MrsMommyCEO

Jesse Tree

Last year I read about the Jesse Tree and instantly fell in love with the concept of an easy way to integrate God's word and the True meaning of Christmas into my children's lives. I had found the idea very late in the season last year and saved it to my favorites for this year.

Somehow, over the course of the year, the link was lost and I had forgotten the name of the tree in order to look it up again. I was incredibly disappointed, but felt drawn still to look for a plan of scripture to guide the kids and I through the holiday season. I had been putting off the task since early last week and finally this morning I felt drawn to really take action on this idea before it was too late.

I found the Jesse tree... and it begins tomorrow. I believe it's a blessing that I was drawn to this the day before it starts, but more that I found it without enough time to be drawn into my own normal desire for perfection. The concept of the tree is that each day there is a Bible reading, a discussion, and prayer. They the children can add an ornament, representing that day's story to the tree. It was my initial thought last year to make the ornaments... but at this time, the perfection of them and the time and money that I would spend is not the point.

I've decided to make the tree as a hanging banner, out of brown felt that I already have. Then each day the boys and I will make one ornament out of cardstock, construction paper, and markers that we already have.

Here is a taste of what tomorrow's lesson will entail (Taken from the Reformed Church of America)

November 30
Scripture:	Isaiah 11:1-2
Reading:	God has a plan for everything. Long before Jesus was born lived a man named Jesse. Jesse had seven sons; the youngest was named David. When David grew up, he became a great king of Israel. God had a plan for Jesse and for his son David, even before they were born. Jesus was also part of Jesse and David's family tree, born many, many years after David. People waited a long time for the birth of the savior. The season of Advent is a season of waiting for us, too. We wait for Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is hard to be patient, especially when we are waiting for something wonderful like Christmas! But it is important to learn to be patient, and to trust that God has a plan for us, too.
Talk about:	Why is waiting so hard?
Prayer:	Dear God, we thank you that you have a plan for each of us. Help us to be patient as we wait for Jesus' birthday.

I plan to share as much of this journey here as I can!

My Space

I recently began cleaning out our upstairs play room (not to be confused with the downstairs playroom)... because who needs two playrooms? I realized that it was a room full of stuff that no one used or even touched, it was storage.

So I completely gutted the room. Two trash bags, 4 donation bags, and some shifting around later and I had an empty room on my hands that was SCREAMING to be mine!

Now normally I would be enthusiastic to run out and buy things to fill this room in exactly the way I wanted, but I realized that I would be better off to use what I have here and just make do... which I really feel good about.

Yesterday I finally put my plan into action to paint two random kitchen cabinets that we had in the basement. I believe they were a hand-me-down from my mother in law who got them on clearance. But we never used them anywhere because they didn't have a top. I painted those and as luck would have it, picked up a cheap piece of counter top at Home Depot that is exactly the right size!

So now I have storage and work space, for about $60 (cost of paint, counter top, and liquid nails). I'm so excited!

I've been working on the room slowly, trying to not to become so absorbed in it, that I neglect everything else. It's really coming together! I have my desk for work, my new counter and some cabinets for all the crafting I have plans to do, and a reading corner.

Honestly, the reading corner is what motivated me more than anything. I've been searching for a quiet nook in the house where I could retreat when I needed some time away from the activity and the noise and now I've got it. I again used an old wicker chair that had been floating around the house, with no home, and an antique student desk which was collecting dust in the boys room. My little corner is cozy and warm, tucked away and I cannot wait to start using it.
 
Keep in mind, this is undecorated at this point. I'm trying to get all the big stuff situated first and then I have plans to recover this chair and make new pillows!

One last shot from the doorway....

Compassion

Lately I've been praying for God's guidance in my parenting. I've noticed in my children, an attitude of entitlement which I do not like... however it's one that I think is very easily adopted by them because of the environment that they grow up in.

At dinner at our house, I'm often heard saying the cliched, "Do you know that there are children that don't even have food?" And the answer is that they don't. They don't know, their minds cannot even comprehend that reality and I believe that no matter how much I talk about it, I don't know that I will ever be able to truly impress upon them how very blessed they are.

So I prayed for guidance. And it came in the form of The Pioneer Woman. Recently she and her children became involved in the Compassion child sponsorship program. Her children each had a sponsored child and just this month, two of them were able to visit those children in the Dominican Republic. Reading her stories, hearing her children's experiences and seeing the photos touched me very deeply and I realized that this was something that I could do for my children, and even more importantly for those children in need.

We have decided to sponsor two children. Two boys, ages 5 and 6, one from the Philippines and the other from Western Africa.

I am eager for this experience, not only for my children, but also for myself. For as much as I try to teach my children about the blessed life that we lead, I myself am guilty of forgetting also... When we get so wrapped up in material things, when we lose sight of the things that are truly important, when we take for granted the basic necessities of life that are not a given to all people.

I pray for these two little boys, that they will benefit from whatever aide we can give them and that we are able to touch their lives as much as I'm sure they will touch ours.

Inspiration

I am so thankful for the Internet... of course I am, I spend 75% of my day attached to my computer. In all seriousness, I'm grateful for the people that have had a chance to touch my life without even knowing it and it's my hope that just maybe I am able to touch someone else's life in the same way.

I'm an avid blog reader and I'm always on the hunt for new ones. A few months ago I stumbled across Janet Phillips' blog and I instantly fell in love with her. She inspired me creatively, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually. The thing is, I've never said anything to her, I've never sent her an email or even commented on her blog. But honestly, her blog is one of my absolute favorites. I admire her creativity immensely, for she is truly talented as a designer, as a scrapper, and a photographer. I admire her as a parent, because from everything that she has said about her experiences with her children, I always get the feeling that she is very grounded, focused on what is truly important and that she takes the time to enjoy the small stuff. And probably most importantly, she has inspired my faith.

I have been a Christian all my life but I have struggled with how to literally practice my religion. It's one thing to believe, to tell people that you are a Christian, but it is another thing to show them, to let your life and your actions speak for themselves. I was instantly struck by how Janet seemed to do this effortlessly... her faith is as much a part of her life as breathing. It's incredible to listen to her stories and to draw from them, so that I can learn to spread my faith through my whole life.

I admire her honesty, that she is not afraid to talk about her faith so openly. In the world we live in, I think that we are constantly on guard against offending others with our religion, worried that we will put them off in some way. However, she has an attitude that I am trying to adopt myself... that her faith is as much a part of her as that fact that she has two hands. It just is, and she doesn't apologize for it or seem in any way hesitant to talk about how she truly feels and I believe that is beautiful and amazing!

I'm sure the chances of her reading this are very slim, but I needed to voice how very much she has touched my life and also, how grateful I am that God has given us such wonderful opportunities to know others, no matter how far away they are!

Scrapping?!?

Life has been crazy lately, seems like there is always a million things to do and never enough hours in the day. I'm going better about prioritizing and not stressing out in an attempt to do everything... but right now that means that my scrap time is non-existant. It makes me sad, but then, I'm filling me time with things that make me feel good as well, so it's a good thing too!

Yesterday Nathan and I spent over an hour in the craft store... it was really nice to have just one little guy with me. I found that I had so much more patience and that his mood really fed off of mine and we had a wonderful time. I didn't mind the endless stream of questions... heck, I even spent 10 mins (while waiting in line at the fabric counter) explaining how the paper ticket machine works and why they have it! It was just nice to have a time that was not overrun with irritation and impatience... instead we just enjoyed each other's company and I realized it's something that I not only need to do more often, but that I want to do more often.

Yes... I bought fabric. Because I have lost my mind and wish to throw money away. Seriously, I've never been handy with a sewing machine, but that is probably mainly because I've never actually tried to learn to use it. I normally sit down and play around on my own and get frustrated when I get up and don't suddenly have a couture creation in my hands. But this time, I'm determined to at least accomplish some curtains (for my new craft room/office... YAY, I'm so excited!) and a few pillows for the chair... IN MY CRAFT ROOM! Any tips? Advice? Patterns? LOL!

Oh, but back to the scrapping, I don't believe I've posted these few pages that I did last week...

 
For Digi-Dare #108

 

And now I'm off to bed! One of my new "resolutions" is to get up early each morning for some me time (lately it's been time to sit quietly with a cup of coffee and read)... but it's kicking my butt because the night owl in me wants to stay up, but the human in me is screaming, "SLEEP... NOW!"

Thankful for...

Today was a long day... and getting longer, as now that I have the boys in bed, it's time to do some work!

But I'm feeling like it's not going to do me any good to list all the things that are bothering me... so instead, I'll focus on what I'm thankful for...

1. My new haircut... and that my hairdresser was able to squeeze me in
2. Peppermint syrup from Starbucks
3. The way Logan giggles when I chase him
4. Wesley being accepted into the school gifted program
5. Nathan having such an amazing preschool teacher... she is so committed to helping us through Nate's seperation issues
6. Having enough underwear to ignore the laundry for a few more days
7. The peace and quiet of 7:51 pm
8. Knowing that I am never alone... that I do not need to be overwhelmed
9. My family... my friends... for all the people that pick me up when I stumble
10. My faith, without it, I would be lost

And now... it's back to work!

A Time Warp

My assistant, also my sister, is out on vacation through Wednesday of this week, which means that I've had to step in and do my old job (my old-old job since Jamie had it before my sister... LOL). For the last few hours I felt like the me of 2 years ago and there was a part of me that ENJOYED it so much!

I miss the customer interaction that I have so little of these days and it really has brought me back to thinking about the fundamentals that I started this business on... customer service! In a time when good service really is impossible to find, I want to give every customer our absolute best. Of course it gets tedious, but in the end, it feels good to be helpful to another person. Tonight I answered email after email and each time I reminded myself to do it with a smile, for I believe that just as a smile comes through in your tone of voice, it comes through in your tone of writing as well.

I've been thinking about work a lot lately, and the more I think... the more I think. The more inspired I am and the more enthusiastic I become. I recently came across thisverse of scripture, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10) and it has really resonated within me. Ask anyone, I'm ever the over-achiever, and somewhere along the way I became derailed in that. I became frustrated and instead of persevering, I chose to lay stagnant. I'm a bit disappointed in myself, but at least now, after the breather that I've had, I'm motivated again.

Jamie, Christy, and Erin (my three WONDERFUL designers) are reading this and cringing right? LOL! But really, I feel as though it's time for me to get back in the saddle, to get back to the things that I absolutely love about my job.

I believe that these next few days will be good for me, to really give me a better taste of where we are and where I want to go!

My December Daily

I have had such a good time making this album base, that I cannot wait to see how it comes together once I actually begin on the conent!

 

Being that this was my first paper scrapped project, I tried to keep things simple for myself and closely follow Ali's own album. It took the pressure off for me, to have a base to work from and of course, she is an amazing designer!

I also used the D.Reeves acrylic file album (in clear) and the bulk of the materials used are from the Making Memories Fa La La collection. I also used the XL Clear Scraps Acrylic Shapes, Numbers from Every Jot and Tittle, and journaling blocks by Ali Edwards. 

As you can see, the book does not yet have a title. I'm really hoping to be able to do some of it in stamp form (where are my digi brushes when I need them???) and I haven't found exactly the right layout yet. However, everything else is finished and here are some of my favorite pages...

   

 

 

 

  

Definitely a Monday...

We got an official diagnosis of bronchitis (me and Logan) and pink eye (just me) this morning. We are both on strong doses of antibiotics and strict instructions from my doctor to REST and not attend anymore Eagles games while sick... but hey, that's what makes a true fan right? Maybe just a stupid fan.

Also, as is my pattern these days, I've been spending lots of time today thinking. Yeah, you are getting sick of all the introspection right? But it's just that once you allow yourself to look at your life from a perspective that is open to change and transformation, once you leave your defenses behind, you'll learn amazing things about yourself.

More and more each day, I believe that God has been waiting for this moment in my life, where I am so open to His teachings and guidance.

Just as a brief example, I have a very bad temper, which most people have no idea about. Because when my anger flares quickly, I have always stifled it and internalized whatever I am feeling. In one way, this is not bad because I don't often unleash things in anger on those I care about... the unhealthy part is that I normally don't unleash my feelings at all. I've spent a lifetime, holding back my feelings because I'm so worried about hurting someone else... even though they hurt me in the first place. I am realizing how unhealthy this is, not only for me and my mental well-being, but also for the strength of the relationships that I have. I need to learn that my own feelings are valid and that there is a way to express them calmly and rationally to the people around me... because I cannot blame someone for hurting me, if they are never aware of it. If I allow myself to be a doormat, I have no one to blame but myself when I repeatedly get walked all over. This is a stressor in my life and one that I would like to work on changing, because how much of my time and energy is wasted on anger and frustration that should be very easily taken care of?

Right now I'm also praying for God's help with my daily activities. I realize that I have taken on entirely too much, and the hard part is that the things that I want to do are all wonderful things, there are just too many of them. To the point that my attention and energy becomes so diluted that I have no focus and thus, accomplish very little. I know that this is not what God wants from me. As the Bible says, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" ~Ecclesiastes 9:10, and that is what I want for my life. I want to seek God's guidance in exactly what things I should be doing, so that I may do them with the energy that they deserve, with the focus and attention to detail that I have always possessed.

Life truly is a balancing act... or juggling, if you will. And as I look back, I feel as though my truest struggles began when I started trying to juggle 100 balls at once. Instead of putting a few down, to possibly be picked up again later, I just kept trying to keep them all in the air. So instead of having a bad day and maybe dropping one or two, I would have a bad month and drop them all, because I forgot the most important ball, which is God's. As long as I focus on Him, on keeping his ball as an absolute constant in the act of my life, then I have faith that he will take care of the rest of them.

As it says in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

The book that is changing my life...

For years, I have asked God for guidance with my anxiety and depression issues. I have asked him how to gain control of them, how to give them over to him. I believe now, that in many ways God was showing me all the things that were NOT the answer first, so that when he finally revealed the answers, I would not question and I would have a heart and mind that was ready to believe.

Recently, I went looking for a Bible Study Guide. I was looking for guidance in learning from the bible because I felt that the best way for me was not to just pick up my bible and begin reading. I found a book that I almost feel was written solely for me... Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver.

This book centers around a passage in Luke...
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman names Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." ~Luke 10:38-42

The wealth of knowledge to be found in this passage is staggering. But also, the more I delve into it's meaning, the more I can hear God's voice in my heart, gently rebuking me, "Jaclyn, Jaclyn..."

What was immediately apparent to me, was that my burden was too much, because it was MINE, not God's. I was overwhelmed and so focused on my own "many things", that I had lost site of what was really needed in my life. I am working now on learning how to recapture what is needed, a real relationship with God.

It's been an amazing few days for me mentally, as I really push myself to not only absorb and learn, but to also practice being still, to stop moving and doing and start listening.

I would urge anyone, who has the desire to balance faith in the busyness of real life to pick up this book. Even if you just have a curiosity, this books reaches out to you on a very down to earth level that it is SO easy to relate to. It's a blessing to have found a book like this, written by a woman that brings her own life, her own story, and her own struggles to the table. She does not put on ares of perfection, but more she will help you to learn through her own imperfections and mistakes.

I am really excited to have the opportunity to share this journey on my blog, where it might reach someone out there that feels the way that I do. I realize that this is not what most of you know me for, and I hope that I don't scare you away... ultimately, I would hope that if my story, my struggles, can touch even just one person, then it's all worthwhile!