Self Portrait Challenge {Celebration}

because my bathroom is finally all one color
because I’m in love with my husband
because the days are lengthening
because I have food to cook for dinner
because my boy is getting better
because I have been given a new perspective on life
because I am smitten with my children
because I can choose
because there’s still time to do all that I mean to do
because I can go make chocolate milk any time I want it
because there is an unspoken promise of a bloom and a sunrise
because I can find beauty all around me

to see what other people are celebrating click here.

wow.

Here’s my little guy with his buddy doing juicing experiments. I’m pretty sure these are carrot/pear/apple with a touch of spinach for the ew factor. They painstakingly juiced each into separate cups and tried each one individually and then mixed them together.

A direct quote: WWOOOO! {Shake of the head}…it’s like…{smack of the lips} wow.

~~~
A shout out to my girl Lucky Candice—check out her blog sometime. She’s started writing parts of her life story. And just so you have my opinion on the matter (since this is my blog, after all) she is one of the most inspiring people I know. She has been through some of the most difficult things I can imagine, and yet she chooses every day to break the cycle, to forgive, to live a life full of love. The first day that I met her we were supposed to tell the group something interesting about ourselves. I can’t imagine how boring I sounded when the girl sitting next to me said, “My name was Sissy _____ until I was six years old when I was adopted.” Um…tell me more. And we’ve been tight ever since.

Just Livin'

trimming her nails

Well, around here we’re just livin’. I get to hear the cutest things come out of the sweetest mouths. Stuff like when we’re giving #1 a primo lecture about the influence friends can have on you, and #2 says, “When friendship comes to me, it stays. It’s always there. I can’t just loose friendship.” I know that kid, and I think he’s right.

I get to watch little people experience things for the first time. And for the millionth time. Like when I saw my oldest daughter watch High School Musical for the first time. And then the millionth time. Jake’s got pushing buttons down to a science, like when he joins in on the musical number and makes his eldest child have a temper tantrum. But Zack Efron has dreamy blue eyes no matter how old you are. Don’t worry, Jake, I still prefer your brown eyes, I’m just sayin’. We’ve got a whole new DVD collection since Christmas. I’m giving up my New England accent for a southern accent thanks to Hannah Montanah. Now I know who the heck she is (and her alter ego, Miley) because that’s what happens when you live with little girlies. I can now sing some of her songs, too. I’ve been known to belt out “Who said , who said I can’t be superman? I say, I say that I know I can. Who said, who said I can’t be president? I said, I said you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” Because I’m a cool mom like that.

I get to be around little imaginations every day. I see crazy drawings and dressed up goofballs. I get to serve lunch at the local diner (the kitchen island) to different characters every afternoon. Some of them say “Arg, matey, where’s me lunch?” But #3’s favorite is a good mermaid specimen of any kind. While carrying her favorite mermaid book around, she told me, “When I get as old as this house or the sky, I want to be HER.” She has informed me a multitude of times that she wants me to make her a slimy mermaid tail. If anyone knows how to accomplish this, would you please pass that information on down my way please? One of these days I’d like to accompany a mermaid to the grocery store instead of a princess. Do you think a mermaid would still eat tuna?

Here I was saying I was ready for vacation to be over out of pure exhaustion. But you know when that bus came that first morning and MY little tiny people crossed the street and gave me the “I love you” fingers, man I was sad to see them go. And they always get on in order. Big first, then little. And I can see their feet—I can’t help but look under the bus and watch as they climb up that too-tall step, and when the little guy climbs up I can see what a stretch it is for his tiny legs and it makes my heart full every time. And I don’t care how many cars are lined up in back of the bus, I still stand there in my pj’s and coat and hat and boots and wave something fierce, because they are waving something fierce, so they must want to see me standing there as the bus pulls away just smiling and waving. Before I know it, all three will be hopping up those steps like it’s nothing. Man, time is flying by.

hey, apron lovers...

...there are a few more available at my shop. I'm running a special where you get a 2 oz. sample of lotion free with any purchase, as long as supplies last.

Have a great day!

Sunday Scribblings {New Year}

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
-Nelson Mandela


This year I will not be afraid. I will live like I am powerful and full of light. Like I am brilliant and like I am brimming with glory, about to overflow with magnificence. I will be one with God’s will. I will be less selfish and find the joy in serving others more fully.

Except when I don’t. And then I will stand up and dust myself off and try again.