{2012}

This year was a time for changes and things finally falling into place for my little family.
 I can safely say 2012 was a good year in my house.

I think I have finally found my voice and my style...

all of a sudden I am not holding back when something is not right. 

It's kind of liberating and terrifying at the same time.  

 Don't get me wrong, I have always spoken my mind (ha),
 but it was much softer
 and usually much more mild than what I was actually thinking! 

My style has become more colorful and full of texture...
in the clothes I am wearing and the little changes that we're making in the house.
I am loving all of it...
thrift stores and Pinterest are so good to me!

This I added another candle to the birthday cake...

rounding up to 40 now {yikes}.

We added a nephew to the ranks...
he is keeping all of us on our toes.

My boys are becoming such amazing men...
when strangers compliment us on our "obvious" parenting and family centered lifestyle...
can you say tears in my eyes and happiness in my heart?!?

Kenny has found his grove with his microcontrollers...
helping to build a brand new company doing something he loves...
it's not just a job for him anymore...
happiness and pride trump a big paycheck any day!!

Amy's Monkeys is becoming more of a business than just a hobby...
getting to make things that other people want to pay for...
really?!?
It's amazing to me that my creations and love can help keep me in fabric and pay a few bills!
This year brought more confidence in what I do...
quality and detail are so important to me and others have complimented both in my products!

Living on what we have and planning for what we need were big milestones for us this year.
Dave Ramsey's common sense approach has finally, really taken hold.
We're not perfect, but we have such a better handle on all things financial.
Having a plan and working the plan has been so empowering!
Hopefully we'll gain some more traction and knock out more debt in 2013.

So 2012 we really liked you!

2013 we're ready and we're expecting another great year!

 Until next time,

 

{grace}

I love the idea of anchoring the new year to a word...

a fresh word that encompasses all your hopes and dreams and goals for the year.

This year I have chosen...

grace

 image source

Grace for myself, grace for my family, grace for my friends, and grace for this crazy world.

I need to remember to extend myself grace in knowing that it is okay that I do not get everything done, 

grace that there will be dust on my furniture on most days,

grace that the floor needs to be swept more often than I get to it,

grace that I don't get to every activity I hope to get done in my classroom,

grace that I can be grumpy with my family,

grace that they can be grumpy with me,

grace for people around me because I do not know their stories,

grace for all of us.

I am hoping this new year continues pushing us forward in the positive direction we have been moving,

but I am giving myself grace in knowing that it may not always be a smooth road.  We've encountered many bumps along the way, but I do feel we have found our groove as a family heading in a better direction.

Extending grace to myself and those around me...

a new challenge for this type-a OCD girl,

 but it is needed and wanted at this time in my life.  

New goals, fresh hopes, and mile high dreams...

Hello 2013, I've been looking forward to you!

Until next time,

Joining Casey

Joining with Layla and Kevin

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

We hope you all have a wonderful day with your families!

So Thankful

 

Everyday I am thankful for my boys...

but to be totally honest they have been getting 

longer and tighter hugs this week.

I always try to listen to what they are telling me...

but this week it has been with both ears and my heart.

Being a momma is the best job I have...

but this week I am more grateful than ever 

that I have my boys here with me to mother.

Trying to make each moment count...

being present...

listening...

hugging...

laughing...

living.

I see them going off to college in the blink of an eye...

and I know I still have so much to teach them.

Getting them ready for the world is my job...

I don't take it lightly...

I am cherishing my role in their lives and theirs in mine.

What a blessing this family gig is to us all.

Until next time,

 

Joining Casey

 Joining Amy

Moving Right Along

It's amazing how life just keeps moving along...

keeping myself busy with last minute Christmas shopping and sewing...

Connecticut is still on my mind...

avoiding the news and all the negativity and just focusing on my family.

This year so many people have gone simple during the season...

bless their hearts!

We toned things down last year and I hope we never go back to a big Christmas!

Focusing on less has made it so much better...

less pressure and less busyness!

Less keeping up with all the craziness...

I'll take it!

My sewing machine has been humming with secret gifts...

my list is shrinking...

three more secrets to make...

I'm loving all of it!

Enjoy your family my friends!

Until next time,

{processing}

The events of 12-14-12 are racing through my mind.

This momma and teacher is rocked to the core...

How in the world could something so insane happen at an elementary school?

My heart is broken for all the families and the staff in Newtown...

how will they move forward...

how will they process all the loss and fear they must have endured?

I sent a text to Kenny after I heard about this tragedy at school...

"Have you seen the news?"

His response...

"I'm trying not to watch...it's too close to home."

I am so thankful for those brave people that responded to protect the babies in their care.

I hope I would do the same...

I've thought about where I would place my students in the classroom if we had a lock down...

I don't want to ever have to use that plan, but in this world full of anger 

it's important to be ready.

My winter break began at 12:30pm and I was on the way home by 1:00pm...

ready to see my babies and get them home safe and sound.

I am aching for the mommas who weren't able to do that.

I was able to see my boys at their school happy and playing with their friends...

oblivious to the horrors in Connecticut.

I am so thankful we are on winter break now...

I need some time with my babies and some time to process everything.

May God's comfort and blessing surround Newtown, Connecticut and the nation as we all sift through the thoughts and emotions brought forth by this horrible incident...

Until next time,

{sick}

Sometimes being a mom and a teacher is hard...

there really isn't anyone to come in a take over for you when you are sick...

especially right before winter break...

it's more work to call in a sub than to just tough it out...

So I call in reinforcements...

vitamin c...

 

my homemade honey cough syrup...

scarves around my neck...

and throw a smile on my face...

tell my students I am okay...

but please listen the first time...

my voice is shot.

My boys pass on their nightly story...

trying to let my voice rest...

such sweeties!

I cannot really complain... 

because I am so lucky this is really my first cold this school year.

2 1/2 more days and I will be home for three weeks...

I can do this!

Until next time,

Hello Monday

Hello last week before Winter Break...

I'm positive you can hear my "woohoos" through the screen!

Hello feeling special...
last week my Monday rocked....
I had a Secret Santa leave me treats
and a sweet student brought me some goodies!

Hello new banner...

I think a bit of glitter spray paint 

will make me love you even more!

Hello lots of prep work...
making sure we had lots of inventory to choose from this weekend.



Hello first craft show...
we learned a lot and had fun...
already planning for future shows!


Hello Christmas Aprons...
so much fun!



 
Hello finishing Christmas decorating...
minimal look this year...
but the most special decorations made the cut!



Hello new week ahead...
a cold is starting...so boo...
but break is almost here...so yay!


Hello everyone!  I hope you all have a great week!

Until next time,


Joining sweet Lisa for Hello Monday!

Hello Monday

Hello crazy week ahead!

Hello first time having a table for Amy's Monkeys at an event!

So excited and even more SCARED!!

Hello busy finishing a custom order...

little girl dresses are so much fun!

Hello sister and nephew time...

finally got to try out the shopping cart cover I made...

he was a happy camper! (really..he was!)

Hello new banner...

this craft show stuff is fun and exciting and nerve wracking...

all at the same time!

Hello treadmill...

starting my days off with an energy boost!

Hello busy week...

bring it!

Until next time,

Joining up with Miss Lisa for Hello Monday!

Basketball

On Sunday I had the brilliant idea that playing some kind of sport with the boys would be a better way for me to get in some exercise and for us to have some time together.  

I decided basketball would be the best choice since we a) have a couple of basketballs and b) have access to courts close to the house and c) I loved basketball as a kid.

It was on!

Last night the boys and I hit the court for a little 2 on 2 action.  

Oh. My. Word.

I was laughing so hard!  

I have not really played basketball since college and the boys,

 bless their hearts, 

have no idea what they are doing!

We had a blast and I am certain we entertained all of the serious men playing in the next court.  

Best thing of all is that all of us had fun!

The boys already asked about playing again...that is huge for my non-sports kiddos.

I guess the fun part out weighed the crazy parent part from their previous experiences!

It felt so good to be playing and it was awesome seeing them listening, learning, and laughing together!

Do we have the next Michael Jordan or Larry Bird in our house?  Ya, not so much.  What we do have is a way for all of us to have some fun and time together.  Zack will be heading off to college before I know it, so every experience we can share is precious to me. 

 Making memories together, that's the best!

Until next time,

Joining Laura at Heavenly Homemakers for Gratituesday!

Hello Monday

Hello new week!

We loved having a whole week off!

Naps are our favorite!

 

Back to school after a week off...boo...

only three weeks until winter break...YAY!

Hello Thanksgiving feasting...

enjoying pie and yummy foods is so much fun!

Hello new fabric...

my black Friday shopping was at Joann's and Hobby Lobby...

I know, wild and crazy right!?!

Hello crazy night...

first some kind of explosion sound got the whole neighborhood outside 

and then some yahoos hit a fire hydrant 

and sent water 20+ feet in the air and flooded the street.  

Can you say crazytown?!? 

Hello getting back into the swing...

I think reciting our class rules will be a good way to start the day!

Hello Monday...

play nice okay?!?

Until next time,

Joining Miss Lisa for Hello Monday!

{thankful}

To say we've had an interesting past three years might be the understatement of the year, but it truly has been interesting. 

 We went from two full time jobs to only one.  

From a dad that hated his work to a dad that has found his passion in his new work. Seeing him thrilled to delve into a brand new venture has been so exciting!

A dad that is willing and able to help out with school projects anytime. 

 From income that barely paid the bills to much less income that has made us so much better stewards of our finances.  

Amazingly we are thriving!  

So am I thankful this year??  

Oh you bet!  

I am thankful for circumstances flinging us into a new life, 

time with each other, 

healthy and growing boys (well maybe not the growing part...I will be the shortest one in the house next year...I bet), 

deeper love for my husband than I had the day I knew I loved him forever, 

and being able to create freely in this house  

(we may have dust bunnies and bits of stuff everywhere, but creating is flourishing!).

We have more than enough and for that I am eternally grateful!  

We are on an amazing journey so carefully scripted...I cannot wait to see where it leads!

I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving 

loving, eating, and laughing with all those you hold dear to your hearts!

Until next time,

Linking up with sweet Casey

Hello Monday {Thanksgiving}

Hello Monday...I am so excited to have the entire week off school!

I haven't had the whole Thanksgiving week off in a long time!

Hello custom orders...

making a topsy turvy doll for a friend's granddaughter.

From my hubby...

she knows you love her if you're willing to make another one of those...right?!?

Hello aprons...

I have a stack to finish and another custom order to get to...

That's what I get for posting pictures of cute things!

Hello time at home...need to clean this house big time!

Helping the boys and Kenny get all their treasures into a new home will be so good for my state of mind!

Hello thrift store...

clearing boxes out of the garage this week...

 Kenny needs the space!

Hello new messenger bag...

now I don't have to carry three bags to meetings at school!

Hello baking time...

the little boys want to learn to cook...

Hopefully we'll get some time in this week!

 

Hello nephews...

I hope I can see them this week!

 

Hello Monday!

I am going to make the most of this week!

Until next time,

Linking up will Miss Lisa for Hello Monday!

Inspired

A very dear friend asked me to make something special for her daughter for Christmas.  You see Miss T is getting a play kitchen and every busy girl needs an apron for her kitchen work.  The texts and Pinterest boards were filled with ideas.  

We finally settled on this as an inspiration...

Super cute, but the felt wasn't working for me.  

So I did what I always do, I put my own spin on it!

I came up with two beautiful princess aprons that will be sure to be a delight for Miss T and her kitchen adventures!

I used solid broadcloth fabric and lots of ruffles to make the cuteness pop.  The ties were replaced with little fingers friendly velcro straps and elastic was added to the neck line, so she will be able to put it on independently.  I was so pleased and so was Miss T's mama.  I love being able to help people bring their visions to life! 

You can follow me on Pinterest...you never know what I'll make next!

Until next time,

Time

Holy smokes time is flying by!  This school year is 1/3 of the way over...cannot believe it!

I have been a busy bee, but getting over here to blog about it just hasn't been happening, sorry about that!

I have been sewing, and grading, and teaching, and mama-ing, and trying to bring order back to my crazy house.  Not too much luck on the last one, but next week I am off school so the house will be mine once again!

I cannot wait for parent conferences to be over and time with my family to be here!  

Four days people, four more days!

I have added a bunch of stuff to the shop...maybe that's why my house is crazytown...hmmm.

I've jumped into some giveaways lately for pretties from the shop and one just started today!

Kimmie at Sugar and Dots is celebrating her birthday by hosting a huge giveaway bash!  Seriously, over $800 worth of goodies!  So go enter!  It would be wonderful to have one of my friends win that haul!

I have so much to share...I will try to be back soon!

Until next time,