So, my desk. I wanted my desk space to be perfect. I work at least 30 hours a week for my real job + many more hours editing photos, blogging, etc. I’ve sort of “managed” for the last couple of years, making work spaces where I can, as needed. But, I wanted a very useable and also attractive workspace. I decided it needed to be in our bedroom, because it was the best location for being central to the house, but also offering a door to hide behind when needed. This is really necessary if the kids are home– I need to be able to keep an eye on them, but also close the door if I have to jump into a quick meeting.

But, who wants a desk in their bedroom? Especially a desk with a computer + extra monitor + backup hard drive + notes? I really didn’t want to be reminded of work when I didn’t want to be working. Plus, I can find it hard to sleep with any bit of extra light and both my computer and my backup harddrive have lights on them, even when in sleep mode.

A computer armoire seemed like the natural solution, but in our already small bedroom, I thought another big piece of furniture would seem clunky, plus what a pain to move and generally on the more expensive side.

Then, I saw a pin on Pinterest…

And a table on Ana White’s amazing blog…

And, the wheels started turning…

On Saturday evening, I explained my whole wild idea to Aaron. I think I even started it, with, “I have this crazy idea and I don’t know if it’s even feasible or if it would be too difficult…” And by late Sunday afternoon, he had built it…

The top folds up, revealing my second monitor. The front flips down, so I can pull out my keyboard and mouse, as well as have a bit of space to put my notebook or a drink. Splitting the top in half gave me just the right height to set my laptop on one side and mount the external monitor on the other.

I really love it.

I love that I can hide my work stuff, computers, notes, and all, in just seconds.

But, it also has great function for working. I have everything in one place.

With the door that opens to our dining room directly to my right, it makes it very easy to keep an eye on homework time and just know what everyone is up to, without being right in the middle of it.

I’m thankful that my awesome husband didn’t just understand my idea, but also acted on it and built me something totally custom that is perfect to me and our house.

28/365: Yesterday was the perfect weather. 70 degrees and sunny. When I saw how nice it was going to be, I scheduled a dog park date with my friend Amanda. A trip to the dog park is always more fun when she’s along.

We played on the round bales again. Here is Gus, asking for help jumping across from bale to bale.

Then he started to throw hay at me. And, I encouraged it.

That is one of those iconic bits of a Midwestern childhood for me, at least seeing it through my kids’ eyes. Playing on a hay bale with a big blue sky above.

“Can I carry Margo, please?” If you bring your tiny dog to the dog park for exercise, make sure Reed is not around to baby them. 🙂

I don’t think Margo minded, though.

Then, we found another set of hay bales and this happened.

Until Gus decided he was done and started pulling on my arm. “Mama, it’s time to go!”

But, I’m not sure it’s ever time to go when the sun is still shiny and it’s 70 degrees out.

Yesterday, was just gorgeous and even once we came home, the kids play outside until it was totally dark and I called them in for dinner. How I love days like that.

29/365: Today, the winter temperatures were back, still a mild 40, but we also had the bitter wind. The wind made being outside feel brutal.

I barely left the house all day, and realized at about 7pm that I hadn’t picked up my camera all day either. Gus said, “Mama, is it dark outside?” “Yes” “It’s spooky out dere.”

I don’t know if I’d call it spooky. The stars are lovely.

Copying my photo from Saturday. This is my ideal for a day like today. Curled up in bed, reading. I finished the Hardest Peace over the weekend and I decided to do a bible study. I wanted something really simple and I ended up downloading the Bible in One Year app. I love how the scripture is right in the app and the commentary is short.

I’ve been feeling kind of stuck. Literally stuck, because 2 years ago, we really though we’d be moving soon and yet we’re still here. My wanderlust is real. But, I also feel stuck in other ways. Stuck because we struggle to break out of the pattern of being late for school every morning. Stuck because I couldn’t find a preschool that matched up with my schedule better. Stuck because there are a couple of milestones I’m eager to see my kids hit and they haven’t reached them as quickly as I hoped.

I’ve also been feeling stuck creatively. I actually think all of the above adds into how I’m feeling creatively. Stuck routine = no inspiration for creativity. And, the thoughts start… if only it was summer, if only we lived somewhere more interesting, if only the days were longer, if only I had more time to devote, if only I had xyz gear…

I am trying to break myself out of this thought process of making up excuses. I am trying to challenge myself to make interesting photos, even if I feel a bit… bored. To just keep pushing through the stuck feeling.

Today, I was happy with what I imported to my computer.

Challenges of being the youngest child.

My little mama’s boy, with my camera strap in his hands.

Shoes started coming off.

Another beautiful day behind the camera.

25/365: We had to run some errands yesterday which took us into Kansas City. Being the perfectly normal family that we are, we did a geocache at a castle.

I’ll admit, when we pulled up, this place looked more creepy than cool to me, but I reminded myself that castles always equal adventure.

Kansas City. Kansas City generally just makes me miss the bigger cities I grew up visiting.

26/365: Speaking of the East Coast? I’ve been texting my mom our weather forecast and her own, asking when she’s booking a plane ticket. They’re in that part of the country currently getting slammed with snow.

Us?

60+ degrees and sunny. We usually have a few days like this throughout winter, but it’s actually supposed to get up to about 70 on Wednesday.

Of course, we got out and enjoyed it.

So while many of you are shoveling snow, I’ll be trying to figure out how to best spend our 70 degree day. (Sorry. Not really. Come visit us.) Gus is pretty sure that going swimming is an option.

Our weather is quite interesting here right now.

23/365: Cold enough for frost some mornings.

24/365: But, it’s also been unseasonably warm most days. Pleasant to be outside.

Aaron took the kids out bike riding and to the park today. And, I read the entirety of Kara Tippett’s book, The Hardest Peace. I’ve been following Kara Tippett’s story for a few months. She is a young mother dying of cancer. As Glennon Melton would say, her story is brutiful– brutal and beautiful. It left me with so much to think about. I recommend reading it, or at least her blog Mundane Faithfulness.