tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1668917841051519672024-03-19T01:45:39.314-04:00bonbonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-74871279724292678902013-09-07T10:38:00.001-04:002013-09-07T10:38:32.547-04:00Keep Calm<br />
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Well, I'm back again, and I have a million pictures from a million adventures to share with you over the next few weeks. As you can see, my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nickmillerquotes">Nick Miller Quotes</a> tee came in and just in time-it's been a stressful past few weeks which is why I've been so silent. If only I actually had remembered to moonwalk away! </div>
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<br />More to come....til then Happy Weekend!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-67463542651520812462013-08-20T22:24:00.001-04:002013-08-20T22:24:39.901-04:00Moving forward and some Pictures from the pastHello lovely readers,<br />
It's been a busy week trying to get my head around the new homeschooling year and doing my daily what-not's as well. I hope you are all enjoying the precious moments that are left before we all dig into our school year. I'm thankful that I get to experience most of it with my kids...but it's always so bittersweet to bring Vander to his special-ed preschool at first...even though he loves it and I know they are really good at what they do with him. I'm definitely trying to snuggle in between chores.<br /><br />I was fumbling through some files on my computer and found a few shots from this summer. These are taken at the <a href="http://www.womansclubofnorfolk.com/">Women's Club of Norfolk</a> where we had my sister-in-law's wedding reception. We had been there a few times before this, but I remember I was excited because even though she had chosen this venue, she had only seen the pictures we had sent her of it. I remember feeling giddy to watch her enjoy it for the first time up close. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-9785173627020409662013-08-16T22:02:00.001-04:002013-08-16T22:02:27.558-04:00Beach Hour<br />
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Beach Day- it was a little too cool and windy for our crew to stick it out the whole day...but an hour was enough to enjoy some surf....then we all caravaned home to have some hot coffee and popcorn to warm up. All in all, not a bad day.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-7650094430395060822013-08-15T17:10:00.000-04:002013-08-15T17:10:34.755-04:00elf love<br />
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Every once in awhile a parent gets told they're doing a good job. Sometimes it's even from the kids...those are good moments.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-47009545000333143302013-08-14T16:45:00.000-04:002013-08-14T16:52:25.478-04:00Gluten-Free Pancakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's hard switching to gluten-free when you see crazy stuff like sorghum flour and tapioca starch muddled into already-unsavory seeming recipes. It's downright debilitating and makes you want to run screaming for the nearest expensive-store-bought mix.<br />
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Since becoming gluten-free I have taken it upon myself to re-create and repurpose old favorite recipes using easy to find, simple ingredients. I will be posting them on here as I create them to make this whole GF thing less frustrating for everyone...we gotta stick together, right?<br />
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Here is the gluten-free pancake recipe that I came up with based on the one I used pre-gluten-free. It works great for pancakes or waffles.<br />
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Gluten Free Pancakes (or Waffles)<br />
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2 cups oat flour (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuUt5BcJgsY">yes, you can mill your own in a food processor or blender</a>)<br />
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1 cup milk</div>
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1 cup water</div>
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1/2 cup rice flour</div>
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1/4 cup cornmeal</div>
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1/4 to 1/2 tsp. guar gum depending on how thick you like the batter</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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4 tsp. baking powder</div>
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1/2 tsp. vanilla</div>
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1/2 tsp salt<br />
1/4 cup oil<br />
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In a medium bowl put oat flour, milk, and water. Let sit while you add the rest (if you use coconut oil add it last just before you mix). Whisk it all together. Oil your skillet and toss em down for a few minutes...then flip. You know the method, right? I don't need to tell you how to cook a pancake. Enjoy!!!!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-78839943467442705452013-08-13T19:53:00.000-04:002013-08-13T19:53:16.840-04:00New Item Just a side note: new item in the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/kittymclewin?ref=l2-shopheader-name">Etsy </a>shop. :) Have a great eve.<br /><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-74306526754695825752013-08-13T19:48:00.001-04:002013-08-13T19:48:33.076-04:00Runaway Train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Somedays you've just got to get outta the house or you'll all explode! Today was feeling like that kind of day so the kids and I got online and purchased tickets (did you know it costs less to purchase them online <a href="http://gohrt.ticketleap.com/t/HRTFarePageLink/">here</a>?!) to the Tide that runs pretty close to our abode, and plowed out of the house. We hopped on the train (to Vander's ultimate bliss) and rode to MacArthur Mall to enjoy a different space, a few treats, and a whole lot of books. What a relief. </div>
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Everyone needs a runaway train once in awhile. What do you do when you need to run away just for the day?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-33779064460428927082013-08-09T22:08:00.000-04:002013-08-09T22:08:00.122-04:00Dreamish-y Day<br />
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I've spent the last few weeks pondering many things, and I'll admit- worrying about some of them. In so many ways and through so many people I heard God tell me to stop worrying, stop trying to control everything- just let Him deal with it...hands free. But I couldn't quiet my own thoughts for long...so my busy mind led me around in circles a number of times.<br />
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Today I set aside all morning and early afternoon to really pour my heart out, and listen to God instead of my noisy noisy thoughts. It's not often I am so very intentional about my time with God. I rarely take the chance to spend a whole morning to really let it all out and then listen to God's responses, feel Him move, and allow myself to be renewed. I tend to find all the important things I have to do...being dragged around by my need to achieve or perhaps if I'm honest, my chance to waylay having to hash out things with God- or myself. Looking at it now I have to wonder why I choose to be dragged around by desires (working to fill the emptiness), rather than being led calmly by God (living out of fullness). <br />
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By this afternoon everything inside me felt calmer than they have in months. As I watched my son play in the sprinkler in the quiet, hot, late afternoon haze of Virginia summer I walked barefoot through the wet grass next to the pond Vander created under the tire swing...big restful sighs...finally allowing myself to be led beside still waters.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-40810744609315833262013-08-08T17:52:00.000-04:002013-08-08T17:52:40.158-04:0010 things you may not know about me<br />
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1) When listening to <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/album/double-fantasy-mw0000110669">Double Fantasy</a> I fast forward past the John Lennon songs to get to the Yoko Ono<br />
tunes.<br />
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2) Every morning I run in place for 15 minutes while watching the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB0ABGbdSggBXLF0UdN4d5A">Muppets</a> YouTube channel.<br />
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3) My husband and I never really dated before we decided we wanted to get married.<br />
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4) Each of my 3 kids have 2 middle names.<br />
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5) When eating Reese's peanut butter cups I eat all the chocolate first so I can taste the peanut butter reeeaaally well.<br />
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6) I HATE the feeling of ketchup on my skin.<br />
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7) I have always felt called to be a healer.<br />
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8) If you add up the amount I have spent on all the furniture in our entire 2 story house the cost would be around $100.<br />
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9) Peace signs make me wince.<br />
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10) I love the smell of Philadelphia pavement, gasoline being pumped, freshly lit cigarettes, and the fumes that sometimes sneak out of our neighbors surfboard repair studio.<br />
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<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-70103743308318229912013-08-07T16:45:00.001-04:002013-08-07T17:01:52.974-04:002 little thingsThe two most important things I did today:<br />
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1) Had coffee and conversation with a friend.<br />
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2) Contemplated how little of reality I actually see/understand vs. the fullness of what God sees/understands...and thus decided to trust Him even just a little more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAfpLLTPd_5Asds_I0x-ywSQsq4Gsw1m-vCaqnHkBXF6NM8w7qMGn6RCsATQ-KYAuRskKoFbZveoGvEBXxu4NVw1qhlcjHSwsebx1-f74VV-LmT4m0hX0GtemtcRZBewLu9p2XuYsg0SQ/s1600/SAM_0mugs230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAfpLLTPd_5Asds_I0x-ywSQsq4Gsw1m-vCaqnHkBXF6NM8w7qMGn6RCsATQ-KYAuRskKoFbZveoGvEBXxu4NVw1qhlcjHSwsebx1-f74VV-LmT4m0hX0GtemtcRZBewLu9p2XuYsg0SQ/s640/SAM_0mugs230.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmcmITdtir-iVtQXq5Of_reZaVngAI3wcovTXzbye2E3ZsZKLv35gojuXPfcIbTMRsYMo9Z83L_uagYgZEtyzzNnl8orE0JH1Hw-WxGnIRDhvhiFAVo-cnC5sAYRcjcxac051hCGmF4Ls/s1600/dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmcmITdtir-iVtQXq5Of_reZaVngAI3wcovTXzbye2E3ZsZKLv35gojuXPfcIbTMRsYMo9Z83L_uagYgZEtyzzNnl8orE0JH1Hw-WxGnIRDhvhiFAVo-cnC5sAYRcjcxac051hCGmF4Ls/s640/dress.jpg" width="523" /></a></div>
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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-47284271882430378992013-08-06T22:01:00.000-04:002013-08-06T22:20:43.197-04:00Faking a Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFAK9cyg1zKfzcJfadgVUxiAP9NaoG65_s78PjABbL20QdcRSIyLwHFSij_5Xk_D69PdPWSSux39hOpkBmXLAgYbALDANbyKAb0PXqjtdKsgn2NfkggKSFOTDOUD1YhHQuMnh5eEJ4h6w/s1600/SAM_02garden09fake+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFAK9cyg1zKfzcJfadgVUxiAP9NaoG65_s78PjABbL20QdcRSIyLwHFSij_5Xk_D69PdPWSSux39hOpkBmXLAgYbALDANbyKAb0PXqjtdKsgn2NfkggKSFOTDOUD1YhHQuMnh5eEJ4h6w/s640/SAM_02garden09fake+it.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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One of the things I had to let go of in my life in order to pursue more time with family and art was doing less in my gardens. Okay, who am I kidding, I never did much with my gardens! I have many a green thumbed friend and when we daydream of banding together and becoming a commune, I remind them that I will be the one that provides freshly spun wool and sweaters, hot cups of store bought coffee always, and gluten-free cupcakes (just not so much fruits and veggies). I figure we'll need someone with a backyard free of food-growth in order to have playspace, a fit pit, and maybe a hammock or two. For now a few Costco sized cans that I tossed some seeds in and an upcycled beer bottle with the only sunflower that sprouted. Color me happy. We all have seeds to sow, some literal and some proverbial. </div>
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(Disclaimer: I do have some tomatoes that are growing nicely without much attention.)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-61549825373900633312013-08-05T18:47:00.001-04:002013-08-05T18:47:51.915-04:00Proof that Selfies attract Elfies...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was trying to get a shot of myself in my new more-on-the-orange-side-red lipstick, freshly pinned maiden braids, and my <a href="http://youresojane.blogspot.com/">Vintage Jane</a> birthday necklace...when the elves attacked! Like a cat to the sound of a can opener they came running! I look better covered in children and kisses anyways. :)</div>
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My sweet little monkeys. Happy Monday!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-51367711117126666432013-08-03T19:19:00.000-04:002013-08-03T19:19:06.163-04:00Postin a Letter<div>
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In an email-centered world I did the unthinkable...I sent a letter to my cousin.<div>
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I was so inspired to do something tactile and beautiful. It used to be a pretty common thing for me to do in high school...write a letter in a ridiculously artistic fashion, sometimes a painting would serve as stationery, sometimes a magazine cut out...or even candy wrappers if I was in that mood. </div>
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Now it's few and far between that I do this so it was fun to go fancy.<br /></div>
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To make the envelope I used some back issues of Martha Stewart magazine (you can't go wrong using the pictures in that publication for artistic projects...always so meticulous and lovely) and I taped together the envelope in the following fashion:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsQJInh8B3JbnemMItO0EkvDv9JQDINlpLYt0nq8S4FWHvYPfq5qIx8Y7h3ZPYjP2XNuguMvJ5I_pdDdcjOV_goZqlTN8_v1vR2JfM73pVvMmhUm_eAjUiNzayIMzX6sF3GZSO7hN3Jbi/s1600/SAM_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsQJInh8B3JbnemMItO0EkvDv9JQDINlpLYt0nq8S4FWHvYPfq5qIx8Y7h3ZPYjP2XNuguMvJ5I_pdDdcjOV_goZqlTN8_v1vR2JfM73pVvMmhUm_eAjUiNzayIMzX6sF3GZSO7hN3Jbi/s640/SAM_0167.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Here's a small tip: use glossy tape for glossy papers and matte tape for matte papers so it's not so noticeable.)</div>
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I used masking tape cut with pinking shears to make the labels...and Voila!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ImVbW9SwzAIEcXrAQrtD2BP27v4Nyl9BBCFYT3OXFbfjLqv9MgeGa7YEg7TIadSrdCFEP0-NP_W4LHPqd5KGKzcdEz8PIgvEYN7zlEIhGDfIDXc-HsBHdg-rqFyO5BZ137eMSVlXOuVi/s1600/mun3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ImVbW9SwzAIEcXrAQrtD2BP27v4Nyl9BBCFYT3OXFbfjLqv9MgeGa7YEg7TIadSrdCFEP0-NP_W4LHPqd5KGKzcdEz8PIgvEYN7zlEIhGDfIDXc-HsBHdg-rqFyO5BZ137eMSVlXOuVi/s640/mun3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Now go send someone a smile!<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(More posts on </span><a href="http://kittymclewin.blogspot.com/2012/08/penpals.html" style="font-size: small;">writing letters</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-23857318666223601592013-05-30T11:40:00.000-04:002013-05-30T11:41:36.966-04:00in with the new<br />
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So I laugh at posting this after my past blog post, but guess what...? I got studio time! It's funny, I started getting frustrated as to why I even had a whole room dedicated to my work in my home when it wasn't hardly used. I started thinking about changing it into a spare room or renting it out. Then my brilliant sister-in-law said,"Why don't you just pray about it?" (Something I hadn't thought of.) So I did. I stood in the middle of the room and prayed. The moment I opened my eyes inspiration hit and I started working. I guess that was His answer. So here' s a few new items that I recently posted in the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/kittymclewin?ref=si_shop">shop</a>. Let me know what you think!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-30846856266860006052013-02-13T16:53:00.000-05:002013-02-13T16:53:19.078-05:00Sew Little Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k625/kittymclewin/photoshopped%20blogshots/etsy050-1-1_zps5491fd31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k625/kittymclewin/photoshopped%20blogshots/etsy050-1-1_zps5491fd31.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am a person who wants to be creative, has a studio, and rarely uses it...these days. I am very busy with my kids, which I love, but I have moments of time that I presumably could use for my artwork/crafting. For instance, right now Vander is asleep on the couch and my other two are doing their schoolwork. So why am I not in that studio right now? Why?<br />
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I have an Etsy shop and I'd love to actually have inventory...that sells. Do I feel that I'm not capable...that I can't handle a few interruptions here and there if I dare try to go in the studio during the daytime? Am I afraid of doing well at my shop? Am I afraid that once I get in there it will take too long to finish something or that I won't do well or worse... that I won't like what I make after wasting time making it?<br />
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How do people do this?<br /><br />Are you a crafter/mom type that actually has the time to do artistic endeavors? If so then when do you find the time? What are your secrets to getting your art/craft done, and giving yourself to everything else too. How do you manhandle yourself into getting into the studio for those random moments...or do you just tend to wait til there's a nice chunk of time...and what do you do if that time doesn't come? Let me know your secrets!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-26309526654025378172013-02-10T16:35:00.002-05:002013-02-18T17:58:48.378-05:00part 2- Vander's story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k625/kittymclewin/photoshopped%20blogshots/66283920-71f3-401a-9de0-ee9c51c569da_zpsc44b4df0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k625/kittymclewin/photoshopped%20blogshots/66283920-71f3-401a-9de0-ee9c51c569da_zpsc44b4df0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was my first homebirth and I think that is why I prayed like crazy during this pregnancy. I prayed like<br />
crazzeeee. All the time...every day and night. I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Supernatural-Childbirth-Jackie-Mize/dp/0892747560">Supernatural Childbirth</a>. I blessed my body, and I blessed the baby. I blessed Vander with perfectly working body parts and brain. I blessed the begeezers out of him for 9 months. It was great, actually, though it sounds obsessive, and I'll admit at times it was. At first they were nervous blessings and prayers...almost like magic spells...trying to control the outcome...but that got very stressful! When I realized what I was doing I tried to go from prayers in order to gain control, to prayers in order to give up control to God. Eventually I started to believe he was covered, I was covered. It started some significant seeds of letting God really have all my worries and fears and just trusting Him. I didn't have machines and drugs and doctors there if something went wrong. It really helped me practice relying only on a good God in the end. It seems like when we have less stuff to rely on it is easier to trust God, doesn't it?<br />
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I don't know if it was the pull of knowing he was probably going to be my last baby, or the bonding experience of giving birth at home, or just something extra that God stuck in, knowing he would need it, but man we were bonded from the beginning. I remember really feeling that we were doing the whole birth together...both working from opposite ends to the same goal. I remember looking at Vander once he was out, and saying, "We did it, buddy. We did it."<br />
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Vander grew, and I grew, and all those changes that I wrote about in <a href="http://kittymclewin.blogspot.com/2012/12/part-1.html">Part 1</a> began to take root in my mind and heart during Vander's first few years.<br />
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Soon he started to talk. He said "hello" a lot for awhile when prompted. And then he sort of stopped, and never really started up again. It was like he had tried it out and thus decided it was not something he cared for.<br />
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He sang unbelievably well...a 2 year old that could hit every note in any song he knew...impressive. And he could keep a beat on the church drum set. Our drummer at church marveled at his ability at such a young age. As he kept growing I knew he could talk because he would say a word every now and again...but it was rare. I knew he understood many things because he responded to most commands, and was fast to learn new ones. He even potty trained normally, to my excitement.<br />
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It's not that he was a quiet child...he was usually really quite noisy...but he didn't have any interest in speaking. He babbled in his own language a lot, and sang out loud, high noises during his playtime just for fun. I remember my other children at this age. They wanted to study my lips as I was teaching them words so they could mimic me, but Vander, well, he would whine, turn away, and run!<br />
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For the longest time my oldest son and I were the only people Vander seemed to relate to. He even had difficulty responded to Chad. Somewhere in the middle of age 2, right about when he stopped trying to make words, he stopped looking anyone in the eye. He stopped looking anyone but me in the face. He avoided relationships with anyone but me and Atreyu.<br />
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People would say things alluding to the fact that he might be autistic...that I should look into getting him checked. Because of the many things he excelled at, and the many behaviors of autism that he didn't express, I felt it wasn't a high priority at the time. I really wasn't worried about him because children develop so differently from one to another, especially at such a young age, and Vander was such an independent personality it seemed that he was just deciding how he wanted to do this "developing" thing. I was open to the fact that it could be true, but I just felt peaceful that it wasn't time to explore that yet. He was happy, thriving, and we were too. <br />
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I remember the day I decided to really let it sink in that he could be autistic. I started to feel fear and disappointment and I remember thinking all those sad little rotten thoughts that you think when you feel alone and lost. Then I remember getting this thought, "Wait, I love this kid and his personality and all of those things just the way he is, so if he never changes then, well, that's okay." That was the last time that the word autism really, completely scared me because I realized that in the end it didn't change anything about this kid I already enjoyed and loved just the way he was. That was a good day.<br />
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Then Vander turned 3. He knew certain things, like the names of all the letters and numbers, but then he wouldn't do other normal things like ask for anything with words...just whining. And though he comprehended most of our commands he still was socially distant from pretty much everyone. Chad and I decided that it was time to pray about what was next. I told Chad that I didn't feel like starting with a doctor was the right solution for Vander or me, and since neither of us felt we knew where to start at that moment we just prayed and waited for an answer. We assumed God would bring out the right person/program for us and Vander at whatever time that suited Him, so we just waited.<br />
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Only a few short months later, I saw a flyer for a seminar at the Homeschool Plus that my kids attend. My mother-in-law, Margaret, was interested in it as well, so we packed up Vander and attended it. It was a seminar taught by a passionate lady named <a href="http://www.mooreauditorytraining.com/uncategorized/cheri-moores-bio/">Cheri Moore</a>, and it was all about Auditory Integrative Training. I had trouble comprehending everything during the seminar, but since I had brought Vander along with me she was able to meet him...and she seemed to know things about him that even I hadn't figured out. She seemed to understand him in ways that I had never experienced anyone understanding him before. It was like she spoke both our languages, and she could translate, and teach me his language, and also teach him mine. She was also a Christian and a homeschooling mom so I was blessed to have found someone who would understand my faith and my schedule, no problem. And she had an extremely good reputation at Homeschool Plus so I didn't have to wonder if she was worth getting involved with. We decided to work with <a href="http://www.mooreauditorytraining.com/">Cheri</a>.<br />
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Cheri believed that Vander had a hearing sensitivity in his right ear causing him to experience pain when listening to people and himself talk, and therefore was avoiding it. <a href="http://www.mooreauditorytraining.com/what-is-ait/">Auditory Integration Therapy</a> (AIT) is a therapy program that many times corrects <b id="internal-source-marker_0.21950826584361494" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #151515; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">these issues by strengthening the middle and inner ear, which changes the way the brain has become accustomed to processing sound and creating conditions where the brain must work to process it differently. </span></b>We did the AIT with him...10 days of no electric/amplified sound allowed, and two 30 minute sessions each day of Vander listening to altered music through headphones...which required me to sit with him keeping him calm and interested as he sat.<br />
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This was a game changer for me. Remember how I talked about how God started solidifying all the things He had begun changing in me during this time? The old me could not have found the patience to sit down and do nothing but commune with my child in my lap for 30 minutes...least of all a child that may have trouble sitting still that long with me. The old me needed to do chores/cleaning/art/something important constantly in order to feel satisfied. This was a new challenge to the new me. It was the first palpable, physical challenge to everything I believed had been healed in me and in my mothering. Thank God for the challenges...they show us how we've changed and give us confidence to move forward in our new form. It was definitely a test, especially at first, but the more I sat still simply enjoying my little man snuggled in my lap, with a basket of little toys we fiddled with together, the more satisfying just <i>being </i>a mom felt. Just being there to do nothing, but sit quietly with your kid and just be <i>Mommy</i>. It left me satisfied in a way I hadn't known before. It was the first true, trembling baby step where I was acting out of the change that had taken place in me. After the first day, Vander was into it. He loved it...the music soothed his ears, but I could tell that having mommy sit still with him alone for a full hour every day was just warming his heart. Both were healing forces, I'm sure.<br />
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To our huge joy, after the first few months of AIT <b id="internal-source-marker_0.21950826584361494" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #151515; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and a booster session, </span></b>Vander began to initiate play with people he had never gone near before. After about 9 months of AIT integrated with <b id="internal-source-marker_0.21950826584361494" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #151515; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">brain crossover visual/motor exercises, </span></b>we felt he had progressed far enough that he was ready for more. With a recommendation from Cheri we began 3 months of screening with the state to determine a therapy placement for him. (As a homeschooling mom, I will admit that I started with very, very low expectations for this process, and for the outcome.) My amazing mother-in-law, Margaret, lovingly committed herself to go through the whole process with me. Lots of people around desks asked us lots of questions, watched us and Vander, how he did everything, and how he processed everything. When it was all said and done, the screening board analyzed all the information they had collected over the months and decided what they thought would help him best. We enrolled Vander in the recommended preschool class, aware that if it wasn't a great fit we'd just take him out and do something else on our own. But we didn't have to. He is now attending a class at a local preschool for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week with 8 other children to further his social and speech development.<br />
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If someone had told me only a year ago that I was going to be sending my cherished baby to a public preschool five days a week I would've probably had a crying fit of a freak out. But through this whole process I have watched God prepare me, change me, mold me, heal me and grow me. Every now and then I would think to myself " I feel like I'm being prepared for something" and lo and behold, by the time I knew what that something was, I felt ready to move into it with peace and try it out. Yes, I <a href="http://kittymclewin.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-whole-new-era.html">cried </a>and had fears the first day of school for Vander...but somewhere in all of that emotional this and that, I knew he was going to to be okay, that this was good for all of us to move through, and what we were doing would not scar him for life, and we could always change things up as needed.<br />
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I found out later that this amazing board of people that screened and placed him not only thoroughly thought about the right teacher/situation for Vander to help him excel, but they also thoroughly thought about <i>my </i>personality and which teacher <i>I </i>would relate to best...and let me tell you they did a great job! I am not only impressed with his teacher, and how every day she walks into this school with a train of kids winding behind her, and you can just feel how much she loves them and her job, but she is also a kindred spirit, and loves Judy Garland and old jazz as much as I do. What a perk. Thanks God!<br />
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It has been over a year since we began this journey and in one year Vander has gone from using next to no speech, and very little social skills to talking and communicating needs and wants, and even love. He has friends that he enjoys being around. He initiates talk and play with others. He has just come so far. And he's taken me with him. We are both growing together. Still comrades. Just like at his birth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k625/kittymclewin/photoshopped%20blogshots/50d015eb-7a09-48ac-a7dc-248d36941d20_zps8b568759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k625/kittymclewin/photoshopped%20blogshots/50d015eb-7a09-48ac-a7dc-248d36941d20_zps8b568759.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vander's teacher and class</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-85660789189837906192013-02-02T09:48:00.000-05:002013-02-02T09:48:12.998-05:00Summertime: 1 song 2 ways<br />
I have loved old jazz for since I can remember. I grew up listening to Amy Grant and other such mainstream Christian music that I totally loved jammin' out to (and still do from time to time...Petra anyone?) but never felt it rattle my soul the way my first hit of old jazz did. I think my first meeting with it was driving to the lake on a hot summer day and "Sing, Sing, Sing" by Benny Goodman came on the radio. Music went from being an enjoyable sound to a palpable heartbeat. Have you ever seen "The Jerk"? Steve Martin's character was a white boy taken in by a sweet black family. It wasn't until he heard some elevator music on the radio that he understood he was different. That was me except reversed. I tried to find the clip, but I couldn't find it to post so you'll just have to watch the Jerk, which all should do anyways so just go check that off your list of things that will make life even more fun.<br /><br />The song "Summertime" is one of my favorites. I....just...love...it. Here it is presented to you in 2 different ways...all just so different but delicious. Enjoy.<br />
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<br /><br />I just stuck this in because in the Kat Edmonson's version of "Summertime" there are some lines of "Feeling Good" perfectly tossed in at the end. So I thought you might enjoy listening to this great version of "Feeling Good." I must admit this man has a voice. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Edwsf-8F3sI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Happy Weekend!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-65460631791912786612013-01-02T11:32:00.000-05:002013-01-02T11:32:49.548-05:00New Years Sale at kittymclewin!<br />
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<a href="https://ny-image1.etsy.com/007/0/5300614/il_570xN.373315341_kcvb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://ny-image1.etsy.com/007/0/5300614/il_570xN.373315341_kcvb.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I am having a New Year's Sale in my shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kittymclewin?ref=si_shop">kittymclewin</a> to celebrate the arrival 2013! Everything is $5.00 off (prices already reduced)! I am also open to custom orders again, so if there's something you'd like made custom for you just let me know, and I'll create it your way for you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Come in and browse and grab a deal!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-84990616381237433592013-01-01T15:38:00.000-05:002013-01-01T15:38:10.023-05:00Happy New Year!<br />
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I'm still working on the follow up to my "Part 1" blog post, but I didn't want to miss this chance to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you!<br />
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The new year brings new hopes and dreams and many folks begin trying new ways to change themselves or their lives. If I've learned anything this year it's that "<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us."- Isaiah 26:12. </span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Knowing and understanding that you and everything you are and have and do is God's responsibility....phew...that's freedom. Even what you become (Hebrews 12:2) So many problems start when we assume that we are expected to do, or change, or manipulate ourselves. But from the beginning of time our purpose was actually to just be loved by God (just like in Eden). That's it. It is the act of being loved by Him that draw us in to Him and that lets Him change us/mold us/keep us however He wishes. Jeremiah 17:5-8 sums it up saying:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Jer-17-5" style="position: relative;">“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,<span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19363M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Jer-17-5" style="position: relative;">who draws strength from mere flesh</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Jer-17-5" style="position: relative;">and whose heart turns away from the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19363N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Jer-17-6" id="en-NIV-19364" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">6 </sup>That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Jer-17-6" style="position: relative;">they will not see prosperity when it comes.</span></span><br /><span class="text Jer-17-6" style="position: relative;">They will dwell in the parched places<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19364O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup> of the desert,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Jer-17-6" style="position: relative;">in a salt<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19364P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup> land where no one lives.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Jer-17-7" id="en-NIV-19365" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">7 </sup>“But blessed<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19365Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup> is the one who trusts<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19365R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup> in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Jer-17-7" style="position: relative;">whose confidence is in him.</span></span><br /><span class="text Jer-17-8" id="en-NIV-19366" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">8 </sup>They will be like a tree planted by the water</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Jer-17-8" style="position: relative;">that sends out its roots by the stream.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19366S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Jer-17-8" style="position: relative;">It does not fear when heat comes;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Jer-17-8" style="position: relative;">its leaves are always green.</span></span><br /><span class="text Jer-17-8" style="position: relative;">It has no worries in a year of drought<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19366T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Jer-17-8" style="position: relative;">and never fails to bear fruit.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So this year lets not resolve to bear fruit...lets all just enjoy putting our roots into the stream! Love you all! Enjoy your day off!</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-90230284991042680252012-12-29T15:11:00.000-05:002013-02-18T18:02:15.820-05:00Part 1- My mommy story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have kept you waiting with this story because I knew it would be a long one and it's one of those stories<br />
that is vulnerable, and dear to my heart because it changed this heart so unexpectedly and so profoundly:<br />
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I am a mom. But I never identified myself as a mom type.<br />
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For a long time I believed that it was simply how I was made. Though I was really pretty good at meeting the kids needs, and learned a lot about discipline and keeping order from Chad (my amazing husband) it was as if there was some part of me always trying to get that responsibility stuff out of the way and get on with my own thing for the day. It left me constantly cranky and frustrated from day to day trying to get time for myself and only having a bit left for me. On top of that I had an extremely hard time enjoying fun time with the kids. I didn't want to get down on the floor and play, or read a book or play a game. When the job/schooling/ feeding was done I just wanted to get some time alone to do what inspired me...and as my readers know that list could be endless...endless.<br />
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At some point it occurred to me how much I wanted my attitude to change about parenting, fully aware that I couldn't change it myself. The pain that I put on myself, and my kids, and even my husband by wanting to get them out of my way so I could do something more fulfilling started to become more apparent and really broke my heart and opened up my soul and spirit to a change that I had guarded myself against for so long.<br />
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I started to yearn for change where I could still be "me", but also the "motherly type". I started to see that maybe I missed something before. When this occurred to me I started to see the vision of myself slowly unveil as God had made me to be. A motherly type that wholeheartedly gave and loved her kids and balanced her own needs well. I remember some healing taking place in my heart and a vision that God gave me for my life with my kids. I saw myself standing in the kitchen cooking and doing my usual work and my three kids floating around me like happy clouds, the light all low and calm, everyone just satisfied. It was a vast contrast to how they had always seemed to me....hanging heavily on me from every limb, and me feeling painful under the weight of them.<br />
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Two specific things really contributed to this realization: First, I ended up with some really good mentors who poured into me and helped me get lots of healing through Christ. I started hearing his voice for the first time (absolute life changer) and getting to know Him personally through being able to talk with Him, and hear Him answer, and palpably see and feel Him work in me and others. Amazing. Just a life changer. Like any good relationship with any good being is...but, you know, this is God...the goodest.<br />
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Number two, and most surprising, I started reading "<a href="http://www.thewiegands.com/">The Weigands</a>" blog. Casey Leigh made me cringe at first, and I mean visibly. She was just so sugary about how much she loved her kids, and even though she was an artist, and didn't have a ton of money, she and her husband (with their supermodel and Ashton Kutcher looks) wanted bundles more kids. I mean, women like this were the reason I never stayed more than two days with any "mommy meet up" group. (No offense to anyone I ever met at a meet up! ) I don't even remember how I found her blog, but ewww...I hated reading it at first, but even so, something kept drawing me back. I didn't know what at first...but I know now. I couldn't see it at the time, but somewhere in her was the vision God gave me. To be a God-loving, passionate, child-snuggling parent, and a passionate inspired artist..and (maybe even) feel pretty doing it. I had been inspired by others in my past who could do this, but they were no longer in my life to encourage me. And suddenly there was one up in my face every single day (if I wanted her to be). The more I read her blog, the more it touched me in a place that I had never known was even there because of lies I had believed, and the resulting blindness the enemy put on me. It was a place in me that was slowly getting healed, as God continued to reveal the lies I had believed about myself, break them, heal my blindness, and begin to see the truth. There are few things worse than being lied to...unless it's being lied to and acting on that lie for years at a time until one day you start hearing and listening to the voice of truth...and you're free. Good thing God doesn't let any of it go to waste.<br />
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Some of the lies that I believed my whole life were as simple as mis-defining myself as only an artist-type, and not a mother type. Some were lies I believed about other mothers or the role of mothers as being annoying, stupid, sad little martyrs, non-glamorous doormats, deceived into thinking that mommyhood was what they wanted when they were missing out on their real passions. Other lies were as deep-seated and scary as being always afraid of hurting others and therefore being in an exhausted and torturous mode of constant protection...protecting others from me. What all of these lies have in common is that all of these began as suggestions about my life whispered to me by the enemy at specific points in my life (remember that whispering serpent in Eden?) and I grabbed onto them as truth at those times and held them throughout my life. It wasn't until I allowed God to shine the light into the darkness that the truth about them (and me) were brought to the daylight and I saw them for what they really were. It wasn't until I started seeking God on the truth about my motherhood that it occurred to me that all those lies had my mothering in common. And I praise God for his redemption because if I had continued believing those lies, not only would I have been a miserable human constantly trying to fill the mother-shaped hole in myself with artistic endeavors that could never fill them, but, even worse, while I was busy doing that Satan would be filling my own kids mother-shaped hole in them with whatever he could conjure to destroy them. He really does "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">prowls around</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30474B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> like a roaring lion</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30474C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> looking for someone to devour." (</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1 Peter 5:8) </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm proof of that. But Jesus "</span></span><span class="text 1Pet-5-10" id="en-NIV-30476" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">himself restore you and make you strong,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30476AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup> firm and steadfast."</span><span class="text 1Pet-5-10" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">(1 Peter 5:10b)</span></span><span class="text 1Pet-5-10" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">. </span><span class="text 1Pet-5-10" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And </span></span><span class="text 1Pet-5-10" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm also proof of that too. </span></span><br />
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It was when my youngest son, Vander, was still a baby that this healing began in me. And I love to think about how God's timing works if you let him do it because there was no way I could prepare for Vander...and it was his coming in many ways that spurred and that solidified change in me. God works in mysterious ways...and many times, much like he did with something as big as the redemption of humanity, those ways start with a tiny baby.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(continued...<a href="http://kittymclewin.blogspot.com/2013/02/part-2-vanders-story.html">Part 2- Vander's story</a>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-52891620375320571872012-12-06T18:43:00.002-05:002012-12-06T18:43:25.549-05:00Posts from Christmas pastSince it's been eons since I've posted on my lovely blog I thought I'd send out a pretty little reminder of Christmas past. Here are some of the posts and projects that years past have brought.<br />
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<a href="http://kittymclewin.blogspot.com/2010/12/elfing.html">Elfing</a></div>
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<a href="http://kittymclewin.blogspot.com/2012/02/diy-travel-checkers.html">DIY Travel Checkers</a></div>
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<a href="http://kittymclewin.blogspot.com/2012/03/intermezzo.html">Intermezzo</a></div>
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<a href="http://kittymclewin.blogspot.com/2012/02/diy-message-boards.html">DIY Message Boards</a></div>
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<a href="http://kittymclewin.blogspot.com/2010/12/gumballs-and-glitter.html">Gumballs and Glitter</a></div>
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Hope you're enjoying your happy elfing! Merry Christmas!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-17092629061331603252012-10-23T23:04:00.000-04:002012-10-23T23:18:05.052-04:00Heart/ PoliticsI have spent way too much of today thinking about my own politics...and guess what....the bible says "<span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> work out your salvation with fear and trembling</span>" not "work out your own politics with fear and trembling"...the bottom line in my head today is this...our politics are not going to be the salvation of ourselves or any other person (chances are). People eagerly awaited the coming of Jesus to be the fix to the political problems of the day, and yet when he came he fixed the soul and left the government and politics pretty much the same...and was crucified for it. I fear very much that those who cast their vote in the Christian arena consider the task of voting as a big part of what it is to "being the church". If it is a part, it seems a small one. I have not even decided if I will vote or not and already am seeing people ready to crucify me if I don't...I consider it a good way to die socially if I am so led.<br />
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These are just the musings of a mind that is seeking truth...I'm okay to be wrong, or fail...but I'm not okay to pretend to understand it. I await more revelation. God bless all of you wherever you are in your heart and in your head.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-50665006236667330182012-09-27T17:28:00.000-04:002012-09-27T17:28:28.379-04:00Super Easy Trash Can Redo<br />
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I had a trash can that my mom bought me a million years ago and it just doesn't go with my style, so I decided to redo it quickly. I liked the idea of keeping the black script on it so here's what I did. I used painter's tape to cover everything I wanted to keep.<br />
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Then I just sprayed that sucka down with some black spray paint from my garage. I waited about an hour and took the tape off....and yeehaw!<br />
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New shiny trash can...for free! More later folks! Go redo everything!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-78485270062679942772012-09-17T14:36:00.002-04:002012-09-17T14:36:57.894-04:00I have inventory!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img3.etsystatic.com/008/0/5300614/iusb_760x100.10232159_pul2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/008/0/5300614/iusb_760x100.10232159_pul2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am hereby proud to announce that my online Etsy shop, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kittymclewin">kittymclewin</a>, now has actual inventory! Go take a look...and tell your friends. More to come!<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kittymclewin">More...click here!</a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166891784105151967.post-63674422775591504872012-09-05T16:17:00.002-04:002012-09-05T16:17:48.004-04:00a whole new eraI came back from a gorgeous Labor Day weekend family getaway just in time to start a whole new life. My husband has started school again after 11 years, I am gearing up to do more field trips this year and a different form to my homeschooling with the kids, my daughter is starting Audio Integrative Therapy, and the biggest change of all....I am sending my 3 year old to a Special Ed class in a nearby preschool. At 3 hours a day, 5 days a week....this homeschooling mom is a bit in shock still. I am currently trying to help my son (and myself) with the transition and also get it together from missing Monday here (which is generally a very full day). More on this later. Right now, even though I am aching to write that post I've been promising, and tell you all why I made this choice for my little man, I must go try to schedule what a normal day will look like once we're in the swing of things. For this week, I am thankful for my family and friends nearby who have shown my two oldest a good time while I am bringing Vander to school, leaving him at school, crying in my car, shopping, tying up loose ends, scheduling, sneaking back to school to watch him in the window of his class, running more errands, and then rapturiously picking him up from school. The first week is hardest and I am confident that he and I will get into next week with more stability. It's just those baby steps...with my baby...one moment at a time.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0