the Doodles

we're up again. another long night sprinkled with coughing fits, icky eyelids (she has pink eye) and no sleep. She's never herself when she's sick, but nothing keeps her from being funny and doing stuff like this (taken Friday):
(she was singing quietly to herself back there and I didn't realize she had put on my aviators and managed to grab her umbrella)

she's the best

make rain drop music

Rain Drop Melody maker. Huge time waster but oh, so fun. Very soothing and beautiful - i can see myself painting to the songs I created today or if you have a baby, this website is your friend.
Go try it out >>

via kidshaus by lullatone

very personal

SKIP THIS POST IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR ME RAMBLE ON ABOUT FAITH

A few nights ago, my husband & I had to sit our daughter down (for the 5th? time) to tell her that drawing on the furniture with markers is not ok. here's how it goes at our house:
1st offense - you get a talking to and is turned loose.
2nd offense, a stern talking and final warning.
3rd offense - talking and time out.
4th - time out.

So a few nights ago she drew all over herself, her table and the furniture with red markers. We sat her down, talked, threw away her marker, put her on time out and informed her she was losing all toys for the evening. She's 3. It crushed her. She didn't want to look us in the eye, she was ashamed, mad and deeply devastated. It was horrible to follow through with it and I felt worthless all night, even though I knew we were doing the right thing. I love this kid more than anything, you know?

So there I was, struggling to figure out how to discipline her while at the same time letting her know that my love for her doesn't change: my love is not based on how well she follows the rules or how good a kid she is (although, having a good kid is the ideal). I love her for who she is and not what she does. I love her unconditionally.

Well, I believe in God and the incident made reflect again on the fact that (from Rob Bell) a lot of us have done things in our lives that we're ashamed of. Some are small things, and some of us have really big and devastating things. Some of us even have personal junk that we keep to ourselves so we don't have to deal with it. But no matter how big our junk is, no matter how much what we've done has impacted the way other people feel about us or how we feel about ourselves, it hasn't changed how God feels about us. God loves us, he always has and always will, and there's nothing we can do to change that.

I'm a huge mess and God's working with me. I am thankful for His unconditional love and the fact that regardless of how screwed up I am, He remains the same: sovereign, loving & a Father. This is in no way an excuse not to raise the standards but a direct comment on the fact that regardless of what I do, He still loves me. As a mother I can feel & show it to the Doodles, how much more can God do? None of us deserve any of it but He gives it anyway and I, dear friends, find great comfort in that.

Good night. Be well.

♥

{e}



video by Nooma >>

michael

the Doodles and I sang & danced to michael jackson videos tonight for about an hour. odd man? oh, you betcha. but talented artist? not even up for discussion. yes, like no other. no shame in saying: i'm a huge fan.

avoiding bed time

congratulations to the Doodles for a wonderful job avoiding going to bed and to her father for letting her antics get the best of him.

handmade felt clips

my mom and i made these hair clips for the Doodles a while back. thought i should document them before she destroys them all (i made about 30. she has 6 left because apparently it is fun to pull the clip off the back and play with the felt pieces. ugh)

i really, really need to find time in my life to make these again.

that's all. busy night. good night.

good morning

The Doodles took this picture this morning, while sitting w/ me in a rocker in my bedroom. Yeah, my phone is crap so the pic ain't great but i'm proud of her photo. Happy accident. :)

chalkboard kitchen wall

I did it. Took about 4 hours, a can of chalkboard paint, a jug of orange juice (not required, I was just craving it) and some chalk. Made that corner a little cozier (another word for smaller) but my dear daughter & husband have a space to doodle. Ta da!

PS: it was 11pm when I decided to do this and miss impatient me did not prep the wall correctly so if I dig in real hard with a nail, some paint may scratch off. boo-hoo. my fault. i'm sure i'll be posting a rant about it later... for now though? happy as pie. :)

rock chalk kitchen hawk

going out to buy some chalk paint for my kitchen. the Doodles thinks she can write on my walls & couch with crayons and markers. well, she can't. I appreciate the creativity but let's confine it to the proper space, please: mama's kitchen wall? Here's some inspiration. If it turns out OK, i'll post a pic. If it doesn't, i'll be posting a rant. :)

(first pic is from my Cottage Living magazine, the others I stole off the web from unknown sources)

bye, Phillips hotel

I had a good time. Sad to leave.

merry christmas

Whew! I'm finally taking time off, spending time w/ the 2 greatest people in my life & enjoying the most beautiful view from the Phillips Hotel, downtown Kansas City - the 20th floor ain't too bad and actually makes me feel like I'm on vacation - 3 days just isn't enough. :(

Well, here's to hoping you all are having a good time wherever you are. Be safe, be well and God Bless.

love,

(e)

(hannah talking to one of MANY Christmas trees they have around this place)

happy birthday, jesus

(This was one of Hannah's Christmas gifts - which she opened tonight. It's over 3 feet tall, pretty much her height and creeepy as heck, man... Hey, she loves it). Happy Birthday, baby Jesus. Merry Christmas, Hannah and here's our money, Disney.

happy birthday, princess hannah!

To my gorgeous little fairy princess,

I hope year 3 in your life is a happy, healthy & blessed one.
I love you, you little piece of awesome.

Mamãe

Momentary Lapse of Reason

The Doodles - as always, wearing something on her curly head and showing it off to me. She thought she looked gorgeous and walked around like that for quite some time. I love her.