Celebration of Purpose

I started this post once already and felt like I was writing an essay. Maybe it's just habit, as my life as a BYU English Major consisted of writing essays virtually non-stop, but I couldn't take it.
I feel like I've forgotten how to write with personality. I'm not necessarily referring to 'voice', which adds sparkle to a paper and allows the reader to relate to the writer and his point, but merely to me.
I wanted to start this blog as a way to encourage myself to be active and crafty (in the creative sense, not the shifty one), but it hasn't really worked. I've been so busy with fulfilling the duties of wife, mother, and housekeeper - essentially the combined tasks of a homemaker - that I haven't really been able to step outside the norm and really craft.
Or so I thought.
As I've pondered this blog, it's purpose, and my failure at achieving it, I realized that the purpose of the goal was flawed. Instead of trying to create a way to encourage me to do new, cool, trendy things that I could share in a fun way with others, I should have made this blog with the purpose of celebrating the crafts and achievements I succeed in doing every day. Sure, there's definitely no harm in learning and exploring new avenues of creation, but why should I think the creations I make everyday are not share-worthy?
I should be celebrating the meals I make everyday - the meals I usually make-up from the ingredients in my cupboards - the meals that my 2 year old, Felicity and husband heartily enjoy!
I should be celebrating the finger paintings I artistically splatter with my 2 year old - the fun and messy craft that help my 2 year old learn and grow while having fun!
I should be celebrating the choreography I dance about to while listening to music with my little guy and Felicity!
I should be celebrating the make believe games I play with Felicity, as well as the journal entries I write, my baked masterpieces that make mouths water, the songs I make up and sing to Felicity, the noodle necklaces, the play-dough people, the reasons I have to think up on the spot for why Felicity can't drop things in the toilet or why the wall isn't the same as paper when it comes to coloring.

I should be celebrating womanhood! wife-hood! motherhood!
I should be celebrating the gifts and talents the Lord has blessed me with. The things it's taken me a lifetime to learn how to do.

So here's the official change in the purpose of my blog.
Crafting a Hearty Home is the site I will use to celebrate the creative progression of an eternal family and my part in it through the simple moments I steal away from time.

And maybe this way, I'll lose myeslf in the Lord's work of raising a righteous, healthy - serving them and thus Him eternally. And by losing myself, perhaps I'll find the personality and voice I'm looking for. Perhaps I'll find me.

Piano!

So to end 2010 and start 2011, my hubby bought me a piano! :D
It was a great deal, and though very out of tune (as all pianos are when moved), it's just what I wanted! It's an upright, black Fischer.
Plus, we have an old family friend who tunes pianos and will be able to get my beauty happy and in tune again.
We had a great Christmas and New Years, spending lots of time with family. Mike even got a small amount of time off! I must say, Lissy's favorite gift on Christmas was a giant rocking pink poodle (like a rocking horse). She was adorable when she unwrapped it. Most of all, it was just nice to be around family and celebrate the peace and joy of the Christmas season.

I'm very ready for Williwilli (what Lissy calls the baby in my tummy) to be out. I don't remember being so uncomfortable with Lissy, but then again he is bigger than she was and every pregnancy is different. We are on the countdown, though, with only 3 weeks left! I'm hoping he'll be early like Felicity was.

Hope ya'll had a wonderful Christmas and New Years and are ready to start a fresh year with hope and faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!