Love Post #14 ~~ My Life...

***This picture is a glimpse of my life. It's where I love to spend my time. It's my happy place. It's usually not so cluttered, but the piles are there for a reason. There are books there that have been returned after loaning them out, there are books to be read, loaned out and put away. There are some things to go through - school papers, ladies group ideas... The little cabinet holds some of my favorite treasures. The walls are adorn with special pictures and gifts from friends. There is a picture of my Great-grand parents on their wedding day...I love it. It's my story.***
I love my life. I love every aspect of it. Are things always perfect? No, but I am blessed beyond measure.
My husband is my true love and my best friend.
My children make me proud and make me love life even more.
I have a wonderful family. We love each other and are the best of friends.
I am humbled by the awesome church family that God has given us.
I am thankful that I know how to be a friend and am learning every day what true friendship is all about.
I am thankful that there are many parts of me - the wife, the mother, the friend, the sister, the daughter, the artist, the teacher, the listener, the supporter, the forgiver, the thinker, the joker... I could go on.
It has taken me a while to get to the point where I am happy with myself and who I am.
I am a work in progress.
I am learning to prune out clutter and negativity.
I am learning that God is good. Always. His ways are not our ways. We do not always see the Big Picture, He does.
I am learning to embrace opportunity and shun discouragement.
I am more aware of showing gratitude.
I love to write, but sometimes, the words get stuck.
I lovet to create, but there is something just at the tips of my fingers or rather at the edge of my soul that is going to burst forth soon. I can feel it.
Life is good.
I am blessed.

"It's going to be fabulous!"~~Richard Currie

Love Post #13 ~~ Cat's Eye Fluid Chalks...

I know you've heard me talk about these before, but they are one of my absolute favorite crafting items. I love to mark the edges of my papers with these, use them with stamps - whatever! They come in so many colors! I recently won a Michael's gift card from Traci and since they didn't really have any Prima's that I wanted, I ended up buying more Cat's Eye Chalks.

Of course, there are colors that I use more than the others - but you can never have enough if you ask me!

Love Post #12 ~~ Teaching in the classroom...

(Some of my students after a short report on famous explorers.)

I am back in the classroom...I never left it really, but I am talking about the traditional classroom. I am teaching 7th and 8th grade World History and Girls' P.E. I love it! I love everything about teaching. The students, the assignments, the grading - I love it all.

Love Post #11 ~ My Siblings...

I am the oldest of 5. There are 4 years between Ondray and I, 9 years between Esther and I, 15 years between Tabi and I, and 18 years between Deborah and I. Yup. We are spread out. Because of the age difference, I didn't really "know" my siblings growing up.

I used to get really sad when I taught Jr. High and High School, because I felt like I knew more about my students than I did about my own brother and sisters.

We are all grown now, with the youngest about to turn 21, and I can finally say that we are very close! I am so thankful for email, Verizon to Verizon, Txt and Pix messaging and most of all, Facebook.

We have been able to touch base and keep in touch on a daily basis.

Ondray - Next to my dad and husband, he is the man that I look up to the most. I think he'd be shocked to know this, but it's true.

Esther - She lived with Marco and I for about 3 years. She went through a lot of changes during that time, and now is a wonderful, loving and caring person.

Tabitha - I was able to get to know her a little more when she came and spent a summer with us, not too long ago. She just recently had her first baby and is going to be a wonderful momma.

Deborah - She is the youngest, the baby, and probably the most independent thinker I know. She is a dreamer, an artist and a good friend.

I love my siblings so much. I get really home-sick for them - especially lately, since Tabi had her baby and all the sisters were together.

I am proud of all of them and their accomplishments. I am more proud to know that they are genuine people that love life and love the Lord.

Miss and love you guys!!

Love Post #10 ~ Quotes...

I love words. I love sentiment. I love a great quote.

I found this one this morning while reading this very inspiring blog.
"A possibility was born the day you were born and it will live as long as you live." -Marcus Solero

I found this quote and posted it on my Facebook.
“Sometimes you've got to let everything go - purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.”-Tina Turner

The Anne of Green Gables Series of books and movies are at the top of my "favorites" list. I love to quote the dramatic, but sensitive, Anne Shirley. Drives my kids nuts. =]
"Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing."-Anne Shirley

One of my favorite t.v. shows is The Office. I really love to watch it and laugh and laugh with my hubby. We look forward to it every week. You kinda have to "get" this kind of humor. Here's a quote from Michael Scott.
"How hard is a luau? All you need are some grass skirts, pineapple, poi, tiki torches, suckling pig, some fire dancers. That's all you need."-Michael Scott

I wish that I'd remember this quote more often:
"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety."-George E. Mueller

This is a great one.
"To accomplish great things we must not only act but also dream, not only plan but also believe."-Anatole

Had this one on my status a while back.
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein

How about this one that I saw on a good friend's blog? (she's got all kinds of great stuff there)
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather a skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, throughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'WOW! What a ride!' "- Hunter S. Thompson

Well, I could go on forever, but what are some of your favorite quotes? Leave it in my comment box.
Oh and don't forget to check out the GIVE AWAY on my Altered to Perfection blog. =]

Love Post #9 ~ Etsy...and another GIFT AWAY!

I just love Etsy. Here are some of my favorite recent purchases:
The BEST ever chocolates:

These adorable giant paper clips:

This Shabby Chic little gate for my scrap space:

...and my most recent purchase!! These adorable lunch box tags.
These are little notes that you can put in your loved ones lunch box, backpack, brief case, etc. to encourage them!


You know how I love to share if I find something I love. Well, I am loving this last seller.
I have a give-away going on over at Altered to Perfection - my craft blog. Go check it out and get yourself in the drawing. See you there and by all means, if you find something on Etsy that you absolutely love - please let me know. =]

Presenting Julius Paul Wolfe!

Congratulations to my sister Tabitha and my brother-in-law PJ.

Lungs are working great!

Tiny, precious little one. I love you!

Love Post #8 ~~ Julius Paul...

I am an auntie...again! This time it is my sister Tabitha and brother-in-law P.J. that are the lucky parents. Julius had to come early because Tabitha got sick, but he is strong and healthy. He was 4 lbs. and 12 oz. I will be posting some pictures very soon.
Please keep mommy and baby in your thoughts and prayers. I love him so much already!

Love Post #7 ~ Fresh flowers...

I was too sick to go to church on Sunday, so I stayed in bed all day. My sweet Hannah stayed home and helped take care of me and little Marco who was also under the weather.
My hubby came home after the evening service and told me that one of the ladies at church had sent a huge flower arrangement for me. She had been to her niece's Quincenera and brought it back for me. I was delighted before I saw it, because I love fresh flowers.
He left in the car overnight, but thankfully, it has been so cold this week that it was actually fine.
My daughter brought it in for me and it was huge! Really too big for me to put anywhere. I had to do something. The arrangement had some of my most favorite flowers in it! So, this is what I came up with. Now, I've got little arrangements scattered around and it brings a smile to my face every time I pass one.

My front entry way.

My kitchen table

My mantle

...and finally - my scrap space. These flowers are my favorite. They are so cheerful! Yes, they are right smack dab in the middle of my work - but they are for me and I love 'em.

Have a great day.

P.S. I will be having a GIFT AWAY very soon from one of my new favorite ETSY finds - so be sure to check back. =]

Love Post #6 ~ Hobos...

Ever since the girls watched Kit Kittredge , they've been calling each other "hobo" (in the most loving manner, of course...ha!). Well, when I saw these pictures on my camera - Hannah loves to get these spontaneous shots of the kids - I had to laugh and immediately thought, "hobos".

Of course, I know that hobos aren't this cute - but it just popped into my head. lol

Naomi is wearing a pair of my shoes and Marco is wearing a pair of his daddy's shoes. They do this all the time. I don't like it 'cause they usually leave them laying in the most unfortunate places (for me, the clutz)...but I digress. Still, they are cuties.

Photo tag and I'm it!...

Okay. I've seen this on some random blogs I read and I've just been tagged by my friend, Cyn. You are supposed to go to your 6th file, 6th photo on your computer and then post that picture and tell something about it.

So, here is mine.

I had to look at the photo's details to find the date - it says April of 2007 - but this was taken in Arizona and it is my youngest sister Deborah with Hannah, Taryn, and Naomi along with my brother's children Allexia, Lucas and brand new baby Logan.
It was cool to look at this file, because I forgot how little and adorable they all were! So cute!
I tag:
Tabi
Deb
Esther
Cyndi
Get busy girls, 'cause I'm coming by to check! =]

Love Post #5 ~ OTC Drugs...

That's all I can manage for now...

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Here are a few pictures from our Valentine's Day celebration!


Both girls still enjoy giving out Valentine's to classmates.

Valentine's come in the mail for all of the kids from Great-Grandma. She never forgets.


These are some of the favors I made for the Valentine's Banquet.

Marco and Naomi helped me, of course!

I had to read EVERY one to her. She always responded with a loud laugh. So funny.

The card that Marco gave me made me laugh so hard and then cry. It's been a tough week. We always choose to laugh. My Bear!

Some lounge pants that say "Spicy" and a book about Billy Graham's life for Marco from me. My girls could not believe the combo. I had to keep it balanced, right? =]

My dinner at Marie Callendar's. We had our banquet there. Great food and service. The choices were Lemon Chicken, Turkey Dinner, or Country Meatloaf. *yum*

The coffee I made for Marco when we got home. Thanks to our Senseo machine, I was able to make this beautiful latte heart. Okay, so it's not like the ones that the baristas make, but I tried!

My Lipton White Tea with Island Mango and Peach to finish up the evening while I catch up on my blog. I couldn't do much else - I was wiped out.

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day with your friends and loved ones!

Love Post #4 ~ My Marco...

(At our Luau themed Valentine's Banquet)

My Heart!

Best Daddy ever!

Our church has a theme this year (that I've mentioned here before) and we are trying to keep the same theme throughout some of the activities during the year. Our theme is "Flourishing In Him". The theme for our banquet was "Flourishing In Love"

Psalm 92:12 talks about flourishing like the palm tree, so he spoke about how our marriages could flourish and this is what he shared:

P - Patience - We need to have patience with each other. Sometimes, we have more patience with people outside of our families because we are being "polite", yet we can be so short with the ones we love most.

A - Affection - We need to be affectionate with each other. We need to not be afraid to show affection in front of the children. You may not have grown up in a family of "huggers", but you can have a family that's not afraid to be close.

L - Loyalty - Husbands and Wives need to learn to be loyal to each other. Through thick and thin, we should not ever feel the need to bad mouth our spouse to others. What happens when you've made up and think he's the "bees knees", only for your friends and family to think he's a total loser. I know that we sometimes need to "vent", but be careful and thoughtful before you throw things out there. =]

M - Maturity - This is something that makes any relationship better. If you look at most "fights or arguments" you realize that they were over very trivial things.

A - Approval - This goes both ways! Sometimes all you need is validation, right? So many people go through life not ever knowing that anything they do matters. When's the last time you told your loved one how thankful you are for them. When is the last time you wrote them a little note telling them some little special thing about them? I already know that some of you are thinking, "Well, he/she never does it for me..." Well, I understand that. You know what though? HeShe might learn as you do it for them. If you are sincere - it will not go unnoticed.

We do not have a "perfect" marriage, but we are always working on getting it closer to being perfect. There may be some especially rough days here and there (usually my fault), but we get through it, because we do try and practice the above points. So, what do you think? Do you want the relationships in your life to flourish? Try PALMA (Spanish for Palm).

Love Post #3 ~ My Church...

(Taken at our Luau themed Valentine's Banquet this year)

I know that I've mentioned them before - but I just love my church...and by church, I mean the people that make up the "church". My husband and I have been in ministry all of our married lives. God is so good to bless us with the people that we have in our congregation now. I have made some wonderful friends in my ministry experience, but these people, truly, are like family.

Love Post #2 ~ My 4 babies...

(The girls wearing purple and gold for spirit day at school)

Hannah - my first born, my big girl, my little mama. I don't think I could do all the things I do without her. She cooks, she cleans, she watches the little ones... She really is so much help. Now, don't worry. I make sure that she has a good balance of responsibility, fun and free time. She loves life and has a pretty positive disposition at all times.
Taryn - my little bear is sensitive about others' feelings, she is confident and a go getter. She has suffered with asthma and many allergies since she was little - yet, she doesn't ever let it slow her down. Oh and humor! This girl will make you laugh out loud!
(Marco and Naomi eating their conversation hearts - all in one sitting!)

My little Naomi - my little princess. She is calm, thoughtful, doesn't rush into anything. She is very particular about certain things, just like her mama. She has a favorite Princess Purse that you can usually find in every picture (it got cropped out of this one) because she always has it. It doesn't matter if she is playing or whatever - her one hand is clutching her purse. She just got the Hello Kitty watch that she is wearing in the picture and she is kind of doing the same thing. She is very close to her little brother and she wants to marry her daddy when she grows up.
Marco Joseph - my big guy. Aghhhhhhhh! My life is so different now with him in it! He literally has changed how we live...in a good way. =] He is so active, he keeps us on our toes at all times, and you never know what he is going to be into next. On the other hand, he gives the best kisses, does "Nice" (he tucks his head down to his shoulder and gives the sweetest smile and says "Nice"), counts to ten in the sweetest way and even says "Happy Birthday, Hi or Bye" to anyone that passes.
These are my babies. This is my life.

Share the love...

Passing this along. I got this from Stacey's blog. I participated in this last year. I completed my assignment last time - so I thought it'd be fun to do it again.
This is how it works..... The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. BUT, in order for you to receive the gift you need to leave a comment on my blog and you have to post this on your blog. (That means that sometime during this year you will send a gift to 3 people as well.) Get it? So, the first 3 people to comment on this post will be the lucky ones!

Wow.

“Sometimes you've got to let everything go - purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out." ~~ by Tina Turner

Did you miss me?...

I missed all of you! I had a couple of days there where I didn't have access to my computer. Talk about withdrawals!!
Well, a few things I wanted to post:

Remember the Beauty Blog Challenge for January? Well, I won! I was really excited. Traci was sweet enough to send me this Michael's gift card. I looked for some Prima Flowers (you know how I love those!), but none of them really jumped out at me. I looked and looked, because I wanted to spend it wisely...and this is what I ended up with:
I know that a lot of you are probably wondering what this is and why I HAD to have it. Well, they are Fluid Chalks - a type of ink or stamp pad that I use for my projects. These are the colors I use most and I really needed a new set. They were on sale, so I had enough to put towards some paper that caught my eye a while back.
Remember the great purses I got at the yard sale? Well, I was emptying out my old purse to use one of the new ones and found a Michael's card that had a credit of almost $18 on it. Woo-Hoo! So the little owl up there is a peek at what I used the rest of Traci's card and my new found card on. You can go to my scrap blog (Altered to Perfection) to see more about that!
Anyway, thanks again Traci! I had fun and loved that there was a prize involved for more motivation! =]
Okay, what else?
Oh! Remember my little word for 2009? Well, my word is FOCUS! I have really tried to get simplified in my life and prioritise the things that really matter. One of the things I needed to address was the girls' schooling. I love homeschooling them, they enjoy their 2 days a week at the Charter school, yet, it wasn't enough. With two little toddlers at home - one of them more active than you can imagine, I didn't feel I was able to give the girls the quality of time and education they needed. So, my husband and I made the decision to put them back in school at the private school they attended a few years ago. It looks like I may be able to teach or do some work in exchange/towards their tuition. The girls were really excited to be able to be with their old school mates again. We still need to get proper uniforms, but these make-shift ones are fine for now.

Hmmm...I think that's it for now! More interesting and thoughtful post coming up later! I need to go and catch up with all of you now. =]
Leave me a comment so I know you stopped by!!

Friendship Award!

My virtual friend Sue awarded me with this lovely blog award! Here is what it says:

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”


Thanks Sue! I hope to make many more friends in the blogging world through my blog! Okay. I need to pass this on to 8 other people and I will do that this afternoon, after church. Thanks again - have a great Sunday everybody.

Okay...Edited to pass on the awards to the following people:
1. Esther
2. Carol
3. Leanne
4. Lea
5. Traci
6. Hannah
7. Shirley
8. Kelly

Trying to stay FOCUSed!

Before I can stay FOCUSed, I need to GET FOCUSed - right? I have been making lots of decisions this week. Decisions that will help me FOCUS on the things that are most important to me. I never made any kind of list for this and that shocks me, because you know how I love a list! I think I've been hiding from the list because I know I'd have to start working on it. Well, hide no more. Here are the things that I feel are out of FOCUS in my life:

1. My thoughts - they are just scattered and jumbled and in a big mess. I am organizing them by making lists, throwing out the negative or worrisome thoughts, etc.

2. My family life - We have been rushing around - here, there and everywhere and forgetting to spend true quality time with each other. I am going to focus better on these things by switching up our schedule, schedule some fun, but inexpensive outings, and getting more relaxation time together.

3. My health - Let's face it. I have been wanting to get myself together since my last one was born and he is 18 months old now! It's time for me to get a REGULAR work out schedule and watch my diet. I can do this, I know. I always feel better inside and out when I do, so I don't know what I've been waiting for.

4. My marriage - Here's another area that is okay, but could always be better. It's something that can always be worked on. After all, he is my best friend, right? I think sometimes, it's easier to take for granted the things that we love the most, because we feel like it'll be there forever. Well, I don't doubt that it'll be there forever, but I don't want it to just "be there" - I want it (US) to thrive.

5. Spirituality - Same as my marriage. There's always room to grow. I crave this and I am going to schedule in more time to grow in this area.

6. Simplify my home and surroundings - This is an ongoing quest in my life. I am a collector, yet I hate clutter. When I start seeing piles or space is disappearing, I almost get in a panic and then I want everything to stop and everyone is in trouble and rushing around until it's all picked up. I need to purge and re-organize. I am always looking for a better way to organize - especially in my scrap space and garage.

7. My creativity - Here's another thing I've been craving. To really CREATE something in my studio. Lately, I've been doing a lot of "crafts", but I am talking about ART. Even if I am the only one that understands...it's something I must do.

This also includes my writing. I write here, I journal in books, I write lessons for teaching...I need to FOCUS on somethings I've been really wanting to write and those are children's stories that have been bouncing around in my head.

8. My reading list - Anyone who really knows me, knows that I love a book. All kinds of books. My favorites are historical fiction and anything I can learn from. Lately, I've been reading a few novels here and there to stay up with "conversation". I still need to take my "must read" stack and make a list and just plow through.s

9. My relationships - I have friendships near and far. I have family near and far. There are some of you out there that I feel like I know, but have never met in real life. You all are important to me. Once you make friends with me, you can pretty much count on me for life. I am usually easy going and very forgiving. I want to nurture these relationships even more.

10. Myself - These have not been in any particular order (my little guy is running around and playing at my feet - so it's whatever I can FOCUS on at the moment. =] ), but I did save myself for last. I feel that as I work on these other things in my life - it will help me to FOCUS more on myself. I get so much anxiety over things I know I can't change, but these things, I can. I found myself - several times - having to take a deep breath. I sometimes feel like my chest is pressing in and I can't catch my breath.

I have a gift card that is two years old for a massage at a local day spa. Why? Why haven't I gone? I am going to go. I will schedule it this week. There are little things that I need that are important, yet simple things? Why haven't I gotten them? Because there's always something more important out there? That's how we moms are. Well, I will take care of those things, but it feels good just to write it down.

Well, there it is. That's a good start, don't you think?

Love Post #1~~ Clean Laundry...

Okay, before you wonder why I have listed laundry above all else...please let me explain that I have been DOING laundry non-stop for 2 days. Our dryer stopped heating. We need to get it looked at. Thankfully, we had another dryer in the garage that was here when we started renting. I kept thinking how it was just in the way, now I am glad it was there! Anway, I've been playing catch up...you know how it piles up if you turn your back on it for a second!

I love to do the laundry. I LOVE to fold laundry. If we have a blog challenge where we are supposed to post about the things we HATE...well, then Putting Away laundry would be on THAT list. LOL

I just love the feeling of getting the clothes clean and folding them just the way I like them. I am very particular about how my towels are folded. I'm sorry, but I get this from my mom. I used to fold them the way I learned when I worked for Pacific Linen during summer one year in college, but they won't fit as nicely in my closet, so now I don't.

Oh! Fabric softener. I know, I know. They say it's not good for your clothes, wears them out, blah, blah, blah. Doesn't matter. Love for my clothes to smell like Mountain Rain, Spring Breeze, Citrus Island or currently it's Morning Sun. Doesn't that sound delightful? It must be Suavitel brand, too.

I love giving one of my kids a hug and then getting a whiff of the softener. Mmmmm... I love it when I walk up to my front door and can smell the drier going (vent is at our front door). Reminds me of whenever I go to my friend Vicki's house. She has 7 kids and her drier is always going. We walk up to the front door and are welcomed with that fresh laundry smell. Might as well call it a Hug In A Bottle!