Update on Our Summer

A friend asked me today if I had been painting and writing much lately. Really, I haven't much. The kids are home and I have been trying to spend quality time with them this summer. It is the first summer in years I have felt like a human. My first tumor free summer. Woohoo. :) I need to find a balance with painting and writing AND parenting. I miss writing, I miss painting. I miss writing what I am feeling and creating something with it.

School starts next week and I will get back to painting. My sweet friend Judy asked me to paint a painting for her new store, Bella's....I can't wait to get started.

It has been the summer of new beginnings. everything being new because I feel better. My kids are growing so fast! We are so proud of them!

Sometimes I wish I wasn't so uuummm "deep"...lol, for lack of a better word. It makes me feel like I need to be creating something out of all the colors I see and the feelings I feel, then, I remember to chill out and just be myself. Writing and painting and helping people are my outlets to use my skills/gifts. I'm thankful to have a blog and for everyone that reads it. I love ya'll. :)

I'm thankful for God....who "sees the depths of my heart and loves me the same"...:)

Just a little update...I know it is all over the place. It is where my head is tonight.

Had a Bad Day?

Ever feel this way? There is life at the end of the tunnel...babysteps, one day at a time, until you get there and find the lesson and learn from it. Thank you God for your teaching!

Telling the Truth

My 7 year old, Cara, came in from playing outside last night, soaking wet. She stood there with a towel around her, looking at me. She said "I want to tell the truth, I sprayed myself (this was after telling Kyle the neighbor kids sprayed her), she said "I want to be honest and tell the truth, I sprayed myself because it looked fun". I looked at her sweet little face and told her it is okay and since she told the truth, she will not be in trouble".

I need the truth. I want to teach my kids that no matter what, the truth is better than a lie. We can work to fix the issue if we know the truth. We can start to help them heal or help them overcome something, but it has to be the truth. I am hoping, well, PRAYING that they know how important it is to be truthful.

As for an adult perspective, until we have the truth, we don't know how to forgive, there is forgiveness in truth.

I hope to always practice truth and forgiveness. It is by God's grace, I have learned this.

Looking Around

Do I dare look around

absorb my surroundings

no matter how hard

I try not to do it

I do it anyway

a human sponge

I am

but it is okay

I am too blessed t

to complain!

Happy Birthday Deb!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet friend Debby Bivins! I love you! Have a wonderful birthday! You are amazing!!

Sisterly Love

I love the relationship of my kids. They get on each other's nerves but love each other anyway...I love this picture because Cara loves her sisters, even though she voices her opinion on a regular basis with them. They love her. Sister love is forever....just like close friendships!

The Present

There is no better time than the present to get started on your dreams!!!!

Happy 9th Birthday Sweet Emma!!!!

Happy 9th birthday to my sweet angel Emma Colleen!!! Thanks for being YOU!!! I love you!!!

Happy Birthday to Cara!!!!

Happy 7th birthday to my sweet daughter Caraline Rose Schrage!!! You are an angel and spread joy where ever you go!!! I love you!!!!

Having Faith

Sometimes, I can think and think

and then I realize

how easy it is

just to have faith

and trust

the answers are there

Bigger Naughty Spot

Since our kids are older now, we had to get a bigger naughty spot!!! Poor Emma! Just kidding, but it was fun pretending at the park!