Rush - This mom's enemy

Nearly two months into this school routine, and I still die inside a little every morning I send my very first Kindergartener off on her bus.  I never realized what an adjustment it would be, for me!  Rushed, stressful, tearful mornings like today leave me feeling especially wretched.  The fear that I am falling short or downright failing sometimes torments me.

My thought pattern including self doubt needs some serious recalibration.  I'll just say it... healing.  But I know my battle is not against flesh and blood, and that my Father did not give me a spirit of fear, but of Power, Love and Self-control.  He picked me to be her momma for a good reason which I may not see, but for which I am forever grateful.  He is the Maker, the Author and the Finisher and I already have victory (including peace and wholeness - nothing missing, nothing broken) in His name.

Prize Surprise Swap

Tabitha at Creative Wings Boutique hosted the most wonderful swap recently, and I am delighted I decided to play.  We each created a Prize Ribbon for our partner.  I have never tried one, so it was a joy to dig into my fabrics and doodads to come up with something for my partner Hope.

Here is the ribbon I made just for her.  Oh boy did I have fun with the pleating.  Really, though, I love that kind of stuff.  Hee hee!

I did it all in creams and whites.  I just loved playing in the satin and swiss dot.

It all lent so nicely to gold accents, a rhinestone and pearl brooch for some bling, an shimmery alcohol inked H for Hope, and a tiny bit of millinery.

And here is the beauty Hope made and sent to me.  Lovely don't you think?

Oh how I love pink.

And bling.

I forgot to photo the deliciously gorgeous vintage magenta velvet back.  {love sigh}

Bonne Chance, Hope told me, means Good Luck.  I love it Hope!  Thank you so much for being such a wonderful swap partie.

Can you tell I was having fun with my photo taking?

I love this one.

I keep thinking of something my mom says, "You want a medal, or a chest to pin it on."  I'm sure she got it from her dad.  We affectionately call these little sayings, "Grandpa Don-isms."  Of course I need to change mine to... "I've got a ribbon, now all I need is a dress form to pin it on!"  :)