Without Saying a Word

A lady standing next to me asked if I knew who "such-n-such" was. They are "such-n-such's" sibling. My shoulder nearly touching hers enough to hear over the loud fans, whistleblowing, hightops screeching, coaches hauler, teammates calling for teammates and other parents talking.

We stood in the awkward position pushed against the wall out of harm's way, the ball. "No", I replied. "When my oldest daughter graduated a few years ago, it was the best release not keeping up with everyone." Our shoulders separated. She slid back into her upright standing position while I did the same.

It's important to know people, I get that, especially kids and families our own children are involved with. Also, I am a believer in going with what feels natural. Meaning where the Holy Spirit leads me in my demeanor as a mother. And this is feeling pretty awesome. Free. From. Highschool. Life.

My second child is only in middle school. So, I've enjoyed the break from high school life. A momma deserves a break, right. This time around starting the teen years, I am one of the few who already raised a teen. Eyeballs are on me, "give us advice".

That's cool with me. I'll start by saying "every child is different". I see it with the very two I am raising, and I saw it first hand up close with my oldest daughter and her friends. Let's just say it was a beautiful process to watch those kids grow up. More importantly, watch the other parents. Back then I was the mom who didn't have an older child. So, I did a lot of evaluating and watching of parenting skills. Then there were things behind closed doors, I had to tackle on my own as a mother. Today, I want to share those with you. Because I've been there. I've raised a daughter. Who is now 20. Which is another set of parenting challenges. Your time will come with those years too. I promise. Just like you got through infant, toddler, terrible two's, you will get past the teen years. I'll get past the 20's and teen's again.

When one is in the heat of the moment raising a teen, it can be hard. We can tend to forget what it was like for us personally when we were a teen.

If words fly off the handle.
The door gets slammed.
If mumbles form under the breath getting out of the car at practice.

Let it go!

Yes, I said it. Let it go.

Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still. 

The harder we push, the harder they push the other way.

Think back to when you were a teen.

The pressure:

fitting in
performing the way a certain coach requires
adjusting to being around young and older girls/boys
longer practices
body changes
self-image
enter-image

Be the mushy comfort your teen needs without saying a word, for now at least. [Click here to tweet].

Plan a time to watch a movie or tv show with just them. Make a movie ticket. Write it on a notecard. You can even schedule it verbally. This may require staying up later. Or asking your spouse to hang with the rest of the crew while you get this special time.

Write a note of encouragement. Post the note to their mirror, closet door, back of bathroom door or inside a cabinet. Leave it for a few days. Depending on your child's personality you may need to take it down before company, better yet leave it for the company to see, they might need encouragement too. Add a Bible verse. Not sure which verse. Find one here. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Encourage each other and build each other up. 

Do a chore. One they are normally responsible for. No one wants to add more to their momma/dad list. I get it. Really, I do. Trust me on this one. You may not hear a response back on this one from your child. There's no need.

Speak kindly to them. Even if not spoken to kindly first. Proverbs 16:24 Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. 

Ask for a hug. Not everyone is a hugger. If you are unsure test the waters and see if yours is. Can't get a hug in aim for a high-five. Or watching the movie snuggle next to them. Even if it's only touching shoulders.

Pray. Ask the Lord to reveal things He might be communicating to you about your personal self through this time. We are always growing. He is always talking to us. I know raising my oldest I grew mentally and spiritually. How do you feel about yourself? Are you jam up okay with the way things are? Do you love your job, hair, looks, etc? If you do not read anything else I've written, read this. You are jam up. You are a cool parent. You are a child of Gods. That's what matters. That's what makes you cool. You are loved. You are awesome. You matter. When we are busy loving God, others and our life there is no room for drama, worry, fear or regrets. Ephesians 2:19-22 When you feel unloved, unimportant, or insecure remember to whom you belong. 

Leave a gift. We all like surprises. If the teen needs something like a new toothbrush, socks, a pencil pouch or something for school, use this item as the gift. Leave a small note with the item stating, "I got this just for you." Don't go out breaking the bank to gift something in hopes the teen will never be grumbly again. A small gesture is all that's needed. Even baking a favorite meal or treat of theirs would be awesome.

Share what it was like when you were a teen. Teens love to hear stories about when we were kids. They want to know we screwed up, talked back to our parents, ran into a door in front of everyone, struggled with our appearance, and we saw the need for a daily relationship with Christ. Most get saved moving on never developing a relationship. This may be something you need to pray about personally for yourself. If so, that is perfectly okay.

While praying ask the Lord to show you which of these above would be good for you and your teen. All of them are not meant to be tackled. One. Few. Couple. Be the comfort your teen needs from the outside world. Be the hands and feet of Jesus.

You will make it through this.
You can handle this.
You can put the wooden spoon away.
You will see the sassy leave.

You are a great parent.

If you found this helpful leave a comment, tell a friend, share on facebook or other social networks. You can use the quick links just below.

Welcome March

Realizing your growth as an artist calls for a free gift.

As we walk into the first day of March, I have something for everyone.

I am so glad you are reading this.
I am so glad you read my regular blog post.
I am so glad you've watched me over the years grow.

My thank you is you having FREE access to my online art class I filmed in 2013.

It's Spring related so I wanted to share the entire month of March.

The classroom is set up like my regular blog. So if you are a regular reader of my blog then you are familiar already. The class will be easy to navigate. Use the password below each video to gain access to the video lessons. The only one not password protected is the first one. It's been fun looking back over this class seeing how I've grown as an artist and realizing my studio looks different too.

With Spring break around the corner, this would be a great backup plan or front line plan. It's great for all ages. May you're needing something to watch as free entertainment or want to get to know me better this is your moment. You can do the activities or not. Totally up to you. Hope you enjoy seeing what it's like inside my classroom.

A few things since the filming of this class in 2013:

I have new pillows on my front porch swing.
My husband built a new table for my studio.
I no longer have the inspiration board.
The wall with the mirror has more of my artwork hanging.
Sean Lowe is married now.
I haven't been back to Vegas.
I started writing my second book.

Filming this class helped me overcome some major depression I was battling.

I can not thank you enough for being you.

It's people like you who make my creating possible to move forward.

It's because of people like you platforms grow.

This is a $39 dollar value.

Enjoy!

Please share!

Click here > March FREE online art class 

What I recently made

September is a busy birthday month for my family and friends.

My mother n laws is just a few days ahead of mine, which were both last week. 

The kids tell me so often how much she loves frogs. 

So I got to creating! 

Meet, Give a Ribbit!

When I was in junior high, high school and college, I collected frogs myself. I'd even spend hours on my front porch taking as many pictures possible aiming for just the perfect one. This was back in the film days. So needless to say I ended up with a lot of unwanted pictures. Which then makes me think back to when people first were going digital. I was photographing weddings at the time enjoying my film camera. For a solid year, I fought myself in the mind set on there's no reason to go digital I am fine. Although, there's a few things I miss about the film world digital out weighs it by a long, long shot! 

 

My love of frogs gave me the inspiration to create this guy. Isn't this little guy the cutest little thing you've every seen. My oldest daughter tried to take it from me when I finished creating him. Starting out with a 10x10 gallery wrap, which is my most favorite size to work on and gallery wrap is my most favorite type of canvas to create on, I pasted scrape pages as the background. Once dry, I smeared a few hints of light green paint on the edges. Bubble wrap was used to make a touch of white spots. This was carried on over to the edges of the canvas where I worked some dark brown in as well. I always tried to create a paint pattern on the edges of the canvas that will coordinate with the background. As I type this, I realize the side of the canvas was not captured, maybe next time!

On to creating the frog himself, I pulled some pillow stuff I hand on hand out. Several years ago, I made window seat cushions and have a few bags of stuffing left over. It's one of many things I've kept in my supple closet making for lots of great creations. Forming what looked like a frog to me after glancing over a clipart of a frog, I glued the painted green stuffing to the canvas. Making his eyes, mouth, dots, front feet, back legs and stomach piece everything came together so nicely. I was truly happy with his out come. 

Hope he brings a JOYFUL ribbit to his new home!

Do you collect frogs?

Do you miss film photography?

Christmas in July

Baby it's cold outside, not hardly! 

In good ole Mississippi we've been ranking 

in 85-100° weather. Like today is 85° only because 

it's cloudy. Yesterday was 88° with humidity at 90%.

I am bringing you a goodie for some 

Summer cheer what a treat for this time of year, 

right, Christmas in July. 

Above you will see I have my matte Mod Podge out along with my 

folk art vintage white acrylic paint. I covered a 

10x10 gallery wrap canvas with paper scrapes 

using the Mod Podge coming in behind 

with the vintage white paint. I smeared it all along 

the edges of the canvas touching the edges 

of the papers as well as lightly brushing

over the papers themselves. 

I used a piece of burlap painted a goldish brown color 

for the trunk of the tree created. Using book pages 

I rolled them and Mod Podge them in what looked to be 

the perfect place to start the base of the tree. 

Using an old piece of cardboard I penciled a 

star shape on the back and cut it out with scissors 

from my art table. Mod Podge was then placed 

on the back while I positioned it with the 

ridges of the cardboard facing foreword. 

This can be seen in picture below.

Once the Mod Podge dried I knew ornaments would be place
throughout the tree. During the drying process, 

I gathered the papers I'd use to cut 

small circles to use as the ornaments.

When I picked the paper I went 

with my best judgement of how I wanted the tree to feel and look, not 

every ones will look like mine, nor the persons next to you. I believe

this is very critical to remember when creating anything whether it 

be a meal, a wreath, a living room setting, an outfit etc. Be confident

in your work, your art regards what your working on. It's taking 

me years to come to those terms, but mine doesn't look like 

theirs. It's not intended to. It's what makes it yours. 

And that's very special…

After Mod Podging the ornaments in place, 

 see them above, I used bubble wrap. 

I love me some bubble wrap. 

Maybe I should bubble wrap a room… 

I used Americans cherry red on the edges 

of the canvas. 

I even smeared some on the front edges, see further below, 

with my finger where I continued using a blue and 

a dark brown going for a vintage look. 

I worked on this process 

until the picture felt complete. The more you create the more you 

will learn what that feeling feels like. I've even passed that feeling

before while creating and had to wait awhile longer until I reached

another moment in my creating process 

for it to feel complete 

once again. 

I used a black sharpie or black paint pen, can't remember,
both will work great, to write "have yourself a Merry little 

Christmas this year". That's something else I love about the 

creative process start with the supplies you have 

on hand before you plunge into spending

tons of money. 

Green paint and marker was added to the book pages, tree,

as well as the start was paint with hints of bright yellow.

I used this as a teacher gift for my 

daughters teacher one year. The plate stand was purchased 

from Hobby Lobby.

I love this look.