making me happy

these little sketches my 6-year-old daughter sat there turning out
through tears.  She was upset and couldn't stop crying.
But to calm herself she sat and looked as though she was scribbling,
but these cute little creatures appeared.

I just had to include this tea... it's making me happy on this Monday afternoon.

And this scene.

Today the kids have no school because their campus is being used for a festival.

After drawing, swinging, playing they were at a loss and were asking what they should do.
I love that they came up with a solution all their own.

And finally, a visit from our crazy "Uncle Peter".

He is a friend of my husband's from college.  And I do believe he's still as crazy as he was then.  The kids love him and so did our sweet four legged bella when she was with us.  Today they started spying on him which led to chasing, which led to capturing, which led to escape.  It was perfect timing as I try to get us ready to head out for the night.
Happy Halloween everyone!

245. little drawings
246. a day off from school
247. getting prepared
248. a new phone with features I can barely use
249. feeling calm even in storms
250. gluten free pumpkin muffin recipe
251. studying for bible study
252. getting ready for the fun factory
253. new designs for the etsy shop
254. the connection I feel with the Lord when creating
255. the therapy with art
256. plans for the holidays coming together
257. staying calm through screaming kids
258. the three of them finding things to do together

November marks my one year anniversary of opening the etsy shop.  Keep coming back through the month for special giveaways and sales.  Planning to get prints for the holidays, this month there are savings if you buy more than one.

pumpkin carving day

The kids have been begging to carve our pumpkins.

We've been waiting to not do it too early.

So today was the day.

Here are some random pictures.

In the morning we have dozens and dozens of these little birds in our front yard.

They are so cute flitting around.

I'm going to have to figure out what they are.

They make me happy so I had to add a picture of one.

Here's little lady #1 waiting patiently.

The two big kids picked out designs from online.

We've done these in the past, but it has been awhile.

This is her cheer that I finished punching out the outline design.

She was so happy.

It was a really warm & sunny day today.

Daddy was playing with settings on the camera.

And the finished products in the light.

A Transformer.

I outlined it so my husband could see where to cut.

Minnie actually came out fine, 

but when I went to put the candle in I accidentally popped one bow out.

You see those two little toothpicks holding it back in place?

This was a delicate design that wasn't easy.

And yes, I did wind up cutting myself once.

But it's all good and I think she's pretty cute.

Here they are all lit.

My son carved the other two for little lady #2.

We can't wait to enjoy all the roasted pumpkin seeds!

s w e e t scripture

I love all things vintage, including ephemera, ATC's & altered art.

I was inspired by those B I N G O cards that are altered,
but I decided to design mine based on scripture.

This is the first of a series.

My wheels are turning.

This one is in the shop now.

It's a beautiful verse and a lovely reminder that it is like a sweet fragrance to God 
every time we spread the knowledge of Jesus Christ in every place.  
If you read on through to 
2 Corinthians 2:15 the NLT goes on to say 
"Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God".  

OUR LIVES.  

Think about that for awhile.  

What an honor and a responsibility to make sure our lives are 

truly a Christ-like fragrance rising up to our God.

bless her heart

 Each week as we drive to bible study, we pass this pumpkin patch.

Each week little lady #2 asks if we can go.

I have said, "Maybe this weekend" a few too many times.

So this past week when she asked and subsequently prayed to Jesus

that the rain would stop so we could stop by after bible study.

I said ok.

And her sheer excitement was palpable.

She was jumping for joy.

How could I deny her?

We were the only people there on this dreary cloud laden day.

But they roasted a special ear of corn just for her.

And she got the petting zoo all to herself.

She was squealing with delight.

 Saying hello to each of the animals.

 And them to her.

 Not even flinching when they tried to nibble on her shirt or hair.  She thought it was funny.

I'm not so sure I would have had the same reaction as a child.

By the way did you know that every donkey is marked with a cross along it's back?

I just learned this recently. 

No idea how I have never learned this fact.

Marked where Mary sat, on her journey to Bethlehem 

and later where Jesus rode on Palm Sunday.

I think that's pretty amazing.

And this afternoon, Audrey excitedly told me she made me lunch.

It was a gift from her to me.

This is what I found waiting for me.

Complete with a sweet paper plate and napkin.

A nice assortment don't you think?
She naturally has such a servants heart. 

And has a way of making everyone's day a little brighter.

"...in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, 

but also to the interests of others.

Have this mind among yourselves, 

which is yours in Christ Jesus,"

Philippians 2:3-5

playing with actions

While I was setting things up for our family pictures my husband took a few pictures of our kids.

I decided to play a little with some new actions from paint the moon.

These things make me happy.

My husband will walk in and say he likes the original best.

He's not quite as into that dreamy thing.

But I am.

It's just plain fun to play

and create in this way.

I have a LOT to learn.

But I love seeing how different effects create such a different feeling from the same photo.

My goodness, I can see the young woman in her already.

original

 That little butterfly clip lasted all of two seconds.

There are pictures of her looking straight ahead, but there was something about this one I liked best.

original

And this old polaroid.  It was my husband's parents.

How cool is it?

original

morning quiet time

I like to do things on the weekend 

that make me feel like I'm on vacation, 

right here at home.

Quiet time outside.

And sunny side up eggs.

I sort of may have hinted to my son 

that it would make this moment perfect.

And lo and behold as I was dreaming,

Daddy made them and he brought them up.

My favorite, with basil and salt on top.

I'm so convicted about how we have to create the beautiful

quiet moments in our lives.

We have to take time to be still in the midst of the chaos.

We have to treasure these simple things.

It quiets my soul.

And causes me to appreciate what I have right now,

right here, right in front of me.

I really love the book of Isaiah and have been drawn to so many parts of it lately.

Isaiah 32 jumped out to me this morning. 

But especially these verses.

"The fruit of righteousness will be peace.

The effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, 

in secure homes, 

in undisturbed places of rest."

Isaiah 32:16-18

We can rest in knowing we will have this forever peace 

in a secure home with Him in Heaven.

But The Lord wants for us to have this rest now, here, with the presence of His Holy Spirit.

And what an honor it is to take the time, with His help,

to create a place of peace, of rest, of secure homes

for our families.

May you and your family be blessed with peace today and through the week.

232. a peaceful saturday

233. the feeling in the air

234. a winning baseball game

235. the light in the boy's eyes

236. a fun game night with friends

237. family pictures going so, so smoothly

238. a dear friend so patiently taking them

239. resting in His peace

240. fun photoshop actions

241. lining up babysitters for our upcoming anniversary

242. a surprise on the horizon

243. planning for a christmas gift making party

244. a tea celebrating the kindergarten moms

friday night fun

My girls and I.
We peruse etsy.
Or we watch art videos on youtube.
And they get inspired.
And so do I.
It's fun.

So glad we share these common loves.
Tonight we happened across this shop
of vintage clothes.
Some really cute things.

And my girls will vote as I click away.
"OOOHHHH I like that one."
"No, not that one."
"Oh, that one, that's my favorite."

And this one Ava declared she will get married in.
They're at that age where they also declare
when they're mommies they'll have seven children.

It's fun watching them dream, play pretend and plan.

a little crazy

My husband just came in to tell me the gardner wants to talk to the art director.

I laughed.

He meant me.

You see we're taking our family pictures here tomorrow and

for the last week I've asked him to please not blow away the falling leaves.

I like them there.  And honestly we don't really have enough here yet so I've needed to let them gather.

This all means he can't mow the lawn.

And he thinks I'm a bit crazy leaving the messy leaves.

But I like the mess.

I like how it looks natural, not manicured.

And I'm ok if they think I'm a little crazy.

I probably am.

I'm just excited to work with a dear friend

setting the stage to hopefully capture some fun shots

of our family right where we are, right now.

======================================

Oh and for my notable quotable friday.

It happened.

I've hit that 'don't embarrass me mom' phase with my 9 1/2 year old son.

Even the fact that I just wrote that will probably embarrass him.

He begs me often, please don't put that on your blog, which is why I don't write about him as much as the girls.  They on the other hand will say take a picture for your blog.  It's funny the technology they're growing up knowing about.

The big kids are having a high tea at their school today.  And my son said, "No offense mom, but I kind of don't need you to come."  And when I said well I already am because Ava is at your school too.  And so he asked me to please not embarrass him.

Oh sigh.

Do you remember how you felt like your parents could embarrass you.

I told my friend about our conversation last night.  My friend who has known me since first grade.

I said, "Doesn't he know he has a cool mom?"

To which she replied, "But your mom thought she was cool too I'm sure."

Oh sigh again.

I appreciate that he felt comfortable enough to politely tell me this.

But it won't stop me from being me.

It won't stop me from being active in his life.

I think I know what it is.

I talk to his teacher too much.  And he's afraid I'll share things that will embarrass him.

So I'll respect that and respect his sense of needing to have some privacy.

But I won't stop being there for these moments.

And I won't stop documenting them.

Happy Weekend everyone!