artsy challenge...

I stumbled across a challenge in Rhonna Farrer's blog and I just had to do it. It is funny that a stranger to me (with common interests and incredible talent!) can inspire this way. This has all of the elements of interest to me and is exactly what I need right now. The challenge is to conquer or create a habit through an art journal. I have never made an art journal before but have always wanted to. Not only does this challenge help with forming a habit but encourages me to create art every day. It has been so much fun! My big challenge is exercise and better nutrition and Scott and I actually gave up sugar and all foods sweet a few weeks ago so exercise was a natural fit for me.

pure joy...pure love...

I love watching the Olympics, especially the winter. I am always surprised at the pride I feel watching the U.S. compete but more than that, I have really enjoyed watching my kids watch and take pride in their country as well. "Are they from U.S. mom?" or "Did we get a medal?" My 7 year old is an ice skater and she has loved watching that. This picture shows just how she feels about it - Pure Joy!

My kids and I had the opportunity to go to the Humanitarian Center for a little field trip yesterday and talk about pride. It made me feel so honored to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when I saw just what they do there. All of the clothes that are donated go to the center first and 85% of them are sent to people in need all over the world, as well as medical and educational supplies. Everything is recycled. Book bags and toy balls are made from airplace seat upholstery. Clothes that are too worn are sold and the money is used to buy new blankets. It is a perfect example of the Pure Love of our Savior. It was truly inspiring! Go and visit, you won't regret it.

LOVE...

Do you ever find yourself saying something with deep meaning on accident? For me it usually invovles talking to my kids or trying to get them to do something. I found these really great gold letters from Restoration Hardware and wanted my kids to hold them and spell out LOVE for a picture - inspiration for a Valentines scrapbook page. It is against the odds and probably some rules of the universe to get cooperation from all four kids at the same time and so, my boy wasn't going to hold his letter. All manner of threats and punishments came to mind and one of my girls said, let's just do it without him. I then uttered one of the most true statements for our family: "We can't have LOVE, if we don't have everyone". I smiled to myself as the words still hung in the air - how true it is. We can't have the love we need in our home if we don't have everyone's participation. A little more prodding and coaxing and, well, here is the result. Hope your Valentines Day was full of love.

music makes the world go round

I was working on a scrapbook page the other day and wanted to capture my feelings about music. As I thought about what it means to me, I realized that music is a universal language that conveys a universe of feeling. It doesn't matter our race, age, or education, music affects us all. I love watching my little kids' faces light up when they hear a song and watch them dance to the beat. They just can't help it, they have to move.

I took some pictures of my violin - something I have never done, and had a blast playing with the photos in photoshop. This photo is what I came up with - I love the color and shape. The violin is an instant visual message of music and feeling to me. I have played it in various orchestras and symphonies over the last 25 years (man that makes me seem old!). Some of the most powerfully moving music experiences I have had was when I played with the Mormon Youth Symphony. We would rehearse every Wednesday in the Tabernacle, which was open to visitors. Our conductor would turn to the congregation and ask who had come the farthest. Every single time, there would be people visiting from all over the world - far off places, and they couldn't speak English, but they could feel the power of the music. They could feel the message whether we played from any of the great composers or religious selections - it was a very powerful communicator.

I love all kinds of music and love playing it as well. Isn't it funny that we listen to certain songs at certain times? Like if I'm happy or excited, I always like upbeat songs, and if I'm thoughtful and reflectful, I like something else. Music really does make the world go round!

a big shocker...

Being a mom is certainly the most exciting & shocking thing I have done so far in my life. Right from birth, the kids have kept me on my toes. I try to anticipate what they will do, keep them safe, but still - sometimes they surprise me. For instance: my four year old son - Oaken - was standing with me in my bathroom last night. I was putting on my make-up and he was just standing there, playing with random stuff on the counter, and then it happend. A POP and a flash of light! The smell of ozone floats through the air. I was shocked at the sight - he wasn't. He had taken some toenail clippers and "clipped" the cord to our toothbrush charger - which was plugged in. He ran into the bedroom, a bit scared, and I had to follow to check him out. He didn't get shocked - nothing. There was a big, metal chunk taken out of the clippers, but he didn't get shocked - amazing. As I found out this morning, my hair dryer and straightener (which were also plugged in) were shocked too, they don't work. I will be going to the store.

A different kind of shocker happened a few days ago. My oldest, Chloe, eleven years old and on the brink of teenagerism shocks me too. It was a morning like any other. Madly rushing about the house, gathering homework and coats while eating breakfast and picking up rooms. Her dad asked her to deliver something to a neighbor on her way to school. She has to walk right past the house. "No" she said. "I don't have time." "It's on your way, come on and help your dad." I pleaded (okay, I kind of yelled, but she was being unreasonable). "I don't want to (whines a little) you can do it." She says to her dad and leaves the house. Her dad and I exchange "a little disappointment but not really too suprised" glances and he gets ready to deliver his package. A few minutes later, Chloe comes back in the house, grabs the delivery from the counter, gives a little smile, and leaves again. Now we exchange looks of shock - and then a little relief. Her concience got to working on her and she needed to make it right. We were proud of her decision. It's the little things that you hope for - those slivers of gold that show your kids are learning how to be nice people.