Spring

I love spring. Who doesn't, right? I love the newness of everything. Spring is a perfect time to clean things out, organize, make a new start on something...it feels like a clean slate. It is refreshing. And, although it has been rainy off & on here in southern cal... I feel a new season outside & for me too. :) A happy, new season...

Funny thing is...every winter I love to put a beautiful wreath on my front door. You know, something festive, Christmas-y... I just LOVE a good wreath. For the last 4 years, as Spring arrives and the snow begins to melt (no...just kidding. No snow. I have just always wanted to say that. I live in southern California - it never snows. Usually sun all. the. time.) these two little birds come and make their nest in my wreath. I am not joking. The same little "birdie couple" start building their adorable little condo on my doorstep each year. I am on my third wreath now & we have to be careful when we open our front door. Mama bird's sweet chirping (every day) reminds us that a new season has arrived. :) I mean, LOOK at this cuteness that greets us every day!

Mama Bird sitting on her eggs this year

BEAUTIFUL blue eggs from two years ago

Last year, the nest fell. We had to keep the babies warm before putting them back up!

Needless to say, the nature around me is truly inspiring. The singing birds, new colorful wildflowers, the green, GREEN grass from the recent rain, the big, puffy clouds - gorgeous. So with just coming from Christy's She Art class (which, by the way, starts up again April 11th) and all the wonderful signs of spring around me - I am feeling a load of inspiration. Birds, flowers, bright colors, bunnies, and butterflies are dancing around in my head. I can't wait to dig in, get messy, & paint.

 

Are you feeling refreshed or renewed this spring? 

I am embracing that feeling with my arms WIDE open! :)

I need it!!

XOXO,

Jen

The art of a child & turning 6

I love it.

 Don't you?

There is nothing better then my daughter bringing me a picture....handed over like a prized possession, with her grin ear to ear. She is always so proud & can't wait to hear what I think.

Yesterday, during Sunday school my son (now that he is a big 2 year old) made his first project. You should have seen the look on his face when he gave it to me. Such pride and excitement over some beautiful crayon & craft pom poms glued down. Too cute! I would have pictures, but by the time we got home he had grabbed hold of it and ripped off all the ribbons & pom poms. :)

I LOVE, love when my daughter joins me at the table - or any where else we can find - to create. She loves art just as much as I do & has quite the creative flair. She often says she wants to be an artist when she grows up, although that changes day to day. :) She teaches me things every time we paint together! She shows me how to just let go & not be scared to try new things. I love how kids have such confidence in their creations. It is so real, honest, & unafraid. They haven't yet been pulled down by the inner critic or not so nice comments. Their masterpieces can have crazy hair, purple skin, feathers for eyelashes, and butterfly wings on the hips. Seriously. Brave. 
Oh, and undoubtedly a fabulous story that goes along with it.

We celebrated my little Picasso this last week. She turned 6 Monday. (She & her brother celebrate their birthdays exactly 7 days apart)
I can not believe it really. Six...really - already??? Yikes, where does it go?

I am so blessed to watch my healthy girl thrive, grow and discover this wonderful life that God gave her. I hope that she continues to walk through this life with that confidence she has right now.  

After the events of this week I appreciate this time I have with her so much more. I feel so, SO amazingly blessed that she was given to ME...little ol' me...to mother & care after. I THANK God for each day!

Happy 6th birthday my sweet angel.

You brighten each day & you are so very loved!!

Snuggles & Kisses.

A little bit of everything

Is time just flying by or is it just me?! I blink and the week is over. Seriously. I have a "To Do" list a mile long, so I think that just adds to it. The days just seems too short because I never quite get done what I was meaning too.

But before anything else...I must say that Monday was my little Jaxen's (AKA LoveBug) second birthday. Talk about time flying...... I CAN NOT believe how quickly he has gone from a little baby...

 to sitting up, drooling, and making us laugh

to walking, running, and discovering new things everyday

to the "big boy" who has all our hearts...I mean look at those big brown eyes!

 

Jaxen, I love you more than words can express. You have Mommy's heart and you always will. I am so filled with gratitude that I get to stay home with you ...playing, learning, growing, reading under the "Lillow" (his word for blanket) and just loving you up. You are so very, absolutely loved my little man.

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This last weekend my family and I went to Oregon for a wedding. Let me just tell you that I have needed the last couple of days to recover.... I spent over 30 hours in the car getting to and from Oregon. Crazy, right!? We had to drive the coast on our way up because of unpredictable weather. I have never driven the coast. It is looong, but so beautiful. It is so amazing to see forest to your right and then see the beach to your left - and in our case snow too. Yes - we went the coast to avoid the crazy snow, but it decided to greet us anyway. :) After some hairball driving through rain, sleet, and snow...we got into the Portland area around 11:45 Thursday night.

We enjoyed family & friends on Friday, went to the wedding on Saturday, and got into the car at 3am Sunday to drive all the way home. 15 hours or so in the car with a 2 year old can be pretty interesting! As long as I kept him fed, entertained, and out of the car at our stops...he did great! LoveBug had a few meltdowns here and there...but, I think we all did! :) Next time we are staying much longer so I can really enjoy the city, family, friends, & beautiful surroundings. 

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Finally, I started Christy Tomlinson's She Art online class this last Monday. 

She is the cutest thing ever & I adore her artwork. I haven't had much time this week to get started....but so many of the other ladies have already posted their girls to the Flickr group. I am hoping I get some time this weekend to get messy. Sad to say I have not been "creative" all week...and I am feelin' it! I seriously get a little grouchy. My family will appreciate some time for Mommy in the "studio." :)

I hope you have a wonderful Friday!

XO, 

Jen