Celebrating what "you've got"

No this isn't a religious slanted post.... It comes from our day yesterday at One Source Talent workshop on Casting and Auditioning. Jamal Campbell lead the workshop. It began with an intro exercise focused on projection and showing your personality. Each person had to step out of the line, announce their name, and do their own 2 second jig. The next person in-line says their own name, repeats all the jigs before them, and then does their own. The workshop ended with the same exercise and very different (much improved!) results.

One quote from Mr. Campbell was "Go with what talent they naturally have. Use the gifts they have already. If it's personality, looks, or acting

, go with it. Market what they got. And don't wait for someone else to market you. Make the calls and tell them about your child. Tell them you would like them to audition for the part because you know your child best and you know what they got."

Next, he pulled 3 kids at a time and gave them a 30

second explanation of a scene. He assigned

each kid a role and then said, "Rolling." They had to improv

a skit until he called, "Cut."

Mr. Campbell spoke to the parents and refered to what he called "the

parent-teacher conference" and explained his intentions for the sessions and what we should expect from the industry (casting directors, etc.) The next exercise was the

imagine you were a growing from a seedling to a tree. They pa

rticipants had to act out how they imagined themselves as a growing tree with music playing in the backround. This really showed each ones personality.

After the workshop was over, Mr. Campbell stayed after to talk to a few folks. He told "our princess" she had the talent and personality (wit and humor) of Sandra Bullock. What a compliment. Then we had the opportunity to meet with the triplet brothers and hear them harmonize. We networked with the others and I believe much will come from this day!!

World of Coke, Centennial Park, GA Aquarium

We are Georgia residents so knowing whose who in the making here is important. The World of Coke has a movie about the pharmicist that made the famous soda possible, memorabilia of Coke products, a taste and see of hundreds of Coke products, a 4-D theatre about dreaming and exploring and an art gallery. The kids loved the giant polar bear too.

Of course we had to have a picnic in the park afterwards. And the Georgia Aquarium is another favorite.

Homeschooling Our Style

Most of you know we home school. That doesn't mean we have a mini model of the public institution in our home. We focus on Our Faith, Math on their level, writing and reading. Everything else comes through reading, experiencing at home or going to see it, many field trips and the like. Im gonna to update with all our field trips and you will see our style. Some days we have to stay home to focus on writing and reading but math is mainly done at night or in the car. This year the older boys went to a private school, two more weeks and they're back home. I've been able to be one on one with "Princess" and the littles. We have taken them everywhere. In Hannah's words, we are hardly ever home. Just the way we like it.

I give you permission......

My husband has said many times that I'm dangerous to myself because of what I know. Now lets clarify that statement. I am a reader and researcher and whatever the topic is I want to know All I can about it, not just go on others opinions, etc. Most of you that are reading this know that my undergraduate degree is in Psychology and Child Development, and my Master's is Early Childhood Education. So on this counseling/therapy/psychology/anxiety stuff I have battled with myself on going to a therapist. I knew what I was dealing with and wanted to help myself. Really I wanted to talk about it but it was never safe to do so.

I go talk to my Christian therapist for 2 hours every Friday! So I get to vent, discuss, talk out everything and get feedback and go home! Many times its just insurance of what I was thinking but instead of beating myself up in the inside, I walk away feeling different.

So in the words of my therapist, I give you permission:

1. to make decisions that you know are right for your family and stick to them
2. to make a contract with your spouse verbally and on paper and stand by it
3. to not accept criticism that is hurtful and not helpful
4. to not be hurt by family, friends, aquaintenances when you know they are wrong
5. say no when you are thinking "I want to say no but...."
6. when others offer to help you by... but that really isn't helpful to you, say thanks but no thanks
7. when others offer to help you let them know exactly what you need (carry these things, clean up the kitchen, push the kids on the swings) "instead of saying whatever you want is fine with me" because really its not fine with you, and if that doesn't work for them say thanks for the offer- if they really want to help they will
8. take naps and be tired after doing so much
9. give yourself "time-out" when you need it and put your kids in front of the tv with a movie so you can calm down and slow down when you need it

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Choosing to SEE- Part 4 Seeing beyond what you see with your eyes right now

Christianity doesn't deny the reality of suffering and evil. Our hope is not based on the idea that we are going to be free of pain and suffering. Rathering, it is based on the conviction that we will triumph over suffering.

Brennan Manning

What if we all got brave?

Enough to take away

All we're hiding behind even just for a day

And let the scars show even a little

But I know the honesty will show us all to be

Broken, we're all broken

And we all need a Savior

Broken, we're all broken

And we all need a Savior

We all have a Savior

We all need Jesus

"Broken"

Words and Music by Steven Curtis Chapman

Today's a big day. I am selling part of the contents of our home and packing boxes to move to any house ( a much smaller home that we will be renting). This should be an exciting time. It is and it is. The end of one thing and the beginning of another causes some things that have been stuffed down inside to rise to the top and it caused pain. The good news is that means we get to deal with it instead of carrying the burdens like baggage to the next place if we choose. My goal is to sort through these tangible and emotional things and leave them here when we move rather than pack them in a box to re-open when we arrive at our next destination. Your prayers are coveted!!!

What if we were all open and honest with our pain and suffering? What if people actually answered the question, "How's it going?" honestly so we could be there for each other? What if we made a point of following up a few times that next week with the person we questioned with encourage and another question, "Can I help?"

Poetry as a means of expression

I can hear the "Hoorah's" already. On Wednesday, my husband and I went to our first counseling session. Ok, who can say after 15 1/2 years of marriage some therapy might be a good thing to help you last the next 50 years together. We meet with a Christian therapist that works with many couples from our church. Today I had a session with the therapist alone. Ok, once again we all know that the stuff that gets brought to the surface in the session doesn't always get dealt with there. In fact, the Holy Spirit through the therapist brings up stuff to the surface that you aren't even aware of that's there or haven't been dealt with and you spend the next few days or until the next session trying to get through it all.

We started with me sharing a dream that I had after the last session. It really painted a picture for somethings that I couldn't put in words.

It began with us on a date with another couple from our past (meaning they are not together any longer), at the football stadium. My friend and I left to go to the restroom. We entered a multiple story building an rode the elevator up. It was a completely glass elevator that overlooked the water below. The doors were like a door you would see in the city that spins on a pivot and you have to get through quickly before it spins around again. Anyway, my friend got through and I didn't. The door spin and opened again facing out, and I stepped out of elevator falling down into the water. I woke up in the dream while being checked out of the hospital. I was holding my arms stiffly as they ached and was walking very slowly and carefully because of the pain. My husband was by my side saying, "Come on, you can do this. Its not that bad. We can get through this. Enjoy the sun on your face and the fresh breeze. Come on hun, come on. I felt like I was soo weak and fragile yet I had to keep going. Like I was being tugged by a rope.

I quickly pointed out that I'm not suicidal in anyway but have felt weak. Anyway, his interpretation was right on and was a good start to the session.

At the end, he encouraged me to keep blogging and go back to writing poetry like a did as a kid. Its what I did to work through the emotions of what i was experiencing, much like David did in the Psalms!

Tonight my husband and I had a date and lots came up and it was to say the least painful. I know God is faithful and we will get through this but I think its going to be like peeling an onion, layer by layer. Below is the poem I wrote tonight:

I don't want to cry another tear

I don't want to feel this pain

I'm weak in this fear

Another day of rain

I want to feel the Son's rays

In frustration and hurt I'm drowning

I want to lift my arms in praise

And turn my smile from frowning

Oh Lord hear my cry

Lift me out of this mess

Reach down and I will try

To take hold of your hand

Lord this I detest

Angels surround me and lift this pain from me

My heart is yours, Oh God

I want to be

Who you created

Spread my wings and fly

Fly in your delight

Joyous walking hand and hand

Oh Lord

Oh Lord