Tiny Flecks of Color

Today's "Day in the life" post is by Laura who has just opened her own etsy shop.

Laura is a friend of my from a LONG time ago - I think jr. high. Oh the good old days of bad haircuts, awkward pubescence, and first crushes. We did a few plays together... went to the same birthday parties... and in general were pretty much awesome. Laura married a long time friend (from Kindergarten or 1st grade) and her sweetheart. I love this couple, and I love Laura's new Etsy shop 

She is so creative and if this is what she's just starting with oh my goodness we are in for great things to come!

Laura and I have lost touch in the past 10 (yikes) years since high school but I am so glad to see that she is doing so well. She has her awesome man, a great job that I KNOW she's fabulous at, and now she's sharing her creativity with the world!

Speaking of sharing her creativity... one lucky reader will win one of Laura's bags!

Spring is in the air! Easter, anyone?

Isn't it beautiful! This screams "Summer" to me!

"A day in the life..." of Laura:

The pitter-patter of little feet. The squeals of excitement for another day at school. The surprise picture a student drew for me. Listening to a struggling student finally read a book. These are my joys each day as an elementary school teacher. When the days seem to drag or something stresses me out, I just have to think back to the morning bell when all the students come racing in eager to learn, listen and explore!

I hope that is isn't too much of a stretch that your job may bring blessings into your life. I hope that even though we all at some point don't want to get up Monday mornings there is something about what you do that brings you joy. If not your job - maybe a hobby? Leave a comment about an activity/job/repetetive part of daily life that is the blessing of your day. Something you may look forward to even when its difficult to wake up day after day. Leave your answer with an email address in the comments below. Entries must submitted by Friday at midnight and winners will be chosen at random and posted on Saturday. The winner will receive Laura's cute springy tote!!

Best of luck!

Today's guest blogger lived with me on the same floor in our freshman dorm. We had ridiculous amounts of fun. I remember striping and stumbling down a hill on the way home from class and Kelly threw herself down the hill like a crazy person to help make me feel like not so much of a spaz. We were both involved in spiritual life activities on campus. I also remember crying in her room late at night discussing God, spirituatliy, and the search we are all on. Eventually, we worked together on the same Residence Hall staff where again we had too much fun creating a haunted house in our hall, having dance parties, and just hanging out being awesome. I had a ton of fun witnessing Kelly and Eric's marriage and now love getting updates on her growing family. Seriously, she is one of the most genuine people I know. I really like her, and I think you will to.

"A day in the life..." of Kelly
Most days, Henry wakes up just after my husband, Eric, leaves for work. He tosses and turns, whispers excited gibberish and hugs my neck. Then he opens his eyes and he's off. I cherish those brief, dreamlike moments, when Hen is still my little baby. During the day, he is a true toddler-- a non-stop exploring machine. He doesn't have much time for cuddling.


It's been hard for me to let my little baby go. Henry is less and less a baby every day. People in the grocery store now say, "Look at this kid!" instead of "What a beautiful baby." I'm attempting to make the transition without weepy tears, but it's hard not to mourn the loss of the baby stage. The past year and a half, Henry has needed me so completely that it started to define me. Of course Henry still needs me. I'm not sending him off to summer camp yet. :) I can see there is a freedom in letting go, for Henry and for me.

This picture was taken just before he started his day. You can still see the fog of sleep around his face. You can still call him a baby. ___________________________________________________________________

Kelly is giving away a banner much like the one in the picture here. She would like us to know, that banner was made by her AND Henry. It was their very first project.
 
What Tiny Flecks in Your Life bring tears to your eyes?

Maybe its someone. something. It steals your breath and just brings you to tears. Happy tears. Tears of pride. of joy. Tell me in the comment section - and make sure to leave your email address as well. Entries must submitted by Friday at midnight and winners will be chosen at random and posted on Saturday. The winner will receive Kelly and Henry's banner! Yay!

Thursday will mark a year since I began this blog.

Its hard to describe what this year has been. There has been a TON of self evaluation. An absolute ridiculous amount of relationship changes/ending involvement in activities/new directions. There has been heartache. There have been hurtful comments and just plain mean behavior. But! There have also been fabulous adventures. Cherished memories. Exciting prospects. Growth in friendships. Sunny mornings and snuggly snowy nights.

All of these, the good and the bad, have been exactly what was needed. Each situation caused me to be better; caused me to grow. Its almost comical to think back a year. How much worry did I waste? How much stress and anxiety? Tears and longing? Silly. I should know that “whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened”. It makes me realize that even when I am not organized, I may procrastinate a bit, the things that I get done are because I need them to get done. And in the end they have a way of being beautiful. Somehow what it is that I do ends up being exactly what needed to get done. I said what needed to be said. I got where I needed to be. I can always use improvement but at the same time the flaws of my days are what opens me up to the beauty of them.

When you look back on a year its amazing to see the movement. Its awesome to realize how far you have traveled in 365. BUT! I feel that there is value in noticing the little moments that make up that year. It is easy to look back at a year with a fresh view - however it is much harder to enjoy each moment that makes up that year. So often (as is the case with me and the whole month of February) days rush by us unnoticed. Time is fleeting. (Yes, I did just start singing The Time Warp from RHPS.) Anniversarys make us stop each year, reunions celebrate a memory after 10, 20, 50 years. But really to slow down and celebrate the rebirth of each new day. The commemoration of your first. The recurrance of the miracle of life, a jubilee. Sure I make it sound much more amazing than what I might feel when I first wake up. I am not the easiest person to wake up in the morning. But we can try!

With that in mind, I start of the blogiversary celebrations. The next posts celebrating Tiny Fleck of Color's blogiversary will center around "A day in the life..."

We will hear from some of my favorite up and coming bloggers, some activists/small business owners, crafters, and friends. We will be giving away some of my favorite products to inspire and bring a smile to your face.

Enjoy the week - read and comment often!