1.10.2009

slow living

My new mantra for the new year is "slow living."  More reading, less t.v.; more doodling and sketching, less Internet trances; more quiet sewing, hand stitching, knitting, less frenetic errand-running; more nature hikes, less Walmart and Target; more speaking French with my kids, less PBS kids. Perhaps my mantra is a bit of a chimera, given my three, almost four kids.  Or maybe I'm just feeling really fat and slug-like in my seventh month of pregnancy.  But I think this year I want to say the word: "hurry" less often.  And truly enjoy my kids even more.  


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40 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    I'm so right there with you. My list of resolutions included more "restful" hand crafting like embroidery and "to fully enjoy moments" with my two children. Slowing down is a theme for our house too.

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  2. danaJanuary 10, 2009 at 9:51 AM

    What a beautiful idea.
    Though I'm not sure I can cut down on the Target trips. There has to be an excuse to get out of the house for a diet coke.
    Hmmm....maybe that should be on my slow down list too: no more diet coke.

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  3. LisaJanuary 10, 2009 at 10:07 AM

    Love your list, I feel more relaxed just reading it. Much the same has been on my mind and I am enjoying reading this talk over and over as a reminder.

    http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-26,00.html

    I don't know if that link will work, it's Thomas S. Monson's talk Finding Joy in the Journey.

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  4. UnknownJanuary 10, 2009 at 10:31 AM

    M- I love this picture.

    And I am sure you are the most svelte 7 month pregnant lady ever!!

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  5. Barbara BrownJanuary 10, 2009 at 12:02 PM

    the fourth child slowed my pace of living and how i viewed it also. it is so much nicer enjoying them instead of rushing them off somewhere. we are quite the homebody's, and loving it.

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  6. sew nancyJanuary 10, 2009 at 12:15 PM

    congratulations melissa on your pregnancy and your slow living mantra. i try to remind myself to slow down but am always feeling so excitable. knitting really can be wonderful for this.
    happy new year

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  7. leraJanuary 10, 2009 at 12:23 PM

    You're pregnant?!? Congratulations! (How did I miss such important information? I never miss a post.)

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  8. Rachael HutchingsJanuary 10, 2009 at 12:38 PM

    I love those post. My theme for this year is "live"...for basically the same reasons. I want to stop and appreciate the little moments that too often go unnoticed and not just passively live my life. I've got 3 weeks to go until the due date of my next baby, so I hear ya on slow living!

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  9. sewfunkyJanuary 10, 2009 at 2:15 PM

    I agree with you... Simple living, less complicated is what I want for my family this year. My one little word for the year was "be", which I think encompasses the whole simple life thing! :)

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  10. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2009 at 2:22 PM

    Dearest kindred spirits, I'm 52 and am almost an empty nester after raising four wonderful kids. One of the very best things you can do for your kids is to be in the moment with them...reading, hiking, sewing, drawing,cooking,singing...you get the idea. Grounded kids grow up to be grounded adults, who are able to do much to help this hurting world. (And I love your blog!) Remember, young Moms, to breathe. KarenLR

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2009 at 2:34 PM

    great post.... a lesson for us all!!!

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  12. Art NestJanuary 10, 2009 at 3:14 PM

    beautifully spoken...
    Zana

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  13. shim + sonsJanuary 10, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    Congratulations on your pregnancy, Melissa! I think you resolutions sounds wonderful! Happy New Year!!

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  14. RubyellenJanuary 10, 2009 at 4:48 PM

    wait. did i miss the pregnancy post somewhere? congratulations!!! children are such a blessing and i think "slow living" will allow you to enjoy more. much love to you and your wonderful family!!!

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  15. katherine hJanuary 10, 2009 at 6:02 PM

    Thank-you for admitting that you do watch tv / go into internet trances etc etc and that every moment with your children is not what we may want it to be. Sometimes all the blogging Mums make me feel very inadequate.

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  16. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2009 at 9:02 PM

    I love this concept -- although I do not think I will be ready for my baby if I don't find some way to speed up *some* before she gets here. And I don't know how I'll get the shoes to replace the outgrown ones for my 2nd and 4th kids without the trips to Target or internet searches. But I AM trying to relish the ordinary quiet family times, and keep the TV off a little more. It's hard, but satisfying when I manage it.

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  17. UnknownJanuary 10, 2009 at 10:00 PM

    I didn't know that you were expecting. Congratulations! And I second the idea of slow living. We love the hang-out. I think our best times are just hanging out, pretending all the dining room chairs are a train and generally making a mess. Good times.

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  18. RachaelJanuary 10, 2009 at 11:16 PM

    Melissa, how wonderful! I have completely missed that news until now. I wish you all the best and I am sure you look stunning.

    And yes, taking things slower is a good idea - a grand idea in fact...

    Rach

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  19. nicoleJanuary 11, 2009 at 4:24 AM

    We have almost identical resolutions! Enjoy your slow time in 2009!!

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  20. skJanuary 11, 2009 at 7:20 AM

    Congratulations on your pregnancy! How exciting. I love your resolutions, and hope to incorporate some of those myself.

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  21. Miss | AJanuary 11, 2009 at 7:25 AM

    that is beautiful. i am right there with you on all of those things!!!!

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  22. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2009 at 8:40 PM

    I have been thinking a lot about this while making my goals for the new year.. more time barefoot and outside, more time playing and exploring, more time spent together. (Congratulations on baby #4!)

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  23. MelissaJanuary 11, 2009 at 10:13 PM

    Thanks for putting my New Year's Resolution into words! I couldn't agree more.

    www.modestlychic.blogspot.com

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  24. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2009 at 11:03 PM

    My thoughts exactly. And I've got 4 as well. We can only try, my friend, we can just keep trying! Happy new year!

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  25. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2009 at 4:33 AM

    Congratulations on your pregnancy and I wish you a relaxed and sereen 2009! It will be a wonderful and exiting spring for you and your family, what an event to look forward to!

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  26. JoslynJanuary 12, 2009 at 9:35 AM

    i love this mantra melissa. i'm right there with you. hooray for slow living!

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  27. joyJanuary 12, 2009 at 1:21 PM

    Agreed and amen! And best wishes to new baby. I can't wait to see what creation he/she inspires!

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  28. BethanyJanuary 12, 2009 at 1:59 PM

    I am totally with you on that! Slowness is one of my goals for 2009! I hope you're feeling well and I SO appreciate all the inspiration both you and Lynne share... I want to slow down and enjoy it more!

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  29. #A5January 12, 2009 at 5:40 PM

    oh congratulations, melissa! here's to the new year of slow living and to that growing baby!

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  30. KarenJanuary 12, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    I have GOT to slow down. My youngest will be two in April. That's my baby. Two. Where did that time go? My next will be three on Friday. My oldest is almost 11. If I don't slow down, if I don't start paying attention, I will miss it all. Almost daily I read blogs where new babies are arriving. I have never had that "I'm done" feeling about having babies. Maybe if I ask my hubby very, very nicely...
    anyway, I am off track...it would be good to slow down....

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  31. lizJanuary 12, 2009 at 8:55 PM

    i love that idea. i too have been trying not to hurry the kids to the car each morning.

    congrats on the pregnancy. i just posted a tutorial for a nursing cover if you're needing one:

    tracyandlizsblog.blogspot.com

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  32. JenJanuary 13, 2009 at 3:33 AM

    Congratulations Melissa! I thought I had just missed the news too until I read Lynne's post! What an awesome time you will have :)

    And since I'm pregnant with my #3, I demand to see any maternity/baby inspired creations if there are any... ;)

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  33. AnonymousJanuary 14, 2009 at 12:18 PM

    huge congratulations xx

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  34. erikaJanuary 15, 2009 at 8:17 AM

    Congratulations what great news!!

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  35. Audrey and the BoysJanuary 17, 2009 at 10:58 AM

    Lovely Melissa.
    Enjoy the slow days!

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  36. alexandraJanuary 20, 2009 at 8:54 PM

    I love that photo. Congrats on th enew baby!

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  37. The Snow FamilyJanuary 21, 2009 at 9:54 AM

    I love that! You are so right... it's a good year to live 'slowly'. Congratulations on your pregnancy! Keep us posted! Hope you are feeling well.

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  38. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2009 at 10:48 AM

    Aaah... je découvre ! Félicitations !!! Comment ai-je pu manquer ce post !
    La petite demoiselle de droite tient une livre que j'adore...
    Have a wonderful weekend :) Hugs
    By the way... I did add the link of your shop in my favorites !

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  39. SkyeJanuary 25, 2009 at 3:27 AM

    Amen to that! My new year thoughts exactly. Bless you and baby # 4.

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  40. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2009 at 3:14 PM

    this is fantastic. right on.

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