Feathers In My Nest

Side Note - I stole my title from a Beth Moore book, whom is on my heart in a big way, since I saw her Live this weekend. She has a blog by the way...if you love her studies, you should check it out! God did BIG things this weekend!!

Things Re-Learned

This week I decided to take all three girls to our family's little beach cabin (above) for a night or two. Why I had such a hankerin' to get out of town and take on such a fete is probably a blog post in itself, but I have a feeling it could be summed up in the words - "an itchin' to get away!" The cabin sits right on the river...it's a reasonably close...and free! Makes sense right?

I learned a few things on this short - one night trip away - that I know I have learned before...and yet keep forgetting.

1. You can't escape parenting even in a different location (unless you've left the kids at home...) - and don't forget, it's even harder in a new local.

2. The drive there and back is the most peaceful part, as the children are secured nicely in carseats and watching a movie on the van's dvd player.

2a. Calories eaten in the car are STILL calories - dang it! (Ruby had her first corn dog on the way out of town and her first licorice sticks on the way home)

2b. Try hard not to judge on 2a's menu choices.

3. The sand and wind and cold ocean air are just not fun with toddlers.

4. I still need my mom (She got done with school at 12pm on Tuesday, drove to the coast, spent the night with us girls, got up at 5:30am the next morning to get back to her kindergarten teaching duties, drove back to the coast, took Daphne on a walk on the beach, and then helped me pack up and clean the cabin before leaving)

4a. Only a mom would do that...and say she had fun doing it!

5. Home is always wonderful to return to.

6. These are the trips I'll remember for a lifetime.

Only if you watch American IDOL

I am a big fan of IDOL. Always have. Always will (a strong bet anyway).



But last night confirmed that I think the way they execute the whole "save vote" is very awkward. I've been able to come up with a few ways that I think they could do it better, since I do like the idea of them being able to save someone that really deserves to stay.



I was so embarassed for the judges last night as they fumbled around their decision on LIVE television in front of the poor contestant. I agreed that Scott's time was definitely up on the show, but come on, give the guy a break.



They're making it look way too unprofessional!



IF you don't watch this show, I hope you stopped reading at the title, but if you DO...am I way off here or do you agree?

Someday...

I think my mom would attest to the fact that I have always been on the creative side. And I'm not talking a born Martha Stewart in decor fashion - but I would get all excited in our church's office when she opened the cabinets to reveal ten different colors of computer paper. And then when my mom became a public school teacher, I was in awe of the art supply room. Unfortunately, my mom the utmost professional, would never let me do much more than stare at all the fun paper, cutting machines and glitter bottles. I just loved to paint, draw, doodle, and create.

Now as an adult, wife, mother, my creative spirit comes alive at the prospects of flower arrangements on my table, dinner parties with name cards and party favors, a house adorned for Christmas, fresh baked cookies sitting on my pretty cake stand, sewing projects, wall hangings made just for the girls' rooms, birthday party invitations, etc etc. It's all too fun. But most of the time I have to let the ideas stay in the idea portion of my mind.


You all understand - most likely you've either had young children, or you have them right now. And at this point in my life, I have to let my appetite for pretty things be quenched by a tidy stack of little girls panties, or my dishes clean and put away in the cabinets, or a the toys stashed away in pretty baskets with red gingham liners. And let's face it - that's even hard to come by.


Luckily, I have the pleasure of leading a mom's group twice a month and I get to let my creativity come alive a bit with small projects. And I really have to harness my desire to go BIG each meeting, as there just isn't enough time, money or time for extravagance. But someday, maybe my house will look something like this come Easter season. I also leave you with the easy project we will do this Friday at moms group.

This is what I found on my search for that perfect Easter project for the girls:

Those are eggs that have had their yolk "blown" out.

Simple - stunning.

Let's imagine we're all sitting here together, right now!

Go to Better Homes and Gardens Crafts

Happy Easter Friends - I know heaven will blow us Martha aspirers out of the park!

The Days of our Lives

No huge outings, ceremonies or milestones around here the last month ~ just lots of growing up (both the pains and the joys) AND a lot of the best family down time.

"Datne" to "Daphne"

Why do we live our lives in such tension? You know, loving Hawaii - a miraculous get-away in every sense and yet, in the evenings feeling homesick. Resorting to food as a comfort when things drain me emotionally, and yet the immediate guilt that makes me even more miserable. Pulling hair out with a preschooler who challenges me constantly, but hating the fact that she's growing up! The last couple weeks have been trying in the parental areas of patience and wisdom. God is keeping me afloat though...daily prayers, constant doses of perspective, and the "parenting" or "discipline" section at the public library. I was reminded yesterday, that no matter how rough the behavior is...I'm still going to miss this! Because one day, Maisie was still calling her big sister, "Datne" - the name she's used for forever....and yesterday, her brain figured out how to say the F sound and now it's Daphne - perfectly pronounced. No wonder she's been having tantrums...I seriously think her brain must be growing and changing so fast these days, that it's hard for her to keep up! I could end all my posts with this next word...BLESSED!

A week after...

Back to reality, complete with a go-go schedule, tantrums, sibling fighting, sweet hugs, memorable conversations and lots of great Hawaii memories keeping us afloat!

Although I am tempted to share more Hawaii pictures, I am choosing instead to leave you with proof of quiet, peace, rest and solitude - it's out there in God's creation...waiting for you to find it!