Home base

I have been feeling a restlessness in my soul that I initially attributed to being snowed under with work reports. Those are done now, yet the quiver in my spirit does not die down. I catch myself snapping at my children, with undertones of resentment from having to set aside my long list of to dos to simply play with them. I have spent less time sitting with and enjoying the company of my husband....

I've strayed so far from home base.

This base cushioned with gratitude and the knowing that I live out a sacred calling to mother with strength and vision, and to be an uplifting partner to my husband - I now take slow, purposeful steps back there. This base is at the feet of my Father, and my life becomes inexorably off-kilter and muddled without dwelling there.

Brennan Manning said, “The dominant characteristic of an authentic spiritual life is the gratitude that flows from trust—not only for all the gifts that I receive from God, but gratitude for all the suffering. Because in that purifying experience, suffering has often been the shortest path to intimacy with God.”

There have been some painful times. And there have been exceedingly good times. Trusting that my life will be used and directed exactly as it needs to be, I find the joyous tune in my heart again. It's the same tune I sang when each of my children were born, when my husband and I exchanged our vows to each other.

This is the song of my home base, and it's coming back.

Absent no more

Ah, it's good to be back. Had to take a hiatus to finish some things up.

Learning environment at home

We've been considering homeschooling as an option for Amanda's kindergarten if she doesn't get into one of three local charter schools. To be honest, homeschooling sounds so exciting yet scary at the same time - not because I think Amanda would suffer socially (this is one of those ignorant assumptions about homeschooling that we should all throw out the window), but because I don't know if I can carry it out the way I conceptualize it in my own brain. So, I've decided to give it a "test run" until July. Regardless of what type of schooling situation Amanda gets to be a part, you'd better believe I'll be all over it. And supplementing her schooling with a strong learning environment at home is a goal I wish to gift to both children.

New curriculum? Check.
Excited little Amanda? Check.
Organization? Oh Lord, please help me.... :)

Some layouts

Here's one I did using my friend Liv's Esteban Adventure Kit:


And one using Andilynn Designs' Waiting For Summer Kit:


Credits here for this next layout:


Using Lisa Habisreutinger's Springalicious Kit:



Thank goodness for warmer weather!

Ron and the girls have been going out to our neighborhood park regularly to take advantage of the nice weather we've had. I decided to follow along on Saturday:





Abigail has let us know that she wouldn't mind taking residence at the park. Look how happy she is there:



And it's a good thing the weather is allowing us some outside time, because folks, we have a climber on our hands, and the house is slowly falling apart:


Abby likes life on the kitchen counter and tries everything in her power to be there.

(Click for larger images!)

Monday's musings

I got a chance to write for the ScrapMatters Team Blog today. Here is my post. Check it out!

And finally, photos of my hair.

Before:

I haven't cut my hair since Abby was born a year ago.

After:





The first two photos were taken by Amanda, and the last one Ron took. It's kind of hard to see the detail, but it's longer in the front and slightly layered in the back. I like it a lot. At the very least, I'm about three pounds lighter now, and not getting my hair caught everywhere like I used to. :)

Saturday's triumphs

Happy March! So who took all those February days from us?

Some progress in life today! I finally cut and donated my hair to Locks of Love. I'll post photos tomorrow. We also moved our girls' play area from the family room to the upstairs guest room - something I've been mulling over for three months - and we love it. Not done completely, but no longer in concept mode. :)

Amanda blew my socks off with this picture she drew in Microsoft Paint:

(click to enlarge)

The latest up and coming four-year-old designer! Daddy taught her to use the program last May when we were hanging out at an airport waiting for our flight.

My youngest sister Gina will be visiting the end of this month from southern Cal- yay!

Here's a layout of Miss Amanda 1-1/2 years ago. She really loves to read. The other day, she read a whole book to Abigail, Ron and me! She smiled the whole time, because she said she felt "like a big person":



Created to feature Britt-ish Designs' Dreams Do Come True Kit at ScrapMatters.com
Font: Wenceslaus

Focus

I have had an incredibly difficult time tying loose ends, getting things done lately. I think I'm trying to do too much at once... master of none. Time to regroup. One thing at a time... one step at a time... breathe, and FOCUS.

Some layouts to share:


This scenario takes place throughout the day... too much love for each other. But don't be fooled; the little Crabigail can have her big sis running to Momma in tears via slapping, scratching, pulling hair. It's WWF, powder puff version. Credits here.



A layout using Lisa Habisreutinger's latest kit. I sure do enjoy being on her CT! Her stuff gives me digi happiness. :) The photo is by Fleurish Photography here in Eagle ID. Credits here.


This is my favorite... dedicated to Chole in MT - you are not alone, my friend. (Credits here)

(click on images to enlarge)

Happy birthday, Brandon!

We miss you so much, sweet boy! We talk about you daily.
(click for larger image)

Fonts: VNI-Thufap3, Decker
Mindy Terasawa's Monkey Do Kit

Amanda and Abigail's cousin Brandon is two today. :) Amanda and I had the pleasure of staying with newborn Brandon and his parents for a month, as helpers. Can't believe that was two years ago. Amanda holds very fond memories of that time - she says her favorite vacation destination in the world is Seattle.

100th

Today's post marks 100! Started our humble little blog back in November, not knowing what I was doing, and we still have a long way to go stylistically, but the journey sure has been fun. Thank you for frequenting our household through this venue. We enjoy your company.

To balance out the many Amanda layouts, here is one of our little Abigail:

(Click for larger image)

It's a layout I scrapped for Stacey Sansom's creative team, with her newest line of papers, Victoria.

Here are the credits.

Look how big Abigail is. It's so moving how life chugs forward, little by little.