let's open our eyes and our hearts

i realize this is easier said than done when there seems to be many negative stories on the news, tragedies that are avoidable, etc... but i do try on a daily basis to look at the world with an open heart and an open mind.

as i've gotten older and more aware...i realize how quick one can be to judge another simply based on appearance or what they may have heard someone else say about a particular person... instead of truly getting to know that person for themselves. i feel we all need to remember that until we are truly in a certain situation, we don't really know what we would do. it is so easy for us to say ..."well i wouldn't do that, or if that happened to me...i would do this". but quite honestly, i don't feel any of us could know EXACTLY what we would do in any given situation until we are facing it head on. and therefore it is NEVER our place to judge.

so i guess i am just putting a reminder out there... and definitely to myself....look at the world (and all those around us) with an open heart, we don't know what someone may be going through! xoxoxox happy monday everyone!

today's love

i'm loving this picture of my babies...so typical of my sweet Sophia to be protecting her little sister Sydnie!

What are you all loving today???

love is all around

she is my sweet reminder that "love is all around" - it is in the way my girls wrap their arms around me and pull me close, it is in a phone call from a friend to just say "hi", it is in my husband's eyes, it is in my son's willingness to learn, it is in a song, a good book, a whisper, a look across a room, a gentle touch, a smile. i could go on and on.....and on and on.... and on and on....anyone want to add to this short but sweet list?!?! what shows you the love that is all around??

i'm sending some out!!! xoxoxoxo

just one more wish...please

so...i do have one more wish...please...which i forgot to comment on in my post "wish". it is to one day have a little tiny space...a space that is ALL mine...to CREATE! This picture shows where I have been painting as of late. Before I moved to the kitchen table...it was anywhere and everywhere in my house...more often than not my bedroom! Not really a good place since "they" say to try to have your bedroom be your tranquil, quiet place...FOR SLEEP!! : )

i also want to thank Shonna, Lori and Giovanna for your comments and help on my last post! I appreciate you girls and your endless talent!! xoxoxox

HELP

hi everyone...this post is simply my solicitation for "help"!

i was hoping some of you could help me out in how you manage to get such good prints of artwork that you create on canvas, wood, etc...

any suggestions or pieces of advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks! xoxoxox

my teenage boy

my sweet stepson Chandler is an official teenager. he turned 13 on September 10.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BOY. you have taught me so much in the years I have known you. you have taught me patience. you have taught me to not assume that someone may know, what i feel, to be the obvious. you have taught me to look at things in a more black and white fashion. i understand in your world...things are black and white - there really is no gray. you have taught me that sometimes it takes explaining in more ways than one...for what some understand one way, others may not. i love you bing!! you are my bing and i pray to continue to learn and be a great step mom to you. thank you for loving me! Happiest of birthdays to you always

give away winner

WHOO HOO!! ! i won this lovely pendant from the amazing, talented, gorgeous Flor Larios! She is such an inspiration and her work stands on its own! Go visit here and check out her lovely work!! I feel very blessed to be wearing one of her creations! Thank you Flor!!!

I hope everyone is having a great week! Me...well, it seems to be getting more and more hectic and i am finding less and less time to create which makes me Crabbaaaaay!!! I have so many ideas bubbling inside my head but feel i don't have the time to do anything with them! It's a struggle balancing kids, hubby, home, laundry (the neverending piles!!), activities, games, practices, etc..... It seems once 10PM rolls around...i am done...stick a fork in me done!!! and that is about the only time there is some peace and quiet in the house! Oh well, all in good time!! HAPPINESS TO ALL OF YOU! XOXOXOX

WISH

WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR??? What do you dream for, hope for, pray for???

I wish for...and dream for...and hope for...and pray for:

i am just going to list a few....trust me, there are MANY more...

* good health for myself and all those around me

* laughter, love, dreams coming true for my children

* happiness for my husband...and some peace with regard to business

* goodness to shine down on my family & friends

* PEACE

Now a few of the scarier ones to actually write down and put out there into our universe...

* courage to open an etsy shop

* belief in my ideas and my ability to create

* the know how to bring my copyrighted idea into fruition

* less worry about what others may think of me...my art, my ideas, dreams, visions.

* educate myself further and gain much more understanding of my precious step-son Chandler and the ins and outs of autism.

* less fear about..................EVERYTHING!!

Those are just a few of my wishes....there will be more to come!! Right now...I wish for everyone to have a lovely holiday weekend and to spend it, simply as you wish!!

oh one more thing...wanted to briefly explain how my painting came about. She was born during my mom's visit over the last month when I read the sweet note she left for my youngest reciting "Star light, star bright". So she wants to remind us all...REMEMBER TO WISH!! xoxoxoxo

WHAT ARE YOU CRAVING??

cravings...we all have em, right?!?! whether it is food, people, music, inspiration, art, reading, companionship, alone time, laughter, LOVE, etc... etc...

WELL... for me, today, in this moment...the pic to the left says it all!!!! Y.U.M.M.Y.

i have also listed a few other cravings that have been met for me lately!

such as...

this movie...really inspiring! think i am going to cook something new tonight...just gonna GO FOR IT! Thank you to my hubby for sitting through it with me...you are a prince! and

this song... have you ever had that person...that person you felt invincible when you were with them but maybe couldn't find the words to describe it?!?! this song may do just that. i've completely fallen in love with it! Take a listen!

hangin out with my little monkey. watching the dodgers win!!! andenjoying this beautiful sunset! i actually think i took a pretty good photo!! SOOOOOOO.....out there in blog land...what are YOU craving?