To Everything there is a Season

    To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1


 

   We are in this sweet season right now in our little family. A time where my biggest is not too big to enjoy sharing everything with mom. I still know best and they think I'm pretty cool. My children are still asking questions and baking cookies with me. I only have one in diapers but yet still get to enjoy the pitter patter of little feet. My heart is full. 
  
  Tonight I was so blessed by our bedtime prayer time. I always ask if there is anything they want to pray about. Which turns into bits of there day and glimpses into their hearts. I am so thankful some things have stayed the same amidst all our changes.
  
   I had written previously how I had requested for God to, once again bring order to my chaos. So I figured I'd share a little of what I am doing to achieve that.   
  
   Every school year I have always started with prayer, then appointed a goal(s) for what I want to instill in my children. I believe in doing things on purpose and parenting is one of them. 
  
   Our goal last school year were to learn responsibility. What I wanted to teach my children was to see a need and fill it. Especially without my prompting. I made up this list and went over it with the kids. Things are still far from perfect but I do not expect perfection. Just values instilled now that hopefully will become second nature later on. I love looking back and seeing God's faithfulness. 

Some of the ways I found responsibility more evident in our home over this last year were:

 My oldest, Trae has the chore of mowing the yard. Instead of having to nag him to get it done he now sees that it needs to be done and does it. He also started his own summer lawn mowing business, complete with a homemade sign in our yard. Tevan, my little chef, has surprised me more than once with lunch made for the whole family.(His chicken lettuce wraps are amazing) Kyran is my Mr. Fix it. Things run smoothly when he is around. He changes batteries in toys (without my prompting) and unplugs the vacuum. Bria, simple things, like vacuuming her room and organizing the bookshelves. Emari..well lets just say at the wonderful age of 2, she tests her siblings patience.  

 Now that we have found a new rhythm, I finally feel kinda, sorta sane. It's now that I can step back and see some good in all of this change and come up with a game plan for the year. I may not be doing lesson plans anymore but I sure can still implement some of the same homeschool strategy. 

Our goals for this school year are simple. I want my kids to:    

1. Learn to clean up after themselves.  I am pretty sure I might be dreaming here ;-) I realized with all their daily/weekly chore charts I have been pretty consistent about teaching them how but I've slacked with just normal "pick up after yourself". I find myself in a constant, "Hey pick that up!" "What happen to this bathroom?!" Instead of actually taking the time and effort to teach them how. So here we go. 
2. Start every morning with prayer and devotions in His Word.   I want to instill in my kids the importance of being fed daily by God's Word. Also how important it is to be in constant prayer. My hope and prayer is that what starts as a routine "chore" will turn into a treasured start and end to their day.                                             

 

So how do I go about making this a reality?

 We have two rules in our home. No complaining. If you complain about your chore.etc. you earn an extra one. And if you have nothing good to say don't say it at all. If they break that rule then they have to say five things they love about that sibling to their face. Talk about humbling. It works pretty well. 

What I have started for number 1 is just being more consistent with reminding them to pick up their things before. Like before we walk into the house I remind them to put away their coats, shoes, and backpack. I try to refrain from telling them again. Once is enough. If they forget then they earn another chore (we are in endless supply of those)added to just picking up the shoes. I've learned from previously teaching them how to do chores that if I am consistent, then it will become second nature to them..eventually.

Number 2 we have already started since my kids were able to walk. We've consistently had prayer time before bed and I love speaking the Word into every part of our day. That way we can be rooted and grounded in the truth. Years ago when Trae was in first grade, I asked my boys what they thought would be a good New Years resolution..to my surprise they said to read the Bible every night. So I started to. It was a chore at times because bedtime is so chaotic anyway but we achieved our goal of one year. From then on I just made it part of our homeschooling. Now we have our morning devotions and daily memory verse. I am simply going to try to remain consistent with this. Also I feel like with sending my kids to school I have a lot of teachable moments with real life stuff. We've been praying for a couple of Trae's friends that are now rivals to become best friends. I know God can work miracles. Trae has seen it also. Our prayer has been for him to be a "peacemaker". Hey you never know. Our God is big. 

Wimberley

    Wimberley Market Days is the oldest outdoor market in Texas and also the second largest in the state. When we first moved to Texas, this was one of my first stops for a mommy's day out. It is seriously a lot of fun. They have almost 500 vendors, live local music and the famous Texas BBQ. For this reason, when I was looking for a market to feature Amara EB I was pretty excited to rent a booth. 

   Since I do not own a booth (yet)) I decided to do the day rental. The way they work is kind of like a lottery. You register online the Thursday before and receive a number. Then show up at 7:00 am to get in line for first dibs on the available booths. I got lucky that it was the first time in two years it was cold and rainy..my number 26 turned into 6. 

I seriously have to laugh at life's timing because the week of the market landed me with sick kids (again). It was like a blur of late nights working on smalls and just as my head hit the pillow..another kiddo was up with a fever. Thank God for advil. To throw more chaos into the mix I had planned on getting my hair done and having friends over for lunch. Which of course I couldn't cancel ;-) 

By Friday my littles were well and my big boys were not. Saturday morning came early at 5 am and we were out of the house by 6:15. Breakfast wraps made and lunch/snacks packed, furniture stacked in my hubby's truck. My car filled with smalls and kiddos. Boy were we a site!

    I found my booth and we unloaded everything in the rain. Stacked the kids in a snuggly pile of blankets and got things set up. This.Is.My.Favorite.Part. ;-) Seriously I love the challenge of making a space homey. When all was said and done, Bria decided that she wished that our booth was our house. HAHA!! I remember thinking like that when I was a little girl. Probably felt like an overgrown playhouse. 

      I have to give a little shout out to my hubby. He is the best. Not only did he help haul all my stuff and corral our kiddos but Saturday was opening day for rifle hunting. You know your man loves you when he is willing to give up opening day! At least this man. 

  Was Wimberley a success? I have to say Yes! No I didn't get a crazy amount of sales but I am not backwards either. I got a lot of great feedback on my stuff. Learned a little. I was encouraged by other vendors to come back next month and I will plan on it. Also a woman stopped by and took down my information. She has a shop in town and is possibly interested in my stuff. We will see where this takes me. 

All you need is a little inspiraton

        OK so I have a confession to make, I have been spending way too much time watching Fixer Upper these days. Clothes to fold? Fixer Upper makes them almost fold themselves. Hubby hunting again, have a Fixer Upper marathon with the kids. Bedtime? What bedtime? 
   

   My big kids had a long weekend a couple weeks ago which we kicked off with a bang. Not a good "bang" mind you, more like the hit your head into a brick wall kind. It started with the latest episode of "run for the bucket" & washing a lot of sheets...walls, doorknobs. We officially kicked off flu season. I will not take sole responsibility for what happened next. I blame lack of sleep and those stinkin Fixer Upper re-runs. Well that and and overload of Pumpkin Spice coffee. 
   

 

    I have been wanting to do a pallet wall in my boys room forever. I'm not sure what the previous owners were smoking when they painted just the bottom of the walls, put up a chair rail and left the top just primed?? OK then. If that wasn't bad enough, the trim has been spackled to high haven and then painted over top. The DIY-er in me cried every time I walked into their room.

   Things have been a little tight lately so I pulled out my super frugal "I can do it" cape. The wheels in my head had been turning for a while and soon I was convinced I could be the "Little Mommy that Could". After all if Chip and Joanna can do it, why not me? *I should insert here that this is where all sanity left* 

boy wish i had those muscles

        When we purchased this house, the previous owners had a fenced area outside the laundry door. We had no use for it so my hubby tore it down. The fence boards have sat rather neglected since. 

         I got to work sanding the boards down with my handy dandy sander.

        I am such a sucker for salvaged wood. Actually I'm a sucker for a lot of things old. But really the processed timber has nothing on these guys. Look at all that character. I would incorporate it into my whole house if I could..hmmmm. I just might.

    

    Unbeknownst to me, my son took this picture of me while I used my skil saw for the first time. Can you tell my 8 year old has so much faith in mom. A picture is worth a thousand words! Really do not try this at home folks. A much safer alternative would be maybe a saw horse. But I wasn't about to let that stop me. 

    

    Since these were previously fencing, the boards have this cool "arrow" like shape to them. Instead of cutting off the ends to make them straight I incorporated the detail into a pattern. I painted the wall behind the end of each board the same color as the rest of the walls. My super cool neighbor friend lent me her nail gun and compressor so I got right to it.

     I was pretty proud that I actually figured out how to do cuts around my outlets. I can conquer the world!

   It was then that my bubble popped and I realized that I am a mother to children, five in fact. Actually they were right there along side me the whole while. Kyran, Tevan and Trae alternated between sanding boards, hauling them to the crazed lady in the bedroom, and keeping a careful eye on their little sisters. See homeschooling does teach a lot, if at least how to work great together. 

        These great kids even brought out some berry infused water for me. Compliments of my lil chef in the making, Tevan. Really he bakes & cooks just as well as his mom.(sometimes better) I probably looked like I needed more than a few berries added.

yum

         
      I ended up going to town and pulling off the baseboards and trim too. I replaced them with the salvaged wood and I love it! I still need to trim out the doorway and build a closet door. Thats for another day.

    I can't wait to get the duvets I've been eyeing and some accent pillows. Now I'm really tempted to paint the boys beds a charcoal color. What do you think?

Crazy Lady with a dolly & Mary Anne again

    Craziness abounds in my household these days. I chuckle because I may have officially convinced my neigbors of my insanity. Oh the joys of living in a little neighborhood! I have been trying to spruce up my photography skills a little and in doing so may or may not have lost my mind. 
   We have this sweet retired couple that live on the lake across from our home. The older gentleman likes to ride around the neighborhood on his golf cart. He hauls his garbage, gives (who I assume are)his grands rides, and spends his afternoons fishing. My kids have dubbed him "The man in the golf cart". Creative, huh. He also probably witnesses the most bizarre happenings going on at his new to the neighborhood, crazy family of seven. (We get LOTS of comments on the 7 part)
    In my futile attempts to photograph *ahem* MaryAnne, I happen to deliver some morning entertainment in the form of crazy lady with a dolly. With our recent (as in 8 months) move to this area my husband purchased a moving dolly. So when racking my brain for ideas on how to photograph this sweet lady *meaning Mary Anne of course* I thought, Aha! I'll haul her outside on my moving dolly!
    Getting her off my front porch was an interesting feat. Did I mention that their is a rather large drop off the step into the yard..like about a foot. If you can imagine a crazy lady with bed head followed by my princess of the bunny slippers, running helter skelter around the yard carting a dresser. Yeah the "man in the golf cart" slowed down quite a bit when he saw me "staging" my dresser by an oak tree, then wheeling her through the ditch to rest in the only spot that worked. It just so happened to be in the middle of the road.

    When I finally got her settled just right, I harriedly snapped a few million pictures in high hopes.  I guess great photography isn't based on high hopes. 

So without further ado, I present MaryAnne; a sweet blend of lightly distressed creamy white, rustic wood and beautiful hand painted knobs. 

    Reminds me of sweet summer and wildflowers. Maybe an afternoon picnic complete with a soft blanket, tart lemonade and childhood laughter. mmmmm...Life is good.
 

Mary Anne and tidbits

   Meet Mary Anne. A beauty in training.

 I am trying to apply finishing touches today. I say trying because...

   

     I have a Princess party to attend with my girls this afternoon. We are to wear "princess" attire. I get to play dress up. 

 My husband and I are hosting our church Bible study this evening, so snacks need to be prepared, house cleaned.

 A shower is in order and some strong coffee on the menu. 

 Life is full. Overflowing. The Twenty-Third Psalm keeps running through my head.

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul. 

He leads me in the paths of the righteousness 

for His name sake,

Yea tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 

I will fear no evil,

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies

You anoint my head with oil.

 My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever!

Last night I was reading in Isaiah. He talks about the coming of Christ and the picture of how HE loves us is so precious. 

For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; 

You shall weep no more.

He will be very gracious unto you at the sound of your hearts cry;

When He hears it, He will answer you.

And tho the Lord gives you the bread of adversity

and the water of affliction...

Your ear shall hear a word behind you, saying, 

"This is My way, Walk in it."

Whenever you turn to the right hand 

Or whenever you turn to the left.

     This is that still small voice that is so very precious to me. The voice of the good shepherd. So Happy Saturday! Rest in Him for His yoke is easy and His burden light.

My Chaos and a Nugget

   If I was ever under any illusions that life would slow down since enrolling my kids, I was sadly mistaken. Days fly by in a blur. I remember the transition into homeschooling. It was hard creating structure in our home at the time. I remember praying specifically for God to "bring order to my chaos". 

    I am renewing that request.

    Recently, I made the decision to pursue my own business. I took the short drive to the County Clerk's office and registered my official name with the state. Applied for my tax ID number and opened my own bank account.

Im officially "Amara Eternally Beautiful", upcycled furniture and home decor. 

  This has been a dream of mine since forever. My husband can attest to that. I have a passion for making a house into a home. I love creating something old, sad, and worn into a work of art. What others consider a lost cause, is my Cinderella.  Maybe this is because that is what God has done for me. My junk, turned treasure. An eye sore with so many imperfections, turned masterpiece. If He can do that with me than, oh the possibilities! The end result, not perfect, but beautifully imperfect and wholly loved. 

  I have lots of decisions to make. Im hoping they are smart ones. I am going to make mistakes. That's ok. I may or may not be deemed "successful", that is ok too. I recently was given a nugget of wisdom about starting your own business.
 "You will have a lot of serious competition. Plan on it. It will get hard and you will feel inadequate. Just remember what you are passionate about and do what you love."

               Im taking this one to the bank.

A little muffin top and prayer

    Coffee's on and I am sitting in a quiet house with just the sound of my two year old's morning chatter. Its when my house gets really quiet I start to worry. 

little muffin top

 Since school started my fairly easy going little muffin top turned it up a notch in the mischief department.  Yesterday she took her evening bath with a lizard. Yes a lizard! He was sadly not responding by the time I figured out it wasn't a toy she was clutching in her chubby fingers. "Flying" *ahem swimming* is her favorite. Actually anything that involves water. Flooding the kitchen via my fridge water dispenser, tea parties in her room, bathroom visits are quite wet (and sometimes minty). Lets just say I have noticed that my big kids are not around to entertain her two year old creativity.
  
  Its going on two weeks since I sent my big kids off into the big world of public school. I know an update is due but I have not been able to find the words to write. Its been a big change, with a capital B.
  Let me start off with this, so far I love the school. Really. I've been very impressed with the staff and the kids that go there. 
  Kyran chose to bring in his Bible for one of his special things for Show & Tell. Turns out their were three other kids that brought Bibles also. Then when they were learning about super hero's, his new buddy said "Jesus is our superhero"!
  Bria got to play with Noah's boat on the first day. Trae's sixth grade homeroom teacher is a Christian and she's a lot of fun.*score!* Tevan has very understanding, sweet teachers and has already signed up to run for student council. These are good things. My children are growing. God is blessing this.

Name them one by one

This morning one of my neighbors stopped me as I was getting out of my car. I had just gotten home from dropping off my big kids at school and was juggling my tutu wearing two year old into the house. 

We said our typical good mornings and our conversation ended with a good reminder for me.

   
  "Y'all are living the life most of us have only dreamed of, he said, "At least from the outside looking in." Really? I thought, I was taken back some by that. I answered with a "Well, yes we are blessed" and we went our merry ways. 
  This was the second time a stranger has approached us and made a similar comment. I can only point to Jesus. We are not doing anything out of the ordinary. Most of the time I feel in over my head and chaos reigns in our home. The quiet mornings are cherished. Bills we hope will get paid. The car quits. Another bill to pay. So-in-so hit so-in-so. He did it, she did it. But at the end of the day I am blessed.
  I can only point to Jesus. He is the head of our home. He must be shining bright even amidst our chaos. Things are far from perfect but today I am once again reminded that YES He is faithful. I will count my blessings and name them one by one. Thank you Jesus for loving me enough to remind me of this. We are living the dream.

  Count your blessings name them one by one
  Count your many blessings see what God has done!
  
  

Yes I know who holds my hand

  The joy of raising these five children with my best friend is what makes my life full. If you knew me at all you would know that, like most moms, I live for my family. I would give my life in a second for my children & I find such a joy in serving my husband also. I believe in the Biblical view of til death do us part and also I believe that God's ways are much wiser than mine. After all He created me. 
  This past weekend we had the privilege of spending family time at the beach. We rented a house with a few of our friends and their own budding families. Memories were made. Ones I hope my children can tuck away and reminisce on someday, when I am confined to a rocking chair and they are raising babies of their own. 

Sweet childhood memories

My lil men

    Monday is here. This morning I packed up my big and little ones and headed to their first day of school. This is a big deal for me. Being a homeschool mom means a complete different lifestyle than the one we are about to face. I do not take it lightly to send my kids off into the big world. Now we have to adjust to earlier mornings and the structure of the classroom. My kids love to learn so I am excited for them.
  Their is a lot of controversy over schooling, at least in my realm of people. Its either you are passionately homeschooling or passionately sending your kids to school. Well I am neither and both. What I am passionate about is what God wants for my children. When He called me to homeschool my children four years ago I didn't understand why. I only knew with certainty that He had called me to do it & He would supply ALL I needed too. 
   Now He has prompted me to enroll them into public school. Why? With all of the controversy with "common core" and the politics going on in our country..why now? I cannot answer that question. I know I prayed and prayed for confirmation on whether to send my precious little ones to school. God confirmed it. All He answers me is this:

   "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5
I dont need to know the why. God knows and that is enough. 

 I will leave you all with the words from one of my favorite hymns:

"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
And I don't borrow from its sunshine
'Cause the skies might turn to grey.
And I don't worry about the future,
'Cause I know what Jesus said,
And today I'm gonna walk right beside him
'Cause he's the one who knows what is ahead.
There are things about tomorrow
That I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
And each step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb.
And every burden is getting lighter
And all the clouds are silver lined.
And, over there the sun is always shining
And no tears will ever dim the eye
And the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains, they touch the sky.
There are many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
Yes I know who holds my hand.