Our little Fashionista!

It's so fun to see what Alyssa dresses up in because she has such a fun time with fashion. 

From the sunglasses on the top of her head, 

to the striped tights with silver shoes on her feet.

It's so much fun experiencing a girl!

Back to the Basics

As much as I love doing what I do (eg- refinishing furniture, creating, sewing and making things for my retail space) I have found lately that I'm just so overwhelmed so much of the time. I have thought often about quiting my Shelstring blog, and have been told time and again that I shouldn't. 

As I've been experiencing so many challenges in completing things, meeting deadlines, and trying to run my home and enjoy my children, 

I've found it impossible to do. Especially the enjoying party. I haven't been enjoying much of anything lately. I have been really troubled by this and doing a lot of praying and soul searching. I've known for quite some time that I need to simplify my life more. 

That it is okay to enjoy doing things I love, 

but having all the deadlines of contributor posts and product commitments is too much for me right now. So with all of this I have decided to get back to the basics. 

To focus on what matters most to me. 

My family. Writing to think through things is also therapudic for me. 

I tend to really sort things through when I share how I feel and what I'm thinking. 

This is the first blog I ever started. The most important one for me as well. Now I'm going to try to get back to the basics 

and have decided to start enjoying things day to day like I used to...

before it all got so crazy and out of control. 

My now daily life. There is so much I've missed sharing about. 

It will be good to catch up. 

 It feels good to be back!

 

Can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread-Mom

The Christmas season is one that hits most moms on the head with quite a pressure she didn't expect. I learned a few years ago to make things a lot simpler (as I recently shared) by eliminating things that cause unnecessary stress....

things like decorating gingerbread houses. Yes, I was pretty satisfied with myself until one day when Alyssa came home from a friends house and asked me to buy graham crackers and m&ms the next time I went to the store. When I forgot, she tearfully reminded me that she had asked and was expecting the items to be purchased so that she could build a gingerbread house like the ones (they apparently) made in school. I was rather impressed, so the next time I went to the grocery store, I took her with me so she could pick out what she wanted on her house.

*Nice little tid-bit: The wonderful thing about the stress free holiday mentality is that this was after Christmas, so the candy was 50% off. Next year I'll have to hold out another week for the 75% off sale. ;) 

I must say that even though I thought I had barely grazed by Christmas without doing the dreaded gingerbread senario, I'm glad I didn't get away with it. 

  This turned out to be a wonderfully fun activity from shopping for supplies, to making and finishing the houses and  it helped me to pull away from all my other "to-do's" and enjoy my littles...

                               
                                   ...while they're still little. Something I need to do more often.

Wake-up Call

I've found at different times in my life that it is necessary to experience trials so that we can gain strength. These trials don't always come at the most convenient times. They don't come at the most expected times. But they come at the most necessary times. I, as everyone, have experienced a great many of these experiences, some of them big, some small. But the one thing I've come to really understand is the blessings that can be found through them. They are the meat for which our spirits are strengthened because they cause us to rely on our Savior. They help us to see that not only can we not endure them by ourselves, but we were never meant to. I'm finding a great deal of comfort in knowing this. I know that it isn't an empty faith and a wish that somebody will be there to pick us up and carry us through the roughest of our journey, but that they really are. I know this because it is a feeling of peace and a strength when all of my own have run out. When there is truly nothing left within myself and I know that I am completely in the hands of a loving Father that is just wanting to teach me what I need to learn with open arms all the while.

Source

July 25th I was scheduled to have a colonoscopy due to bleeding in my bowels. There was a very large tumor found, which upon testing proved to be cancerous. At the time there was no more to tell other than that I had cancer. A very difficult thing to say, to digest, to accept. During the days of waiting for further testing so that we could know the extent, there were many things that were realized between my incredibly supportive and loving spouse and myself. For me it was a wake-up call. A realization that maybe the way I spend my time and what I focus on isn't always what it should be. That there is so much more that could be done and so many more important things to do, such as serving others. I looked around me and discovered the blessings that the Lord has been placing in my life all through the years. I discovered some things I already recognized, yet didn't realize to what depth I knew them. Things like how much I love my children. How important their welfare is to me and how badly I want to be a part of every moment of their successes and be there to hold them up when they fall. I discovered who I wanted to share my news with, such as those that mean the most to me besides my husband and my children, those wonderful best friends of mine that are my siblings, my mother, my father. All of these were the main concern of my thoughts bringing me much sorrow to think I might possibly not be able to enjoy them again as I have throughout the years. I began to realize how important it would be to adequately express my love to them and gratitude that they are such an influential part of me and the reasons I value the things I do.

source

I realized how well I have chosen my friends and who I choose to surround myself with every day. People who love the Savior and exemplify Him through their daily actions. I know this has been because of the influence of the Holy Ghost, the best friend of all.

Source

In the past I have recognized that even though trials may be difficult, they are necessary in forming our character and helping us to become who the Lord knows we can be. I'm grateful for the wake-up call. It has shown me how much I love and value life on a whole.

Crazy Hectic Wonderful Memories

The last few weeks of school were crazy. As I've talked to friends, I've come to realize this is normal for mothers of several children. It hits like a rush that you didn't expect. Suddenly you are running around like a wild woman trying to keep up and playing tag team with your sweet husband who seems to be the only steady force in your life. Though things were so busy, I'm grateful for the events that took place and am so happy my children could have the opportunities they have. Here are a few of the events that took place in one week's time: 

The children had dental appointments. This takes approx. three days with 2 children going in for check-ups each day. I learned that this is the longest I can handle at a time. Any more makes for a really rough experience. This particular visit was Amy's first! She left that office with successful check-up and a clean bill of health. 

No cavities and a beautiful smile! *whew!*(this makes us feel like through it all, we must be doing something right).

The children had a day off for a teacher's grading day. We met a couple friends at Lone Pine Farms which the children LOVE. They have a lot to do all year round. The kids love playing on their playground especially since it has a merry-go-round. It isn't common anymore to find a park that has one of these. This is strawberry season so we picked strawberries.

Two buckets full! I had made strawberry jam already, so we froze these for smoothies and ate a few in crepes with cream. They were delicious.

They also have goats and bunnies to feed, so the children enjoyed doing this. The goats are a lot of fun. They have ramps that go up to a second story and the children can fill a can with food and pully it up to the goats. It is entertaining to do.

 Michael had a game in a town called Lowell. It is 45-60 min. each way and was the furthest game he played in the season. I was tagged to take him on this particular night and Amy wanted to come. So during the game, we swung on the swings together. 

 The trip was very enjoyable and gave us an opportunity to really enjoy each other. Sometimes it's a blessing in disguise to have to pull yourself away from the busy life you think you can't take time away from. The weather was perfect, the game was enjoyable and the ride offered us opportunities that we would not have otherwise enjoyed. We picked flowers, swung on swings, and looked at the beautiful view of the Willamette River and covered bridge.

These two are so alike that it was a pleasantly delightful experience. The game ended up being so long that we ate at Subway for dinner on the way home out of complete hunger. 

Justin loved soccer. He ended up on the team that was younger than him this season. When I told him I was going to get him on the right team, he asked me to leave him on this one. He loved his team and looked forward to each practice. This was so refreshing since, although each time we've had a child in sports, they've asked for the experience, every once in awhile they resist because they don't feel like going. That never happened with Justin. When he learned it was his last game, he was very disappointed and asked if they would at least still practice. 

Since he was so disappointed at the response to that question, we signed him up for fall and spring of next year. We are delighted that he loves it so much. His team was great. I attribute this largely to his wonderful coach Mrs. White, who's son has become one of Justin's best friends. 

 Here they are at the end of the season party at the park with their trophies. What a fun group of kids!

The same weekend that we went to Lone Pine on Friday, the following Saturday was a busy one, but Steve had wanted to go to the parade of classic cars. We've come to realize over the years that we don't want to take anyone that doesn't want to join us in an event. So announced that whoever wanted to go to the parade get in the car, and off we went. It was Just Steve, Tyler, Amy and I. It was so enjoyable. I'm grateful for experiences like these.

So among the crazy and hectic, the blessing is that we have created wonderful memories. I'm grateful to be "stretched" so that we can recognize the enriching joys life has to offer. 

Standing for Truth

Yesterday someone on my facebook expressed her excitement and joy in the 1 year anniversary of her family leaving the church, and then proceeded to list her beliefs, which implied that she no longer believed in  an after life, and doubted there is in fact a God. Her words contradicted each other as she had expressed her thoughts about the extensive study and search for truth she has been doing for the past year and how she is happier than she has ever been. I understand that not everyone agrees with each other concerning religion and politics, subjects we were strictly taught to avoid in cosmetology school because of the deep and profound feelings people have regarding both subjects and the contention that can arise regarding them. But I know that when we know something to be true, we need to stand up and testify of it. This is not always easy, and more often then not, it is opposed with vengeance.

I was so impressed and filled with love and gratitude for Tyler when he expressed, very beautifully, his knowledge of truth and the atonement of the Savior to this mutual friend of ours. It was not accepted by all, and most likely many passed judgement and found it critical and inappropriate, but it gave me great peace in knowing that he was willing to take that chance. I am grateful to know that our son will stand up for what he knows to be right. No matter how popular and difficult it may be.

Light in the Storm

There are periods in my life where I feel burnout and realize that the natural me is hidden somewhere inside, but burried so deeply that I struggle to know that person again. These spurts can be short lived, or they can be long lasting. Usually they don't last long and the joys are easily felt and over ride the turmoil that was causing distress.

But for me, this has lasted a lot longer than normal and I have realized there is a need for change. When I started to evaluate the course of my life and what has been causing displeasure and even heavy mood swings, I came to realize how much more important it is to find the blessings in life. However small they may be, they are there. And in doing so, I'm able to see how truly merciful a loving Father in Heaven really is. It makes me grateful for all the great blessings of people I'm surrounded by.

This is Father's greatest blessing to me. He has given me amazing people who can listen, teach, and love me. Who give me an opportunity to serve and find joy in many ways I never dreamed were possible. The light in the storm.

A Chef in the Family!

In April, Michael had the opportunity to be in a "Young Chef's Competition". This is where the children are able to show off their creative skills in foods to be used in the school cafeteria (or so I was told...).

Just before the competition started

He decided to do a "Specialty Sandwich" that our family created a few years ago. It was a version that he loves the most including a special black bread that's toasted, tomato, black pepper cheese, onion, mayo/mustard, and avocado.

Here he is, serving it up!

Sandwich samples

There was a prize offered to the best decorated table, so we decorated the table to go along with the theme of the food he was serving.

Michael named it "Chef's delight" since that is
exactly how he feels about it!

So as you can see, we ran with the Chef as our theme.

Breath mint anyone?

here is an overview of the whole table (half).

All competitors, just before serving their dishes.

There were quite a few children entered into the competition. 

Michael was the only one from his school to enter the challenge.

After group pictures, the children served their tables 

beautiful display!

                                          And the judges came around to sample their foods:

                                                      Then the winners were announced:

The boy that shared Michael's table was the winner, who was also an only from his school his name?
 His name was John, who made a veggie apple wrap. So delicious!

The grand prize was an ipod touch.

                                                          Everyone received an award, and consolation prize.

During the competition I learned that not all the judges try all the dishes. Had I known this, I would never have allowed Michael to enter. A true, fair competition, gives everyone the real opportunity to be recognized.

So I'm glad I didn't know, because then we would never have had the experience, which was a good one. Though Michael was disappointed he didn't place, he did a wonderful job and expressed his happiness for John winning. He walked away a good sport. Great job to Michael, it was definitely worthwhile!