I'm Proud to be an American

I am going to preface this post with. . . You may not agree with me, but please be respectful of my own convictions and opinions. . .

I have been grieving for our country for some time now. I do not agree with anything our President stands for. I believe with all my heart that the Lord appoints kings and rulers, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I feel that WE the people have lost the ability to be heard. Our government is not an extension of the people. They have their own adgendas and don't much care for what the people that elected them really want or even have to say. We are on the fast track to socialism and I'm sorry, but it scares me silly.

So when I found out that Boise was hosting a T.E.A (Taxed Enough Already) Party at the capitol park on April 15th, I had to go. It was going to be history in the making. I told the kids that they could skip school (whoopee--we homeschool)and that we were going to go to the T.E.A. Party. We didn't go to shout at people. We didn't make signs that offended or hurt people. We went to stand as proud Americans that want Washington D.C. to sit up and take notice that we have had enough.

It was an amazing event. There was no name calling. No hatred (I would have left for sure), no ugly behavior at all. There were about 3,000 Idahoans that came together and sang the National Anthem and displayed the Constitution and stood by it.

When we left, Sami and Kaleb both said they were so glad they went and that today, they were proud to be Americans. I was touched and extrememly proud of them.

It was an awesome day!!

We're Back!!

We have been back for a week now and I still feel behind. BUT---let me tell you---we had an amazing time on vacation. Maybe that's why I still feel behind. I still want to be in California.

We were gone for 10 days, so let's start at the beginning. My parents went with us which was the best of blessings. I've always wanted my kids to experience a trip with their grandparents. There just aren't enough words to express all the memories made for all of us.

We started things off with a couple of days at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Valley Center, CA (close to Escondido). We were able to visit with my cousin Kevin, Wendy and their adorable girls Mandy and Aubrey. Needless to say they all have a wide variety of animals. Otters, wallabies (spelling?), turtles, horses, cats, dogs, snakes,foxes and the list goes on. It was like going to our own private zoo. My Aunt is currently hand raising 3 baby foxes. You can often see my cousins otters on Jay Leno and other talk shows. How cool it that!? Oh, and can I say there is no way you can beat the view from both homes. It was amazing! We really enjoyed seeing all of them.

We spent a day at Sea World. It was a bit cool, so jackets were required. We saw the ever famous Shamu and all his sea critter friends. It was a great time. Thanks so much for the tickets Kevin!

Then off to Anahiem. We spent several days at Disneyland. We must have walked 20 miles. We celebrated Sami's 17th birthday. We saw lots of characters, rode LOTS of rides and just tried to fit it all in. We spent another day at California Adventure. I absolutely love the California Screamin rollercoaster. Holy Cow!! That thing takes off like a shot and goes 60 mph up down and around and around. So cool. Poor Gracie was too little, but Dave and I rode on that over and over again. We both love rollercoasters. My mom thought I was nuts!

Our last day we went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for lunch. I can't tell you how thrilled I was. I L-O-V-E Forrest Gump. It's my all time favorite movie. I love all things Forrest Gump. So lunch there was a hightlight for me. The food was great and the whole experience was awesome. I stocked up on Forrest Gump T-shirts and knick-knacks at the gift shop and of course took loads of pictures. :o)

Then off to the beach. It was over cast and a bit cool, but we took off chasing the waves and looking for sea shells. All was great until. . . Gracie got hit by a big wave. It flattened her. She was both wet and full of sand and to top it off now cold. Then Sam realized that she had lost her phone. Why she was texting on the beach. . . I don't know, but it was lost. We combed the beach in all directions. Unfortunately the tide was coming in and her phone must have washed out into the water. We tried to make light of it, by telling her that the fish would be texting her. But to her it was like loosing a limb. It was the end of the world.

We left for home the next day, tired, smiling and so incredibly grateful for the trip and all the memories.

We had such a great time we are thinking of going back this fall. We'll see, but it gives us lots to look forward to.

So back to the routine. School, work, and all that goes with. It really is nice to be home.

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!