On Being a Mom

At eighteen years old I would have told you I'm not going to have a family 

because I'm going to be a doctor and that lifestyle is not fair to a family.

Fast forward four years and I became a mom to an amazing tiny little man.

What in the world was my eighteen year old self thinking?

A lot of buzz around the internet talks about 

being a mama as this super hard exhausting task.
Here's the thing...
it absolutely can be hard and exhausting, but that is not all.

I look back and think how in the world did I have 3 little boys 4 and under, 

work full time, finish my teaching credential, and my master's degree?

It really comes down to one thing.

I finished and survived all of that because I was a mama.

I wanted time with my boys,

I wanted better for my boys,

and I wanted to set an example for my boys.

I did the hard things because I was always thinking about my life with my boys.
Was I tired?
You bet.
Was I frustrated at times?
Most assuredly.
Was it totally worth the early mornings and late nights?
Absolutely.

Now I am stubborn by nature and a hard worker,
so this might just be how things work for me,
but I know in my heart doing all of the hard things comes back to my boys.
Making a good life for them was the push to get things done.

So on this Mother's Day I look back and think
how in the world could I do life without my men?
The short answer...
I couldn't.
Being a mama brings me such joy.
This life is exactly what I was meant to do.

Mama is by far my favorite title.

Open Hands

When I read a story about parenting with open hands my heart hurt, but I knew it was exactly right.

On Sunday I did the hardest thing I have done as a mama...

I left my eighteen year old 1,550.2 miles away from home to begin his journey.

Austin, Texas is his new home. 

Let me tell you I was a hot mess.

The tears would not stop and when he had tears too it pushed me over the top.

It was everything I had not to pack him back up and bring him home with me.

Some how through the tears I drove away.

We had an amazing five days of getting him set up to live on his own.

We figured out routes to get to his school.

We shopped and stocked up on essentials and groceries.

We explored his new city. 

I knew he was ready, but I wasn't so sure my heart was ready.

Then Monday evening came and the texts started flowing in.

His cohort was great.  He liked his instructors.

The facilities were awesome and the perks were going to be wonderful.

I felt the heaviness lift as we knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

We had chosen wisely and his future looks so bright.

Austin and Texas in general blew me away. 

What a great place for Zack to begin the next part of his life! 

Parenting with open hands is not for sissies,

but when you see your kid thrive it's totally worth the hurting mama heart!

Who Needs a Basket?

I don't know about you, but having clutter around the house makes me a little crazy.

Add in holidays and things can get out of control.

Easter baskets and I have a love hate relationship.

I love making baskets for my boys,

but I hate that there is this basket lying around when the treats are long gone.

I came up with a solution that is quick and cheap!  

Two of my favorite words when I'm crafting!

First, gather all your materials.  

Seriously, I bet you have everything you need without a trip to Michaels!

1 Kraft Medium Bag

1 Piece of Scrapbook Paper

1 Piece of Felt

1 Pair of Scissors

1 Bunny Template

Pencil

Glue

Print out your bunny template and cut it out.

Trace it on the back side of the scrapbook paper.

Cut out the bunny and cut a circle from the felt.

Glue the bunny onto the kraft bag.

Glue the felt circle onto the bunny.

That's it!

See, I told you it was quick!

Have fun filling it up with Easter treats! 

Just fold it away for next year when the kiddos are done!

I have been using the ones I made for my boys for a few years now.

 I love how easy it is to pull them out of the cupboard!

So simple and no clutter to added to the house!

Simple Tips for Rearing Amazing Kids

When a teacher asks your husband and you if you're going to have more kids 

you might get a weird look on your face.  

When she goes on to explain that your boys are amazing, 

you understand, she wants more kids in her class like yours.

How did we rear such awesome kiddos?

Here it goes in a nutshell...

1. Say what you mean and mean what you say.  

Our boys know that when we tell them something 

we will do our best to follow through, good or bad.  

Idol threats or unkept promises are not how we do things around here.

2. Set boundaries. 

Kids need to know what is and is not okay in your family.  

If we told them something was not okay we surely followed through if they crossed the line.  

If kids know the expectations they will meet them.

3. Have routines.

From the time our boys were little we did things with them a certain way.

They always knew what to expect because we had a routine.  

Not always flying by the seat of your pants gives kiddos security 

and it helps everyone have a better day.

4. Listen to their stories.  

Our kids come to us and talk about everything.  

One thing their dad and I do almost without thinking is stop what we're doing and listen.  

All the little stuff they shared as munchkins has opened the door, 

so sharing teenager issues is totally normal and common.  

People have been surprised when the boys tell us about things

 that they did that were not great choices. 

 They know they can share anything with us 

because we're not going to start screaming.

5. Hang out together.  

Giving your kids your time is so simple, yet it can be totally overlooked.

Dinner is a great time to all be together.  

The middle of a Sunday afternoon is a great time to be silly, watch a movie, or just talk.  

Reading to my boys every night before bedtime 

will always be one of my favorite memories.

6.  Let them be kids.  

Our boys were mud loving, dirt digging, play fighting, paper creating little guys.  

We did not push them to be academic all-stars until it was time for them to go to school.  

Their job was to learn and grow and explore.  

We tried sports here and there, but we never pushed a busy schedule of activities.  

We firmly believe they need time to just figure things out.  

We do not need to fill every moment of their day with something. 

7.  Be encouragers. 

If your kid loves drawing make sure they have paper, pencils, and crayons to bring their heart to life.  

If your kid wants to make video games get them into programming. 

If your kid is a reader take them to the library or thrift store.  

If your kid is a builder make sure they have things to build with everyday.  

If they are excited about something, be excited with them!

8. Laugh with them.

When guests stay in our home they almost always comment on the laughter heard here.  

We love to laugh and some things that kids say or do are just hilarious.  

Teaching them to enjoy life is an awesome gift.

It is not hard or expensive to guide your kids into growing up to be amazing. 

The most important thing we have given our boys is our heart.  

We love them.  

We show it by setting boundaries, following through, listening, encouraging, and giving them our time.

I'm sure there are a million other little things we have done, 

but it all comes down to the most simple and valuable thing a parent can do...

Love your kiddos fiercely.

Following My Heart

Here's a little disclaimer...I have a pretty amazing life just as it is.
My boys are my joy, my husband is the best, my job is secure.
As good as things have been, I know I need to move forward 
to make a better life and a happier me.

 

Learning to find my way has been quite a journey.

All my life I have been the good girl 
with a side of stubborn and competitiveness.

I was one of the smart girls in school, so sciences and math were pushed.
I wanted to be the top kid, so I worked hard to see my name as high score.

There was the ability to succeed, but a true love of the academic world was never there.

I loved the art projects and the creative presentations assigned.  
Those things made my heart full!

No one ever encouraged me to pursue something that fed my creative soul as a career,
 nor did it ever cross my mind to head in a creative direction.

Doctor, lawyer, engineer, teacher...those jobs are what academic achievers do.

Just now as I turn 40 am I realizing that my heart yearns to create and make beautiful things.

I love seeing the potential in homes,

in a yard of fabric,

in a slab of wood,
or an old piece of furniture.

I have been in a classroom or on a retail floor doing the right thing
to make sure the bills were paid and food was on the table.
Now I long to shift into creating all the time.
I worked on a project all of Sunday and I didn't even realize how much time  had passed.
That shows me following my heart is the right choice.

It wasn't work and I was smiling all day.

I long to create beautiful spaces.

I just realized this week I have always been wired to decorate and create.

The tree house in my grandparents' backyard needed curtains,
my homes needed cozy, warm touches, my classroom must be calm and nurturing. 

How I feel when I enter a space is beyond important to me!

The bottom line is this...
smart and creative can go together.
I'm not quite sure how to be my own boss just yet
or if all these plans floating around in my head will work,
but I do know I have to focus on making it happen.
Being creative and making beautiful things is
just too important to my heart to just be a hobby anymore.

dream chaser

I've been dreaming about changes in our lives for a long time.

New and different and exciting mixed with scary and unknown.

It all seems to be coming together.

I'm finding myself more and more.

Realizing things I have daydreamed about could become reality.

Now it's time to get to work and work the plan.

If you know anything about me you know I'm not afraid of work, 

but I am afraid of not being secure.

This year is going to be all about trust in our dreams, my dreams. 

Knowing that everything we have set out to do we have accomplished.

Every time I turn around I keep seeing the words "dream chaser".

I love the little nods that I am heading in the right direction!

Pictures all courtesy of my crazy boys...

payback for being on the other side of the camera!

Not So Little Monkeys

 Once upon a time I had three little stair step boys.  

My hands were busy, my house was noisy, 

and my heart burst for my little men. 

Time has flown as my little guys have grown into amazing men.  

My heart still bursts, but the noise and busy-ness is passing.  

I miss them being little and being able to pick them up,

but this stage, three teenagers, has been pretty fabulous.

Setting rules, expectations, guidelines when they were little 

has paid off more than I could have imagined.

 Kenny and I get to enjoy these guys rather than worry.

We get to joke and plan and just be.

What a gift this mama gig has been!

Hang in there mamas of littles! 

It gets better and different and more amazing.

Now they just have to lean over so I can still kiss the top of their heads.  

Marketplace

For the last three years I have been able to participate 

in the Holiday Marketplace Boutique held at the convention center!

In all honesty it is a lot work to prepare inventory for the event, 

help fulfill my obligations with the women's group that puts it on, 

and get my classroom ready for parent conferences.

Just typing that makes me tired!

But here's the thing...I have a ball every year!

This year was even more special because I had customers come looking for me!

Isn't that too cool?!?

It really is fun to interact with so many neat people 

and to share my story about how Amy's Monkeys came to be.

I love setting up my booth.  Kenny has helped me make it amazing. 

The backdrop he created this year really is the icing on the cake!

My sweet husband even wrote out a parts list for the hubby of another vendor, 

so they could make one too!

For us it's like a date weekend!

We get to hang out and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Enjoy a small peek at my space for the weekend.

I totally forget my big camera, but my phone captured everything pretty well. 

Seeing all the little details come together to make a space 

that invites people in is pretty fabulous!

Projects finished and my creations displayed is such a wonderful feeling!

Leading up to the event I am usually overwhelmed,

but once we're set up it is just time to visit and enjoy my hubby and girlfriends. 

This community of little business owners and creative souls is food for my soul.  

I get recharged and ready to tackle next year 

with even more ideas for my little shop!

I updated the website so if something catches your eye 

head on over to see if it's still available!

Hello!

Oh my goodness it has been way too long since I've been over here!

Life has been full of projects, work, practice, and keeping up with all the things
you're supposed to do to keep a busy family going!

If you follow me on Instagram you've had a peek at the whirlwind of a year we've had!

Here's a little recap since April...can you believe that?!?

Rusty Roots happened in May...what a great event!

The school year ended in June with a whole lot of packing!
Classroom remodels are no joke!
I was one happy lady ready to get summer started!

Summer was full of projects for home and my classroom.
The best part was a few road trips with my favorite guy!

We scored some beautiful vintage beds from Craigslist
and busted it to get Luke's room (mostly) finished.

I think I painted just about anything that would stand still too...

Including my poor feet...ha!

We all started Kendo too!  What an amazing martial art!  I love it big time!

School started back up and I was a crazy lady that agreed to pilot a new program.
Can anyone say, "feels like my first year teaching again?"
Yikes, it's been a lot of work!

So this school year is FLYING by!
Holiday Marketplace Boutique is eight days away and we're still working on projects!

 It will be great, but man what a ride!
Mama has had a few meltdowns,
but when pressure builds up you've got to have a release!

Life is good and busy and messy...just as it should be!

Endeavor

If you know me you know I'm a homebody, 

but when your bestie invites you to her home 

near Los Angeles  you set up a mini family vacation!

Since her home is so close to LA my hubby wanted to go to the 

California Science Center to see the space shuttle Endeavor.  

A bit of research later and we discovered there would also be a 

Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the time of our visit.

Little did we know everything else the center had to offer!  

It was an amazing place and I know we didn't get to everything they had on display.  

Talk about delivering more than we had hoped!

As we made our way to the Endeavor we got to see so many amazing things, 

but nothing compared to walking into the Endeavor hanger and seeing it in person.  

Tears filled my eyes more than once as we wondered under and around the Endeavor.  

The sheer awe of something that amazing took my breath away!

I think we could have spent the entire day just soaking it all in!

The California Science Center was so much more than we thought.  

It had something for all age groups.  

I was really impressed!  I highly recommend it to any family!

Shop Update

I started making things to sale about five years ago now and I still love it! 

Seeing the smiles when people buy my goodies for a gift or hearing about how someone reacted when they got one of my packages is the best!

My little brand is growing and that makes my heart so happy.  

As a family we've all had a hand in building this business, so that makes it even more awesome.

I spent a lot of time last week making new items and then a bazillion hours getting photos and listings up on the shop website.  It's so cool to see everything looking so cute online.

Here's a peek at a few of the things available!  

Cuteness overload to follow...

I can't even begin to explain how amazing it is to see everything coming together so well!  

Five years is a long time, but so much has been learned and so many improvements have been made!  

It really is the best!