Family Portraits April 6th

I almost didn't make it! But--look-- at least here in Arkansas, it is still before midnight. In case you missed the last ones, I'm trying to take a family picture every month on the 6th. ( because there are 6 of us.) And, due to the fact that I have not yet figured out how to use my camera remote or how to set the timer, Fred and I took turns taking pictures. We were in goofy moods. Have I mentioned that sunshine makes me giddy? The Muscle Pose Zombie Pose And Silly Faces Like one of my sweet friends, I'm going to *try* to include ...um... 'da grown-ups in these pictures. Yes, yes, I will.

Mustache Party

Welcome to the Mustache Party!! My LittleLad turns 4 on 4/4 and we had to celebrate in a big way! **edited note** look at the difference: the picture above was taken with the camera that I used Before, and the one below was taken with the new Canon EOS 60D. I bet you could go all the way through the post guessing which pictures were taken with which camera. It makes that big a difference!! Okay, continue.** I made the shirts with stiff felt & heat bonding and then stitched around the corners. My Sister/ Sidekick helped me paint mustaches on all of the kids who wanted them. Did you know that most poster paints and acrylics are non-toxic and water-based... it comes off easily with a baby wipe. :) Save your money, and skip the paints specifically for face-painting. They're also harder to remove. The bean bag toss game was made from a piece of scrap wood, some black paint and a jigsaw. I filled the beanbags with rice and beans.

Anyone who didn't want a painted mustache could opt for the band-y ones (felt and elastic) or a stick mustache. Everyone was supposed to take one home, but I forgot to announce that. oops!! I still have them, friends, if you want one. Julie, Tracy, and me

I didn't get a close-up of the cake-- shame on me-- but it was just plain white with Hershey's chocolate drops in the shape of a mustache. Store-bought, because my cakes stink. Seriously.

We met at a park for a fun, celebratory playdate, of sorts. I missed getting pics of some of the kids-- Too much going on. Wish I'd been able to capture everyone.

My Little Lad had a blast with his friends, on a beautiful day, and enjoyed the activities. It was so simple and easy, and a success. Thanks, friends, for celebrating with us!! :D

A Wendy Wing-It Sewing Night

I was inspired the other night to make a little something for myself...

With my own Wing-It pattern...

.... and some quick twisty orange-reddish flowers to embellish it with...

Can you guess what it is now...?

Final pictures tomorrow. :)

The next idol?

Okay, so I don't even watch American Idol. But this is what it's all about, right? Getting a shot to go pro?

My LittleLad has got some talent! He might even get the lyrics right next time. ;)

Eucharisteo

It's amazing to me, how one book can make such a ripple in the world. It's as if everyone who reads it has a sudden light bulb moment. The darkness is being illuminated. ah-ha! Yes, this has been missing. Yes, I've been taking so much-- far too much-- for granted. And, yes, GOD, there is so much-- yes, so much-- to be thankful for. Please understand that this doesn't always come easily to me. I dislike cold weather and I often let it damper my spirits. I know, right? What a wimp. Such a minor thing to gripe about. But I'm admitting my issues. I'm trying. Plus, the day's events were particularly hard today. Not in the minor way. I'm not at liberty to go into it just yet, but we do need some prayer. And yet, despite the circumstances, we have SO MUCH to be thankful for. There's no reason for discontentment. God always provides what we need. Always. This revelation was so late for me: the present-in-the-moment thankfulness for everything around me, all the blessings constantly poured out... so much time was lost... and I don't want that for my kids. I want them to grow up content. Joyful. Realizing how blessed they are, despite the circumstances that they may go through. Enter, the birth of the Eucharisteo jar, so that these little blessings of mine can write their own blessings... so we can see the jar fill, overflow... like our lives, so jam-packed with amazing detail and gifts, waiting to be recognized and received. So that the nails of discontentment will be driven out by the nails of thankfulness.

33. a boy learning to whistle

yes, I got the picture, right before his hand went down his pants, what can I say?

34. Niece, beautiful in boots and beads

35. Babies, nestled

Lord, keep changing me.

Open my eyes.

Show me

more.

New to the Shop

I finally got mostly caught up today, listing supplies and paintings to my etsy. Thanks to the crummy coldness, I bundled up... and stayed inside. According to our local weather station, a new record low maximum was set. Today's high was 39 degrees which breaks the previous record low maximum temperature of 41 degrees set back in 1955. :( Not a record I was happy to see broken. Annnnnnnywho, I'm surviving through games, coffee, music, and painting. Thanking God for good food and the arts. And, because I'm so stinkin' nice and I need something to celebrate, I'm offering a 25% off coupon that can be applied towards anything in my shop, until April 10th (obviously does not apply to photo packages which are prepaid and then "bought" through etsy.) As if my stuff isn't priced cheaply enough already. But, hey, it's hard to get started and make a name for myself. I do SOOO-OO appreciate the encouragement, prayers, and kind words from friends and family. This code even applies to new things I list, supplies, etc. Yay! Just use coupon code JST4U, at check-out. And, if you're local, you can contact me to pick your item(s) up and I'll also take off the shipping fee. Go ahead, clap.

Here's some of the newness goin' on:

S is for Syrup

The Minister's Wife

Handmade Fairy Book C is for coffee

Three Wise Women

Hope it's warmer where you are!!

You Only Need To Look

I'm being renewed, day by day, reminded of so many gifts, trying to slow down and enjoy every moment. It's changing my life. I'm able to say no now, without guilt. I'm finally savoring each moment (or trying to) even when we are busy. Just talking to the kids in the car, on the way to the store. Telling stories and playing around while we grocery shop. I'm learning not to forfeit my time.
I've numbered my blessings on here, but there's also an open journal in my kitchen, one in my bedroom, one in the van, and the Eucharisteó jar in the kitchen. (Yes, I will blog that soon. Promise.) Too many to count, but why not try?

24. having a firepit in our backyard. and a little boy who tries to roast his turkey dogs with his hands guarding his face from smoke.
25. still harvesting from last year's garden, at Papaw's house.



26. Wooden toys, played with by topless toddlers

27. A child laughing and barn, beautiful, just beyond the fence

28. trying to stand like Daddy does

29. seedlings, pushing up through darkness, towards light
30. Growth, period.


31. fedoras, on anyone.


32. Indians with bows and yellow cars, taking back their land ~ imagination at work

What are you grateful for today? I'm finding that the more I look, the more I find. And the more blessings I find, the harder it is to see anything negative around me. I may not have a well-functioning dishwasher right now, but I have four little ones who have been helping me!