Job Interview Morning

This morning, I'm thankful for...

• a husband who kisses me goodbye in the morning and says with a smile, "Knock, 'em dead today!"
• girls sleeping in from their all night read-a-thon (still wondering how long they made it!)
• that I actually got a good night's sleep last night
• a warm shower to wake up
• homemade zucchini bread for breakfast
• pay day (and Mike's amazing job for the past 17 years that provides for us!!) 
• two more etsy orders to ship out today! 
• remembering that I am not defined by my career, but by who I am in Christ, by how well I love. 
• the dreams that God has placed in my heart, that I can keep pursuing, - to write, to encourage...
• Hope. Thinking about opportunity this job offers for me to love kids and to coordinate resources that bring them hope, growth, and healing. 
• Opportunity today for me to decide if this is the right 'next chapter' to open in my life, and for them to decide if I'm the right person for the position. 
• waking up, another day to smile and enjoy! 

It's Camp Week!

This was the picture we snapped Sunday afternoon just before we drove away and left these two adorables at camp til Friday!! They look happy, don't they?

Well if you notice, sweet Sarah (in the pink) has her arm around her big sister.  I think this is her way of comforting her big sis.  Her big sis is super nervous in new and unknown situations. (Kinda like her momma!) I'm not actually sure she smiled for the half hour from when we got there until we were leaving. I'm actually surprised she smiled for this picture. She has a beautiful smile, so I'm glad she did!  And well Sarah, if you know her, she's always smiling her beautiful grin!

But even though she was nervous, timid, I know this will be a good experience for her.  I'm certain she will relax sometime on Monday, and have a great week at camp! (I mean how can you not with a pool, lake, float trips on river, cave exploring, horseback riding, crafts, a snack bar, chapel time and umm, no parents!) But it makes my momma heart ache for her wishing I could make it somehow easier for her in the beginning.

On the flip side, yes, I am doing a happy dance this week...you see, while I love them like crazy, and I spend tons of time with them, this momma needed a break!! A break from questions, from arguing, from whining, from intense attitudes, from setting boundaries, from reminding them to pick up, to do chores, to be kind, to treat others the way they want to be treated.

I love that my summers mean more time with them. Time for togetherness, time for completing our fun A to Z list. But, but emotionally these girls can wear me out! I know I need to take more breaks. We all need breaks from each other. I'm thankful we have one this week!!

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I'm linking up with Crystal Stine and others today at her Behind the Scenes Tuesday Linkups...

WHAT IS THE "BEHIND THE SCENES" LINK UP? 

Social media and online relationships can make us feel like everyone else has it all together. We're edited, proof-read, Pinterest-perfect versions of ourselves  (or so some might think!) when - in reality? There is an unfinished pile of laundry around the corner. That cute toddler smiling for the camera just had a massive meltdown seconds ago. That yummy breakfast-for-dinner you just showed us on Instagram? It's because the cat licked the chicken that was supposed to be for dinner. 

"Behind the Scenes" is a fun link up where we show those photos - but tell the real story behind them. The sneak peek behind the scenes, a look past the edges of the photo to the real life behind it. 

Couch Rebels

Five years ago, I wrote my memoir.  It's a story I wrote for my girls. It's part of their family history. It's a story of how tragedy changed and shaped my life, and thus theirs.  

Well, I had a few friends who were submitting stories to this book project...

http://causepub.com/couch-rebels/

What is the book about?

"Couch rebels are people who have been outside their comfort zones (whether voluntary or involuntary) and have allowed those experiences to change their lives. While the rest of society is imitating potatoes, couch rebels are learning, growing, and experiencing the incredible things life has to offer." 

If your story gets enough votes, and the editors like your story, then you will get published in the book (set to release next month!)! They give 50% of profits to a good cause, this time it's going to provide clean water for 45,000 people and to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

If my story is selected, I will get to share 20% of the profits with all the other authors! Added bonus!

So, I woke up at 4am in the morning Saturday, couldn't sleep, so I condensed my memoir into 900 words and submitted it. I almost didn't submit it -- fear of rejection, fear of being vulnerable, but I did!  I'd love for you to take a few moments and read it and vote for my story: A Mosaic Heart. 

Note, you know your vote has gone through when the vote icon changes from orange to grey. :)

Oh, and as long as your there, you should read my friend Mel's story too: A Moment of Love.

In the Middle of our A to Z Summer Fun

So we are deep in the middle of our A to Z Summer Fun List! This is our 4th year doing this in the summertime and we have a lot of fun with it!

I think P Day is one of my favorites every year. It's the one that's always the same: Pizza Picnic at the Park with Pop. We thought rain might spoil our day this week, but alas, it did not! Glad Mike works next door to Jordan Valley Park...just a pretty, replenishing park in the middle of the city! And the girls can play in the fountains too!

I did something new for O Day this year, and wasn't exactly sure what we'd do, but I kinda made it up as the day went along and it was really fun.  I called it Outer Space Day.  First, I found a new flower on my walk at the park in the morning, and guess what? It's called a Moon Flower...how perfect for Outer Space Day! Isn't it gorgeous?!

Then we tried our hand at making moon sand and moon dough.  Neither of them really turned out...but the girls spent a good hour just making a mess and having a great time! They even threw in volcano making! 

I had planned to get a space movie from the library -- Apollo 13 or Space Camp, but I had forgot to do this ahead of time.  Netflix had a Magic Schoolbus Space cartoon and surprisingly the girls were all over it! (Don't tell, but they've been watching Magic Schoolbus episodes all week now!)

We ended the day by spreading a blanket in the yard and watching the stars come out.  I LOVE the APP Star Walk.  It shows you which stars and planets you are looking at in the sky! Very fun.

I'm also looking forward to our Q Day which is next!! :)

Here's this year's A to Z list.

Arts & Crafts – Village Pottery

Bikes! Blog Entries!

Cozumel Scrapbooking

Daisy’s Day (homemade dog treats, extra walk, fetch)

Eat Chinese Lunch with Dad

Friendship Day (make fondant to play with?)

Games! Play board games together.

Hugs & Hope Day (bring Happiness to others)

Ice Cream Day (make homemade)

Jumping Day (Jump into pool, long jump)

Kitchen Fun

Lickity Split Day (make banana splits)

Memory Lane Day with Mom (watch family movies, look thru scrapbooks)

Neighbors

OuterSpace - Stay up late to look at stars, watch outerspace movie

Pizza at the Park with Pop

Quiet Day (visit Japanese Stroll Gardens – write/draw/read)

Race Day (funny races)

Sewing Project Day (pillows? Cross stitch?)

Take Tacos to Dad

Up, Up and Away (watch Mary Poppins & make/fly own kites)

Vote Day – Take a family vote on what we get to go do today

Water Day

X Marks the Spot Treasure Hunt

Yikes Day! Only 1 Day left – Let’s make this day a surprise!

Zoo Day (with Casellas?!)

#sweetsummertime #dontslipaway #makingmemories #enjoyingthejourney

Behind the Scenes: Drive-In Movies

Here's a  "Behind the Scenes" Tuesday Linkup, over at Crystal Stine's blog.

WHAT IS THE "BEHIND THE SCENES" LINK UP? 

Social media and online relationships can make us feel like everyone else has it all together. We're edited, proof-read, Pinterest-perfect versions of ourselves  (or so some might think!) when - in reality? There is an unfinished pile of laundry around the corner. That cute toddler smiling for the camera just had a massive meltdown seconds ago. That yummy breakfast-for-dinner you just showed us on Instagram? It's because the cat licked the chicken that was supposed to be for dinner. 

"Behind the Scenes" is a fun link up where we show those photos - but tell the real story behind them. The sneak peek behind the scenes, a look past the edges of the photo to the real life behind it. 

Just 20 minutes south of us is a Drive-In theater, and at only $7 a ticket, and always a double feature, it's a great deal. So, last week we decided to have a family night watching Monster's University, followed by The Lone Ranger. 

It's a tad crazy...you have to get in line early -- we got there at 6:40, gates open at 7:00 and the movie doesn't begin until 9:15 when the darkness overtakes the sky.  

See how cute they are waiting for the movies to begin? Soon, all four of us will be snuggled up in there together. (Thankfully we were experiencing below average temps in July! lower 80s is much better than upper 90s)

And I had this brilliant idea to bring our ice cream ball --  we hadn't used it yet this year and I thought it was the perfect thing to do while we wait. 

psst: More about ice cream making fun to appear on Thursday on the Good Stuff Guide. 

Looks fun, right? It was.  Except see that cutie on the right in the above picture? She didn't get to actually eat any of the ice cream.  And it kinda broke my momma heart. And kinda ruined a little bit of the fun memory I was trying to create.  

But you see consequences, are consequences. And sometimes being a parent means enforcing the consequences. Even if it's breaking your heart in the process.

You see she only ate poptarts for breakfast. And didn't drink her milk. 

She only ate cheez-its, cookies, half string cheese, and a few pieces of trail mix for lunch. Ignored her apples.

She did get a small milk-shake in the afternoon, after they took a core out of her finger at the dermatologist. 

For dinner, we had hot dogs. She refuses to eat hot dogs, so she always makes herself a sandwich, which is fine. But then she refused to eat her sandwich.  I warned her if she did not eat her sandwich, no snacks at the drive in, which included homemade icecream. 

Guess what, she didn't eat it. I told her she could put it in a sandwich bag and bring it along.  She forgot it. 

We told her she could spend her own money on something 'healthy' from snack bar.  They only had hot dogs and corn dogs. She said definitely no! 

So, in the end, no ice cream for her.  Sigh. Ugh.  

But she never wants to eat healthy. Ever. It's always a battle.  And I drew the line in the sand and we felt like we needed to stand behind it this time to hopefully teach her a bigger lesson.  But man, it hurt. 

(Oh, and I may or may not have let her at least lick the serving spoon. Is that bad? Is that good?)

And one more thing...shortly after we snapped the above photo...a storm rolled in. Glad we had an SUV to snuggle up in and not a pick-up truck, because the movie plays regardless of the weather. 

The girls and I made it through Monsters University, but we mostly slept (11pm-2am) through The Lone Ranger, but Mike said he enjoyed it. :) 

And one more tidbit...last time we went to the drive-in with the girls, two years ago...my same sweet daughter hid her hamburger (we grilled) in the car and pretended like she had eaten it.  Luckily we found it sooner than later! And also that same night, a storm rolled in then too!  

Maybe next time we go we'll have better luck with both the weather and the food! 

Behind the Scenes

There's this fun little Tuesday link-up over at www.crystalstine.me that I've been wanting to join all summer, and while I'm a day late even today (we were traveling yesterday), I'm finally joining in.

Here's the linkup: Social media and online relationships can make us feel like everyone else has it all together. We're edited, proof-read, Pinterest-perfect versions of ourselves  (or so some might think!) when - in reality? There is an unfinished pile of laundry around the corner. That cute toddler smiling for the camera just had a massive meltdown seconds ago. That yummy breakfast-for-dinner you just showed us on Instagram? It's because the cat licked the chicken that was supposed to be for dinner. 

My biggest trouble is figuring out what one picture to choose. There are so many behind the scenes stories from my photos.  The stories only I know, unless I put the stories on my blog or fb page. I'm using a couple of photos today, because for me it's an entire 'behind the scenes' trip...



It started early spring, with an added line in a fb message to my SIL - 'sure going to miss seeing you this summer' -- and ended with a trip planned to Cedar Point with both my husband's brothers who live in WI and MA, then it happens a cousin is heading north from FL to NY, and another cousin from NY decides to join the fun too...we are ready to revisit the place of our childhood fun memories ... Cedar Point!!

And while we did have a good time, it wasn't the ideal trip we had imagined. And I guess most trips usually aren't, but this one had some biggies.  Like 3 days before our trip, my SIL's sister lost her long, brave battle with cancer. Our hearts still ache for them and their loss. And we really missed them being with us on the trip.

Then my other SIL and niece got sick on the trip out. Vomiting sick. Thankfully, a cabin was open, so they were able to be in a/c with a bathroom instead of 90 degree tent weather. They even attempted a few hours at Cedar Point, but it ended with my niece getting sick again. At least they were there to see us stuck at the top of the Gemini.

Which while I'm stuck on the top, and trying to remain calm, keep telling the kids, this will make a fun story later (thankfully it was only a 10 min stuck)...

can you tell which one of my daughters is having fun stuck at the top? 

With so many miles between us, and busy lives, we cherish these little summer get-togethers of staying connected with family and letting the cousins have growing-up-together memories.  So if anyone wants to fund a do-over vacation for us, I'd certainly take you up on that offer! :)

Then there was my 12 year olds complete melt-down.  It started with 1.5 hour long wait, in the sun, to ride the Gateway, and just went downhill from there. Oh I was mad. I was yelling at her about her attitude. Threatening anything I could think of. I believe I was even stomping my feet walking. Ugh. Why does she have to ruin this day with her attitude? (As if my attitude is helping!)  Even her dad told her she was on her last straw and she would go back to the campground if she didn't change her attitude.  I'm happy to report, she did change and had a fun day after that, but oh, that half-hour was NOT fun.

But talking with Mike's cousin's wife, she said something like, I'm glad to know you yell too...because I think you have it all together when I see your stuff online.  Umm, no. I don't. I yell more than I want as a mom. I say the wrong things. I get sucked into their tantrums. And yes, as I'm discovering, even 12 year olds have tantrums. :)

Okay, even 39 year olds have melt-downs (like when I called my sister, trying not to cry because I had both phones, all the drinks, money...and was completely separated from Mike who had 5 kids by himself...and I could not find him anywhere and had no idea where to even look!).

But my conversation with her reminded me, that yes, sometimes it is important to share the behind-the-scenes of our beautiful, yet not-so-perfect lives!

And again, I'm reminded, that there is beauty, and happiness mingled with all of the not-so-good, and its those sweet times of laughing, connecting, togetherness that I will choose to remember... so thankful for family. always.

This always-smiling girl, made my heart smile a lot this day.
"I can see why it would be easy to spit from up here." ;) 

Like a Museum.

Overheard at the Baker House in the last half-hour (I'm noticing a theme here):

Morgan: Sarah, can I borrow your flipflops for the trip, since mine broke?
Sarah: sure
Morgan: Thanks!
Sarah: If you can find them.

Sarah: Mom, I found an extra pair of goggles.
Me: Awesome, put them with the other pairs.
Sarah: Ummm, I don't know where the other pairs are. (sidenote: she just wore them last night at swim meet!)

This would be why I thought of her when I saw this saying:



so, we will keep working on organization...although some days it feels like a losing battle.  The problem: I am more committed to this process than she is! Anyone have any solutions?

Bye, Bye 11...Hello Future

Today is Morgan's last day as an 11 year old! Three (short) years til she gets her driving permit. Yikes! Where or where are these precious year flying by to? 

Oh how often I wish there was a pause button for life, anyone with me?! 

Today, I had Morgan write a list of 11 things she'd still like to do in her lifetime. Here is her (precious) list...

1. Visit Hollywood
2. Go to Disney Land/World
3. Visit all the states
4. travel around the world
5. become a marine biologist
6. go to YellowStone (we still hope to take girls there in next few years!)
7. Finish Collage (aka college ;))
8. Get A PHONE!! (I like how this is the only one in caps)
9. Go on a cruise for a month -- or two
10. Live in Hawaii
11. Become a Mom

Oh sweet daughter of mine, who is sunshine and brightness, I hope your dreams one day become reality! (or that God replaces them with even sweeter ones!!) Love you, til the day after forever! 

She Noticed Beauty.

This week my daughter gave me a gift. She didn't know she'd given me a gift. In fact when she said the words I'm still not sure if she meant them as "you're kinda weird" or "what is with you?" or simply as an observation.  I don't think she really meant it as a compliment, but maybe.

But to me, it was the highest compliment I could have received.

Here were her words to me, "Mom, you think everything is beautiful!" (at this particular moment I was noticing how the wind was blowing the neighbors tree and it was dancing in several shades of green.)

Is that how she really sees me? She really notices that I do look for the good? That I do search for the beauty? Does she really notice my focus on beautiful things in this world, even while I know the reality of pain and sickness and evil in this world?

And you know those silly exercises you sometimes get that say "What would you like written on your tombstone?" or "What would you like people to say at your funeral?"  Well this is it.  She put it into words for me.

Three words will suffice. "She noticed beauty." I like that.

A choice, everyday, to focus on the goodness and beauty. God gives it to us. Are our eyes open to it? Jesus didn't give his life so we could focus on the cross. He gave it so we could focus on the resurrection...on restored relationship with him. With happily ever after.

Her words are a testament to the healing that has happened in my life. Because there was a time I wondered if I ever would heal from the evil that shattered my heart. It's such a gift that my daughter who lives with me everyday, who sees me at my worse and at my best, can testify that I do seek beauty. (sidenote, Maybe this is why I loved Katniss at the end of Mockinjay.)

These honest words from Morgan have made my heart keep smiling for the past 48 hours. Oh my sweet children, you are a gift in so many ways.

Also, Is there any wonder my favorite pinterest board is Glimpses of Heaven?

#glimpsesofheaven #bethegood #believethereisgood #happilyeverafter #onelife #nopausebutton #focusonthepositive #smile

Arkan'sauce' or Arkan'saw' or 'Art'ansas?

We seriously live only an hour away from the Arkansas border. And since this summer marks 5 years since we moved here, we thought it was about time we took our girls to Arkansas! (Mike and I had been for a couple of getaways-- and I am falling in love with the rolling-hills, lush green landscape there!)

We visited Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. It's free (thanks to Walmart!).

Here are some of our photos and some of my memories.

Millions of wildflowers lined the entire entrance way into the park. Literally millions. Taking my breath away. I so want to recreate this in my backyard. Beauty. My iphone camera fails the capture the true beauty of it.

Amazing Trails. Beautifully landscaped, among the rolling hills of Arkansas.  Hidden treasures to be discovered here and there. Stumps to jump on, statues, the crystal spring, and a picture frame in the middle of the woods. How fun is this?! Morgan lost a leg in the bottom photo! ha!

And beautiful art inside -- by famous americans - Norman Rockwell, Thomas Hart Benton, Georgia O'Keefe, Andy Warhol, and many more. My favorite are the landscapes of the American countryside. And the girls had lots of fun playing 'bingo' by finding all the works of on their cards.

It was also family fun day.  Which included -- painting and drawing in the garden. Might be one of my favorite parts of the day.

And hula hooping. Can't believe I still knew how to do it. Glad I decided to join the fun.

And Mike insisted we all make and wear sunglasses for the day. Sarah's had a cool lanyard strap you can't see well.

And sailing sailboats in the pond.

We also really liked the listening station where they described a piece of famous art and you had to draw it. It was the one thing we went back to do a second time.

We will definitely go back sometime. It was a lot of fun and a great way to kick off the summer!  And today begins swim team practice, 2 hours a day for 4 days a week! Check out the 8am temperature this morning --

-- it was cold to get in the water, but they did it!