lifeinkerbyville

Creative Christmas

2009-12-04T20:34:00.000-08:00

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.....

2009-11-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-09-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-11T14:41:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-02T13:20:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-08-27T21:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-07T19:14:00.000-07:00

(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

2009-08-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

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....

2009-07-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-29T22:16:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

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

Values in a Valueless World

2009-06-10T17:39:00.001-07:00

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

2009-05-25T19:25:00.000-07:00

Creatively Challenged

2009-05-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

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.....

2009-05-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

:) Scarlett

2009-05-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-04-14T14:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-04-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-03-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-03-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

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.