Hi, I'm Monica

Last week I was introducing myself to a group of women I know and have come to call friend and some that I know in acquaintence and hope to call friend as the years go by. In my work I find myself in this situation often, watching the progression around the room until it comes to me, "Hi, I'm Monica McNeill ..."

On Tuesday it went something like this "Hi, I'm Monica and I have three boys. My second grader is Garrett, my two year old is Owen and he is a terror. {exclamations from the crowd, "He's adorable!"} A knowing smile, yes, but he's two, and my 6 month old is Travis. To pay the bills I work in International Tax in public accounting and to keep me sane I'm a member of creative team scrapbooking." {interjection from the crowd, "and you quilt", "and you blog", "and she doesn't sleep"} As I turn to my left, "And now it's your turn", thankful smile that my minute of introduction is over.

After that introduction, in the days that followed, something kept tugging at me. It wasn't until I heard Becky say "We can do anything but not everything." in her Project Real Life presentation I knew that tugging at me was the truth that yes, at one particular moment or another, all of that is me. But none of it is me at the same exact moment. And so much more of me wasn't even voiced.

Like this. I haven't completed a Project Life layout in over a month. I could say I've been busy. I could say I've been running around with the kids. I could just say I haven't made it a priority.

In the aftermath of busy season it has been easier to sit on the couch or lay in bed and lose myself in a television show. And there isn't anything wrong with that. Except for me I'm happiest when my hands are busy and my heart is telling a story with words, with photographs, with scrapbooking.

I've been lamenting to my husband that I don't have time for my scrapbooking anymore. But the issue isn't time I don't have it's where I've been spending the time I do have.

So, last night, after Travis was asleep, Owen was kissed goodnight and Garrett was tucked in I poured a glass of wine, printed pictures, slipped them into pockets and my heart was happy.

I believe that if you listen closely there are lessons in everything. Some more obvious than others.

I'm really enjoying the Project Real Life classroom at Big Picture Classes. Our first two lessons have covered how to begin with the end in mind and putting first things first. Both are concepts that I am already familiar with but hearing Becky's gentle reminders were exactly what I needed. So very timely.

image from BeckyHiggins.com

Hi, I'm Monica and I'm a work in progress.

Thanks for taking the time to read and I hope you are having a wonderful week.

Monica