My Sketchbook, my Life

journal entry....4 {teaching the teacher}

I am constantly amazed at how much my children teach me. 

But an experience I had last Friday has humbled me -sufficiently.

Background:  My daughter Ren- almost 12 years old.  Perfectionist when it comes to school and grades.  As parents we have be concerned more than once at how much stress she puts on herself, and she's only in 6th grade!  An "A-" is rough for her to take.  A "B" almost unthinkable.

So she has had a week of book reposts, projects, and creating a business for their "Fun Friday" or whatever they call it.  The day the students that have all their homework assignments turned in get to go have fun, and learn to buy, sell products for their business. They do this 4 times a year. 

Long story short- because of the overachiever she is, and the loss of her bookreport book, she ran out of time and did not finish her book. It was devastating for her.  She did her report on what she read.  Now the type of report it was, the teacher probably would not have figured out she hadn't finished the book.

Friday morning she comes upstairs with teary-red-rubbed eyes, but a smile on her face. 

Ren: "mom, I am just going to have to tell Mrs. F that I didn't finish the book, and miss Fun Friday." 

This was not acceptable to me.  She had worked on her business , and put so much effort and thought into it, she deservered to go.  She is a straight A student- never misses an assignment.- she deserves to go.

Me thinking: .... just don't tell your teacher.  it's not totally untruthful, if she doesn't ask.......

If they Spirit hadn't been so strong, and determined from letting those words escape my lips, I could not of held them in.  It was a serious battle I fought till the moment she walked out the door.

Ren: "I know I could just turn it in and go... but that wouldn't be honest, would it mom?"

Me: head nodding.  heart breaking.  Spirit confirming. 

She leaves for school with a smile, I know, she knows- she feels- she is doing the right thing.  The minute the door closes behind her, I am on my knees... " Heavenly Father, PLEASE, bless her for her strength and integrity.  She has such a strong determination to do what it right.  Please, if there is anyway, please, bless her, reward her for the hard desicion she has made-..."

I have been thinking about this experience for days.  And i have been taught, and retaught the importance of integrity-

Follow up:  2 things happened that day:

1- One of Ren's friend didn't finished her book report.  Didn't tell the teacher.  Turned it in, and went to Fun Friday.  At the end of the day, the teacher discovered what she had done, and she is banned from fun fridays till future notice. 

2- Ren told her teacher.  Her teacher only made her miss 30min of the Fun Friday.  She was impressed, and appreciated the honesty Ren had showed.  (this teacher has never made an exception for any student before)

...lesson learned.

journal entry....3 {joy in the journey}

Another new painting.  I have discovered I love taking the talks -or quotes- that inspire me, and turn them into a picture that I see in my mind.  This one comes from Pres. Monson's talk in the October Conference of 2008.  You can read it here.

 One of my favorites parts is when he says:

 

"Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.

Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows."

-Pres. Monson

Somedays I forget. 

Somedays it may even be hard to find. 

But if you think about all that you are blessed with... no matter your circumstances- I am given so much...we all are.  Our Heavenly Father loves each of us, and wants us to be happy.  It seems like lately I have been looking too much at what I don't have, or what is not going the way I think it should, and I don't choose to see all that He has given me, and how much happiness I can have, if I choose to see it, and accept it.

And sometimes to find it- I have to give it away.  I am finding that the more I do for others, and help those that I love, that greater joy that I find.

 

 

God's love...

Just felt like trying something a little different today.  The quote is from President Uchtdorf's talk this past conference.  If you haven't read it yet -check it out here.   It is a must read.  I love it.

The quote reads:

Think of the purest, most all-consuming

love you can imagine

Now multiply that love by and infinite amount--

that is the measure of God's love for you

 

.

journal entry....2 {enjoy now}

I had one of those moments the other day while with Madi.  You know, those moments when life seems to take on a different meaning and you grow a deeper love and appreciation for the teaching moments our Heavenly Father gives us.  Those moments that if not careful, pass by unnoticed.

BUsy, Busy, Busy... I was running errands with Madi.  We were driving to the millionth store and all the while dragging her alongside of me.  Regrettably I admit, wishing I was alone, so I could get things done 10 times faster. From the seat behind me,  Madi was telling a story that she had to proudly made up- it was nothing less than a masterpiece to her.  Her joy, her sweetness not deterred or underminded by my mundane tasks.  I was only half listening to her as I parked, gather my things, and thoughts of rushing, to get in and out of the store in record time, were in my mind.  I glanced in my rearview mirror for a moment, beauty radiated from her, I looked at her and could not turn away from the happiness that shown on her face.  It was a day out with mom- to her she knew nothing else except she had me all to herself, no sister or brother to compete with for my attention.  it was just her and I.  The Spirit whispered so softly to me... "stop...- don't miss these moments.  They will be gone too quickly.  Enjoy her now.  Enjoy her now." 

You know, I just need that reminder every now and then when I get so caught up with "duties" of life.  I am thankful that the Spirit helped me to remember, to remember these moments.  I spent the rest of "our day" running errands, holding her hand, enjoying her sweet company.

New! 2010 YW Theme Art

well.   Here it is.   I am hoping to create at least 1 more piece of art for the new 2010 YW theme.  But here is the one i have finished.  I am having it recreated on canvas, and hung like a wall hanging on a dowel and ribbon.  i also have it available in different sizes in my etsy shop.  These are like the YW Value Banners, they are the kits so everything is included, you just do a quick assemble. 

I might recreate these as a print to frame if there is any interested in that.  So let me know!

Here's the link the the listings: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MichelleStudioArt

 

What A Wonderful World... love this!

Boy v.s. Wave....

I know its boring sometimes to go through and see everybody's vacation photo's - but I have to post a few.  We got some good photos.  We took the kids to California the past week or so, and had a great time at Disneyland, and the beach. 

The kids Love the Beach!  I love this set of photos of Mr. C.  He is so daring- "fearless" really as he says, as not even the monster waves OR tower of terror put fear into his little enormous body.

New Young Women Theme Designs!

I have a few new young Women Theme designs in the works. 

The first 2 are already listed in my Etsy Shop.  They are 16x20.  Perfect to frame- no mat needed.  I wanted to name each design after a strong, faithful women in the gospel.  Those women who have come before us and are righteous examples to us. 

The first design is the "Emma"

The second design is the "Rebekah"

 

The 2010 mutual theme (Joshua 1:9) artwork is coming soon too.  I hope to have it listed by tomorrow!

preview!

oh I have some new Young Women artwork coming out in the next few weeks! 

I am so excited to show you! 

I will have some new Young Women theme posters, as well as new artwork for the 2010 Mutual Theme -Joshua 1:9

here's a sneak peak of the new YW Theme designs...

 

check back tomorrow to see the new artwork in my shop!

 

for the birds

I have really been into birds lately.  In fact I have made that bird painting into a set of three.  I wanted to make it into a set that represents the stages of a childs life. 

First we love them. 

...not even from the first moment we see them.  No, it starts before that.  not even when we first feel those little flutters in our pregnant bellies.  No, it starts even before that.  I think the love first begins to grow in those moments that we know we want to have one of these little miracles in our life. 

Then we help them dream.

...helping them discover the world around them- the things they love and the things the world has to teach them.  Encouraging their dreams and imaginations, reassuring them they can be whoever, and whatever they dream of becoming.  Nothing is out of reach for them.  They can touch the stars.

Time to help them grow. 

... maybe the hardest moments as a mother.  Those moments when they step out and spread their own wings.  Ready to try out new things in this world they have created around them.  Having to take a step back and watch them go, encouraging and assuring them they can become who want to be. 

 they will be able in my etsy shop in the morning!