My Kids Taught Me A Very Valuable Lesson

I have a confession to make. I love working at home, but because I can't stand to just sit still and do nothing (which drives my family crazy) and I also can't stand to stop working when there is still work to do. . . I think I am a bit of a workaholic. I don't ignore my family or my responsiblities, but I have failed in the sense that being a mom isn't always about cleaning, making dinner, or getting school done. Believe me those things get done. I always thought that my kids should be sick of me, because they are homeschooled and with me all the time. I failed to realize that my kids need me to be a mom that can have fun, get away, leave work behind and just have a great time with them.

After working crazy hours through the weekend, I needed to get them out. Now, the challenge in this is trying to please them all with one activity that is appropriate for them all. So I had this great idea to go paint pottery. The girls loved the idea, but poor Kaleb moaned. "Mom, that's a girl thing." I told him that we would go to the store he was wanting to go to, but that just wasn't enough. He wanted to stay home. Nope! Not going to happen. Everyone get in the car, no complaining, just go. So off we went with much apprehension. We started with lunch at Sonic (their favorite), went to the store Kaleb wanted to go to, then to Artist For A Day to paint. I told them that they could paint anything they wanted, however they wanted. . . just try to have some fun.

Well, by the end of the day (and we were out all day), each one of my kids told me how much fun they had. Sami said that painting was so relaxing. Kaleb said, "Thanks Mom, I really had fun". And Gracie was just sad that she couldn't stay and keep painting. We then came home and all played together in the back yard. At the end of the day, my kids thanked me, hugged me and told me that they like to hang out with me. I almost cried.

So I learned that quantity time in no way equals quality time. They need more than just my presence. They need my attention. They need me to laugh with them, play with them no matter what their age is and most of all love on them.

My children are a blessing of the best kind. I need to cherish and honor those blessings. That night I thanked the Lord for teaching me this lesson. My husband and kids are far more important than any Shimmerz order. I again had to get my priorities straight, and I have. I will make it one of my highest priorities to have fun with my kids.

I know this post is really wordy, but it's my hope that it will touch your heart as it did mine.

Sami was completely focused on her plate. Lovin the Aqua and brown.

Yep, you guessed it. . . I get a new coffe cup. It's a one of a kind.

Gracie decided to paint a piggy bank. After it's fired, it will be a bright pink piggy.

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's Off To Work I Go

Holy Smokin' Rockets! We have been so-o-o busy. I am thrilled and very thankful for all the blessings that the Lord has given us via our business. We launched the SHIMMERZ website www.shimmerzpaints.com . It has been awesome. We started getting orders within the first hour. . . and they just kept coming. We worked like little elves. It really was fun though. There is no aspect of Shimmerz that I don't love. It's all work--but awesome work. We also released SIX NEW colors too, which are doing well. Our customers overwhelmingly asked for a "chocolate" color, so Dave delivered with a yummy color named Choc-o-lot. He's loves makin those ladies happy.

He did an amazing job designing the web-site. It has great features and it sparkles. Yay!! I am so proud of him. He is indeed a man of many talents.

I had to take a day off on Monday. So the kids and I got out of the house and just had fun. I have a lot to share about that day. It was unexpectedly wonderful! It certainly didn't start out that way. Trying to please a 17 yr. old, a 13 yr. old, and a 5 yr. old isn't easy, but I conquered that little challenge. I will tell all about that tomorrow and post pictures too. I learned an extremely valuable lesson via my kids. I shared that with a dear friend of mine, but I need to share it with you too. Stay tuned. . . .

The Word for the Day (week) is "BLAH"

Do you ever have "blah" days? I'm trying not to fall into a dreary mood, but just not having much luck. The weather is just starting to warm up, all is good with my kids and hubby. I just feel, well. . . blah. When my heart is heavy, or when I'm really mad and just need to work things out I always reach for my vacuum cleaner. Weird, I know. But, there is something very theraputic about cleaning. So today I grabbed my trusty vacuum and got busy. I super cleaned my house. I never let it get out of hand, so it's not like I needed heavy machinery to come in and help me clean up. I dusted ledges, doors, blinds, baseboards and the list goes on. I polished my hard floors and sucked out the corners on the carpet. I even did some bathroom reorganizing. I thought that all this crazy cleaning would somehow make me feel better. Nope. . . still "blah". I sat in the sun and focused on all that I have to be grateful for. I prayed. I worked out. Still, I just can't seem to shake this gloomy, heavy heart. My business is doing well. It's growing and we will have our new web-site up this weekend (www.shimmerzpaints.com). I have the most amazing design team ever. We leave for vacation in a couple of weeks (and yes, my kids are healthy). I should be about ready to burst with excitement. Again, nope, just not feeling it. Somehow, I've gotta get over this. Have any advice? Please send me some love and advice. I could also use your prayers. Thanks!

How Lucky Am I?!

I have been determined to celebrate St. Patricks Day. I think my family thinks I've lost it, but hey, the Irish are their people. It's part of who they are. So why not make the most of it. We had a lot of laughs doing this family picture. We all just about lost it when Dave put on his glittery hat and starting talking with an Irish accent. Just be grateful that there isn't an official Scottish holiday, because posting Dave in a kilt, might just be a bit too much --Tee Hee Hee.

St. Patrick's Day aside. . . doing this picture reminded me of just how lucky I am. I have an indredible family! We all love each other and the Lord. What more could I ask for. I am indeed a very lucky lady!

Two Down --- One To Go

I have another kid down. Kaleb started complaining of stomach issues last night. So off I go to get the Benedryl (*see note), and the Ginger Snaps. Get him into bed early and hope for the best and ask the Lord to PLEASE let this pass. I really am hoping and praying to have a healthy family on vacation. It's our first real vacation in years and we are all really looking forward to it.

So far, so good. Kaleb slept. He still isn't feeling great. He's still really tired, but no vomitting, sore throat, etc. Thank you Lord!

* Note: I discovered through many ER visits due to migraine for Kaleb that they give Benedryl to settle stomachs. So the Benedryl, Ginger Snap combination really works for us. It amazing!

A Kool Toy for a KOOL Kid

Kaleb got a fun, fun, fun new toy. He has worked really hard pouring, labeling, and packing many many jars of Shimmerz. So with some of his hard earned money (it's hard earned, because I'm a tough boss) he bought himself an iPod Touch. It is such a cool "thing". I'm so not a techie, but this. . . this is really cool. I think I must have one too ---tee hee.

Going Green

The worst is over (I hope). Gracie is doing much better today. Still coughing and stuffy, but thankfully no yucky tummy. Now if we can keep everyone else in tip top shape I'll be singing a happy song.

Since Gracie is feeling better and in the spirit of the month we made --yep--you guessed it, green cupcakes. I know Mom, you're turning up your nose. :o) We frosted them and used St. Patty's Day sprinkles. Then I made little toppers for them with the Hero Arts cupcake stamp set and colored them with copic markers and topped them off with Shimmerz (of course). Gracie helped to glue all the pieces together and we have cute little toppers on our GREEN cupcakes. It was fun. A great way to spend a rainy day.

The "F" Word Has Hit My Home

FLU!!! Oh, I just hate the word and all it implies. Poor little Gracie has had what I thought was just a bad cold (because she has had the flu shot). I really thought she was doing better. . . until. . . today. "Mommy my tummy hurts." Ooohh no! Yep, we have vomitting action on my new carpet, on my comforter (that is dry clean only), all over my bathroom. Poor baby girl. I feel so bad for her. I have cleaned the carpet, sent Sam to the dry cleaners and the store for Sprite and Ginger Snap cookies (they work wonders) and the biggest bottle of Lysol wipes known to man. Kaleb, Sami and I went to work and wiped down every surface we could think of that could be touched or even thought of being touched by little fingers. They both think I'm a bit crazy because I mentioned having the house fumigated. Maybe I get a little obsessive, but, I HATE THE FLU!!! We leave for vacation the end of March. I just won't allow fevers, runny noses or vomitting to go with us on this trip. Please send me cheery, non vomitting thoughts. :o)

BUSTED!!!

We have a wonderful friend that works for the Meridian Police Department who was nice enough to come by the house and do a "homeschool" type visit. Richard came by to visit Gracie. She thought that policemen were scary and only there to give out tickets. She and Richard had some fun as you can see. He let Gracie use his handcuffs and together, they arrested Sami. I thought about asking him to just leave her in the handcuffs, but then thought that might not be such a good idea. :o) Gracie was able to sit in the back of the police car and she asked if he got to play games on his car computer. In case you're wondering. . . the answer is "No". I love it when the field trip comes to me. Now I wonder if the Fire Department can stop by --Ha-Ha.

Bring on the Green

Aaaww, March is here finally. Being a McElyea this is "our" month. Not that I have a single drop of Irish blood in me, but Dave sure does and therefore, our children do to. So I say CELEBRATE! Dave is both Scottish and Irish so that equals a short, jolly man with a twinkle in his eye that would love to wear a kilt. Oh heavens!

Well, I am determined to make this fun. So stay tuned. The McElyea's have turned green and not because of global warming. I've got fun things in store. Just wait till you see Dave! You don't want to miss this!!!