It's all about the Hair...

The latest "new thing" is having feathers in your hair.  The girls have been talking about it from the summer and we finally had the chance to get them (thanks to Auntie Sara).    I have to admit at first I had my doubts but now that the feathers are in they are pretty fun and really maintenance free.  

This past week was "Spirit Week" at school.  Everyday was a new theme and the girls went all out.  The first day was Crazy Hair Day.  I learned my lesson early on that just waking up and going to school without brushing your hair is just NOT crazy enough.  

No - Audrey needed colored hair spray, spoons, and a mermaid.

Carissa though was not quite sure.  She opted for just braids and some color because she said she wanted to look crazy, but NOT nuts! 

Another day of the week was decade day.  The girls and I had so much fun looking through my old pictures for inspiration for the '80's.  We were able to "rat-out" Audrey's hair and she looked, well, like me when I was 8.  Carissa went like a '70's chic and I think it suited her great.

 This school year has been great so far.  The girls are doing excellent, Carissa is starting to read and Audrey received all A's the first semester.  They are learning so much  - we are so proud!!

Achievements

I am here to document that you were Student of the Month and figured out how to blow a bubble in the same week...inspiring!

Now that I am 34

... I know they say age is just a number but I would have to disagree.  

Age is a milestone and a journey.  It is a story and a path. 

When I was 14 it wasn't just a number; it was my second year of being in the "teens".  It was working for the first time and having a little independence.  It was learning how to have and be a really good friend.  It was walking around the mall without my mom.  It was church summer camp and learning God was there.

When I was 24 it wasn't just a number.  It was putting on my wedding dress and walking down the aisle.  It was becoming a wife and learning how to love a man unconditionally.  It was paying my bills on time and buying enough groceries for the week.  

Now that I am 34 I can say for sure, age is not just a number.  My convictions are stronger and my expectations are higher.  I know what I am good at and what I am not.  I know what makes my heart ache and what brings me pure joy. 

I am happy to have been 14 and 24 and I am grateful for my journey and the choices and chances I have received along the way.  I am proud to be mom and a wife.  I am glad to be 34.  ~

Just Realizing

Earlier this week I read a quote from Michel De Montaigne (a very observant French man that lived in the 1500's).  He said "The least strained and most natural ways of the soul are the most beautiful."

When I really thought about this I know it to be true but have realized that I am not always making the most natural of choices and I have a hard time determining what it is that will cause me the least strain. 

 But when I watch these two beautiful girls I am amazed.  It is so easy for them to make a natural choice.  Do you want sauce on your noodles?  No!  I don't like the sauce...  How about these socks?  Gross!  They itch my feet...

 Are you sure you want to run for Student Council?  Why wouldn't I?  It will be so much fun.

These answers just roll off the tip of their tongue.  They are so intuned with their true self that it is not a strain at all to make the natural choice - and wow is it beautiful to watch!

Congratulations Audrey on Making Student Council!!  You really do shine.

Recover an Ironing Board

Here is how I recovered my Ironing Board:

1. Selected my fabric. I needed two yards because of the length of my board and I choose a bright cheerful yellow so the task of ironing wouldn't seem so dull. My fabric was on the JoAnn's clearance rack for 2.50/yard.
   
2. Selected my wine. I needed a nice crisp white wine because it is still 108 degrees at 7:00 p.m. here so I choose a Pinot Grigio by Kate and Cassie (mostly because I loved the label). The wine was purchased at Target for 8.99.

3. Take a look at your old ironing board cover and realize that might be the reason you never really took to ironing in the first place. Pour yourself a glass a wine and pull the cover off.


4. Grab your seam ripper and rip out the cord.
5. You should end up with a full piece of elastic cording and a "template" for your new cover. You might want to iron the old cover flat (if you are into that sort of thing). It makes it easier to trace.

6. Trace the old cover on the wrong side of your fabric. I used a fancy yellow Crayola marker. You might have a washable fabric pencil. First trace exactly around the whole cover. Then trace an outline of the cover about an inch out from the first line.

7. Cut your fabric using the outer line you traced.

8. Now is the tedious part so take a sip of your wine. You will use your iron (I know!) and fold the edge in a 1/4" first and iron flat. Then fold and pin so the fold is on the first line you drew. This will leave enough room to thread your elastic cord back in.

9. Go to your machine and stitch around the cover leaving a 2" or so gap to thread your cord through. Don't forget to back stitch at the start and finish.

10. Bring your wine and go sit in a comfy chair. Take apart your elastic cord from the little holder. (Very technical - I know.) Thread your cord through the casing and then reattach to the holder the same why you took it apart.

11. Fit your new cover back on your ironing board and hang in a pretty spot.

12. Finish your wine ;)

Linking up to:

First week of School

If you read my last post you would know I left off waiting for the bus...

Well, it came and dropped off Audrey at the corner I was NOT at... then it proceeded to drive by me with Carissa still on it! Apparently I was standing at the wrong corner AND they won't let your Kinder off the bus unless you are standing there. Justin ended up chasing the bus down and the rest of our week kind of went down hill from there.

The kids came home famished and tired everyday. I tried a new techinque everyday to help ease the transistion but nothing seemed to work. We ended everynight with someone in tears (Audrey or Me) and started every morning with more and more anxiety (Carissa and Me).

Did I mention I had bloodwork on Wednesday and fainted and Justin and I aren't drinking this week? (Who's idea was that?)

By Friday morning I probably had the whole week written on my face and Carissa could feel it. She announced right away that she didn't want to go to school and I just couldn't find it in me to be upbeat anymore. We both ended up crying in the school hallway. UGH!

Thankfully my neighbors walked by and one of them (a sweet angle from God) convinced Carissa to go back into the class and then they told me to go home. Good advice. I was a wreck.

To end the week Audrey was stung by a scorpion. Really? Yes. Here is my advice. Put the number to Posion Control in your phone. You never know when you will need it. She is fine her foot just remains asleep.

My one glass of wine Friday night did me in and I was so thankful for it. Sometimes it is best to just curl up and go to sleep. Carissa asked me this morning if Saturdays are like "Pretend Summers?"

Uhh no, we call this a Weekend - but don't worry - they are just as fun. Phew TGIS.

School Year is Here

It is so quiet here.

I have finished all my work.

I ate lunch.

Only 3 more hours until the bus comes.

You should have seen me this morning. I was so brave - Justin surprised us and came home so we could take the girls together. We dropped Audge off first to 3rd grade. She was all smiles taking her new room in. I just know she is going to love it.

Kissa was next. It was kind of hectic and crazy in her room (with 30 students and their parents!) She seemed a little overwhelmed. The teacher said we had to leave in 5 minutes. So we hugged and chatted then all of a sudden she said we had to go in 1 minute. My baby held back the tears so I just gave her one last squeeze and left.
Thankfully I could spy on her through the window. She looked so little but actually really big all at the same time.

I wish I could go there right now and check on her again. I could just spy on her through the window again... But Justin said she will be fine. He said to think of all the times they bugged me. But that just makes me really sad.

Oh good. Now there is only 2 hours and 45 minutes left.