It's my amazing father's birthday! I hope you have a great one. Dad you are such an amazing grandfather, father and friend. Throughout my life I have been able to rely on your advice and friendship. I always know that I could always ask you to help me on any project or school assignment. I remember you staying up with me many a night, all night, to guide me through a paper or give me advice on and art project. I remember you working side by side with me and my siblings in the yard. I remember you having scripture study with us over breakfast at before school. I remember personal interviews and fathers blessings. And even though there were ten of us, I remeber one on one daddy trips or dates. But most of all I have always known that I could ever question what you believe in or what your priorities are. Dad, you are such an example to each of us through our lives. You inspire us with your strength, determination and commitment to what you believe in. I feel so blessed to have you in my life and the lives of our children. We love you Dad and hope you have an incredible birthday!

namaste

Now I can't tell you much about yoga. A few years ago I did by a DVD for beginners but I learned that just having it on the shelf does not give me the lean and sculpted body I have always desired. When my husband was in business school we lived in Berkeley. Yoga is kind of a big there. There was a whole section at the library on yoga and my oldest, then 3, started to look at the books. One day he asked to do the DVD I had on the shelf. We didn't have TV so he was desperate! Anyway, since then he has been hooked. Later I found a Yoga Kids video at a thrift store. I would really recommend it. It has drawn my little ones in more than the adult versions. But what is the result of this seeming ridiculous morning routine? An extra 20-30 minutes for mom to shower or do laundry. It channels their morning energy and hey, someone in my family may get that sculpted body after all!

Labor Day Labors

My oldest asked me while doing some yard chores, "Are you sure this is what this holiday is about?"

Thank You!

We are almost at the close of the auction and I am so grateful to all those who have participated! I will announce tomorrow who won. As I look through all the auctions that have been held for this family, I can't believe what a difference people can make, you can make. So thank you old friends and new ones. I know that every bit helps. I am going to be putting these two prints up for auction in Sept. for a family a friend told me about. They too have had a recent tragedy that would would be benefit from financial help. I will tell you details in Sept.


Anyone interested in purchasing these prints they are on my etsy site, http://www.peekabooprints.etsy.com/. All my prints are can be customized.

P.S. Strange small rash-like itchy, stingy bumps are appearing all over my legs, my husbands too. We think it is from jellyfish in Mexico since my husband saw several and says he felt one sting. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Nie Day

Nie Day!

Please join today's effort to donate to the Nielson family by bidding on one or all of these three prints! I can change the children's skin and hair coloring , (and dog), to your specifications and can personalize with names. Please forgive my Etsy site, it is under construction and most of my prints aren't on there right now! All of these prints are printed on beautiful museum etching, 100% rag paper. They turn out really nicely. They are 8.5 by 11" which leaves a nice margin for framing.

1. Dreams of a super Nature

2. Little Friend

3. Brothers

I will start the bid at $5 on each of them.
Write your next bid in the comments section along with the name of the one you are bidding for. Keep checking to see who is the highest bidder.
Only bid in increments of dollars, (not pennies!). If someone out bids you, keep adding your bid in the comments section. When I close the bidding on Sat. night at midnight I will email the winner. And once you have won the bid, I will have you send the money to the Stephanie and Christian Neilson Fund.

Check out my sister's awesome handmade tree shirts at http://www.cwelton.blogspot.com/ for auction for the same cause. You will love them, (very hip)!


When I was in Mexico I wrote about a sweet family that has experience a terrible tragedy. I a few blocks away from Stephanie's family and have followed her blog for some time. I love seeing the love she has for mothering and the devotion she and her husband share for their family. You will be touched by them too if you go to http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com.%20last/Last Saturday she was in a terrible private plane crash with her sweet husband and they both have terrible burns and are in critical condition. Her four darling children are living with family in Utah while Stephanie and Christian are in an Arizona hospital. You can read their story http://www.cjanerun.com/. Today I am joining in an effort to raise money for their recovery and the needs of their children. There will be silent auctions on blogs everywhere. You can auction on these three prints and all proceeds will be given directly to the family.

nie images taken from nieniedialogues

ooohhh Mexico!

para sailing

giving my Spanish a shot with the locals

sweaty and hot searching for the chapel on Sunday

snorkeling

touring around

Of course the last time we went to Puerto Vallerta we were on our honeymoon. No children. We didn't take them but we didn't' anticipate how much they would affect our trip. We had such a hard time leaving them. We left them with my amazing sister Carrie and niece. My sister has three children of her own. My niece is the oldest of nine, but I am not sure she know what she as in for! They were both so great!

But after the first couple days of talking about how much fun they would have if they had come, we really had a blast. We relaxed and played all week. We snorkeled, para sailed, hiked around, ate and, relaxed on the beach and played in the ocean.

When we reurned at 11:30, but I coud'nt resist bring the kids in bed with us. It was so good to see them!

visiting my grandmother, she is 100 years old and such a strong woman.

When we picked up the boys, my brother was visiting from India so we had a chance to see him

It is can't believe eight years have come and gone. It was so fun to visit the same place and stay in the same condo. It made me realize how happy I am to have many more years ahead.

Visit tomorrow to participate in an auction benefiting Nie and her family. I will be aucitoning three prints. See you tomorrow.

prayers for nie

I went to high school with a girl named Stephanie Nielson, then Clark. I didn't know her well but I did know her brother Jessie and her cousins Nick and Jayne that were my age. Jayne is a friend of mine. And a few years ago I stumbled on to Nie's website, www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com. I loved reading it because even though she was two years younger than me, she has had 4 kids and she is an example of a loving mother and wife that is truly happy. She is creative and sweet.

Recently I emailed her and she we emailed a bit. She was going to do a spread on my art and I was so excited but held back when I had computer problems and recently even had to order a new printer. But I was excited to finally be featured on nie as I recently took my Etsy Site off hold. Anyway, I am writing today from beautiful Puerto Vallarta to ask for prayers for this dear person and her beautiful family. She and her husband were in a private plane crash and she is in critical condition. Find out how you can help on www.cjanerun.com. I will write more when I return.

Love, Jen