Spring in the Catskills

We took a quick weekend getaway to Uncle Jim's.  It's so neat to see the change of scenery compared to when we were last there in February.  I was telling Allison what a blessing it is for our family to be able to come visit.  It's so quiet and secluded.  It's truly family together time.  The kids explore nature.  It reminds me of growing up visiting my grandpa's cabin in Mt. Baldy....those are cherished memories, and I know our kids will always look back at trips to the Catskills and smile as well.

finding tadpoles and frogs

looking for more frogs

heading out for an adventure

Caroline picked these flowers with Allison

Wayne was glad to get fly fishing pointers from Jim

Can you spot the kids and Jim on their hike across the river?

Wesley found a nice spot to fish

Grace comforting Wesley who was NOT happy
that the fishing adventure had to end

I (heart) "early spring green."

Grace had a ball baking cookies with Allison

The deer in the meadow at the base of the driveway....
they were so close!

We had such a nice time, and left planning our next visit...
when the wildflowers are in bloom...

Wayne is another year older and wiser too.


And we're in the market for something along these lines...for reading of course.

Source: crateandbarrel.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Not a Track Star

Sometime last fall, Christina let Wayne and I know that she wanted to do fall track.  Imagine my surprise considering I'd never seen Christina run, jog, or walk for exercise, not to mention she hasn't participated in a team sport since elementary school soccer (I think she did 2 seasons).  Honestly, I thought she was kidding, but she brought this up a couple more times, and then she went and signed herself up!  The Saturday before track started, Christina suited up in workout clothes, borrowed my old running shoes, and said, "I'll be right back.  I'm going to 'take a run.'"  I scratched my head and chuckled.  And she was off.


After a couple weeks of track I asked Christina what event she was doing.  She answered, "The 100.  I can't run very far."  Again, I'm taken aback.  I don't know any sprinters in our pedigree.  Not one.  "Any other events?" I ask.  "Nope. Just the 100."  After discussing her times, and how she faired in meets, it was clear that she was at the back of the pack of runners.....for her single event.  Wayne and I wondered if the $240 athletic fee was worth it.  I had a nagging feeling that there was more to this for Christina than whether she was an emerging track star.  We decided to support her.  We enabled and encouraged her by making the extra trips to the school for practices and meets.  We purchased workout clothes, the team sweatsuit, & spiked shoes for our sprinter.  We had conversations about the benefits of her participating in track.

• We talked about how this is good for Christina's health.  She's not growing in height anymore, and so it's important to be active in order to stay in good shape.  She can always go jogging---it requires minimal gear, just get up and go.  Jogging gives quick positive boosts to mental and physical well-being.  It's good for your bones.
• While we asked about her times and placement at meets, that has always been  secondary to how much effort she put into her races.  We asked questions like, "How do you feel about how things went?"  "What went well?"  "Is there anything you'd change?"  The tone has always been encouraging and supportive.

• Christina has come in last place A LOT.  At first this was embarrassing and discouraging for her.  No one likes coming in last place.  But since when is last place equivalent to failure?  I shared with her how I quit the track team in high school because I was too scared to compete.  I was afraid of not doing well.  I let my fear of failure keep me from what could have been a great experience on the track team.  To see Christina get out there and go for it regardless of where she places at the finish line, makes me beyond proud...I'm inspired, and I've told her so.
• Christina left one meet frustrated because she didn't feel like she was timed fairly.  The girl who finished just behind her got a much faster time.  I reacted by telling Christina not to worry about it; it must have been a mix-up.  I thought to myself that it wasn't going to make a difference in the end whether Christina finished last or second to last, so why challenge her time?  However, Wayne encouraged Christina to stick up for herself, and that no question she should talk to the couches whenever there is a time discrepancy.  Wayne's advice resonated with Christina and with me.  I quickly realized that my initial reaction devalued Christina, but Wayne's approach did just the opposite.  He reminded Christina that her efforts were of worthy of defending.  Period.  

Recently I took the kids to one of Christina's meets which was against one of the schools within our ward boundaries, so there were a few other girls from our church there competing as well.  Even though only one of them placed in a single event, they let us know how much it meant to them to have us there cheering them on.  Grace cheered so loud you could hear her on the other side of the track.  To see four of my YW giving it their all was beautiful!   What a great thing for my two little girls to see.


So, no, Christina is not a track star.  There will be no college recruiters or track scholarships in her future, but that's not her goal.  She enjoys being on the track team, and thinks that track will add something positive to her college application.  She's a smart girl.


On her own, Christina followed up winter track with spring track.  She added long jump to her events.

And while she may not be a track star, Christina is a bright star in Young Womens at church.  She has embraced the values and principles that gave her the confidence to sign up for track in the first place, and have a great experience participating on the track team and competing in a sport she knew nothing about just before high school.  She IS a star; a beautiful light to all around her, including her proud mom.  I'll be forever cheering , "Go, NINA!!!!"

I've got plans for Studio Night

I'm on Pinterest....and lovin' it!  I found this painting there (click HERE for the artist's online shop), and am inspired to create something along these lines for Grace and Caroline.  

Source: etsy.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Wesley's cake{s}

Wesley blew out a lot of candles for his 4th birthday.  He woke up to a doughnut tower topped with 4 candles, and then his actual birthday cake was a train cake.  I frosted it, but the kids had a blast decorating the cake for Wesley.

Wesley LOVEd his cakes!

Wesley's birthday gift was a new train set!  He has been playing with it 24/7 since he opened it.
It's something the older kids enjoy too, so Wesley bosses them around while they play together.

Happy Birthday to our Wesley!

Eye Candy at Brimfield

My friend, Lee & I headed out to the Brimfield Antique Fair last week...happy day!  One booth was a "no photo" booth, but the displays were amazing.  The owner had printed twill tape ("family ties" and all sorts of quotes) displayed rolled on antique spools.  The whole booth was eye candy.  Bay City Cargo of Belfast Maine was there with vintage marquee letters.  Another neat booth was Ahinsa Lieftime Weavers from Auburndale, MA.  Their bags are heavy duty Dash & Albert-like with substantial leather handles.  So much to see....

This was a ginormous dollhouse.  I snapped pics of the roof and siding in case we ever want to get this detailed with the girls' dollhouse.

Loved this standing chalkboard.  It was too pricey for something I could build, so it's on my project list. 

Beautiful paint job on this old armoire.

This bread board stopped me in my tracks.  Gorgeous! 

When I showed this photos to Wayne he asked about the steer skulls.  I didn't even give them a second glance....I took these pictures for the shabby table.  I love the paint.  This would make a great work table!

under the table

chippy paint

Industrial carts were EVERYWHERE!  This was a cart converted to a sofa, but the plain carts that you see everywhere for coffee tables were all over Brimfield.

This vendor, Pascal's, came all the way from Bogart, Georgia!  His booth was to die for.  The dining set....the chandelier!

This NY based vendor had lots of great industrial salvaged things.  I love the aluminum letters, and the triple planter was all connected....would be so fun for a garden.

I love distressed leather, and this $$$ NY vendor had several amazing vintage sofas like this one. 

We packed Lee's Suburban...you can see my red screen door there.  I have plans for it!
Lee and I had a great time.  We ended up sunburned and with sore leg muscles after cruising through almost all of Brimfield in 4 hours.  We need a trailer next time, and a hotel room.   One day is just not enough at Brimfield!  I can't wait to go back!