Janna Wilson

what about...

Praying about my beautiful young niece, Faith -- who started chemo this week at MD Anderson in Houston. Faith is Bigger than Fear...

If you're local be sure and come feed your family on December 7th. Chili supper, pie and baked goods auction, silent auction and a 50/50 drawing. 

^^^From sketch to poster.

Glad about that fact that we are done with the craziness of football and volleyball x 3 kids. Whew! Next year, I will not be juggling so much. Just a normal mama with a job. How cute is Cash and his pretty homecoming date!

Happy about the fact that there is only 4 weeks of this semester left. YAY!!! (insert cartweel)

Feel good about this logo...finally! It's a school identity/branding project that is close to my heart so I really want it to be fabulous. It's taken a few iterations, but I think I've got it where I want it. All hand-lettered type (except the tag line).

Excited about Christmas and the holidays. I'm going to do some things different this year...I might actually send the Christmas card I design...here's a fun sketch I thought about?

Thought it might be fun to do little custom house illustrations and watercolor them like I did this...

So relieved about the fact that I don't have to cook supper! YAY! Wednesday night supper at church. It's really fun because we all rotate and a couple of us will cook each Wednesday night. It's a great time and we love the fellowship before Bible Study. 

What about you???

 

Found my joy under the pancakes this morning...

Truthfully, I feel like I'm a fairly happy girl. I believe finding joy is something I have to purpose to do, it's a choice. Now, don't get me wrong-- I have my moments. You know, the occaisional pity party, why me's-- I try very hard to stay positive. I'm a regular mama. I'm busy. My kids are busy- and frankly, there are lots of things that just don't get done or get put on the backburner. Life isn't perfect, but I'm really trying to do better, be better and be happy in spite of the chaos.

I realized something this morning...my joy, whay I "enjoy" -- and where joy is most fully uncovered...is in the most obvious places. If I were a robber and joy were the most valuable thing I came to steal...where would I look for it? In the jewelery box, the safe, in the computer hard drives-- in the garage? 

This morning let me tell you where I found joy.

I saw joy in my husband's face this morning because I rose with the roosters at 5:30 a.m. with him and I made the coffee (he usually makes the coffee).

I found joy in an old cast iron skillet flipping pancakes for my kids' breakfast (yes, we're usually eating on the run).

I even felt a little joy when I ironed Cash's little flannel shirt- little clothes are so much more fun to iron and I'm so happy it's finally fall!

I'm about to go en"joy" God's creation during my 2 mile jog/walk this morning. And I feel blessed and grateful to be able to do that. 

Joy isn't in my bank account, though I felt so rich because my kiddos appreciated me making a hot breakfast today. Joy isn't in 30 minutes more sleep. Joy is in doing, giving and going the extra mile -- for me anyway. And guess what, it's a bit more effort, just like everything that is worthwhile, to look for my joy. It's not even big things, it's the little things, sometimes things we think are stumbling blocks (cooking and ironing) are actually little bits of joy to be uncovered. 

Isn't joy a precious thing?

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

on being creative...

I have a thesis proposal to "revise" and a midterm paper to write and design, oh and a company to dream up and start branding (okay, that last one is gonna be way fun!!!). This semester is definitely not as crazy as ones past-- except that my kiddos have me running in circles. Both girls in volleyball, Sara cheering and Cash playing football. I'm meeting myself coming and going as we have activities five or six days of the week. Is this not the cutest dang quarterback you've ever seen? Hello. 

I've found that in order to be creative I have to, I mean I HAVE TO -- yes, I MUST --continually pursue other creative endeavors. If I don't I feel stifled and sad. I must continually stimulate my creative self by learning, teaching, listening, looking, doing, making-- so in addition to my school work, a couple of side projects and family comittments I am listening to Start by John Acuff. And The Shallows by Nicolas Carr (but this is for my thesis). 

I am practicing my calligraphy as often as I can and even took a little class on that (especially when I need a break from typing and want to give my brain a work out).

I am getting a package ready to send to DaySpring, hopeful they select me to be an intern :) I got my personal identity (logo, business cards, resume etc.) finished last week so I have to photograph all of that. I've started setting it up- need to borrow a camera, this is an iPhone pic I snapped.

I'm really happy with my personal identity designs-- I feel like it's totally me with a touch of what's trending. I can't wait to get good photographs to share the details of this package. I love it.

I am not cleaning house much, but I am cooking and baking-- which is, of course, creative, yes?! If you love Snickerdoodles I highly, HIGHLY recommend these little bits of Heaven...White Chocolate Pumpkin Spiced Snickerdoodles. Be prepared to run afterward. 

Speaking of running...I'm training for a 5K in November, so yes, I've been doing that too. Exercising affords the opportunity to listen to said book (above) and is as good for my cluttered mind as is for my fluffy body. I won't say I'm a runner, mostly a fast walker/slow jogger. 

I just finished this for a friend- it's a custom invitation that will be digitally delivered to the recipients. I incorporated the school colors and mascot - she wanted a vintage, travel-themed, ticket/passport stampy look. I hope she likes!

So that's what's on my creative plate right now...mostly. Time to go excercise...