Flying

This is what I am trying to do.
Right now.

It's hard.

I know
I am learning.
It's the way the Lord strengthens us.
Helps us grow into our potential.

What does He have in store for me...
I wonder about that daily.

Trying my best.
Failing so much of the time.

I will keep my chin up.
I will find joy
especially when there seems to be none.

I will live true.
I will be strong.

I will Fly Anyway.

Answers

There is nothing that brings me greater joy than my family!! And when times get rough and you just think you can't go on...it's a wonderful blessing to be able to turn to your loved ones for support and comfort.

Here is a peek into my life the past month.

Jackson with his darling girlfriend Bailey. Love them both!!!

Miss Em with her dearest friend Mad. Maddie and Emma have been sisters since third grade. Our home isn't complete without them both here!!

Sooo very proud of my son, Jacks!! Here is with his Speech and Debate team in Savannah. He placed second OVERALL!!!!

My girl with a cute gift from her sweetie:) Love her smile!!

Another Valentine from the love of her life:)

Speaking of that...here is Elder Jourdain Scoubes. He is off his mission in just TWO weeks!! He will be here before we know it!!

This was Jackson's Senior Night a few week ago!! So proud of him!!! He holds the school record for having the second most NFL (National Forensics League) points!!! 1500!!!! Aren't Dave and I cute:)

Em and her Daddy love to hunt snow geese!! This is them last week. Em shot the one she is holding. I ADORE these two!!

Awwww, girls...my life is sooo blessed!! The past week has been a tough one. We are facing some steep mountains and hard times...but you know what?? TODAY we had a HUGE answer to prayer...just HUGE!!! The Lord is sooo good to us!!!  I continue to count my blessings!!!

Have a wonderful weekend:)

Little Birdie Love

Here's what I know this week...we have a BIG snowstorm headed our way!! Yep. EVERYONE is talking about it here...16 inches by Thursday!!! So, yeah...I just may get not one but two snow days this week!! And while the money is good...two extra days to spend creating sounds amazing:)

Here is a little peek at what I've been up to...

LOVE those chunky little canvas's right now!!! This particular piece was inspired by the word COURAGE.

So fun to paint on the sides!!

Another little chunk...all ready for my latest addiction.....

BIRDS!!!!!

I am CRAZY about them!! Ever since I began Brave Girl Art School's Wings class....

Isn't this the sweetest little girlie???

A few of my first sketches...

This one is going on a canvas....

I have plans for this one, too. Lots of color!

Seriously...this class is teaching me that I CAN draw!! I CAN do this!!

This week we started butterflies. Any guess's what I'm doing tonight??:)

So inbetween teaching elementary art and all the other stuff...I am making time for art. It's such a great stress reliever:)

What have you been up to this week????

Finding Comfort

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

Harriet Tubman

What I know for sure this week...is when you are working full-time it is hard to live your dreams. You have to make time...even when you are so tired and all you want to do is lay down and veg you just gotta do it anyway.

I find myself spending my days teaching art at Eugene Field Elementary School. What a blessing it has been!! Not only is the money sooo appreciated but I am learning in ways that will benefit the way I create.  Watching seven year olds create all day is quite liberating. They just jump in and CREATE!

As much as I am loving my job...it's taking me time to adjust. I know I've talked about it before...but my days and nights are just jammed packed!!

I find myself looking forward to the weekends, my doodle pad and a comfy chair.

Speaking of doodles...I am LOVING my Wings Class from Brave Girls Club!!! I plan on posting a few of my creations this Friday....I am learning so much!! Melody Ross is the BEST instructor on the Web.

I do get overwhelmed...work, workouts, dinner, laundry, schedules, etc. etc.  We all do don't we??

When I get to feeling closed in and wiped out I put my jammies on, grab a stack of art books, my bag of markers, doodle pad and warm blanket. 

My stress melts right away.

Commitment leads to action. Action brings your dream closer. 
Marcia Wieder

I am committed to living TRUE this year.
I am committed to taking baby steps to making my dreams come true.

What are YOUR stress comforts?? Please share!!!

Art Journaling Bliss

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known. 
Oscar Wilde 


I am creating more.
And that is good...
it's very, very good.

Creating makes me happy.
It fills me up like nothing else in my life.

This year my goal is to fill my journals with what's in my heart. Everything...the good, the bad and the amazing!!:)

Using all my favorite colors, stamps, stencils, images, glue and pens.

Not over thinking....just doing.

In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine. 
Ralph Waldo Emerson 

What are your favorite art journaling supplies??


I am linking up with Leanne from Chaos Comes Happiness today!!



***Girls...I would LOVE it if you would share my blog with your friends!! If you haven't joined our art journal group on facebook yet you can do that here and my Words of Me page here. I appreciate each one of you!!!

Living True-Art Journaling

“Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.”
― Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov


Girls...I am on a mission...a TRUTH mission. True is my Word this year and really listening to my heart is my goal...so it's only natural that each and everyday I am working hard at finding the TRUTH.

I find myself stopping and asking myself...is this truly what I want or need or have time for in my life right now??
 
Oh I have tried doing this kind of thing in the past without much success. But two years ago that all changed when I took Melody Ross's "Soul Restoration". That one class changed me...made me stronger.







It taught me that listening to my heart was the very best thing for me. My heart always knows what's best for me.






This past weekend I spent more time in my studio than I had in months. It felt so right!!! AND made me wonder why the heck I don't do it all the time???
I mean I feel so happy and light hearted when I'm surrounded by all my things!! Paints, stickers, stencils, art, pens, glitter, glue, canvas's, crayons, etc.



I made a promise to myself as I sat pouring my heart into my art journals that this would become my new true. This would be the one thing I come to when I need to open my heart and get it on paper.




Girls, if you haven't made time to work on something creative....promise yourself you will this week!!! Your heart will thank you:)

PS....my AMAZING husband just encouraged me to sign up for Things With Wings...Brave Girls Class!! I did!! And I am soooo excited!!! Click here for a detailed explanation of the class!!:)



***Girls...I would LOVE it if you would share my blog with your friends!! If you haven't joined our art journal group on facebook yet you can do that here and my Words of Me page here. I appreciate each one of you!!!

New Attitude and Button!

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.
John Burroughs

I miss blogging. I miss sharing my thoughts and talents here with YOU. So instead of making more excuses I am doing something about it:)

Writing more.
Sharing more.
Creating more.

More is good.

My sweet friend, Leanne from Chaos Comes Happiness REALLY inspired with this post and this post. I love how crafty she is and how committed she is to creating more AND sharing it on her blog. It really got me to thinking about MY little old blog. What is it that I really want to accomplish here??

Well for starters I want to share.

Share my art.
My words.
My heart.

For the most part I think I do a pretty good of that...but I want more.

Here's what I came up with...

*Mondays-Living True...this is the day I will share those stories that are in my heart, lessons learned, etc.

*Wednesdays-Run Wednesday...this day I will share how I'm coming along with my 5K training, eating healthier, etc.

*Fridays-Brave Art...This day I will share my art, ideas I'm working on, etc.

Schedules are my friend. I LOVE them. When I have one I try my best to follow it....well...not always...but I am more likely to do something...lol.

So, girls...hold me accountable!! Remind me if I haven't posted yet...or shared any art...:)

I am excited by these new ideas and look forward to sharing and inspiring more than ever!!



***Girls...I would LOVE it if you would share my blog with your friends!! If you haven't joined our art journal group on facebook yet you can do that here and my Words of Me page here. I appreciate each one of you!!!


By the way...check out my NEW Button!! Copy this photo then add my blog link and put on your blog!! I would LOVE it if you would:)

Happy Day, Girls!!!