Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Eve



view full image

"Merry Christmas everyone!!"

Keeping the 17-month-old interested in our traditional Christmas Eve readings was challenging :) First we read the Bible (Luke 2) and then 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  She was more interested in Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See. I think she'll change her tune tomorrow when the shiny packages make their appearance. Merry Christmas to all of you!

Friday, December 13, 2013

Merry Christmas!

Stationery Card
View the entire collection of cards.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Winter weather



view full image

"Love these three so much. Here's to a great weekend."

The baby and I walked up the street to meet the big kids as they returned home from school. It was in the 30s (chilly for TX) and so it made for rosy cheeks and red noses. Perfect weather to begin decorating the house for Christmas!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Meeting Santa

For the last few years the kids and I have gone to meet Santa at Clay Casa. We paint ornaments, eat some cookies, put handprints on plates and get into the Christmas spirit. It's a great way to start the holidays! This year CGN was not as thrilled to let Santa hold her. We got some other pictures that she looks a little less terrified. Looking back at all our encounters with Santa is a great way to see how fast the kids have grown. Merry Christmas to all of you!


view full image

"Cookies &; crafts with Santa! We painted ornaments, made handprints on plates, and got into the holiday spirit :)"
(taken at Clay Casa)

Storytelling

"If you want a happier family, create, refine and retell the story of your family's positive moments and your ability to bounce back from the difficult ones. That act alone may increase the odds that your family will thrive for many generations to come." Bruce Feiler (--New York Times)

Monday, October 28, 2013

Growing

Growth isn't always easy. My littlest one has teeth coming in and it's easy to see it hurts sometimes. So why do I expect my own personal growth to come without pain? Pruning is healthy and necessary but not always easy. It's work and the joy for me will come when I look back and see my progress. In the midst of the process, I need to stay focused and motivated. That's perhaps what I'm finding so hard right now.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Harvest Festival



view full image

"Church Harvest Festival and Trunk or Treat"

Here are my three kids and how the trunk turned out. I'm so happy with it! We got lots of great compliments and the kids had a wonderful time. It was a great way to start the week!

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Welcome Great Pumpkin



view full image

"Painting done. Almost ready for the trunk or treat tomorrow."

This is what I've been working on. I'm so happy with how they turned out! Buying a projector was definitely worth it. It was $30 at Hobby Lobby and I used a coupon so I definitely got a good deal. I'm sure I'll have many more uses for it in the future.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Margins

A Bible study about margins today. About creating space in one's life to be able to savor life and have clarity about your priorities. Very timely and lots of food for thought Not sure what I want to say about it here but it's been on my mind for a bit. As I shuffle around my volunteer committments, dropping some and adding others, I want to make sure my priorities are taken care of. God, family, myself. A juggling act for sure but often the good stuff takes work. So I'm working at it and overall, I'm happy where I'm at. I keep plugging away at getting my craft room to be ready for me to create at a moment's notice and I'm knocking out some other pop-up projects, mostly Halloween related. It's all coming together. Margins also help me recognize my blessings. Never enough of that.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Moving

Constant motion today! Except for the 10 minutes on the couch when I closed my eyes to rest just before the kids came home from school. Just finished ironing on patches to my Brownie's uniform and then we're off to Cub Scouts and Brownies. Mike has an HOA meeting and a Stewardship Committee meeting (at the same time). CGN and I will bounce around making sure everyone is behaving and surviving until Mike arrives to be with our Cub Scout.

Just a few more weeks until soccer is over. We're plugging away at the to-do list and enjoying life as it happens. But I look forward to rest time soon!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Whew

Yesterday was errand day so I was out and about with CGN gathering up Halloween goodies and gearing up for the end of October. She is so social and sweet. At Hobby Lobby she saw an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair, made eye contact with him and then showered him love by throwing kisses and waving hi obsessively. She did that to lots of people in the store and I always get lots of comments and compliments. She's a sweet girl and it's fun to be her sidekick.

This morning I walked a 5K. Took about an hour. I need to get back into fitness, regardless of how much I don't love it. I need to like it more so I can get back into shape. Just a little bit each day. I've reined in my eating a lot so hopefully I'll see results at some point.

Had a scary incident while walking my kids to school today. The crossing guard was walking towards us to get us across safely and a car made a left turn (during a red light) and nearly hit her. We were in the crosswalk too but not nearly as close as she was. It scared me and I could tell she was shaken. I called the principal and the school district police. I wish people would just take a deep breath and drive safely. They put all 5 of us at risk just so they could get their kid to school. It's just not worth it. I'm tired of watching this happen - it's not the first time by a long shot. It's a large reason I don't like to walk my kids to school. It's scary how stupid some drivers/parents can be.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Reorganizing

I'm focused on getting the craft room into shape so I can walk in and create without having to clean up first. I was blessed to have some organizers come help me two years ago and now I'm in the maintenance phase of keeping things working for me. There is so much that works for me but it does need some tidying and improving so that's what I'm doing. I don't lack for projects, that's for sure! But I do need the ability to blow off steam now and then and it's hard to do when I have to clean up first. I moved around some furniture to better suit how I work and now it's on to making sure my desk area is set up correctly. I'll post some pictures once everything is in it's place. Shouldn't be long now!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Blech

My email was hacked over night. Boo. I hate that inappropriate emails went out but it happens so hopefully everyone understands it wasn't me. I've taken care of recovering the account and hopefully tomorrow I can start to send email again.

In the meantime, I enjoyed watching CGN snuggle herself into a wicker basket we have. It's a smaller rectangular one and she wedges herself in and out for long periods of time. She's very intent on being positioned just so and then dragging the basket somewhere else and trying a different view. She got stuck a few times but then is right back at it. It's her happy place, I guess. It made me laugh on a day when that was pretty hard to do. So today I'm grateful for little wonders that remind me of the simple joys that life holds.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Full

Life is full, and good, these days. Soccer, parties, cookies and hugs help overcome dishwasher bubbles on the floor. It's a matter of keeping focused on the good and managing the "bad".

EMN had peanut allergies and we recently watched a TV special about it. There have been a lot of ups and downs over the last 8 years. As she and I discussed it tonight driving back from a birthday party, we both agree to focus on the good. We arm ourselves with knowledge, do what we can to keep her healthy, and enjoy all the food that is safe without worry. She's a bright beautiful girl and I love the young lady she is becoming.

Rampage Friday night



view full image

"Go Rampage! @sarampage"

Friday night Mike was working so we went and enjoyed the Rampage hockey game with him. We sat below for the first period and then up with him and the other off-ice officials for the second period. It was a pretty ugly game (we lost 0-3) and so we headed back home early. Still a great night out.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Thankful

I just returned from my Bible study and I'm so grateful for how well it went. My 2 year old class was busy and active but I had good helpers (my co-teacher was absent). My presentation to the leadership was after lunch and it went very smoothly. I hope my thoughts were coherent and that the leaders were able to gain something from my review. I know there will always be something more I wish I had said or done but I did my part and now I can take a deep breath, grateful for the opportunity to lead.

Driving home, listening to CGN babbling in the back seat, I was loving all the swarms of butterflies. It's migration season here in Texas and every October I'm reminded how much I love this time of year. Watching nature and knowing how these beautiful insects just go as they're led. It's instinctive for them to fly south and it's amazing to watch. At times it's almost like driving in a snow-storm of butterflies. EMN tried to catch a few at practice on Tuesday and realized how hard it would be to get one to sit still enough to add to her Tupperware habitat. She eventually was ok remaking it into a ladybug habitat :) In the meantime it's a humbling reminder of the perfect order of nature. God is awesome.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Yesterday (and today)

Forgot to post yesterday. I cleaned up my craft room a bit so I could move my laptop to my desk but out-of-sight = out-of-mind and I forgot to post. But really, who's counting!

Had some of this going on too yesterday. As a lady at soccer practice said, "Girlfriend, you are wearing that tutu!" It's fun dressing a girl :)

I shut us both in the baby's bedroom to get some (ok, a ton) of laundry folded. Must be that scared CGN into action and in a few minutes she had figured out the door handles and became a continual escape artist. She has followed up today with breaking into the pantry, laundry room and bathrooms. It's about to get really busy here ...


Had some of this going on too yesterday. As a lady at soccer practice said, "Girlfriend, you are wearing that tutu!" It's fun dressing a girl :)


Seeing that the computer isn't likely to return downstairs soon, and being that I'm procrastinating a bit today, I'll post for today too. I'm working on a lesson plan for my Bible study tomorrow. I'm leading 30 women in a book review and I'm increasingly more nervous. So now I'm going to buckle down and make my notes into something understandable. 


Monday, October 14, 2013

I got outside!



I like to read Simple Mom and today's post was perfect. Our family had already planned a Parent-Kid day and it was my turn to take my son out for a special treat. We chose to go bike riding. The weather isn't as cool as it is in Tsh's part of the United States but it was still a beautiful day - just not quite the fall I grew up with. But temps in the 80s, nice breeze and great company are a wonderful combination. We ended up biking about 10 kilometers and we had a wonderful time outdoors. It really helped change my perspective and get some good endorphins going. I hope we can go again soon!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Saturday

Soccer and cleaning up - the usual Saturday. It was incredibly hot and humid for mid-October which is getting on my nerves. I'm really over summer and I'm looking forward to fall coming any day now. Sticky and sweaty is a sure way to push me towards a bad mood.

So, I took a nap. And it was nice. I woke up, my husband came home and all is starting to be right with the world. A change in perspective perhaps. I need adjusting of mind (perspective) frequently these days.

Friday, October 11, 2013

TGIF!

After I hit publish yesterday I re-read some of my recent posts. Seems like Thursday is a theme. Oh well. It's a doozy of a day but hopefully next Thursday it won't be another rehash. I'm teaching at my Bible study to the adults - not just the two-year-olds! - and it's going to be a stretching experience for me. I still can't believe I signed up. I've got to buckle down and get something good together. These are 30 women I don't want to disappoint.

Today I went to Half Price Books. I went after my study and a trip to the Girl Scouts center to pick up uniform items for my little Brownie. The baby was being a trooper, perhaps living the dream of spending a day in her pajamas. Hey, if I can't, I'm glad someone can. Anyway, she was napping off and on so I decided to press my luck and go book shopping. I love books like I love craft supplies - I love the potential in them and I collect books and supplies with great plans in mind but too often there's too little follow through. So I browsed for awhile, kept one book that I might purchase and eventually walked out empty handed. So difficult but necessary. I found $20 in the washing machine (score! But it was from my own clothes so I was really just relieved to find it again). It was burning a hole in my pocket but I realized just collecting books does no good, I need to read the ones I have. So I spent some time this afternoon looking at my GoodReads lists and figuring out what sounds good to read next. I have so many self-help and devotion type books it's like I'm planning a major life change! So time to balance out the non-fiction with fiction.

Tomorrow my husband should return. So thankful. He's having a great time and I'm glad. A little envious, but glad. I get control of the TV remote so while it's not a fair trade, it helps lessen the sting. At some point he'll return the favor in kind. I look forward to a weekend to myself where I can have complete thoughts and adult conversations. Soon!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Thursday

Yikes. Thursday. Have I mentioned Thursdays before? It's the reason I needed a deep breath yesterday. Thursdays I teach 2 year olds at Bible Study, participate in the womens Bible study portion, race home, get kids home from school, head off to soccer practice, accomplish something quick for dinner and then off to Cub or Girl Scouts.

Tonight we added in picking up popcorn to sell and saying goodbye to Daddy for a few days. I'm wiped.

The 2 year olds are sweet, mostly non-verbal, cuties. Watching them become comfortable in the classroom and with their teachers is amazing. Today they were very active, the mommys were a wee bit delayed from the teaching time, and my co-teacher and I ran out of tricks (bubbles, specifically). The kids were "handsy" with each other and not as receptive (to clean up time, particularly) and it made for some interesting interventions. It's also only the second time every child has been present. Brunch will do that :) Anyway, we're seeing the kids come out of their shell more and show their personalities more. I really do enjoy the time with them and it flies by. That in itself is a miracle. I've been in CBS for years and previously tried to avoid helping out in the children's classrooms mostly because I was overwhelmed with my own kids and dealing with 13-15 kids I didn't know didn't sound good to me. Over the last few years, I realized I was enjoying it more and when I was asked to help out last year, half way through the year, I knew it was good timing. I've relaxed a lot more and I know how desperately I needed CBS when my oldest kids were young. It was a time of Bible study, fellowship, learning and also food! It fed me on so many levels and I was able to immerse myself in it knowing my kids were loved and cared for. So now I'm providing that for the moms of our little Blue Lambs. It's a great feeling and I love seeing how God has brought me to this place.

So now I'm off to settle in with an adult beverage and Project Runway. I hope I can stay awake!! No Thursday night football for a change :)

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Deep breaths

Another 4 km walk today after dropping off the kids. Took a tremendous amount of mental convincing to make the second lap of the neighborhood. If I walk all the sidewalks of every street, it's 1 mile. I'm glad I did it but it's hard when I know how many hills there are. Someday I hope it won't seem so ominous. CGN loves hanging out in the stroller. She's very quiet unless we see someone and she's sure to say "Hi". She doesn't like to eat while out walking so even though the stroller is packed with snacks, she waits until we're inside to chow down. That's about an hour after she gets up. Whatever works for her, I guess. She's working on a few molars so she's crankier than usual. Here's to a good night sleep.

She and I just hung out today. The one day of the week with nothing scheduled. Laundry and dishes always continue, but no errands, no big "to do's", just hanging out and playing with each other. I don't recall doing this much with the older kids. It doesn't mean I didn't, I just don't remember. And I'm giving myself a lot of grace to know that being with her is important and the other stuff can wait. I did knit a bit and I catch up on email, but mostly it's just being. I like the slower pace. Especially after my funk on Monday, I want to be gentle with myself. I know what lies ahead this week and there won't be a lot of time for deep breaths so I need to get them in when I can.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Friends

Friends are good medicine. Always good to visit with someone who knows you and still likes you anyway.

I walked 4 km this morning after dropping the kids off at school. I'm hoping to keep the funk at bay. I think it's ok to acknowledge it, but I don't want to get sucked into it. So I'm using the different coping mechanisms I know I have and I'm going to do my best to pull myself out of the fog.


Monday, October 7, 2013

Funk

I'm in a funk today. This refining process is hard and I don't always enjoy it. My prayer is that at the end I can say it was worth it.

I'm discouraged that the numbers on the scale never seem to change. A half pound or pound here and there, up and down. No progress. I have been tracking my food for two months. I do my best to keep my calories in check and eat from all the different food groups. I work out, but honestly, I hate it and I'm having a hard time convincing myself to keep going when I really don't enjoy it and I see no weight loss to encourage me to keep going. My clothes aren't fitting any better (I have no shorts that fit and with the temps still high, it's not a positive reminder that my weight is an issue). I have a few people mention that I look trimmer, and I appreciate that, but I honestly can't say that I always believe them.

There are some days I'm just fine with how I look. There are others where I'm frustrated I've let myself get to this point. The baby is a year old now and so I really want to lose the softness. I just don't know how to keep myself motivated. Diet (as in, being careful with what I eat) and exercise really seem to be the only answers. But they're just not working for me.

So what am I grateful for? It's honestly a little hard for me to answer right now. I'm grateful that I have access to healthy foods, I'm grateful for a supportive (although weary of this topic) husband, and I'm grateful I can exercise.

I keep falling into this slump. I'm going to have to figure out how to get out and stay out.


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Sunday gratitude

I'm grateful for:

powerful sermons
quiet time to study
good food
naps
my husband
helpers
birthdays
photographs
cameras
memories
cooler weather

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Grateful

A Bible study I'm doing challenged us to make a list of 50-100 things we're grateful for. I inadvertantly started yesterday so I'll continue now and then to practice mindfulness.

I'm grateful for:

donuts
helpful husband
coffee
breezes on a hot day
air conditioning
naps
in-laws
birthdays
potato soup
bacon
cheese
laughter
hugs
bath-time
eye surgery
technology (texting in particular)
TV
Bible
Bible studies
scrapbooking
knitting
classes & continual learning
chocolate milk
dragonflies
shade
trees
grass
cameras
traditions
family
friends
mentors
machines (washing machine, dishwasher, dryer in particular)
safety
parents

Friday, October 4, 2013

Thankful

Today I am grateful for a smiley, happy, social baby who loves to wave, blow kisses and say hi to everyone she sees.

I'm grateful for a Bible study (The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith) that is uplifting, encouraging and thought-provoking.

I'm thankful for technology and modern medicine and pray that my dad is on the mend.

I'm grateful for teachers that are attentive, kind, caring and excellent at what they do. We're blessed to be in a wonderful school.

I'm thankful for a successful birthday party for my eldest daughter, for sweet friends to celebrate with and for innocent fun.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Happy Anniversary

Fourteen years ago I married Mike. It was probably the best decision I've ever made. Each year we grow a closer and I can say that I love him more now than that day fourteen years ago. I'm so grateful to share my life with him. I'm proud to be his wife and I look forward to the years ahead.



view full image

"14 years :)"

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Content

A full day but not too crazy. I was reminded repeatedly of the many blessings in my life. I'm grateful for all the experiences of today - Bible study and fellowship, private mother - daughter talks with my eldest, party prep, soccer practice and more. More full days ahead ... One day at a time. May I continue to be mindful of how blessed I am.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Daughters

I just got back from spending an evening out with my oldest daughter. What a nice time of enjoying each other's company. We went to Michael's to browse crafty stuff, which we both enjoy, then we headed to Barnes and Noble so she could spend a gift card. We also both love books and probably could have stayed there for quite some time.

We ate dinner at Pasha's, a mediterranean restaurant, her choice. It's surreal to sit with her and have conversations while sharing a meal. Part of me can't believe that she's almost 9. I was playing back so many memories in my head as I reflected back on her short life.

I'm so glad for these moments together. Quiet, unassuming, shared experiences that I hope she can look back on someday and know how much she was loved. I hope she can feel free to talk with me about anything and that she will value my counsel.

She's the baby who made me a mom and she's the young girl who continues to challenge me and grow me as a parent. I look forward to watching her growth as well. She's full of surprises but one thing is constant - she is a bright, inquisitive, loving girl who is finding her way in life. I love her heart.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Sunday

A jam-packed day. Not a lot of time for rest and restoration. Hopefully the week ahead will bring some moments (naptime?!?) where I can be still with my thoughts for a bit. I'm grateful to have kids that are active and involved. May all that they do during these childhood years work together to make them into productive adults. As the sermon said today, it is our job to plant the seeds. God will take care of the rest.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

All's well

Yesterday I got two workouts in (including a 2 mile walk with a neighbor) and then picked up the house. Nothing like looking at your surroundings through the eyes of some one else. I had invited her in and realized how disheveled things looked. A quick pick up and things were good.

Today we're headed to soccer games and a quick day trip. Should be fun!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Thursday

Thursday. Long day. Every Thursday. It's our new pizza night so I can cross one thing off my list easily. I teach 2 year olds at my Bible studay from 8:30 - 2 then there's soccer practice and scouts. Not much time for anything else. So I'm looking forward to recharging my batteries tomorrow and making more progress on my to-do list.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Progress

Yes, I worked out yesterday and I'm so sore today but I'll be back at it at some point today. I'm going to finish up my Bible studies after this post. I'll probably work out after the kids get home from school so they can keep an eye on the baby.

I also spent some time in my craft room finishing up a current work in progress. I'm making mint tin scrapbooks with leftover photos from a family gathering in 2011. I'm sending them out to members of my husband's family as I get them completed. Only a few more left to go! Then I'll make a list of other projects in progress and finish those up. After that, I give myself permission to start something new :)

My eldest daughter has a birthday coming up soon and we've been brainstorming some party ideas. I think we've got some fun things planned and I hope it goes as well as she's been dreaming of.

Not very exciting but again, slow and steady.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Becky Nelson shared an Instagram photo with you

Hi there,
Becky Nelson just shared an Instagram photo with you:

view full image

"She is not happy about watching me workout."
Thanks,
The Instagram Team

Where to start?

The million dollar question - where to start? I spent some time in my craft room yesterday, sorting through shelves of planned projects, half-finished projects, and good intentions that I can't quite remember. I'm usually good about putting projects in Ziploc bags but in several I had all the fabric but no pattern. Or the yarn but no needles (and if the project is almost complete, that's a problem if I want to maintain guage). For the ones I remember, I hunted down patterns which lead to more than a few rabbit trails on the computer. I had already made one circle wrap skirt but I cannot find the pattern anywhere, not in my room, not on the vast internet. There are plenty of others so I can make due but it's befuddling, to say the least.

On a positive note, I found $20 in an envelope inside a magazine. Bonus!!

So many of my projects are so near completion that it's easy to lose focus and want to finish them all right now. I'm not sure that's the best route so I practiced restraint as best I could. My day and mind work better when I have a plan, a framework to work within so I accomplish something. For instance, I usually run all my appliances first thing in the morning to get a jump on chores - I LOVE having the dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer all running at the same time. It's the best! I feel like I've accomplished something and so while they're working, I can move onto other things, like eating breakfast.

True confessions: sometimes I get sidetracked by the computer or reading blogs while all my machines are working. And that's what I need to fight. It happened this morning and I'm frustrated with myself. I have a day free of meetings or obligations until after school and I'm almost paralyzed with all the possibilities. Cue framework. As my kids learn, first things first. Quiet time should be first - I'll have to work on that soon. Next is chores: check. Then I need to be working out. So when I hit publish, I'm putting on my sneakers and getting a workout in. No excuses. And CGN will love the time outside. After that? Find one project I can finish during naptime and knock it out.

Slow and steady, right? Time to go get laced up ...

Monday, September 23, 2013

Exactly

I had a nasty bout of insomnia last night, my brain running down a million different bunny trails. I couldn't find the peace to get to sleep with an endless to-do list mounting and no way to check things off. I finally meditated on a mantra-type phrase that I learned in my Bible study a week or so ago. I drifted off eventually and I'm so thankful I did.

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been reading and consuming lots of encouraging, uplifting, instructional blogs about living a better, more focused life. So often it's so easy to acquire knowledge but the key is to do. And at this point in my life, that will look different than when my kids are all in school or eventually out of the house. I am learning so much about seasons in life and how so many good ideas are ok to put aside until it's more appropriate and better lined up with my priorities. This post today from Simple Mom is exactly my next step.

I'm finding that I love the idea of things. I see the potential in so much and want to dig in, but spread myself thin. I love being creative - sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, etc. - and I've accumulated a lot of supplies but if I'm not producing, then I am likely falling short of the goal. My Bible studies are like that, I think. I'm storing up a lot of knowledge (God willing!) and then the next step is to live out my faith. However, I'm learning that I don't have to be involved in everything to do that. I think doing a few things really well might be better for me and whatever I'm involved in.

So, good intentions abound in my life. Whether crafting, volunteering, parenting, it's all worthwhile but focusing and doing is where I need to be. Not just preparing (like all the craft supplies I have), not just studying up, but now actually doing. In all likelihood, I'm as equipped as I need to be to get going. Now it's time to get on with it. And this blog post will hopefully keep me accountable to just that.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Overload

I'm suffering from "good idea" overload. The kids are back in school and all summer (as I did in previous summers) I dreamed of all the things I would do during all my free time. Almost comical, because laundry, dishes and tidying up fill up most of those school hours, even after dropping some volunteer commitments.

Never fails. I think "this year will be different". And it is. Usually because the kids are older, I've added a baby, and other various things.

This year has been a bit different. I feel like I've hit my stride a bit earlier. There's a weekly plan for dinner, homework is getting done on time, more lunches are from home than bought and I'm completing my Bible studies before they're due, not the day of. It feels pretty good. And it should - it's hard earned. Why am I not satisfied? I feel like I need more recharge, creative time for myself. So I'm working towards that. One way is to clear out the clutter in my email inbox (I've unsubscribed from many, many emails) and just leaving the good, soul-filling stuff.

It's been refreshing to read emails and blog posts that are uplifting and encouraging. But there is the overload - I'm fighting to maintain balance. I need to keep straight what my priorities are, what feeds those and advances those goals and what is "nice to have" but maybe later.

So, I plan on using this space to help me sort out my thoughts, keep focused on my priorities and recharge a bit. Fight the overload!

Sunday, July 7, 2013

VBS Decorating

VBS ended on June 28th but I thought it would be helpful to post a few pictures of what our decorating looked like. Our church modified the Group curriculum to fit our needs so each Oikos was a grade level, with several groups within each Oikos to keep them a bit smaller (about 8-12 per Oikos). Then we rotated the groups between music, crafts, games, drama, snack and demonstrations. Our main decorating areas were drama (unfortunately I have no photos of that) and our sanctuary where the opening and closing were. I hope this pictures are able to help someone else also prepping for Paul's Dangerous Journey to Share the Truth: Athens 2013

Main Sanctuary - we used torches for each group leader to carry (the kids then knew which group leader to stay with)

Altar area where our celebration leader spoke from

Narthex decorations

Pottery and Basket shop

Backside of Pottery shop (so those leaving the bathroom would still seem something fun)

Extra poster decorations

Textile Shop

Food Market

More of food market

Still more of food market

Backside of textile shop 

Decorating the doors

We had costumed vendors welcoming attendees to Athens and we played the marketplace soundtrack in the background.

Again, hope this helps someone! 

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly photo books are the new way to preserve your memories. Create your own today.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013