Word for Week Five

So life is moving along 100 mph...it seems like during this time of year it never lets up...then I add in working 3 to 4 days a week and WOW...it's been crazy!!

An update on my "happily ever after"...well, for now it's on hold...please continue to keep us in your prayers. I guess I should be more positive...we think something good will happen. It's just we have waited sooo long and it's been such a LONG year...I just gotta keep on keeping on.

Okay...so a few things to share that are HAPPY and that make my heart SING!


See that cute blonde girl?? That's my Emma!! She and I just started teaching Activity Days at church. We get to spend and hour and a half twice a month with giggly and very silly 8 to 11 year olds. We love it!!:)

Last week we painted pumpkins, made Halloween treat bags and talked about service work.

These two make me so happy.

 This is our amazing missionary, Elder Scoubes. He served with us for 9 months!! This photo was taken the last night he was here at Em's softball game. We adore this young man!! He brought so much joy to our life during some very difficult months. We are so grateful for him and his example!!

A few weekends ago we spent the day at World's of Fun in Kansas City. We try to go every year during Halloween. It's our favorite!!

Everything around the park is spooky:)

Emma couldn't resist this!! Too funny.

Then there was The Timber Wolf...

Yep, front car every time.

There they go!!!

Another BIG coaster...The Mamba.

See Jacks and Em?? Front car again. Love this shot of them.

And then our FAVE coaster...well MINE anyway...The Patriot!!!

This was like our 5th ride of the day...lol.


Right after this photo was taken...I ended up here.....

Yeah...this is me in the World's of Fun golf cart ambulance...LOL!!! As I was undoing the belt on The Patriot I got stung by one BIG black wasp. I am allergic to wasps. So I was freaking out just a bit hoping my throat wouldn't swell up and then I couldn't breathe and then people would say...she died on The Patriot...ha, ha.

It was so embaressing and kind of funny sitting in that car. They were checking my heart and everything. People were stopping and watching. Hilarious! Turns out I am not as allergic to wasps as I was 20 years ago.

Good
to
know.


So, yeah...lots making me smile right now.

We are already into Week 5 of our Words Challenge!!! Are you ready for our WORD???

“Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our Word for Week Five is 

DARE

to have the boldness to try; 

to meet defiantly; face courageously.

My idea for this week is to create a Mood Board that says "Dare to Dream". I plan on putting images and words and colors that inspire me and will help me DARE to become who I am meant to be!

How are you coming on our Word Challenge?? I haven't finished my journal pages for Stand or Priorities yet...backgrounds are finished and images picked out...I just haven't put down yet and journaled.

How are YOU coming on the Challenge??

My Priority List

I am reading the most fascinating book right now...

Source

Dave bought me this book for my Birthday a few weeks ago and I can't get enough! Seriously one of the BEST books on creativity and finding your way I have read.

Yesterday as I was reading Chapter Two "The Foundation: What Values are Shaping Your Daily Choices?" I came across the perfect story for our Word PRIORITIES...

The author, Christine Mason Miller, was talking about how she was in the middle of writing this book and she had been on a trip and just got home and became totally overwhelmed by all she had to do...the laundry, catching up on e-mails, her family needing her, etc.

"Not only was I in over my head, having decided...rather arbitrarily...that  long list of tasks simply had to be done that first day back home, I was also monumentally annoyed. I was a WRITER, with a capital W, and that meant my most important, meaningful work was to write, right??

In fact, I decided it was my ONLY meaningful work,which meant everything else was to be regarded with disdain and rushed through as quickly as possible.

What I had temporarily forgotten was that my most important values and priorities aren't only expressed through my work as a writer, but through everything I do...even making coffee, even walking my dog. The work I needed to do to take care of my home and family wasn't seperate or taking away from my work as a writer, but part of the same path."

Oh WOW...this was just HUGE for me!!!

The rest of the chapter goes on offering exercises to help us uncover our Core Values which will help us come up with our Priority List. I HIGHLY recommend this book!! You can order it here.

Topping My Priority List is my Family...

Jacks and Em at Worlds of Fun

Man, do I LOVE these two kids. This is Jackson's last year at home...I can't believe it!! But he is really ready to move on with his life. He will be AMAZING at whatever he does. My sweet Em is 15 and loving her life right now. We have been through so much this year and have become STRONGER than ever. I am soooo blessed!!!

Being a WIFE tops my list, too.

Dave and I at a wedding dance in May.

This man and I have been through so much in our twenty years of marriage. Through it all we have supported one another and loved one another...never giving up on us. He has really needed me this past year to not spend money!! I think I have done that well and am proud of how we have continued to be strong regardless of our daily stress. I love Dave!!!

My Health made the Top 5 of my Priority List. Less neck pain and migraine headaches, eating cleaner and exercising all are important to me and help me smile.

When I take care of me I can do anything:)

Blogging and Creating are almost important as breathing to me. Since I was in the 5th grade I have used words as a way to express myself. What a gift my blog has been this year. It's my safe place to share...You are all amazing and I am grateful for each of you!!!! 

And when I didn't know where else to go I would grab my art journal, a few paints and pens and just let go. So healing!!! ART is a TOP PRIORITY!

“Action expresses priorities.” 

― Mahatma Gandhi

“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” 
― Stephen R. Covey


“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” 
― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Week Four...Already!!

Happy Monday, Girls!!! How was your weekend?? We had a fabulous one!! Saturday my Mom and Em and I went to a local craft show...it is HUGE!! Hundreds of vendors and thousands of people. I am getting my art in that show FOR SURE next year!!!

Then on Sunday my sweet family and I spent the day at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. It was a MUCH needed break.


Here is MY favorite ride at the park...The Patriot!!

The park wasn't very busy yesterday so we got to ride this monster coaster over and over!!!

Jacks, Em and I ALWAYS ride front car...it ROCKS!!

I will have photos from our adventure later in the week:)

Ok....so on to THIS week and our Word. Before I share our Word this week...I feel I MuST share a story regarding our Word from last week...STAND.

As I sat down to create an art journal page for the word...I thought of many things I STAND for. And at first I  was going to fill a page with those...but honestly, when I look at my life...my WHOLE life...the one thing that sticks out to me and what I have stood up for throughout my life and what I will ALWAYS STAND UP for is....

my faith in Jesus Christ and my church... The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...or as many people refer to as the Mormon Church.

Now let me just tell you...that's not always the popular thing to STAND up for. My family and I became members of the LDS church in March of 2006...little did we realize how much of a stir it would cause in our town or our family. We still have family members that give us a hard time and if we even mention a church activity or a lesson we learned we are told to STOP and then the condemning begins. It gets very tiring and saddens us deeply. The hardest thing is when people tell me I don't believe in Jesus Christ.

I am here to tell you...I DO believe in Jesus Christ. I DO believe that He bled and died for my sins and yours. My faith is the most important part of my life and I will live the rest of my life here on Earth STANDing up for Christ and my church.

It is hard to STAND up for what we believe in...but let me tell you, girls...it's life-changing when we do. Whatever YOU STAND up for matters!! Don't ever let others bring you down or make you stop believing in something with your whole heart.

Onto our Word for this week!! Can you believe it's already Week four???

This week it's all about PRIORITIES...or something we give special attention to.

I think what we spend our time on is who we become.

And if we spend all our time working, cleaning, doing for others and never, ever taking time for ourselves and what feeds our souls...then we will just live this really, really unhappy life filled with anger and bitter hearts. 

So this week let's start thinking about our PRIORITIES. Are YOU a Priority in your own life?

Create art journal pages, a canvas...anything that inspires you!!  Be sure and share in our FB group page....go here!!

Thoughts on Life Today

Hi, Girls!! This is a quick post because I have to be at work very soon...Yes, I said WORK! For those of you that may not know I have been substitute teaching in the Maryville School Distirct since September and love it. So grateful for the chance to make money...especially when we need it!! Yesterday I was a 2nd grade teacher and today I will spend with a few of the special needs children. I have decided that truly...kids are one of my passions...I love them!!!!

Okay...so I have been thinking sooo MUCH about our Word STAND. A special Thank you to Louise Robertson...she has been posting a ton of STAND quotes on in our Mind. Body. Soul FB group...check it out. I just know one of those will spark your creativity!!

Girls, you know this past year has been HARD on our family...hard, hard, HARD. I can't go into every little detail...but yesterday something AMAZING happened!!

AMAZING!

As soon as everything is finalized I will share...and let's just say that the MIRACLE we have been waiting for...it's happening!!!!

It's something like that scene from Willy Wonka...


Willy Wonka: But Charlie, don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he always wanted. 
Charlie: What happened? 
Willy Wonka:  He lived happily ever after. 

Stand Up!-Week Three

We all have different desires and needs, but if we don't discover what we want from ourselves and what we stand for, we will live passively and unfulfilled.”  -Bill Waters


I had been thinking about our Words Challenge for over a year before I finally decided to just go for it! Once I decided to move forward I needed to figure out exactly what six words I wanted to share with this first challenge...not an easy task. Lots of thought went into the Words...I mean we are not only creating pages and canvas's but we are trying our best to live each word, right? So far our Words have been Courage and Embrace.

This is Week Three...and to be honest....I kept waffling on the Word. At first I knew it what it should be. I mean the word I have chosen has so much power in it...but still...I didn't know. And even though I have put each word in my planner in pen...I still wasn't sure.

But then, as so often does, the universe spoke to me. And boy, oh boy was it the coolest thing EVER!!!

So yesterday I was sitting in church...listening intently to one of our church leaders, President Graves. He always shares his heart and usually everything he says is something I need to hear. So there I am listening and he's talking about the young man that restored our church {I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints} Joseph Smith and how most of his life he was persecuted for his beliefs and how he had to STAND up for what he knew to be true. Then President Graves read a scripture that said if we STAND up for the Lord He will pour His blessings upon us. Each time he spoke the word STAND he got all choked up and could barely get the word out.

Well, needless to say I got major goose bumps and knew that the Lord was literally hitting me over the head with confirmation that our Word for the week...STAND was exactly right on.

I wrote this all down in my journal and just KNOW that I have a ton to learn this week!!!

STAND....to take a position or place...to face or encounter

We all STAND for something, girls...let's take time this week and decide what that is. 

I haven't made my art journal page yet...but I am looking forward to it....lots of ideas running around in my head.

Have an amazing week!! And please continue to share in our FB group...Mind.Body.Soul.

Today is Your Birthday-Embrace It!

Friday, October 12th is my Birthday!! I will be 46 years old. I can't believe it!!
I mean I honestly don't feel like I'm 46 and I'd like to think I don't look it;)

Taken a few weeks ago

As I've done for the past 15 years or so I am working on 10 goals I have for myself this, my 46th year of life. My list is not finalized yet so I won't share until next week.

My plans for the day include a morning in my studio....puttering around and listening to my favorite tunes. I may journal or just go through my stash....I'll probably enjoy a show during my lunch time {perhaps the new ABC Drama-Nashville} then work at the Art Studio from 2 to 3. My Birthday night Dave and I are going to the movies and enjoying dinner. I may even splurge on a hot fudge/caramel sundae. Jackson and Emma have plans all weekend....so its just me and Dave. 

Saturday morning I'm teaching a Soul House class at my church then work till 5 at the Art Experience. Sunday is church and rest. I think I have a pretty sweet weekend lined up:)

For whatever reason this Birthday has been a hard one for me...I think the number 46 is so close to 50 and I'm so not ready for that!!! But honestly I've decided that if I can get through all I did during my 45th year then 46 will be a breeze-LOL.  

Here is a canvas I was inspired to create from our Word this week-EMBRACE.

I think this will be my Mantra for this new adventure of being 46:)

What will YOU Embrace??

Growing Up is Hard to Do!

I woke up a bit melancholy today. 

You see today is the day...

This silly, goofy,

ball of energy...

My little shadow....

has his Senior pictures taken.

Right after Jackson was born

I would sit on the couch with him...

just staring at his sweet, little face...

hardly believing he was all mine.

Throughout the years we have always been close.

He's my Jackson Boy.

Today I am trying to 

EMBRACE 

the idea 

that my little boy

is becoming 

a 

man.

And he is ready.

It's me that wants to stay...

right where I am.

I want both kids 

here under my roof...

needing me to be their Mom.

But again...

I am trying 

to EMBRACE this new life 

as he talks of nothing but

moving out and going to college.

Oh what will I do without his

"Hey, Mom I'm HOME!!! What's for dinner??"

What will I do without 

all his friends running around 

in our home...sounding like a herd of elephants

and driving me nuts?

What will I do when 

it's late at night

and I can't sleep so 

I ask Jacks to 

stay up late with me

and watch a movie?

I will take a deep breath

and try my best to 

EMBRACE 

it 

all.

My sweet boy 

made the front page of the paper today!!

I am so proud of him and his accomplishments!!

I KNOW he will be a success at whatever he chooses!!!

It's hard when something you know, something you're used to

comes to an end. And the thought of Jackson not living here 

with us...is hard.

But 

I 

know

this 

is 

a 

part 

of 

growing

up....

for

both

of 

us.

And instead of  dwelling on how sad I am to see him go...

I will enjoy everything I can with him right now.

I will EMBRACE each moment...

take everything in and tuck each memory in my heart for safe keeping.

I love my Jackson...

and when the time comes 

I will see him off 

with a smile

knowing I have done my very best.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." – Dr. Seuss

Words Challenge-Week Two

It's Week Two of our Word Challenge!! So what did you think of Courage last week?? Did you find yourself being more Courageous? Stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things??

 Keep working on your Courage List this week, girls...and if you feel the need to share...please do so!! We are all here to cheer each other on!!


If you are NEW to my blog and/or our Words Challenge then go here to catch up!! We would really love to have you.

Okay...on to Week Two....

The Word I have picked for this week conjures up all kinds of thoughts and feelings for me...

   

Embrace

1.

to take or clasp in the arms; press to the bosom; hug.

2.

to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly: to embrace an idea.

3.

to avail oneself of: to embrace an opportunity.

4.

to adopt (a profession, a religion, etc.): to embrace Buddhism.

5.

to take in with the eye or the mind.

With so much craziness this past year and down right heartbreak...the last thing I have wanted to do was actually feel anything...I mean so many days it was just too painful. But life is looking up and I have realized that I am done letting life...even the hard to live parts...pass by. I am ready to EMBRACE my life...all of it. Every joyful, pain-filled, icky, wonderful, heart-breaking, uplifting part. 

I want to EMBRACE everything that comes my way....the ideas, the opportunities, the curve-balls, the rough roads...every little part!!

When I sat down to journal this page my heart was telling me to EMBRACE my family...Jacks, Em, Dave and all the chaos and just enjoy.

Sooo many days I am overwhelmed and don't know where to begin or how I can fit it all in. Then I remember that my sweet Jacks graduates this year and Em won't be far behind. 

Soon our home will be quiet and I will have to decide how to fill my days. 

Right now is where the sweetness is. Its the school activities and laundry and work and crazy schedules that I truly love.

“There are ultimately two choices in life: to fight it or to embrace it. If you fight it you will lose - if you embrace it you become one with it and you'll be lived.” 
― Rasheed Ogunlaru

What will you Embrace this week??

Find Your Courage

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” 
― Coco Chanel

Have you flexed your courage muscles this week? I have been bolder this week and more confident about me. I know this may sound funny to you but one of the ways I showed my courage  was in what I wore....now I am pretty sure you will think I am kind of strange....

I am a jeans and shirt kind of gal. I rarely dress up simply because I don't need to. I'm either doing laundry, scrubbing floors, cooking or painting so you know....;) But now that I'm substitute teaching a few days a week I gotta look nice so...Dave bought me several super cute dressy clothes a month ago.

They have been hanging in my closet just staring at me.

Instead of wearing them I kept going back to my old stand-bys...my stretchy and very ugly capris{ the ones I can't wait to burn} and a shirt.

Yesterday though...I decided to wear something different. 
I decided to put on a pair of black, dressy pants and a flowy, jeweled top. The outfit was complete with sassy heeled shoes and a bold pearl bracelet.

I LOVED it!

And while at first I felt like a fish out of water...by the middle of my day I felt....GREAT! Sure of myself...beautiful. It was FABULOUS!

I had the Courage to STAND OUT.

So far on my Courage list I have about 10 things. I know there are literally dozens more and I intend on listing each and everyone.

Find your Courage.


“Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.” 
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Baby Girl

How is your courage list going, girls?? 

Twenty years ago today I took a leap of faith and married my husband Dave.

Oh how I love this man. He is amazing and I am very blessed!!!

This is a piece of Brave Art I was inspired to create with our Word this week. 

Don't you just adore that sweet, pudgy, little face??

Have a COURAGE-filled day, girls!!

Words of Me Challenge-Week 1

I am soooooo over the moon excited about my NEW Art Journal Challenge, girls!!

Six Words in six weeks.

 And remember it's not just about the art....but also about growing ourselves.

Each Monday I'll post the Word along with a few of my projects, quotes and whatever else inspires me.  Lots of daily inspiration via our Face Book page, too...please join here...

Alrighty...so are you ready??!

Oh don't you just LOVE that word??! I do. It makes me stand tall and gives me confidence. It makes me want to be a better me.


 Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.  ~Winston Churchillt


When I was trying to decide the six words for our challenge this one in particular kept coming to mind. I think it's because it's one of my favorite words.

This past year I have had to have more Courage than I ever thought I could muster. It takes Courage to ask for help, to pour your heart out and share...to admit your worn out and broken.


Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.  ~Mary Anne Radmacher



That quote by Mary Anne is one that has hung in my office for over 10 years. I read it often throughout my marathon training but never have I related more to those words than this past year.

Courage takes on many forms, many faces. There is Courage in the Kindergarten girl who walks into school all by herself everyday. There is Courage in my friend Sheri who has been dealing with breast cancer for more than 10 years. Courage is on the face of every American Soldier fighting to protect our freedoms.

Courage is in YOU. It's in ME. And even though we may not feel it enough...its there.

Just for today think about YOUR Courage. 

Make a list of courageous things you've done throughout your life. Make a list of every courageous thing you WANT to do then put a star by each one as you complete your goal. Keep these lists to remind you that YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH.

When I was 32 years old I decided to train and run in a triathlon. The catch was...I didn't know how to swim. Not only did I not know how to swim...but I was deathly afraid of the water.


Courage is doing what you're afraid to do.  There can be no courage unless you're scared.  ~Edward Vernon Rickenbacker

What did I do? Did I learn how to swim and cross the finish line??? You will find out in my next post, girls:)

Enjoy your day...make your Courage list....create an art journal page, doodle, paint, whatever your inspired to do today.. Be sure and post your work on our Mind.Body.Soul. page and share any Courageous stories you have, girls!!!! Inspire us!!

Be sure and grab our Word of Me button to let your friends know about this Challenge!!!

You can link it to this page.

The bravest thing you can do when you are not brave is to profess courage and act accordingly.  Cora Harr

Art Journal Calendar-Kathryn Wheel

So ever since I saw these FUN art journal calendars I have wanted to make one...and guess what?? I finally did!!! And even though our Word Challenge starts today I wanted to do one quick post about Kathryn and her calendars and show you MINE!!!

Kathryn is this amazing mixed media artist that has been published numerous times in Stampington and other magazines...her work is fabulous!! You can go here to check out her calendar as well as others.

Okay...here is mine for September...my first calendar....I LOVE it!!

I just put this right in my regular art journal but it would be cool to have a Book of Days type one where all your calendars went in that.

I chose the oranges and yellows and green...3 colors we see often in Northwest Missouri as we go into fall by late September.

I used a square punch for each day. SOOO easy!

Here is a close-up of my days.

I didn't get too fancy this time around. Mostly I just wanted to get in the hang of things....I plan on creating one every month so will have plenty of time to try lots of ideas.

So many things I enjoyed about this calendar project, girls. You should try to make one, too!! Remember to stop by Kathryn's clog and check out others beautiful work. Thanks for looking.

Oh and remember....the Words of Me Art Journal Challenge will be posted later today!!! I hope you'll join us!!:)