Courtney's Room

I Love Being a Mom!

Years ago, when I studied Cultural Anthropology, I read a book by an anthropologist who taught that we are defined by our relationships - our very unique relationships to specific people. Example: I am not just a mom or just a mom of five children, but I am the mom of five specific, unique individuals: Zach, Courtney, Paige, Taylor and Ashley. Being their mom goes into defining who I am.

This week, as we've been working hard together as a family, I've been delighting in being the mom of Courtney and Paige.

As the girls get older, I'm finding that I really enjoy knowing them. It's been fun watching them developing skills, pursuing hobbies and learning new things. When they were babies and toddlers, we would delight in and celebrate each new phase of their development: first tooth, first step, first word, etc.

Now, I'm finding that their phases are more complex and sophisticated. While the steps they're taking are different, our joy and celebration of them hasn't diminished. I'm still enjoying being their mom and celebrating their accomplishments.

I love watching Courtney learn and grow in creativity, pursuing photography and knitting. She throws herself into each new project- taking classes and workshops, buying books, and finding mentors.

Over the years she's become an avid reader and book buyer / collector - and she reads all kinds of different genres: fiction, history, politics, current events, mystery, theology, etc. Which all goes into making her an interesting person to talk to. I love going into her room and looking over her bookshelves - it's a story of who she is and what she likes.

A glance around her room also tells a story - black and white photography that she's done herself. Knitting projects sit decoratively in the corner, Chinese calligraphy on the desk, an array of antique accessories scattered around, a quilt she's making for her bed. It all is an evidence of a very thoughtful, talented and deeply interesting person.

And then there's Paige. Paige who loves to try new things and excels at them all! She loves to delve into new hobbies with enthusiasm: baking, cake decorating, sewing, sketching, designing, drawing, calligraphy, drums, Photoshop - and her closet is full of boxes and drawers to hold all the supplies for each hobby.

What a great experience we had this week as we primed and painted and plotted together; talking over ideas and implementing them, watching her dreams and thoughts come into reality.

I loved watching her design her own "dream room"- much like a studio- choosing a very cool color (Restoration Hardware: Silver Sage), hanging her bed net and lights, painting a brass chandelier, setting up her sewing center, organizing all her art and craft supplies.

It was fun watching each girl's personality come out as they decorated their own rooms and it was fun being there with them to cheer them on and encourage their creativity and decisions - I love being their mom!

Bedroom Makeovers

Monday was a flurry of activity: emptying out rooms and closets, switching out beds, painting Paige's room, cleaning, dusting, organizing, washing down walls and furniture and putting it all back again- giving Paige and Courtney their own rooms after sharing for most of their lives.

Here are the results: Paige's Room

Weekend Viewing: Classics

What I'm Reading:

School's out and I'm ready for a break! But, before taking that break, I know I'll enjoy it much more, if I can get my life back under control. (Tackling the stuff I left undone because I was so busy this last semester). It's hard to relax with unfinished business hanging over you! So, I've started my spring cleaning and getting long overdue projects done and off my to-do list. I'm starting to feel better already!

I'm focusing this summer on building margin back into my life. Looking forward to slow, peaceful days and spending some time making summer memories with the girls.