Fun Friday!

A while back I decided that Fridays needed to be my day. MY DAY. My own personal Fun Friday. Kiddos are at school. At least in the morning. So I am the kind of gal that needs something to look forward to all week. Hence, my little tradition.

Fun Friday always gets thrown off when the kids are out for a break. I don't think I have taken a FF since before Thanksgiving! So you can imagine how excited I was!

I don't even have to spend any money on my outings. Sometimes I am on the hunt for supplies for a crafty project I've read about. And sometimes I just want to bum and drink coffee and people watch.

Today was a combo: project and bumming. I made a stop at the Dollar Tree. Picked up a punch balloon and some new kitchen scissors. Ok, Ok, and some M & Ms. Dang it.

Then I made my way to Goodwill. I just love Goodwill. I know I am not alone in this devotion. There is always something new to discover! I didn't even think about yarn being there! Got a Pom Pom project in the works for that beautiful white goodness I picked up. I got a bag filled with wooden clothes pins. Score!!! Some tea towels for next Christmas. And a cutie patootie bag. Yippee! A grand total of six bucks!

All in all, an awesome Fun Friday.

Saying hello to 2012

I am so excited about a new year! I am ready to take what we've learned in 2011 and run with it.

I think a little looking back is healthy. A long as you don't linger there's too long. So here's a little recap of what is sticking out in my mind about our year 2011.

~*~. Our biggest story of the year would have to be our youngest son being diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. We began that journey near the beginning of the year. By July we had an official diagnosis and no clue how to feel or cope. Yet. In the six months that followed, we were BLESSED with private therapy, a super school for him, and encouragement from our family in huge ways. My God has never been absent in this journey. He has chosen to be silent on occasion. But always when I was absent from being at His feet. Funny how that works, huh? We continue on into this year much more equipped. Baffled, yes, sometimes. Frustrated, often. Hopeful, continuously.

~*~Another (divine) glitch was when our laptop died. *sniff* It was October, I believe. Oh, how I have missed it! I never noticed how much I would open that thing up and look up some random factoid or recipe or home-design-idea-or-inspiration. We still had (have) our pc downstairs, but who wants to spend tons of time down there surfing? Tons of time...hmm...yep. Maybe too much time. For all of us! We enjoyed the hiatus and just touching base with the common sites like fb and email. I will still say I sorely missed my fav blogs during the holidays, but I know catching up will be fun! We got some Christmas money that we are going to put into fixing it. But keeping an eye on how much quality time I spend with it will be a priority.

~*~ Wow, the blessings of family. 2011 showed us just how much family means. Our little boy will not lack for therapy or help or tools. We were gifted an iPad for him in December. And how exciting to see the progress he is already making with these Autism apps! Handwriting was a big focus. And now we are branching out into eye contact and emotions. He is thriving with this amazing tool. Awesome.

~*~So looking forward to 2012. New. More of the same great habits. Strength to weed out some bad ones. Hope your New Year is shiny and bright!

Jennifer

New-today

I am joining The Gypsy Mama today for my first Five Minute Friday.  Five minutes of thoughts and creativity that is unedited and uncriticized by me.  Sounds great!

Our given topic this morning is New.

Each day is new. This topic makes me so grateful.  When yesterday was a struggle, today is new.  When I was nervous and anxious, I don't have to carry that to today.  When I said the wrong thing or acted terribly, today is the chance to start new. 

A new cup of coffee.  A new start.  Breathing in and out and embracing this day.  The chance to be my best.  To change the things I didn't like about myself yesterday.  And to be grateful.  For this new day.  A renewal of energy and perspective.  I can do it!  Today I have the opportunity again to embrace what God has given me.  And He has equipped me to thrive in my circumstances.

Have a New Day!

Things I Like about Me Challenge with C Mom

I came across this challenge this morning on Twitter. 

I love it! 

We don't toot our own horns nearly enough.  I am the QUEEN of beating myself up.  Just ask my husband.  I can tear up an idea all by myself in under a minute.  The great news is I'm getting better at not doing this.  And getting better at remembering that I am "Fearfully and wonderfully made" by my God.  So I accept this challenge of listing some of the things I like about myself.

1. I love my faith.  Jesus Christ has taught me so much about life and myself.
2. I can make others laugh.   I have the gift of goofy.
3. I like the size of my fingers.  They are long and slender.  Who doesn't love that?
4. I am smart.  I never really had to work in school to get good grades.  Except for that B in Advanced English...earned that one proudly.
5. I'm a fast learner. 
6. I love to learn something new.  It makes me feel alive.
7. I love technology.  It always amazes and challenges me.
8. I am creative.  I love to create new things.
9. I am a talented musician.  God gave me that gift early on.  It was my first career.
10. I empathize with others.  I'm a good ear.
11. I am a good wife and mommy.  They are my world!

Wow!  That was so cleansing!  And surprisingly tough.  I kept deleting the little editorial comments I added to each one that were negative.  Very telling, don't you think?  Make your own list-you won't regret it!

This Lazy Day

This has been the best day so far.

We haven't done a thing!  No pressure to be anywhere or do anything.  I'm still in my nightgown!  We've vegged as a family.  Three of the four of us are feeling punky, so a day to sit on our tails was much needed to keep the summer rolling!

Going to head to the library and renew some books, check out a few new ones, and grab an armload for the kiddos.  Reading Carol Higgins Clark right now.  She's super!  Just finished this one:

It made me Google Santa Barbara and drool over the pictures.  I now want to own a vineyard, make my own wine, and seize the day! 

I've discovered that I'm reading these all out of order, but that seems to make them more endearing to me.  I already know some things about the characters' backgrounds that they don't even know!  Great summer reading.

I have a feeling my creative streak is going to explode all over me after this lazy day.  Can't wait!