My Artwork

I've been enjoying painting since moving back to the States. Instead of an office space we created an art studio. If I can ever get it clean again, I will do a post on it and how we created the room. 

Anyway, I thought I'd share some of my work. It's really amazing me how distinct me style has become. I can also look back through the years and see it developing. 

Listening and Mother's Day

We've only said 100 times "No Wrestling!" They listen.

My precious children made me a wonderful video for Mother's day. I am blessed beyond words!

Redirecting

This article really speaks to me. We've been living in a flash flood of our own lately. We watched the proverbial tent floating down the river and are actively redirecting now! We are setting new goals.

"We’re always taught to never give up — “don’t be a quitter” — but honestly, what does “not giving up” look like in a flash flood?

When you’re slogging it out, giving something your all, don’t you ever stop and think, "Even if I could eventually break through this brick wall with my bare hands, do I really want to spend the next five years clawing at it?"

I suppose it depends on what’s on the other side, but sometimes I really think it takes a stronger person to back up, redirect, and choose a new goal. It’s something my mother does well and something I wish I did better."  ~Laura Munoz

Here is a link to the article:

http://www.upworthy.com/the-ridiculously-terrible-mother-daughter-camping-trip-that-taught-me-when-to-let-go?c=ufb1

Plot Twist

What a story we are writing! Glad I'm doing it with my best friend.

Decorating and making old things new

I can plan up great projects, but sometimes I need my handy crew to make them come to fruition. Dax and Delaney are amazing at making my visions come to life! 

 Making my vision a reality! My hubs is amazing!!!

I love my scarf and bookshelf.

 This kid had spray painting skills!!!

 Wish I had taken a picture of the refrigerator before. It was rusted and not very pretty. Now our extra fridge is a work of art!

Simple Joy

This kiddo always helps me to remember 

to find joy in the simple things!

Innovation

A broken wrist can't stop our family from playing cards!

And legos rock :-)

Driving Culture

This morning while checking my newsfeed on Facebook, I read this article (http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/01/dutch-city-cycle-lanes-overcrowded-at-rush-hour/) a friend living in the Netherlands posted about rush hour cycle lanes being overcrowded. Her opening was "This is my new reality and I love the biking culture." It got me thinking about being back in a driving culture. I remember when we were first moving overseas being nervous about only having one car... about using public transit... and I was pretty excited about it also.

It turned out to be a wonderful adventure. I loved the people watching, the energy of the commute, the way I was able to interact with people from all walks of life. Sure there wasn't life long friendships made or anything, but there was a sharing of energy... a feeling of interconnectedness. There were also negatives, but those that know me know I'm not one to focus on that.

Now we are a 3 car family of 6 living in a driving culture. I can't help but feel like it's super easy to feel disconnected from other humans in a driving culture. We get in our cars and quickly lock our doors. It's easy to get angry, honk, and drive aggressively around the car that just cut you off or is driving too slow. It's easy to forget that it is just another human sitting behind that wheel. We get in our cars drive kids to school or head to work. Spending time with only those who are "like" us. We live in our communities and still are only surrounded with those "like" us who make about the same money as us and value the same lifestyle as us. 

That being said, we are still loving the conveniences of having cars again. Still, I yearn for the interconnectedness. I wonder what we can do in this driving culture with all it's perks to remain part of the world around us and aware of the lives that others are living.

Someone is definitely LOVING the driving culture!

Change your perspective. Change your reality.

Or at least the way you view the world... your circumstances and others.

I was using my phone as a mirror this morning and sat it on the counter while I finished throwing my hair in a bun. I glanced down and noticed this view on my phone screen.

It just reminded me to stop and notice things from different angles and different lights. Find the beauty. Find others point of view. Seek understanding. Find beauty. Find light.

Ha... deep early morning thoughts!

Her eyes light up and she stands taller.

Delaney: passionate, driven, determined, the girl with her eyes to the sky!

Whether she's in Arizona or Florida in a 1 1/2 years I'm not sure, but what I am sure of is that she will be an Embry Riddle Student and she will be flying high.

SHE'S A WOMAN ON A MISSION.

Fly high and dream big my love!

Hair Today!

"For me, hair is an accoutrement. Hair is jewelry. It's an accessory." 

~Jill Scott

I've been enjoying my long hair and the girls.
I keep getting crazier and crazier with the updos... it's fun!

 Threw in this crazy hair shot of Jax too!

 Sometimes Baby Boy gets in on the action!

 I kept asking if this was over the top! Haha!

 Wash out dreads. I found a video on how to do it here: Ursula Goff and Stuff