I've learned a lot this week!

Dana over at Made is celebrating three years on her blog!  To celebrate, she launched a contest last week asking for folks to make a new header for her.



 Now, I am not a graphic designer.  I'm barely a blogger!  But Dana typed a few words that really inspired me to give this contest a try. 

You. Can. Do it.
You don't have to be a graphic designer to create a spiffy blog. Most of what I've done to my site, I learned by reading online tutorials about html, how to tweak it, and how to add things to make the blog just what I want.

So I've been playing.  For a week!  And thinking to myself, "This is nuts.  There are real graphic designers out there who are going to enter this thing to win these SUPAH prizes (they are big-time super).  What am I thinking?" 

However, after sufficiently neglecting my family with phrases like, "In just a minute, honey, I'm trying to crop this one...thing..."  I decided I'd enter anyway.  Be Brave Jen!  Whatcha got to lose??

Now that the pressure I've put on myself is off, this has really been fun.  I'm learning a lot!  Mostly that Word is a challenge to use if you want to get really creative, but totally workable if you want to keep things simple. 

So I've thrown my graphic name in the hat.  I might enter two more (there's a limit of three entries).  I certainly have ideas saved away in this good ol' laptop!  But I'm ever grateful for the little push from Dana to try.  And to tell me "I can do it!" 

Have you tried something totally out of your box lately?

Sundays: Unplugged

A quiet ride to church.

Our annual "fancy dinner" to celebrate the First Day of School.

A little boy finding his words.  And using them to say, "Come on sis, let's play!"

Fun bath time.  Barbies, goggles, and one pool mask.

A loose tooth.

Excitement as we all try to sleep.

~Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul.~

Friendship





A dear friend of mine is moving.

My heart hurts.  Even though I've tried to prepare myself that this could happen, as it is the nature of her husband's business.

This is one of those "grown up" moments.  You can't prepare for this fully.  This is one of those moments where your faith is strengthened. 

Where God dwells.

I know our friendship will continue.  Our children will still grow up knowing one another.  We'll just drive to visit now.  That's the special thing about dear friends.  They will always be dear friends.  Most folks only have one or two of those.

When God brings a friend like mine into my world, you just know it's special.  A person that makes me a better Believer.  A better mother.  A better friend. 

Lord, help me to be a friend she can always rely on, whether she lives near or not.



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!

Loving My Blog For ME

I started my little blog because I have fallen in love with the blog world. 

So many people who like what I like.  Who challenge my creativity.  Who inspire.

I don't necessarily want to change the world with my blog.  I thought I wanted to inspire just as much as I was being inspired. 

What I've discovered is-all of those things are good.  But they are me trying too hard.  And trying to be someone else.  I want my blog to be a place I love to come to!  And be happy when I think about it.  And when I visit.  And when I leave.  Not a pressure cooker.

So let the creativity flow.  Or not!  I'm visiting and writing because I want to.  And I can't wait to visit again.

I am rejoicing.  It's a happy place to be!

Summer is Here!

Our summer has begun here at our house.  Kids are out and hubby is out.  We are counting down the days to the beach!  Can't wait to post some pictures of our camping trip to the beach.  Our kids are young enough that each trip is drastically different from the last one. 

This year we have made a count down chain that hangs on the back door.  Little Girl tears off a link before bed each night.  Can't believe how fast that seems to be making the time go by!

This year, Little Boy is moving out of the pack and play and into a bed.  Some bed.  We aren't sure where yet.  Maybe the bunk.  Possibly the table made down.  He's going to choose!  All I know is I can hear the surf in my ears, feel the sand in my toes, and smell the coffee brewing early in the morning throughout the camper.  Already!  And each tear off of the countdown chain makes my heart leap, too!  It's like being a kid again.  And it feels grrrreat!