This Parenting Journey

Well, I am hoping that in some small way my blog will encourage and inspire those of you who read it. I am also determined to try to write something each week about my thoughts on this wild and crazy adventure called "parenting". I am not even really sure anyone reads this, but even if one person does and feels some encouragement, I will be blessed.
So, here it goes....
I have been on this little parenting adventure for almost 16 years. It is so hard to imagine that when Dave and I first learned that, Yes, we would be parents back in 1994, our lives would look like they do today. I really don't believe any of us can truly imagine what parenting will be like and what a crazy ride we are about to embark on. I know many of us "dream" about being parents, about not making the same "mistakes" our parents made and all that...but could any of us really know what we were getting ourselves into??? I think NOT! I can honestly say that I have LOVED being a parent. Now I am not saying I have LOVED every minute of it, I am just saying I love being a parent! I admit, I do not miss potty training or the tantrums or the power struggles of the will. I can still feel the helplessness when one of the kids got hurt, Praise God we only had 2 emergency room visits...so far!
But there has been such great joy and even a little pride as I watch each of our children grow into becoming young women and men of character. I realize that I have many years ahead of me, more heartache and more joy...but I can honestly say so far, this has been an amazing journey. So let me encourage you if you are just beginning...parenting has so many wonderful, amazing, joy-filled moments, don´t let those days where everything seems to go wrong and you are tired of being needed, physically, get you down. There will, for sure, come a day where they need you less...less clinging to your leg or on your lap and they will need you more, emotionally and for coaching.
It´s a wonderful progression.

Weekly Craft Post...

Recipe/Picture Holder

Well, I have been thinking a lot about different things, so I thought I would try to share a weekly craft I have either found or actually come up with myself, some may be both. I love finding an idea and then being able to "tweek" it a little. I hope you enjoy this, I would love to get your feedback on what you think of these. There have been a couple ideas that I have toyed with selling at local bazaars, but am not sure if they are something anyone would actually buy!
This first craft is a variation of a combination of ideas I saw at Craft Warehouse and something I received several years ago. This holder is made from a pretty heavy gauge steel, I had to get it from a friend because none of the craft stores carry the gauge I wanted. I love the ability to personalize these holders for peoples decor. I wanted to come up with a food related saying so I used "Eat your heart out", I also wanted to be able to use a variety of symbols or items to write out the saying so I used the dictionary definition for EAT, the a heart button for HEART and so on. I made the magnets out of different materials as well, and those are a craft for another week. :o)
Well, that's my idea for this week, let me know what you think!!

They grow up soooo fast...

I have heard that statement so often as a parent. When each of my kids was born, I would be reminded, by very wise and seasoned parents that; "They grow up so fast, savor every moment". I definitely have taken that advice to heart and have LOVED being a Mom. Well, this past weekend the idea that my kids are growing up smacked my husband and I directly in the face!! Our oldest daughter went to her first High School dance with a young man!! Ahhhh!!! There were a mirad of emotions that flooded my mind, I was having a hard time processing everything I was thinking and feeling. My daughter kept assuring me..."He's just a friend, we are going just as FRIENDS!" I believe her, I really do, but as I watched her spend time with her friends getting ready and then having dinner...at our house of course, I realized my baby is growing up. I am way beyond blessed by what a wonderful young lady she has become, but there is a little sadness as I realize she is moving closer to being independent. Isn't that what every parent desires for their children? Of course it is, but with this new season comes a little grief for what is now gone. So, remember..."They grow up so fast, savor every moment!"

Books...I just LOVE them!

O.K. So most of you know that I have been lets say...."at my leisure" for the last 6+ months and I have had more than enough time to read just a few books. I am being extremely sarcastic, in reality I have read more than 20 books in the last 7 months and because of that I want to share a few. My first book recommendation for you is "The Wednesday Letters" by Jason Wright. I would love it if anyone would like to share your thoughts on this book, if you get the chance to read it. I LOVED it and am going to have each of my girls read it...a great story of forgiveness and restoration!! Yeah, that's what someone else said, and I completely agree. So take some time...sit down with this book, your favorite beverage and enjoy. I read it in about 4 days, a very quick read, but like I said, I am at my leisure right now. I really want to know what you think!

It's Almost Christmas....

I just love this time each year, even with all the scheduling and busyness, I love Christmas. We got our tree up and decorated in record time! Partly due to the fact that I bought a fake, wait, "Artificial" Christmas tree last year. Now, I don't want to hear any thing about that, it was essential to our safety really. Last years tree became so dry with our wood stove burning constantly, I really thought the tree would spontaneously ignite at any moment. This year we can keep the tree up until Valentine's Day if we so choose, which we might. The rest of the house is all decorated too, though I didn't even open some of the boxes, simpler is better, right? I do wish it would snow, I absolutely loved having snow last year, it just seemed much more leisurely and relaxed. There was plenty of time to visit and play! I still took time to bake and create, hoping the gifts would be enjoyed. Now on to wrapping, why oh why do I wait until the last minute? Every year I vow that I will begin wrapping as soon as I have the presents, but again this year there are stacks of presents in my closet waiting to be wrapped!! Next year I will be more diligent, next year!