Fail. More.
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If you recall, it was a mere 2 1/2 or 3 years ago that we remodeled the bathroom in our old house. Well...here we are doing it again. A little unexpectedly. The kitchen had top priority in our "new" house but the really wonderful stank that was coming from the master bath prompted some intervention. Boy oh boy was it moist! One thing led to another and before I knew it, I was knocking down walls. It's not necessarily something that I wanted to do again or even something that I feel 100% confident in doing but...I'm a failure yo! And failures know that life is pretty freaking boring without a little "Hey, what if I tried to..."
Here's your sign
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I love to read. Really love to read. But, I can't say that I've ever had a favorite book until this last year. If you have not read Wonder, you need to. NEED to. You also need to either read it to your children or make them read it themselves. I like to say that having a cleft lip/palate does not "define"me...but...it kind of defines me. I am 100% fine with the fact that one time you were telling someone about me and they couldn't quite place me and you said: You know...the one with the "face." Yep...that's me. I got "the face."
Not only do I love good literature, but I love GOOD children's literature. In the era of Twilight, I love to see a well written, well developed book with strong characters. Regardless of the fact that Wonder is personal for me, it's just a good book.
In 1996, I was 22 years old, living with my friend Kathy. I had dropped out of college and wasn't really sure where I was going. I had a relatively serious boyfriend who was nice enough but mostly just...there. It was then that I heard the Natalie Merchant song "Wonder." I could have sworn this song was written for me. It was so personal and important to me. Didn't change my life at the time but has stayed with me since. So, this year when I picked up Wonder and the first page quoted the song that defined me I wept. Really..."mom cried" over that one.
Wonder is starting to become required reading for elementary students and I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by wonderful teachers who invite me to come speak to their classes about my own experiences. What I try to convey (whether eloquently or not) is that this is not a book about bullying. It's about how it's the little things we say and do to each other that make such a big difference. And not just the negative. The positive is just as important. A high five or a smile can change a life.
When sweet baby Lucy was born she was so very sick. It was life changing. But, another small and wonderful thing happened. There was a woman who worked in the hospital delivering the daily meals. I remembered her. She had been there when I had Christian (she was subsequently there when I had Wyatt, by the way). The day Lucy was born was an emotionally devastating day that I couldn't possibly put into words. I was recovering from an especially dramatic bought of self pity when this woman brought me my meal. And, because I was taught to look people in the eye and say "Thank You," I did just that. She said to me "You always have the most beautiful smile. Thank you." I could tell it meant something to her and I promised to make it mean something to me too.
Wonder has another quote. It's another musical quote and, frankly, a song I was not that familiar with at the time. But they are not words that made me think of myself or my own history, but my girl. No truer words have been spoken.
New Digits
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We bought a new house in February. New, as in 1970s new. It's a bit of a fixer and I love it! One of the major selling points (I'm really easy to please) was that I was going to have my own mailbox. No community mailbox for us any more! Then, for Christmas, I got a Silhouette Cameo and crafty climax was reached (again...easy to please. Graham is a lucky man).
My new crafty cutter thingy is perfect for making this atrocity a little more appealing.
First, I scraped off the old numbers. Well at least I tried to. They were pretty committed to staying there so I half-assed it. Then I spray painted it white. No need to make this part perfect. Just have to make sure that where the new numbers will go are well covered.
I then used my Cameo to cut the name and number out of contact paper. I think one is supposed to use the official vinyl for this but when one is cheap...contact paper seems like a better option.
Another coat of white paint is then necessary. Or so I'm told. I have no scientific evidence as to why this is needed but I just do what the internets tell me.
Once that was dry, I just sprayed it with my black spray paint.
And, finally, peel off the contact paper. Viola!
You really shouldn't love a mailbox this much. It's wrong.
We survived!!
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It's our busiest time of the year and we just barely made it. First up, we had Wyatt's pre-K program where most kids sang but Wyatt just stood there. I didn't get any pictures because I forgot my camera (gasp!). Ah well, he needs to get used to it being the third kid and all. Then, we had Lucy's violin recital and she was beautiful and fabulous as always. Again, I forgot my camera so this is just a crappy iPhone picture.
Next, we had Lucy's Christmas dance program.
Then, Christian's choir concert.
Then, Christian's guitar recital.
Did I mention that all of this happened in one week? No problem, we survived it all with the help of our good friend, Steve Jobs.
Photography Friday
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Started with the dog who was completely uncooperative.
So, then I added in Graham. Who was helpful, but doesn't like it when I post pictures of his somewhat bald head.
Then we moved on to pastey-white children with blonde hair. I haven't completely worked out how to not wash her out but I did shoot these all in Manual mode which I am quite proud of!
I'm getting there. Slowly. But getting there.
Elementary
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One of the benefits of working in an elementary school is that you get to have fun days like "International Children's Day." Different countries were represented and I got "Henna'd" in India. Super fun!
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