Ever notice how other people's kids are calmer, cleaner, well behaved, better dressed, more cooperative and smarter than your own kids? We live in such a day in age that when people brag on their kids, it makes you feel like you are doing something wrong. "He my kid just got accepted into Mensa! You say "Yay!," but you are thinking "Whoopdie Doo!" I stay at home with my kids all day, I homeschool and take them everywhere. Believe me, spending all day with your kids does not make you a better mom or handle crisis better or even manage your kids better. I also look forward to the single moment my husband breaks through the door to have some adult and human interaction. I'd also be lying if I said I always enjoyed it. I do not do it to make my kids smarter, or well behaved or even to brag that I am homeschooling and you are not, na-na-na-na-na-naaah! Honestly, my reasons for homeschooling are selfishly motivated.
Here are 3 of my main reasons for homeschooling:
1. I do it because I do want to be with my kids. The good, bad, ugly and in between. I want to remember them because it will be gone in a flash. We are not promised tomorrow and our kids are not promised tomorrow either. I want to love them, and to share God with them. Do I do that? Probably not enough. More often than not, I feel like I am yelling and getting frustrated. You know what I do, get up the next day and pray for God to help me, and I try again to be the mom I am supposed to be to my kids. I do it because I am imperfect in every way, but I love my children.
2. I homeschool, because my kid is that kid. The one who gets "that call" from school every day. The one who gets into altercations and causes trouble and cannot stay on task, is not learning as fast as the other kids. The one who argues with the teacher, and on and on and on. The one who gets angry when he cannot understand something, who hides what he is feeling and takes it out with anger. The one who needs his mom and dad to understand that he is loved and he doesn't have to understand how to multiply fractions the first time. The one who needs to know it is all ok, and he is loved, and precious, and imperfectly perfect. I also really, really, really don't like "that call."
3. I homeschool because I can sleep in and stay in my jammies all day if I want to. Do I? Sleep in? Never. Stay in jammies? Probably not, but I can if I want to!
My children probably have food on their faces from breakfast at noon, and uncombed hair. Even when I am not in pajamas, they may still be. My daughter quite honestly is on the computer whenever I help my son with school work, or watching Daniel Tiger or Super Why on Netflix. We do finish by lunch so after that I am all hers, and, yes, there are a bajillion other things I'd rather be doing (ahem, sewing), and things I'd rather not be doing (cleaning). All in all, I am glad to be able to fulfill my children's needs physically and emotionally as well as spritiually. Mind, body, and soul.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Fresh Stitch Patterns - Banksia Dress Test
Before I begin, check out my post on my Arthur and Esther Designs page for a chance to win any dress, bow-tie, or banner in my Etsy shop! Follow the directions and you could win your own item.
If you cannot already tell from my blog theme, I love to sew. I love pretty much anything crafty, but in the past 3 years I have developed in interest in sewing. I have a 3 year old daughter, you put 2 and 2 together. Being that I am a young-ish mom (ok, I'm 33), I am into more modern ways of creating and I discovered magic on earth- digital patterns! I am from a digital design background and created digital scrapbook products for years. Digital patterns were right up my alley!
I used my first digital pattern from a great pattern designer called Foo-Foo Threads (seriously LOVE her quirky and old fashioned style) and I was hooked. I sent an image of my first true creation with her pattern and since then I have been testing patterns. Most recently I have also discovered a brand new digital pattern maker who stems out of Australia and I am also new to testing patterns for her. I was so fortunate to be able to test Fresh Stitch Patterns new creation. She has a classic style that is great for daily wear and has the perfect look for simple dressing. Easy wear, easy to put on and take off and extremely versatile. It is great for preppy styling, but knowing me, I junk it up a little. I’m not classic so I always put a colorful twist or mix up patterns. I can't help it! It's just what I do.
Fresh Stitch patterns released the new Banksia Dress yesterday. While I was testing this dress out, I couldn't help but love the versatility of this pattern. 3 different strap options, 2 bodice options, and 3 skirt options! You could go on and on with the combinations and it can always look different and unique. I tested one style and I couldn't help myself, I went with another style as well. Very much a value for your money.
My first style was to the book like the "B" style in her pattern. The "U" front with elastic straps and the banded bottom. Aw, so sweet. My diva was not in the modeling mood that day. She was in sunglasses. Still a classic beauty. She picked out the style and the fabrics. The best part about making small versions of this dress, is you can do it with smaller pieces of fabric! A yard or less is perfect because it is not a very full skirt. Just enough for a beautiful fit. I even fit a tulle skirt under for modeling.
The second style was the "C" style but I mixed t up by using lace and adding it in one of the tiers. I used all scraps on this version. You know the leftover pieces that are not enough for a full dress? Simply precious when added to a lovely tea party with princess friends.
That's what I did with the Banksia. What can you do? Thank you to Kylie for allowing me to test this pattern and to my sweetie, Esther Rose, for being my model!
If you cannot already tell from my blog theme, I love to sew. I love pretty much anything crafty, but in the past 3 years I have developed in interest in sewing. I have a 3 year old daughter, you put 2 and 2 together. Being that I am a young-ish mom (ok, I'm 33), I am into more modern ways of creating and I discovered magic on earth- digital patterns! I am from a digital design background and created digital scrapbook products for years. Digital patterns were right up my alley!
I used my first digital pattern from a great pattern designer called Foo-Foo Threads (seriously LOVE her quirky and old fashioned style) and I was hooked. I sent an image of my first true creation with her pattern and since then I have been testing patterns. Most recently I have also discovered a brand new digital pattern maker who stems out of Australia and I am also new to testing patterns for her. I was so fortunate to be able to test Fresh Stitch Patterns new creation. She has a classic style that is great for daily wear and has the perfect look for simple dressing. Easy wear, easy to put on and take off and extremely versatile. It is great for preppy styling, but knowing me, I junk it up a little. I’m not classic so I always put a colorful twist or mix up patterns. I can't help it! It's just what I do.
Fresh Stitch patterns released the new Banksia Dress yesterday. While I was testing this dress out, I couldn't help but love the versatility of this pattern. 3 different strap options, 2 bodice options, and 3 skirt options! You could go on and on with the combinations and it can always look different and unique. I tested one style and I couldn't help myself, I went with another style as well. Very much a value for your money.
My first style was to the book like the "B" style in her pattern. The "U" front with elastic straps and the banded bottom. Aw, so sweet. My diva was not in the modeling mood that day. She was in sunglasses. Still a classic beauty. She picked out the style and the fabrics. The best part about making small versions of this dress, is you can do it with smaller pieces of fabric! A yard or less is perfect because it is not a very full skirt. Just enough for a beautiful fit. I even fit a tulle skirt under for modeling.
The second style was the "C" style but I mixed t up by using lace and adding it in one of the tiers. I used all scraps on this version. You know the leftover pieces that are not enough for a full dress? Simply precious when added to a lovely tea party with princess friends.
That's what I did with the Banksia. What can you do? Thank you to Kylie for allowing me to test this pattern and to my sweetie, Esther Rose, for being my model!
Friday, August 29, 2014
Today is the Day
The sun starts to peek through the windows as my eyes squint open. All I need to do is sneak out of this twin sized bed with my fair faced daughter flopped over my arm. Ever so slightly I pull it, oops, I snagged a bit of her hair as I release it. She takes a deep breath and then goes back to her steady sleep rhythm of breaths. Slow, deep breath in, deep out. I'm home free, ready for coffee. Tiny eyes pop open and my lap is filled with child and my chest holds a curly head against it. "Mama, don't forget me!" I grab my sweet girl in my arms and hug her and tell her, "I love you." I carry her to the bathroom where she becomes a permanent fixture in my arms. I have to pee. I wonder if I will ever pee alone but then remember my son, almost as tall as me now, and full of independence, and my life has flashed in an instance.
Quickly, the scene was set, and my day began, like rolling a snowball down a hill. My husband gives me a morning kiss and I quickly pull my hand over my mouth and hope he didn't catch a whiff of my morning breath. The dogs eagerly jump at my feet and as my big dog whimpers, the small dog with his wide eyes and ears back looks at me. Time for taking them out I suppose. Coffee, breakfast, washing a quick load of laundry, and planning out my day has taken precedence over the start of my morning. In my mind, I let out a "thank you" to God for what I have. My heart is filled with the beauty of my life. It skips a beat with the flowing over of the love I feel. Now, my day can begin.
It's not a perfect day in my mind, just the day that the Lord has made. I try to hold on to those words, how can this day be bad if the Lord has made it? Today is a new day, a day for starting over no matter what any other day has held. Good morning, take a deep breath and let it breath something alive and new. Today can be anything you want it to be.
Quickly, the scene was set, and my day began, like rolling a snowball down a hill. My husband gives me a morning kiss and I quickly pull my hand over my mouth and hope he didn't catch a whiff of my morning breath. The dogs eagerly jump at my feet and as my big dog whimpers, the small dog with his wide eyes and ears back looks at me. Time for taking them out I suppose. Coffee, breakfast, washing a quick load of laundry, and planning out my day has taken precedence over the start of my morning. In my mind, I let out a "thank you" to God for what I have. My heart is filled with the beauty of my life. It skips a beat with the flowing over of the love I feel. Now, my day can begin.
It's not a perfect day in my mind, just the day that the Lord has made. I try to hold on to those words, how can this day be bad if the Lord has made it? Today is a new day, a day for starting over no matter what any other day has held. Good morning, take a deep breath and let it breath something alive and new. Today can be anything you want it to be.
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