I see it's been a while since I posted. Not for lack of things to post but rather lack of time. I have been very busy creating, cooking, wrapping, planning, hiding, shopping, more wrapping, all the things that Christmas brings. So here I am finally finding time to sit down and take a long deep breath. Presents are opened, feast is finished, bows and boxes are put away, and Christmas has come and gone once more. I was feeling that holiday stress this year. You know the stress you feel when you just hope Christmas will go off without a hitch. You wonder if you should book a trip to the tropics and try to avoid the whole holiday thing. You try to have no expectations for fear you will be disappointed but you really want to have a magical Christmas. So I just kept thinking positive and praying for the right attitude and guess what....it worked! Christmas went off with out a hitch. It was a peaceful, magical day. There was lots of eating and chatting and playing and more eating to be had in Kerbyville. So with all that said, Merry Christmas!

Creative Christmas

There is something about the holidays that inspire me to create. I always wonder why I am not inspired mid summer when the days are long and time is a plenty. Probably the call of the pool, patio, and warm sun keep me from staying indoors. Once the weather changes, the days shorten, and the temperature drops below 50 I am ready to stay in and create. This year I found plenty of ideas at one of my favorite spots, sew mama sew. There are so many fun ideas I could hardly choose. Now all I have to do is cut into all those wonder fabrics I have found. I can't wait to see how everything turns out. I am especially excited about something I am making for some tiny people in my life. They are gonna be so stink'n cute I can hardly wait to see them all dressed up and ready to create themselves. Gotta keep it a secret until I am done though. I feel like one of Santa's elves. So tomorrow it will be time to crank up the Christmas music and create.

~Scarlett

I am thankful for.....

well, thanksgiving is already here and I am still wondering how that happened. Looking at the date of my last blog also makes me wonder what happened, life I guess. School, work, sports, laundry.... life. It is good though and I have finally found a moment to reflect on what I am thankful for. I will admit this post was inspired by the sermon I heard at church today. How God wants us to be thankful in all things, even the things we don't like in our lives. How we need to look at them differently and praise God for them so here is what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for the cold wind because I have a warm house to come home to.

I am thankful for grocery shopping because I can provide my family with yummy meals.

I am thankful for a dog begging at the door for a walk because I can take him.

I am thankful for grass stained knees because my son can run and play.

I am thankful for sticky counters because I was able to make cookies with my kids.

I am thankful for piles of laundry because my family is home.

I am thankful for piles of dishes because family and friends were here.

I am thankful for weeds to pull because I get to enjoy my flowers.

I am thankful for long weeks because weekends are so fun.

I am thankful for whining children because it means they still sleep under my roof at night.

I am thankful for a snoring husband because he is home with me.

I am thankful for a full calendar because it means a full life.

I am thankful for exhaustion at the end of the day because it means I am fulfilling my purpose.

I am thankful to be a wife, mother, daughter, aunt, sister, and friend because it means I have all of you in my life.

~Scarlett

It might just be time...

Today it feels like fall is coming. I think we have squeaked out every last bit of summer around here. I mean it is almost Oct. 1st and we are still pushing 90 degrees outside. I think that is all about to change this week and I can feel it in the air. Fall is going to make her way into town. So it might just be time to......

can the last of the tomatoes
trim the raspberries
plant some bulbs
till the garden
winterize the pool
put up the patio furniture
clean the deck
OH and best of all get my craft table!

So as fall makes her way into town we find ourselves curled up inside just a little more. Football blaring on the TV and it might just be time for me to cut into some fabulous fabric and start making some Christmas gifts or that Mermaid costume that my daughter wants for Halloween. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

~Scarlett

9/11….just those words render feelings in all of us. Thoughts about that fateful day 8 years ago... 8 years, it sounds like a long time yet seems just like yesterday. I know we all have stories about where we were that day when we heard the news. I was somewhere between rocking babies and standing in line for my Starbucks, heading off to work and listening to the radio announcer say things like the Pentagon has been hit. I remember thinking this is the United States of America, planes do not fly into the Pentagon. I watched TV just like the rest of the world and my heart ached for those families. I felt a special connection to those women who lost husbands that day and all those little faces we saw on TV, the little ones who we came to know as the babies of 9/11. You see my little girl was just three months old. I wondered what would happen in her future and how the world would look. I wonder what happened to that America. The one where we all had flags flying and we supported our troops. I remember listening to George W. Bush and feeling proud to be an American. He brought this nation through one of the most difficult times in history. We are back to complacency. Congress can’t get anything done because of the division in parties, the economy is in the tank and Obama is not proving to be the Savior everyone hoped for. In spite of all of this I hope that America can reach down deep again and stand together. I hope that we will pray for our troops and remember those men and women not just fighting in Iraq right now but all of those that fight everyday of their life, those that fought in Vietnam, Korea, and WWII. All of the people that serve us every day and keep us safe. Today, my little girl is 8. She remembers nothing of 9/11. It is something that she will learn in history and I will tell her stories about where I was on that day when she is older. She doesn’t understand the threat of terrorism. She goes to school in a safe place and says the pledge of allegiance. She learns to sing the Star-Spangled Banner with sign language. She studies the Presidents and makes Abe Lincoln’s hat. She comes home and sleeps soundly at night. She knows that her great-grandfather fought in WWII and Korea and her grandfather fought in Vietnam. She knows her daddy was in the Navy. She is an all American girl. One day she will understand the sacrifice that they made and she will be thankful just like I am today.

~Scarlett

Perfect Imperfection

I am a perfectionist, yes I will admit it. I can’t just let something go it has to be perfect. Ask anyone, my husband, my kids, my mom…they will all tell you that I am a perfectionist. Sometimes I love it other times I dread it. There are bare walls in my house with no art because I cannot find the perfect piece and I don’t want to just stick something on the wall. I have repainted, resewn, and revamped many an item because it was not just the way I wanted it. Yeah, seems like a lot of work but once it is perfect, I am happy. If I leave it I just see all the imperfections and it drives me nuts. I will admit though it is tough being perfect especially with a house full of kids, family, dog, cats, rabbit, pigs, life. I have learned to overlook a lot to keep my sanity and occasionally I stop and ask myself…does this really matter? Who cares if the beds aren’t made or stacks of clean laundry sit in the laundry room…life will go on and it does. The world does not fall off it’s axis and we all manage to survive but have you ever experienced perfect imperfection? You know where you plan for everything to be just so and it doesn’t work out yet somehow the moment is perfect? Things fall into place in a way that you would have never imagined they could. I love these moments. They keep me humble and human and help me to remember that I really have absolutely no control over this world or my life. I try but in the end…no control! This week was one of those weeks. I planned, prepped, and prepared the best I could for the first day of school. Lunches packed, backpacks filled, clothes laid out, alarms set, bedtime stories, and goodnight kisses. I even reminded myself to set out the camera for those first day of school pictures. The morning went smoothly and we all made it out the door in time, excited, happy, anticipating that first day and guess what, yep not one photo. I check facebook that night and everyone is posting pics of the kiddos smiling with their new school attire. What did I have….nothing. Nothing but lots of hugs and kisses before the bell rang, a million mom I am going to miss you’s, and two will you please come see me at recesses….see perfect imperfection….who could ask for more. So, maybe today or tomorrow I will break out the camera and get 4th day of school pictures but for now I will cherish the fact that they will miss me and yes, I will go peek on them at recess.

A conversation overheard by a mother that involves her 5th grade son and friends....

Boys:

So, who is your teacher this year....various answers.

So, who is in your class..... various names.

So, what girls are in your class....various names.

Um, I think there are some new 5th grade girls....who....what class....what do they look like.... oh, you know her name.

Mother:

oy!

It's time for Fair

Fair.... corn dogs, rides, fried dough with sugar, animals, and lemonade.....close of summer. Well, it is fair week in Kerbyville and for us that means lots of excitement. We have 2 4-H'ers in this house which means lots of projects to get done. Let's see decorate pens at fairgrounds, record books, interview, load pigs, shave pigs, brush rabbit, load tack box, and make sure show clothing is ready. Whew, I am tired just thinking about it. Ah, but Fair, the excitement in the air, a culmination of all that hard work over the winter coming to an end. The final project completed. My daughter's eyes will light up tonight as she walks into those barns. She should have been born to a rancher or farmer. She will walk the aisles and pet every beast in that barn. All the cows, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and horses. She will ask to do every project next year and we will have to tell her she has to pick one. She will clunk around in her pink cowgirl boots and by the end of the night she will be every one's best friend. That is just how she is, she loves fair. I love it to, I have to admit. I think I should have been born to a rancher. Don't get me wrong, I love some good shopping and dining in the city but there is just something about being in a barn full of animals. Yeah, I know...it stinks...for some. As a girl I always dreamed of having a horse or cows or pigs. I can see that same dream in my girl's eyes. If I could I would buy some land and we would move to the middle of nowhere and she could have all those animals to love. For now we will settle for the pigs, rabbit, dog, and cats. So tonight we are off to fair. Here are the projects that they are taking:



Thumper (the rabbit, no she does not sell him, he will come home)


Hambone (he will be sold)



So next week we will be exhausted but in a good way and in October we will start all over!

Scarlett

August

(deep breath)...August, it is such a strange month for me. Part of me is ready for a schedule and some structure in my life and the other part of me longs for the lazy days of summer to last forever. Laying by the pool, taking trips to the lake, visiting friends and family, talking fireside until the wee hours of the morning.....summer, all the things I treasure in my life. A few more weeks and we will be back to early mornings, packing lunches, football practice, homework, schedules. It is funny how the school years have changed for me. It used to be me looking at the calendar and counting the days until I was done with work and could spend all day home with my babies. Now I look at that calendar as a time keeper counting down the years until they leave home. They just seem to be moving faster than I ever though possible. Summer is coming to an end and my boy is entering his last year of elementary school. I don't know what is harder, watching him walk into that kindergarten room or watching him walk into 5th grade on his last first day of elementary school. Part of me wants to squeeze him and make him stop growing so fast but the more I squeeze the more he tries to wriggle free, just like when he was 3. Only this time it isn't just out of my arms, it's away from me into his own little life. With a role of the eyes and "mom" in only the tone that a preteen can give you he navigates his way through this world taking a piece of my heart with him. I know, we all did it, became independent, we just didn't know what it was doing to our mothers. Good thing or we might all still be living at home. I want him to be free and independent. Strong, sure, successful. I love watching him grow and gaining insight into his world. I will cherish this last year of elementary. I am blessed to have been with him the whole way, working at his school. So this year as I look at the calendar, I won't be counting down the days until summer break. I hope this year is long and sweet. I hope it takes it's time before June roles around. Until then, I will enjoy every last minute of our summer break. September take your time!

Let's Go Down to the River

Last Sunday my gigi was baptized. I can hardly believe that she has reached this stage in her life but I am proud of her. She was so cute when the pastor asked if it was okay if he baptized her. She said yes, just don't let go of me cuz I will just float away. So we all gathered at the river and watched her special day. Here are a few pics....

So life in kerbyville has been just a leetle busy lately. We have gone from one fun activity to another. This week we were able to spend a little time at home to recover from all the fun we've been having, well that and trying to avoid catching the stomach flu. Yep, it's July and the flu bug is flying around. It managed to weasel it's way into our tiny little cabin in the woods over the 4th. Our family managed to stay bug free although a few others fell victim to a very violent bug. Yuck, bless their hearts! Our week at home has given us some time to stop and create. We spent 2 days on the back deck creating altered books and listening to all kinds of music. I just love summer. We've also been spending some time in the garden. We have lots of raspberries, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, and I spotted my first tomato tonight...yum! The kids have enjoyed helping pick raspberries although I think they eat them faster than they pick. Romo also likes to share in the treats. Here are a few pics of gigi helping pic. I know, I know the hair is wild but hey, it's summer!

Whew, where do I start? Cabin trip, class reunion, birthday party, and now a trip to McCall. I promise I will post pics soon!

Oh Summer Where Art Thou

It is 65 out and has been raining on and off for almost 2 weeks....need I say more?

Values in a Valueless World

Ever feel like you are fighting a battle or better yet a war. Lately I have felt like I am fighting the battle of my life and it is for my kid's souls. I know that sounds a bit dramatic and this little post could easily turn into a rant but man, I am tired and we still have a ways to go. I know, I know, I could go on and on about back when we were kids but let's face it we do have a few more things to deal with than our parents did. You know, cell phones, email, IM, texting, internet, video games, etc etc. The list of techy things goes on and on. I am not anti-technology by any means. I'll be the first to admit that I am just a little addicted to facebook, my ipod, and my cell phone. I am just not ready to had that over to my 10 year old. He is not ready to handle it either, but I swear the next time one of his friends, friends me on facebook I am gonna scream. Or better yet when they ask why we don't give him a cell phone I will definitely lose it! Come on people a little discernment here. I mean seriously you are gonna hand you kid a cell phone and say go for it? Do you listen to the news? Have you heard of sexting, pharm parties, and the crazies that prey on our kids? If you haven't you either to old to know what I am talking about or to young to have kids in this age group, so I guess you can relax for a little while. I know not all kids fall into this category and there are some really awesome kids out there. I work with them, my kids have them as friends. It's all that stuff out there that you just pray your kids will never try or even be interested in trying. That is what gives me a tiny panic attack when I think of it. I am trying to teach some good old fashion values in a valueless world. You know, you have to work hard in life to succeed, you need to be responsible for yourself, be reliable, stick to your word, and don't compromise your values. I guess it would be easier to just give in but then what price would we pay in the end. I don't want to find out. So I will put on my armor and continue to fight. Some of you might just be as tired as I am, if so keep it up!

Happy Memorial Day

Creatively Challenged

I don't know that "creatively challenged" is really how my friends would describe me, well at least not the ones that really know me. I think of myself as a pretty creative person. The challenge lately has been time. I long for the day when I can just sit and create. It takes a little time to clear you head of all the everyday clutter and get into that creative mode. I have a fabulous stack of fabric just screaming to be made into two very sweet baby boy quilts. I mean one of the fabrics is blue camo...how cute is that! Any hoo, despite my lack of time and organization I can dream of being creative or at least live through others creativity and I have. I have found two very cool blogs that I am starting to enjoy. Material Obsession and Marie Grace Designs. Check them out under my favs. These are the women that actually have the time to sit and create. I will be there soon. One summer project is to clean out my craft closet and take back my craft room that has been overtaken with games, playdoh, sculpty, makers, crayons, and pipe cleaners. At least someone in our house is creating! For now I may not get to sit on my porch and knit or quilt or paint all day, not yet. I am still raising babies although they are no longer babies and are quickly becoming preteens. So I figure a few more years and all that arguing, driving, cleaning, cooking, snuggling, fixing owies, and answering the mysteries of life will be replaced with painting, quilting, and knitting. Doesn't sound so bad putting that off for a while does it. Right now I will stick with the mom thing, I love it way to much. And hey, all my grand kids will get to wear the funky sweaters I make for them.

:) Scarlett

Things that make me smile.....

:) Scarlett

Since I was mothering on Mother's day because my little gal was sick, this is a little late. Just wanted to share a little of what I have been blessed with not only as a mother but also as a daughter, sister, and friend. To all the girl's in my life I say thank you for doing life with me. It just wouldn't be the same without you. I love you all!
Click on the link to see the video.



Mother's Day

Well, here is alittle bit of what has been going on around here:

Easter egg hunts

Easter egg unwrapping!

Playing with cousins

Football

Spring Break Adventures across the sea.

Fun in the sun!

A little cheerleading.

Some Basketball.

It has been a very busy spring. Lots of fun and adventure!

Life in Kerbyville lately:

1) Spring flag football is in full swing. Practice, games, cheering, more practice. Fun for the boy.

2) A new cousin has joined the group. Now we are up to 6 grand kids. Very busy and exciting.

3) Spring has sprung, winter has returned, spring again, winter, um hopefully spring will stay soon!

4) Yard work, yard work, and more yard work...that is what happens when you have such a big yard. Now work on the pig pen. Piggies come in 2 weeks.

5) School is very busy for me and the kids we are down to 35 days and counting...ooh la la summers a coming!

6) Lots of summer plans on the books. If you would like to visit Keryville give me a call so we can get it scheduled...it's getting full of fun!

7) More to come....all of this excitement has been documented in photos. I guess I need to find the time to post them. Soon I promise!

~Scarlett

Awaken

The world is awakening...spring is here. I know we may have a few more cold days in our future but the trees are budding, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming. This time of year I always feel that I have survived. I survived cold dark winter. I can feel the sun on my face...ahhh, we have made it!

Reflecting...

I have had a very busy week. It seems like a whirlwind which is usually how April goes. It has been a good week though. This week I was awarded Elementary School Counselor of the Year for my entire school district. Quite an honor. I am humbled, proud, surprised, shocked, and completely in awe all at the same time. It is a real honor to be chosen by your peers to receive such an award. Part of me is celebrating and part of me is wondering how I managed to be the winner. I am not one to put myself in the spotlight and I often wonder if people notice what I do or if it just happens behind the scenes. I guess they have noticed. It has caused me to look back on all that I have done in my career. You have dreams and aspirations when you leave school and head out into the big ol' world. Young, green, lots to learn. Then it seems you are 15 years down the road and some how you have become the expert in your field. Feels very strange and then I realize that maybe I am accomplishing what I set out to do in life. No, it was not to receive awards or recognition, it was to make a difference in someones life, to change the world for the better one person at a time. It was to help just one child make it through their parent's divorce, the death of a loved one, a move to a foster home, or walking them through getting help from abuse. I am privileged to do this everyday. To some that seems like a very hard job and some days it is. I love it though, it is my passion. I might complain about the number of students I have, pay cuts, lack of funding, and legislative interference but I go in everyday because I know for some kids I might be one bright spot in their day and if I am it is all worth it. So I am happy to be honored but I would do it all again with no recognition just to know that I made a difference in one small life. That is the heart of a school counselor.

Manic Monday

Okay so it is Monday and to add to that it is the Monday after spring break. Blah, back to school, back to work, back to a routine. You always get a reality check after a week of no alarm clock. It is an even bigger reality check after a week on a tropical island, it was 34 degrees this morning...34!! Seriously people it is almost April...ahhh!!! So as I was dragging my kids out of bed this morning, and I was literally dragging them, I was thinking okay this is not so bad, I am awake, we can make it. We were on track and then everything fell apart. Gigi didn't get dressed fast enough, the little man was trying to squeeze in 5 minutes of TV watching before we had to leave and I was wondering if we were going to make the bus. Pile in the car, race down the street to the bus stop, we make it. Now I am all alone and on my way to work. Ah, breathe. So I drive to the wrong school, realize it about half way there luckily they are close so no biggie. Here is the kicker, I am so hot I have to crank up the AC. I am thinking I over dressed until I look at the temp on my car thermo. and realize it is 34 out. Okay, did my fever return, no I feel pretty good....hot flash! Are you kidding me?! What the heck? So if you happened to see a 30 something gal driving this morning with the windows down, red face, and singing "Just another Manic Monday" it was probably me. If you have no idea what "Just another Manic Monday" is please keep your prissy comments to yourself. You certainly missed a great decade of music and you are so far from hot flashes that I don't even want to know what you think!

~Scarlett

I know I have been blogging about my kids a lot lately but they have given me so much good material lately that I can hardly resist. Here is a conversation between my gigi and little man in the car. Don't you just get the best conversations in the car?!

I asked my little man why several girls from his class were complaining that he was annoying. He said I don't know. So gigi chimes in, maybe they like you. LM says no they don't crazy girl (yes he calls her that sometimes). So I begin breaking up the fight that is about to start. Then gigi says what do you get all butterflyie (have to put the e sound on the end) when they are around. Lm stop it! I tell gigi we are not talking about people liking each other and you are to young to have boyfriends or girlfriends or to be talking about going out. You can talk about going out when you can actually go out so that is when you can drive a car. We have about 6 years before that will happen. Gigi chimes in again, well I am getting married in 21 years. Okay. So in 20 years I would be 1 year away from getting married so there. WOW! What do you say to that as a mom?

I tell you my kids never leave me empty handed when I need something to post about. I just love to listen to their stories and conversations. Last night while we were in the hot tub gigi was telling me all about Saul. Here is how her story went.

Mom, did you know there was this guy in the Bible named Saul? He went walking downtown looking for a church because he wanted to find some Christians to persecute and you know...cuucck sound (slid her finger across her throat) kill. On his way there was a very bright light so bright that he was blinded. It was God telling him to quit killing Christians. His friends that were with him were so scared. So since he was blind he decided to believe in God. Then the light went away and fish skulls fell out of his eyes and he could see again. So he changed his name to Paul. Well, I think it was Paul or was it Paul first and then Saul. Oh, I can't remember. Any way he changed his name and kept going down the road to gymnastics.

So cute! and yes I told her it was the road to Damascus not gymnastics.

Sweetness...

Okay, you get two posts today. I was just sitting here thinking about my gigi and I thought I would share a little of my world with you. Every day I am amazed at my kids. I love, love, love them even when they drive me nuts. Can't hardly stand to be with out'em. The other day we were in the restroom of a local restaurant (we do our best thinking there). It happens to be decorated in a western theme, cowboys, boots, horses, all the things my little girl loves best. Our chat went something like this:

Me: I bet you like this bathroom with all the horses and cowboys. Are you gonna marry a cowboy one day?

Gigi: Nope, I am gonna marry someone who loves to have lots of animals around and who is not allergic to them.

Me: oh. good plan.

Gigi: I am gonna have horses and chickens and cows and pigs and a chiuaua.

Me: Oh, cowgirls usually have bigger dogs than chiuauas. Your horse could step on it.

Gigi: Cowgirls have chiuauas.

Me: really?

Gigi: yeah, there are lots of cowboys and cowgirls in Mexico and they love chiuauas there.

Me: hmm, good point. I guess you can get a chiuaua and still be a cowgirl.

Live like you were dying...

cuz you are. Pretty profound huh? This week was the wrap up of our 30 days no regrets. I wish I had been better at blogging about it but life just got in the way. That is okay because I have no regrets about not getting around to my computer. I was having to much fun living. I will say as soon as the service at church started this weekend I felt a blog post coming on. It started with the song "live like you were dying" by Tim Mcgraw and the story of Tim Mcgraw's life and how he found his father. He wrote that song after he sat with his father and watched him pass. I began thinking about this past month and all that has happened in my life. I know we all know that some day we will die but I really don't think we think about it much more than that. Oh, when we hear the story on the news of someone dying young or watch our grandparents leave this earth we might think about it a little more. Maybe we hug our kids a little tighter or tell our hubby that we love him a little more but after a few days we are right back in the rut of life taking every day for granted. So how do we keep that passion for life alive, how do we keep our focus on what really matters? In this world it can be hard. When everything around us tells us that it is all about money, power, stuff, status, looks, and who knows what else, it can be very easy to take our eyes off what really matters. So how do I keep focused...a lot of prayer. That is it. Simple huh? Well not really. Despite all my prayers I still get tempted to take my eyes off my goals, to get discouraged, to forget what matters. There are a few things that I have done to help me keep that passion alive. One of the things that I think has changed my life the most is marrying my husband. He has the same passion and goals that I have. Although we are completely different in our thinking we have the same goals. We are passionate about our family and we love to live life to the fullest. I love when we have an opportunity to do something and he says, if you don't do it now you never will. That has pushed me to do things I never would have otherwise. He does the same things with our kids and now I see the passion that they have for life. We have a bucket list and we are checking things off. We both agree that we don't want to look back and have regrets. No regrets about the time we spent at work instead of with our kids, no regrets about putting off vacation, no regrets about not being involved in our church and community. Yeah, I'm tired and sometimes I am over scheduled but it is tired in a good way. I have no regrets and I hope to keep it that way!

Wicked Weekend

Most of you know that I spent the weekend in Portland with some friends. We went to see Wicked. What I was amazed to find out is how many people on facebook probably think I spent the weekend in Portland doing something entirely well, wicked. It is a musical people! and a very good one at that. Loved it and desperately want to take my gigi who saw the program and was very interested. We had to go online and look at pictures of the Broadway show. I had to explain every scene and tell her the entire story. She wants to go now. So I am putting that on my bucket list, that and Thanksgiving weekend in New York and the Macy's day parade! Yep that is going on there too. I would love to tell you all the details of the weekend but that would take a while and you may not understand everything anyway especially if you are male. You know a group of girls, no kids, no responsibilities...fun. We had tons of conversation, well pretty much non stop talking. I think we scared a few waiters...especially Addison... and a few restaurant patrons. Some pretty interesting shopping, downtown Portland has some very eccentric shops and we managed to stay out of trouble which is saying something for some of these girls! So if you ever have the opportunity to spend a little time with all the gals that went you will probably hear some funny stories and you will make some new friends very quickly. These girls are awesome, fun and the best part...they are real!

Chaos

Okay people, if there is still anyone out there, I have about a million little things floating around in my head to blog about. I always seem to think of them when I am driving. Seems like I do a lot of that lately. Burning up the highway between here and basketball or gymnastics or cheer or football or awana or 4-H hmmm, sounds a little busy huh? Well it is, that is why all I can seem to muster lately is the few little lines I squeeze out on my facebook page. I am afraid if I go all deep and dark on facebook some how the few friends I manage to have will unfriend me. So here is my two minute update. More to come on this sad little blog of mine. It is neglected, I know. Oh and by the way, disregard my previous post. It was snowing here today so somehow I think spring is long gone. Blah! Oh and I am off to the #1 unhappiest city tomorrow....Portland. Yep heard that on the radio today. It is the unhappiest city in America. Hopefully I will make it a little happier. 7 girls, no kids, no husbands, Wicked, hotel, shopping, sleeping, eating.....how could that not make it a happier place!

~Scarlett

Spring's a comin'

Can you feel it in the air? Ah, we are almost there. I know I whine and I know I complain but winter is hard for me. I feel like I am in a fog and only half way living. It's weird. When the days get a little longer and the sun shines a little more I can feel my soul waking up again. I love to feel the sun on my skin and have it actually warm me. Love it! I will take 105 over 35 any day. I know some think I am crazy but I am a warm weather gal. Flip Flops, sun glasses, iced tea and bbq's are what I live for! Sometimes I wonder why I put up with Northwest winters. But I do and I try not to whine to much. I am sure the mister would love to not have to hear me say how cold I am and I am sure he is ready for me to stop putting my ice cold feet on him at night. I know that I have a few more weeks, even months before the warm weather is here to stay but I am taking what I can get and today it broke 55 so I am rejoicing!

Bucket Dippers

Bucket Dippers, that's what I call them. You know the people that come along and just dip out of your bucket but they never really put anything back in. Energy drainers, passion stealers, dream squashers, whatever you want to call them, they are the people that make you want to run the other direction, screen your calls, and fill your calendars. I know that might sound mean but I know you all have someone that comes to mind. I used to put up with people like this in my life. I had to be nice, didn't want to offend anyone, be the good girl and all that jazz. Here is what I have learned though, it has nothing to do with being nice or good or loving, it has to do with setting boundaries and not letting people steal your energy. I know God has called us to love our neighbors and to show His love to others and I think you can do that and still set up some boundaries in your life. Last year I read a book and it really changed my thinking. It is called Fool-Proofing Your Life by Jan Silvious. It is a study on relationships from Proverbs, an honorable way to deal with the impossible people in your life. Sounds nice huh. Well, it has changed the way I deal with some of the people in my life. We all have fools in our life. Those people that never learn, constantly make the same mistakes and always blame everyone else for it. They create strife and spread slander. Some of them are friends, some relatives, some that we inherited through marriage, and some that we have chosen to have in our lives either through friendship and well sometimes marriage. The Bible defines these people as fools. It also warns us that when we keep the company of fools we are headed for destruction. There are ways to deal with these people that leave you feeling frustrated, angry, hurt, drained, and ready to slam your head into a wall! If you are thinking hey, I need this then I highly recommend this book. It is a fairly easy study and very eye-opening! All of this to come back to the fact that their are people in our lives that drain our passion. Part of One Month to Live is to live passionately. I think that really making a conscious choice about who we allow into our lives is important. I deal with people daily. Some are in crisis, some are hurt, some are reaping the consequences of their actions and looking for a quick fix. Whatever is happening I try to be there and listen and help resolve some of the problems. I hope that I show them the same love that Jesus would, the same compassion but at the end of the day they are not the ones that I confide in. Even Jesus had his 12 disciples that were his closest friends. He was closer to some than others. He was even betrayed by a few. It's that very similar to our lives though. I have close friends. Some are closer than others and yes, I have been betrayed by a few as well. I am at a place in my life right now where I am very happy about those that are on my inner circle. I trust them and love them and know that they support me. I can't say that life has always been that way. I have had times when I have had to think hard about who I would call on if I had a problem, crisis, emergency. That is not a fun place to be. I have cut my bucket dippers out! It has been hard not to get sucked back into the drama but you know what, I am so much happier! I just came to a point that I was done, couldn't take it any more. I still pray for these people and I hope that they will change but I am not going to be the one to change them. So they are gone. What does that mean? Well I still talk to them but I keep things are a more superficial level. I don't allow them to steal my energy or suck me into their drama or make me feel like I need to fix their problem. Was this hard at first? yes, I felt guilty but what I found is that they will survive and I have a lot more energy and a lot less frustration. So I was already working on this but when I started One Month to Live it actually reinforced this in my mind. I mean really, think about it, if you had one month to live would you be spending it with the people that you are doing life with right now? If not why?

I give

Okay, so I knew when I said I would blog about my 30 days no regrets that I would not make it everyday. It only took 3 days for me to miss so I am revamping. I will just update on what I am learning and any profound thoughts that I have. One thing I did learn is that having a very busy schedule can zap your passion that and certain people and unattainable goals. I am thinking the very busy schedule is the culprit for me. Let's face it, I am a single mom for most of the week, I am basically working 2 full-time jobs this year, I have 2 kiddos in activities, I try to cook healthy, keep a decent house, walk the dog, and get some creative time in here or there. Well, all that could zap your passion. I am not complaining about my life and trust me I am constantly looking for ways to clear my plate but where I am is busy. It can at times zap my passion. Right now my passion is a little ember. I can honestly say it is not burning bright. I am just plain tired. Most of my energy is drained at work. There is so much to do and very little time to do it in. To put it in perspective last year I worked full time at one school with 520 kids. This year I am working at 2 schools, 1 with 500 kids the other with 610. Get the picture....crazy! So I am trying to keep things in focus and make it through the year. Next year should be different. So what have I learned this week. There are things that can take away your passion. People, unachievable goals (perfection), and a hectic schedule. I have more thoughts on this but it will have to wait until tomorrow. I need to go get some rest!

Day 2

Today was interesting. It started off like any ordinary day but ended with chaos. My sweet girl was knocked in the face today at gymnastics. When they called to tell me she hit her lip I thought no big deal. Plunk an ice pack on it and I am on my way. When I got there and she showed me her mouth..well that was another story. She lost her two front teeth a few months ago and the big teeth had not came through. Now they are. Um, I don't think that is good. Any way, we headed to the ER. All is well as far as I know. She has to see the dentist tomorrow to make sure there is no damage to her permanent teeth. She has one baby tooth that was knocked loose but thanks to some hydrocodone she is sleeping well. Her brother informed her that if she damaged those adult teeth she will never get front teeth. This concerned her a little but I told her they would build her new teeth just like her Uncle. She was glad to know and said he had good front teeth so that would work. Gotta love big brothers!

Day 1

Okay, we will see if I actually record 30 days of no regrets hey, I can try. So I just noticed that this is my 100th post! I guess I should have a give away or party or something....don't get excited...I'm not. Woo Hoo, there ya go celebration! Well, it is Monday. That word can send shivers down your spine. If I were a day of the week I would not want to be Monday. It gets a bad rap. So our Monday started like most...hectic, late, tired, cold, foggy, blah. I decided this morning that I didn't care! I was going to have a good day and I was not going to nag at my kids so I didn't. We were late this morning but I did not let my heart rate rise. What is 10 minutes in the grand scheme of things? Guess What...nothing happened! No one died and it was no big deal. So I think I saved myself a few years off my life by not allowing my blood pressure to rise and I know my kids had a better day because of it. We had a nice peaceful ride to school and a great day. We had a yummy home made dinner thanks to my Rachel Ray magazine and now I am sitting alone while they are at a 4-H meeting with dad. Simple but good! No regrets. So I uploaded a little video for all you moms out there. Cute but made me think about my kids' perspective. I want to be a little less like this!

30 days no regrets

Ever wonder what you would do if you had 30 days to live? Well, you can join me in a challenge and find out! Our church is doing a 6 week series called 30 Days No Regrets. It is based on the book by Kerry & Chris Shook. The challenge is to help us focus on what really matters in life. I like to think that I already live this way. Passionately, full and with no regrets but I know there are some things that I need to work on. I am always saying "in the grand scheme of life will this really matter"? One of my favorite lines to keep things in perspective because it is so true. I mean honestly if your kids eat popcorn in the living room does it really matter?, if they play in the mud, paint their nails bright red, smear makeup on their faces, or stay in their jammies all day....WHO CARES!!! What really matters is what they will remember about you in 20 years. What kind of mom are you? Do you have fun and did you make great memories together? Yeah, if I really only had 30 days to live I would probably quit my job, yank my kids out of school, and go do what ever we wanted together but that is not reality. We have to pay the bills and educate the kids. So what can I change? Well, that is what I am working on figuring out. I think I do a pretty good job cutting loose with my kiddos...well at least when I am not stressed and over worked. I guess what I would like to think about is what differences am I making that will last for eternity. I know....big....but it is something that I would like to think about. So are you up for the challenge? Let me know what you might be thinking about. I would love to hear some others thoughts and ideas.

~Scarlett

I've got sunshine

I am happy to report that there was sunshine in Kerbyville today and tonight I actually saw the stars. To be honest I had forgot they were there so we I headed out to feed the dog and looked up it was a nice surprise. Some of you may wonder what I am talking about and why I would be so happy for sun. When you live in the Northwest there is something called stagnate air. I know sounds lovely. Basically the air does not move so when you live in a valley the air above becomes warmer than the air below. This really means the air does not move so you get a low cloud cover and your valley becomes a pit of fog. That's right, cloudy, foggy, and gray for 2 weeks. So when a storm rolls in and moves out that air, you start praise'n Jesus. Even if that means it is sunny and the high of 20. Hey, at least there is sun!

Double Digits

My little man turned 10 today....10! Wow, I know what every mom says...I can hardly believe it. But you know, it is true. I wonder where the time went. You spend the first 5 years wishing they were more independent and that you could get a little free time and then they get in school and you just wonder where the time goes. Now I am the mom of a "tween" and again I wonder how that happened. There is no way I am ready to handle a tween or teen but I said the same thing about a newborn. Now all those diapers and feedings seem like a breeze compared to questions about life. You know those questions that you really pause before you answer because it really matters what you say. You can't get away with those simple answers that you gave a two. I mean what do you say when he asks what meth is and why do people go to jail when they use it. Wow!!! See pause and stop. So I have decided to take it a day at a time like all parents do. I like that he is at an age where he is still safe and with me most of the time but I can tell you those teen years are sneaking up and I am trying my best not to think about it. Breaks my heart a little. That same heart that breaks just a little as he gets older and more independent swells a little with pride when I think of the boy that he has become. He is kind, funny, smart, friendly, and helpful. He has values and a strong sense of right and wrong. He is a leader. That strong will that I battled at age 3 is now paying off a little. He knows his mind and is not afraid to stand for what he thinks. I pray that he will continue to grow and keep true to himself and what he believes. So to my little man I say...Happy Birthday!

Christmas Crafts

Well, Christmas has come and gone but I am just getting around to sharing my Christmas craftiness. So here you go. These patterns were fun and easy. It was such a treat to see everyone open them and enjoy them.

My SIL nad niece in their matching aprons. Gigi is begging me to make her one so I better get the machine fired up!

Fun sling bag from Amy Butler. I could barely part with it so I think I will be whipping up a few more of these.
Another fabric combo that I did. Very cute.
These bags are super spacious but really cute. I think they would make a really fun diaper bag. The inside has pockets to hold all those baby things.
Just a few of the fun things I whipped up. Super cute and easy. Now just to find the time to make something for myself!

A New Year

The new year has rolled around once again. Everyone is hitting the gym and making resolutions. I am not one for resolutions. I think if you want to change something you should just do it. Why wait around for Jan. 1? I was thinking of this as I was driving to work today. Why...I have no idea. Maybe it is because it occurred to me that it is Jan 8th and I have not even thought about it being a new year. No time to stop and reflect. So this morning as I was driving on clear roads and I was actually on time I had time to think. As I was thinking ever so deeply a song came on the radio. One life is the name of it. I love this song and thought to myself....hey this is going to be my motto for 2009. No resolutions to hit the gym or lose a few pounds or eat better or recycle more. Nope. My motto is going to be to live life to the fullest. If you have heard the song it is all about a man who is dying and reflecting on all he missed in life, how he would change things if he could. My favorite line from that song is you only get one chance to find out what you don't want to miss. Simple yet profound. So quite down cluttered closets, stuffed drawers, old workout videos, unfinished scrapbook pages, and endless projects because I am not making any resolutions to finish you! I am going to have fun, love my kids, play with my family, travel, read, sleep late, chat with friends, stay up late, talk on the phone to long, spend to much time on facebook, watch to much TV,create, make messes, and love life! So there I guess I made a new year's resolution. That's it. None of the things that I am supposed to do but all the things that really matter. Happy New Year everyone...there are some warm chocolate chip cookies calling my name....yes I am going to eat them and yes they will be good!

~Scarlett

Our Imperfect Christmas

Right before Christmas I received an email that talked about the imperfect Christmas. It was saying that we need to focus on each other rather than all that needs to be done. It also talked about how most traditions start when something goes wrong. I laughed to myself and thought about how I try not to get hung up on all that needs to be done……I think that was my mistake. As a lot of you know our Christmas was far from perfect. Oh it started out perfect. Plans to go back east and spend Christmas with my family after 14 years of not having the holiday together. All was on track. Gifts wrapped and shipped, bags packed, tree down and then we get the call….flight cancelled. Again no big deal we will just go a day later…nope couldn’t get out until the 27th…now it is time to panic. What are we going to do? The mister is very concerned about our gifts that are on their way to VA. All of our gifts, even the ones from Ol’ Saint Nick. So I tell him to call Fed Ex and see if there is anyway to pull the package. They say no problem we will have the package to you on Christmas Eve. Great….everything will be okay…right? So I suck it up for my kids, put on a happy face, and pull out a few Christmas decorations. All is well. Then Christmas Eve roles around. No package. The mister calls Fed Ex, no problem your package will be delievered in Fredricksburg tonight…..WHAT?!! It was supposed to come back to Boise. Okay just keep it there because we will be there in a few days. Now I have to rush out on Christmas Eve and find something that will make Christmas wonderful and magical for my kids. Great, just what I had planned for Christmas Eve, shopping! Off I go leaving the mister at home to make cookies for Santa, get the gifts, head to church, come home, put out cookies and reindeer food, wrap presents, fill stockings, and fall into bed. What the heck just happened? Christmas day roles around and all is well. Kids are happy and Santa came through. The mister is still nervous about our box so he calls Fed Ex. Oh the box will be delivered to your hotel tomorrow morning. On the 26th the mister calls Fed Ex again. Oh your box will be delivered to Idaho on Friday…..WHAT??!! It is supposed to stay in VA. Nope on it’s way home, but we are leaving. The mister talks to the Fed Ex manager and explains this whole messed up situation and they say they will try to fix it. I take down the Christmas decorations again, pack again, and plan to go to the airport very early….again. On the 27th we head to the airport, go through security, mister can’t find his cell phone, that is because it is at home…great. Calls his mom who is staying at our house and tells her to mail it. Do we dare use Fed Ex? We get on our plane and sit on the runway for an hour while they deice and attempt to put in all the luggage. We are an hour behind schedule and I am getting nervous. We land in Seattle at 9:01 and we are supposed to leave at 9:15. Missed our connection…boarding closed!!! Nice. Wait in Seattle for 5 hours. Catch the 2:00 flight to DC. Sit on the plane for an hour while they find a pilot. Circle around twice, wait for a repair guy to fix a latch on a door, take off….finally. Hopefully we make it. Land in DC at midnight. Fall into bed at 2am. Wake up and think maybe the worst is over. Little man says his tummy hurts, Send the mister for some Pepto, give the little man pepto, little man hurls all over the bed in the hotel room. Nice. Merry Christmas! The mister and I just laughed at each other. What else could go wrong???? We have a yummy late Christmas dinner with my family and despite missing a few presents still have a lot of fun. On the 29th the cell phone and gifts arrived…yeah! No more puke and no one else got sick. Our trip was fun and coming home was a breeze. During all of this I kept asking God what He was trying to tell me or teach me and I had no answers. Trust me I was grumpy because nothing was going right and I mean nothing. Then it hit me….the imperfect Christmas. I realized that I had the imperfect Christmas and everything was okay. We still had the spirit and love and each other which is all that mattered. So just like 2000 years ago, everything did not go as planned yet it was wonderful. This is a Christmas that will go down in history in Kerbyville. One that we are already laughing about. It was our Imperfect Christmas!