Things beyond my control...

Most of you who know me, know that I wear my heart on my sleeve. I have a hard time hiding any of my emotions. I hate that feature about myself. Sometimes I wish I could bottle it all up and smile through it. I can't, if i'm having a bad day, people know it. Life is hard and bad days come and go, but I wish I didn't have to talk about it. Because everyone can see how i'm feeling I feel the need to have to explain it, and I don't always know why I am feeling the way I do. Maybe it's because I didn't sleep well, or I got cut off on the way to take the kids to school, maybe some one didn't say hello back when I said hello to them, maybe the kids were hard or maybe i'm just in a mood. Those are all simple explanations and shouldn't be cause for a ruined day, but i'm not perfect.
I am an honest person and always say what I think. But there are the instances where 'if you can't say anything nice, you shouldn't say anything at all.' Sometimes someone will say something that upsets me and I try to act like it doesn't bother me, to avoid conflict. It drives me crazy that they can always tell when something bothers me! Even if it is a phone conversation, they can hear every bit of anguish in my voice.... I don't want to be transparent. If I feel the need to shake something off, let me. There are some instances where I don't want to share my opinion, but there it is right on my face, or in my voice or possibly both. I can't control my reaction I've probably lost friends over it and didn't even know it. I don't know how to change this about myself and I don't think I can. But the up side is that it keeps me honest. And honesty is always the best policy.


Writing this blog was a kind of release today. I don't expect that many people will take the time to read it. I am sad to know that one person, in particular, who has been subscribed to my blog since the beginning will not read this :(  Rest in peace Sarah <3<3

Creating an Outer Space Room for Zeke

So I still have a long way to go, but a few of my friends have asked how I made the vinyl wall decals for Zeke's room so here goes. I wanted to do a theme that would grow with him. He really doesn't know much about space, yet, but completely by coincidence he is learning about space this week at his new preschool.

The most frustrating part of the whole thing was finding sheets of vinyl for a reasonable price. Now that I know what I  am looking for it will be much easier in the future. This is what I found http://www.amazon.com/12-Adhesive-Backed-Vinyl-Assorted-Cutters/dp/B00331S0GO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1326310048&sr=8-2. In the future I would buy bigger sheets because there is so much that I would like to do with them and I am already running out of some colors that I would like to have for Violet's room.

These are the colors I had to work with.

 I borrowed these from my mother in law and intended to only use them with paper, but to my surprise the cut vinyl just as easily as card stock. (Don't worry if I had messed any of them up I would have replaced them.

I traced and printed these off of the computer as templates to trace the shapes that I needed onto the back side of the vinyl. And then I cut them out and simply stuck them to the wall!

 I like the contrast in the sizes and colors of the stars

I am still adding to it, in fact I have added more stars since I took this picture. It may not be done till the end of the year, but his walls finally aren't bare.

I plan to make paper mache planets to hang from the ceiling and I have plans for some foam 3D rockets as well as a few framed pictures to go with the one below.

This one is made from scrapbook paper I have been collecting for a few years.

Feel free to leave me a comment to let me know what you think. Thanks!

Through the Trees

In the past two days we have done two hikes as a family. This isn't a rarity it's something we do quite often. We all get exercise and we have a great time together in this beautiful place that we live. Today we hiked Big Glassy, which I am embarrassed to admit that I have never hiked in my adult life. In fact, probably the last time I hiked it I was only a little older than Violet is now. I remember thinking how steep the trail was and how long it took to get to the top. My kids have done a lot of hiking in the past year and I don't think they found it nearly as intimidating as I had at that age. We made the mistake of letting them wear their new snow boots so the biggest complaint was sore feet from Zeke on the way up. It feels really good to share the love of the forest with my kids. I love the cold breeze in the shade and the warmth of the sun shining through the trees. I love the sound and smell of the dry leaves on the ground. We sat together at the top of the mountain enjoying the view and had a picnic together. I love my little family and I love spending quality time with them.  When we headed back down the mountain Mike and the kids ran ahead, I kept up for a while walking at a quick pace and eventually told them they didn't have to wait for me. Soon they were out of sight, I could still hear their laughter and screams as they chased Mike down the mountain side :) After a while I could no longer hear them and I began to miss them. It's funny, you would think that I would appreciate a quite walk in the woods alone. Instead I realized that they didn't need me in that moment. I thought as I walked in the quiet, that my kids are growing up. Tomorrow Violet goes back to school, the following day I am taking Zeke to check out his new preschool. From now until summer time our lives will be busy and hectic, and the busier things get the quicker time passes. My babies aren't babies anymore, they aren't even toddlers, they are preschoolers!! This year I really would like to make time to slow down. To go on more hikes, have more picnics, read more, play more, cuddle more, and create more special memories. I don't ever want to spend a day were I am ungrateful of all that I have. I love my family!!

Yesterday's hike at Jump Off Rock.

Welcoming 2012

Well, today is the first day of 2012! I usually try not to make resolutions for fear of failure, but in 2011 I became a much stronger, more confident person. I know, this year, that I can do anything that I put my mind to. Last year I didn't write down my goals and I wish that I would have. I remember having so many in mind that I was overwhelmed. I friend of mine told me to list them, but to plan on conquering one at a time. The one's that I remember were loosing weight, exercising, becoming more healthy, crafting more, becoming a better mom and spending less time on facebook. Five out of six isn't too bad ;) In 2011 I was able to lose 20 lbs through eating healthily and exercising. I was able to make Christmas presents this year for most of my family and friends. And I became more involved with Violet's school by volunteering. The only goal that I didn't attain was to spend less time on facebook.

1) This year I would like to continue my journey to become healthier, not to become skinnier or lose weight, but to build muscles, eat well and live well.
2) I would also like to continue to find more time to make crafts. My first projects of the year will be Violet's quilt and decorating Zeke's room. I also want to make a scrapbook.
3) As for becoming a better mom, I have come to realize that everyday is a learning experience and everyday is a chance to become better. I would like to be a better mom, wife, friend and community member.
4) I most definitely would like to spend less time on Facebook and have more face time with my friends and family. Instead of updating my status several times a day I would like to push myself to do a bi-weekly blog about what is happening in our lives.
5) Lastly I would like to find ways to become more financially secure by learning to use coupons more, eating out less, using credit cards less and opening a saving account to save for a down payment on a house.

All of these goals are completely attainable and I believe in myself enough now to make them all a reality in the coming year! I hope for all of you that your next year is filled with hope, love and prosperity despite what obstacles may lie ahead! Only you can make your own happiness. Happy New Year!!