Lately, work has been piling on the stress and raising the yuck-factor. We’re very short handed and I’m struggling to cover the hours myself as well as cover my regular duties. The hardest part isn’t the amount time working, rather the amount of time not working. The salon is stealing more and more hours away from my family. Stealing time from my little girl, whom won’t be little forever.

When I don’t have to be concentrating on work, I’m trying to keep only lovely things in mind. Digging in the dirt and climbing trees with Lil. Getting lost in a doodle. Escaping to a faraway land in a novel. Drinking margaritas with my main squeeze. Also, I’m just trying to enjoy being home, in this haven of ours.

Another source of relief is resting in the fact that I don’t have to do it alone. I know its hard right now for a reason. This wall has not been set here to stop or discourage me, rather make me stronger. I know I will benefit from this hard time somehow. This past Sunday’s message has proven to be right on time, I suppose, now that I think about it. I am an overcomer.

Also, I’m keeping this verse in mind:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

 -Romans 8:18

With online shopping, boutiques, and malls the choice of companies to buy from are endless. The quality of the product and service can be a bit hit and miss, though. Not just from company to company, but sometimes even within a company. Every now and then, though, you find a good one. One worth being faithful to. A company that not only appreciates their customers but doesn’t mind taking the time to spoil and invest in them…..before they’ve even bought anything.

That’s basically how my first experience with Gaiam has been. As I told you the other day, I’m finally making an exercise routine I can stick with. Yoga is something I’ve dabbled in and read about off and on since before Lil was born. Recently, though, I’ve jumped all the way in. I’m doing it.

Sunday evening was my first session. As suggested by a lovely friend from high school soccer, I checked out Gaiam on Hulu. Then I browsed their website to see what all they had to offer. By my second session on the living room carpet, I realized why they used the yoga mats. With and without my socks, my feet and toes had no grip on the floor to hold my poses. I decided I needed a mat.

Just in the knick of time, a fabulous family friend came to the rescue. One who just so happens to work at Gaiam. What luck, right? She offered to send me one of her spare mats, which was super nice of her. What started out as a generous offer, though turned me into a loyal customer. My friend talked to a coworker and before I knew it, a care package was on its way to Kentucky.

That’s right, some sweet lady made me {and Lilie Jo} her project for the day.  She gathered up all kinds of goodies and overnighted a package to us. I could not be more grateful or surprised by their generosity. Gaiam wins. I’ll be sure not to purchase any more of my yoga necessities anywhere else. They’ve won over my pocketbook and my heart. Not to mention, the products truly are wonderful.

Lilie Jo and I each received our own standard thickness yoga mat along with one thick one which will be good for harder surfaces. Yes, count that again: THREE yoga mats. Ms. Generosity also sent us two organic cotton Gaiam tote bags that fold up, two yoga mat bags and two water bottles {which I was already a fan of}. She also threw in a couple of foam activities for Lil. Too much.

We hurried upstairs and changed to try the new mats out with one of Gaiam’s family yoga sessions on Hulu. I cannot thank Gaiam enough for their generosity. I’m on a search for a name and address to personally send her a thank you.

I also want to pass along some good old fashioned word-of-mouth advertising.

Please go check out the Gaiam website. Its full of great information and products. If you’re into fitness, green living, personal growth, health and/or wellness check them out. Some of my favorites to add to the cart are this gorgeous fair trade necklace made from wood, these really cool yoga socks because I always have cold feet, this comfy looking every-day tank, or this ballet wrap skirt, which I’m totally digging for work or everyday where.

Have you ever had your own wonderful experience with a brand? Tell me about the company and why you made the decision to stick with them?

my favorite part about this picture is that every single thing was the commentary which went along with it. each piece of the drawing has a purpose/meaning. lilie jo is always so intentional with her drawings. she explains every little thing as she goes. i need to record her explaining sometime. i think that might be something i want to hang onto.

Christmas is just around the corner! Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? We have ours mostly finished, actually. Lilie Jo’s is about all we have left. At the beginning of the month, we thought we had hers all figured out. It wasn’t going to be much in quantity, but pricey and high quality, none the less.

And then I kind of came to my senses and remembered the parent aim to be.

Lilie Jo was all set to receive her own tablet this Christmas. We researched and compared the Leapster LeapPad 1 and 2 and the Nabi 2. One more expensive up front, but the other more so in the long run. So many things to consider about each. Then, one night, while I was laying in bed–that’s where all my greatest thinking happens–it came to me.

She’s five years old. Her imagination and curiosity are on fire. She still has such willingness to do and learn.

Sure, tablets are full of educational games. And we all know this generation is one which is being raised on technology. Of course, we should teach them to use it now so they aren’t behind later. And I know it would be fabulous for car rides.

But you know what? She has school, parents, books, morning cartoons and every day life to educate her. She uses technology at school and home, enough, to not fall behind in that arena. And she has a portable DVD player and will soon be reading her own books in the car for entertainment.

I don’t want a stationary five year old. {I’ll probably regret saying that at some point.}

I don’t want to teach this creative, independent, imaginative little girl to depend on a machine to entertain her. I want her to run and play dress up, not sit in one spot only moving her hands and fingers. I want her to make believe with her dolls and toys. Get real paint on her hands when she creates a work of art. I want her to practice holding and writing with a real pen or pencil.

Most of all, I don’t want to be that parent, in five years, arming their child with a cell phone at the age of ten. I also don’t want her hooked on video games. I, personally, have seen one too many disasters with that obsession. Rather than trying to set and stick to limitations, let’s just avoid the situation completely a little longer.

So, the Christmas list has changed a bit. Its longer, but not much different in price. Its a list of quality and quantity, if you ask me. One that consists of legos for building imaginary villages, furniture and dolls to pretend with, art supplies to create with and–as with every occasion–books to enrich her mind and feed her beautiful imagination.

Tell me: what are you shopping for this year?

note: i’m not bashing technology or parents who choose to immerse their children in it a lot/a little at any age. its just my personal opinion and parenting style. its about what i think is appropriate for my child, at her current age, and with my personal parenting strategies. i’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

A lot, yet very little, seems to be going on lately. We’re constantly running around with different schedules to keep up with.

Lilie Jo is on Fall Break this week and is spending part of it with Grandma and Aunt Ariel. Here, on the homefront, we’re planning and preparing for out little camping trip coming up this weekend. We’re taking Lil Jo to Mammoth Cave for the first time. Its the perfect time of year for camping and I’m stoked.  We’ll only being staying one night and day since we need to be up so early Sunday mornings, but I’m sure we’ll have lots of fun.

Work lately–deep breath–is not even going to be touched in this post. I’d rather keep only the good energy here.  Catch my drift?

Moving on.

One day last week, Lilie and I set off for a trip to the park. The air was a tad crisp, the wind was perfect and our moods were high.  Lilie Jo, her crazy curls and that blissful smile of hers had me reaching for my camera. I wanted to capture the pure essence of Fall in that little one. We didn’t try sprucing the hair of putting on the “perfect” outfit. We just grabbed the camera and climbed some trees.

I finally got my Five-years-old/Fall pictures.  Mama is pleased.

Lilie Jo is so full of life and every now and then I just need to borrow some of it to blow back into my sails. The energy is bad, at work, and its really hard sometimes most times to remember the reason I took the position. I like the job, its self, its just the mass amount of negative attitudes. There are so many of them and its so easy to get caught up in the mess.

But then I get to come home to this magical little creature–and pumpkin muffins. Some snuggles and silliness usually melts away the bad vibes–for a little while.

This past weekend, my parents visited from Omaha.  Every year, my family puts on a golf scramble in the name of my late uncle, Tony Chapman.  A child with a serious medical condition is chosen to receive the proceeds from the tournament each year.

This year, a sweet little girl with a tumor the size of a softball in her brain, was the recipient.  Harlie is a bold, beautiful and bright little girl. She was all over the golf course and full of energy.  And adorable to boot.  I encourage you to learn more about Harlie, her family and her journey at HopeforHarlie.org.  There’s also a place to donate online.

For 14 years, I have helped put on the scramble.  This year, though, I actually played.  It was my first golf tournament, ever, and the last time I had played was last summer {twice maybe}.  Lets be honest, I’m not much of a golfer.  I like it and want to play more, but I just end up having too many excuses or just flat out forget when the time is good.

Needless to say, I was only there for the company and fun.  I was not disappointed.  My team consisted of Billy, Teeyl, a friend of ours and myself.  The exciting part is that they even used a couple of my hits.  Turns out, Teeyl isn’t just good at teaching elementary education. I felt like she helped me a lot, here.

It was an awesome Sunday, though not restful in the slightest.  I felt a twinge of pain in my arms early this week.  What a wimp, right? But check out this beautiful sunset we ended the day with.  Ok, well, right before a delicious dinner, of course.

Today marks the day of me becoming a new person five years ago.  The day my sweet little creature was born.  I can hardly believe I’ve only know her for five years and yet it doesn’t seem that long at all. This past weekend was full of fun time and friends, for us.  Lilie Jo had a campout sleep over Friday night.  I created this invitation design for Lil to pass out to her friends.  I wanted something cute, not overly girly, but consistant with the party “theme.”

My little social butterfly had some lady friends over for cupcakes, hide and seek, smores and an outdoor viewing of The Lorax.  Billy borrowed some equipment to set up an outdoor theater.  We hung a sheet on the side of the house and the girls loved it.

We had no problems with missing Mamas or wanting to go home, at all.  I made white chocolate chip muffins for breakfast before finishing up more cupcakes for party number two.

Yes, number two.  Apparently people like this girl? We headed north, to our home town, where we had a small get together at the park with family.

Yes, she really let Mama have it with all this kindergarten and turning five stuff.  Within a week, I had to send her off to the first day of school and watch her turn five.  Apparently the universe is trying to make sure I know how fast she’s growing up.  I get it, already!! Sheesh!

Can any of you other mamas share a similar story from your experience in motherhood?

This is a day that I didn’t expect.  I’ve always been the mom who promotes my child’s independence as much as safely possible.  Though she’s my one and only baby whom I consider my greatest accomplishment, I don’t want to smother her with it.  I want to give her just enough room to be who she wants to be confidently and responsibly.

When asked about how I felt prior to her first day of kindergarten, I was certain I wouldn’t be a weepy mom.  After all, I’m excited for her and her new adventure.  I’m also excited for us and the new adventures we’ll be able to share together as she gets older and able to do more.

I’ve always been a very emotional person {ask my old girlfriends}.  However, I’ve gotten better at hiding it over the years.  Then I woke up the morning of Lilie Jo’s first day of school.  The emotions hit me like a pound of bricks.  Before I even pulled the covers back, I found myself in the middle of a full on crying session.  Here I was proud, puzzled and crying uncontrollably.  You have no idea how badly this confused me.  It threw my whole morning off.

Lilie Jo, on the other hand, handled it like a champ.  I hid my emotions from her and encouraged and fueled her excitement, instead.  She came home happy as a lark, going on and on about how it was “the best day ever.”

I am so proud of what a good person she already is.  Lilie Jo is so compassionate and full of empathy.  She is creative, thoughtful and very clever.  Her powers are usually used for good, thank goodness.  Friends come easily for Lil and her perspective is beautiful.  She is such an amazing little lady.

My greatest accomplishment, indeed.

I wanted to tell you about someone.  He’s quite possibly my oldest friend {minus cousins}.  This is Snowball.  We’ve been friends since my ninth birthday.

My Papaw {an old cowboy from Nebraska} called me up and asked me what I wanted for my birthday.  We’d be visiting soon and he wanted to have it ready.  Nine-year-old little me knew exactly what she wanted: a solid white cat to call ‘Snowball.’  Papaw told me I would have just that.

When our conversation ended, Teeyl got on the phone and fussed at him for his promise.  She told him our landlord wouldn’t allow another animal and that is would be best to forget the whole idea.

But you never met my Papaw.

When we arrived for our yearly visit, Papaw led me out to the barn, first thing.  He had not just one cat, but three.  Two were orange and white, playful and friendly.  The third was shy and hidden amongst the feed barrels.  As everyone went back to their welcomes, I managed to coax the little guy out.  He was a solid white little ball of fur.  As a storm blew in, I bundled the little guy up into the bib of my overalls and headed for the house.

We’ve been pals ever since.

Snowball is 18 years old this year.  He resides back in his home state with my Dad and Teeyl.  My heart felt a twinge at saying goodbye to him when our last visit was over.  I made sure to say it with extra meaning and affection.  I fear I never know when it will be the last.  His health is fair, but his years are long.

He’s definitely one of the family.  The oldest of three cats {not the two prior mentioned}.  But I won’t lie, he’s the best cat I’ve ever seen or owned.  Loyal to the bone.

{Revised 2-7-13: We sent Snowball off the the big kitty afterlife a little over a week ago. He lived to be 18, almost 19, years old. That’s a really long time for a cat. My parents held onto him until it was obvious he just wasn’t comfortable any more. Without lots of medicines and pain relief, he just wasn’t going to make it.  And we didn’t want to try to force him through it..  Saying goodbye was a lot harder than I expected, being 10 hours away.}

My weekend was busy, nonstop and lightening speed.  My baby sister isn’t that annoying little tattle-tale following me and my cousin around, anymore.  She’s a confident, beautiful, happy, young woman.  Her wedding day was perfect and dream-like–everything she dreamed, I hope.  I’m so happy for her and incredibly ecstatic about this brother-in-law that already felt like a brother.

I just have these two photos, from the wedding, to share for now, but I can’t wait to show you more.  I’m still recuperating.  Wedding photography is more physical than I realized.  Don’t judge me for complaining about how sore I am from running, kneeling, standing, climbing and swimming.  It was more than worth it, though.

How was your weekend?

There is a young woman who was a wife and a stay-at-home-mama.  She enjoys reading and working in her garden.  She frequently spends free time with ladies from church. Her and her family can often be found grilling and conversing on the patio with their neighbors. She reminisces old times with old friends and goes to bed by 11:00, even on weekends.  The woman enjoys cooking and finding yummy recipes that are also healthy for her family.  She is trusted by many to handle backyard estrogen levels and sort out kitten fights.  She does so with out a scratch.

But she’s happiest sitting on the patio with a sun dress on; happy little girls in the yard and her topless husband serving cold fruit and pouring her a fresh glass of sweet iced tea.

When did I become that woman?  So domestic and “simple.”  Being a grown up is so surprising sometimes.