A Good Season

It is nice to live in a place where you experience all four seasons.  I could live without much winter because I don't like being cold but it is still fun to have a snow day!  My favorite seasons are spring and summer because I love seeing everything bloom and grow.

We can also have seasons of life.  Some seasons we wish we could live without.  It is during those times that we have learned how to grow stronger like the roots of a little sapling that is planted.  We went through what I would call a long winter, not the weather kind, but the kind that brought a lot of not-so-happy times and difficult times.  We had to learn to forgive people and rely on others.  Throughout it all, God held us and helped us be strong.  

Now we are at a good season, one where we can see the blooms and where we can see how we have grown.  Our daughter is flourishing and having a good third grade year.  Her young author book won at the school level, district level and went to the regional level.  She did an art project that advanced to be judged at a state level.  She is on a great cheer team that has taken 1st place at each event, except for one where almost the whole team got the yucky stomach flu.  We are in a wonderful church that is so loving and encouraging to us.  They truly love each other and desire to share the love of God.  It is a good season.  

Seasons of Life

We all have seasons of life. Some are short and some are long. Some may be happy and some we wish would pass quickly. What the seasons teach us is that you can prepare for some things and be ready to handle whatever comes.

Winter comes, whether I like it or not.  That is how it is with life.  The rough times may come but how we deal with it reflects to others.  Do you sit around and mope about it or do you get up, get going and appreciate the change and the hope of a new season?  I like to have the hope that even though a bump might come in the road, that hope for spring is right around the corner.

Spring is like God's little surprise party.  Things start popping up out of the ground.  Sometimes you might not remember they were there.  It is also a time to plant new seeds for things to bloom later.  How many times during our seasons of life do we plant seeds?  Sometimes we see them bloom and sometimes they don't.  Our children are only young once.  I try to be careful about the things I teach our daughter.  I want her to grow up to be a nice young lady who is conscious of her values and to love others.  Sometimes it is hard to protect her from outside elements while she grows.  All we can do sometimes is cultivate.

Summer is one of my favorite seasons.  What I don't like about summer is weeds!  Weeds seem to pop up so easily and can be hard to get rid of.  Weeds are always strong and can seem to take root and hold on tight.  During seasons of life, we must not let "weeds" take hold of our lives.  These can be anything from bad habits, negative people, or poor attitudes.  What I like to see in summer is the way the flowers can burst with color.  We should allow positive actions, people, and good attitudes to be that burst of color.

Fall is when we usually prepare our yards for the winter.  It is also a time when the leaves change colors.  We can also use this time to look back on the year and see what we could change for the better or what we can learn from the past several months.  It is also a time to reflect on how God can change us and help us to be an example of the beauty He wants us to share.

Whew...keeping up!

Keeping up with this was certainly hard. I thought it would be an easy way to encourage others and keep myself sane. So much happened in a year's time and I keep saying I will write a book about it. Maybe I will, too. It seems like life gets so busy sometimes. Do I take the time to enjoy it and take in each day like a cleansing breath? Sometimes I find myself in so many projects that I wonder how I will keep up. I am thankful for so many things and am grateful for the opportunities that come my way. Balancing it all is the key.

Poodle skirts

 
















Poodle Skirts

My daughter was going to a Brownie Sock Hop.  Last year I made poodle skirts for her and her friend. Since they still fit, I decided I would use the leftover material to make poodle skirts for their dolls.  They turned out super cute and the dolls had a great time at the sock hop too!

So if you need a poodle skirt for your doll and one to match your girl, let me know.  We can bling it up with anything you want.

Dr. Seuss!

I love Dr. Seuss.  He was such a brilliant man who brought the fun to reading for so many children.  My favorite books are Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Wacky Wednesday, Oh The Places You will Go, The Foot Book, Red Fish, Blue Fish, and so many more.  To honor him on his birthday, here are some fun facts about Dr. Seuss:

1. Dr. Seuss was never a doctor.  He only used it as a pseudonym at a university and added the Dr. as a joke to his dad who wanted him to be a doctor.
2. He almost burned his first book after being rejected by 27 publishers.  And to think that it might have not happened -- "And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street" was the beginning of Dr. Seuss.
3. His grandparents lived on Mulberry Street.
4. Dr. Seuss never had children and claimed to be nervous around them but he developed a close relationship with his nephew.  His nephew was said to be the inspiration of Green Eggs and Ham.
5. One of his most popular books was Green Eggs and Ham.  It was the result of a bet that he could not write a book using only 50 words.
6.  He is credited with jumpstarting reading among American Children.  He is also credited with killing off "Dick and Jane."  (I know I am dating myself but I loved Dick and Jane.  That is how I learned to read.)
7. One in four children in America have a Dr. Seuss book.
8. Dr. Seuss' penchant for rhyming was inherited from his mother, who used chants to memorize pie recipes in their bakery. 
9. More than 200 million copies of Dr. Seuss' children's books have been published. His 44 books have been translated into more than 15 languages.
10. If he were still alive today, he would be 107 years old. 

For more information about Dr. Seuss and to see the official page full of fun activities, visit:  http://www.seussville.com/

I need a Heart Lift.

Since turning 40, I sometimes think about parts of my body that I would like to be different.  Naturally, everything is getting older.  I look at pictures from years ago and realize that I don't look the same.  I don't know that I would want a face lift...it looks too painful.  I probably could go for some miracle cream that would make my skin look tighter and smoother.  That doesn't seem as invasive.

Basically,  I realize that it isn't about looks.  It is about the heart.  Everyone is in need of a heart lift.  Tonight is my night.  Life sometimes can hit you with a dose of "poor me" and I need that heart lift.  It is a human need to feel loved and encouraged.   My husband is an encourager.  Throughout our married life, it seems that we are always there to lift each other.  When I am down, he is there to help me up.  When he is down, I am there for him.  Thankfully we are rarely down at the same time.  Through those times, it is always nice to have a friend there and we have a few good ones!  But tonight, I guess I just need that extra heart lift.  I need that ability to click my heels together and hit the fast forward to a time when all is positive and uplifting.  Maybe it will be tomorrow, maybe next week....I know that I am a child of God and He promises that He will bring a river to our desert.  I am looking for that river and hope to see it and feel the refreshment that it will bring.

A Valentine Funny

On Valentine's Day, my husband, 7 yr old daughter and I all went to eat.  While eating, we started hearing the little boy behind us talk to his grandma.  The next thing we know, the grandma said, "Yes, she is pretty."  At that point, she and I just slightly turned around.  The little boy then said to her, "You are SOO beautiful!"

Since our daughter didn't really react...I said thank you for her.  Then the little boy said,  "You could be my girlfriend but I already have one.  She is 7 and I am 6."

After they left, our daughter said, "I want no part of that!  I am not dating until I am in high school!"

Do you think we can get that in writing?