Fall Mantel Reminder

I love to decorate - just don't have the time.  

Maybe because it is in the most used room of the house?  Maybe it is just always screaming to be loved?

This fall I decided to keep it really simple and really budget friendly.  The window was an old yard sale find for 5.00.  The glass vases I have had forever.  Inside the vases are some drift wood pieces that I snagged at the lake - free!  The & sign came from Michaels for 3.00 and has a nice coat of chalkboard paint.  The little white pumpkins came from the grocery store for a 1.00 a piece.  But the most important piece of the mantel is that banner.

The banner says simply - in everything give thanks.  Soon after I made that banner a lot of really big things started to fall apart around here.  The rental house imploded, our house imploded, nothing is going right.  That all happened after I hung this banner.  And everyday as I stress about it all, I have no choice to but to see this natural canvas reminder and bring myself back to earth.

It is such a sweet reminder that trials are not in vain, they produce an end.  

I hope if you are climbing a mountain that seems impossible to summit that you will look behind you and realize how many steps you have already take to get to the point you are at.  You can finish!  

Redirecting Focus

I have been blogging and sewing for a couple of years now.  Every minute of it has been incredibly enjoyable.  But there was something, something missing.  I couldn't quite put my finger on it until recently.  

The message I had in my heart was not getting out.  There was a general disconnect between my work, my art and my writing.  It wasn't bad - but it wasn't all it could be.  I have been a bit dismayed by the whole thing.

Until recently, when I discovered that disappointment was part of the process of getting me where I am right now.  I wouldn't say that I am sitting onto of the mountain of success, but for one of the few times in my life I am content in what I am doing, what direction this little business adventure is taking.  And the biggest joy out of the whole thing is that it has absolutely nothing to do with me -- it is all about you!

So Four is in a position to change someone's day.  

Do I seriously think a dish towel will change your life - no.  But I hope that the message my art and this blog bring, remind you to hold onto the little pleasures of life.  I hope it reminds you no matter how small those may seem - they can grow with a little bit of nurturing.  

In the next few weeks, I plan on sharing how So FoUr "enjoys everyday".  I am excited to intentionally shift this family's focus by taking the chaotic mess life pulls us down to and changing it into creatively meaningful moments.  For the mama's who dream on having a Proverbs 31 business, I hope to share with you a story of successfully living out that verse.  For the times where it seems to be too much, I hope that you can find a place for a little rest.  This blog and my shop will be honest, intentional, nurturing, empathetic, giving, and focused on making reality a prettier place.  

I can't wait to share the real stories and hope that you all are ready to share some of yours as well.  

This life is meant to be enjoyed!  Let's do that together!  

xo 

Heather

What I know about Middle School

My first middle school orientation as a parent.  Being that I was by far the youngest parent there (jab, jab) I had a lot to learn on my first trip to the big house.

So for the newbies who have yet to dive into the waters of puberty piranas I offer my observations.  For the parents who have been there done that gotten the shirt I offer perspective.  

- Home room is the biggest room in the 6th grade hall.  I don't know why, but it feels like trumpets players are announcing your arrival and it should be that way.

- Classes don't necessarily need textbooks — that is old school.  You know, the whole reading from paper thing kind of left the world in the ice ages.

- some teachers were born the year I graduated high school (might be stretching a bit)

- Other teachers are obviously struggling with "personal summers". Hence the 5,000,000 fans in a 10 x 10 room. 

- Certain people don't always know why they teach, and they really can't hide it.

- 3 minutes between "classes" certainly doesn't give one enough time to socialize.  

- Finding the bathroom is really the first item on your list everyday.  That is after you locate the cafeteria.

- Boys and girls obviously don't sit near each other in class, because most parents do not know who each other are.  

- Reading 6+ teachers blogs everyday really interferes with my design blog reading and I am not sure how I feel about it.

- The orchestra teacher will beginning playing ,randomly.

- and my favorite from the evening - social studies!  How fun is that lady.  She has traveled around the world and "experienced" a lot of different things.  It totally shows!  

School is going to be great this year! 
Perfect no, because both N and I are still learning. 
When you are done learning — then you can call it perfect.  Just never strive to be perfect - that means you aren't learning.