It comes to an end...

Well, the 30 day blog-a-thon end winding down. Counting today, I have blogged on 24 out of 30 days. Not bad. I'll take it!

What I have learned:

1. I blog purely to share the funny things my kids do and say with my friends and family. I am not blogging to make money, generate a lot of hits, or for any other type of gain.

2. I often get trapped by feeling like I need to include a picture in every blogpost. This thinking tends to limit my blogging. I've learned I do not need to always include a picture, but they are nice!

3. I will not likely jump at any opportunity to attend one of the many blogger conferences - my time is precious and its just not something I want to devote a lot of time to.

4. I have a lot of stories that I do want to tell through the blog. I brianstormed a list of things to write about and after a month of consistent blogging, there are still a lot of stories left on that list.

5. Blogging is a great way to share stories, but also to reconnect with friends. My blog is a place to share triumphs, joys and even some failures. Why failures? Well, someone out there is finding a way to make it work and if we all share what makes it work - we might learn something!

6. I am still searching for that magic pill to do it all - be a good Child of God, Mom, Wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter, employee, housekeeper, chef, blogger and artist. If anyone finds it - please let me know!

My Crafty Shortcomings

Sorry. Life has gotten in the way of keeping up with the blog challenge! I’m only about 5 days behind. Maybe there is still some hope for catching up?

I was inspired today by another blogger participating in the 30 day blogging challenge, The Vosberg View. Jill talks about how she feels like a failure as a mother because she is not crafty (and has little desire to be) then goes on to discuss how she overcame that by inventing a fun and definitely crafty scavenger hunt for her and her son. (BTW, would LOVE to see pictures of the finished product!) As I read the post, I was forced to think about my own craftiness and my shortcomings in that regard.

I’m quite the opposite of Jill. I am quite crafty and I want to be crafty. In fact, others might even say I’m talented in that regard. I love to put colors and textures together. I love to create whether it be with my hands and scrapbook paper, or with images on my computer, or even with fabric (MHS quilt club, anyone???). I have a laundry room of shelves that is chock full of scrapbooking supplies (my true crafty passion), a hard drive full of photos and journals full of page layout ideas, sketches, and journaling. I love to make gifts for my friends and family because homemade gifts truly come from the heart. I get my creative side from my Mom, without a doubt.

I can wander for hours through Archiver’s, Joanne Fabrics, and Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby is my favorite for their amazing prices and for the endless inspiration that I find in their stores! Then there are the local scrapbook stores here in the Med City – again, I could fill up my cart and empty my pocket book in a hurry. Michaels – not so much. I just do not find that store inspiring. Sorry fans of Michael’s – I am spoiled by Hobby Lobby!

So, how am I a failure in my craftiness?

I rarely make time to celebrate and honor my craftiness. My scrapbooks are not even close to current. The pictures frames on the walls at home – do not contain pictures of Cameron. I just haven’t gotten around to it. I MUST get on that soon before he recognizes this and ends up on a shrink’s couch with a complex caused by this. He is nearly two and will begin to notice this shortcoming VERY soon! I have piles of half completed projects on my craft desk. I have endless lists of craft related things I want to do. I rarely find time to plan and do creative projects with Madison and Cameron (although Madison loves to do “praw-jects!”!).  I feel my spirit being pulled towards all things creative and then I feel let down because I simply cannot find the time. Sadly, that let-down can sometimes border on resentment.

There are noses to wipe, diapers to change, boo-boo’s to kiss, laundry to fold, dishes to wash, floors to scrub, dogs to feed and bathe, husband to spend time with, bills to pay, and investments to make. There are a million things that seem to require my attention more than my need to create.

And I can feel something missing in my soul as a result.

After a weekend of crafting, or even an evening of it, I always feel so much better. It is like the feeling of peace that you get after leaving Worship at Church. Like my soul has been filled and my spirit renewed.

So, my blogging friends, I ask all of you; how do you find the time to do the things that renew your spirit? Which of the spinning plates do you let fall to do those things, whether it be craftiness, spending time with those that you love, or pursuing other things that you enjoy?

What gives?

Since last January, I have been in the habit of getting up at 5am for a good walk/run on the treadmill. 

I have often professed my love for watching Netflix instant download movies on my laptop while on the treadmill.  Lord knows, its hard to stay on those things without a distraction!

Once spring came around and the sun was up at 5am, I abondoned the treadmill for an outdoor run/walk  with the dog.  I loved it.

As the summer wore on, however, I was tired.  Too tired for the 5am workouts.  I abandoned the workouts in favor of an extra hour of sleep and tried to walk the dog at least a couple times each week.  Some weeks, I succeeded.  Some weeks, I failed.

Now that summer is winding down and I have a winter cruise to look forward to, I vowed to get back to the 5am workouts at least 3 times this week.  Monday and Tuesday, I wasn't so successful.  The snooze alarm was my friend. 

Today was different.  Today, I got up, got my workout clothes on, grabbed my laptop and ran to the office and my treadmill.  As soon as I closed the door, Cameron started crying.  I waited a minute or two hoping that he would stop.  No luck.  I went to his room and tried to comfort him.  No luck. 

This kid was up for the day.  There was no turning back.  And no 5am workout for me. 

Crap.

Out of the mouths of Babes

In a recent conversation with Madison:

Madison: Mommy, you need to buy me some new dress up dresses. 
Mommy: you have like 6 dress up dresses, why do you need more?
Madison: They are all too big and they become BOOB DRESSES.  Really, Mommy, they do.
Mommy (a bit shocked): What exactly is a boob dress?

Bible Milestone Event

When Madison was baptized, we made a promise before God, our family, and our church family that we would place the Word of God in Madison's hands. 

On Sunday, we were able to do just that!  You might wonder why we have waited until Madison was nearly 5 to give her her first Bible.  Well, we waited because our wonderful Church, Bethel Lutheran, gives children a special Bible Bag in their first year of Sunday School and a beginner Bible when they enter their second year of Sunday School. They also receive an Adventure Bible when they enter 3rd grade and a Bible when they enter confirmation class. 

Madison made her first Bible Milestone event this year and received her Bible yesterday in a special service.  Up until this time, we have read stories from my Children's Bible that was given to me by my Grandparents.  She has always enjoyed the stories, but they are longer and more in depth than the stories in her new Beginner's Bible.  This new Bible is perfect for her!

She was asking and asking about when she would get her Bible in church for the two weeks leading up to the service!  She was definitely excited about it.  As a part of the service, we also got to take part in the music time that Madison experiences during Sunday School.  (At our Church, Madison is in class while we attend worship, so we never get to see what her music time is like.)  She was excited to sing her songs with us and the songs are definitely more fun than I remember singing in my own Sunday School class!

We are truly blessed to have a Church home that is so focused on helping us fulfill our baptism promises and that makes it so much fun for the kids to accept God into their hearts!

The right shoes

Will complete any outfit!

Chicken Wings

Last night at dinner Madison was telling me about fall. 

Madison: Mommy, its fall and if you go outside without long sleeves on, you get chicken things on your arms!

Mommy: Chicken things?  Like feathers?

Madison: No, chicken things.

Mommy: You mean chicken wings? How would your arms turn in to chicken wings?

Madison: Mommy, chicken things!  They are bumps that you get on your arms whwn you are cold!

Mommy:  Oh - that kind of chicken thing.  Do you mean goose bumps?

Madison: Oh yea!  You get goose bumps!