a crooked smile

His delight, enthusiasm....

perseverance...determination...

success...joy... it's all so wonderful to watch.

I see so much more than just a sweet little 1st grader on a pogo stick.
I love these kids so much.

It's all about focus

And, just like that {{*snap*}} I discovered what was wrong.

"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you." -Maori

I had the wrong focus. There were "the issues," the family changes and challenges. I was unsettled...and I focused on that, unwittingly turning away from the things I NEEDED to focus on.

Why was I drained and "unproductive," and generally feeling a down-ness under the surface of joy? Because I stopped taking the steps, that usually come so naturally, towards that joy. I stopped reading the Word regularly, as things started crowding in my mind. I stopped "doing art," and rather focused on the vast amount of laundry that had built up while I was washer-less. (I should've taken smaller steps towards catch-up, and also continued some projects. It's about balance, when will I learn this??)

I wasn't taking joy in the little things. Must get back to it.

Take every thought captive to obey Christ.

I was worrying and, really, no good ever comes from worrying.

Tomorrow, on Christmas Eve, I am going to celebrate. I will celebrate my King's birth, the gift He has given me, and the blessings in my life. I will build forts, and eat yummies, and read His Word. I will do art. And I will laugh. Because God is good, all the time. And He knows my shortcomings better than anyone, and loves me still. He knows the burdens on my heart, and they burden His heart as well. He knows it all, and that is enough.

For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord! And this will be a sign for you : you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased." Luke 2:11-14

Changes...reconciling...

Have you ever met someone so REAL, that you just wished you could let loose and be like that? To totally step out into the light and still be embraced? To say, "yeah, sometimes I'm supermom...and sometimes I am totally NOT."

That's what I'm feeling. And I'm wondering how many other women feel the same way?

Do you go through spurts making crafts and doing fun projects with your kids 24/7....and then several weeks where you can't muster a single puppet from a paper bag? I do.

One of my best friends (my sister) pointed out the other day that I tend to get snappy when I'm emotionally bothered by something else. **Ding, ding** Well, of course. That makes sense. Even when I'm not thinking about "the issues," it's a battle under the surface. (It's great to have someone who will call me out on it when I'm acting like a jerk.)

I wish sometimes that I could be "real enough" to share things that bother me, without fearing what others will think. I just want to blurt things out sometimes. And still get a hug later.

I'm well aware that I'm being irritatingly vague. Sorry.

Life is good. My camera (yeah, the freakin' awesome one) recently broke, which brought me to tears a few times. We'll get it fixed. We will. Fred said so.

I am so very grateful for my children. My home. The warmth and food. The health. I'm so thankful. Fred has a job now, and I am so thankful for all these things. Our lives hold so much joy.

The issues we're dealing with are big, emotional burdens....a lot of "what-if"s, but it will not steal our joy.

I guess, in my tired rambly state, I'm really just trying to say that I don't know how to reconcile the "supermom" with the "loser mom," which is how I feel when I get snappy and tired, unproductive, or just kinda "down" about things. I don't want to only post the fun stuff. I also want to post the real issues. Maybe I need tougher skin. I'd like to talk to someone else who has a slow learner child, someone who can reassure me that he'll be okay. That he'll catch up someday and, even if he doesn't, that it'll be alright. I'd like to talk about my parents' pending divorce and my thoughts about it. But I can't do that. I'd like to seek advice about my 4-year old who calls his brothers "losers" when he gets mad, and says "I hate you," and how that makes me feel like a terrible mother. Even though I know I'm not. And I know he's a wonderful child, usually very sweet and loving. But I've never had one do this before and I just don't know what to say/do to handle it. Usually I simply say, "well, it's fine if you're feeling that way, but I always love you," and then we try to take deep breaths. But still the words haven't lost their appeal to him and my methods don't seem to be working.

Sooo. I think my plan/early New Year's Resolution is to step out a little. Do the one thing every day that scares me, like Eleanor Roosevelt suggested. If God's going to wash the "yuck" away, then I can't keep burying it. Right? Right. Sharing some things is okay. Hiding behind projects all the time is not so okay. At least not for me.

To end on a good note, Fred is off work for the next 10 days! I'm looking forward to plenty of family games, yummy food, Christmas celebrations (even if it will be different this year,) and excuses to dress up. I do love dress-up!! ;) It pains me to think of going through holidays without my camera, but it's certainly doable! I want to get rid of these extra emotional burdens and just focus my energy on the four little people that I've been blessed with.

May you and yours have an amazing Christmas, truly celebrating the Reason for the Season!

The Ice Skater

Pinterest Party

I know. I totally went MIA for nearly a month, and that is NOT like me. Life was a bit of a whirlwind, changes going on, new stages, endings to some chapters. I started to feel kinda down, what with the gray skies and all. Then two things happened: the sun came back out (literally and metaphorically,) and I started doing art again. Seriously, art is better than therapy for the busy/overworked/emotionally draining times.

Tonight I went to a super fun Pinterest party. We had to bring some kind of craft inspired by Pinterest, for the Dirty Santa game, a food item from Pinterest, and our favorite quote from the site.

For my craft I brought this:

It's done on a large canvas board...maybe 11x 14?
First we peeled crayons. lots and lots and lots of crayons. The kids helped a lot with this!
.

Next, I traced a worship figure onto packaging tape and stuck him on the canvas board.


See that glue gun? I ran the peeled crayons through the glue gun, and all down the canvas board. When it was all dry, I used a toothpick to "cut" around my figure (so the wax wouldn't break off into strips) and then peeled my tape figure off the canvas board. That was all! Fun and pretty easy! My own little sister stole it from someone in the Dirty Santa game, and ended up bringing it home. :)

For my food item, I brought these:
Goat cheese pops rolled in herbs, pecans & bacon. I repeat: ROLLED. IN. BACON.

And this here was my quote:

Source: yum-and-yuk.blogspot.com via Wendy on Pinterest

Such a fun party theme! Thank you, Debbie!

Crayon Keeper from Altoid Tin

Yeah, I went from posting nearly every day to barely keeping my head above water. Our family had a crisis. We are safe, healthy. My kids are all fine. But my extended family (parents, sisters) have had a major family upheaval. It's been a strain, to say the least. So, if you would, I'd appreciate prayers for healing. I know, I know-- vague posts are no fun. But I'm not at liberty to discuss right now, and my energy is going into resuming life with my Man and kids.

In spite of the trauma of late, we've been keeping busy with crafts and holiday decorating, family activities, and Christmas parties. Yesterday was the big homeschool Christmas party-- so much fun! And today we'll be going to the new Crystal Bridges Art Museum. I'm excited, y'all!!

I've also been working on small little stocking stuffer things for the kids. This is simply an empty Altoids tin, with scrapbooking and stickers attached to the front. I cut small squares of paper to fit inside with the crayons. So easy, and I know the kids will all love to have one. (I have lots of mints in my purse and camera bag now, too!!- lucky me!)

A half-drawn picture

Do you ever do this? My son says "draw a ---" so I do. Part of it.

Fine, here are some house outlines. Now go nuts with it. Fill in the windows, the sky, the plants... what do YOU think belongs in this picture? Is it day or night? Which season? Paint me a picture, child. You tell the story.


Feel free to save, print, use (just give credit please, thanks!)

Lego Keychain

Another idea that I came across on Pinterest (leave a comment or msg me if you need an invite)! Yes, I actually DO what I pin. :)

May we never lose our keys again!

Give Thanks- coloring page for kids

God, Thank YOU! Thank you so much for...

Feel free to save, print, and use (just please give credit.) You can also download the image here from Google Docs.
My kids enjoyed coloring it...although my real intention was to get them thinking about what they're thankful for and add to the page. ;) On of my sons checked off all of the items except cupcakes, saying that they're not really "helpful" like the other things. Ha. Gotta love that.

Flower Doodles

Flowers can be as simple or as complex as you want to make them. There's no "right way."
Have fun with it, and let the swirls start swirling and the stripes & dots loose on the page!



Feel free to save, print, use - just give credit please, thanks!

I {heart} you

For the {{love}} of hearts. :)

I like using the ZIG Millennium 005 pens

Feel free to save, print, and use (just give credit please- thanks!)

Draw Trees

More than anything, I'm trying to show my kids that there isn't one "right way." A tree can be as simple as one or two lines, or as complex as paisley and swirl patterns dancing through an autumn wind. My kids are free to cut apart their copies, add to them, or simply glance at it and come up with their own designs.


It's simply a prompt:


Draw a tree. Here are just a few ideas, from millions, that you could take inspiration from...
Feel free to save, print, use (just give credit please, thanks!)

Hang on to these babies and maybe I'll make you rich someday. Heh heh

Here's hoping.

I'd love-- really love-- to publish a children's art book....someday... :)

The Winds of Change

I'm all about trying new techniques and tactics. I've decided to forgo my art book for now, and teach by experience for awhile. ;)

So, kids, wanta know how to doodle? I thought so. I'm a doodler pro, with years of schoolwork doodles under my belt. How about wind? Want to draw some? Thought so. Here's mine-- color, scribble, trace your copies, or fold it up and throw it into the wind...and then make your own. No need to copy, but make your OWN. Get inspired and then do it your way.

Feel free to save, print, and use (with credit given :) Thanks!)

Half-Drawn Monsters

Another "Doodle It" page for the kids, this time Monster-style!

Ready made art-- just add teeth or fangs, arms or claws, ears or a halo...whatever your mind dreams up. Brighten it up with any medium, no pressure to stay in the lines. Or simply look at the shapes, get inspired, and go draw your own complete monster/aliens. Sometimes kids only need the prompt to get the juices flowing!

Feel free to save, print, use (just give credit please, thanks!)

Teaching Art

I'm having fun making more pages for the kids, and they're having fun making their own.

Win-win.

We're all doin' art!

Feel free to save, print, use.