style & grace

New start

clbareman — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:02:07 +0000

Hey all- we are starting this up again…trying to do it well, but totally learning along the way.

The purpose/ goal is the same: A place for people to find community and truth.

Let’s see how this goes

…more to come very soon!

moving…

clbareman — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:57:35 +0000

The blog is moving FYI it is now stylegrace.wordpress.com

Look forward to seeing you there…

Leadership Challenge: Living like today is your last day

clbareman — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:41:01 +0000

At a leadership meeting yesterday, we were challenged with this (among several other things!) But, this really stuck. I think because lately I have been thinking about this. What a great challenge & perspective shift. This is something I am going to be holding on to tightly & trying live it out.

Today, I would like to be in Kauai

clbareman — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:35:05 +0000

On this dreary Las Vegas day (not very often do I get to say that), it seems more like I am in Seattle or back in the midwest. Certainly not in the desert. So this is a perfect day for a little wishful thinking about warmer climates, beaches & sunshine. Here we go.

Hawaii, specifically Kauai

I have never been, and we were going to go for our honeymoon, but Mexico turned out to be a better option. I am still hoping it is in our near future. At any given time I think I would enjoy being in Kauai, how could you not? The beaches are so inviting- for napping & relaxing & doing things at a nice slow pace. The water looks awesome. And this island is known for being more tropical & less developed than the others. Sounds perfect.

So today while getting rained on and feeling a little colder than I would prefer, Hawaii sounds pretty dang nice.

What I want: to watch, to see, & to read

clbareman — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:18:32 +0000

Here is are just a few things that are on my mind at the moment, in the way of media, what’s on yours?

Movies:

Nine- a great musical, hopefully- love the cast, should be good. Other than that I know nothing & I am ok with that.

Lovely Bones- I think I want to see this, I am not sure though- it seems pretty intense.

Precious- I know its a little late, but I think I would love it- again, I know its going to just cut me open. I am much more of a crier than I have ever been and am slowly getting used to that. But my heart is a lot more softened than it used to be and this seems like a story that is incredibly powerful.

TV- Currently Loving:

Modern Family- sooooo good. Makes me laugh constantly.

Parks & Rec- Amy Poehler is hilarious, whats not to love.

To Read:

Outliers- Malcolm Gladwell
I started What the Dog Saw, its kind of been a struggle, not what I was hoping for, but maybe it will come back around…there are also a lot more, but I am not motivated at the moment. Oops.

I should also mention I love, love, love awards shows. I am the kind of person who would have a party on awards nights. So I was so happy to be in the west coast to watch the live E! Red Carpet & tonight I am watching the Fashion Police…Who did you love/ hate/ or think is worth talking about? Mariah- what was she thinking? Loved Courteny Cox. Lots of fun.

Peace & have a great day.

6 months!

clbareman — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:54:18 +0000

As of today Ava is just over 6 months old. It really does get more & more fun with day that passes.

She loves to be scared so we play some pretty intense games of peek-a-boo & loves to jump in her little jumper. She is becoming so aware of the world, its so cool to be able to watch her learn.

I really can’t believe it’s already been 6 months, half a year. That hardly seems possible. Yesterday Derek & I went to the Springs Preserve, which is where we took our maternity pictures- with Dana (see left). It felt kind of surreal walking around in the spots that we sat while getting our pictures taken, so excited- and a little nervous, about what the future would bring. She was taking in all the colorful plants, mirrors and other kids running around. I think that the trip was probably more for us, but we decided we would like to get her next pictures taken there, since it will always be a special place for our family.

I have been keeping a journal for her- accomplishments, milestones, etc. but I am looking of any other creative ways to document her first year(s)- Let me know if you have any great ideas…

My prayer is that I cherish this time, because I know that it will pass so quickly, and it truly has already. I also pray that Derek & I will do everything we can to help our girl be confident and sure of herself, and who God created her to be. To encourage her, love her, support and guide her. That we would become better people because of her, and that she would be better for having us as her parents. I want to make her days better and her a strong person- who has character and integrity.

It’s been a pleasure so far & I thank God for such a blessing.

Finally- I can take a breath.

clbareman — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:19:10 +0000

So, I am not sure about you, but the past month or so has been absolutely crazy. Holiday craziness, traveling craziness, and birthday craziness- all of which I could expand on for pages, but lets just say it was a wonderful season & I am hoping this next run is a little less hectic.
So, I read exactly none of the books I was hoping to. Instead I was doing such glamorous things as: organizing Ava’s clothes, doing endless amounts of laundry, and working like a madman. Oh, and trying to convince and infant that she can, in fact, sleep through the night.
I have found a couple cool blogs & I will post links soon- I am going to try to come up with a little formant (blast my type A personality!), that may help me write a little more regularly.

Here’s what I am thinking, let me know if you have any good ideas

Monday: Mommy Monday- share parenting, kid stuff

Tuesday: TV/Books, if only I could get paid for my opinions (and wise) commentary.

Wednesday: not totally sure yet

Thursday: Travel, I love to travel. Wish I could do it more. So lets all dream together- shall we?

Friday/ Saturday/Sunday: Links, Shopping, Creative, etc….

And then there will be some random posts, of course- but that’s kind of my plan…as of now, this is certainly not written in cement, but its a start for this girl. I need to flex these writing muscles a little more often…Its almost Monday right?

Any Good Reads??

clbareman — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:20:10 +0000

Any good parenting books/ magazines you would recommend? Or any good books/ mags in general?

I am currently reading or hoping to read:
What the Dog Saw- Malcolm Gladwell
Outliers- Malcolm Gladwell
What Successful Women Do Different- Marcus Buckingham
This Family of Mine- Victoria Gotti (guilty pleasure & random, I know)

Off to put a little girl down for bed…

Back to yourself

clbareman — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:14:34 +0000

I am still sorting this out, but I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

After a busy week I spent some time having fun and hanging out with friends this weekend. And it was the closest I have felt to being back to my old (pre- mommy) self in a really long time. It was the first night in over a year where I was responsible for someone, Ava was sleeping & fed- and we could actually totally enjoy the company of good friends. I felt light and happier than usual this weekend. And so very grateful for friends, and laughing and doing life together.

I know that we change, in more ways than I can count, when you are a new mom- but, I dont think the old part, the original part needs to completely die. Right? I mean, I dont expect that my life would be the same, and I dont want it the same, but part of me needed to be able to just be silly and have a great time with some of the people who I care most about, and who care about me.

So there you go…a little something to noodle for a while.

ugly & overwhelmed

clbareman — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:35:02 +0000

So my hair dryer has died…well actually it is in the process of dying. So I have been trying to make it work- in doing so I have discovered it takes about 25 minutes to dry my hair, and my room smells like a mix of smoke and burning hair. So I have been foregoing the whole doing-of-hair for the past few days. Not a great look. And I want to get a new one but I get overwhelmed, there are tons of options and I dont want to make the wrong choice & I dont want to spend a ton of money. So rather than making the wrong choice I am making no choice at the moment.

Plus, we are now in the full swing of Decemeber, which by the way, is the craziest month. I have a love/ hate relationship with this month. Most of the time I love it- but it sometimes seems like the to do lists get impossibly long. Its easy for me to become discouraged or distracted with all the different plates spinning, gift shopping, and general worrying.

Thus feeling ugly & overwhelmed. Just sayin. Can anyone relate?