Two truths and a lie.

Do you remember this game?  Now that I think about it it's kind of funny...I remember playing two truths and a lie as an icebreaker in college at the Wesley Foundation I think.  I am terrible at lying, my face quickly gives me away.  But good thing for blogging because you can't "see" me anyway. 

So here we go: Can you tell which one is a lie?

I love Oprah magazine.

I run every day. 

I "do it all". 

(these beautiful pictures are courtesy of my grandparents house!) 

Tricked ya, didn't I? 

Two are lies ;).  I don't run every day or any at all right now! And I'm ok with that. I had a talk with a good friend of mine today about how we don't look at all like we did when we were 18 and we're ok with that.  Our bodies may look a little different but we also have the addition of our sweet babies....we have gained the world.  I could write a novel on body acceptance and confidence.  I'm one month with no extra desserts, candy, or treats and still feeling great.  I'm still saddened by how much time women seem to take up with pursuing losing just one more pound...and then another, and another.  Ok, stepping off my sad soapbox now.  All I'm saying is, if you're healthy and you know it, clap your hands! And go enjoy life and all its wonderful flavors!

 The other lie is that I "do it all".  Someone on Instagram asked me last week how I do it all.  The question puzzled me.  I just do what I do.  We don't watch t.v. (with the exception of catching up on AGT-America's Got Talent for all of the non-watchers)....we spend each evening until around 9 outside in the garden after the girls go to bed.  I have a routine for chores and laundry that I try to stick pretty firmly to or else I'll get buried underneath both.  I paint and blog for fun.....in the evenings or while the girls are resting.  So that's how we do what we do.  What else do people do to relax? I'd love to hear. 

Brett and I are saving reading books for winter.  We'd rather sit on the porch and star gaze now.

 We have been rather busy this summer with the good stuff of life.  Visits to my grandparents, having fellowship with other families in our church, helping out in the nursery, being active in other people's lives as well as our own.  I'm liking how this summer is shaping up.  It does seem a bit silly at times to be trying to start an Etsy shop and to blog when everyone is so busy things can get pretty quiet on both ends.  But follow my heart I shall continue to do.  My optimism can stand for a long time on its own. :)

 We visit my grandparents regularly, as I've mentioned before.  This weekend Brett got to come with me because he was helping pick up the chippiest, most fabulous swing EVER!  This picture needs a little explaining because Papaw actually asked if he could drop the ball above Anna's head.  I said "sure!" and counted down and he dropped it.  Her reaction was funny....a few pictures down you can see her cute little grin after getting such a surprise. 

 My Papaw's shop is the coolest! One year we did family photos (extended family and all) in front of this wall and it was so neat.  I'm thinking we need to try that again! 

 Sweet moment or stand-off captured? 

I'll let you be the judge ;) 

 This sister is quick!! 

Our little Bets.....

I love this sweet little grin after Anna Ruth realized her Papaw was playing with her with the ball!  

It is such a delight to take the girls to enjoy the things I got to enjoy as a child also.  

 What keeps you sunny inside?

This is it for me!  Some days I'll just stick my head into the craft room to get a little pick-me-up!  

I sent this photo in an email to an editor this week,

along with a mail submission of some of my art.  I'm literally trying anything and everything to get some traffic to my Etsy shop.  I won't lie, it's discouraging.  I'm not sure how some people have "it" and tons of followers and customers....I'm not sure what the "it" factor is.  Maybe it's all in who you know? I read someone post something on IG this week that was along the lines of decide what your heart wants and go after it....it's never too late to have exactly the life you want.  I think that's some confusing advice.....things don't always necessarily just fall right into place.  You have to work really, really, really hard too (or else I am and a lot of other people like me are!)  

But I DO know I truly love what I create. So I'll keep at it. :)

(sorry for the Debbie Downer paragraph there. Just keeping it real......

slow shop stats-you will NOT take me down!...."I think I can, I think I can, I think I can")

 I added a few new things, like this mini original to the shop last week!

This week I'm also going to add some banners and notecards! 

 A happy little thrifted pile....

storing up books for winter (like a squirrel saves acorns maybe?!) and bingo cards for art found for a quarter!

 here

I suppose this quote is what inspired the art piece above.  I always get highly uncomfortable when people value my creativity more than their gift.  Creativity doesn't trump cooking or singing or hugging or loving or listening.  We all (yes, YOU!) have a gift to offer the world.  Every single one of us!  Whether you clean well or sing well, serve with all your heart, are great at making people laugh,

paint, dance, cook well (hi Naomi!), you are valuable and matter.

Now how's that for the most random mix of a blog post EVER?

you're welcome :)