Fine Motor Encouragement

Fine motor has always been a struggle for my precious O. It has been a humbling experience for this preschool teacher too. Several comments have been made by others about my not working with her enough. If you know me, you know that isn't true. She had a paint brush in her hand before she could speak!


With that said, something just clicked this summer, and she has made wonderful progress.


I found this drawing on the counter yesterday. I thought that it was a colorful man. She giggled and said that it was the girl in the book, Stripes.

Melt my (guilt-ridden) momma heart...

Last week was a super CRAZY week around our home.

-I finished decorating our "surfing turtle" classroom.
-I met all 17 of my sweet preschoolers.
-A and O had their first full week of school.
-A had his first football practice and his last swim class.
-I started my second part-time job.
-I organized at least 1.000 pieces of felt to be used for teaching darlings Bible stories.
-We sold this rental property. AND bought this one!

Did I mention that I filled a dumpster with the junk that was existing in this house, and another dumpster is being delivered on Thursday?
Nasty....IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT!
(Photos to come.)

I did it! I sent my baby to kindergarten! And...she loved it!

A started 2nd grade, and he is counting the hours until he gets to go back. His teacher is very creative and eccentric. He is going to thrive in her classroom.

Can I just say that I love this photo?

And...this one?

This is the face that found me this afternoon.

A difficult milestone for me, but I loved watching my children start these new chapters in their lives. Chapters that God has written just for them!

Unique

I am often amazed at how 2 children with the same parents and experiences can be so vastly different.

He is a rule follower. She lives on the edge of the fine line.
He is organized. She is a pack rat in training.
He sees things in black and white. She wears rainbow glasses.
He thinks inside the box. She dances around it.
His glass is half empty. Her glass is over-flowing.
He doesn't want to draw attention to himself. She wears fairy wings to Home Depot.
He is a hard worker. She relies on charm.
He is a daddy's boy. She is a momma's girl.
He thinks about world hunger. She thinks about shoes.
He will eat anything. She will eat sugar.
He is a planner. She likes to fly by the seat of her pants.
He is just like me. She is just like Scott.

They are unique and wonderfully made.
Designed by the Creator with exact plans and purposes.

So were you!

Imperfections

As I read through various blogs, I am bombarded with the idea of a "perfect" woman, mother, wife, writer, crafter, decorator, and Christian.
I must say that I often feel inadequate. I have even found myself discouraged and determined to join this elite group.
However, I am quickly reminded that we all determine what others see and read.
Who really wants to write about a messy house, screaming toddler, or failed craft project?
In case you have ever placed me in the category (insert laughter), I have written a few things to clear the air.

*If I don't wear prescription deodorant, I will have sweat rings before 10 a.m.

*I have actually found ants in my car. (gross....but true)

*My dog will not eat if Sweet Scotty isn't home.

*I buy things (usually @ Hobby Lobby) that I don't need.

*I start things and don't finish them.

*I let food spoil ALL of the time.

If you know me well, you are probably adding to the list even at this very moment.

Oh. My children don't always get along. In fact, yesterday I asked them to paint a picture of our home and family. Let's just say...they had different visions. The project ended quickly with screaming and made reference to the Red Hats and Blue Hats (Gnomeo and Juliet). FAIL on 2 counts, and that was just a portion of yesterday morning.

Struggling to let go....

For O, it is letting go of her beloved boots.

For me, it is the knowledge that her first day of kindergarten is in 41 days.

Where have I been?

Let's see...

-I have been enjoying every possible second with these creatures. -I (along with my sweet Scotty) have been cleaning, painting, and fixing up our very first rental property (pictured below). We finally took the plunge, and God has truly blessed us with the sweetest renters.
-I have been teaching 18 crazy, yet adorable preschoolers.
-I have been researching homeschooling.
-I have been fostering my face-to-face relationships.
-I have been mentoring.
-I have been redecorating.
-I have been removing clutter and simplifying. I have taken countless (double digits) SUV loads of clutter to my local thrift stores.
-AND...believe it or not....I have been READING...a lot!

Lies

I am going to be transparent...really transparent...for a moment or 2.

Consider yourself warned!

I have been in a FUNK. Maybe, I should call it a mild depression or minor life crisis.

(Don't worry. I have spoken with my physician.)

Sharing my struggles with other women has allowed me to realize that Satan uses the same lies to distract the majority (if not all) of us women.

Here are a few lies that have been haunting me for far too long:

-I am unlovable.

-I am bound to fail.

-I am an awful mother.

-I don't have any friends.

-I talk too much.

-I don't say enough.

-I am not good at anything.

-My appearance needs work.

Crazy? Of course.

Yesterday, I overheard one of my favorite women say,

"If only I were good, really good, at one thing!"

I could have instantly created a lengthy list detailing the traits/talents that I admire about her.

With all of that said, I am not posting this to receive encouragement or affirmation of any kind.

I just want you to know that you are not alone.

God has a different, perfect plan for each one of us.

He loves us...imperfections, shortcomings, and all.

Please don't believe the lies!

Hopefully...Spring Shower

We thoroughly enjoyed the warm, spring-like weather that we experienced this weekend.

It was exactly what I desperately needed.

We spent a great deal of time outside.

We weren't even disappointed with the quick cool shower that we experienced Sunday afternoon.

I didn't get the Easter photos taken, but the photographer in me was happy to capture these precious shots of my sweeties singing in the rain.

Tea Party for Two

Have any of you noticed that I have been really quiet lately?

Well, I have been trying to refocus, catch-up, and prioritize.

I must admit that this crazy blog was taking a lot of my time and attention.

Time and attention that I want directly focused on my precious, sweet children.

With that said...I plan to keep crafting, thrifting, and writing. However, it will probably be less often.

This morning I woke up and decided that the H gals needed to have a fancy tea party.

And...a fancy tea party we had....I really enjoyed watching her try to figure out how to use this contraption.

Yep...this is how I want to spend the majority of my time!

Now, we just need more fancy tea cups!

We will be having a lot of tea parties in the near future.

Would you like to come to a tea party hosted by the sweetheart O?

What memory did you create today!

Homemade Valentines ...Take 2

Guess who spent over an hour making Valentines today?

You guessed it...my creative darlings!
She couldn't possibly be more proud.

Heart-felt and absolutely, perfectly adorable!
Lesson learned...don't take the creativity out of the kiddo.

....Like Cats and Dogs

Let me start by saying that these 2 have nothing on ....... these 2!
This is sibling rivalry at its finest!
I know what you are thinking....
that poor little kitty cat!
Well, he does weigh 20+ pounds, and....
He ALWAYS wins!
The joys of being a family, and fighting like cats and dogs!
I encourage you to be a peacemaker today!
Happy Monday!

Like Father... Like Son...Like Grandson

What can I even say....the photos speak for themselves!

Scott's father stopped by this afternoon, and this is what happened!He grabbed his jacket from the car, and the photo shoot continued!
It doesn't take much to entertain this bunch!

A decided to spice it up a little...he added some entertainment!

A children's pastor in the making, or have we been spending too much time in Branson?

What a way to spend New Year's day!

Welcome 2010

Every year, I set a few measurable goals for myself and our family.

I am always striving to grow in my relationship with Christ and in my earthly relationships. So...I don't include these in my yearly goals.

Financial Goal: We would like to pay down our mortgage.

Parenting Goal: I desire to document our family by getting caught up on scrap booking.

Nutritional: I would like to add 5 healthy meals to our menu. This is a challenge because I am a vegetarian, and my family really enjoys meat.

Environmental: I want to consume fewer plastic shopping bags which means that I am going to have to remember my canvas bags.

Dick's Five and Ten

Let me start by saying....my Scotty has the highest moral standards, and he has NEVER walked away from God's plan for his life.

If you think that the following photos could dampen your opinion of him...please don't continue to read this post!

Several people have encouraged us to visit Dick's Five and Ten while in Branson.

Both sets of our baby boomer parents love this store.

Needless to say, we ended up visiting this "dime" store over the weekend.

Scott and I just couldn't figure out what was so special about this jam-packed, competitively priced store.

We found ourselves laughing at the baby boomers who were tickled pink about a game, candy, hand-kerchiefs, and anything else that they never thought that they would find again. The folks in this store were down-right giddy.

Then I watched as Scott ran up to me with a bounce in his step and a smile on his face.

He proclaimed, "Look what I found....REAL candy cigarettes!"
Yep...he paid $0.39 cents a pack for these candy memories.

He did walk into a store with one in his mouth, and ask the owner about their "smoking" policy. It definitely crossed over into obnoxious!

He also begged for a quarter to put into the "Measure your Lover Personality Type" machine.
And....I had to pull him out of the store in a tantrum over a replica of the Christmas story lamp!

What childhood memory would you hope to find at Dick's Ten and Dime?

My Not-So-Favorite Things Friday

My friend, Traci, blogs every Friday about her favorite things. Of course, she calls it...Favorite Things Friday! I, being in a complaining kind-of mood, decided to post a Not-My-Favorite Things Friday blog.

When I worked in Chicago, I had a pair of gloves/mittens. They were perfect for taking care of stubborn shoe laces, wiping noses, etc.

So, I was super-de-doper excited when I saw this pair. Until I put them on this week and discovered a problem....

What am I suppose to do with my exposed thumb?

Crazy...

I guess this is why they were at the Dollar store.
This is the only thing that I haven't rushed to get out of Skipper's ever so busy mouth!

Yep...one of my Not So Favorite Things!

When I think about 2009, I quickly realize all of God's many blessings. I am so very thankful for my Savior and the peace that He brings.

What I am thankful for in 2009 in random order:

1.) Spending my 12th year married to my incredible Scotty

2.) Watching A learn to read

3.) The opportunity to minister to the most spectacular group of children

4.) Making and growing new personal and family friendships

5.) My family's health

6.) Watching Todd and Andrea become parents

7.) The opportunity to meet and take photos of so many fabulous families

8.) Staying at home with my treasures

9.) Being able to live in my home all 365 days this year

10.) A job that allows me to interact with Godly women

11.) For my teenage nephew and nieces who are the best Godly role models for my children

12.) For Dana, my new friend and teaching partner

13.) For Skipper....the dog that I love

14.) For my precious O who has taught me to be more affectionate

15.) For the very best kindergarten teacher for my A...she is just what he needed! Warm, but not too fuzzy!

16.) For my incredible church family who has lived up to and surpassed my expectations

17.) For my parents who have proved once again that their love is unconditional

18.) For a beautiful day in June spent exploring with my grandparents

19.) For being raised in a Christian home

20.) For this crazy blog which has proven to be the creative outlet that I have been needing

What are you thankful for this year?

And the Winner Is......

I told you that your chances of winning were high!

I put the numbers 1-3 into a basket, and Scotty drew the #1.

Elissa you let the first comment. So...you are the lucky winner of the "mystery" prize!

Send me an e-mail with your address, and I will get it in the mail.

Thanks to the 3 of you who left comments!

Skipper-Week 1

Every child needs a puppy!

This is what I keep telling myself as I......sweep the floor 5 times everyday, mop at least twice a day, clean up poo and pee, take the puppy out every 15 minutes, get excited when he goes poo outside, say "good boy" for just responding to his name, continually keeping things out of his mouth.....

Then I get to capture this moment! Yep...every boy needs a puppy!

Be An Encourager

It may come as a shock to most of you, but I have struggled with extreme anxiety for many years. I have recently decided to stand against Satan's lies, and to live the life that God has planned for me. I have come to realize that I will never be great at everything, and that I am bound to fail at many things. However, I have also decided to give 100% and live life to the fullest.

I have the great privilege of working closely with a woman that I have admired from a far for over a year. She is a great teacher, friend, mother, and encourager. Today, she mentioned being overwhelmed and anxious about her to-do list and her short comings. She shared that she really doesn't think that she has any true "gifts". I was astounded because I didn't even have to think about it to come up with a lengthy list of her "gifts". Of course...I didn't share that list with her! In that moment, I realized that Satan lies to the majority of women in exactly the same way. He isn't even that creative, but he has been really effective. We always compare ourselves, and we struggle to understand that God created each one of us with different talents and gifts for different purposes.

Women....we need to be encouragers instead of competitors!

Our words are POWERFUL!

I am so very thankful for all of the great women that God has strategically placed in my path.

Women who encouraged:

- the teenager who was struggling to find her place and live up to the expectations of others

-the new wife who was clueless about managing a home

-the woman who found herself in a strange city with no friends or family (with the exception of Scott)

-the new mother who was exhausted and overwhelmed

-the survivor of a house fire

-the woman who once again found herself at a crossroads in this adventure called LIFE

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

What woman will you encourage today?