They say that if you spend ten thousand hours doing something, you become an expert at it. Well, I have no idea how many hours I've spent writing. Reguardless, I feel that writing is something that you never finish developing at. There is always a new texture to add, style to explore...<br>
My dream is to publish books, but between life and motherhood, I've not gotten so far in this. When I joined Hive, I had a rule for myself&mdash; write everyday, no matter what, for a year.<br>
I shot for 2 hours a day, but many days I wrote more. Back then my youngest was still figuring out how to crawl. I could spend more time tapping away at my keyboard.<br>
 Some days I wrote several thousand words, I was on a real roll! Then my little guy learned to walk. I didn't quite make it through my full year, but I learned a ton about myself, as well as writing.<br>
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I wanted to address both of this week's writing topics, and thinking on everything I've learned the last year brings me back to gratitude. There's certainly a special person who I could write a whole post thanking for making my year great. For always encouraging me in all the ways...<br>
I also can think of a few special moments that stand out to me in the year... but I think most of all, I want to express my gratitude that my children are happy and healthy. 2023 was the tail end of my son's colic phase, which lasted through his entire infancy.<br>
By early last year, we were down to just food aversions, rashes, and a milk sensitivity. There were still many rough days ahead with all of that though. <br>
<div class="pull-left"><img src="https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/grindan/EpvjtBAvqf8u34sRM5usz5b3Q9EKVHVe6JDnAceskdpaeYymez3gqEmm3P8ksBdYfM1.jpg" alt="LOH1.jpg"></div>Since then, my son has overcome the allergy, but still won't eat most foods. It's huge progress regardless; life has become so more joyful as Emory's gut heals.<br><br>
He's become a far happier kid, and recently I watch as that trait increases. He's more interested in playing, exploring, being social.<br><br>
I've even been able to get on to write here and there when he is awake once again!<br><br>
His growth in the world, along with all of the balances we've found that work for him, seriously mean everything. There were so many times I just cried rocking him as he screamed, knowing there was nothing I could do. Walking him in the middle of the nights. Worrying over his diet.<br><br>
As we go into 2024, I feel this time is waving goodbye. New times are coming, and I feel optimistic that both he and I will find this year to be so much easier!<br><br>
<div class="pull-right"><img src="https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/grindan/48XeuYMUG1sLurxmKN4x1afb82c8RDkL6amfex1qShHMf4WA5PNwUukkLdLJD4wGdE.jpg" alt="LOH3.jpg"></div> Thea too is doing much better now that storm Emory has reduced to regular rainfall.<br><br>
I have to imagine that it's already hard to find yourself with a younger sibling. I think even more so when that new addition needs extra attention.<br><br>
Although I tried to do girl's nights and make days that were just for us, I know there were times that Thea experienced some hard feelings.<br><br>
It began to feel as if she was stressed out, or wanted to be at cause for Emory at one point.<br><br>
This felt like the biggest failure to me, to have my kid brought out of her childhood to feel responsible for helping. It was also deeply touching that she has such a capacity for empathy at her age... I felt eviscerated though, and did my best to double down on my time with her.<br><br>
As the year went on, I watched how this made positive changes in her outlook. I felt my heart swell as we got closer in new ways. Smiled to focus in on the magic of her development more. As I cherished each moment with her, they slowly got simpler to find time for.<br><br>
These days that doesn't take a series of properly timed events and a bloody miracle. We have time that's just for us every day, and I can tell that has been so good for her! It's amazing for me to.<br><br>
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As both my children move on to phases that give me a tad more room to do the things I love, I'm refocusing. Filled with gratitude for where we found ourselves at the end of 2023, now I set my sights on my goals for this year.<br><br>
I have two passions I want to explore more this rotation. The first one I already talked a bit about, writing! I currently have a goal to have a book finalized in the next few months. I also hope to enter writing contests this year, as they can be such a great way to get your name out there.<br><br>
The other skill I'd like to expand on is photography! Last year brought me another blessing that I would love to celebrate: a quality camera!<br><br>
<div class="pull-left"><img src="https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/grindan/23xAVThBfFFwJP8w7ZfJiQwSc368d5aC1hVyhg8hpvStQ8aPJRWHRqiBCow5Xn96DFDTM.jpg" alt="LOH5.jpg"></div>This is my Canon EOS Rebel T100, which I got for mother's day. It was a huge deal; it took a lot of time to consider such a big purchase.<br><br>
When I was a teen I had a digital camera and spent hours taking photos and messing with the filter options. Although I wish this had carried on into learning photo editing as tech developed, it did not. Instead, the whole hobby was forgotten for many years.<br><br>
This year I'd like to get really good at photography, and maybe even start a little business! With family photo packages and newborn photoshoots sometimes pulling several hundred dollars a pop where I live, I often think of starting a photography business.<br><br>
Of course, I still have so much to learn. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm doing budget shoots within the year, however! I have a lot of dreams that need cheddar.<br><br>
<div class="pull-left"><img src="https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/grindan/23ynQ9Ae7X9YNYPPDgN3JV8RmKP6Pk7u9aNN1ZNb6N6iELx55vwkP4TtFem5NiznGLsVA.JPG" alt="IMG_1392.JPG"></div> In my pursuit of photography skills, I find a new sort of connection to the world. I notice myself slowing down to watch little moments more, seeing the photo gold in them... but also more deeply appreciating their beauty.<br><br>
One of my favorite shots to capture in 2023 was my children running. I must have taken dozens or more shots like this. The two of them racing excitedly, giggles stamped in my memory...<br><br>
I think much like fiction writing, photography is an artform that seeks to capture the essence of the human experience. To showcase the heartbeat in it all.<br><br>
<div class="pull-right"><img src="https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/grindan/23tbwCUMC34XHHq9PRv6eQRjrb7DcmXa2R9qE5mKprVfkKySRTcG5xXrPXwNv7QuG3jP2.JPG" alt="IMG_1044.JPG"></div> Though the lens, I find myself even leaving well established prospectives to explore.<br><br>
I'm terrified of wasps, but something in me was compelled to capture this nest. I even tried to take some hornet pics this year, it was way mad.<br><br>
The thing is, when I say I'm afraid, I mean to say I have a near phobia. It was weird to me to have inspiration overcome this terror.<br><br>
Suddenly, I'm looking down. I'm zooming in. I'm observing the reality of the smaller things around me. In this I find so much bliss.<br><br>
<div class="pull-left"><img src="https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/grindan/23tbwZm6DCoV2x3VKfGuNnV6WgX4nhMgNRJ3N72aHWpY3hHpK7NZTHCaYQWb9EfrJrAxg.JPG" alt="IMG_0988.JPG"><br></div> To watch a butterfly's wings open and close slowly...<br><br>
To slow your heart beat down and focus in...<br><br>
I found my eyes perceiving colors differently in 2023, catching on bugs and plants. The odd bit of moss. I can't leave out this experience in a post that expresses gratitude for the previous year!<br><br><br>
It's as if my creative flow went full circle, bringing me back to where I was before life became hectic, but with more experience in tow. As we waltz into 2024, I'm filled with optimism for what this new year will bring, seasoned in gratitude for the hurdles gone by.<br><br>
<center><img src="https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/grindan/23tvibW5nMWq9yApUcUg7rbjcjNS85sY15jrKF3tQLJCWQnQg6fQ1CKFVSQ4edbDDV7dH.png" alt="footer.png"></center><center>All photos are my own, taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T100</center>