Bittersweet

Yesterday I sent my firstborn to KiNdErGaRtEn.  {Sniff, Sniff}  I was actually only a tad bit emotional.  The real WaTeRwOrKs came the day before when I looked through her BaBy picture books. 

What was I thinking?  I guess I was just trying to get a handle on how QuiCkLy those five years had gone.  I’ve heard the StoRiEs of the first day of school but now I UnDeRsTaNd.

What’s worse is those stories go on to say the years from Kindergarten to high school graduation go by just as quickly. 

Oh No. 

I’m definitely not ready for that…

This reminds me of the quote by Alice Morse Earl that says, “The clock is RuNniNg.  Make the MoSt of today.  Time WaiTs for no man.  Yesterday is HiStoRy.  Tomorrow is a MySteRy.  Today is a GiFt.  That’s why it is called the PrEsEnT.”

Enough of the BiTtEr-StUfF.  Now for the SwEeT.

Yesterday we started some TrAdiTioNs. 

Of course I took a slew of PicTuReS and had Grandma GiGi take the family photo on our back porch. 

We took HeiGhT measurements.

EnJoYeD chocolate-chip cookies with milk after school.

PaiNtEd hand prints.

And SaVeD our local newspaper for the scrapbook.

This MiLe-MaRkEr a.k.a. Kindergarten is a chance for me to look back fondly at the past and forward with great hopes and dreams for the future.   But even more importantly to cherish the PrEseNt.  Hopefully these traditions will help me do just that. :)

How are you marking your miles?  We would love to hear about YoUr first-day-of-school traditions!

Robynn~

Photobook by:  Portrait Designs By Lasha

Flooded Basement Makeover

A year ago our basement flooded due to me forgetting to turn the electricity back on after trying to install a new light fixture and running to town to get a new part :(  Of course it just happened to be raining that day, and I came home to over 6″ of water!

I wanted to come up with a cHeaP way to make our basement a more functional and inviting living space, but something that would make another flood less devistating.  I was able to transform the space on a budget with the help of these items:

– 10 tan colored king-sized sheets from Wal-Mart ($14 each)

-Binder clips and Binder Rings

-1 roll of thick wire from Lowe’s

-A couple sheets of drywall and putty

-1×12″ pine boards for the trim

-Staple Gun w/ Staples

-1 Can of spraypaint that I already had

-Paint, which I already had

Before Pic 1 

After Pic 1

As you can see, I hung sheets for the “walls” so if it floods again I can pull off the sheets and take them outside to dry (or wash them!)

Before Pic 2 

After Pic 2  

We used 1×12″ pine for the trim at the bottom of the walls with sheetrock.  This way, if it floods again, hopefully it will be less than 12″ and won’t ruin the sheetrock!

My Quick & Easy Trick

See these binder rings and clips? I spray painted these a dark brown and used these to hang my sheets!

Hanging the drywall and sanding/painting the wall was probably the hardest part.  If all you had to do is hang the sheets, you could traNsForm a room within an afternoon!

~Lara

“Believe” – The Challenge (Wk 20)

This past SpRinG as I trained for a marathon I had a friend SuRpRiSe me with this necklace.  On it is an engraving of the the word “BeLiEvE”, a runner, and May’s birthstone representing the month of the race.  During the long winter months of training it was a constant ReMiNdEr of the finish line and what I was working so HaRd for.

In pursuing your dreams you may find it motivating to have something TaNgIbLe to stay focused on.  It can be a PiCtUrE that you rip out of a magazine, a rock that you paint and use as a paperweight or whatever it is that InSpIrEs you.  Find that thing that PoInTs you to your dream and DrEaM On BaBy!

Robynn~

R.S.V.P.

How many times have you sat with a guest list after your R.S.V.P. date and had guests left that did not respond?  I think this is something that happens to all of us.  I for one have been guilty of not ResPonDiNg to invitations on time and each time it happens I feel so silly for not picking up the phone or sending a quick email with my response.  Why is something that is so EaSy to do so hard to get done?    

With the new school year so close and lots of fun holidays on the horizon, I am VoWiNg to R.S.V.P. to all InviTaTioNs not only on time, but as soon as I know if my family and I are able to attend.  Whether it is a 1st birthday party, GirL’s NiGhT oUt, or a Tupperware party, your response is ImPoRtAnT to the person who is taking the time to plan the event.  Responding on time not only shows that you CaRe, but it will save friends and family from making an awkward call or email to find out if you can make their event.

~Guest Writer, Robyn From New Jersey

Funky Vacation

This week I’ve been in a “funk” that I can’t seem to kiCk.  Do you ever have those?

We’ve talked or written many times about hitting the reStart button.  I’ve been trying to hit the restart button for days now and it has frustrated me because I wake up and my feelings haven’t chaNged.  I know the things I’m suppose to say, “Be positive…count your blessings…start new today…etc” but it isn’t always that

It’s ok to have down days every now and then. We occasionally need down days like these to help us appReciate the good days.  I guess you can relate it to taking a vacation…eventually it’s time to go hoMe and get back to norMal life :)

~Lara

Kiss From God

A few days ago my family and I were driving and my 3-year old said, “Momma look at that PeTtY (pretty) SuNsEt.”  To which my 5-year old replied, “That’s a KiSs from God”. 

From time to time when we see a bLuE sKy with white puffy clouds or another one of God’s BeaUtiFuL masterpieces we use this phrase.  It is a reminder to us of God’s daily little BleSsiNgs.

What are your “kisses” from God?  It may be a SuRpriSe call from a dear friend wanting to “catch up”, a ReWaRdiNg day at work, an enjoyable evening with the family, or maybe your “kiss from God” actually comes in the form of a kiss from your ChiLd.

So as you experience little blessings throughout your day, remember, it might just be God sending you a message:

XOXO

Robynn~

Click It! – The Challenge (Wk 19)

Have you found your SwEeT sPoT?  If you are still trying to figure that out, take a look at what “CliCks” for you.  Where do you seem to get good ReSuLts and in almost an UnCaNnY way things just work out for you?  It is sort of like jumping into a river and the CuRrEnT sweeping you downstream.  You may have to paddle a bit to stay on course, but there is an underlying FoRcE moving you forward.  Some people may refer to this as the stars aligning or just plain ‘ole luck, but I believe that finding your “sweet spot” will bring the FaVoR and pLeAsUrE of God in your life. When you find your “sweet spot” you find what God created you for and that brings God great DeLiGhT! 

Find that thing that “cLiCkS” for you, that thing that brings so much sAtisFacTion to your soul that you feel as though you get “lost” in the moment and where time stands still.  Because when you get to the point that you can “click it” it may be that you have found your TiCkiT! 

Robynn~

Trash to Treasure

SuMmerTime has always been my favorite time of year, and living in New Jersey I am able to spend lots of time at the beach.  I was probably around 8 years old when I found my first piece of sea glass and I immediately became a CollEctor.  Over the years I’ve found thousands of pieces: green, brown, clear, aqua, and my favorite…blue!  I love Guessing if my pieces came from sunken ships, old medicine bottles, or just garbage that made it into the sea. 

Too often we get CaughT uP in our day to day routines and neglect to make time for ourselves.  Collecting sea glass has become my way of taking time out to do something for MySelf that makes me hAppy.  Whether it is gardening, scrapbooking, photography, etc…set time aside for yourself and see what “trEaSures” are waiting for you to discover!

~Guest Writer, Robyn from New Jersey

You Are Who You Hang Around

If you want your life to head in a certain diRection, you’ll get the best results by surrounding yourself with people that “liVe” the life you are striving for.

My husband I have found that ImProving our marriage, finances, parenting or how we treat other people, is much eAsiEr when we hang out with friends that push us to improve in all of these areas. Our friends don’t necessarily have to talk about these things, but simply hanging around them and observing their acTioNs keep us in check!

Are you hanging out with people that help you become a better “YOU”?  Are you being a good exaMple to your friends?  The people you spend the most time with will refLeCt the direction of your life.  What diRecTion are you headed?

~Lara