039: Mama Monday, in tears.

Tragedy stuck the country last Friday.
More importantly, it stuck a small town community.
Specifically, it struck mamas and daddies.
It struck brothers and sisters.
It struck aunts and uncles.
It struck grandparents and godparents.

It struck dreams and hopes.
Blessings.
Wishes.

All that is left are prayers.

Prayers for abundant hugs in this time of grief.
Prayers for a graceful transition for the little angels.
Prayers for family gathering around the mourning.
Prayers for love and peace.

Lovely mamas of CT, I'm praying for you.
I know Nashville prays for you.
I know Tennessee prays for you.
I know America prays for you.
I know the world prays for you.

I know it will never be enough.
I hope you are surrounded with the warmth of family and well-meaning friends.

That's really all I can say. My tears are for you.
They are for your angel children.
They are for your angel mamas.

blessings, sgym

038: After a tragedy...

I have spent the better part of today crying. The news of the senseless shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary has completely broken my heart as a mother, as a teacher, and as a human being.

There is about to be a huge backlash about gun control laws, mental illness, and the safety of our public schools. I want to address just a small part of this and hopefully encourage someone.

Homeschooling is wonderful. I was homeschooled. I am even considering homeschooling my son in the future.

After today, it is important to remember that so many public schools are GOOD, SAFE places for our children. Because of one man's insanity there is going to be a huge backlash against these good schools and great teachers.

I hope people choose to homeschool for anything except for fear. If fear rules our lives, then we wouldn't be living. We would avoid all public places. No malls. No movie theaters. No parks. No might clubs. No farmer's markets. No school plays.

We can't live like that. Instead, we need to be MORE involved in our schools. Know your teachers. Know your child's friends at schools. Know the principals. Know the coaches. Know the custodial staff even. Because tragedy struck this quiet community, it does not necessarily mean that we should pull our children out of public school by the hundreds.

After studying education and being in and out of the public school system myself, I realize everyone's situation is different.

There are so many great reasons to homeschool, I hope no one lets fear be their number one reason.

Hug your precious ones close tonight. There are so many families that can't.

blessings, sgym

035: Thoughts Thursday: Try it.

I am a child of the nineties. My fond memories of school lunch included Dunkaroo's and Mondos. Capri Suns still bring back a flood of happiness. Don't get me started on Lunchables. And then they started making pizza ones too? A can of Dr. Pepper on a hot summer day after running around at the park with my siblings. Sweet tea and Ritz crackers with cheese. Ok. Getting too excited. 

We could say, "You ate that and you're fine."

Who wants to be "fine." Really. Think about it.

Maybe it's just me, but I want excellent. Spectacular. Fantastic.

I also want delicious. Scrumptious. Yummy in my tummy.

I battle allergies, soreness, and exhaustion. I can blame my 7 month old for some of the deprived sleep, but I've always felt tired. I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of thinking feeling "just fine" is fine. For me, it isn't. Not anymore.

I've been thinking about what I eat. I've heard "food is fuel." I've heard "you are what you eat." I've heard "I deserve this." I've heard myself say each of those a few times. Last night my husband told me he wanted to change what we eat too. I think I could have jumped to the moon I was so happy. So, as a family, for our son, for our future as a couple, for our health...

I'm learning. I'm reading. I'm listening.

So, here's the thought I'd share today:

My mom and I are participating in a CSA at Real Food Farms in Brentwood, TN.

This is a shot from when we picked up our half-share yesterday.

There's my food in the distance, growing.

I love that.

blessings, sgym

031: Thoughts Thursday: Follow Through.

Follow through.

Hang up your coat instead of throwing it over your chair.
Follow through.
When you say no, stick to it.
Follow through.
If you say yes, then do it.
Follow through.
When making a shopping list, shop what's on it. Only what's on it.
Follow through.
If you get an idea for a post, then post it.
Follow through.
When you start a project, finish it.
Follow through.
When a lightbulb burns out, change it.
Follow through.
Don't leave your plate there, you know where it goes.
Follow through.

This is as much for you as it is for me.
Follow through.

blessings, sgym

027: What I Wanna Do.

Let's set some goals. Hey, maybe I'll stick to them this time. Heh.

1. I want to share. 

Let's face it, being a sahm can be kinda lonely and my facebook friends don't really want their newsfeeds fogged up with my bajillion thoughts and musings on crafts, baby wearing, and eating real foods.

2. I want to write again.

I used to be a pretty consistent creative writer. I'd love to make that part of my brain work again.

3. I want to be creative.

I can make the neatest friendship bracelet/quilt/christmas ornament or take the coolest picture and be pretty stoked. I can be even more stoked if I share it with someone. Blogs seem to be an adult's version of "show and tell' time, my friends.

4. I want to be accountable.

I have a million (ok, like 20) different projects happening all at once in my head. For example, I have a finished quilt top that isn't a quilt yet. I have a half-pieced quilt for Mal. I have multiple cardboard looms with half-finished friendship bracelets. If I have somewhere to share that and post about it, I'll more likely want to finish it. Right? HA. I can hope.

5. I want to have fun.

Not sure that one requires clarification.

Also, I'd love to have some weekly themes, like "mama monday" or "thoughts thursday." Hey. I think I just came up with my first two weekly things. That was easy. (winky face)
Well, this was fun. Let's do this again real soon.

Remember. Live intentionally.
blessings, sgym

026: The Mother of Reinvention.

New header. New layout. Big thanks to my sister for the photo. Huge thanks to irocksowhat for sharing her artsy goodness with the world, AKA for the banner image in my header. Guess what, she rocks.

current thoughts:

blessings, sgym