A lattice fence ;]

McKenzie, Ava, Jacob and Shawn
My little preschool friends

My husband did something he has never done before. As a matter of fact, NEVER even attempted.
I had my pre-licencing visit on November 16, 2011, it was a Wednesday. I was given a to-do-list to accomplish before she came back the first week of December to licence me for in-home childcare. There were 9 projects on the list that needed to be done.
On this list was a set of medal brackets on our back slab that needed to either be removed or used in some safe way (they were considered unsafe for the children, as they were). We had them put in when our concrete was layed for a future building project (that was over 5 years ago, lol). I called my husband (he works away from home) to tell him he would now need to take them out. He was not happy about it but without complaint said he would remove them when he got home that weekend. I knew down deep inside it was going to be a huge ordeal to take those bracket out (they were embedded in the concrete) and forget about that building project we were going to do in the future (HA!!). One of my parents gave a suggestion to put a small fence up for the time being. It would serve two purposes; one the brackets would become safe and they would be there for that future building project we had in mind ;)... GREAT IDEA!! Oh wait a minute, my husband is NOT a handy man (and I give all kudos to you women who have handy men in your homes) or crafty in this way... Ugh, we may just be losing those brackets.
When my husband got home we talked about it. We went over ideas and plans and he took one look at me and said, "I am going to build a fence." WHAT?! Really, Danny, you are going to put up a fence? "Yes, Sean and I are going to Home Depot and get the material, right now!" O.K. Ummm... I didn't want to say 'do you know what you are doing' but I sure was thinking it.  Him and Sean went to Home Depot and began to do their manly thing.
They spent their day in the back yard, sawing, measuring, hammering, and making all kinds of racket. I on the other hand stayed inside, not wanting to get in their way or see what they were creating, lol. Well, when it was all said and done, they called me out and showed me their finished project. I was amazed! OMGdness! It was beautiful! I was so proud of my hunny... he did it! A little lattice fence just the right size for my little friends! Nothing fancy but done for the purpose of using those brackets in a safe way. AND keeping those brackets to use for a later building project (10 years down the road).

He did a great job and I am very thankful for all the hard work HE dose to make my dream possible. That is one reason he works away form home to bring home money to pay for all the expenses that are needed to make this all happen. I love my husband, he is so good to me; I could have never ask for anyone better... God is forever blessings us as we move forward in His will.

I will have more confidence in what my hunny is able to do... When you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything! He did and I am sincerely proud of him and my little lattice fence.

L♥ve my Job!!

 

I am a preschool teacher, I consider it my 'Super Powers' ;) I love my job, little people and teaching.

I have been in the teaching field for about 16.3 years. During those years I taught preschool (including infants) to the eighth grade (13 year olds).  I found that I’d much rather cross a toddler then a pre-teen. Don't get me wrong I love pre-teens and teens but I’d rather be their friend than their authority, which has made raising teens quite challenging.

At this moment I am working from home. My son, Julian (BTW who is only 8), just ask me today, why  I don't have a real job and work. ROTFLOL!! JULIAN, REALLY?!? Trust me, just because I am at home all day does not mean I’m NOT working! HA!

My husband and I consider this a blessing, to be working from home. I absolutely love it and feel that I’m in the LORDs will; going somewhere I have never been before. It’s been an overwhelming journey ~because it is moving faster than I expected ~ and I just want to crumble under the enormity of it all and not move for a very long time. When Gods hand is in every aspect of your life, you feel as though you are moving in a whirlwind, moving forward, but in a whirlwind. And you may be doing just that! I know I have felt that I could not stop at any time, because if I did, I’d missed one of the greatest opportunities of my life. And I honestly believe I would of in this situation.

I’m teaching 4 little people in my house. They are mastering their numbers, writing their names, getting their letters down. They also love their shapes and colors in every possible art project that we can think of. They are working on their speech, space, and encounters with their peers. It can be extremely difficult to problem solve when your feelings have been hurt, when you have been spurned or when your blocks have been knocked over. Sharing or taking turns is the biggest challenge in any toddlers/preschools life, but it can be done with love, patience, and firm direction.

I love the toddler/preschool life!! Being a part of their little squabbles, hasty decisions (that usually make matters worse) and innocent love triangles just make my world a better place. It’s a beautiful distraction to sadness in this world and or problems in my own life that I myself cannot seem to solve. It has help me get through one of the greatest and toughest challenges in my life, my mother’s death.

But teaching little ones brings me great joy. I love watching them learn their boundaries, try to find themselves, learn their dis-likes and likes, realize; here at Ms Ruby’s school we can use our words and not get into trouble, watching their dimpled chubby hands work the play-dough or use scissors, trying to be big and dress themselves or helping their peers put on dress-up clothes… the list is endless with little people, not only do they learn something new every day, but each child teaches me something new every day as well.

As a parent you learn new things but you also know your children and can pretty much know what their next choice will be; whereas with me I get little people coming and going and I am surprised on a daily basis with new challenges and learning experiences.

And above all else, the love of a child is unconditional with so much forgiveness it can fill the deepest part of the ocean. Children are so trusting it sickens me when I hear on the news another child has been abused by an adult (especially their parents). They need us in so many ways without guilt or shame tacked on their every mistake that I love to be there for them as their provider. They fill me with such amazing healing and strength I just want to give back to them.

I love my job and this quote sums it up for me:

‘Find something you love to do and you'll never have to work a day in your life.’

Harvey MacKay

And since it is in my home, I have come to LOVE my home; love it more than I ever have since the day we bought it. I believe this is what the LORD has wanted me to feel for a very, very long time. Thank you LORD ~ you have filled my heart with praise!

**Photo shoot by Stephanie Flores Photography

Beautiful country...

rest stop in Idaho

I was able to go on one of Danny's truck driving runs .

And the country side was absolutely gorgeous!!

As a matter of fact everywhere we went it was breath-taking.

We would stop at rest stops to sleep and I just couldn't believe the beauty.

quiet, peaceful, lush, clean, serene places to rest our weary heads.

At this stop the mood, set by the beauty and atmosphere of the area,

was wonderful displayed by this man who was sitting alone,

 overlooking the mountain side, just playing his guitar.

As the sun was setting for the night there was a stillness,

as we watched the wonderful hand of God at work.

Gorgeous, breath-taking, majestic... 

♫♪ We could sing of your love forever ♪♫ 

**A Moment to Remember**

ONE year later; The finished product ;-D

Well, here we are one year later with a finished kitchen ;) lol

Yes the last time I posted about paint and a new kitchen was October of last year.

You can read about it here.

Here I am painting the ceiling. I have to tell you this was a bigger project than I expected.

I'm thankful I had all this wonderful help from friends.

MANY friends...

Dawn's idea of the splatter setup behind the stove.

AWESOME idea, Dawn!! I love it!!

You can purchase those at your local Lowes ;)

Taping was another boring, menial task *ugh*

But when It was all done we were all so very proud.

three different coats of pain later. From top to bottom.

New rugs, place-mattes, towels, wash clothes and light fixtures.

It was extremely impressive... I never thought...

*sigh*

Thank You LORD for all who helped, it was a wonderful;

*MOMENT TO REMEMBER*

❀Simplicity...

A simple moment:
Is sitting with your friends on a warm afternoon with not a care in the world waiting for something great to happen.

I work with little children and I think the one reason I love this job is the fact that it always brings me back to the RIGHT perspective in life...
SIMPLICITY: simpleness, simple mindedness, ease, easiness, chasteness; freedom from complexity, deceit or guile;the state, quality, or an instance of being simple. 
As I look into the Word of God it brings us to the scriptures that remind us to not forbid the little children because of their innocence of youth.
Those simple times in our lives, when there are no struggles in life, no pains, no hurts, no failures, no mistrust... just waiting for promise.... something great to happen, cause you know it will (at this age). Just plain and simple. Happily waiting with your friends enjoying the warmth of the day, not a care in the world...
The innocence of a child....
That is a happy moment and I love that these days pass me by on a daily occasion. I'm thankful to a merciful God who has placed this before me during this season in my life... I want to find every opportunity to find my happy moments, the simplicities of life, the passions of my soul. I love God with all my heart and love life and He is the giver of life. He has placed little children in my path and has shown me simplicity of life and I will embrace it with all my heart♥
*A HAPPY MOMENT*