I love nature!

I’m grateful for nature!  I love being outdoors. I’ve recently discovered that I love hiking!  The challenge of climbing up a steep hill or cliff is exhilarating and the view is always amazing. 

I love the fresh air and sunshine on my face. I love to feel my skin drinking in the sun’s rays and absorbing it’s energy. 

I’m grateful for the beauty and variety of landscapes on our earth. 

Being in nature refreshes my soul and reduces my stress. 

Are you taking care of YOU?

 Self Care

(I recently found an app called the Gratitude App.  It’s a little journaling app that has challenges for writing about different things you’re grateful for.  I felt promoted to share my entry for today.)

It’s funny that this is today’s topic of gratitude because I was just sitting here thinking how if I could share one piece of advice with everyone who is struggling, especially all the mamas, it would be to MAKE time for yourself. I know it’s not easy. I remember those crazy days of no sleep and chasing littles all day. I know the long nights of worry over your teenagers. I even understand the navigating of relationships with your grownup children and trying to figure out when to step in and help, when to let them struggle and grow from the experience, when to speak up and when to keep your mouth shut. It’s all so beautiful, but in order to be able to GIVE so much to all those you love, you have to give to YOU first. It’s not selfish. It’s essential!

So, I’ve carved out this sacred time for myself in the mornings. Now, I work from home teaching English online to children in China. I’m up stuuuuupid early!  I’d love to take my ME time before my day starts, but I just can’t make myself get up any earlier than I already do. So, I wake up, put on the required blue shirt, spritz water on my crazy hair, throw on a bit of foundation, mascara (hello, invisible eye lashes!) and lip stick because the camera filter can only do so much. I run through my mini morning routine if I have time (make a warm drink, unload the dishwasher, fill the essential oil diffuser, and start a load of laundry). Then make my way to my work room, which I have renamed the Shanti room because shanti means PEACE. 

After a couple of hours of teaching, my time is mine. 

I make a cup of herbal teal or (my current favorite) Mudwtr (Mud Water, made with cacao, mushrooms and chai), spend some time in prayer and open my Bible.  Then I spend some time meditating.  Next is my routine on the Daily Shifts app, and the Gratitude app. After all the sitting, my body needs MOVEMENT!  So, depending on the day I either practice yoga alone, with a video (like Simply Sadie Jane), or I go to the studio to either practice or teach. 

I love to have some soothing or inspiring music playing while all of this is happening too. Today was the Piano Guy’s new album.  ❤️

If I’m home, I then spend some time learning to play the harmonium. 

All of this can take a few minutes or a couple of hours, depending on how I’m feeling and what I need that day. But, the point is, it FEEDS me. So, then I have something to offer the people I love. 

I’m very grateful to be at a point in my life where I understand that my needs are important, that I don’t come last. It’s taken a long time to love myself and treat myself well. 

I’m grateful to have a beautiful space where I can learn, teach and create. A place where my heart heals and my spirit is fed. 

So, please, know that you are important. You deserve some time to care for yourself. Find a few minutes and COMMIT that time to yourself. Get help. Find a quiet place and make it your own!  It doesn’t have to be big or fancy, my space used to be a corner in my closet!

And most of all, find something to be grateful for everyday!

Welcome Back

 Well, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve spent any time here! I started a post about a year ago, but never finished it. It would take too long to catch up with where I’ve been and what has happened the past few years, so I’m just going to jump in!  I’ll fill in the blanks as we go.   

Have you ever wondered what you're supposed to be doing?  I mean REALLY doing. Not just day-to-day life things, responsibilities, or whatever.  But what is your purpose?  Maybe it's because I'm approaching my 50th (FIFTIETH??!!! how the heck did that happen??!!) birthday.  Maybe it's because I've been through a lot and I'm trying to heal and recover.  Maybe it's because I've been married my entire adult life (and then some, ;0) ) and I'm trying to figure out who I am.  And who I want to be.  But, yes, I am actively working to find out who I am and what I am supposed to be doing.  

I briefly saw a counselor earlier this year.  While he gave me points to ponder, I'm not one to report week after week so I'm done.  But, he did tell me that he "not only gives me permission to do some self care, but he gives me a prescription to do so."  

Self.  Care.  

What does that even mean?  I take a shower everyday.  Ok, almost everyday.  😏  I eat.  I sleep.  Not well usually, but still.  

"What do you like to do?" the counselor asked.  "I have no idea." was my honest reply.  He recommended that I spend some time and figure it out.  

That made me really think about what I like to do, might enjoy or want to try.  I signed up for a yoga class, and everything changed. 

<<<this is the post I didn’t finish. Stick around, I’ll tell you what happened. 😊>>>

Little Mummies

I've decided to make this summer different that summers past.  I want it to be.... productive.  I know, weird, right?  Previously I believed whole heartedly in just letting the little goobers run amuck and entertain themselves.  However, this usually doesn't end well.


So, because I stopped homeschooling in January, I still have tons of super fun stuff I had planned for the second half of the school year.  "Hey!"  I thought.  "Why not USE that stuff to keep the punks busy and learning through the summer.  AND, lose some guilt about the money I spent on curriculum that is sitting on the shelf collecting dust."  :0)


Well, PROJECT #1
Egyptian Mummies


First they colored while I read a bit about mummies.  I don't know about your kids, but with mine, if their hands aren't busy, their ears don't work.  

Punk #6 coloring

 "Stained Glass" pictures

Even the teenage girl joined us.  :0)

So after they finished coloring

and I finished reading,

I thought it would be fun to

mummify the children.

Doesn't he look eager?

I know, he looks less than thrilled, 

but trust me, he was loving it!

See?  Happy little mummy.

Of course he had to look

somewhat zombie-fied

as well.

All of a sudden, my punk says,

"Mommy, I don't feel good!

I need out of this!"

I let him unwrap immediately.

Right after I made him pose

for one more picture.

I was doing my best to convince him

everything was okay, and 

he was NOT going to get sick.

Poor kid couldn't tear that one-ply

toilet paper off fast enough!

Notice how pale he is?

Even his lips are white.

Poor baby!

                 
                                Before                                  After!

Something tells me he will

NOT 

want to be a mummy for Halloween.

But, none of that scared Jay in the least.

You can see Jared lying on the couch

in the background.

Recuperating.

His best mummy face.

Time to rip it off

and watch 

the Mummy Episode of

Phineas and Ferb.

So, the next time you feel the need to waste 4 rolls of perfectly good toilet paper, go ahead and teach your punks a little bit about mummies and wrap 'em up!

WARNING: May cause unexpected nausea!

School's Out For Summer!

Do any of you remember that song from the 80's?  It's by Alice Cooper.  Not my favorite type of 80's rocker, but the dang song will not leave my head!  I was going to put up a picture of Mr. Cooper, but as my punk walked by he kinda yelled, "Ahhh!" at the sight of him.  So I took it down.  You're welcome.


Anyway.  Kindergarten Graduation.  Seems (or rather it did) pointless and silly.  But, my punk was excited and I wasn't going to burst his little bubble.  So I decided to put on a smile and play along.  Well, as his teacher was handing out the caps and gowns and parents were getting their little darlings ready, my heart softened.  Just a little. 

Look how cute!  All ready to "walk"!

Receiving an award for  "TOP READER" in his class!  

Yes, this mama is proud!

And so happy I didn't miss this moment.

His little KINDERGARTEN DIPLOMA!

Can you tell I'm enjoying this by now?

His Big Brother got to leave class and attend the graduation too.

If you ask the Second Grader though, 

he'll tell you the cake and punch party

was the best part!

My Little Graduate.

I freaking LOVE Kindergarten Graduation!

I just hope he doesn't grow up 

to sing loud, crazy songs that stick in your head!

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

Where Have You Been?

Yeah, I've been neglecting my blog.  I've faced some challenges in the last few months that took me away from several of my "favorite things".  But, I think I'm recovered and ready to jump back into my life again.  :0)


So, I decided to share where I've been recently.  This really was one of my favorite trips.


My husband came home from work one Saturday morning and said, "Let's go to Pensacola!"


Stunned, I said something brilliant like, "What?  We can't go to Pensacola!  The boys have soccer games.  And, I have to do laundry!"


Wow.  When did I get that old?  Spur of the moment trips used to be our specialty!  Of course that was before we had six kids.  Well, really it was before we had Baby Number Five.  That kids was a horrible traveler, from the hospital trip home until, well... now.   Anyway, after the soccer games were over, and I came to my senses, we packed some bags and took off on our adventure!


We like to make getting there as much fun and being there, so we stop along the way.  A lot.

This is the amazing Biloxi Lighthouse.

It was flooded with 21.5 feet of water when Katrina hit in 2005.

It cost over $400,000.00 to restore it!

 This was some random shop in Gulf Shores, Alabama!

I kept seeing sign on the highway depicting a giant sharks mouth

and I was excited that "we'd found it!"

Yeah, it wasn't the same shark, but I chose to believe it was.  ;0)

And I spent a small fortune on souvenirs.

Even though Jay didn't feel great, 

he still managed to have some fun.  

He's part fish, I think.

On the second day of vacation 

we found an Urgent Care Center and

took him in. Poor baby had a 

massive outer ear infection.  

Thank Heavens for antibiotics.

And Children's Advil.

The electricity was out at the Pensacola Lighthouse.

That made for a dark and slightly scary ascend to the top.

Have you ever tried to climb 176 spiral stairs 

with a terrified 7 year old clinging to your leg?

You should try it.  It's a hoot.

Love the view from the top!

Now it's my turn to be terrified!

Me and water....

Not exactly BFF's.

Don't tell my kids.  

They think it's FANTASTIC!

This punk has no fear.  Well, not from the ground.

Here he's looking down the barrel (is that the right term?)

of a civil war cannon.

My Darling Girl.

Seven year old Punk.

I love him.

Waiting for the ferry to go across Mobile Bay.

Being on a ferry is a weird sensation.

Especially when you drive your car on, 

and the boat starts moving.

It's also very windy on a ferry.

Just try to take a picture without your hair in your face.

Ain't gonna happen, sister.

Poor kids.  

I torture them trying to get the perfect shot everywhere we go.

Jared just wasn't having it.

Jay knows to just cheese it up and get it over with.  :0)

This girl is always a beautiful subject and a willing model.

So, there's the trip in pictures.  We went to Biloxi, MS; Gulf Shores, AL; and Pensacola, FL.  Gulf Shores was our favorite.  

Where have you been?