What would you tell your 18 year old self

January is a month of birthdays in our family. My little Sister and Brother both have birthdays in January and so does Barry. Can you believe Barry and AJ are 18?? It just doesn't seem like it could be.

This year hasn't been the easiest of journeys for all of them. I have always tried to be honest, and frank with them all. I've also tried to simply talk to them. I believe respect is key. I believe to give respect I must also receive it and the same applies in return.

While none of them are my children they are all a bit like my own. It is very interesting having siblings 20 + years younger. It truly is much like having a second set of children for me or maybe like an extra set of parental expectations for them. I've tried hard to be more of a sister than a parent but sometimes is isn't easy.

I cautiously give advice and more try to share my life's experiences and tales of my own journey instead.




Tonight, I find myself pondering what I would tell my 18 year old self, if I could.

Would I say, finish high school. For no other reason than to look back and know that you did it the right way. That you will be annoyed by the fact that you have a GED instead.

I think I would say, go to college. Because later, you will have a desire to have to rely on no one and your 40 year old self will feel like not having that degree is holding you back just a little.

I would say, talk to you parents. Speak intelligently, decisively and respectfully but still speak. That you can't hold it against someone for not understanding where you are coming from if you don't tell them.

I might also say, wait to have children. Even though you think you are ready early on,your not, so wait. And when you finally start having the kids you have always wanted at 30, it will be exactly the right time and you will do a great job. You can improve but you are trying and you acknowledge your faults. As a mom, you will do just fine!

I think I'd include, no partner is worth not being your true self for. Have confidence and be who you are.

I would say, love your family. Don't give up any time, due to arguments and disagreements, you will miss it one day. You will come to realize it didn't need to happen so don't waste one minute of it!

I would strongly emphasize to my 18 year old self that when times seem most difficult, stick to your dreams, even if they seem almost not worth the hassle. And COMMUNICATE! It's the key to everything. Also,Be nice! It makes you a better person. And don't ever do anything you'd be afraid to admit to your parents- be trustworthy and honorable. It will make looking back on your youth much easier.

And the most important thing I would say to my 18 year old self, is live your life so that you have no regrets. Own your choices, right or wrong - take responsibility, learn to say your sorry and live today like there is no tomorrow because one day you will realize it isn't guaranteed!

Oh Yeah, one last thing- if you can get through all the other things, don't forget to enjoy the ride!!!

What would you say?

amongst friends #13

The Letter J

I am lovin' the contributions this week. First, I like the fact that the photos are more closely related to the contributor's daily life. Secondly, I LOVE all the color happening in the weeks collage. Maybe it is a sign of the coming Spring. Let's hope!

I hope you will consider joining us next week for " K ". Think about it, what would you choose to photograph?

Until then..

***Edit-Cassi asked me take this picture of her jumping.
Cori- Jello
Kelly-Jana's Jewelry
Christie- Jelly donut
Cali-Jingle bells
Frank-his favorite Jif
Jenny- Big Red is Jenny's nickname

I am so proud of this

I know I made a small vase like this a week or two ago. I loved it so much I had visions of more, I just wasn't sure how or what containers to use.

Then I remembered Cori had received a lava lamp for Christmas and we'd saved the container it came in. I really wasn't sure it would be balanced but I really wanted to try it.

Last week the girls and I collected sticks so late last night I stayed up and gave it whirl. It was challenging. It is incredibly hard to find long straight sticks. They all seem to have a curve or bend to them, which makes getting the whole stick to attach to the container nearly impossible. I did a little filling in with some smaller broken sticks. I don't think you can tell unless you were really looking for it. Also, looking closely you can see more hot glue than on the small one. I had to use a lot.

Regardless, I really love the way it turned out. It looks really great in my cabin-like home. It fits in well with all the furs, animals and what not. I may even make some of these for outside come summer. If I can find the right kind of container to recycle, I may put them on either side of the door.

If you make one, I'd love to see it. Please share.
*Edit- Sandy brought to my attention that I didn't mention I covered the lava lamp box first. She suggested using burlap which I think is a great idea. I used the thin cardboard that comes in the box between new dishes. I got some for Christmas and they worked perfectly!
**Edit- My step-mom came by and had a look. When I complained about some showing hot glue she said it looks like/ reminds her of tree sap. Love her! :)

*I'm linking this project up with Ramblings of a Crazy Woman- We Made it- Friday Showcase. There are always great ideas shared there. Go check it out!

**I'm also linking up to The Magic Onions- Friday's Nature Table. It's a naturally beautiful list of people sharing there. It's worth a look.

Fire and Ice

We are on another stick kick. Ever since I made this little piece, we are looking for containers to recycle and cover.

I took two of the girls out the other night to gather sticks. We are currently attempting to cover a tall container (I am hoping it will balance ) so we needed long sticks.


It was a good little walk down by the creek and we had fun. It was a beautiful night and there was a great moon. We left a little late so photos were hard to capture, but we tried.


On the way home we notice a fire filled sky towards the beach. Again, we were far too late to capture great photos but I enjoyed trying.



While I was snapping away, Cassi was sliding on the ice covered sand and gathering smaller pieces of ice she found interesting.


She decided to bring one home. Once we got back to the car she found a mini led flashlight in the car. It had a red light and she played the rest of the way home, shining the light through the ice.
Obviously it too was hard to take good pictures of but you get the idea.


I think we may have to gather buckets of the smaller pieces one weekend soon and play with some light. We'll let you know how it goes.




*I'm linking up to The Magic Onions- Friday's Nature Table. It's a naturally beautiful list of people sharing there. It's worth a look.

Struggling...Daddy is gone again.

We are struggling in so many ways, big and small. There are a lot of things going on around here lately. There are people in my life who are hurting a lot right now. I have friends who are very ill.

We are all going through changes and some days are tougher than others. I'm even struggling with writing my blog. Not the posting, per se, just writing words that I feel are well written and worth reading.

Mostly we are at a place where the best we can do is check in each day, pray a lot, and take it all one moment at a time. And so even if it isn't the best written or well titled, I write. The rest will come.

This morning Daddy left. It is always tough to watch him go. The big girls try so hard to be grown up about his departures but there are always tears left for me to dry when the plane pulls away. Cali struggles a little more with it and more openly.

On Scott's last trip away (not this one) Cassi had a really hard time for some reason. We always stand at the window and look for him in the plane windows. He isn't always easy to find, mostly because it is dark out.

He knew she was struggling with his leaving and I guess he was trying hard too lighten (no pun intended) her mood. He lit up his phone and held it to the window so we could find him easily. The girls got so excited and raced to get out my phone and do it back to him.



This all turned into a game of left to right, up and down, circles in the window. It was magic and for those minutes of waiting for his plane to taxi off, there were giggles and smiles.

He remembered the game this time and started it again when he got in the plane. Both big girls got out phones and started to play.
And I took a couple seconds to just be grateful for the small things. Making a special note to self, that all those small things add up something really BIG, called LOVE!

I think it looks a bit like this!

amongst friends #12

The Letter I

Whew, it has been a week! That's my excuse for being late with this! In addition, I received most contributions late so I am guessing others had a bit of a hard time coming up with something for "I". I suppose that would be why we can call it a challenge!

Personally, I had a couple pictures but struggled with focus and composition. On a good note, I've already got a least one option taken for "J".

We have two new friends participating this week. And I loved their choices. Now it's your turn. Join in.

Can you guess the connection every one made to "I"?


Next week is "J"

*Wren- Me, myself and I
Cassi- Ice
Cori- Isaac (her boyfriend)
Ann- I Spy
Kelly- IDEA
Jenny- I
Christie- Ice sculpture

*I am lovin' the creativity going on in Kelly's picture!

Just gotta tell you...

Cali is writing lots of things lately. A Lot! Everyday, several times over she asks me to spell things for her so she can write them down. Today it went like this-
Cali- Mom, can you spell something for me?
Me- Sure, what do you want me to spell?
Cali- Miley Cyrus...
Me- Umm, OK...
Cali- (cutting me off) Miley Cyrus's Dad has an earring!

Me- M-I-L...

:)

Have a great week!