I heart faces photo challenge-wind

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We were playing outside and it was very windy! My son Adam was mesmerized by the spinning flower!

a feeling of calm and a twinge of sadness

Today I had a phone conversation with little A's teacher regarding all the plans for his school placement next year. I want to protect him and keep him safe from his little heart breaking, or from being overwhelmed. I know this is something moms have to go thru.
I did end the conversation feeling very good about the events and milestones ahead for sweet little A. As this year draws to an end my heart is full of gratitude and love for the wonderful teachers that have been in his life. Tomorrow there will be so many tears ... tears of pride, tears of thankfulness and of course tears from the idea of branching out and all that these little ones have accomplished in a short years time.
tomorrow I will witness him walk across a stage exiting preschool and entering kindergarten
a transition I know that he is apprehensive about ~ and I know in my heart he is ready for, he will enjoy all that 5K has to offers. There will be ups and downs-hard days and fantastic days... all the while this proud bursting with LOVE mama will be there with bells on!

sweetness inspiring me

There is something so precious about sweet baby lambs. When I heard that twins were born at our favorite family farm my son and I rushed to see them. He has always had a soft place in his heart for lambs. They have a angelic quality~ and I think that is why.

I could barely contain my excitement because we were able to go in the pen with them, and they wanted to be near us. My son was very excited as well! The lambs wanted to chew on him. and my camera strap as well!

We also went outside to a pen where they werent as people friendly but --oh just as cute. I got a few great shots of them looking right at me(my camera).

We also were able to see a family of new "kids". have you ever seen baby goats? Talk about CUTE!  I don"t know if you can tell by the picture, but there are 5 or more babies in a bucket!!!
KIDS IN A BUCKET

I was overwhelmed with the sweetness on this day at the farm!

home sweet home

Hello friends,

I am so excited that I was able to get a photo of these babies. The mother robin has built her nest a few years in a row- in our "lean-to" shed area where we keep supplies and lawn tractor,etc. My husband will be tearing it down this year -soon- so I attempted to deter her from building again-by removing anything flat and above eye level. I soooooooooo didnt want her nest to be disturbed by my not-such- a wild-life-lover husband. I found this nest VERY low in the shed, in some snowmobile suspensions that are stacked up. When I saw the little eggs, I said to myself,"Oh,sweetie" (mama bird) Now I am making sure it is safe.Today it was raining and dripping right in there so I put a chair cushion up against the outside as a barrier. Silly, I know.

SPRING COLORS

Hello friends, I hope you had a lovely weekend.
We are doing good here. We enjoyed some warmer days and I delighted in being outside with the little one, taking pictures of my beatiful flowers.
Have a wonderful week, and stop to smell the flowers!:)

trust

trying to keep my heart open and exposed during such an adjustment period of unfamiliarity and fears. it's a struggle when we're up against anything, really, that changes our lives and identities - our hearts change, too.(Kellierae Roberts) said it best.

These are the feelings I have as myself and my husband embark on a journey of learning with sweet little A.

Learning to help him and learning ourselves.

spring break day trips

Hello my friends.
day 1 of the next 40 years.
april has always been birthday month.
3 out of 4 of my siblings and I share an april birthday.
Today my sister and I share the same AGE. For a mere 11 days!!!!!!!!!
birthday cake and candles~ red velvet
darling hula girl card.
my sweet nephew! grand day.
spring break(this week) with little one
day trips
relatives.
LOVE

every breath, every step

heart ache and the uncertainty of being a mom.

trying to perfect the art of making caramel rolls
and when that failed, toast and jam

walking outside in the early morning camera in hand,the quiet beauty feeds my soul
tears in the shower,because it is a quiet private place.

enjoying smiles that came from friends who enjoy wineand birthdays. Meeting that didn't go as planned.

tension instead of sleep

waiting for calm

Trying to advocate

yearning to "breathe"

coffee.

Hello friends,
My heart is so full~~~~~~SIGH
My sweet one, has lost his first tooth. this mama barely had time to settle into the idea of a loose tooth before it had fallen out.
Time.

lifebook 2012

Lifebook January is all about harnessing my Goddess super powers.
These are pictures of the Goddess I drew and painted. This will be page 1 of my book!I still need to add the qualities of my Goddess, they will be displayed on the flap.
This assignment was truely fun. I enjoyed the drawing and painting lessons, and thinking up some great qualities about myself was rather difficult. We are brought up that it is not polite to "toot our own horn".

Reflecting

Maybe it is because of the new year, maybe it is my age, but it seems I am very aware of what I love, and enjoy and long to see, do & experience. Maybe it is because something has been missing altho there all the time? If you havent read my posts before I am a married, mother of 1 high energy 5 yr old. Lucky to be a stay at home mom. My husband travels alot. I have always wanted to be a "mom". I have cherished every single solitary minute of my life as a mom and mom to be. I adored being pregnant. I had a "feeling" my child would be special. With that I somehow knew I would be teaching my child to do things and to hit milestones long after his toddler peers were independent. For me- it was ok, better than ok! I loved being his teacher, and cheerleader!
Somewhere in the time that he was learning and growing and I was figuring out how to be a great mom, and an educated mom,an advocate, a fighter, a teacher, training, modifying, guessing, trying, trying again,pursuing, researching and realizing... I lost myself.
I have recently found a great community of friends, whether they are online friends that I have never met face to face or the wonderful parents I have met at my sons school--either way they are a saving grace.
I realize now that I have to take time for me, and to breathe... take a little time each day to to reflect on what I love(besides being a mom)
I need to seek JOY even if it is 1 little thing each day, like watching the winter birds in the feeders outside my patio window. To me, I realize that I need to do this and remind myself that I need to find that place of calm and beauty that I love in nature and wildlife-to help me when things are frustrating, isolating and heart aching.If I do that... I think my day(s) will be a little better!~and I will be a more patient mom and wife.

New Year very exciting !!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!(pictured to the right is myself and my sister Pam) I am extremely excited about this year probably more so than I have ever been on day 1 of a new year. I have always had a fun New Years eve for the most part with friends, or family. This year is so different because of all the extremely wonderful avenues that have come my way, in terms of art and people.
I have always been artsy from a little kid. I never really knew how to pursue it or even keep it in my life just as a hobby.Believe me when I say YEARS went by and I always felt like something was missing.I never knew what, tho.
This year with the help of some special people I am venturing on a journey of self discovery of sorts. I am participating in a 1 year art/therapy on line course, called LifeBook. Look it up at http://www.willowing.org/
The person who organized Life Book is truely an amazing person. Please read about Tam here: http://www.willowing.org/abouttam.html
I am beyond excited to learn from 13 different teachers thru out the year. I am even more thrilled to have told one of my sisters about it, and she has climbed on board. I am so amazed at her willingness to do this- she will attest she is not ARTY. It doesnt matter if one thinks of themselves as an arty or crafty person when working on Life book. She will do fantastic things! I can hardly contain my excitement for all the growth I will be doing and also I am not scared of reaching in to the darker places for healing. it is long overdue. I have a fabulous feeling of Great things to come for me in 2012

balance and creativity in 2012

Re-posted from July 2003:

(posted by girlsgotgumption.com) When I first read Julie’s words, goosebumps lined my arms because what she speaks about in this newsletter is something I – and a lot of artists I know – struggle with. Balance.

Most of us tend to overwork ourselves, something that is easy to do when you’re in love with what you do. However, if you don’t look after yourself, your relationships and your home, your work (and you) will eventually suffer. Balance is the key to everything, but sometimes that’s hard to do.

Julie’s “Check List” is a great reminder on how to keep our lives balanced and our work creative. Take it away Julie!

Monthly Life Balance Checklist
by Julie Valentine

Life can get pretty busy with work and life pressures, that’s why I think it’s important to find tools to keep us in track. I have learned, over the last 2 years with my business, that tools and processes can keep the edge off feelings of extreme overwhelm. To keep me on track I created, along with my business coach, a checklist to keep me on track. This list is so helpful I wanted to share it with you.

Try looking over this list once a month and make note of anything that is out of whack. Identify solutions that leave you inspired. Put each solution on your to do list and schedule a date to complete it – even if it’s a year or more from now.

Overtime, completing each item will give you a sense of balance and control over your life and give you a freedom that will allow you to share more of your talents with the world.

MONTHLY LIFE BALANCE CHECKLIST

Am I Nurturing My Relationships?
[_] Is there anyone that I owe a phone call, letter, email, etc. who I need to be in communication with?
[_] Do I have any broken promises I need to apologize for and release or complete?
[_] Have I gossiped about anyone?
[_] Am I in contact with Mentors, Teachers or Sages?
[_] Is there anyone I need to acknowledge or thank?
[_] Am I nurturing or creating romantic relationships?
[_] Am I nurturing family relationships?
[_] Am I supporting the endeavors of others? attending receptions, graduation, openings?
[_] Am I remembering life events by sending cards or calling for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays?

Am I Expressing My Creativity and Sense of Play?
[_] Have I scheduled a vacation?
[_] Have I created something original from my heart?
[_] Have I scheduled a local adventure to discover a new place, restaurant, museum, etc.
[_] Have I set a side time to dream and vision my future? (Keep a journal, etc.)
[_] Have I spent time in silence?

Am I Honoring My Body Temple?
[_] Have I scheduled a physical with a doctor and/or OBGYN?
[_] Have I moved my body through physical activity? dance , yoga, etc.
[_] Do I have sufficient health insurance?
[_] Are my hair and nails in good condition?
[_] Am I getting regular body work: massage, reiki, etc.
[_] Am I getting sufficient sleep?
[_] Are there any differences in the look and texture of my body that I need to deal with?
[_] Have I scheduled an appointment at the dentist office?
[_] Am I drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day and completing my meals by 7pm?
[_] Have I scheduled an appointment with an eye doctor?
[_] Am I putting an effort into my appearance?

Am I Managing My Palace?
[_] Is my check book balanced?
[_] Is my house clear of clutter?
[_] Which areas need attention?
[_] Are my taxes paid?
[_] Are my bills paid or scheduled to be paid?
[_] Do I have a long term financial plan in motion ?
[_] Do I have a sufficient savings and a savings plan?
[_] Do I donate to charity?
[_] Do I have sufficient home insurance?
[_] Are my home appliances in working order?
[_] Are my plants watered?

How’s Work? Am I Sharing My Gifts and Talents with the World?
[_] Is my work place clean?
[_] Are there any communications I need to make with my contractors, vendors, customers?
[_] Am I showing up for work on time?
[_] Is my performance at work up to par?
[_] Am I holding people to account for our agreements?
[_] Are my bills and/or business expenses paid?
[_] Are my business taxes complete?
[_] Are my business license current and complete?
[_] Are my business systems helping me progress with efficiency?
[_] Are sales meeting or exceeding targets?
[_] Is my business supporting me and enhancing my life?
[_] Am I happy with my salary?
[_] Do I have sufficient legal representation?
[_] Do I have gathered an extraordinary team of employees or contractors to assist in production?
[_] Have I created a marketing strategy to keep my products alive in my customers minds?

Am I Honoring My Mode of Transportation?
[_] Is my car registration up to date?
[_] Do I have sufficient car insurance?
[_] Is my car clean, clear of clutter and smelling fresh?
[_] Have I scheduled an oil change?
[_] Do I have any incomplete traffic/parking violations?
[_] Are my tires in good working order?
[_] Have I addressed any other maintenance issues?
[_] Have I scheduled a routine checkup with a qualified mechanic?
[_] Is my car filled with enough gas to get me through the week?

Your heART MAKES A DIFFERENCE

I am so thrilled to be on the receiving end of Tracy Verdugo! http://artoftracyverdugo.blogspot.com
I joined an art community online and participated in an art swap.(featured by Louise Gale http://yourheartmakesadifference.com/2011/12/heart-exchange-wrap-sending-love-around-the-world/)check it out it is worth seeing!
I was partnered with Tracy and received a beautiful piece of art from her and in my previous post I showed the item I sent to her.It was an amazing event. Tracy lives in Austraila so it was exciting sending something there as well as getting her package in my mailbox.
Take a look, isn't it fabulous????

global ART Swap

I am so thrilled to be a part of a global Heart exchange.Everyone was to make a piece from their heart and pass it on.we each had a swap partner. Mine went all the way to austraila,to Tracy Verdugo.(http://artoftracyverdugo.blogspot.com) This is an artist I adore, I found her online,and am not entirely sure how, but her blog is bright and cheerful and I just love her art. So, this means that she made something for ME!!!!I am anxiously awaiting my parcel!!!:) The piece I made for Tracy was a 4x4, and it will hang from a wire with beads. The message is "let your heart sing"! I feel like my heart is full of music since finding an online art community.LOVE JOY HAPPINESS!

magically mixed art community

I just have to say I am thrilled to be a part of an online art group. I was welcomed in so easily and I have loved reading and looking at the art! Here is what it says on the "welcome post"
Hi everyone! What a wonderful place this has become.....a place to explore and connect with others around the world who like to play and create. a place to inspire each other through ups and downs. a place to be your authentic creative self. a place of no judgment.Check them out on facebook.

Community

I have been going thru alot of my days as a single mom due to the fact my husband travels for work and he has been on the road 24/6 for the past 5 weeks. I do really great for the first 8 days. He is usually home for a day or 2 but catches up on his own "chores" and there isnt alot of time for us as a family. I have been reaching out trying to "connect" with some mommy-friends, and volunteering with my childs school, and getting ina little ART respite now and then.
I do my best to provide a safe and mostly happy time for my little guy. We have done pumpkin farms, hay rides and petting farms, last weekend was trick or treat, and our village had a spooky walk. We enjoyed it alot. My little one was so brave and hilarious!
Having a child with some developmental delays makes it super hard some days because my head is telling me he is 5 years old when my heart knows he is Not really, so I shouldnt be as upset with some of the behaviors or issues that go on.
This brings me back to my need for community.
I feel better when I dive into some of the BLOGS that I love,(kellierae roberts,) and also on the days that I know I can do some art. In my own little way I have found a community that quite honestly saves my soul.

Autumn means scarecrows

The village we live in was having a scarecrow contest,so we decided to make one of our own using my sons smaller clothes. We had a lot of fun stuffing him with paper. When we put his pants on the floor full of paper they stood up* it was pretty funny to watch our dog and cat walk over to them - a tad bit curious!We placed him outside on the bench.We used acrylic paint and it rained and washed his cheeks off right away. that was pretty funny!My computer was broken so I couldnt upload my picture to enter it in the contest but that's ok we think he is a winner. His name is Mr. Paper legs! AKA stumpy

Insanely Inspired

I was going to post about what I did after the SHE ART class- which was a class online from Brave Girls club founder Melody Ross,and Kathy Wilkins out of Idaho--- look here for inspiration. Bravegirlsclub.com
I will have to do that at another time. I just got back from the most inspiring 2 days of my life.(Thurs arrived, Friday classes, Sat. VIP breakfast, then home) I have not been this excited since I conceived my son! SERIOUSLY!
I attended TCC the creative connection in St Paul MN. (artists and crafters)
First of all, it was a big deal just to get there! I am a bit of a wimp about travelling alone, driving etc.It was almost 300 miles. plus it was going to be the 1st time leaving my child since he was born. (5 years)
It all turned out soooooooooo awesome! I was insanely inspired,and profoundly moved. I met some really great women, and also met some of the women that inspire me, (Melody Ross, Kellierae Roberts,Lisa McCue)ladies from Big picture classes. I got to make some great crafts,(Soul Book)and learn from others,(Lisa McCue)and see what's "hot" now~ at the "market".I attended the VIP breakfast which was too great for words. I stumbled in there all alone, and asked a woman if the whole table was "taken", she graciously said "we'd love to have you join us."(I had no idea I asked to sit with a "reserved" table the women from Blogher.) I didnt see the little reserved sign.I was embarrassed and also very grateful. as I sat there and listened intently to the questions posed and all the gracious answers- I was moved to tears a few times. I had always enjoyed Curly Girl- but to hear her speak, it was really nice. I was familiar with melody Ross and Kellierae Roberts,and susan Branch(LOVE THEM) I had seen Karen's work in the photgraphy book shutter sisters(I think that is the title) and I had recently learned of Uppecase while attending Melody's soul Book class- ladies at my table were raving about her.(I apologize I dont have photos or all names correct at this posting)
I have recently been introduced to where woem create magazine and several other publications from them-and just absorb every page! Love it! To see and hear Jo Packman was really endearing!
Thanks for stopping by.

My son did ok without me,too!

art is calling me back

Ok, I am kind of getting this blogging thing figured out.
I wanted to post what has been happening to bring me here.
It was late Feb. 2011-- and I was needing "something"... I looked on-line for some kind of art workshop. I came upon one with Christy Tomlinson and LOVED IT! It was called "She Art!" I had not touched my art supplies in over 10 years!I really never thought there was going to be a time when I would use them- ever again!
This art piece is entitled "40". I gave it to a special person. Look at Scarletlime.com for inspiration from christy Tomlinson.