Artful Living

My sister-in-law, Cinderella, and I have been talking recently about the importance of having people in your life who support your creative side.  We do this for each other and have great fun doing it!  For those creative souls like us, there also needs to be an outlet for that creativity so that our heads don't explode!  Whether it's writing, photography, cooking, sewing, planning events, painting, canning, gardening, scrap booking, singing...there needs to be something...and all of these activities are MY "things"...my ART.  

Sadly there are plenty of people out there with God given talents that are just wasting away.  The saddest part, though, is that there are people out there who are missing out on the everyday joys of their lives because they feel like they are being deprived of living out their dreams.  They blame this on their jobs, family, kids, or sheer lack of time.  But I believe that there is absolutely nothing about having a job, being a wife, and raising kids that should hold a person back from having their own little world inside their head where they are constantly spinning a web of dreams, ideas, and new projects.  I make it a point to try really hard every day to LIVE my art.  Finding my art in my daily routine saves me.  No.  "Finding" is not the right word.  "Creating" is more like it.  Creating moments in my daily life where I can incorporate something from my creative artillery into whatever it is I may be doing is what saves me.  I have always enjoyed my own little world apart from the everyday life I live (and love) where I dream up new ideas about this and that.  I believe everyone needs that place...that little secret they keep until they're ready to share.

This blogging thing has given me an outlet for all of the sides of me.  Not just writing in my own blog, but by reading the blogs of others.  There is an ocean of bloggers out there who are speaking my language.  It is my nightly adventure and it has opened up yet another door for me to express myself and create a legacy for my kids to savor when dear old Mom is someday gone.  

My point is...why does it all have to stay in your head?  Why can't it trickle out here and there?  Your day only has to be as mundane as you allow it to be.  And don't think you have to go to great lengths to make things happen.  INVITE your kids to have a picnic outside in the middle of the week and ENJOY the green grass together.  Choose a new recipe to COOK and PHOTOGRAPH the steps of making it.  Then post it on your BLOG.  WRITE down a favorite quote or scripture and leave it on your loved one's pillow.  You can THINK big, but START small.  Don't spend too much time or money and don't feel like you have to finish today or ever.  I'm the girl with the most amazing collection of scrapbooking supplies, but not a single complete scrapbook made, but I tell you what...when the moment comes...I'M going to be ready!

When I picture myself and my ideas, I see an image of myself with a tree growing out of my head where each branch is just another part of ME and the roots are planted deep into my heart and soul.  That is how I picture myself.  How do you picture yourself?  What is your outlet?  Do you make time for yourself and your dreams or just wait on the sidelines for someone to tag you in to your own life?  What amazing side of you will your kids completely miss out on?

My poor kids are gonna have to deal with all of my sides 'cause I'm not gonna sit on the sidelines of my life.  I'm going to teach them by showing them that your life is what you make it.  Make it sweet.  Make it artful.  Make it unforgettable.

Campy Mama

You may know that I recently signed up for an art camp that is coming up this September.  Since finding out about this particular camp, and falling head over heals for the concept of a grown-up girl camp where like-minded women can gather, inspire, and create, I have begun a search for other camps of the same nature.  I have always dreamed of a camp like this...me and my peers taking classes on things we love to do by day, and sitting around a camp fire sharing stories and inspiration by night...eating together in a big dining hall, bunking up in cabins.  It is obvious to me that this does not appeal to everyone, but it appeals to me.  I like making connections and listening to people tell their stories and talk about what inspires them.  Not to mention, the idea of a vacation where I can focus on the things I love to do and learn more about them in a beautiful setting surrounded by happy, shiney, creative faces, thrills me!  A camp like this can provide that much needed drink of creative juice that we need to make us feel like we are living our lives to the fullest.   I also think that being embedded in a camp-like atmosphere encourages a person to be a little more open than they might normally be.  I am going to attend with an open mind and an open heart and when I get back I'm going to tell you all about it in a special blog I created called "Campy Mama".  Eventually, I hope to find and attend more camps like this and make them sort of "continuing education" events for me to look forward to each year.  If you have any camps to suggest, please comment below.  I am very excited and passionate about this new endeavor, as I am with all my new endeavors, so stay tuned for my first Campy Mama blog post coming real soon!

Cool Cat in a New Black Truck

Today was a big day in our family.  Roger has been looking forward to this day for a very long time.  Fifteen years to be exact.  Billy has been looking forward to this day for a long time, too, but I think Roger was just a wee bit more excited!

Today Roger bought Billy a truck!  

It is a 2008 Ford F-150 black extended cab.  Very cool truck and very cool cat who just needs to complete his driver's ed courses and driver training and he'll be eligible to apply for a hardship license.  He'll be able to help out with driving to and from school, practice, etc.  Sound scary?  Well, we'll see how he does!

Check out more pics of Billy and his new truck at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52155531@N03/sets/72157624523975128/

Gypsy Retirement Plan

As I was packing boxes tonight, preparing for the moving truck to arrive next Tuesday, I started thinking about how much our lives have changed recently and how amazingly well our kids adjust to change.  I guess I adjust to change pretty well, too.  I mean...I have lived like a gypsy for the past decade.  Even have two gypsy children now who have been traveling across the state with me in our Suburban since they were each two weeks old.  Two weeks...that's when I start gypsy training...wait much longer than that and they're spoiled from being in one house for too long.  Next thing you know they'll want to make friends and go to school and sleep under the same roof for more than ten days in a row!

Well, the time has come to cast aside our gypsy ways and make an attempt to settle down in one town, one community, one house.  We are moving to the hill country to live on the ranch where we have been working seasonally for years.  There will still be lots of traveling for work, but it will be like "normal" people traveling and not professional truck driver traveling like we are accustomed to.  To say that I am excited is such an understatement.  I am elated.

I have loved our time in Fort Worth and I'll miss being close to my husband's family and to the friends we have made here, but I'm ready.  Ready to plant some roots and feel like I am an integral part of a community and not just another black Suburban full of kids passing by.  I want to be able to let my kids run free across the land and not have to worry about cars and noise.  My plan is for them to go from gypsies to indians!  Wild indians!

This move is a blessing for us, but a bitter sweet one.  My two stepsons, Billy and Jackson, who have lived in Fort Worth since the day they were born, are making the move with us.  They are 15 and 14, respectively, and are not gypsies at all.  They have a close group of friends they have grown up and are well known and well liked in their community.  They are athletes and leaders who will truly be missed. They will have the most change to endure.  They will really miss their mom and their friends and the comfort of their community and extended family.  I know from a "grown-up" view point that this move is going to ultimately be what is best for them and our whole family, but I also know that doesn't make it any easier for them right now.  I try to imagine what would make it easier for them and what I can do as their stepmom to help them adjust.  Any ideas?

My rough draft plan is to cook really good meals and desserts for them and try really hard to embed myself in the community so we can make some friends with kids their age.  I will make sure to do everything in my power to support them in all that they do.  I'll be the loudest cheerleader in the bleachers (when their mom, Lezlie, isn't there...she's got me beat for loudest cheerleader!), I'll wear their school colors and dress their little brother and sister in them, too.  I'll help set boundaries and make rules and then stand back and watch their Dad try to enforce them (hee hee!)  Just kidding, babe, kind of!  Most of all, I'll pray daily that they will have a smooth transition from one place to the other and that they will make friends easily and learn to love their new place real soon.  They are such great kids and they are growing up so fast.  I'm so glad I get to be a part of their lives.  Please send some prayers their way!

Moving truck comes next Tuesday!

Jackson looking cool at the beach house this Summer.  Very "Tom Cruise-ish"!!!

Billy and Emerson

July 4th Weekend- Part 1

     I am so disappointed with blogger's photo loading program.  I have spent entirely too much time trying to get pictures up tonight.  It shouldn't be this difficult!  I will try tomorrow to post some more of the pics from our July 4th weekend.  Not much time to write, as I have stayed up way too late canning.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves! 

Em peering into the kitchen watching Mommie work on breakfast.

    

The pretty eggs our girls laid.

Grandma & Grandpa

Silly boy!

Drinking Mama's iced tea.

Harrison floating.

Bob:  Ahhhh...this is the life.

My Sonshine

     

     The other evening as I was picking plums, Harrison brought me some flowers that he picked from our garden.  We planted the seeds together back in the Spring and they are just glorious now.  Zinnias are absolutely one of my favorite things ever.  They are by far my favorite flower. And nothing is better than getting a bouquet from my sweet Sonshine!

It's so wonderful as a mother to watch all the little seeds in my garden grow.  You sow them every day in all that you teach your kids, and with the proper care, they bloom and thrive.  I can only hope that when this little boy grows into the man he will some day become, that he remembers his Mommy's garden and the lessons he learned there-  the bitter charm of the unripe blackberry...the unforgiving prick of a sweet smelling rose...the unyielding hand of Mother Nature...and the blessings God brings to those with the patience to wait.

I am the luckiest mother ever.  Thank you, Harrison, for always thinking of me and for seeing the beauty in all that surrounds us.  You are a special gift God gives me every day!  I love you.  Mommie

Looking Forward to Squam

Tonight I am filling out my registration form for an amazing art camp called Squam Art Workshops (SAW). It is literally set up like Summer camp but it is for grown women! How often do you get to take a trip or vacation to do your hobbies. I'm not saying I don't enjoy our family vacations, but they never are that relaxing. There are still chores to do like cooking, dishes, and diapers. Oh, and there's the thing where we have to try to make everyone happy...at the same time...all seven of us...have you met my family??? We range in age from 47 to 18 months!!! It is impossible to relax.

I am signing up for the Fall Session of the camp which takes place September 15-19 in New Hampshire. Hmmmm...New Hampshire in the Fall?...on my birthday weekend?...painting, doing yoga, writing, singing, photographing, canoeing, creating, dreaming, meeting new friends from all over the country that share common interests???? WOW!!! I am so excited! To top it all off: my awesome husband has saved up a round trip ticket that he is giving me for my trip. Woohoo!

Oh, my...I think Maisy (our new puppy) just learned how to bark. She has only whimpered and squealed until now. That is definitely a bark I hear out there. Anyway...back to what I was saying...

New Hampshire in the Fall, here I come!

Check out this video to get an idea of what SAW is all about.

Maisy

Yesterday was a BIG day. We welcomed a Jack Russel Terrier puppy into our family. We named her Maisy and when Harrison insisted that she have a WHOLE name, we settled on Maisy Kay Hamlyn Field. I know...it's a very big name for such a tiny little dog, but what can I say...we like strong names! Harrison wanted her to feel like part of the family so it was pretty clear what her name should be... I am Lisa Kay Hamlyn Field. Grandma is Kay Hamlyn. Sister is Emerson Kay Field. Harrison is Harrison Hamlyn Field. So Maisy Kay Hamlyn Field...it's perfect and she's a doll!

Last night was pretty rough though, with her crying all night for her mama and siblings. I didn't get very much sleep, but she is as cute as can be and the kids just adore her so it's worth the few sleepless nights for the smiles on their faces.