Following Our Heart

Let me begin this blog post saying that we are GOOD. Life, health, faith and our relationships are fabulous and getting better every day.

Ok, got that out of the way. ;-)

A couple of months ago, something was put on my heart. I prayed about it before I actually let the words come out of my mouth. Then I went to my husband and said those words(with a little bit of fear that he would not like my idea).

"I think I want to homeschool"

He said that he was surprised that it has taken me this long and he was completely on board.

You see, I am not upset with out schools. I know for a fact that we have fabulous teachers who have our children's best interest in mind. There have been very inspiring teachers who have made a difference in the kids' lives. Some have even become friends of mine. I am also aware that there are other moms who simply do not have the opportunity to do this and that there are parents who simply would not want to spend that much time with their kids. :)  I get it, some kids just do not jive together.

For my family, it makes sense. We are not a fast forward family. We enjoy time in the kitchen creating healthy meals...all before (or after) ball practice. We play outside on pretty days and play games on gloomy days. We love learning together. My kids truly get along and (most of the time) teach and encourage each other. We love being together. We love being able to slow down when we need to.

We have lost my mom, my husband's dad and grandparents. We now have two family members with cancer in addition to my mother-in-law who is a survivor. We have also lost our sweet Lola.We each have one grandparent with us and we want to enjoy them. Life is too short, and I refuse to let a fast forward life make me regret not spending enough time with loved ones.

Speaking of my mother-in-law, I was nervous to tell her of my choice. Although, she was one who inspired me. She recently retired and has shown me that the "living life" attitude and enjoying the good stuff is good for the soul. So one day I told her, with maybe a little over explaining I am certain, and she was quiet for a moment. Then she said that she is so happy with our choice. She is fully confident that the kids will thrive and grow. She is also excited to be able to take vacations during the school year with them and to have lunch together on a weekday.

I also called the principal of the children's school and she was so kind and truly supportive. She actually said that if anyone could do it, I could. What a compliment!! I sent a letter to current and previous teachers and that was so well received. They know our family...and support our decision. The same reaction has come from friends and family, they just see us successfully doing this.

Andrew's last day was this past Friday. We will begin our journey on Monday and get into our groove. In a couple of weeks Jordan will join us. The kids could not be any more excited. They are looking forward to thinking outside the box, volunteering, finding new passions and learning together.

There will be more on this as we get used to this life and get over some hurdles. Until then, we look forward to reading all kinds of books together, volunteering at the library, learning to play the drums, begin dance lessons, audition for plays, focus on faith, love on our new puppy and  enjoy the good stuff.

We got this.

XOXO

Cheers to Habits and Organization!

It has been almost a whole week of my entire family creating new (positive) habits and getting organized. This is huge. I am not a creature of habit. Neither is my daughter. We just go with the flow being the hippies that we are. We are also not organized at all. We are right brained creative thinkers. To us, organizing is stacking papers, creating piles, etc. Now, to my husband and son, they ARE creatures of habit. They adapted to this without much of a problem.

So here are the habits that we all now have, it doesn't take up a whole lot of time and the kids don't complain. They seem to like it consistency.

• We all wake up and make the beds right away.
• Kids read for 20-30 minutes before breakfast (my son doesn't even come out of his room until he has finished reading, this is something he wants to do).
• Everyone washes their own breakfast dishes and puts them back where they found them. This takes no time, and you don't have crusty cereal bowls (or egg plates, or bacon grease) sitting on the sink. This has also reduced our use of the dishwasher in a big way.
• Everyone uses the same glass/cup during the day. I made a little place holder for cups out of an old picture frame. This also keeps the dishwasher from being used as much.
• We all have adhered to my new cleaning schedule, and everyone looks at it daily to see what was done and what needs done. Andrew wipes down his sink before bed every night. Jordan sweeps the kitchen daily. They take turns vacuuming, dusting, etc. We work together. It rocks. Kids don't complain because they are enjoying a clean house. I am enjoying it because anyone can stop by and I won't be embarrassed of the house. :) I may be embarrassed of my appearance though. Ha.
• Shoes are placed where they belong (we are still getting used to this, maybe not a habit yet).
• We go by my menu for the week and stick to it. Saves on groceries, eating out, and prevents unhealthy choices.

In addition to the above; the kids and I exercise together (weights, weighted hula hoop, etc), say prayers for people the moment we hear they need it, and we have all reduced our screen time by a little bit. ;-)

I am truly proud of us. Let's hope it sticks and we continue forming positive habits for a happier life.

Not the best pictures, but you get the idea. :)

The Mermaid In My Life....

Grew up tonight. She has always gotten life. Her lessons in life have been treated with respect by her, and she has never taken advantage of my trust in "life lessons"  in her. As much as some moms may think that our choice was too mature for such a little girl, in my heart I feel so ok.

You see, my 7 year old blond daughter has grown up with blond hair...on her head. My lovely and confident daughter grew up with black long and thick hair on her legs. She has been a rockstar on her own. She never asked me or voiced her concerns about her dark haired legs...until last summer. Had nothing to do with her trying to be a big girl. She simply saw that her legs were sooooo hairy and dark and thick.

I am all about confidence, so I spoke this her about this. I am a boudoir photographer! I get it. But, I am an all natural girl.
Tonight, as any night for the past 2 years, my daughter put on her brave smile with the dress she picked...saying "I pray mommy that noone sees my hair.".

I saw her soul. She is confident, she is lovely, she is smart, she is good.

I tried  her daddy's razor.... we shaved her calve and shin. She cried as she said "mommy, thank you for getting me. I will always respect you". She followed this with prayer.. "Thank you for my mommy understanding me, Lord. I pray she always gets me, I pray I always get her... I pray for all of my friends....amen."

Last Minute Holiday Craft

Most people that know me KNOW that I am not super crafty. I have tried sewing, didn't love it. Never attempted scrapping, was never interested (although I adore looking at other's). I don't make cute templates or canvas prints. Not crafty at all.

But I AM creative...AKA I rock at coming up with something creative at the very.last.possible second in a select few occasions. .

Last week I had that "oh crap" moment. I am room parent for my 9 year old son's class. That meant class party. Like planning a craft and such. I had a week.

 I came up with a theme: A Few of Our Favorite Things.

Basic plan was:

• For each child to bring their favorite treat or snack (my son picked my homemade cornbread).
• I will bring my fave holiday drink (ok, safe for kids)...Apple Cider (I totally winged this too, and although I expected the kids to dislike it, we had to ration it instead). 
• Come up with a craft that has something to do with one of the child's fave memories.

And so this "craft" was created.

I love using the clear glass bulbs for gifts each year. In the past I filled them with a special photo. But this year I did these as gifts..... so I took this idea and ran with it, on a smaller scale.

What you need:
Mini Glass Ornaments (Hobby Lobby)
A Thin Strip of Paper
A Few Strips of Shiny Ribbon

Have your child write your fave memory (depending on recipient of gift, it can be a fave memory with that person...thanks to my friend Evea for that idea). My memory was celebrating Christmas for the first time as a mommy. Twirl the paper with something small, like a wooden skewer or toothpick, and place inside ornament. Fill with ribbon (you can twirl it around the skewer or just let it curl inside bulb as you place it in).

Simple as that.

Now you take this idea and run with it. :)

7th Birthday

My baby turned 7 last week. In lieu of having a birthday party with all of her friends, she asked to go to the farm...Greer Farm that is. So we packed up 3 kids (her "sister-cousin" Catie came along at the last minute!) and made the 3 hour trip.
Here is the trip in pictures (not bad pics taken with a little point and shoot).



Icee Tongues




Girls watching boats





He was a fishing fool





Time to pick blueberries





Girls playing with antlions





Mermaids





Peach Orchard





Buddy the Dragonfly




More Antlion Playing





Little S'more Brownie in Cabin





Cousins




Farm Dog Tux




Farm Dog PePe

 Happy 7th my dear girl. Love you so much.

We Remember

This morning, my handsome and wonderful father in law went to heaven. We were all there. It was so hard.
Tonight.....we told our children. His grand kids. They adored him beyond belief.

After many tears, we spoke. At the moment my beautiful daughter is with me, while my lovely son is with his daddy supporting him.

This is what Jordan...my gorgeous and wise 6 years old wanted to share (her words).

Tonight..Jordan Remembers

Poppy playing how the cow eats the corn…it makes her happy

Poppy flipping her in the pool….it makes her excited

Poppy playing hide and go seek…it makes her giggle

Poppy being a little sick and watching her swim…it makes her feel important

Poppy feeding her tractor tires….it makes her tummy feel good

Poppy steaks…it makes her remember the good stuff.

Poppy’s soft hand……it makes her miss him.

Kissing Poppy’s cheek….it makes her feel loved.

A Farm Camp....Stay Tuned!

I will be posting in more detail about a insanely cool Children's Program on the Farm the kids started yesterday. Stay tuned!!! North Texas/OK  people must know about this. :)

Until then...some slightly edited cell phone pictures...because that is how I roll these days.


Jordan and her dear friend checking out and showing off garlic!

Andrew, Jordan, and their buddies (their mom is one of my very best friends)

J introducing me to the farm bunny

I am Still Me

Enjoying Library Books....(camera phone)

The past several months I have been a busy girl. Attending charity events, socializing, enjoying time with fabulously inspiring adults. I dressed up at least once a week for something.  My photography business kept me busy in between my busy and heartening life. I was happy. I was inspired. I was making a difference. I was surrounded by some of the best people I have ever known. I smiled.

Then summer happened. My kids are with me most of the time. I have had to turn down many many events because of my children. My days have been full of busy swimming pools, water parks, libraries, friends over, vacation bible schools, baseball camps, my husband working from home, being interrupted by children more often than what I would like, play dates with friends, sleepovers, making lunches, grocery shopping for my ever emptying pantry, and spending time with other mothers (and best friends) in the same boat.

I have been told several times that people have asked about me. Some are worried. Some wonder if I will ever be back.

Guess what?

My photography business is still keeping me busy in between my busy and heartening life. I am still happy. I am still inspired. I am still making a difference. I am still surrounded by some of the best people I have ever known. I still smile.

Now is the time to make that difference not with huge charity events or finding that cocktail dress. Now is not the time to strap on my camera to photograph such events.

Now is the time to watch my ever growing children explore this summer. Raise money for my Breast Cancer 3Day with a lemonade stand, wear cut offs and flip flops. Strap on the camera (or grab my cell phone like the in the photo shown)  to capture youth of my babies. Because too very soon they will be teenagers.

So for now I will enjoy them smiling and proudly showing off their library cards. I will enjoy watching them read and enjoying the slow down moments. I will rock the baseball caps and ponytails. I will go down water slides with them and swim with them in the pool. I will take them to the Farmer's Market and the museum. They will experience Shakespeare in the Park and local summer theater programs. They will love watching mommy make milkshakes and picking tomatoes in the garden. We will visit their Poppy (my fabulous father in law) who is sick with cancer. They will draw him pictures and read to him. We will take walks and see movies. We will visit family. Some days we may just snuggle on the couch watching old Wonder Woman episodes.

It's all good. I will be back. In the Fall. I am still me, just being inspired one moment at a time.

xoxo
Kandi

Our Summer To Do Lists 2011

We are ready to get this party started!

We shared our lists here, here and here

I adore reading the lists as the years go by. It's the good stuff.

Andrew:

• Have a sleepover
• Watermelon picnic at the water park
• Ice cream every Sunday
• Read at least 5 books
• Go Jeeping
• Camp
• Visit cousins in the country
• Spend more time with family
• Learn more about God

Jordan:

• Swim at Dee's (great grandma)
• Sleep outside
• Get and read Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book
• Go to the zoo
• Go Jeeping
• Go shopping for cute new school clothes
• Dance while we clean house
• Go to Greer Farm
• Get a guitar for me
• Lay out at night and look at stars
• Grow an apple tree and pick apples
• Go on vacation to Austin

So there you have it.....I love them. Happy Summer! 



Seaside Florida: Part 1

We knew we wanted a vacation.

We knew we wanted the beach.

That is about all we knew. We had a budget. No destination.

After looking (okay, obsessing)...I had it narrowed down to about 6 locations. Still wayyy too many decisions for me, the girl who can't chose an ice cream flavor to save her life. We narrowed it down by deciding to stay in the U.S.

After much researching, I narrowed it down to two locations, then to one (because the other choice would make a better girl trip).

We were on our way to Seaside, FL. Although <------ that website offers cottages through the Cottage Rental Agency, I went another direction and found a charming home thanks to Sandpiper Vacation Rentals. I called them to check on the availability of a home I fell in love with. Shannon, the vacation specialist, called me and was positive I would love Seaside. She was so helpful and energetic (not annoyingly so...hehe). That day I booked the home "Fantasia". Then the flight and the car. We were set!


Yeeehaaaa!!

The day arrived. We woke up early, packed up the car and headed for the airport. The kids were pumped. Poor Andrew had strep throat (doesn't that always happen? Someone is sick on vacation?) so he wasn't AS thrilled. But obviously by this phone image....Jordan was roaring to go.

Entering Seaside was like entering into a movie (must be why they chose Seaside to film The Truman Show). Airstream trailers lines the main street selling BBQ, cocktails, cupcakes, and more. Beautiful homes were lined down quaint streets, the ocean in plain view just beyond cool food joints like Pickles and The Shrimp Shack.

We arrived before our check in time, so we decided to grab a bite to eat and check out the town. We decided on the most popular restaurant in Seaside....Bud and Alley's. We were seated in a bright room with a direct view to the beach. It was perfect (other than my poor son who was fading fast). The waitress was a doll with gorgeous blue eyes. She was thrilled to see North Texans in her section. She was from Dallas. :) Around us sat retired couples who were friends by the time their meal was over. Behind us sat a lady by herself enjoying a glass of wine. She seemed to enjoy watching my family. I figured she was taking a break from her own family for a quiet early lunch (remember this).

After a lovely meal with even lovelier views, we did a quick tour of the town. Sundog Books was a hit. We hung out for 30 minutes checking out cool titles, children's books that I have not seen anywhere else, and fun little toys & quirky gifts. There Jordan picked out a small dolphin toy and a book on Dolphins. Andrew got zombie finger puppets. Haha.

It was finally time to check into the home. Momma was giddy with excitement.

more to come........

King Huh?

Jordan loves drawing pictures. That is her love language. And for a little one who just turned 5 and a half, she does a great job.

She made her brother a card for his birthday.

Happy Birthday King

I Love You

In the photo, Jordan drew a picture of herself dressed up and serving him cookies. Complete with a very large cake. To King Drew's left (that is him in his bed being a king), are her gifts to him. A new clock, a crown, baseball hat, a computer, and a camera. That may be a cell phone. She couldn't decide.

So you think she adores him or what?

Happy 5th J-Bird!

Never in my wildest of dreams would I have guessed that a little girl could mean so much to me. I never dreamed of having a daughter, I never understood the bond that a mother and daughter could have. Having you changed that. Year after year you and I grow closer, you are my kindred spirit.
You are so smart and intuitive. You are loving and funny. You make me laugh with your silly jokes and make me cry when you say your heart felt prayers. You surprise me with your view on life and the world, to the point of making me step back and see it in such a fresh light. You are wise beyond your years. You are so easy, so loving, and so imaginative. You went from being a high need baby to such a self sufficient little girl.
This past year I have watched you grow and change. You have developed your own little quirky style, one that is at one with nature with a sprinkle of girlie.

This year you have:

• 
  
  Grown 2.5 inches


• 
  
  Decided to have your hair cut , and you have loved the Alice style (Twilight ha)


• 
  
  Gained about 10 new little nose freckles (aka "stars" as Andrew calls them)


• 
  
  Developed so much confidence that has helped you become a leader when you needed to be, but you follow when you should.


• 
  
  learned to read!


• 
  
  Finally loved falling asleep in your own room!


• 
  
  Made a difference in so many lives
  

I love you JBird

<---------T H I S M U C H-------->

Mommy

Helloooooo Summer!!

Every Summer the children and I make a list of things we want to do over the summer. I am a very lucky mom, because they keep it pretty simple. Yesterday, I ask the kids. Jordan drew pictures of what she wanted to do and Andrew wrote his list.

Jordan's List:
1. Jump on trampoline with the sprinklers going underneath
2. Look for butterflies
3. Pick Flowers
4. Watch the sun set with Mommy (awww)
5. Make cookies
6. Buy flowers to plant
7. Put together a baby fairy puzzle with 200 pieces
8. Look in cookbooks

Andrew's List:
1.Lemonade sale
2. Ride bikes
3. Make our own books
4. Make hot chocolate and pretend it is Winter (LOL)
5. Melt crayons in the sun and see what it is like to paint with melted crayons
6. Read more books (YEAH!!!)

I will get back with you on my list! Momma needs more time.

Ramblings

It is late and I am tired. Tonight I have my children on my mind.

Summer is quickly sneaking up on me, and I am thrilled to have it arrive. My children are older, and often you will have to listen to me moan about the little fights and tattling. You will also listen to my ewy gooey lovins.

Tonight, like so many of my parent friends, I am simply smitten with my kids.

Why?

1. The children, upon hearing that Mother's Day was around the corner, whispered and were all shades of sneaky the day before Mom's Day. On their own they came up with my gifts.
Andrew, who is trying hard to work on his neater handwriting skills showed me his love in a very sweet Andrew way. On a little chalk board, he wrote VERY neatly "Happy Mother's Day Mom. I love you". His love language was neat penmanship and correct spelling. That is Andrew. Even more important, he remembered when he woke up what day it was and presented it to me. Jordan drew me a beautiful picture of swans, sunsets and the two of us with the word love, the word she loves to write and perfect in little twirls and swirls. She is four going on 12.

2. A new TV show that was recently advertised has the song "Don't Stop Believing!" and my kids sing it like rock stars. I had no idea why or how they knew it. Bedtime Storied hooked them up. I LOVE that they can hear a song, know it and have a memory that comes with it. I adore that they know everyone from Harry Connick Jr to ZZ Top and everywhere in between without a doubt.

3. When Jordan wants for someone to remember something she asks us to "Keep it in our mind"

4. Trampoline jumping is not always jumping, but silly Three Stooges acts.

5. Andrew can not wait to move to Paris to learn how to cook like them

6. Jordan can not wait to meet Taylor Swift and write songs with her

7. I can go on and on and on and on and on


Sigh....I want to write so much but I am so tired. Even though this month has been so very hard, I am so lucky to have my family. So.very.lucky

Always a Work in Progress!

So J and I went to a super cool antique store called Golightly's Gallery this week just for fun. Not looking for anything special.

Jordan absolutely loved looking at the "old stuff". Two hours later we walked out with Jordan's finds. We really looked for some items for Andrew, but had no luck. Maybe next time IKEA can take care of that. ;-)

We found a birdcage for her Littlest Pet Shops

She wants to make a flower market this summer, so we will start collecting a few cheap buckets and silk flowers. We will hang them on a little round table and maybe put an umbrella on it. Maybe we can exchange flowers for fruit when Andrew wants to play.


A mailbox for her to write Andrew letters

Her room (the handprint on the wall was mine. I got it from my dad on my last visit. I was 4 when I made it)

Need to find a headboard one day.