Homework

Yes, it's homework time again.  It was a rough start but we survived...there were tears, pleads for delay, stomping of feet, but I finally got her to sit down and knock out those 4 painful pages.  How?  By telling her she could do each page with a different colored pencil...and it worked.  Wow.  What a simple solution to such a dramatic scene, geez.  Isn't it funny what motivates us?  Is there something silly that brightens your workday or chores?  I'm a candle girl.  If I'm struggling to get inspired to sit and write or work, I light a candle and suddenly, I feel cozy and comfortable and happy to sit still.  I guess her thing is color...for today anyway!

Homework

Ugh, so much homework!  I am late with this post because of homework...but I figure that it's not midnight in Alaska yet so I'm ok, right?  Today I created another image for my Daydream series.  This woman is escaping her stressful job by reading a funny book.  She is finding her happy place and going there for a moment before jumping back into her reality.  I guess we all need to do that, don't we?  I know I could use a happy break right now...ok, that's bed!  No more homework tonight, yay!

The Beauty in the Everyday

I once made the mistake of complaining to my friend about how frustrated I was at my daughter because she was incorrigible.  My friend had been undergoing fertility treatments and she and her husband had been trying to get pregnant unsuccessfully for years.  She gently responded by saying, "Kristin, I would trade 100 of your bad days with her for one of mine best days."  Of course I felt about as small as a worm and promised her I would never complain about my kid again (to her anyway).  Now I try (repeat TRY) to appreciate the simple things, the mundane moments in each day with my lovely family and try not to get too caught up in the rough patches.  We had a rough morning, it was filled with drama, tears and temper tantrums but it ended as it normally does, her at the table doing her homework and us putting her to bed, lovingly kissing her goodnight.  The beauty in the everyday is such a gift and one that I hope I always cherish.

PS. My friend has since been blessed with 2 healthy boys...one through IVF and the second was a surprise gift from God!