Letting Go of Anger - Grace on a Thursday Guest Post

"I had never practiced.  Practiced until it became the second nature, the first skin.  Practice is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation.  Practice, practice, practice."  Ann Voskamp - One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

I'm guest posting over at Top of the Page today, telling a recent story from our Yosemite trip where I learned a little about letting go of and controlling anger, and accepting Grace wherever and whenever I can find it.  If you want to know what the quote above has to do with the post, head on over to her blog :)  Leslie has an amazing blog and a wonderful heart.  I feel very honored that she asked me to guest post today in her Grace on a Thursday series.  I don't often blog about faith so I was nervous, but with Leslie's encouragement, I think, I hope, I was able to do the series justice. 

I don't talk about the photos in the guest post, but I have to give my husband some credit here on my blog.  All the photos below were taken with our Canon in HDR mode, and processed using a program called Photomatix Pro.  They are truly breathtaking.  I think so anyhow :)

These two pictures are from the beach in our camp.  

He waited a very long time early one morning for this bridge to be empty.

This was one of the meadows we discovered on our many hikes and walks

This is at the beach in our camp

He captured an eagle!

View of Bridalveil Falls from stream at dusk on our way out of the park. 

Half Dome at dusk

Family Friday

Valentine's Day weekend is upon us, and even though our house has been decorated for almost a month, we don't yet have our Valentines made for Taylor's Kindergarten class.  While browsing the last couple of days, take a look at these cute homemade lovelies I came across. 

Adorably simple paint chip bookmarks, stamped with love and with a simple signature on the back. 

The best part is I have plenty of V-Day stamps, I'd just have to make a quick trip to Lowe's

Via My Three Little Birds

And look at what this simple color block artwork turned into via mer mag:

Absolutely brilliant, and tres chic.

I'm almost thinking a combination of the two would be absolute perfection.  Color-block artwork bookmarks.  No need to actually run out and pick up the paint chips or buy the vellum envelopes, although I do love a vellum envelope.  By gosh I think I've found it!

I worked from home today which is always a treat and was kept quite busy.  We did take a little break for some post school frozen yogurt though :)  I'm looking forward to a family weekend filled with my nephew's 7th birthday party and another birthday party for one of Taylor's classmates on Sunday.  And then the big day on Monday!  Anyone have any special plans for the day or night?  It's a regular work day for Art and I, but I plan to make a lasagna for dinner and just be together as a family.

I sadly found Leslie's Valentine Day Advent calendar too late to make one of my own this year, but its not too late to head on over to her blog and read her thoughts on Valentine's Day together as a family.  I love, love, love what she has to say.  Please stop on over and say hi if you get a chance.

In between parties I do have to make my way over to get Taylor some new shoes.  I have a policy that when it comes to shoes, I go for quality vs. quantity.  I used to buy her shoes from Baby Gap when they were on sale, Target and Payless, but they're just not comfortable for her and she doesn't end up wearing them.  I don't blame her, I can't stand cheap shoes either.  Too many years working retail and standing on a cold showroom floor.  So for about 2 years now I spend $40 on a good pair of Stride Rites or Pedipeds.  Her 1 of 2 pairs of school shoes have had it and they stink up her feet so bad the whole room smells.  It is no exaggeration.  I was a little embarrassed when I picked her up from Nana's house yesterday and she politely told me the shoes have to go.

All this to say in a very roundabout way, where do you shop for nice quality children's clothes and shoes?  I really want to enact the quality vs. quantity policy for all their clothes and shoes now that they are a little older and aren't getting so messy.  I find that when I do buy quality, it obviously lasts longer, but they seem to enjoy wearing it more and are even more comfortable.  Besides, the Target girls section now that Taylor is in a 6x leaves much to be desired.  Have you seen some of the clothes in that department?  Biting my tongue.

Oh, there was one last thing that I had to share before I go!  Have you heard of Knitty Bitties?  Well she is a fellow Andrea and we have become friends through this wacky world of social media.  The girl has mad sewing skills and her work is flawless.  I can personally attest to it.  Come back on Monday, the big big day for a special something from Andrea.  I promise you won't want to miss it!

And I will leave you with this fun snippet.  I was reminded of this video I saw last weekend when I used the term roundabout. Watch it.  I promise you will laugh, even if you're not a Star Wars geek.
Happy Weekend Friends!