Important Reminder: Play!

I had the chance to spend the day with 100 kindergarteners today, playing and learning and just having fun. I know that I needed this reminder today, and I thought you might appreciate it, too. Don't forget to make time to play each and every day....it's great preventive medicine and great for the mind and soul!

Day at the Shore Experience.

I finally got the opportunity today to do something that I have been wanting to do for a long time. To spend an entire day at the beach just reflecting on God, creativity, and nature's beauty. Almost always, when I head to the beach, I have lots of buckets, toys, blow-up floaties, snacks, and kiddos in tow, which is wonderful and fun and memorable.....BUT, not usually very reflective or relaxing.

So today, as part of this Art Therapy course that I am teaching, I was able to go with five of my students to the lakeshore where we just plain experienced communion with God at the lakeshore. Pretty powerful stuff. We spent four just just BEING at the beach....walking, collecting, sitting and staring into the horizon, considering the power of the waves, putting our toes into the icy cold Lake Michigan waters. We spent time writing, praying, reading, and making beach sculptures. We created beach jar collages to take home as a little memento of the day. We shared our insights and praised God for His amazing creation.

What really struck me was this: While the waves crashing were very loud, it felt like a silent peaceful place. Loud enough to drown out the busyness and distraction and stuff in my mind, to allow time to focus on God and nature's beauty and God's creativity.

Do you look at creativity as a way of honoring God? Of serving Him? Of reflecting His character and power to others? You should, because that is precisely what it is. And today, I was given a precious gift in a few hours to focus on God's awesome creativity and how, because I am created in His image, I can commune more closely and intimately with Him through the creative process, whatever my creative activity of choice.

Take time for a day at the shore. You will be changed in a powerful way as God speaks to you through His handiwork at the place where the sea meets the land.

Weekend Blessings.

This weekend was an incredible time of blessing for me....nothing really earth-shattering or ultra-exciting, but just the quiet, family-centered, meaningful types of activities and people that life is all about. Yesterday was not only Mother's Day but it was also our 7th anniversary, so the kids stayed Saturday night at my parents' while Matt and I took a little anniversary walk down memory lane. I reserved the same suite at McGuire's resort where we stayed on our wedding night, and we just enjoyed a nice dinner and evening together celebrating seven years (and hopefully many more) together. What a special and much-needed time to focus on the "US" of our family.

And....introducing the newest member of our family.....RUBY. What a sweet girl. And couldn't you just get lost in these baby blues? She is such a good puppy....seems to be well on her way to potty-trained, and such a sweet temperament. The kids just love on her and dote on her. Sweet little Ruby has followed me around all morning while the kids were in school.....I think I am falling......in a little bit of puppy love, that is.

And here are some photos of the moms in our lives......some special photos like the ones of my beautiful grandmothers, and the special one of Kennedy reading a story to my Grandma, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease about a year ago....these photos will be cherished surely.

So the time this weekend was just really good for the soul and so very treasured. Each Mother's Day that passes, I am especially reminded that my grandmother's years are advancing, and I just always want to be sure to capture these memories for my kids, while they are able to know these beautiful ladies. I hope that everyone had the chance to express love and care to their moms and to all the special women in their lives.

Pre-Summer Joy.

Today has been filled with little blessings. A thank-you breakfast at school for all volunteers, complete with kid-created placemats. More special hand-made mother's days gifts from my little girl, including a book that she wrote all by herself. A special pre-anniversary delivery from the local flower shop. A picnic and s'mores at lunchtime with my kiddos. A long telephone chat with a dear friend. And watching my kids jump on the trampoline with the sprinkler running under it. Pure laughter, pure fun, pure joy on a Friday.

This is What It's All About.

This has been a busy, busy week....finishing up fall grades and getting those courses wrapped up, my husband has had multiple athletic events every day, and then teaching a concentrated summer course....not to mention volunteering at school, softball games, getting ready for Mother's Day and our anniversary, etc., etc., etc.

And then this. This is what makes it worth it all. My three-year-old son, so proud of the gift that he made me at preschool. And it is truly, honestly, totally more beautiful than anything he could have bought me. A little finger-painted poppy flower, in a little clay pot that he exclaimed "I painted it boo (blue) just for you, Momma!" What more can I say. This makes me feel so, so loved and cherished. This is the most beautiful flower I have ever received, My Sweet Boy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I needed that today.

Which One?

Have you ever had a day like this?

Where everything in your life and house seems to be in disarray? This is the scene that I walked into tonight after a full day of university teaching. Play-dough EVERYWHERE, small pieces of PlayMobile sets all over the place, kids filthy.....can you relate?

This is the same scene four hours later as I am finally winding down. It's funny......I can go to bed with my house messy EXCEPT FOR THE KITCHEN. I have to have the kitchen straightened and dishes in the dishwasher before I can go upstairs to bed. I can step over the scattered toys in the living room or trip over the shoes in the entry on the way up to bed, but if the kitchen or dining table are messy.....forget it. A silly little quirk, I guess.

So, here's to a clean kitchen and table....though I know tomorrow will soon come, and with it lots more PlayDough and toys and dirty kids and.........but for now, I'm enjoying the tidyness and ready to drift off to a good night's sleep. Wishing you the same.

Art Therapy.

No, I'm not in art therapy, though many days I feel like I need to be! I started teaching a course today in Art Therapy. I love the students and they are so ready to jump into learning and experiencing how creativity and artistic expression can be powerful therapies. Today we dabbled in scribble and squiggle art and will be making "The Box of Me" tonight. Tomorrow, it's all about clay medium as we mold and sculpt and paint. Challenge yourself to spend at least 30 minutes creating each day this week....I promise it will change your mental and cognitive outlook. Happy Monday.