Change is in the air.....

Fall is a favorite time of year for me.  The sun looks different..less intense and the colors are calming ..like things are getting ready to slow down.

Everything has a glow about it.

The kitchen is full of warm smells.  Everything seems to be getting closer, snuggly, more relaxed.

  I kiss my kids more...random hugs.  I dare say that I even linger while folding clothes...to see how much they have grown and neatly tuck their t-shirts in their drawers.  Marveling that each one of them is a gift.  ....and then I trip over the  lego box...but the moment is still precious.


This move has been an awesome gift to me.  Some moves like the last are proving grounds..we already talked about that one... but this one has landed me  in an inspired space.  My love for decorating and junking has been renewed. 


This house has a unique floor plan.  The master is on the main and I have never had that before.  It has been a challenge and I have pulled all my color mastery to determine how I wanted this new space to feel.

I am working on a color palette.  I want this house to feel like a French Cottage, relaxed and elegant.

I have had some help....and I can not wait to share with you.....

Slippery little suckers......

Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap
Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap
I'd go slidey, slidey, slidey over every-body's hidey
Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap.

I loved that song as a girl scout.  It had a great little rhythm and it was good clean fun....haaaa, get it..clean..WOW!  

I like to talk to my kids.  They are funny, intelligent and nice to be around.  They tell me about their views on life.  How they are feeling and what they dream about.  I let them ramble...on and on.


 I have to admit.  Sometimes I dont care for the topic or what their views are on somethings.  But I listen.  I think sometimes they need to hear their own voices saying somethings out loud.  To really hear what they are thinking.  There is sooooo much more to think about today as a teenager.  

The World is smaller.  Social media brings things into their lives that we never had to deal with.  It is normal and healthy for teens to question.  They need to. 

 It is one thing for us as parents to tell them how it is and it is completely different when they experience it for themselves.  It is insanely hard to not jump in and steer them clear of pain or heartache.  But what would that teach them?  What tools would I be giving them if I always gave them the answers or prevented an outcome?  How will they learn?

This is where the slippery part comes in.  I equate raising teenagers like holding onto a bar of soap.

The harder you squeeze the faster they are going to slip right out of your hands.  Choose your battles.  Keep your heart and your head level...open.  It is too easy to squeeze them......to try and control what they feel ......and it hurts.  It hurts us as parents when our kids turn on ideals and traditions that we as parents have held.  It doesn't feel good to let them find their own way.  Its scary as hell.....

We love our kids so much that holding onto them tightly seems like what we are suppose to do.  That pushing them into the way we do things makes sense because we've already done it.  We know what works.  Its logical.  We don't want to see them make mistakes.   Mistakes.....hummmm?  Perhaps the best way to look at that is as opportunities. Opportunities to teach.  Opportunities to show by example what being a Christian looks like.   Opportunities to see that not everything is done the right way but simply "a" way.   That our kids can teach us too.

There are too many broken hearted teens that dont feel heard.  They dont feel understood, like an alien in their own homes.  The emotions that are running through our kids are valid and real.  When they say they are in love.  ITS LOVE!  When they say I am sad.  LISTEN!  When they cry...HOLD THEM!  Get into their beds and cradle those 160lb 6'2" teens......they need us....now more then ever because soon they will be slipping right out of your hands.

Loving you!!!!!

The month of October is alway full of busy busy bussell bussell around my house.

It is the beginning of six months of birthdays.  My dad, brother and oldest girl are all in October and of course there is Halloween.  We just love Halloween.

What I don't love is the weather.  As you know I was born and raised in Michigan.  I played and worked and ran and went to school in the freezing weather.  It was cold but it didnt bother me too much.  But then I went south for Spring Break and ohhhh man.....the flowers in February sold me.  I was going to be a southern bell and lucky me happen to find my hubby at Michigan State who happen to be heading to Atlanta....LUCKY DAY!!

What I do like about moving farther north is the fact that I get to wear great clothes.  Sweaters, long dusters, and boots....I LOVE BOOTS!!  So it is a trade off.  Now dont  judge me when you see photos of me in full layers and it is 50 degrees....that is WINTER ladies...in my book.

And what else happens in October....you got it ladies..Breast Cancer awareness month.  Now settle in cause there is a story comin...and it is funny and scary all wrapped up in one.

When I was in my early 20's I had a scare.  The annual girl doctor visit did not go well and I needed to get an ultra sound and a mammogram.  This is not something you think about in your 20's.  It isn't even on the radar.  I was living in Atlanta, Georgia and didn't have my mom to lean on.  

Now here's the thing.  No one likes to go to get a breast exam..partially if  it is not routine.  But no one tells you the details.  OMG!!  ladies!!  LADIES LADIES!!  Tell the young ones what to expect......

HOLY COW....it hurts!  This is not to deter....NO WAY!!.... It is just fact....if you are in the itty bitty club like me....MAN! They are going to find tissue and I mean from your collar bone to get a good scan.  Your eyes will water and you will hold your breath.....and see stars.

I would like to report that after four kids this fact has not changed not a little itty bitty bit.  Still scary..still like being run over by a truck with the tread marks to prove it...but this time...I got a flower and chocolate....

Now these treats were not lost on my sick humor...cause it kinda reminded me of an old boyfriend....

Truth is.....sometimes..love hurts...but dont skip your annual exam....love yourself...I sure do.

BLessings!

Praise Report!!!!!

I am so very happy to say that my little guy has not gotten sick before school at all this week!!

I asked for prayer from my new Bible study group.  It is hard to be new...and then go and tell everyone

that your kid is having troubles .....talk about putting it out there.

Well... the support was overwhelming!!!!

And the following week my sweet Becky asked for continued support and prayer for us in helping our little man overcome his troubles.

You know the kind of tears that are silent...the ones that you hear dripping on the floor from the tip of your nose.....???  That was me.  GOD IS SOOO GOOD!


He has been to many doctors the past two weeks and had to have blood drawn. (Thank goodness for daddy's with big shoulders.) 

 He put up a good fight but the gal managed to get her job done and no one got kicked.  Daddy and little man came out red and sweating but no damage done.


It is hard a choice when it come to the question of to medicate your child or not to.
 We are firm believers in Herbalist and homeopaths, but this situation needed some extra help.   And it is working.  Every child is different and every family needs to decide what will work for them.  So very blessed to have great teachers, staff, friends, and doctors who helped us through this.

For the first time in weeks I can take a deep breath and not be worried about the "What next".
Everyone is settling into fall.  Deep deep breath...........phew!

Our homework center....more chalkboard paint.....love the fall colors.

Pinkie Pie with her cute new skirt from Old Navy...

Needed a reminder on a few letters.. ....love this hutch...do your kids like cursive???

  Tickle tickle........
Went to an amazing auction...the guy was in the back of a Gator and drove around to pick ups.....

I will save that for next time.....xoxox

Kinda nervous....

Back to school eve...

This former homeschooling mom gets very nervous the night before school.

So many questions and so many doubts..

This is the prayer I wrote on their first year back ............it makes me feel better.

Blessings to all of you and your children.  I hope you all have an amazing year.

A prayer for the new school year. Dear Lord, please watch over my children as they each head into a new school year. Give them the ability to reach for the stars but keep their feet firmly planted. Show them the simple paths to warming others hearts by acting kindly and demonstrating positive virtues. Lord, help them and all other children to understand the power of a smile and a kind word. Lord, fill the teachers, support staff, bus drivers and administration with Your Will. Give them courage and wisdom to guide our children and teach them by example. And give me Lord the strength to keep my tongue, stay in Your Grace and enjoy every minute of this coming school year. Blessings to all of you! Have the best year ever!!