Dancing ballerina

If you told me 10 yrs ago I will wake up at 4:30 am, struggle to put false eyelashes on my little girl, know what a bun builder is and tear up every time she goes on stage, I would have laughed and walked away thinking you are crazy. 

A dance mom - no way! 

Isn't it funny how our lives turn out? We end up doing so much of the things we vowed we'll never do. We just don't know until we are in that spot and have to make the decision... stay at home vs going back to work...send them on the bus for hours or homeschool for a while. Decisions so easily made before we had kids, and now that we've loved them and held them and know what brings them joy all those heavy labels and stereo types fly out the window and the decisions are based solely on them.

It doesn't matter anymore what other people think, it matters what our children think - who they want to be - how they want to live their life. And so we go out in this world and introduce ourselves as a homeschooler - a dance mom -  or whatever other labels we would've never chosen for ourselves... and we see the judgy looks and we hear the criticism and fear filled thoughts - but somehow we persevere and move on. A little stronger each time in our decision to do what works for our family...

So for now, I'll squeeze my way into crowded dressing rooms, and glue rhinestones to her cheeks...why?...because she LOVES it... and I love her...

And after all the busyness I am happy to have her with me, as we paint ballerinas and dye our old stained clothes and fresh new blue. 

yellow

On snow filled days...

when spring still seems so far away ...

...only yellow will do

and dreaming Big dreams...while splashing paint ....seems the perfect thing to do

< Life has been off kilter over here, with just too much happening at once.We are losing dance slippers and forgetting appointments on a daily basis. We eat cereal for supper and wear mismatched socks. We dodge emotions flying around when everyone is just so tired and we wonder how in the world to slow it all down! >

 So when a day like this comes along... with soft snow and bright yellow tulips I am glad for the hour with my ink and brush. An hour to just be...to get lost in thought. I don't know what I would do or who I would be without painting. It always soothes and refreshes and for that I am very thankful >

                                            

Sweet spring

Perhaps it is the chickadees fluffing their wings in puddles of water, or maybe it is tables adorned with bright yellow tulips... It could be the washing machine twirling muddy splash pants and windows and doors left ajar - just to hear and smell all those wonderful signs of spring! 

Whatever it is, this change is inspiring BRIGHT AND COLORFUL days here at home... and all I can think is 

Let the Reno begin

 

Coming home on a Wednesday, after my husband was home alone for the day, we walked into what was our bathroom...

Etian looked at me and said "Oh no mommy, the HULK smashed our potty! "  Yep as it is right now, our house is full of holes, dust and of course BIG dreams. We are finally moving forward and doing a major renovation, helping our little cabin grow up into a family home.

This means we are allowed to draw on ANYTHING, baseboards included ;)

It will be a long road full of mess, so I am very thankful for my one corner filled with art supplies that is still relatively dust free. A place I can escape to.

Oh and incase you were wondering, the kids like to give Daddy superhero masks to help him be strong!

Hearts and a little bit of Art

There has been a lot of love around here...

Hearts in our sandwiches, hearts on our toes and of course hearts filled with love when his little hand wants to hold mine while watching movies

And it won't be a complete week without a shaving cream bath - this time filled with hearts. With the addition of a few paint brushes, food coloring and small plastic bags, the bath kept them busy just long enough for me to do a little painting myself.

This week my mind has been on gymnastics and  beautiful vintage balance beams

Have a wonderful week everyone 

Recycled shirts

I recently went through my old summer clothes and found these beauties. They look awful on me, but I thought they might look great on my wall ;)

This painting was so much fun to make! I've been enjoying getting my hands dirty with charcoal and paints, and giving the brushes a rest. There is something so joyful about painting this way. There is no room for perfection, just simple JOY of mixing paint with your fingers and dabbing it on the canvas 

Have a great PPF

Happy chappy New Year

 As I write this I'm watching my kids scoot onto their daddy's lap, all three on a red plastic tobaggen, ready to zip down our slanted yard. 

 With their laughter in the air I feel tremendous gratitude... for this little life we get to enjoy...for starting another year fresh full of dreams...and for being loved by a God who is so full of grace and goodness.

     5 Goals for 2014
 - Blog every Friday  (to capture life's special moments)
 - Join Misty Mawn's amazing e-course
 - Buckle down and figure out all the techie stuff to create a better shop and website ~ Sigh It makes me tired just thinking about it ;) 
 - Train for color me rad 5k
 - Print photo books for the kids (this has been a goal for the past 3 years...so we'll see

I know it's very late - last day of January today - but I do want to wish you all a Happy and Blessed New Year :)