In case you were wondering..

No, I haven’t given up crafting for Lent, for 2010 or anything like that.  Life has been flying at us from all directions, but I have been able to create a few things.  I thought I’d show off a few of my latest creations.

I’ve made some thank you cards…

Some of my fast and furious template pages.  3 sets to be exact.  Now I just have to get the pictures to put on the 40+ pages I have ready.

And today I finished a little 6”x6” gift album.  It’s really cute I must say :) Here are a few pictures of it.

So there you have it.  Not much crafting, but a little to keep me somewhat sane!

A growing girl needs a growth chart!

Can you believe Kylie is already six months old??? I can't! Today at her well-child visit Kylie weighed in at 18 lbs 15 ounces and was 26.5 inches long. She also has two teeth with numbers 3-5 on their way! With these milestones flying at me, I have determined that I have got to get a growth chart.

As you can imagine, with Maddie, I painted a mural on her bedroom wall and created a matching growth chart.  Well, that was three houses ago. With Lexi I bought a princess canvas type chart thing that Lexi at about age two decided needed more color and promptly did an Olivia style piece of art on it.  So with Kylie, I am hoping to find a happy medium.  I think I have.  I can't wait to get it and show you pictures!!! But for now, you can go see it for yourself at this awesome website called http://www.allchildrensfurniture.com/! They have all kinds of kids bedding and this growth chart! 

Have a great week :)

A leap of faith.. and the payoff!

Whoever heard of a theatre teacher who became a third grade special ed. math teacher who became an eighth grade reading teacher who became career investigations teacher who became an economics and debate teacher who then finally became an art teacher?

Yep, that’s me.  A nontraditional start to teaching art that’s for sure!! And because of my lack of traditional art classes, my complete lack of self-confidence in the art world and all of that, I have really struggled to make sure that my students are getting what they need in class.

I know that they are getting the short end of the stick when it comes to the basics of drawing, painting and the like, but I really try to go the extra mile to give my students opportunities to succeed and I try to make sure that they get adequate experience using different mediums and such.

While this is just my second year teaching art, I know that I am doing a lot better than last year, and I am learning SO much!! I am one of those crazy people who is always looking for something new to learn, so teaching in a new field gives me a challenge.

Well, yesterday, I took more than 30 students to our regional art contest.  This translated into 54 pieces of art that were judged.  By the end of the night we had 32 medals and one piece advanced to state!  Consider this for a moment while I am boasting.. the teacher right before me in line while we were checking out had a stack of entries papers that was fairly sizeable.. I’d say at least 35 or more entries and she left with two medals. Last year, I had 15 students attend and 28 pieces judged and we had 4 medals.   And this year we brought home 32!! Yeah, I’m proud!! 

And I have to say, I’m proud of myself for working so hard and taking a leap of faith when I heard that the previous art teacher was retiring.  Growing up, I never thought I could draw.  In fact, I’m still one to hide my drawings, but I’m working on that. I’m also learning that I don’t have to be a gifted traditional artist to be a good art teacher.

So there you have it.  My leap of faith has paid off, and oh how good that feels!!

The Olympics!!

Growing up we didn't watch much television. In fact, many times over the years people have talked about tv shows that they loved as children and I won't even know what show they are referrring too. However, there was one thing we always watched.. the Olypmics!!

What is funny is that in a house where church dominated everything we did, one of my most vivid memories is when my mom put up the poster of the 1984 Men's Gymnastics team on our dining room wall!  The picture below isn't the poster, I couldn't find that picture on the internet :)  Who knows, my mom might still have that poster!

And then of course there was Mary Lou.. and over the years so many other Olympians that have shared their stories with the world.

Interestingly, I can tell you what I was doing and where I was living for every Olympics.  I guess I use the Olympics as a life marker.  So today as we prepare for the first day of events of the 2010 Winter Games, I will take a mental snapshot of my family.

I hope you get time to watch the games and maybe make a memory too. 

Snowville

Living in central Texas means an occasional snow. Some years we get a day or two of snow and some years we don’t get any.  In fact, Lexi at five has decided that God alternates years of snow for us.  She may or may not be right :)

But this year, we have had a good bit of snow.[ Meaning, more than 2 different snow experiences each with more than 1 inch of snow]  With an infant, I am staying in doors.. but of course I have to get a couple of pictures.

As you can see, we don’t have appropriate snow gear. Maddie’s hat is too small, Lexi doesn’t have gloves and the “shovel” was a soup spoon from the kitchen that is now in the trash given that it’s plastic handle couldn’t handle the job of snowman making!  But none of that can take away the joy of getting out of school early because of snow!

And yippee for me, getting home two hours early today meant that I was able to make Chicken Tortilla Soup for dinner, make a loaf of Banana No-Nut Bread and even spend a few minutes making baby giggle!

A Toothy Grin

Yep, there is no two ways about it.. she’s adorable!  With TWO, yes, that’s TWO teeth, Kylie is finally feeling better and back to her sweet self.

I am really hoping that the next round of teething isn’t accompanied by RSV and an ear infection that lingers through two antibiotics!

Can you believe that she’s just 5 months! I am amazed at how big (19 pounds) she is and how many things she’s doing.  One of her favorite pastimes is playing with her toes.. it’s kind of hard to believe that she can reach her toes given the size of her belly :)

Well, there you have it.. an update on my sweet Kylie Faith!

Good Heavens!

I thought we were finally on the mend and surviving our insane schedule.  But..well... here is the family update :)

First, Maddie had very good doctor visits with her specialists on Tuesday.  It is always a relief.  Her kidney disease is stable and as long as we don't have any symptoms, she doesn't have to go back to the Nephrologist for a year!! Hallelujah! However, the Neph. wants to evaluate Lexi and for Doug to follow up with his doctor about getting his kidney function tested.

On Thursday, Doug's mom had major rotator cuff/shoulder surgery and is in the hospital. When she is released she will go to rehab at a local nursing home for a few weeks. 

And to top it off, all week Kylie has been messing with her ears. In fact, today is her last dose of her second round of antibotic for ear infections. So I take her back in to the doctor today.  I also take Lexi with me as she has a snotty nose and hasn't been feeling great.  I am thinking she has a sinus infection.  The doctor looks at the girls and all.. Yup, Kylie still has an ear infection and Lexi has a sinus infection and oh, by the way, Lexi also has the flu.  Yes, that's right. The flu.

Immediately I think about the kids at daycare.  Lexi has been there all week.  We all thought she just had allergy issues. She never ran a fever. What a great mom I am. ugh. So we get the scrips and head home.

And in case you weren't keeping count that's 4 copays this week and 4 prescriptions.  I feel puny myself, but I'll survive! I refuse to pay another copay this week.  On a happy note, my big meeting about future art needs and classes went really well this morning.

And lastly, here is a picture of Kylie and me.  Yeah, isn't it great :) Maddie took the picture and as much as I'd like to say that's not the way I look all the time, I'd be lying.

Hopefully soon I'll have some crafty pictures to show.  I haven't created a paper creation in FOREVER and am really needing the centering it provides me, but heck do I know when I'll be given the hands free time.

Have a great day and I hope you find time for the fun things in life!