Words in One Day

eggs. showers. cheese danish.

good mornings. giggles. goodbyes,

God

coffee.  potty training. washing hands.

text message

laundry. dishes. repeat...

snacks. mommy.

love. learning. laughter.

cars. trucks. crayons. 

pattern blocks. preschool. pictures. menu.

books. pencils. computer.

cereal. flip flops.

sweeping. car seats.

reading. movies. Sesame Street.

scooters. tricycles.

breeze. Joey.

tubbies. phone calls. mail.

cake.

singing songs.

yogurt. bananas.

hearts. candy. ribbon.

butterflies. cards.

lollipops. train. cat.

the letter V

counting. shapes. numbers. 

colors. calendar.

quiet time. naps. Alisha

camera. blog. Facebook. email

cookies. notes. homework.

dirt. rocks. sand. 

cold hands. kisses. hugs.

Billy. responsibilities.

dancing. attitude. 2

tweens.

79 degrees

beautiful. thankful. happy.

best friends charm

Trynnity. Prestton. Baylee. Devynn. 

missing family.

too much to do.

messy kitchen.

praying for Egypt.

garage. 

groceries. ice cream. 

loving life.

Valentines  

shrimp. packing. wanting more. 

thanking God.

oxox

Wordless Wednesday

Love, trust and of course Pixie Dust!

The Gift

It's not Tiffany nor does it have diamonds. Heck, this particular one is sterling silver!

But I LOVE IT! I have wanted a Pandora bracelet for years. So at Christmas time my hubby surprised me with this beauty. He picked out all by himself the rose and the two spacer charms. For my birthday Wednesday he got the super cute cupcake! The charm in the center is from my dad and made of a deep purple enamel.

Totally "Jaymee"!

Desert Blossoms

The best things in life happen when you are not expecting them.

I will be totally honest and add that MOST of the BEST things in my life were totally unplanned. Yep. Never planned on living in Nashville (Toni!). Wasn't thinking of having kids (Baylee) or dating that "guy" from work (Billy)! And who would have thought by volunteering at a book fair I would meet one of my BFF's (Melissa)?! The list goes on and on.

So I shouldn't be surprised that the once "thorn in my side" playroom (do you remember THAT post?!) has become my own little dream come true. I did get the playroom/ craft room/ "just go put it in the front room" under control... somewhat. But it never felt right. It was missing something. Perhaps the totally wicked Pottery Barn Kids Cameron Creativity System with it's clean lines, cubbies and bins? At $1,471 and being a part time kindergarten teacher that just wasn't going to find it's way through my front door.

And Cinderella says it best, "A dream is a wish your heart makes..."

Let me tell you, I like to dream BIG (house on the beach, trip to Greece/ Italy, Lamborghini Diablo, published scrap booker, 6 kids, children's book author, teacher, party planner, preschool owner, etc.!) Of course I never thought I would really leave my kindergarten position at my beloved school. I mean THAT was my dream. Right?!? I can't remember a time I didn't want to be a teacher. AND I had always, always. ALWAYS wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. But... yes there is that darn word!

I don't like that word. BUT what else can I say? I had some lemons that began to fall from my tree. At first it wasn't so bad. I could step over them, ignore them, I even tried to pick up a few. Then they began to fall fast and before they started to rot I decided to make some good ol' lemonade. Down home G.R.I.T.S. (girl raised in the south) style.

Unexpected? TOTALLY!!!! But it is the sweetest by far. Because from the seeds of those lemons sprouted new blossoms... Desert Blossoms to be exact.

And this nuisance of a room went from this:

Toys galore

Scrapbooking, paints, stamps... you name it.

Kids T.V., books and more of the family pets!

Yeah... not so pretty.

To this:

The former T.V. wall is now books & games. 2 small tables and

chairs are the center for small group learning, crafts and meal time.

The wall that was once home to my many craft

supplies is now the calendar wall.

We now have learning center activities stored in new cubbies.

Fresh paint now covers our once white walls.

Make believe and pretend play is still vital in a preschool environment.

The threshold that opens all possibilities to our future.

Big changes. ALL unplanned. Unexpected. BUT it fits. It is better then I dreamed. I am the wife, the mom, the teacher, the owner of my new venture. Every morning my house smells of coffee, paints, and creativity. You can hear the giggles, the songs the whispers of learning. I get to embrace EVERY moment.

This weekend I hope (I WILL) get a blog started on Desert Blossoms Preschool. I just recently created a web site with my friend Amber. Click here if you would like to check it out! I will post the link to DBP Blog when it is up and running.

And I must add that I really couldn't make all these things happen without the support of my husband, family, and friends. All my little ones enrolled in the preschool are WONDERFUL friends of mine with the sweetest kiddos! I am honored that they have picked me to be their child's teacher. You are all my cheerleaders.

Thank you for believing in me and sharing a tall glass of my homemade lemonade!

oxox

Happy Birthday

In one year...…

Prestton overcame his reflux and has been a healthy active little boy to date. He watched the movie “Cars” everyday for almost 2 months and found a passion for trains.

Trynnity fell in LOVE with princesses, planting seeds and Jaxon!

Devynn donated her hair to locks for love. She tried volleyball... and hated it. But found some her confidence in herself. PRICELESS!

Baylee pierced her ears again, continued to play the saxophone, made NJHS, and gets better at her volleyball skills at every game. She has tested the boundaries of her tweenhood and found that sometimes being herself is what is MOST important.

Dad got his job back, my brother lost his job and my mom moved into her new condo. My mother-in-law and I have new boundaries set... unspoken of course.

We made our annual trip to the big D! Alisha flew into Tucson to make the 16 hour trip with us. LOVE that girl to pieces!!! A lil slice of happiness is sitting on the back porch with AC enjoying a Dallas summer evening while the kids run around in the backyard (Marley and Tucker too!)

Billy and I took the kids to Seaworld, San Diego Zoo and the beach. We had a blast and time went by way tooooo FAST! Baylee fed the Sting Rays, Trynnity touched the Sea Stars, Prestton hated the Ocean and Devynn decided she should work with animals when she grows up.

Two of my closest friends tied the knot! I am so happy for them!!!!

One found out she was having a baby (he made his debut a couple of weeks ago!)

Another friend left her husband to find her happiness. All I can do is love her and support her.

I found one of my dearest childhood friends through FB. WHAT did we ever do before this??? We hope to make plans for a mini reunion soon!

My Grandpa died. My heart aches, eyes well up and burn. I get choked up to a point that I can’t breathe. I miss him! If only… Grandma I hope you know how much I love you and think of you EVERYDAY!

I quit my job. WOW! That was scary, but by far the BEST decision I ever made for myself. Maybe one day when my little ones start school I will go back. But for now my new endevour as a stay at home mommy and preschool teacher is what fits best.

Realized what TRUE friends really are. I think you always know who your best girls are, but they always stand true when the chips are down. And hey, I am not perfect! But really??!! Karma...thus my glass will be full.

And a friend died. Yet another unexpected blow and the reality check of how short life is. Don’t take things for granted. Live in the moment! CHERISH IT! LOVE IT!

It’s been a full year. I have so many things to be thankful for. And for all the things that didn’t go as planned, failed, were a surprise or unwanted- I am taking what I can from them and moving on. Picking up the pieces to make the best of what is given.

Make a wish... sure! Why the heck not??!!! Dream BIG! Believe and make it your own way!

oxox

Pondering

Every journey we take begins with a step. A choice we make or an event that changes what we know. It can be something little, such as receiving a cup of coffee from a coworker and a few months later they have become a good friend. To making the choice to have a child and beginning a family. Some of the paths we take are beautiful and others are dark and can feel lonely. Each building on one another and creating a new direction. It is what we make of it. We get one chance for every step. Each breath is new.

I sometimes have to remind myself of the little things. To make the most of each day. I have had to learn to be supportive of my husband career choice over the last year and a half. I have learned to appreciate the health of my children and the fact they are growing up... FAST! I have accepted that I can not do it all. I am not perfect, therefore other things do not have to be perfect either.

Our life's little journeys is what makes up who we are. Where we come from is in our soul. We can enjoy what is in front of us and be thankful for what we have. Just a thought...

{Sigh} What time is it?

10:33

Washed my face, brushed my teeth and looked in the mirror. I really look horrible with out my make up. Heard my husband fussing at the girls to hurry up and get to bed. Geez, he has been grumpy AGAIN today.

10:40

Climbing into my bed. My whole body aches from cleaning out the garage today...BY MYSELF! Still a little irritated with the hubby for not coming home sooner to help.

10:41

Crap! I forgot to take out my contacts.

10:45

Back in bed. Billy is now snoring. Great... turn on an episode of Friends. Thank goodness for our DVR.

11:12

Lights out again, but still my mind is racing.

11:20

The dog is now snoring

11:30 something

I go into the playroom and lay on the futon. Really. The fish tank is THAT loud?

11:35

Move into family room get my blanket and laptop. No internet. Seriously, could anything else not work in our house? (In 2 weeks the camera died, my phone is on the fritz, the paper shredder is not working, the A.C. in my van is out, the vent thingie in the bathroom quit working and now this)

12 ish

Internet is back on after I unplug the main connection located in our laundry room. Re plug it in. Wait. Restart the computer.

Still 12 ish

Finish keynote for school.

Read e-mail.

Go on Facebook.

Double check invite list for bridal shower.

FINALLY catch up on some blog reading.

Missing my friends.

Where does the time keep going? I have been on a Spring break for a week now. We did get a lot accomplished. Our remodel for Baylee is almost done!!!! The back yard has been tilled and is ready for sod. I have gone through almost every room, closet, cabinet and drawer in preparation for a yard sale.

Yet I feel empty.

1:23 a.m.

Prestton woke up crying for the first time in months. Maybe he has another moler coming in? Or he knew Trynnity was not in her bed?(she went to sleep with her big sisters) Is he cold? Luckily he fell back asleep within a few minutes.

1:43

Inspired to blog.

Gotta do Devynn's birthday blog.