{using our pieces}

I put together a new bookshelf for the boys' craft supplies yesterday.

The fact I assembled it unassisted, with minimal cursing, made me pretty darn proud.

But what I want to talk about today are the creations the boys made out of the pieces and scraps of cardboard and styrofoam that came with the packaging.

There were four long and sturdy L-shaped cardboard pieces which first become the frame of a teepee. Then Ben figured out they would make super cool car tracks and tunnels. We tested them with virtually every car they own.

Landon grabbed a bent rectangle of cardboard and turned it into a laptop.

Ben crafted an airplane out of styrofoam and masking tape.

They occupied themselves for literally hours using "trash." Armed with nothing but their imaginations and a few pieces of masking tape, they built amazing things. 

This makes me wonder about the parts of ourselves we overlook or view as less than worthy of attention. I can think of a few about myself...

My anxiety.

The fact that I can get so caught up in a creative venture that I lose track of time and adult responsibilities.

My "mom belly" still going strong 6 years post-partum.

Are those things to be thrown away, shamed, ridiculed? Or instead turned into something beautiful and useful?

In Love Does, Bob Goff says, "It has always seemed to me that broken things, just like broken people, get used more; it's probably because God has more pieces to work with."

So what about those pieces of ourselves we would sometimes like to throw away? What if we embrace them as a collection of precious objects God is using to shape us, and in turn, positively influence others? 

I've already seen how sharing my journey with anxiety has helped others to feel less alone on theirs. I can't make a rad race track out of my muffin top, but surely I can do something useful with it.  

Landon looked at a creased piece of cardboard and saw a computer. 

Are there things about you that look different than you would like, but could be seen in a new and exciting way? Do you have pieces that might help fill someone else's puzzle?

XO,

{raising a creative soul}

"Can I get this Mom?"

His hand stretched out, holding a small, black leather journal.

Benny and I were in the stationary aisle at TJ Maxx last night and he found a treasure that he absolutely couldn't live without.

"Let's tell Santa about it and maybe you'll get one in your stocking!" I told him.

Of course I wanted to throw that $3.99 gem into our cart and continue on our way, but I had to keep to our rule of "we're not buying any treats on this trip." Darn self-imposed parenting rules.

Of course I'll be heading back very quickly to snatch it up and put it away for "Santa" to give to him.

My heart fills to about bursting when he asks for items that foster and nurture his creativity. All parenting/budget rules are out the window for me when it comes to art supplies.

And the fact that he wants a journal?! Well just stick a fork in me.

This kid...

How did I get so lucky?

{april insta-life album}

April's insta-life album was so much fun for me. It came together so easily, and it didn't hurt to have some new supplies to play with...

Past albums: January // February // March

If you have any questions about the supplies I used, leave them in the comments!

{cultivating creativity}

It is a very rare occassion that I get to spend one-on-one time with my boys.

Don't get me wrong, I love being with both of them, but the rare moment when it is just me + Ben or me + Landon is really special.

Last night, Dan needed to go to the grocery and Landon wanted to go, but Ben wanted to stay home, so I had over an hour of really special bonding time with my Benny.

What was the first thing he wanted to do? Break out his new water color set. Of course this put a HUGE smile on my face because any time I see the boys' creativity come out it makes me so proud and excited that they want to make things.  

I don't know where they get this from. *wink*

This was the first time Ben had painted with water colors but he was a pro from the first stroke of the brush.

He cranked out at least five paintings and each one was unique and beautiful. I got tears in my eyes as I watched his little hand dip the brush in the water, and then carefully in each individual pot of color.

He described what he was painting to me as he went along...."this is a rainbow Mom"..."this is a brachiosauraus!"..."It is fantastic!"

He was so thoughtful about his brush strokes and how he mixed the colors. I don't think I've loved a moment alone with him more than watching him paint last night. I could see the pride in his little eyes as I told him what a great painter he was, and how much I loved his creations.

Isn't that one of our most important jobs as parents? Cultivating our children's talents? Encouraging them...praising them...planting a seed of "you are great at that!" in their little minds? I know that I wouldn't be the almost fearless creator I am now if my parents hadn't done the same thing with me.

I can't wait to grab a few pictures frames and display his masterpieces in the house. You can't put a price on this kind of art.