These are the days...

Alexandria had her honors ceremony for 5th grade graduation today.
She received special acknowledgment for being in the choir,
being a kindergarten helper, and advanced reading (scoring nothing below 90% on her testing.)

I'm proud of her. She has been very responsible. A/B honor roll, she never gets in trouble.

And now, just like that- she is done with elementary school.

I found it a happy coincidence that they sang "these are the days" by 10,000 Maniacs, which is one of my all time favorite songs. It was the song for my high school graduation slide show (outvoted for class song by "this used to be my playground" by Madonna...gag.) I remember being there with Jenny, in the dark and cold auditorium, waiting for our picture to flash on the screen. We were singing and dancing like maniacs-we were the unruly ones.

I love the song...

These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

These are days that you’ll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you

These are days
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
It's true
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they’re speaking
To you, to you

Coming up next, Matthew's kindergarten graduation. Aren't these cap & gown pictures hilarious?

my champion.

So my dad had open heart surgery this week.
I was worried, and sad.
It was not a great week for me, and in other ways it was a perfectly great week.
But he is okay.
Thank you Jesus!

He's way over In Brazil.
And I'm in the middle of nowhere.
In the heart of the valley.
disconnected, connected, I can't decide- mood swings I guess.

I miss my mom's cooking and company.
I miss my dad's insight and quietness.
I used to try to make him talk all the time.
But now I'm just trying to learn from him how to be quiet.
I'm his apprentice- I'm sure he doesn't know.

I'm all over the place.
I'm giving myself permission to be just so.

Sometimes, I fantasize of never speaking with words again.
Only communicating with facial expressions and hand gestures.
Like a statue.
If one of my kids were crying, I would reach out...they would run to me, we would freeze in time, and be silent.
Or, I could sit and think all the time.
Like Abe Lincoln in that big chair.
Everyone can tell he's thinking of great things.
He is soft, wise, and responsible.
His slightly heavy brow makes you trust him.
He looks like he'll speak when he's ready,
and throw is head back in laughter if you say something really funny.
My dad is like that.
He could hush a crowd with a slide of his hand.
And they would listen.
He is steadfast.
He is a chief.
He is a father to whomever needs one.
His eyes are kind, and make him undeniably his mother's child.
He is a statue with a heart of flesh and blood.
He is a champion.
He is my champion.

light my fire.

I've have some cool new finds to share...

I purchased some seashells from t.j. maxx. I already had the shabby-chic plate.

Carlos and I found this desk at Salvation Army. There were 2 and they had the names "Joya" and "Jada" written on them. We bought "Joya" because she was a little more stable on her feet. I think I will put it in the kitchen.
These two tray tables and the stand they came with I found at the downtown rescue mission. I got 20% off for reciting a scripture...it was pretty awesome. I brought them home, sanded them down, and painted them. I'm going to use one for Aiya's bedside table (for the time being) and the other one will be in the front room.

Now I remember...

I've been trying to recall why I lost my passion for decorating,
now it's coming back to me...
BECAUSE IT'S EXPENSIVE!!!
Even at thrift and discount stores.
If I'm being totally honest, the testimonials I hear like "I found this antique, distressed mahogany dresser for $15." ignite deep dark feelings of anger in my heart.
I could have spent hundreds of dollars at Marshall's today.
A few things on my wish list...

This would be perfect in my kitchen.
I have no pantry so I could store snacks in jars, produce, and cookbooks on the shelves.

And this CUTE lamp for Aiya's room.

School is out soon.
I will miss the quiet, solitary strolls through
the housewares department on my days off.

Come quickly, sweet autumn.

cute as cupcakes.

thankful thursday blogger's block eddition.

So I was hoping that spinning "The best of James Taylor" on my iTunes would be enough to get the ball rolling on all these words that can't seem to come out. But it's not working. Actually, James Taylor's music makes me want to eat dinner outside, rock a baby to sleep, or go on a drive with the windows down.

All this swine flu stuff is getting to me, they have closed schools here.

I'm thankful that my kids are healthy and safe.
(but they're currently driving me looney)
(but I LOVE them)
(and I'm thankful for them)
(and they're going to bed early tonight)

Start each day in a happy way...

Some mornings are so hectic, today was for sure.

Yesterday I bought a loaf of bread that didn't scan correctly, so I got it for free. I was happy about that and reminded that God gives us "our daily bread." Well, as it turns out, Gunther ate it (my fault for leaving it on the table) but nobody told me until at least 3 minutes into my search this morning, so back to the store for me at 7:10 a.m. then it was back home to pack lunches, make a Carlos an espresso, and grilled cheese for Matt. Then it was a mad dash to the car because of course I forgot to get Alexandria a "special drink" for her field trip, so we went to the store again... but this time actually stopping at the gas station (that was recently bought by extra friendly Jamaicans who's greeting always cheer me up tremendously.) She got a vitamin water. I tried to seem chill for the Jamaicans, you know, because it's-all-good-man.

All of this before 7:50 a.m.

In car line at school I encouraged the kids to take a deep breath, poor little buddies. I don't like hectic mornings.

But what this post is really about is my thrift shop finds from yesterday. (Which apparently if you buy a t.v. dinner tray form the 70's, with your favorite childhood character, that says "start each day in a happy way" your next morning is doomed.)

All of this for less than the cost of a loaf of bread.

Today I'm thankful for this blog. It really inspires me. I love cottage/shabby style. I love old mason jars and glasses. I LOVE historic homes. I love feeling inspired.

abraham david photography.

scenic views.

photos to accompany grievances against your neighbor having rusty sheds.
or counter grievances for barking dogs.

nature.

livestock/pets.

self portraits.

still thankful.

I'm kinda blah this week.
There's a lot on my mind and even more on my "to do list."
But I've decided I'm going to go buy a house plant to add some color and a new broom/dustpan since Gunther found it necessary to make my old one his personal chew toy.
A nice trip to the hardware store ought to cheer me right up.

I remember as a kid learning in Sunday School that the best time to Praise God is when you don't really feel like it, I guess that's why it's called a "sacrifice of praise."
I really feel like having a pity-party but instead I'm having a thankful-Thursday!

I saw a quote on a little notebook that said "life delights in life" and I think that's true.
Pity delights in sitting around all day in your pj's and feeling sorry for yourself, but life delights in life and living free and happy.
Sometimes we just need to push ourselves.
So, I'm going to go enjoy the beautiful spring flowers and plants at lowes a super artsy flower district, and redeem this day for all it's worth.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

the word of our testimony.

they showed clips of this video at church today.
I found it to be soo powerful.
I don't think that his story is any more important
than anyone else's just because he's a famous rocker,
but there is something about the way that he tells his story that hits home with me.

God is love.

thankful.

Thursdays come really fast now that I have designated a day to count my blessings.
Sure, I'm thankful everyday but taking a moment to jot something down has been refreshing. Sometimes little things sneak up on me and almost go by without notice, and when I add them all together I realize a lot is changing, and life keeps getting better.

1. I'm thankful for the experience Carlos is gaining at his job, and for the extra gigs he's had.

2. I'm thankful that I never get stuck in traffic. A perk to small town life.

3. I'm thankful for this blog. I used to try to keep journals and scrapbooks but I never followed through. I think I'll enjoy having this to look back at, to remember these days.

4. For my back yard. I feel like a good mom when my kids are getting fresh air and climbing trees.

I love this.