HEY YOU GUYS!!! (a giveaway)

   Goonie fan's is this not THE most amazing picture ever? Does that even need a question mark?

This past summer we got to visit Astoria, Oregon the town where the movie the Goonies was filmed. We had SO much fun and can hardly wait to go back. The town is as cute as it is quaint. And I'm pretty sure we went around all over town shouting...
HEY YOU GUYS!!!
Thank you my Astoria Oregon living friend Tasha for your visit and for this T-shirt, and to Solomon for making my day with your FACE!! Man that kid can make this momma smile SO big.   Now that I have your attention lets go beyond this epic pic.  I want to take this opportunity to say that I truly am so grateful to you beloved reader.  You make this blog here come alive, and I know that although most of you never leave a comment... ahem... I know you are reading, and that makes writing that much more fun. Tis the season to give back, and have gratitude, or say thanks, and I want to say that I am thankful for this space here that I get to share life with you. And although I call you beloved reader all the time I don't ever want you to forget that to me that is not just a term I use to butter you up. 
I really mean to tell you, every single time I write, that you are BELOVED.
And not just because you choose to read here, but because you are loved by the Creator of the Universe more than you could ever know.
Thank you for always listening and especially for chiming in with your own life experiences when you can relate.  I appreciate you, and so because I'm in the Christmas giving spirit I want to give you something....

  An apron I made from a vintage pillow case. You can buy one here; No Dots Shop OR you can enter the giveaway below to receive this package of love completely FREE!!

These aprons are my most favorite creations.

I take old vintage pillow cases, and turn them into something so cute, and so functional in the kitchen or for crafting, and then I hope I get to see people wearing them :)

That's where you come in, if you want one of these beauties enter as many times as you want below.

Thank you beloved reader

and 

Have Fun.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Break 2014

Today marked the end of Spring Break for our camp and I have to say I'm a tad bit bummed.  I gotta tell ya, it has been so nice to have the extra time with my Fab 4.  We actually got two weeks for Spring Break this year. Can't I get a Whoop Whoop!! I enjoy hanging out with my Fab 4 so much. Sometimes I wonder why I share them with the rest of the world, ever?  I suppose it wouldn't be healthy if I did keep them all to myself, like the mom in Tangled. "Mother knows best listen to your Mumzy!"  Ha ha, that song just popped into my head right now.  Scurry.  (Insert emoticon with a straight face and eyes wide open) 00 - Before you go calling CPS know that I have in FACT, been sharing my kiddos and plan to continue sharing them, it's just sometimes when I look at them I think that mom in the Disney movie Tangled might have been on to something. I digress. For the first part of our Spring Break we traveled to Paradise, CA. where my Aunt Linda and Uncle Gene live.

The above pic was taken from their front porch. I haven't been there in years because it was a bit too far to travel from WA. but from NV it's only about a 3 hour drive and I plan on making it lots more in the future. It was a wonderful time with family and my eldest Spawn even did some recording with her band called  In Between Simple. If I knew how to share the songs here believe me, I would but alas... I am just not that tech savy. I need to figure that out, because I am their biggest fan.  Gotta promote ya know !

While I was there, I drank out of that mug up there. It belongs to my Aunt Linda and it was my favorite mug in her cupboard because of the saying on it. I prayed that prayer the entire time I was there and hope to pray it the rest of my life.  "Lord help me to see thing through Your eyes!" I really do wish it was possible to keep that perspective all the time. So often I get caught up in things that don't really matter.  Things that in comparison to eternity, the bigger picture, just won't even register on my radar. Oh, to be always seeing things through the eyes of Jesus. Speaking of seeing things through Jesus eyes, the tail end of our Spring Break I had the immense pleasure of taking my girls to a Joyce Meyer Conference in Sacramento. (More on this later)

As long as I live on this planet there will never, ever be a better place for me than in the House of God with all His thousands of kids praising him. I love, love, love to hear the people of God come together and give glory to the King of Kings. 

There truly is nothing greater, except maybe seeing your children praise the King with all their hearts, souls, and minds.

I can't get over how my girls have grown and right before my eyes turned into two of my most favorite young women to hang out with. I love to hear how they think and what their dreams are. My cup overflows with joy for the memories we were able to make over the past two weeks.  And as they headed back out into the world today, I thought of how fast the time is flying by. They only have 59 more days of this school year. That's just nutts!!  Why do I torture myself with thoughts like this.  It's a snowball, one finished Spring Break turns into their Graduation which then turns into a Wedding Day, and so on and so forth. When they all stepped out of the car this morning... I might have shed a tear like the day when they first went off to Kindergarden.  I'm not gonna lie, I think I did. But, hey I warned you... I'm a sentimental heart. I can't help myself.  The important thing to remember is that I didn't lock them in a tower ;)

Happy Birthday Solomon

12 years ago, we became parents to a boy that would forever change this families lives. I know every child that enters our world changes it, but this young man we had no idea what was in store for us. You see, we were parents twice over already, but to two little girls. A boy was all new territory for us.

A son, my prince, entered the scene, and the world became brighter, fuller, more alive, and certainly more lively. We needed the joy that Solomon brought because he was born right after 9/11 and also during a particularly difficult time for my family of origin.  Solomon brought immense joy.  He was a surprise right from the start, and he hasn't stopped surprising us since.

It has been said many times of him, that he's an old soul. When trying to explain that to him I said, "It just means you know a lot more than most kids do at your age, and you are very aware of the precious gift of life." Because of this, I truly believe his soul is kind. I mean, he is still your average 12 year old boy who likes to tease and sometimes border on obnoxious, but on a deeper level there is so much going on inside that boys noggin.

Solomon has always found the stranger, foreigner, outcast in the bunch. He loves to make them feel welcome and at home and I often wonder sometimes if it's because he himself doesn't feel at home here. 

He is your typical little brother to his two big sisters, but to see their friendship develop... well these are the true blessings in life. I know in my heart when they all go their separate ways someday, they WILL remain each others best friends. 

And being that he is a middle child 

He is a really good Big Brother as well, although if you ask Zay this question on an off day he might have a different answer. I tell Sol all the time that I'm thankful for the example that he sets for Isaiah. 

When Solomon was only like 3 years old we were shopping for furniture and the sales lady asked him which Super Hero he liked best, because he was wearing a t-shirt with Spiderman, Superman etc. She said, "Are you Spiderman, Superman....?" To which he looked at her and replied without skipping a beat, "No I'm S O L O M AN !!" We all laughed so hard and knew at that moment he would probably always walk a few steps ahead of us. 

On top of being an Old Soul, He is really a funny kid. 

He takes the role of being funny very seriously, can you tell? He likes to make people happy whenever they are sad. The only thing he didn't like as an infant was when his sisters would cry. I kid you not, he would cry right along with them. Oh, and he also didn't like when they left the room. He really doesn't mind being alone now, but back then he wanted people all the time.

He is beyond creative and inventive and truly since he was a little boy has been an artist like his dad. The minute he learned how to write he has been making little creative stories, and drawing pictures. He is forever in pursuit of the next greatest invention and I LOVE that about him. 

The way his mind works... well it never ceases to amaze me.

His eyes.... Oh his eyes! They see things in this world so very differently than most. And much like his name sake, he is wise beyond his years. But more than anything I guess, the thing I am most blessed by about this boy his own pursuit to know Christ. He has questions all the time about God and he isn't afraid to speak up about his beliefs at school. When I stop to listen, to see what it is he sees, I'm reminded of what a gift HE IS.

Today begins the last year he is a child. After 12 comes the teen years and my heart aches just a smidge every time I even think about that, so for now I'm going to enjoy that he likes waking the whole family early Saturday morning with his saxophone.

I'm going to enjoy picking up his nerf gun toys, and legos, baseball gear, and video game controllers.

I'm going to remember that when I have to remind him for the ba-zillioneth time to prioritize hygiene it means that he doesn't have another girl in his life that motivates him to do so, and that's a GOOD thing!!

(Although, I'm not sure his sisters would agree)

Sigh.... 

Yep, TODAY is a GOOD DAY. 

Happy Birthday and 10/4 Good Buddy!!

 

A New Tattoo

I got a new tattoo last night. Not many of you know this but, my Giant is a tattoo artist.

All the ink I have came from him except the two crosses on my fingers. Those are the handy work of "Slick Rick" from Sparks NV. What a hot dog that guy was. So the story goes like this, back in 2008 I had saved some money for Mo to get a new tattoo for his father's day present. Upon giving him the money he said, "Why don't I just order a tattoo gun and try to tattoo myself? Worse case scenario is I'll end up with some funny marks and a great story"  We got a kit for 200 bucks, it came with a DVD, some fake skin, and Mo taught himself how to permanently mark his body with ink.  Crazy, right?

Right, well my son Solomon is also an artist like his dad. 

When I asked Mo for a new tattoo with the theme "Smile At The Rain" he said, let's have Sol draw it.

So the drawing above is my 11 year olds version of,  Smile At The Rain.

I'd say he's following in those big footsteps wouldn't you?

  It's funny, I never thought I would be a person that would have tattoos.  I certainly never imagined my kids would draw up tattoos for me. I wasn't your rebellious teen who couldn't wait to show her parents that she had a mind of her own so she went out and got a unicorn on her hip. Nope. That wasn't me. But, here I am all inked up by my boys and their creative genius, and I gotta tell ya it makes me smile SO big. This new art reminds me of that fact that in this life there will be rain,  but when you learn to smile at those rainy days, you learn the key to a happy life. It also kinda reminds me of one of favorite musicals. Today I'm singing in the rain people, and it feels pretty damn good.

Irons and Bees

I'm working on ... working on things. Or you could say,

I have quite a few "irons in the fire" right now. Don't cha just love old sayings like that? I just love old sayings like that. When I looked up the meaning of that old saying it made me giggle.  You really should read the back story on that very famous saying,HERE so you can giggle too. It will be an especially giggly time for you if you are a busy bee like me.
Speaking of busy bee's I am one, but I still managed to find this quote for you;
"It's not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted." Mary O'Connor
The "why" to my busy is what I want to focus on here for a minute. That quote made me question whether all my busy is God's busy for me? Does that make sense? Cause if it's God's busy then there should be praise, but if it's my own busy then inevitably swatting will ensue.  I mean... I feel I am a bee and to be praised(I want some praise people this is hard work this mom to 4 kids work) while I'm busy about my Fathers business. But how does one know they are about their Father's business, and not their own business, especially when it's my new business that is keeping me busy. Did you know Our Father Who Art In Heaven has a business? Well, He does and I want to be that kind of bee that does it's Father's business. Ya know a bee that should be praised versus a mosquito who deserves to be swatted?

 It's busy, business, being a bee. 

Say that five times fast.

I am SO busy, but it's a good busy.  It's a healthy busy. It's a (I'm -right- where- I'm -supposed -to- be) busy. It's the kind of busy that makes my heart sing.

I'm driving my kids here, there, and everywhere, and they in turn are driving me nutts!  No, really I am throughly enjoying them and their very active, very healthy lives right now. But when I'm not driving the Fab 4 here, there, and everywhere here are some other irons I've got heating up;

I have my shop that I'm loving so much. I'm sewing up a storm to stock the shelves of NodotsShop just in time for Christmas. And I'm trying to really prepare for having a booth at the Farmers Market here next Spring. I'm a bit excited about that little dream come true, bucket list, adventure. I sure hope they like me and my stuff. I hear the jury process is a rigorous one, but I have all winter to prepare.
And then I have my son Solomon and his art work that I'm trying to get packaged and ready for Christmas presents(hold tight family your copy is coming) and possibly future retail. Yes,  He is my 11 year entrepreneur, artist, inventor child. He wants to sell prints of his artwork at the Market next year with me. Well, really he wants to sell them right NOW he's an ambitious lil fellow that Sol Doll ! He started his own little business at the young age of 10 and he calls his business Donut Productions. I wonder where the love for Donuts comes in? Psh... certainly not from his mother who buys them all the time!

This recent piece of art work that he and his dad worked on together  a few months back has gotten quite the buzz. Buzz, buzz, buzz... there's those bees again.
Solomon came home from school one day inspired by Van Gough and he asked me what my favorite Van Gough piece was, I said A Starry Night, and that is where Rainy Night was born. He sat down with a Sharpie and drew with such detail that My Giant was super impressed. Mo finished the piece with some amazing color and I might be bias but I think it's better than A Starry Night.  Psh... totally better!!

And then I have that little writing project that I was working on, Brody the Bishop and The First Day of Spring is no longer on the back burner people. Nope.  I put him back up on that front burner and I have a goal to get him full blown cooking by next Spring. That's right you heard me, I have a GOAL.  Just one or two, or maybe a few more than 5 ?
Remember this guy? 
Well if you don't you can read more about that HERE or just stay tuned. You will be hearing more about him in the future.  

Of course I still have my everyday life jobs, laundry dishes taxi cab driving vacuuming  cooking taxi cab driving shopping cleaning did I mention taxi cab driving?

Really, I promise I'm a happy taxi cab driving mom.

Most of the time I'm a happy driver.

Clearly, not a happy driver here but.... 

There ya have it folks,  the Irons and   The Bees. Linking up here

My Prince Solomon Happy Birthday

When I found out I was pregnant with Solomon it came as quite a shock.  Emma was only 2,  and Chloe was only 9 months old. To say I was already busy with 2 little girls would be an understatement. To say we were surprised would be an understatement. I'll never forget the conversation that I had with my Dawl Allie that prompted me to go out and get a pregnancy test.

As I was laying there on the couch still in my jammies around noon, I was telling her how tired I was. I said I felt like I might be getting a cold  (ahem... don't all surprise pregnancy start off as a cold) or something because I just couldn't seem to shake the BLEH feeling. She laughed and said, "You don't think you could be pregnant?" "Pshh NO," I said. But little did I know that at that point Solomon Russell had already been growing strong for 3 months.

I didn't know it at the time but My Prince Solomon was already surprising me, and he really has never stopped.

I am in a complete and utter state of awe with this young man.

He is total JOY to my heart, and at the very same time

he frustrates me like no other child I own ;) 

Because of how God made him, and how God made me there are many, many times that I don't understand why he does what he does.

But, that being said he helps me to understand my Giant more than I ever could have without him.

So often the things I see him doing remind me of a Giant man I know named Moses and I stop and giggle. 

His heart is tender.

His sense of humor stellar.

His eyes are always looking for the outside of this box we call Life.

He is without a doubt an artist.

And 

an inventor.

He is completely aware of the world and all it's mysteries. He is a very deep thinker. I am told on a regular basis from almost every teacher that he has ever had so far, that he brings so much to the table. He is truly, in many ways, wise like his name sake.

I've only had 11 years and 9 months with this young man and I know this for sure, he is a world changer.

I'm blown away that he is only 11 years old, and at the same time already 11 years old. Happy Birthday Solomon my Prince.  I love you, Mom~

Friday Fun with Philipé

These are the recorded adventures of Philipé the Monkey. As photographed and recorded by Solomon and Isaiah. Story told by Mom with creative liberties taken from the original story.


Once upon a time there was a Monkey named Philipé. He was a good monkey who lived a life full of adventure.

One day Philipé set out to take a nice ride in his VW bug.

It was a beautiful day outside and he was feeling a little bit risky so he drove with the top down. He was a risk taker, that Philipé.

Because it had turned out to be such a nice day he decided to head to the beach for some good times surfing.

But suddenly he was stopped by some fierce opposition, and he began to run the other way.

He was about to get away when suddenly he was stopped at the bottom of the table by another strange man wearing a mask. Who said, "Hold it right there Philipé the monkey!"

Philipé had never been so scared in all his whole entire monkey life.
What was this black masked man going to do? Where was he taking him?
Why did he make Philipé ride at the front of the car with the hood open? THIS IS SO DANGEROUS and Kind of Fun thought Philipé! Because after all he is a risk taker.

Just when Philipé thought all was lost he saw his other monkey friends out of the corner of his eye. He suddenly began to feel much better.

But then the strange masked man began to tie a rope to his tail. Philipé was wondering why his friends weren't coming to his rescue? And then suddenly he was hanging upside down over a pool full of Piranha.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT FRIDAY.

This episode of Friday Fun with Philipé is dedicated to our sweet Savy Rae Rae.