the Mouse starts 8th

I haven't said too much about the Mouse lately. Most of the attention has been focused on Davy and his 18th birthday, prom, graduation, and bedroom redo... and of course Daniel's overseas internship adventures and long-anticipated homecoming. Matthew has been content to remain in the background - so goes the ebb and flow of family life.
Funny how one day you look at your baby and realize they are almost 14 years old, say cheeky things to you, have foul smelling feet, act like complete morons when their friends are over, go to the neighborhood pool unaccompanied, repeatedly rearrange your cars in and out of the garage and driveway, have an arsenal of air soft guns you would rather not think about, make YouTube videos you would rather not know about, watch "Family Guy" when you're not looking, and have grown into their older brother's dirt bike, which they ride up and down the street every chance they get.
Where once my fuzzy little Mouse would crawl in bed and snuggle with me every morning when his alarm went off, he now gets up and is dressed and usually reading before I am even up to make his lunch. Where I could usually count on Mousie to watch my favorite baking or entertainment shows with me, he now has other things to do that do not, in any way, involve Mom things. And this is the same kid that used to take cake decorating classes and have his own barbeque business.
Sometimes I mourn the Mouse. I certainly never mourn who he is. The Mouse is great. The Mouse is awesome. I love and adore who he is. Most of the time. I just mourn the fact that my baby is growing up. My last baby.

I have always been a big proponent of growing up, because I love each stage and I love to see the personalities of my boys develop. I find it fascinating - and one of the most wonderful perks of parenthood. So it has pulled the rug out from under me a little to feel such loss. I guess it's because he's the last one.

But then I remind myself that I still see frequent glimmers of Mouse-like behavior, and I probably always will if I will stop wallowing long enough to notice. He is the first one to help if he is needed. He is the first one to freely offer affection. He is tender-hearted toward animals, and will go out of his way to help one. He has a love of country that runs so deep it chokes him up. The Mouse is a good boy, and he will be a good man. And he will always be my Mouse.
So today he starts 8th grade. There he is with Luna, waiting for the carpool to pick him up. I hope and pray he has a wonderful school year this year. I know from experience that there will be many ups and downs. I know that 14 year old boys are pretty much aliens from another planet. But I also know that tomorrow is always another day, and that most things work out, and that God is good. And that even though I knock the Mouse upside the head for belching at the dinner table he knows I love him with all my heart and soul.

Under One Roof

This is the face of an extremely *happy* mother!!! Yesterday the eldest son finally returned from 4 months abroad - 2 months working his butt off and having an amazing experience as an intern for a NPO in Ethiopia....... and 2 months having another amazing experience of a completely different sort in London. It's a rough life being an International Relations major, but I suppose someone's got to do it :)
All I can say is I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE MY BOY!!! It's hard enough when he's constantly away at college... but I much prefer it to him flying for hours across oceans and wandering around other continents. Still, I am so delighted for him that he had such wonderful opportunities. But there's nothing - NOTHING - I love more than having all three of my boys under one roof. Even though I know it's only for a little while, I am so grateful for that time.

I LOVE YOU DANIEL!!!!!!!!!

stretching

Stretching as in out of my comfort zone. As in... something that you really don't want to do... but know you should do... know it would be a big help if you did it... know you'll be a better person for doing it. As in personal growth. Even spiritual growth. THAT kind of stretching.

Being a musical person you'd think I would know how to actually lead music. Well, I don't. I just never have. I just kind of mind my own business and do my own thing. And in fact, I hardly do that anymore. Let's just say that as my width has grown with the years, I've become a bit sensitive of getting up in front of hoards of people.

So a few weeks ago when one of my church leaders asked me if I would be the new chorister for our congregation I nearly choked on my pot roast. What this means is me, up in front of the entire congregation, with my bifocals on, leading 3 to 4 songs during our main meeting every Sunday. This may not sound like a big deal to you. But picture, if you will, Goofy leading the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and then you may see my apprehension.

The only reason I agreed to this new form of torture, is 1) the leader that asked me is a dear friend, and 2) I had an odd experience a few weeks prior to him asking me, that 'alerted' me you might say, that this assignment was eminent. As we were singing in church one Sunday, I just happened to glance at the current chorister, and a tiny voice in my head said to me "Megan, you need to be ready, because at some point that's going to be you up there". I thought HAVE MERCY - NO!!! But you know what? I knew that little voice was right. I knew it would be me up there. And not 2 weeks later they asked me. That little voice knows what it's talking 'bout.

So there I was today, up there in front of a gazillion people for the first time. Okay, maybe that was a slight exaggeration, but only slight. Thank heaven I at least had a good hair day. My husband was very supportive and helped me with 4/4 time vs. 3/4 time, upbeats, downbeats, blah, blah, blah. The organist was awesome, and lots of familiar faces in the congregation relaxed me. You know, I made plenty of mistakes but all in all it went pretty well. I smiled through my foggy bifocals the whole time. Perhaps most importantly, I know I was blessed for trying, and I know I will continue to be blessed for my efforts. Stepping out of my comfort zone is not easy. But sometimes it's even more important for the one than it is for the many. So I am grateful.

a few new fun blogs

I have yet again reorganized my "Fave Blogs" catagory, down on the right hand side of my blog. Most of my favorite blogs are listed there, even though I do have others I visit less frequently. I can't keep up with all my favorites on a daily basis, but I really do try to get by and visit as often as I can - I hate falling behind! And I like to keep a current list for those of you who may be searching for new blogs. It's always such fun to find a new gem! Here are a few gems I wanted to share with you:

Say hello to Sara from Sara's Art House! She is one adorable girl. I never knew anyone could love color as much as me and then I found Sara. I feel like I have a color sister! Her house and artwork and personality exude her color and creativity and love of life. It's cheerful and inspiring and delightful! I'm hoping to twist her arm for a spotlight soon :)
My idol Aimee from Artsyville. I want to be her when I grow up, but of course I'm already a dinosaur in comparison. Heh. Not funny. At all. But I won't hold it against her - it's not her fault I have a walnut sized brain. I still love her art. Love, love, love her art. I just love. Her art.

This, my friends, is Amy from Mod Podge Rocks! She has quite a thing for the Mod Podge medium! She works tirelessly to bring us delightful Mod Podge projects created by herself and other crafters on a daily basis. Very cool!

Here is the ever-popular Gabrielle from Design Mom, who just relocated from NY to Colorado. If anyone has her finger on the pulse of the blogging world, it would definitely be Gabrielle. I do NOT know how she does it all! Sheesh!
This is Stephanie from Artists Who Blog - she just permanently relocated to Germany. She writes fabulous interviews with artists of all types from all walks of life. Interesting and inspiring - and she's a talented artist herself!

Enjoy the blogs and HAPPY WEEKEND!!!

Etsy Round-Up

As we're all too aware, thanks to a back injury that is intent on making my life miserable, I've had the interesting opportunity to lay around like a slug for the last 2 weeks and contemplate much more than I care to contemplate. That being said, I've also had the pleasure of catching up on my favorite blogs, finding some new favorites I'll be highlighting soon(!), and spending more time on Etsy than I usually am able. So I thought now might be a good time to spread some Etsy love:

How sweet are these tiny handmade ceramics from Charity Elise? She has a vast array of unique ceramic items - lovely colors, shapes - that are a bit more on the rustic, creative side. Her prices are varied as well - something for everyone.

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Okay, are these aprons too cute for words or what! Hand sewn by Yoopers and made with all kinds of hidden extras. Pockets, loops, places for keys, pens, tips, change, menus... you name it! They exude cheer and FUN for any vendor, waitress, or home cook! They even come in plus sizes.

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Now for those of you that are dreaming of *any* slight hint of fall... a chill in the air, leaves starting to turn, kids back to school, the desire for hot cocoa (oh! if only!)... here are some beautiful, woodsy hand-felted acorns from Lil Fish Studios. Made from wool and glued into real acorn tops. Love these!

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Ooooh! I just recently discovered these and I heart them! Here we have some AMAZING metal magnet boards from Steel Dreaming Designs. They're so lovely, and different from the usual magnet boards everyone seems to have. And I love the vast array of WONDERFUL fabrics too - WOW!

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Sooo precious! PDX BEANIES - an Etsy store I have wanted to highlight for a long time now. I have lots of friends with little ones that I keep imagining in these adorable hats, mary janes, and scarfs! But they offer plenty of awesome items for every member of the family, from newborn to ancient - lol! A very popular store - check them out!

And that, my peeps, concludes our Etsy round-up for this time :)

one year ago

My mother passed away one year ago today. I don't really have any words to say. I still don't really know how to talk about it. Some things have been so strange. Some have been hurtful, even infuriating. Some just sad. Some a huge relief. An obvious range of emotions I can't put into words yet - not unlike when she was alive. But I loved her. And I know she loved me. And I felt it important to acknowledge this day. As I have mentioned before, my father has been gone for many years now. I still think of him when I look at the moon. It makes me happy to think my mother is with him. And I suppose parents' love is never very far away. I know my love would be with my children no matter what. I hope they know I am thinking of them ❤

gobs of gratitude

~ Flowers ~

~ Friends ~

~ Pine Trees (Sandpoint, Idaho) ~

~ Lucerne, Switzerland ~

~ diet Coke and reduced fat Ruffles! ~

~ pedicures ~

~ vintage croquet balls ~

~ painting ~

~ textiles ~

~ sweet Luna ~

~ my Matthew ~

~ my Davy ~

~ my Daniel ~

~ my family ~

~ tie dye ~

~ color ~

~ more color ~

~ even more color! ~

AND OF COURSE BLOGGING!