes I think: I got NOTHING done today! I didn't get to workout, the house is a mess, I didn't get _____,_______,and __________ done. I didn't even shower, or get out of my sweats...

BUT

I had the MOST productive day in the most important ways:

I held my sobbing boy for 30 minutes

Fed him, or tried to, 5 times

Changed 6 diapers, one explosive

Tickled him until we were both laughing so hard we were crying

Took him on a run

Read him 3 children's books

Made dinner for my sweatheart eventhough things were hectic

Said my prayers 

Read my scriptures out loud to Max (and asked what he thought :)  )

Thought of a friend or family member and called, visited or sent a text..

My point is I am going to stop labeling my day as productive only if I accomplish a list of "To Dos" based on MY goals. Being a mom and a wife is one of the most selfless things I can do, and the BEST use of my time. I am trying to give it all that I have!

This is THE life!!