5.01.2013

Faith & Fingerpaint


 
Hey, everyone!  It's been awhile, but I'm finally ready to share what I've been working on these past few months.

I'm very excited to announce that Once Upon a Canvas is combining with two other projects, and the organization for children I have been dreaming of is coming to life with Faith & Fingerpaint (Once Upon a Canvas will be still be a part of it)! 


It's nowhere near where I want it to be just yet, but I have to start somewhere.  This is only the beginning.

Feel free to check out the new website, and click around a little to see what it's all about! 

It's up and running with a few new posts, and soon, Once Upon a Canvas will be re~directed to the new address, but I'm still working on the functionality of links/sections, and getting all posts transferred over, so if you are looking for something specific, don't worry ~ it will be there soon!  It's a long, tedious process, but I'm hoping it will be worth all of the frustration in the end.  

To get started, check out these links:

If you have any questions, are interested in contributing to the new website, or would like to know more, email courtney@faithandfingerpaint.org

Thank you to those of you who've stuck around, and will continue to support this new little project of mine.  I appreciate it more than you know!

~ Courtney

3.01.2013

On My Mind: Motivation & Change



In the midst of packing for a move, a rough first trimester, celebrating a birthday, and adjustment to life after deployment, I happened to glance at my calendar last night, and realized today is March 1st.

As in, a fresh, new month.  As in, Spring is right around the corner!  As in, it's been weeks since I've even said as much as hello on here.  Rude.

I thought it might be nice to crawl out of my cave just long enough to give a little wave this morning ~ if there's anyone still out there :-)

Here in the desert, Spring means lots of warm sunshine, yellow poppies on the mountainside, and sweeping up/shaking sand out of our hair after a nasty dust storm once or twice a week.  Hey, it can't all be rainbows and butterflies, I guess.

This winter, I've been warmer on the inside than I've been in a very, very long time, and I'm ready for the weather to catch up.  Although, my already~widening hips aren't going to look too cute in shorts, I can tell you, the fading freckles on my shoulders are dying to get some sun action.

But, I'm ready to start feeling like myself, again.  I'm ready to get out of my yoga pants, and spend my days playing and actually interacting with my little boy rather than just lying next to him on the couch, feeling guilty and miserable while he reads books to himself or watches "The Adventures of Tin Tin" for the ten~millionth time.   

Whether it's my body saying "Oh, snap, here we go, again!", or it's the fact that I have a very active two year old to keep up with this time, or it's just that every pregnancy is really that different, I have no idea, but I'm guessing it's some combination of the three.  Whatever it is, though, I am definitely not that glowing, laid back pregnant woman I was the first child around.

Despite the migraines (I've never had a true light~sensitive, nauseating, just have to lie down and grit my teeth until I can see, again, migraine before in my entire life, 'til now), the sickness, and the exhaustion, I am trying not to complain.  I know that carrying this baby is both a blessing and a privilege, and I'm doing my best to keep my eye on the light at the end of the tunnel; the promise that I will start feeling better here very soon, and it will all be worth it ~ every last discomfort.  At least, I know that part for sure from the first time.

I'm also ready to get settled into our new place (just across town).  Even though this will be our ninth move in eight years, the clutter and chaos of boxes and things not having their own place has this way of overwhelming me to the point where I tend to just put everything else (like this project) on hold until I can get organized and into a new routine.

After listening to me say "I can't wait til we move, so I can finally (fill in the blank)", over and over again, my sweet husband finally interjected with "Why does it all have to wait until we move?  Why can't you just be motivated and start doing what you can't wait to do, now?"

You know what?  He's so right.  Nothing has to wait.  






I'm so tired of making excuses, when I think the real reason I find myself postponing things, deep down, has something to do with fear.

Fear of failure.  Fear of not being good enough.


{Source}

That's why I filled this post with a little motivation from Pinterest.

I'm working on getting myself back together and focused on the things I set out to accomplish this year in all aspects of my life, and I just need a gentle slap on the face/push in the right direction.

As cheesy and cliche as it feels to say this, I need to remember that every day is a new day.   A new day of choices and chances.

Even when we don't feel so great, and we are overwhelmed by all of the other little things going on in life.

Today, I'm choosing change.

{Source}

2.14.2013

Happy Valentine's Day/A Special Announcement

Happy Valentine's Day, you guys.


We have a secret we just can't keep to ourselves any longer...


Love is growing in our little family.




Meet Baby W ("aka" Jellybean).
Expected September 2013.


Just the thought of giving the unparalleled gift of a sibling to this ^ Little Guy makes my heart sting with happiness.  And, it's really happening.

I know our new little love is going to have a pretty awesome big brother.

We are so very thankful for this blessing and new adventure.

Grow healthy and strong, Jellybean (I used to say this little prayer to your big brother every single day when he was where you are, now).  I love you to the moon and back, and even more than that ~ already.

2.13.2013

At Last: A Homecoming Story in Pictures

On December 10th, we welcomed my husband's unit home from a year~long deployment to The Middle East.

It was such an overwhelmingly emotional day ~ one we'd been counting down and looking forward to for twelve long months. 

Even though I've had plenty of time to collect my thoughts and choose the right words, I'm still finding it next to impossible to express even a handful of the things that went on in my head and heart in those moments, so... I'm going to let the pictures do (most of) the talking, instead.

Photographs, after all, sometimes have a way of telling a story a little better than what words can say ~ don't you think?


Jake's sign for his Daddy ^: "Santa came early this year... he brought my Daddy home!"




Waiting, waiting, waiting.




I think my heart nearly pounded out of my chest when we saw this:




Tears of indescribable JOY and RELIEF!
Jake, on the other hand, didn't know what to think about all of the screaming women ;-)






Pure happiness.


The face of a Mother welcoming her son home from war ^.  I love her.


There are just no words for this ^ photograph.  No words.


  I will never, ever, ever forget this moment:



 Ever.



 Off to check in his weapon so he could come home with us.  


  Balloons for Daddy.


  My Mom~in~Law and Father~in~Law, patiently waiting for the Homecoming Ceremony to begin.


  Me waiting, too ~ although, not so patiently. 


  Then, just like that, it was all over.


  Jake RAN into his Daddy's arms, just like I'd dreamed he would.



  More happy tears.



 And, one very happy little boy. 


  After twelve long, painful months...



 He's HOME. 



 At long last.

2.07.2013

"I Heart" Valentine's Day Giveaways

Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I've been feeling extra sweet this week ;-)  Today, I have not one, but two giveaways for you! Just a little something to show how much I appreciate all of you.



"I Heart You" Giveaway
Win a free personalized print for your home!


~ or ~



The Winner will receive a completely personalized (fonts, color schemes, etc) print of their choice:
"I Love You to the Moon & Back" or "Our Wedding Day"
The final product will be sent to you via email in PDF.

 


"I Heart Myself" Giveaway
Win a free Ultimate Body Applicator 
(aka "Skinny Wrap")
to tighten, tone, and firm at home in 45 minutes!



The Winner will receive one It Works! Ultimate Body Applicator from Wrap Me Tight ~ a salon style, non~woven cloth wrap that has been infused with a botanically~based formula ~ to tighten, tone, and firm loose skin, reduce the appearance of cellulite, and improve skin texture in 45 minutes in the privacy of their own home.  You may use the wrap to target any area of your body (except your face).

I've been using It Works! products (I love the Skinny Wraps, Greens, and Confianza ~ find out more about these products on Wrap Me Tight's FB page!) for a little over 4 months now, and I have seen great results!

I'm going to be honest ~ I was totally skeptical when my best friend suggested I give them a try last October, but they have done nothing but surprise me ~ in a very good way ~ with the results I have seen in myself and others.  

My favorite thing about the Ultimate Body Applicator is how amazing it is with that awesomely defiant little "Mommy Pooch" I adore so much.  I love how this product has helped reduce the appearance of my stretch marks, as well as tighten and tone that loose skin I never thought I'd be able to do anything about.



The Giveaways will be open until Midnight on Valentine's Day.

Winners will be chosen at random, and notified via email within 24 hours.

Note: It Works! Distributors are not eligible to a receive a free wrap, but your support is greatly appreciated!

2.06.2013

Teacher Recognition: Allison Lutterbie


Meet one of my very best friends, Allison.

She's beautiful.  On the inside and out.

We met in college ~ our boyfriends (now, husbands) were best friends (still are) and roommates back then.  

It's no wonder we clicked, and became close friends in a heartbeat :-)  

A few years later, we were Maid of Honor in each others' weddings.

These days, she teaches second grade at an elementary school in Fort Worth, and I have always admired her passion for education, her innovative creativity, and her devotion to her students.

It's apparent that teaching is not just what she does ~ it's who she is.

Allison's school district recently recognized her as Teacher of The Year for her hard work and dedication, and I am so very proud of her!

Teachers aren't often given the credit and appreciation they deserve, so when they receive such an honor, it's a pretty wonderful thing.

I just wanted to use this little blog of mine to give her a big, huge shout out today!

Congratulations, Allison!  You deserve it. 


PS: If there's a teacher out there you'd like to recognize, I'd be happy to reserve a spot on Once Upon a Canvas just for that purpose.  Email me at onceuponacanvasmomma@gmail.com for more info.

2.05.2013

Crayon Watercolor Resist Valentine's Day Cards


This projects teaches:
Mixing Colors 
Beginner's Watercolor Painting
Crayon Resist Watercolor Technique 

This project encourages:
Exploration & Learning Through Play
Development of Fine Motor Skills 
 
Recommended for ages 12+ months.
 

Crayon Resist is the perfect introduction to watercolor for little ones.

It's a simple, laid~back kind of painting activity that will encourage your young artist to play while they learn to manipulate color with water ~ without the added pressure of having to "stay in the lines".

When applied to paper before painting, waxy white crayons resist watercolor, leaving behind a fun element of surprise and magic for your little one to reveal with their paintbrush.

What You'll Need:
+ Watercolor Paper (not 100% necessary, but textured paper works best for this project)
+ A Ruler
+ A Pencil
+ White Crayons
+ Watercolors
+ Paintbrushes
+ A Cup of Water 

What You'll Do:
+ Help your child divide their paper into four equal quadrants with the ruler and pencil.
+ In each quadrant, encourage them to get creative, and guide them to draw their own cover designs for their cards in white crayon (if they're still a bit too young to do this part on their own, you may do the first two steps for them ahead of time).
+ Show them how to wet their paintbrush, dip it in their favorite colors, and brush the paint onto the paper, revealing their white crayon drawings ~ just like magic!
+ Repeat this ^ step over and over, again, until their Valentine Cards are ready to go.
+ First hang the paper to dry, then carefully cut the cards apart with a pair of scissors.
+ Seal them in an envelope (with a kiss, of course ;-)), and send them off to your sweethearts!


My almost~two year old ^ had a blast painting his own set of cards.

It seemed to be an interesting enough activity to hold his attention, and quick enough that he was able to complete the project in one sitting (which, to be honest, is pretty rare :-)).


Even the littlest kiddos who are just old enough to dip their brush in paint are able to do this project with an adult's guidance, which is why it's a perfect technique for your children to try out to create beautiful, unique and memorable handmade Valentine Cards that your loved ones will be sure to cherish.

Go ahead.  Impress The Grandparents ;-)