The Joy in Accepting That You Are Accepted

I was recently reminded of a testimony I had shared five and a half years ago. It was a good reminder to me of how God is so faithful to create peace out of chaos and confusion. He cares too much for us to let us struggle forever with misconceptions about His love and grace. May great hope be found today in His unconditional acceptance of you.

“Throughout my life I have struggled with the truth that salvation is not earned. Now, I would tell you that I was saved by grace, but the way I lived was as though it depended on doing good deeds and being perfect. Then I would be accepted as a good youth pastor’s wife. (Self-talk can be really messed up sometimes.)  I didn't even realize I was living with the perception that through my works I could be accepted as a worthy example of a Christ follower.  The more my schedule was packed with doing good, the more I convinced myself I was more lovable to God. Being busy equaled greater self-worth in my mind. I considered self-sufficiency a virtue and invested myself accordingly. When I faced daily challenges (whether mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual), it became my mission to solve whatever the problem was on my own with as little involvement from others as possible. That would be seen as weakness, and I did not want to let anyone down…believers are strong in their faith, right? My vision of being holy was confused with having to be perfect. As I relied more and more on myself, I began noticing that I no longer felt hunger and thirst for the things of God.  That made me feel guilty, and my guilt seemed to push me further away from Him.  Weak and burned out, inadequate and overwhelmed, these feelings and misconceptions were affecting me in all areas of my life.  It was like I had created an isolation zone for myself in my fervor to be perfect and sufficient.  I was alone and discouraged. I was mentally stressed out and physically depleted. The harder I tried to be the perfect Christian full of good deeds, the more restless and empty I felt.

 

I’ll never forget the night that Mike was out of town on a student retreat and my own kids were all in bed. I lay awake in the night feeling like a big fake. For all my attempts at right living and acts of service, I was failing miserably at trusting in God and was falling apart on the inside. In desperation, I cried out to God to just ‘show me what to do because I can't go on like this!’ I raided Mike’s book collection and opened The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. As I read these words, all of a sudden the dry desert in my soul became flooded with new life and truth:

'Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness.  It strikes us when we walk through the dark valley of a meaningless and empty life. It strikes us when year after year, the longed-for perfection does not appear, when the old compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage.  Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying, "YOU ARE ACCEPTED. YOU ARE ACCEPTED." Accepted by that which is greater than you.  Simply accept the fact that you are accepted...

Grace calls out, “You may be insecure, inadequate or mistaken.  Death, panic, depression, and disillusionment may be near you.  But you are not just that. You are accepted."

  

Overwhelming peace and joy came into my spirit and I just lay there weeping for this realization of just how powerful the grace of Jesus is.  He accepts me in all of my imperfections.  He accepts me in the midst of disappointing Him. It was like a great wave of healing as the Holy Spirit continued to minister to me.  Along with that peace of just letting go, came the conviction that my attempts at being self-sufficient were at odds with God.  At the root of it all was pride.  Pride is the opposite of the humility of Christ.  So I confessed this sin and received the cleansing made possible through the blood of Jesus because of His grace. My prayer continues to be, 'Lord, help me follow the example of Christ’s humility.' I continue to be in awe of how much God loves me and how His grace will always accept me.

'Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.' -Romans 5:6-8 (The Message)

 'My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.' -Brennan Manning



<<Watch "Who Am I" video by Casting Crowns>>

Who Am I by Casting Crowns is one of my favorite songs and testimony for my life because of its interwoven theme of grace. The message of the song is worth sharing over and over again… we are accepted and forgiven and it’s not because of who we are…it’s because of what He’s done.  It’s not because of anything we have done… but because of who He is. Grace continues to be what I am most thankful for and by which I am transformed. Transformed from a person whose goal used to be perfectionism, but now is to trust in a loving Savior to show me how to best glorify Him.  Now that I fully accept the fact that I am accepted, I am free to share the encouragement of grace with others.  I pray you find joy in the truth that you are NOT just your imperfections, you are LOVED and ACCEPTED. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted.”

Creating Beauty on a Budget



Before

After. So Pinterest worthy.

Don't you admire people that can take a bunch of odds and ends and turn them into a masterpiece? I mean, I get oodles of inspiration from Pinterest and consider myself pretty capable of putting my own twist on some of those fantastic ideas. But ever wonder who comes up with those pinworthy posts in the first place?  I happen to know- because my sis, Renee, is one of those people. That's not just me being prejudiced. An objective survey identified her signature strength as creativity.

And boy, does it show.

One of the coolest things about her brand of being creative is that she is careful to live within her means. Her family is currently finishing their beautiful home they designed and built in stages to stay out of debt. So very wise- but oh so challenging in our instant gratification society! Last fall, Renee decided that since the perfect fireplace installation was slated for the future, she needed to get creative with the unsightly hole in the wall in her living room now. 



It just wasn't helping her feel peaceful, calm, or satisfied with her surroundings when she wanted to relax in that space with her family after a long day at work. What could she do to make that unfinished room "rise up to meet her" and stay committed to her family's time table and spending plan in their house projects?

A work in progress...



I couldn't find a better example of my blog's slogan to adapt, execute, and enjoy than my sister's work to transform that empty space! Her adapting started with gathering meaningful things that bring her joy to collect or have sentimental value for her family. From gifts received, to special finds from road trips and vacations, to a stained glass window from the church her husband attended as a boy- the possibilities of what she could use to create good vibes seemed pretty limitless. Her executing took place when she decided that she could implement her plan immediately, regardless of the time of year. In fact, she uses the changing of the seasons to aid her with decorating ideas. Renee's seasonal execution keeps the room fresh and inspires her spirit. Now she is free to enjoy the room that is the first one she walks into at the end of the day because it greets her with her most special and favorite things. She experiences the feeling of satisfaction that she achieved her goal of having a focal point of beauty on a budget. True to her personality and character, she is most happy when she is using her signature strength of creativity. 

Christmas nativity- the beauty is in the simplicity

 

'Snow' much fun for winter!

She even takes it a step further to make it fun for her family by letting her two year old play in the decor. Her little guy loves to watch birds out the big picture window. When he found an injured baby robin out of its nest, he made it his mission to take care of that little bird until it was back on its feet (with parental support, of course). He is a hoot to watch moving the colored wooden bird eggs in and out of the nest in her spring display. I really kind of think that is a stroke of genius that she thought of a way to make her focal point interactive for him as well. How awesome is that?!

Look closely and you can see Henry's eggs...

Making memories during the process is a bonus.

By telling about her inspiration, I hope it might inspire you to take the initiative to gain fulfillment in some area of your life. You have nothing to gain by waiting for more money, more time, more fill-in-the-blank with whatever you feel you are lacking. But think of the satisfaction and happiness you'll experience bringing your own brand of peace and meaning to your surroundings. You know, it is never any better than it is right now, so stop waiting. Your ability to adapt, execute, and enjoy is going to enrich your life. YOU CREATE THE JOY THAT MAKES YOUR LIFE BETTER.

Why I Traded Baskets and Bunnies for Peace and Promise

We've all had a moment sometime in our lives when we realized the main thing was no longer the main thing. As a Christian, I have always testified to the unequivocal importance of Easter morn. But two years ago, I became convicted about how fluffy and shallow my observance of the Resurrection had become. I questioned how really spiritually impacted my kids were by coloring eggs and filling baskets and wearing new carefully coordinated outfits to church. Those things are not wrong, (I do love me a good Easter egg hunt), but unfortunately I was putting way too much emphasis on the superficial and not enough on the significant. Knowing my limited amount of time and resources (did you know you can run yourself ragged keeping up with it all?),

I began evaluating my priorities... and found them to be a little skewed.

My husband Mike came up with an awesome idea. He began a tradition of serving the Seder meal (Passover) to our family as a way to illustrate the significance and fulfillment of Jesus' death and resurrection in a visual and tangible way. And our Easter has never been the same.

Not being Jewish, I needed some education on the importance of this tradition. God's chosen people observed a very special annual remembrance of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The serving of bitter herbs and saltwater reminded them of the travesty and tears of bondage. As Mike explains their horrible slavery and offers the boys a taste of the herbs dipped in the saltwater, I am reminded of how enslaved my heart has been when mired in hurts, habits, and hangups that feel a lot like chains.  Chains that need to be broken for me to experience freedom of the soul. When he talks about the pure and unblemished lamb they ate at their table, my thoughts go to the beautiful and sinless life of Christ, His perfect example of love, and His ultimate sacrifice. Every time my husband explains that the lamb was the centerpiece of the meal and how its head was purposely adorned with the semblance of a crown, tears come to my eyes because I can visualize the Lamb of God with His undeserved crown of thorns harshly pushed into His head, in pain as He sheds His holy blood to forgive my unholiness. Thankfully, this is not where the symbolism ends. One of my favorite parts of the tradition is when Mike hides the three pieces of unleavened bread in white napkins and my own heart stirs with the anticipation and excitement that comes from knowing that although Jesus' body was hidden in the grave wrapped in burial cloths, HE DID NOT STAY THERE. Because He was resurrected and conquered death, He breathes new life into my soul here and now and forevermore.

Does this sound really somber and other-worldly? It's not. Rest assured, the E boys are going to ask their own brand of questions about somewhat strange aspects of the rituals that have a tendency to lead down rabbit trails. There is laughter as we realize that some of our modern substitutions for the traditional meal are a far cry from the real thing- we use a large meat bone because I just can't bring myself to cook a lamb!  There is a kerfuffle at the end when they all clamor for the last drink from the fancy goblet of grape juice. I've yet to see any halos around our heads as we sit in the darkness with only candles for light on the coffee table elbowing each other to see who gets the most comfortable ottoman and who has to settle for pillows as their seats. Just keeping it real here, folks.

But the joy that has been created by exploring this celebration on a deeper level has undoubtly enriched our lives. I can't adequately express the peace and happiness in this mama's heart when I see my boys gathered around a little table filled with symbols of promised deliverance and salvation through the lens of history and hope. And when I see the evidence of new spiritual understanding dawning in their hearts and minds,  I HAVE NO REGRETS about not spending an inordinate amount of time shopping for everyone's favorite candy to fill plastic eggs or preference of chocolate bunnies. The exchange of connecting the people I love the most in the whole world with our compassionate Christ instead of the pressure of perfectly personalized Easter baskets is a trade I will gladly make. Every time.

I welcome your comments about how your family keeps the main thing as the main thing when celebrating the Resurrection.

Do the Thing Only You Can Do-Experience Freedom

There really is something to this whole freedom in your forties thing. It's like suddenly I'm not so worried about what other people think anymore. I know what I'm good at and I can own that. The pressure I used to put on myself to meet unrealistic standards and measures (real or perceived) has fallen by the wayside where it belongs.

It's not just about letting go. I used to think by this point in my life I'd have it all figured out and have perfected THE career of my choice with single-minded focus. But guess what? I continue to discover horizons to expand and a depth to my calling I never knew was there. IT'S NOT ABOUT BEING PERFECT. It's about opening yourself up, sharing your gifts, and being available to do this thing called life with abandon.

Read the chapter "Run Your Race" in For the Love by Jen Hatmaker for further inspiration to DO YOUR THING.

<<Order "For the Love">>
Personal testimonial here. I've known for a long time that I am meant to be an encourager to kids. A huge part of being successful as a teacher is helping kids believe in themselves and recognizing even the smallest steps of improvement on their way to mastery.  Bolstering their courage to try something new or persevere in the face of challenges happens on a daily basis in my classroom. It's part of my job. I'm paid to do it. And I love it.

But my calling to encourage is not limited to the way I earn my living. Through an awakening process involving my own disillusionment and soul searching, I have realized that there is immense joy in being vulnerable and taking risks to go deeper in my calling and branch out of my comfort zone to reach a place of peace and fulfillment that glorifies the Father.

This desire I have to encourage and inspire others to be their best selves is not limited to the children in my classroom. What a blessing and source of personal happiness it has been to me to discover new ways to encourage the adults in my life as well. Why did I not see these other opportunities for me to use my gifts before turning forty?  I'm not sure. I think maybe it took the earth-shattering, mind-numbing, stress-ridden, emotional turmoil, and the dark disillusionment of the worst year in my teaching career for my eyes to be opened to a bigger purpose and personal vision for my life. Without the crash and burn, there is no revitalization.  God wants to redeem the ruins of what you perceive as failure and build something stronger with a greater impact in its place.

If you feel forsaken in that spot of being completely disheartened or disenfranchised,  I want to share with you that it is possible to embrace the epic letdown of your life (whatever aspect that might be) with the hope that greater good is in store. Keep the faith. What the enemy of your soul means to use to destroy you, God means to use for GOOD. Your good. The good of those around you. Even the good for others you have yet to meet.

Realizing that my love of writing and desire to help others discover their creativity combined with the gift of encouragement, could find a voice in a new way was a huge force in motivating me to write a blog. The temptation of comparing myself to other writers I've admired and finding myself lacking is something I have previously succumbed to and let stifle me. It had to be let go. Being vulnerable and sharing my imperfections is risky.  But since starting to blog, every time someone tells me that they have been uplifted or inspired by a post, I am reminded that it's not about my insecurities. It's about giving it all and being real for the greater good. I have a fear of public speaking in front of adults, but when considering my personal vision of empowering and encouraging my fellow teachers, I decided it was time to abandon my insecurity and replace it with an opportunity to give a workshop of what fuels my passion to be a teacher. Feeling in over my head is something I've previously avoided at all costs. That fear had to be surrendered and faith that bravery would be found when it was needed won the day. When I read another teacher's comments after the workshop about how excited they are as they now strengthen their connections with their students and families or hear their stories about the positive results of trying new strategies we've brainstormed together,  I am reminded it's not about my fears. It's about sharing life lessons for the benefit of others and working together for the good of strengthening our relationships professionally and personally.

Whether you have reached your forties or not, you can decide to let go of unrealistic expectations or pressure from the perceptions of others. It's time to own what you are good at. This thing that is your gift has new ways to be practiced and other venues in which it may be shared. I pray that what you previously perceived as a setback, can be recognized as the new opportunity that it really is. God can use it to grow new branches on your tree of influence and ability to do good. Whatever your thing is, do it with confidence because you are meant to do it, and you are the only one that can do it like you! You'll never know the feeling of floating in overwhelming freedom and abandon until you let the waves of truth crash over you and allow yourself to be in over your head.

I love "In Over My Head" for the encouragement to abandon and trust and use these lyrics in my blog. Take a listen below.

<<Watch "In Over My Head" on YouTube>>

God's ability to use everything that is consecrated to Him for your good and the good of others in your life is waiting to be embraced. Be encouraged today! You are not perfect, but you are available and THAT IS WHAT DELIGHTS HIM. Adapt your gift to share with the people in your life, execute your gift with the gratitude that God will use it to bless others, and enjoy the fulfillment of moving away from the comfortable shore and being in the ocean of possibilities... beautifully in over your head. -In Over My Head//Bethel Music

Being a Mom of Boys - What No One Ever Told Me

Life is brimming with the unexpected. If anyone had told me when I first became an adult that I would be a mom of four kids, I would have told them no way. If they would have said I would have four boys, I would have laughed in their face. But here I am. Four kids and all boys. The only one in my family with the pair of x chromosomes. I am, in fact, referred to as the 'Queen of the Castle'. In earning this title, I have learned several things that NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT BEFORE BECOMING A PARENT OF BOYS. So if you are a  member of the M.O.B. club, find a place to be alone (you and I both know that is in the master bathroom), enjoy some solitude (that means lock the door and stick a towel underneath the crack), and relate to the challenges and rewards of being a M.O.B. (laugh, cry, eat chocolate-whatever...solidarity, sister).

I've become pretty good at blending in with the E boys.

1) Any object of any shape or size becomes a ball for whatever sport is in season. Socks, pencils, shoes, soda cans, books can all become basketballs, footballs, or baseballs. These items will be thrown into the nearest receptacle or aimed/batted at the furthest target regardless of what fragile items are in the line of fire. We have the broken light fixtures to prove it.

2) Danger thresholds are frequently confused with fun things to try. Pellet gun wars, making smoke bombs from sugar and stump remover, lighting bottle rockets to throw out of bedroom windows, building a sledding hill using the deck stairs...need I say more?

Deck stairs can become a snow hill...who knew?

3) Your bare feet will suffer multiple injuries from stepping on Legos. I do believe I have permanent indentations on the soles of my feet in the shape of these toys from "The Lego Years".

4) Punching each other is the universal language of brothers. Punching can mean, "Hey, man. What's up?" or "Let's throwdown MMA style in the living room, " or "I'm getting ready to kill you and you better run".

5) The refrigerator is never closed for more than 10 consecutive minutes before it is being raided for food and drink. I call them 'grazing omnivores'. Right now my oldest is a teenager and can outconsume the Hulk. I'm fully resigned to the fact that I will be taking out a second job when I have more than one son in the teen years just so I can afford to buy groceries.

6) Shirts are optional. I guess the reasoning here is it takes less time to start the MMA wrestling if your shirt is already off??? All I know is there are no farmer tans in this house.

Bunny hunting with no shirts, of course.

8) Bathrooms are optional. Way out of a girl's comfort zone, but boys have no qualms about dropping trou in the great outdoors when nature calls. Why interrupt a backyard football game just because you have to pee?

7) Things are never truly put away. I have found Hot Wheels cars in the ice tray in the freezer, all manner of debris i.e.-  clothing, drink containers, TV remote, DS devices/games, money, and homework shoved underneath the bed after so called 'cleaning my room', vile smelling ingredients for science experiments left on the kitchen counter, and dirty socks every-freaking-where.  But I guess my all-time freakout favorite is finding an athletic cup on top of my makeup basket in the morning after a night of baseball games. (Yeah-I'm still not over that one. Can you say scarred for life?)

Killer Whale Hot Wheels frozen in the ice tray- whaaa???

Just when I think I am the wrong person for the job of mothering boys because I just don't think that way (women are from Venus, you know) or cannot handle being grossed out one more time (the farting and burping are continuous), a ray of light will shine through the clouds of chaos and confusion (and dirt and grime) and remind me that there is NO PLACE I'D RATHER BE THAN A HOUSE FULL OF BOYS. I've heard some of the best affirmations of my life out of the mouths of my sons. Here are a few of the sparkling gems of encouragement I have enjoyed in the language of my little boys:

1) "Mom, when I grow up, will you marry me?" my once three year old asked me this while putting his hands on each side of my face followed by humming "Here Comes the Bride".

2) "Wow, Mom. You look good today! Like a 30-something with no kids." It was one of those rare times in my 43-year-old life when a good makeup day and a good hair day coincided. Love it when that happens.

3) "Thanks for dinner, Mom. That was the best lasagna ever!" It was Stauffer's from the freezer, but I will totally deny it if you tell them that.

4) "You should get The Mom of the Year Award." This was declared after I got them breakfast from The Donut Palace on two school mornings... in a row. The way to a boy's heart IS donuts.

5) A love note assuring me in a most endearing second grade boy way that he knows I am always on his side and will always be his biggest fan. Seriously the best note I've ever received.

All. The. Feels. It doesn't get any better than this.

6) Nightly prayers and confessions. Whether it's hearing my little boy asking God to "help us rock and roll our day tomorrow" (they have their own bedtime prayers) or being asked if he can "please be baptized because of asking Jesus to come into my heart and I'm ready to show everyone I want to live for God",  my own heart is melted at their sincerity and moved by their intention to just be who God created them to be.

Sometimes there are just no words to express the happiness.

I have resigned myself to the fact that I am NOT THE PERFECT PARENT. Oh, how I wish I was, but no one can be. What I can be is a mom whose purpose it is to create an environment that makes it easier for my sons to hear that still, small voice inside them that helps them discern right from wrong.  To be a mom that instills in her sons the belief that their choices have the power to positively impact others. To be a mom that recognizes the reality of what makes her sons who they are and embraces the truth that God has created them JUST THIS WAY to live a life that worships Him. I know not to expect them to be perfect either, but I am so very humbled when I think about what God has entrusted me with. These four boys, rowdiness and all, that will one day become men investing in a career and sharing their talents and abilities with others, committing themselves to their wives with all their hearts, and raising a family with the intention of making this world a better place. When I consider that, my feelings of being overwhelmed when surrounded with an abundance of testosterone and the 'men are from Mars' worldviews, are changed to feelings of being overwhelmed at the incredible blessing I experience of being the first woman in their lives to help them build a foundation of faith, freedom, and caring that will serve them well their whole life through.

Yes, life is brimming with the unexpected.  You see, NO ONE EVER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO HAVE THIS MUCH LOVE IN MY HEART. I never knew I'd have tears in my eyes at a parent teacher conference because I heard that my son stood up for someone being laughed at by other kids at school and offered to help him with his homework. I didn't anticipate the joy I'd feel at hearing my son declare at our family Thanksgiving dinner that what he is most grateful for is Jesus' sacrifice as our Savior. I didn't foresee the depth of emotion I could know when I get a hug and a compliment from my son on how glad he is that I am his mom and he says "I'm so lucky- I just can't imagine a better mom in the whole world than you, " and a promise to take care of me if I ever can't take care of myself.

It's very true that sometimes life is not what you expect. Sometimes it's better.

Creating Happiness - That Smile on the Face of Your Soul

Happiness. Was there ever a more agreed upon state of being that the entire universe desires?  Everyone wants happiness- that  positive emotion of pleasure combined with the deeper feelings of engagement and meaning (Martin Seligman). Philosophies are centered around it, songs written about it, even founding fathers declaring it's value. And, of course, modern thought consumed by being successful so one can be happy.  And while I admit to being strongly influenced... okay- BUYING INTO this last concept hook, line, and sinker, it has presented frustrations for me on two fronts.

Problem #1- I refer to it as the 'Hamster on the Wheel'. I have been known to set goals, telling myself "when I do/get such and such, that will make me so happy." Yet when said goal is reached, I don't have the feels I expect, so I end up saying, "well, when I do/get to the next level by doing/getting such and such AND so and so, then that will make me happy." You see where this is going, right? The road to happiness wheel just keeps spinning as my hamster efforts exhaust me in the process.

Problem #2- I refer to it as the 'Perfect Plans Gone Awry Syndrome'. My perception of how things need to go in order for me to experience success and be happy is frequently interrupted by people and circumstances out my control. So annoying, right? I find myself thinking, "This wasn't supposed to happen! How could they/it interfere like that? There's no way I'm accepting that. That makes me so unhappy!"

Through a process of forced self-reflection (that's a nice way of saying hitting rock bottom), I concluded I had some twisted thinking regarding happiness. Without realizing it, I had turned over much of my control of thoughts and feelings to circumstances and the effects of other people's actions on my life. I even discovered that the whole "success brings happiness" theory is COMPLETELY FALSE. In fact, the opposite is true. Happiness brings success.

Among the important sources that helped me have this epiphany was The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor.  I wish there was a way to succinctly summarize all of his research and methods, but frankly it is just so extensive and amazing I highly recommend you read it yourself. Suffice it to say it was extremely enlightening to learn that there are great strategies to implement on a daily basis that allow me to take charge of my own state of well-being and redirect my thought processes regarding success for my emotional health, positive feelings, and well, happiness. 

I would like to share with you one huge takeaway I got from my reading and a ridiculously  SIMPLE way to experience happiness in daily life. Take note of these 2 easy steps, my friends:


Step 1: Evaluate yourself. Did you know that when you exercise your character strengths and special skills your positivity surges? Yes, it's been proven by research. You can quickly and easily find and rank your positive traits, thanks to the internet. Go to https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register and take the FREE survey to rank your signature strengths and be honest. I have taken personality and spiritual gifts tests before, but this is different. It was like turning the light on as I realized why I get jazzed about the stuff that gets my energy up and puts a smile on my face. Also, my list of top ten strengths had a few surprises that have increased my awareness of the depth and reality of who I really am. So cool.

Step 2: List your top 5 strengths and make a point to participate in an activity exercising one of those strengths every day. Sometimes the grind of what we feel we HAVE to do in a day ends up encroaching on the necessity of enhancing our embedded unique attributes and passion. But ultimately, I control my thoughts, feelings and decisions. You know who controls your decisions to be happy? YOU DO. So I'm  calling you out!. I challenge you to think about a new way to use one of your strengths every day for a week... and FEEL YOUR POSITIVITY ELEVATE.

This totally works, you guys. Speaking for myself, I have felt my pleasure, engagement, and meaning increase significantly as I creatively utilize my traits. It's been really eye opening to see how practicing spirituality, love of learning, love, creativity, and gratitude  (my top five) are absolutely essential to boosting my joy in the ebb and flow of life. Because I experience these boosts regularly, I find myself being more productive, more motivated, more confident, better at problem solving, and satisfied with my life. Hmmm...that sounds a lot like being successful.

So seriously, you absolutely, positively should try this. We're talking the ultimate in adapting, executing, and enjoyment here. You won't be disappointed. In fact, I'm so confident you will experience an extra spring in your emotional step and have a bigger smile on the face of your soul that I am saying "You're welcome" in advance!  It's never been more applicable for me to use my motto to encourage you than it is in this moment: YOU CREATE THE JOY THAT MAKES YOUR LIFE  BETTER.

*What are your top 5? I hope you'll share your top 5 signature strengths as a comment below. It is so fascinating and awesome to see how our special traits work in tandem to make our world a better place.*

It's Party Time! - Create Some Fun Part 2

It's here! Valentine's Day signals the last official holiday class celebration of the school year where I teach. Time to get our party on! As promised in the last post, I'm sharing some ideas that I plan to use for my party this year. Some new, some I've used before. I love looking at pictures  (Pinterest is an addiction) so I've put my twist on the things I really like and included the photos.

The theme is "Bananas For You".   I'm not a real big fan of red hearts and balloons with sappy sayings and lovey dovey for kids, but I do get into celebrating friendship! Little kids love animals and ice cream, so how can you go wrong with good friends, monkeys, and banana splits?!

First, the all important parent invitation. We want to make sure our families know they are welcome to join us. The kids will take these home in their folders and hopefully, they get posted on the frig as a reminder to their guests.  I also take advantage of using remind.com to send group texts to the students' families the night before our party and the parents really appreciate the communication.

Personally, my favorite part of party prep is decorating. Let's just say Hobby Lobby is a frequent stop for me on the weekends and leave it at that. (I can kind of go crazy in there.) Most of the tablescape items did indeed come from that store. No overly feminine décor or girlie colors-  boys are going to be at this party, too!

Parents really get into taking pictures of their kiddos on these occasions, so I am always sure to include a photo prop area. It is the first thing you see when you walk into the room, so it automatically doubles as additional decor. My giant monkey I found in a seasonal bin at a grocery store (for $14.99 - what a deal!) ended up being a huge hit with everyone last year.

I've had great success with preschoolers making their own Valentine bags (rather than dragging a box to school that their parents created at home that is twice the size of their child- I'm not even kidding). We review shapes while putting together adorable little monkey faces and practice name spelling by decorating paper bananas with sticker letters.  Cuteness! Line up all the bags and the kiddos just walk down the line dropping their Valentine cards into their friends' sacks. This takes a while for twenty students, so this serves as our activity time. Easy peasy.

A craft project to complete with their parent/guest is also part of the celebration. My son was my guinea pig in creating a trial run of this Valentine card.  I decided to give a nod to some traditional pink paper and hearts as they were the easiest to find in my overflowing abundantly full craft cabinet - don't judge. The students will do the handprint painting ahead of time and finish assembling at the party. My cardinal rule on party projects: The project must be keepsake worthy and require minimal effort and NO MESS. Ain't nobody got time to be stressed out by cleaning up arts and crafts disaster zones at our party!

I enjoy creating unique little Valentine goodies from me to my students rather than store bought run- of-the-mill cards, so I was stoked to find these free printables that match our theme! I will use the green "I'm bananas for you" card to attach to a baggie of yellow banana Runts candy for each child. Just. Too. Perfect.
Free Monkey Cards

And then comes the finale...
ICE CREAM. And bananas. And syrup. Whipped cream and cherries, of course. Don't forget the sprinkles (they are for winners, you know)! This is where having the extra assistance of the guests comes in handy. They are there to help with serving and clean up. After all, we are talking about four and five year olds eating banana splits- it's not for the faint of heart!
Here's the party plan and supply sign up sheet I used for having parents donate to our party.


Party Plan Form

For party favors to take home, I thought it would be cool to put together a little Curious George monkey activity bag. That is on my 'to do' list. The usual little doodads you find in the Target dollar aisle or party supply store always excite preschoolers. In fact, if we have extra time at the end of the party, we will play Curious George games on the SMART Board.
Curious George Games

And there you have it. A relatively calm but enjoyable celebration of Valentine's Day! I hope you find an inspiration somewhere (so many fantastic themes out there that it boggles my mind) that you can adapt, execute and enjoy. What a rewarding experience to be able to CREATE THE JOY THAT MAKES YOUR LIFE (and your students' lives)  BETTER.