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Showing posts with the label Ella

Hindsight is 20/20

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I am sitting in my daughters room right now, it is 6AM . . . . and she is 13. She turned thirteen at the end of January, and last night she had some friends over for a small birthday gathering and sleep over. 13. My Ella. The kids are all sleeping in the family room, and I woke early, mildly suffering from the onset of a cold that is slowly starting to move down to the chest. I needed hot tea - pronto - so instead of making a ruckus in the kitchen, I grabbed my car keys and headed to Starbucks (their medicine ball tea really is the best). This also gave me the opportunity to be the greatest mom (a goal I recognize is unattainable and unrealistic), and picked up two dozen Dunkin Donuts - one dozen assorted and one dozen vanilla long johns (because those really are best). Returning home, I grabbed my tea, my iPad, a book, and a long john (hey, I am human), and took myself to Ella’s room - the only place where I would not disturb all the sleeping creatures in our house. I don...

This IS THE LIFE!

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Last week, I told my dear friend, Peggy, how much I missed blogging. " I don't even know where to begin, " I told her. " It's been so long, I don't even know what to say. "  " Just write," she said. " Write about what you're  doing. Just do it. "  Wise words from a wise friend.  So . . . Me? What am I doing . . . . I guess, I am just up to my eye balls in LIFE.   2014 - it went out with a bang (a new job, four weeks of a horrible cold and cough, non-stop holiday activities, lots of family fun with even some not-so-fun, and everything that goes with it.)  Then, 2015. A new year, new focus, the rebirth of old ideas in brand new ways. A friend making her dream come true, and me being allowed to enjoy the benefits of it. And life. It IS THE life.  To avoid boring you with all if the little day in and day out happenings of the past 56 days - I'll take a few days this week to share two or three moments of th...

Awesome

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"Have you ever seen God?" she asked.  This is Ella. The old-soul, youngest daughter, deep thinker, sensitive hearted, love of my life.  And sometimes she asks me those questions when I am not totally in the right frame of mind. Like this morning, as I was making her lunch and watching the clock, urging her to brush her teeth, pack up her backpack, trying to get her to comb her hair and make it to the corner before the bus was scheduled to arrive . . . in about five minutes.  I think to myself, "quick . . . what was it I read in that book years ago on answering the tough questions? What would our Religious Ed Director say? How should I answer this with the softness that she needs, in a way that would fill her soul in faith?"  "Well," I start . . . turning off the kitchen faucet and drying my hands, facing her - so she knows that this is a serious reply to a pretty serious inquiry. "I do see Him . . . I saw Him the moment I met you, when the doctor han...

Fall, Love and Pumpkin Spice Lattes

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Oh, where do the days go?  I can't believe it is October. The leaves are changing colors, the heat has been turned on in the house, and orange and purple twinkle lights are covering our box woods in front of our home. We have entered not only my favorite time of year, but the one when I find myself most wanting to write. So hopefully, with welcomed help from the universe, I'll be more present here and will get back to writing. I miss it. I really do.  For today, just a little "hello!"  A quick greeting from me, to you.  And a new picture of the girls . . . taken just this past weekend. These girls, they have my heart. My whole heart. It's amazing how I fall more and more in love with them each and everyday - when I truly think I can't love them any more. I find myself enjoying them even more, too (which I never thought was possible). They are funny . . . really funny, with such great personalities - full of such good - kindness - caring hearts - smart - deter...

Day 1

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As fast as the summer came, it has left us with the beginning of another school year. Day 1. Here we are! And I don't think I've ever met the beginning of the school year with such enthusiasm as I have today. Because they are ready . . . for their next chapter. And I am ready . . . for my next chapter, too. Whatever that may be. Walking to the bus today, Ella stopped and picked up this little piece of crumbled up 'something or another'. She said, " Mom . . . look, it's a heart. You keep it with you all day, so you know that my heart is with you. " Oh, how I love that kid. Both of them, actually, which I realize is a super good thing to say . . . since I am their Mom. But I do. I never in a million years knew being their Mom would feel as good as it does. On good days, or even bad. It is the best feeling in the world. But even with all that love, comes a strong desire to take a break from time to time. And that is what school does for me - ...

Beautiful

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                         I could hear the squeak of the storm door back and forth. "Mommy, come on! " Ella said, as she stood holding the screen door open for me. She was ever-so-impatient as I stopped on our walkway to gaze at the beautiful scene above me. "Give me a minute, honey," I told her. "I want to take a quick picture of the sky. Did you see how it looks this morning?" Katie joined 5th grade band this year, so two days a week we have to get up extra early and drive her to our local junior high, where the whole band gathers for a lesson before school. She is learning the clarinet, and I am so happy she has decided to participate. I am so proud of her. I don't mind getting out of the house early and driving her. Getting an early start on these days often gives me the opportunity to catch a glimpse of some amazing sunrises, like today.  Ella closed the screen door, walked back to where I was...

To Never Forget

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I've been thinking so much about how I am raising my daughters these days. I want my daughters to know how it feels to help the world, and to know that they have the power to make a difference in it. I don't want them to think there are obstacles they can't overcome. I want my daughters to be grateful for all that they have, each and every day of their lives. To know that even though there are  wants , they truly have all that they need , and they have more blessings then they could even imagine. I don't want them to ever obsess over the labels on their clothes or the number of shirts in their closets. I want my daughters to think back on their childhood and remember the moments when they showed  kindness towards others. When they volunteered. When they made cookies for neighbors. When they prayed. When they loved, and when they were loved in return. I don't want them to expect things to be handed to them. I want my daughters to treat other...

Loving Yourself

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It's funny how the universe works. Sometimes the best lessons are learned when we least expect them. Ella lost another tooth last weekend. Another front tooth. Which means an adorable little toothless grin to cherish for a short time, and a little girl who talks so cute . . . it's almost unbearable. When she lost it, we oooo'd and ahhhh'd over her. She is missing both top teeth, and a bottom tooth as well. Poor thing. It's a challenge to have three missing teeth at the same time. Eating requires some strategy as to the correct placement of food, and talking can be a bit frustrating for one who does so much of it. But she is a trooper. As we all made a fuss over her toothless state, I stopped and observed her reaction to our reaction. I began to think that maybe we were making it a negative thing for this little girl. Words like, "Oh, poor sissy . . . how will you eat?" and "Oh, you poor girl . . . three teeth gone at the same time. That...

Introducing: Crafty Schmafty Fridays!!

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I'm starting to get my groove back with my blog. Can you feel it? The smooth ride . . . my hair flying in the wind . . . the sun shining on my face . . . yes, that's what I feel . . . Blogland . . . it's good to be here. (BIG smile). To celebrate my return to this great land of blog, I thought I'd try a little something different for me. Some sort of schedule by which I can commit myself to. Something to plan for, to think about, to dream of. I think a schedule, of sorts, is just what I need. So . . . without further ado . . . and in my best Maggie Smith impersonation . . . I hereby welcome you & christen thee, "Crafty Schmafty Fridays!"   "What?" you say, "What in the world is Crafty Schmafty Fridays?"   Well . . . Crafty Schmafty Fridays is going to be my attempt at sharing a creative idea, project or piece of art that I completed during that week. If you've read any of my posts this year, a big goal of mine is...

Wishes

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  I love making wishes.   And I love the magic of the moment right when you make one.   As if the wish fairies are flying around high above you, with their fairy nets in their hands, just ready to catch your wish.   You know that moment . . .  when the candles are lit, and the lights are turned off, and the sound of people singing to you is faint in your head, because you are thinking about . . .   y o u r   * w * i * s * h *    and then, when the singing stops . . .  you take that deep breath in and with all your might . . .   . . . blow as hard as you can, so your wish will come true.   *  *  *  *  *  *    I still believe in wishes. Even when I know some of them can't really come true.   Because yesterday,  my wish would have been to stop time . . .   right here...

6 years . . . and Counting!!

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Ella turns 6 today! My Ella. That little bundle of joy, energy, and happiness. 6. I can't believe my baby  is now six years old. I can close my eyes and imagine holding her in my arms, as a young babe, and rocking her to sleep. I could have looked into her eyes for hours back then. And I still could, right now. She is a singer, a dancer, a comedian, a writer, an artist, a nurse, a computer programer, a mini-chef, a swimmer, a jumper, a doodler, a twirler, an entertainer extraordinare, a Wii playing, DS loving problem solver, an actress, a snuggler, a fruit and veggie fan, puppy loving, great reader and life loving little girl. And I truly thank God each and every day for sending her to me. Sisters Katie and Ella . . . on January 29, 2007. Happy Birthday Ella! I can't wait to see where life takes you!

7,200 Seconds

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A couple of weeks ago, I had two hours to myself. Two whole hours. Katie and Ella had swimming lessons, and since Phil was scheduled for an upcoming business trip that would have him away (and free from parenting duty) for 10 days, I thought I would take advantage of the time and decided to stay home instead of going to workout. Phil took the girls to the club, and I was all alone. For two hours. Isn't it crazy how fast two hours can go? It's really just . . . 7,200 seconds. Really. As I closed the front door and took a great deep breath, I started to think about what I could possibly do with my new found free time. The house was so quiet, not a television or computer game was on, and only the sound of the air conditioner running could be heard. What to do with my 7,200 seconds? While I could have worked on my robot dance, cut coupons, or done some online shopping, I stepped into our kitchen, and saw this mess waiting for me . . . . . . as if we just received...

The 4 a.m. Memory

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"Mommy . . . . Mommy . . . Mommy? Will you lay with me for a little bit?" I looked at the alarm clock on my nightstand. The blurry numbers 4:00 flashed back at me. This morning. 4 a.m. "What's the matter, honey?" I asked, trying to get my mind and body in sync. "I just wondered if you would come and lay with me in my bed," she asked. My Ella. She doesn't ask that of me very often. She is such a good sleeper, and going to bed has never been a big battle with this one. However, every once in a while she wakes in the middle of the night and can't seem to get herself back to sleep. That's when she finds her way to my bedside, and with her sweet little hand, gently nudges me to the land of the living with her soft voice. I don't mind crawling into her bed with her on nights like that. They are few and far between, and it's so rare that this little one stops long enough during her day for a snuggle, that I love late nights (o...

A Peek at my Vision

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So, one of the exercises for the ecourse I am taking is to make a business vision board. YOUR vision of where you want your business to go. I absolutely LOVE this exercise and began to dream of a business I actually never quite thought of before. Here is a peek at my board . . . Come back on Monday for my next "Magnificent Monday Vlog" and I'll talk about my board and tell you what it all means! Oh, before I leave . . . I have to share one more quick story and photo with you.While I was downloading the above picture from my camera, I found that Ella got a hold of my camera yesterday and took about 30 pictures of her club penguin computer game, AND my studio.  I love when she does this and when I can see the world through her eyes. Here is a photo of my studio work desk, from Ella's height. Yep . . . that's it. Cluttered and crazy . . . just full of happy chaos . . . and right in the middle of some awesome creative time this past week. LOVE IT! Hug...

Sharing Beautiful Spaces

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Just a little glimpse of life as I see it today,  sharing my creative space with little Ella.    There are lots of "Mom, can you open this?" and "Mom, I'm hungry, can I have some juice?" and "Mom, how does this work?" happening from across the table. But it's all good. Because WE are CREATING. And like my most recent picture says . . .  And things are looking pretty beautiful from where I sit. Wishing you a beautiful world, where ever you may be. Peace.

The Shocking Truth

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Well, my friends, time to take a little break from all the creative talk and share a random moment from my week with you. This one has to do with my Ella . . . oh, how I love this girl. Ella doesn't start 4 year old preschool until the Tuesday after Labor Day. So, while sister Katie leaves us at 8:45AM and doesn't return until 4:00PM, Ella and I are able to spend a great deal of quality mommy and daughter time together. I'm absolutely loving being at home with the girls the past month. While there are plenty of downsides to losing my job (lack of finances tops the list), the upside clearly is this time with my girls. I have said it before, that I just feel like this fog has been lifted. I am enjoying all the little moments with them that I missed before. And it's not that I missed them because I wasn't physically there . . . I was physically there. I missed them because my mind wasn't there. My mind was thinking about the stresses of my job, worried ab...

Her Little Wishes

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Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. -Albert Einstein Last night, Ella told PG she wished he was a little boy, so she "could teach him how to blow bubbles and show him her Pokemon cards." She is an amazing soul, this sweet little girl. Where, dear friends, will your imagination take you today?

"Duck" Tape Therapy 101

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So, my first day as an unemployed Mommy started with a neighborhood DuckTape Purse 101 class in our kitchen. Remember we had discovered this crafty fun in the beginning of the year (click here to be reminded). While we took a break from the whole duct tape thing in the Spring, it appears to have resurfaced in recent weeks. So, Katie, Ella, and two of Katie's friends spent a few hours creating some new duct tape creations that I just had to share them with you. Introducing . . . our most recent duct tape creations . . .  Are these the coolest purses, or what? With only a little help from me, the girls really made these all on their own. I LOVE them! Here is a photo of Katie and her friends, Gabby and Megan, with their purses. Love these girls. Ella wasn't into the whole project . . . she enjoyed wearing her duct tape headband and wristbands and preferred dancing around the kitchen entertaining us. She reminds me a little bit of W...

What are you blessed with?

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While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about. ~Angela Schwindt I'm learning so much this summer - mostly taught by Katie and Ella. When searching for a quote to accompany the above photo of Ella and her lollipop, this particular one seemed to fit. It's perfect, don't you think? I am forever blessed for these two little girls. What are you blessed with today? Leave me a comment . . . I'd love to know.

I'm Not Chubby

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Another tear jerking moment, my dear friends. This one took place just moments ago. As Katie and Ella are now outside enjoying a bit of this gorgeous June evening, I found myself running to the computer to share this latest story with you. I am so afraid of the memory falling into that empty pit in my mind that I just had to write this down.  You see . . . I'm not chubby. At least, not in the eyes of my Katie. And that, my friends, has my very own eyes filling up with tears as I type. A short while ago, I stood at our kitchen sink, cleaning our dinner dishes and glancing up out the kitchen window every few seconds, as that golden hour of sunlight tickled the top of our back yard lawn. Suddenly, the front screen door stretched open and I could hear Katie and Ella running into the house. "Mommy!!!" "Mom!!" "Mom, I didn't say it!!!" "Mom, Mom, Mom . . . Ella said something mean about you," and even other exclamations were heard as K...