Oh my yum...

Now that the hubby has returned it is time to get down and dirty in the kitchen again.  I must admit while he was gone the girls and I had our fair share of simple yet tasty meals of chicken fingers, breakfast for dinner and pizza nights, but we were oh so ready for our big, strong man in uniform to return.  In honor of the having him back I wanted to make an extra delicious meal and these mouth watering chicken fajita quesadillas did not disappoint.  We garnished them with cilantro and guacamole, two of our favs!

Have a great weekend friends and enjoy all things scrumptious!

http://www.jocooks.com/healthy-eating/chicken-fajita-quesadillas

"While it is wise to learn from experience, it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others." PDL

After my last post about how when fall arrives I go into overdrive trying to accomplish everything I didn't do during the summer months and all in a small window of time each day that I refer to as after hours, aka when my kids are fast asleep, well that's precisely what I did.

But as the days have gotten colder allowing us to slow down and stay cozy inside I have been spending more time writing.  So much so, that I have just recently completed my first draft of my memoir.  I was so pumped I did the unimaginable and printed every last page of the thing! I have been hard at work taking classes and writing during after hours for an entire year. Coming from someone who takes pleasure in the feel of a good book in her hands, I must say as the woman at Office Depot handed me the heaping stack of the pages into my heart, I stood frozen for a solid minute, taking it all in before I could walk away.

Piecing together scene after scene over the last year has been a challenge at times.  Quite honestly trying to remember the past that had been so carefully hidden away, forced me to go back in time and relive those moments if only in my mind.  I inevitably broke down and literally sat in front of the computer sobbing as if it were all happening again. There were the lighter moments too that had me reminiscing times with friends that had me laughing hysterically as I wrote each word.  Through it all what I found to be the most valuable is that I have learned so much about letting go, forgiveness and just how necessary having faith in my life truly is.

I have been given wise advice that once I have completed my first draft, it's important to take a step back, start another project and let time takes it's course.  Which leads me to introduce my next little ditty I have taken a liking to, personalized metal stamping.  I received my first metal stamped jewelry piece from my sister a few years ago.  I wear this darling necklace just about everyday.  

The point of all of this is that I love jewelry that tells a story, jewelry that really means something to me.  Stamp Haven parallels my memoir, 'Gift of Grace' that my hope is in creating meaningful pieces for others to enjoy, when you are asked what your necklace means or stands for, you will have an opportunity to share your story as well.

"Shared stories build a relational bridge that Jesus can walk across from your heart to others." PDL

Visit my shop at:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/StampHaven1

A New Season Of Change...

With the trees in breeze each turning over a new leaf; I too feel the need for transformation…

Fall for many of us, brings new possibility with a new school year, new teachers, new activities and a new schedule to adapt to.  Now don’t get me wrong, I love autumn, if not only for a hot cup of apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, the smell of a camp fire and not to mention the feeling I get when putting on a cozy hoodie and oversized sweats.

Unfortunately, it’s in between these little moments of bliss that expectation and pressure creep in and I find myself dizzy trying to hush my inner voice that’s telling me I am not doing enough.

The haunting whispers go something like this:

You will never finish writing your book at this pace.

You should start teaching dance again, don’t give that passion up.

You look tired; maybe some pampering would do you some good. (Now this is my love languageJ).

You still haven’t finished the girl’s year in review books.

You need to connect with family and friends back home more so you don’t lose touch.

You need to do more volunteering for the community.

And for goodness sake you need to start working out again!

This reprimanding from my inner self, then causes me to retaliate:

I sign up for writing class.

I order p90x3. (I am so sore it even hurts to type, really it’s lovely.)

I start volunteering in multiple organizations.

I actually go on an interview for a job I don’t want, because unless I can stay home with Gia I know I won’t take it.

I conclude that instead of working outside of the house, that maybe I will dabble in opening an Etsy site to sell some crafty items.

I book a facial. (Again this one is really a bonus, but whatever I’ll gladly busy myself by getting pampered any day.)

I start looking up flights to go home.

I do some online shopping for new seasonal clothes for me and the girls while indulging in my favorite Ritter Chocolate. (Ok a little off course, but these two things make me some kind of crazy happy.)

Whoa!  Are you still with me?  All of this being said; I am hoping that there is at least one other human being on this planet that feels like I do at least to some degree.  Anyone???

The good news is that we are not alone.  We are never alone.  When this mood strikes, and I feel I just can’t get enough done and somehow simultaneously I'm not doing enough, I go to my nightstand and
pull out my little safe haven, ‘The Purpose Driven Life.’  I hold this book that has helped me exponentially over the years and I begin to pray.  I pray for direction and for guidance for the upcoming changes and decisions I need to make. I then carefully open the book and whatever page I happen to fall on that’s what I read.  It is in these words that I find solitude as He speaks to the challenges I bring to Him, generously helping direct me back on my path.

So friends as this new season begins, let’s encourage one another and lift each others spirits rather than compare and judge our peers for their efforts, as most of us are doing the best that we can.  And if you ever feel your life, like mine, finds you in a whirlwind of chaos, it is most definitely time to ask for direction from He who created you.  He is the only one who knows exactly where we are going.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

So breath easy, we are all in good hands and for the love of fall, enjoy all things pumpkin. J

Friday's Favorite Quotes

"We derail our life journey again and again, backing up to try doors we neglected on the first time around desperate to get it right this time." Elizabeth Gilbert

"I'd finally come to understand what it had been:  a yearning for a way out, when actually what I had wanted to find was a way in." Cheryl Strayed, Wild

"I didn't feel happy or sad.  I didn't feel proud or ashamed.  I only felt that in spite of all the things I'd done wrong, in getting myself here, I'd done right."  Cheryl Strayed, Wild

"We are a product of our past, but we don't have to be a prisoner of it."  Rick Warren, A Purpose Driven Life

"The warmth from the sun shown bright making it’s existence known where I sat with my hands clasped in my lap, my shoulders shrugged.  Although, it was distant, I felt a spark of light within me, dim, yet I was aware of its presence.  The flame inside of me had not yet been extinguished, still dancing within, proving I still existed." 

"While we try to teach our children about life, our children teach us what life is all about."

As we shopped for Sophie's back to school items today, I started to feel the sadness creep up as I thought of how in just a few days summer will end and for the first time(besides the few hours a week she went to preschool), I won't have her home with me everyday. She is turning six tomorrow and I know it is time, but as the first day of Kindergarten approaches, I find myself pulling her in more than usual for one extra hug.

I have decided that instead of wallowing in my tears, covered from head to toe in used Kleenex, hesitant about my baby leaving the nest, I will try to think more positively about this next stage in her life. I know that Sophie will give others at school, a piece of the joy she has always given to me and the rest of our family and that has immense worth.

For other families going through this same transitional period, I'm sure you know that your child has unique qualities to share with their classmates as well. Just think of the possibilities of their future and what a better world this could be if we continue to teach them the importance of being truly gracious to one another.

Last year, a student at Sophie's preschool was crying because they weren't there on the day they had made a special craft for Halloween. The reason I know this is because when she came home she said, "Mama I need to make the spider craft we did at school the other day. When I asked her why she said, "I need to make it for a friend who wasn't there when we made them and he was really sad today when we all got ours to take home, so I want to bring one for him to 
make him happy." She said it with the biggest smile, because as we all know doing good things for others makes us happy simultaneously. It's a beautiful thing. The compassion for others that she has at five both humbles and inspires me.

If our children are so loving, shouldn't we as adults, responsible for teaching them mirror their gentleness? Isn't that a large part of our humanity in this world?

To all the children taking their first step onto a big yellow bus, or those being dropped off at school and waving those sweet little hands goodbye to Mom or Dad, spread the love sweet angels and I pray that we as adults can learn to do the same.

Great Motto Thursday

Easy Peasy Home Organizing...

As the warmth of summer hangs on by a thread, I find myself thinking of ways to organize my life before the school year begins.  I have been searching for something for a chalkboard/shelf combo for the wall near the garage door to write reminders on. I actually was impressed with all of the beautiful options on Etsy. I contemplated ordering one, but most of the pieces I liked cost upwards of $70 so before caving to online shopping,  I decided to try and be crafty attempting to make my own.  The chalkboard paint I bought was $3.99 at Hobby Lobby and the frame is an old one that the glass broke out of years ago and I almost tossed too many times to count, but I'm so glad I didn't.  I also found at Hobby Lobby a two tiered wooden shelf with rod iron details for sunglasses, wallets, keys, etc.  Pictures to come of it all hung up!  Ahhh...now for a glass of wine outside before the heat of the summer melts away and brings on the cool breeze of fall.