What We've Been Up To...

Life is always crazy, but when the school year starts my crazy life goes on hyper speed.  I'm getting two kids out the door and dressed, hoping I haven't forgotten extra clothes and lunches, and homework papers, and my sanity behind.  It's crazy, but it's the life I've chosen.   I've got another great groups of students this year, and I'll say it again.  I love my job!  This year I did a lot of classroom decorating with Dr. Suess in mind.

 This window decoration is made of a salvaged Dr. Suess book that was badly torn and needed a new purpose in life.

 Isn't this game awesome?  At my 15 year (can it be true?) high school reunion a classmate of mine gave this to me.  She saw I was decorating my classroom in Dr. Suess and found this at a thrift store.  I was delighted!

 I spend a lot of my afternoons this summer mod-podging (yes, that's a verb now) while the kids were napping.

 This was my favorite "mod-podge" project.  I took an old side table we no longer used and repurposed it with pages from an old Horton Hears a Who book.

 How funny that Target read my mind and decided on a Dr. Suess theme too this summer.  I picked this great bags up for $1 each!

 The view of my classroom from my desk.

 Amirah was so kind to donate her "tent" to my classroom to make my book area a little more inviting.

 

We've had such crazy weather this fall in Pennsylvania.  Playing in the leaves in shorts and barefeet?  Love it!

 Aren't they sweet?  They really do love each other.

 Amirah is my budding photographer.  She snapped this picture of me.

 When I was cleaning out the kid's room this weekend I came across some jewelry that I had forgotten Amirah had. 

 My version of a fall mantle. 

 

 

I'm a control freak.  There.  I said it.  I am not apologizing for it, but I am simply trying to become the best version of myself.  I love doing arts and crafts with Amirah, but I usually get slighlty frustrated because it gets messy and doesn't go the way I had planned.  Last night I gave Amirah some toothpicks, yarn, scissors, paper glue, and pipe cleaner and just let her create.  She had so much fun!  Today, after school, her neighbor friend came over and they used the supplies again to create.  I need to do this more often.

 The creator in progress.

 This is what she ended up with.  It kind of reminds me of a praying mantis.  I hung it on the chandelier-- a place of honor.

Xander is really starting to express his opinions.  I am enjoying him learn about the world around him.  He loves to eat.  This afternoon's snack of choice?  Raw cabbage!  He is slowly starting to talk.  He now says, uh-oh, ball, apple, up, banana.  (notice the food theme?)

 

 

I am really happy with the place I'm in right now.  Being a wife, a mommy, and a teacher can be exhausting.  But honestly, I don't know a mama out there who isn't tired. It's such a beautiful gift I've been given and I don't want to take it for granted.

 

 



Life Lessons from a Three Year Old

 Once upon a time this was supposed to be my garden.  But I got lazy.  And the weeds grew.  And, well, I just didn't care enough to do anything about it.  What is an embarassment to me is a field of treasures to a three year old who loves to get dirt under her finger nails.  She has been digging for "treasures" for days now.

She is intent on finding something of value in all that dirt and weeds.

 Where once a patch of weeds grew now exists a land full of treasure!  (notice the hole where my little excavator has been hard at work.)

 She found a treasure!

After a hard day's work Amirah found all this treasure from my weed patch. 

 

Why am I sharing all this?  It's because I can't get it out of my mind.  I thought this was a beautiful analogy of God working in His People.  God is like Amirah.  Where we see weed patches and stones in our lives, He sees treasure.  Until He gets his hands on us we are often unaware of what treasure lies in us.  Be encouraged today.  The things that you aren't proud of in your life, the ugly parts of you, aren't viewed by God that way.  You are, and always will be, a treasure!

Summertime!

We are having such a fun summer.  Last summer was a little challenging with a newborn and a two-year old, but we have found our groove as a four person family and are having the best time together.  Ysmaille's work schedule is a little different this year.  Since he works 1-9:30 we spend our morning together and then it's just the kids and I for the afternoon/evening.  I thought I would really dislike this schedule, but it hasn't been too bad.  Like everything in life there are pros and cons.  I'm not a huge fan of the bedtime routine being all on me, but I love having Ysmaille at home in the mornings.  Here's how we've been spending our days...

 Amirah loves this activity.  I freeze small animals in a block of ice and then she digs them out.  It occupies her for a long time and keeps her cool as well.

 Snuggling with my girl.  She is in a new phase where everytime we try to take her picture she makes a funny face. 

 Happy Independence Day from the Eliacin family!

 Finding a way to keep cool.

 One of the things on our "Summer List" was to make S'Mores.  Delicious!

 Of course S'Mores would be impossible without the ultimate fire builder and marshmallow toaster- my dad!

 Most days I do something with Amirah's hair, but on days that I let it go wild I like it the best.  It totally matches her personality.

 My baby is getting so big.  I love this exploration stage.  Everything is new and exciting to him. 

Doesn't lake water looks so gross in pictures?  We had so much fun at Laurel Lake the other weekend.  It's definitely a must-do again on our summer list.

Inadequacy and worship

Ysmaille's schedule makes it really hard to go to church.  He usually ends up leaving half-way through the service.  Today he just stayed home to have his own time with God.  I took the two kiddos.  I spent the first part of worship just feeling sorry for myself as I chased my two precious children around the church.  I was mad at Ysmaille for not coming (even though I knew his reasons were legitimate).  I was feeling frustrated with my children.  At one point I seriously considered just leaving.  Then I looked at my beautiful friend on stage who has recently started writing these amazing worship songs.  I just felt so inadequate.  I talked to God about it, giving him my cares and burdens and He asked me what I did to worship Him.  What made me fulfilled and happy?  I thought about all the fun I've had this summer making crafts with the kids and getting new ideas for my classroom.  "But, God, that isn't worship," I said.  "There is nothing spiritual about it."  He reminded me that those things bring joy to myself and the children in my life.  When I use the talents he gave me that is my worship to Him.
Minutes later, a friend came by to chat.  After a few minutes he said simply, "You are a good mom."  I burst into tears.  His words breathed new life into my soul.  Being a mom is my highest calling right now and when Ysmaille isn't around I am outnumbered and often feel overwhelmed.  I left church with a totally new outlook on life. In the midst of my inadequacies I met Jesus today.  I worship the King who takes my human flaws and redeems them!

Back At It

It's been two months since I last posted.  Life is busy.  And messy.  And wonderful.  Here's what you need to know about me in no apparent order...

1.  Yesterday was my anniversary.  Eight years.  Our marriage has been blessed, but Ysmaille is not the man of my dreams.  I am guessing many of you aren't married to the man of your dreams either.  Let me explain.  When I pictured my future-husband I pictured a tall, dark, handsome man.  I married a short, dark, sexy man.  I imagine my future-husband would be outgoing.  Ysmaille is contemplative and quiet (at least around others).  This man I married is such a treasure!  He works so hard for our family.  He loves us passtionately.  He is just what I needed.  His steadfastness has seen us through many crisis'.  So, no, he isn't the man I dreamed I would marry one day, but he can still make me weak in the knees.  And as I'm writing this I'm crying a little bit because I just feel so blessed that he picked me!

2.  The kids are at the  babysitter this morning.  What?  I thought you had off this summer?  Yes.  I do.  So why arent' you with your kiddos?  Let me explain.  A teacher cannot possibly get a classroom in order if you wait until the 4.5 hours the school district pays you to work in your classroom.  I spent the morning rearranging furniture and decorating my classroom for the upcoming year.  Now I am taking a little "me" time to spend blogging, talking to Jesus, reading, and some errands.  I will not apologize for taking caring of myself.   Let me know if you need a break and I'll watch your kids for a couple of hours.  Put your feet and up and relax!

3.  I didn't plant a garden this summer.  I had every intention of doing so.  Dad even come over with the roter tiller and made a nice plot.  It's still a nice plot, but there are no plants.  The past several years I've planed tomatoes, green peppers, and zucchini, and I loved it.  I loved picking fresh veggies from my very own garden.  I just didn't get around to it.  And that's okay. 

4.  I secretly obsess over people I don't even know.  There.  The secret is out.  I love following blogs of inspiring people.  Two of my favorites are www.younghouselove.com and www.lifeasathrifter.com .  Can I tell you something about myself?  I find very little joy in the mundane tasks of keeping a home.  I like crafting and decorating, but those nicks on the wall that need touched up?  Well let's just say the paint cans have been sitting in the corner of my kitchen for over two weeks.  If you like DIY projects you will love these blogs.  I keep reading them in hopes that I will get inspired and I won't have to look at those cans of paint for an entire month!

5.  I've made my summer list and I can't wait to complete it.  Here are some of the highlights of the list: Making donuts over a fire, Taking the kids to Fuller Lake for a cookout and a swim, Making S'mores, Going to Benders to feed the animals, and Laying on the deck with Ysmaille and watching the stars.  So far I've checked one thing off our list and that was going to Pittsburgh for our anniversary.  We stayed at the historic William Penn hotel.  It was beautiful, and romantic.  If you are parents of young children you know how rejuvinating it can be to get away and spend "adult" time.  Wink.

Stay tuned.  I plan to blog more frequently this summer as my schedule allows for a little more down time.

Spring is here!

Spring just makes me happy.  I love pretty much everything about it.  It starts when I wake up to the birds chirping outside my window.  Then that yellow-green of new leaves on the trees... it almost makes me weak in the knees.  Rushing home from school so I can take my babies outside to play.  And then there is my birthday.  I love my birthday!  A day to celebrate me?  Bring. It. On.

Here's what we've been up to the past several weeks...

 These two have hit a stage where they get along more than they fight, so I think that's something to celebrate :)

 I just love dying Easter eggs.  Plus I really love making egg salad when the eggs have a little dye on them.  I know... it's weird.

 Since this picture was taken Xander no longer requires a prop to hold himself up.  He is off!  He's getting a little more adventurous each day and can now walk half-way across the floor without falling.

Amirah loves playing the "Go Fish" game Pappy and Grammy got her for her birthday.

 

Loving life.  My house is messy, and my heart is full.  And that just about sums it up :)



 

 

 

It's V-Day!

I just love Valentine's Day!  So. Much. Fun.

 A little art project we made last month.  I plan on keeping it up all year long. 

 Heart-shaped pancakes.  I had to make these last night, because there is no way I'd have time to make them this morning.  Thankfully Amirah was delighted, even though they had to be microwaved.

 I put a book for Amirah and Xander in their lunch box with a note from Mommy and Daddy.  I wanted them to have a little surprise at lunchtime!

 Loving her pancakes!

 My student's love glitter.  So we made drawings with glitter.  I cannot lie.  I love it too.  What's not to love?

 The message on my blackboard today.  I loved seeing so many kids wearing red and pink today.  I bought a new dress for the occasion, but I didn't take a picture of it.  It was a steal of deal at Target for only $2.40!

 More glitter.  I had so much fun at school I had to bring the glitter home!

 My loot!  Is there a better job than being an elementary school teacher?  I think not.

Melissa did it again.  Look at the card she helped the kids make today.  Isn't this the sweetest thing ever?

 

I should also mention that Ysmaille bought me an outfit!  He even bought tights and earrings to match.  He is so good.  I'll have to post pictures later...