Take Time for Mom: DIY Jewelry Hanger

Every day, as a mom, you are faced with choices. Fold the laundry or do the dishes? Relax or organize the linen closet? Clean up the disaster the kiddos made or catch up on House (insert your fav show here)? I feel like it's almost always a choice between taking care of my well-being or getting x,y, and z accomplished for the kids or the household.

I intentionally take time to work on projects, crafts, blogs, and photography because those are the things that keep me grounded. Yes, the dishes may be piling up and there's a good chance I'll trip over a matchbox car or princess shoes... but I'm ok with that. Well, I'm ok with it sometimes. Sometimes you just need to do something that you enjoy, and I find this especially true when you're a stay-at-home mama like myself.

So, a couple months ago I talked my hubby into making me this jewelry/scarf holder. He constructed the "bones" and I embellished it. I found all of my knobs and hooks at Hobby Lobby (during a 1/2 off sale, of course!)- aren't they fun? The total for this project was around $20.00 because we have a bunch of scrap wood in our garage that hubby used, and I used left over paint.

Mess-Free Finger Painting

I found this project on Pinterest and it has been a big hit with my kiddos! I love it because there are no hands, tables, faces, floors, or hair to wash afterwards. It truly is mess-free!

This project is fun for all kiddos, but it also has a great benefit for those who deal with sensory issues. If the feeling of finger paint doesn't appeal to your kiddo, this is a fantastic project to try with them! They don't get messy or sticky hands, but can "squish" the paint around the bag without the sensory overload the paint may cause some kiddos. It could be the first step to getting them to touch paint again (or for the first time) by gently easing them into it.

Kids can "draw" pictures, practice writing numbers, letters, and shapes. You can teach about primary and secondary colors- mixing colors to make others. Older kids could play "tic tac toe" or "hang man". The possibilities are endless and there are ideas for all age groups with this. Awesome benefits from this very simple idea!

Instructions for Mess-Free Painting

Fill a 1 gallon ziplock bag with washable finger paint. You could use tempera paint too, but I use the washable paint in case one of the kiddos tears a hole in the bag and gets some on their clothes. A few squirts of each color will work just fine. Use as few or as many colors as you wish! 

Lay a white piece of paper on the table (I use scratch paper- helpin' the planet by re-using!), then lay the bag of paint on top of the paper. 

Tape the bag to your table with painter's tape. Painter's tape is the safest for your table, but I'm sure masking tape would work just as well. I'd stay away from packing tape or duct tape. Scotch tape doesn't hold these very well- I've tried when I ran out of painter's tape. 

That's it! Let the kids explore and create! 

"That Sucks"

Being a mom of 3 year old twins, one of them with Autism, sometimes makes me want to scream. Or take up kickboxing. Or drink copious amounts of coffee. Or drive around town by myself looking at houses, when we're not quite ready to buy (a couple years- patience!). I think every mama feels this way- regardless of what challenges their kiddos present.

During those moments/days/weeks of hardship, frustration, and exhaustion all I want is for someone to say "Yeah Jess, that really sucks. It just sucks.". It's validation of my feelings, I suppose. It lets me know they are truly listening to me and can put themselves in my shoes. My friend, Jenny, is best at this and I absolutely love her for it.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the encouraging messages from friends and family. Those are needed, too. One I hear often is "God will only give you want you can handle." I know "God only gives you what you can handle." because He entrusted me with this child who has Autism. It is my responsibility to love him unconditionally and to do everything I can create a joyful life for him. I don't take my responsibility lightly, and I know I can handle it. I know I'm handling it every afternoon when I read Rman's progress log from school. I know it every time I hear him randomly spit out a word. I know it every time he tolerates sitting next to his sister. I know it every time he giggles. I know it at the end of every day, when I settle in for the night and I've survived.

The point is, I know all of these things that people say to me. I know I'm a good mom. I know I'm doing everything I can. I know that they know I'm doing a good job. I know they think I'm strong. I know they think I'm the best advocate for my child. Sometimes, I just want them to know that some days it sucks. That's it- plain and simple... some days suck.

There is just something about someone putting themselves in your shoes. As a special needs mom, I feel that no one can ever fully or truly understand how this disorder has effected my entire life and my family's life. If someone can put themselves in my place, even if just for a moment, it brings comfort to my soul.

Good Eats

Yesterday, we celebrated Easter with my favorite people- my family.

We laughed.
We visited.
We hunted for eggs.
We had brunch.

The food was plentiful, and it felt like Thanksgiving all over again. I could have napped for a couple hours after that feast. There was the traditional ham, meatballs, hash brown potatoes, quiche, and egg casserole. Then, there was the "good stuff", the sweets. Fruit pizza, cinnamon rolls, and petite vanilla scones.

Yummy, right?

Those scones were delish. I think I ate 3, and secretly hoped that there would be a lot of leftovers to go with my morning coffee. I made them from scratch using Pioneer Woman's recipe for Petite Vanilla Scones.  Most anything I make from PW turns out fantastic, but these, by far, have been my fav! 

In fact, I think it's about time I grab some coffee and a scone(or two). I put chili powder in my kids pancakes this morning, and I am in desperate need of caffeine! 

My One.

1 in 88 kiddos will be diagnosed with Autism; 1 in 54 boys. These kiddos are more than a number. More than a statistic.

Here is MY one. He is so much more than a number. He is curious, bright, intelligent, determined, happy, lovable, cuddly, funny, goofy, silly, handsome, brave, strong, unique and inspirational.

He may be one in 88, but to me and to the rest of my family, he's one in a million! I love you, Rman!

I heart faces {happiness}

Happiness is.... 

...being silly, laughing until your belly hurts, and throwing paint all over your favorite people in this world.

 This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com 

I Heart...

-Lazy Sunday mornings

-When my kiddos sleep in

-Wide Awake Coffee Co. Espresso Beans (Sorry, Starbucks. This brand stole my heart!)

-Laughter

-Warm socks; seriously the BEST

-GNO (Girls Night Out)

-Mrs. Meyers Clean Day products. Basil is my favorite! 

-Pick Your Plum (hello, obsession! today's deal below!)

-Anthropologie. I am in need of these measuring cups.

Stenciled wood floors. In love.

What do you heart?