She's Got High Hopes

      My thinking cap has been on & I've been pondering a few things lately.  I was trying to picture my little noisy, funny, full of energy kids as adults. It's hard to envision, because they are such little sprouts now, but I know they will grow up sooner or later.  I am curious what their personalities will be like, & what will be important to them.


      I was having a conversation with a lady I know, the other day.  We were both kind of on the same page about wanting our kids to go out & experience life when they are older.  About how it shouldn't be all about getting into the right college, to get the high paying career, & settling down in your big house with the white picket fence when you're older.  Don't get me wrong, college is great, & I hope my kids go, if they want to.  I just want them to be able to pursue their passions, wherever they lie.  So I came up with a few things, a few hopes I have for my 3.


I hope they will:


* Do what they love career wise, whether that be... artist, trash man, missionary, politician, etc. etc.  Whatever.
* See & experience how other people live in the world, & respect their ways of life.
* Truly have a heart for the broken. Know that the homeless person, the addict, or prostitute is no different the doctor, lawyer, or Pastor...we are all made in God's image.
* Really get that they are unique(as we all are) & be ok with who they are, & not feel the need to be like everyone else, or follow others.
*  Have a respect for God's creations.  Genuinely care about people, animals, & the environment.  My little future tree huggers!


High hopes, huh???  I know there will be bumps in the road, & I know they aren't perfect, but if they end up with good hearts & values, I will be happy.


P.S. Bonus Points to the kid(s) who remain lifelong Vegetarians. 
    


      

Wide Open Spaces

This afternoon we were free.  No chores, no agenda...we were free to enjoy this great January California sun! I have to remind myself of these days, when I say I want to move out of state.
There is a big open area near our house we went to, & let the kids & the dogs live it up. I was tempted to run through some of the tall grasses & spin around (like The Sound of Music), but kept picturing finding a Tick in my pants. I refrained.

I was trying to capture Persimmon's flat little profile, in the car.

Hope you enjoyed this day, & got a chance to just breathe...feel the air out there. Or maybe dance, or run wild in a field(tick free of course)!

Yesterday's Snapshots

Oh the things we do, to pass the daylight hours around here.... sometimes(as you will see), it involves posing a doll with the cat. Yesterday after the usual daily errands, & a trip to the park, we found ourselves goofing around with the camera.

                          Here is Cody, checking himself out.

          Fast asleep. He's cute when he isn't peeing on things.

                                 Chowder's plastic friend.

Weekend Away & MLK

Just got back last night, from a great weekend, in the mountains.  It was a good time to catch up on my scrapbooking, hang out with friends, & I got time to make another little project. It's always good to get away, every once in awhile...but it feels good to be back with my family too.

Maya & Debbie

Snowlady

Caught up some. These are India's 2nd birthday pics(she's almost 5 now)

A little something I made

Amusing myself....& maybe having a moment of homesickness

Pretty drive on the way home

Glad to have had a fun & a safe trip!  Sage & India had written me little notes telling me they loved & missed me, that they gave me when I got back....ahhhh.  Today there is no school, because it's Martin Luther King Day.  He is a hero of mine.  I admire him, & think he did so much good while he was on this earth!  So we are reading our book on him, & will talk about helping others & standing up for people being treated right.

This & That

Hello there to you.

I am just playing around today.  I am going on a trip to the mountains this weekend, on a scrapbooking trip.  Yes, I've become a lady who goes on scrapbooking trips with other ladies.  It is fun though, & there is usually a few cocktails involved.  Anyway, so I have been gathering up all of my photos, papers, tapes, glues, etc. that I will need.  I guess I should pack my clothes at some point, but right now I'm sitting here at the computer, with my daughter Sage by my side.

Ooops, I cut off part of my head.

Just finished this creation...I am rather liking embroidery right now.

Somewhat of a doodle I did, with pen & watercolor.

Little crown I bought--to be used in future artwork.

LaFonda Tile Red

We are in the process of painting our office/art studio.  I picked a shade of reddish/orange....& I am liking it!  Only half the room is painted so far, we have to move the computer out tomorrow, & all the many cords & cables.  Then we will paint the other half.  The kids love to "help" paint, & Cody usually ends up with a lot in his hair.


I am picturing my art studio, when I am done. What I'm going to put where.  There are some pictures I want to get, as well as putting more of my own work up, & I saw these really pretty paper butterflies for walls, I might have to buy.  I think it's going to be a good place to create!  


India was my model the other day....she likes it for about 5 minutes & then is done posing, & moving on.  I just finished this picture of her (with  my ever-so-patient husband's help). I am somewhat proficient in Photoshop, but glad he is a good teacher.

Resolutions?

Happy 2011!  A new year, a fresh start....sounds pretty good to me.   I am thinking about what I'd like to do this coming year.  I'd like to do a few races, (running & maybe a bike race).  I'd really like to be able to do a full marathon again.  Also, I'd like to get my artwork published in a magazine, or something fun like that that.  So those are a few of my goals for this year.  I like the word goal better than resolution, cause resolution makes me think of  the person who wants to lose 25lbs. every year....& by the second week of January or so, they aren't exercising, & are already scarfing down Twinkies. Not to judge, I'm just sayin'......



Anyway, I know life is unpredictable & I don't want to take it for granted that I have another year, that I have my health(& my family has their's). I know it is all a gift, & you never know when things are going to change. We know people who are going through really hard times right now.  So I am hoping that the new year brings them miracles, & strength, & peace!  Wishing us all a wonderful year of health, new friendships(&old), new experiences(getting out of that comfort zone), & Joy!