MY BUCKET LIST

i am so happy to say that i am officially able to cross something off of my "bucket list" today!! YEA!!!! I actually was born and raised in small town Illinois but never managed to go ice skating...I know - strange, huh?? So today my 9 year old daughter wanted to go ice skating for her birthday with 3 of her friends. Not able to say no to her very often, I knew this was an opportunity to do something fun with her and her friends but to also cross something off my list.

It is so funny how as we get older we become so much more cautious. At least I do anyway. I put my skates on with some anxiety inside and slowly made my way out onto the rink. Hesitantly stepping out on the ice, I grabbed the wall and held on for dear life!!! Of course, my daughter and her friends are whizzing around me, yelling "come on mom!!" I was so scared someone was going to knock me on my butt or run me over since I was barely creeping along the side wall. Needless to say I slowly but surely got the hang of it and was able to make it around the rink several times without any help!! WHOO HOO!!! I even picked up a little speed towards the end of our day...and didn't fall once!!!

HOW MANY OF US OUT THERE ARE AFRAID TO TRULY SPEAK UP...TO SPEAK OUR MINDS

I am posting up another sketch that I did a couple of months ago that I am hoping to convert to a painting at some time in the near future...it's a little hectic with 4 kiddlies running around to find the time...but I really love her.

I think she represents all of us at one time or another in our lives. If not MANY times. I know I have had several of those moments where fear crept in and I was afraid to speak up, to say what was really on my mind, for fear of hurting someone's feelings, getting a reaction I may not want, etc... But I have learned over the years that when we don't speak our minds we are truly hurting ourselves. I mean, come on, we can't expect others to know what we are thinking, right?

As you can see, she doesn't have a mouth because she is afraid. My husband looked at her and honestly didn't really like her. He felt she was incomplete. Which ironically is EXACTLY what I was going for. She IS incomplete. She won't speak up. She won't speak her mind. He felt when he looked at her there was a "glaring absence". I liked that and have aptly named this drawing just that! I am sure many of you out there can relate to having that fear of really saying what is on your mind! It is something I work on quite often and am getting better at. The key is learning how to do it with true compassion, kindness and tact!

DO YOU HIDE WHO YOU ARE?

So...I did this quick pencil drawing in about 5 minutes upon having a conversation with my husband about our 14 year old daughter. I was inspired to draw this "girl" because she is like SO many of us who feel we need to hide who we truly are. Have you ever noticed walking through the mall or at the movies, all the young girls who seem to have their bangs hanging in their eyes and their shoulders slumped? What are they hiding from?? Are they that ashamed of who they are?? Do they really not want the world to see what amazing, beautiful extraordinary beings they are? I feel such a strong need to embrace authenticity,even though it can be very difficult at times, depending on your present company. I know I struggle at times with this and certainly did in my teenage years and in most of my twenties for that matter...but I feel I am coming into my own at nearly 37 and a mother of 4...3 of which are girls! I want them to be proud of who they are and to hold their heads high...to embrace their differences and let the world know they don't need to hide who they are! Is there anyone else out there who can can relate to what I am talking about?? I would welcome any comments from those of you who aren't afraid to hide who you truly, authentically, genuinely are!

KIDS...HOW AMAZING ARE THEY?!!

I had such a great weekend with my kids! My two youngest daughters saw snow for the very first time a couple of days ago! It was so cool to see their initial reaction to the fluffy, fun white stuff! We had snowball fights, went sledding, took an amazing walk listening to all the sounds nature has in store for us. I was so grateful and drinking up those moments with my babies! Those "firsts" will never happen to us again and to be present for them is more than I could ever ask for!

HOPE

What can I say...Hope CAN change it all...don't you think?? I finally drummed up the courage to post some of my artwork on my blog. I have been totally intimidated to do this...but then I thought what the ?!?!?! I do truly believe with Hope we can change so much...just having Hope on a daily basis simply changes our attitude and how we act and react in our everyday lives! So cheers to HOPE!!!! : )

feeling a bit lost

So...today I am feeling a bit lost with my new found desire to create fun, inspirational, silly, kidlike art work. I feel so inadequate next to the many blogs I visit and some that I follow. You all do such amazing work! What is the secret? Where did you all learn to do such beautiful pieces of art? What kept you inspired when you felt like you just weren't good enough?? I am at a place in my life now where I have some freedom to tap into my creative side which I know was always there...just unfortunately suppressed through difficult life situations and choices! I would LOVE any words of wisdom from some of you inspiring, creative beautiful souls!