A Special Car Ride

 

Last Sunday, my husband and I and our two kids jumped in the car on a beautiful, overcast winter day in California.

There was nothing special about that morning.

It wasn't a special "wear your heels and red lipstick" kind of day.

We were just getting in the car to drive to my son's baseball tournament that was about an hour away.

 

We were rushing to get settled in the car and get going because we were leaving about ten minutes later than our targeted time.

 

Dad got in the drivers seat, I sat in the passenger seat, both kids were in the back seat, Brayden was behind the driver's seat and Karissa was sitting behind me in our Honda pilot.

 

I got the GPS ready, not because we didn't know where we were going but because we wanted to see what our eta was.  We passed the Montessori school in Brentwood and that's when it happened.

 

The magic of a little moment that I know will go down as a special memory in my mind.

 

Frank said, "Karissa I can remember it like it were yesterday, your first day of school at that Montessori when you were just 2 years old!"  (We celebrated her 15th birthday yesterday)

 

Frank proceeded to recount what he remembered of that special day.  I interjected because he had gotten that memory all wrong!  I corrected him with the specific details of our daughter's first day of preschool, which of course, according to him, I got all wrong!

 

We laughed and smiled and rolled our eyes all at the same time.

 

 

 

Who knows how the story actually goes but we reminisced and smiled about that day when our beautiful first born daughter started preschool.

 

That memory sparked other conversations in the car that morning.

We told the kids the stories of when each of them were born.  We talked about how we came up with their names.

 

We laughed and smiled and rolled our eyes at the exaggerations and inconsistencies of our stories!

 

 

The radio wasn't on and the kids weren't on their phones or watching a movie or playing video games...

 

Nope!

It was just the four of us sitting in the car having a special moment.

A moment in which I know those two kids felt the immense love that we have for them.

 

 

 

A special little car ride that I will never forget.  I'll never forget it because life is so uncertain and so precious.  Just last week Hospice was called in for my grandmother.  She's simply the most beautiful person I've ever known in my life.  She suffered 2 brain aneurysms in 2009 and has been bed ridden ever since.  At 89 years of age, her frail body is now shutting down.  My "Lita", as we so affectionately refer to her, is ready to go to heaven.  Tears are streaming down my face as I say those words.  Not because I'm not at peace with her passing, but because I will so terribly miss her.

 

I think that might be why that little car ride was so special to me...

we don't know what tomorrow holds for us.

I'm loving and holding on to these special little moments.

 

 

xoxo

Delilah

 

 



 

 

 

 

YOU get to decide who you are

Happy New Year!!!

 

 

 

 

I'm excited about 2016.

I read this quote the other day and it really inspired me.

 

"You decide every moment of every day:

who you are

&

what you believe in.

You get a second chance every second.

 

There are many things I love about that quote.

 

What I want to focus on today is the part that says that you get to decide who you are.

 

It doesn't matter what the preconceived ideas or stereotypes are that have attached themselves to your persona...

You at any moment can redefine yourself.

You get to choose!

Not your mother or your spouse or your job title...

How powerful is that?

 

 

 

How do you do that?

 

1. Look at yourself in the mirror.

Not like when your doing your makeup or doing your hair.  You need to be purposeful.

Sit there without any distractions and focus on that reflection in the mirror and decide what it is that you #1 love/like about yourself and then #2 what needs to change or be worked on.

It won't be easy but if your serious about taking control of your life than it is necessary.

Don't just focus on your outer appearance, be sure to look at your inner being also.

Nobody knows YOU better than YOU.

 

I have a friend that is known for being late to everything.  The other day her daughter posted this on Facebook and said it was going to be her Mother's day gift.

 

 

It was done in fun and we all laughed about it...

the reality is she's been working hard on being on time and changing that false truth about her.

 

When I look in the mirror one of the things I'm frustrated with is my weight.  My mother passed away in 2009 and I gained 20 pounds that year.  That weight is hanging on and I need to lose it!

I've always been known as a "thick" girl.  I'm ready to shed that false truth about me!

2016 is going to be the year that I get healthy!

 

 2. Set realistic and ambitious goals.

Only you can know the difference between what is a realistic and ambitious goal in your life.

Losing 5 pounds a month is a realistic goal for me.

Running in the Reebok Spartan Race in May is an ambitious goal for me.

I'm setting both goals! 

 

 

3. Make a plan.

How am I going to lose the weight?

How am I going to train for the Spartan Race in May?

 

 

There needs to be a plan.

Achieving a goal is only half the reward...

The journey to that goal is the other half!

Take it one day at a time.  Chip away at it a little every day.

 

I love candy crush...OK I'm a little addicted to candy crush...

and sometimes I get stuck on a level that I can't pass.  The mindset I have is this: I just have to keep working at it and eventually I'll pass this darn level!  It works every time!  I'm currently on level 1356!!

 

Once you make a plan, write it down, share it with someone for accountability and make changes or adjustments as needed.

 

4. Surround yourself with POSITIVITY!

For me that means staying connected to God.  It's His will for me to succeed.  I stay connected to him by being in prayer, going to church, listening to worship music and reading the Bible.

 

 

Surround yourself with positive and encouraging people.  It even helps if they are trying to achieve some of the same goals you are.  You can bounce ideas off of each other.  Motivate each other.  Be accountable to each other.  I love this quote that I posted on Instagram the other day.

 

 

 

It's extremely important to eliminate the negative voices and energy in your space.  Now I'm not saying divorce your husband or anything like that...what I'm saying is the new year is a great opportunity to do some deep cleaning!  If social media is more negative than it is positive for you than eliminate it.  If that television show you're watching isn't inspiring or motivating you then stop watching it!  You have the power!

 

 5. Don't give up

Did you know that 1 in 4 people fail to accomplish their New year's resolutions every year?  That's a 24% success rate.  Don't give up!  Set up a reward system!

I plan on rewarding myself with a new outfit (head to toe) for every 5 pounds I lose.

I know that isn't realistic for everyone but keep yourself motivated!

Google motivational quotes, print them and place them where you can see them daily.

 

 

You can do it!!!

I believe in you.

 

I'm praying you have a blessed and prosperous 2016!!

 

xoxo

Delilah



Best of 2015 and my favorite posts!

I can't believe today is the last day of 2015!

 

One of my dreams came to fruition in 2015...this blog!

I didn't think it would happen but I took a leap of faith and an idea/dream, became a reality!

 

Thank you for your support and encouragement throughout this journey!

 

 

Today I'm going to reflect on the 5 most popular posts of 2015.

 

Coming in at #5 is...

Motivational Monday ~ Choose HAPPY!

 

 

It's surprising to me that this is one of the top posts out of the 63 posts of my first year as a blogger.  What I do love about it is that it came straight from the heart...

I often read it to get motivated!  :)

 

#4 is

Dining Room Wall Unit

 

 

Now this one comes as no surprise as I asked for your vote on a unit for my dining room!  Do you remember?  Only for me to turn around and pick something entirely different! 

 

I can't wait to show you the final unit and how beautiful it has turned out....stay tuned!

 

 

#3 is

Desk/Hutch Before & After

 

 

The fact that this is made the top 5 list of the most viewed posts on my blog really excites me!

Why?  Because this is what I LOVE to do!

I'm hoping to share more painted furniture on the blog in 2016!

This unit is currently for sale....

Message me for details!

 

#2..

Good Will ~ Dianna Nepstad

 

 

It is no surprise that this inspirational piece came in at #2!

Thank you Dianna for sharing your heart with us!

I've loved having guests on my blog this year (thank you Nidia and Steve!)  and that is also on my list for 2016!

More guests!!!

Let me know what you want to know...talk about...

I'd love to hear from you!

 

 

and drum roll please....

coming in at #1...

 

My Christmas Home Tour 2015

 

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you

for all your beautiful comments and kind words of my home!

It's not easy to put yourself out there.  Thank you for being gentle to this newbie!  :)

My home is such a work in progress but I am hoping to share more of my home in 2016.

 

 

Here are a few of my personal favorite posts of 2015!  Click on the links to see the posts in their entirety!

 

 

This Travel Baseball Mom's Prayer

 

Let's talk about MONEY

 

Horchow Inspired Dresser

 

Be a Cheerleader!!

 

 

Again, thank you for your support of my blog!

Sign up to receive an email notification of when I post at the top right of this blog page!

 

I hope you have a wonderful, healthy and prosperous new year!

 

xoxo

Delilah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Twas the night before Christmas 2015

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

 The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

 

 

 The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.



 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

 

 

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

 

 

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

 

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

 

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

 

-Clement Clarke Moore

 

Merry Christmas!

xoxo

~Delilah

 

Christmas Home Tour 2015

It's Christmas week!!!!!!!

My absolute favorite week of the year!

It feels like I blinked and now it's Christmas!  

Teacher Gift Ideas



What's REALLY on your TEACHER's

wish list!!

 

 

Because we're in the midst of the season of giving, I thought I would pick the brains of a few of my teacher friends.  I asked them to answer 10 questions.  I asked them to be brutally honest.  I didn't want the generic, "I love every single gift I've ever received from a student" answer.

Yes, it's good to be grateful...

but wouldn't it be nice to know what your teacher's are really thinking?

 

Their answers may surprise you...

or they may validate you.

This exercise isn't meant for either!

It's meant to

e d u c a t e

you!!  :)

 

*These questions were answered by teachers and principals who are currently teaching school age children ranging from preschool to high school.

 

 

1. What has been your favorite Christmas gift ever given by a student?

The number one answer...drum roll please...GIFT CARDS! 

Some other top contenders:

• Heartfelt cards
• Gift basket
• Handwritten memory book made by the kids
• Class got together and bought me an ipad mini 
• Gifts that I can share with my family

2. What is the worst gift you've received from a student?

• Coffee mugs!!
• Anything perishable
• Nick-knacks
• Anything apple related!

 

3. What should be on the "what not to give teachers" list?

• Baked goods (some teachers are trying to eat healthy)
• Meaningless gifts that have no thought put into them
• School supplies!

"I am not a big fan of anything that says teacher or has apples on it. For a first or second year teacher maybe, but after that you have so much "teacher" stuff it becomes clutter. The only exception, when it's made by the student."

4. What 3 things should be on the "top 10 teacher gifts" list?

• Anything that shows you know your teacher!
• Hand written notes from the student
• Gift Cards

 

5. What are some gift ideas for a male teacher?

• Favorite sports team memorabilia or tickets to a game from the class
• Movie Tickets
• Amazon Gift Card

 

6. Do you like to receive homemade gifts?

 

This response was 50/50.  Some teachers love the homemade gifts and others do not.  The key is to know your teacher! There was a resounding NO to the homemade sweets. The reason being that they tend to get a lot of it and it will go bad.  Most teachers stated they love getting an ornament with their students name and school year on it.

 

"We all know many parents are working parents and don't have the time or energy for a homemade gift. A thoughtful card expressing gratitude is the best thing ever. Really."

 

7. Are you a fan of class gifts?

Almost all teachers agreed that class gifts are wonderful. "I like a class gift if they pool their money and get one large gift. In the past I have gotten gift cards to my favorite stores to buy things that I wouldn't normally buy myself. Also, I have been asked what Item I would really like (for example, I got an office chair for my desk at school) and they collect money and purchase the item. "

 

 

 

 8. Is alcohol an appropriate gift to give a teacher?  This response varied...some teachers were adamant about it being very inappropriate and others stated alcohol is how they keep their sanity!  lol

 

"No alcohol...not a fan. It can be awkward and not something you want to open with 20 kids staring at you."  

"yes (depends...if they drink. If they don't or you don't know, then better off not to)."

 

" It is if the parents give it to you in the parking lot! Nothing wrong with that!" :)

 

9. Have you ever re-gifted a gift given to you by a student?

Almost all said YES...

 

"Yes, but not because I didn't like it, but I thought it was so good I wanted someone else to have it."

"I know for a fact that many, many gifts have been donated to charity once I get them home because I don't know what to do with the item."

 

10. Would you rather receive a gift for your classroom or for yourself?

MYSELF!

haha...

Most teachers stated they would rather receive a gift for themselves than for the classroom!

"Classroom gifts are usually pretty thought and something we can either use in the class or a memory we can cherish to remember that school year. But I'm not going to lie feeling appreciated by a student and parent always makes you feel all warm and fuzzy!"

 

"Myself (insert wink emoticon) but u know a public school teacher has to buy a lot of their own supplies, so I would probably like a class gift. I did receive a Keurig for my class and LOVE it."

"As a teacher with four kids, I find out my kids teachers favorite places and give them gift cards and a Christmas picture. I always write a nice letter of appreciation and thanks. The letters that I receive are better than anything someone can buy."

I hope you loved reading these as much as I did!  I learned that the key is to get to know your child's teacher and give him/her something heartfelt and meaningful.  I also learned not to neglect teachers in upper grades.  Some of my middle school and high school teacher friends stated it's rare for them to receive gifts.
We need to change that.  These teachers have one of the hardest jobs in the world!

Finally, I'd like to thank all of my teacher friends who took the time to answer the questionnaire!  Thank you for your honesty!

 

Merry Christmas!  Enjoy your break!  The rest of us who are not in the academic field are jealous of your sweet schedule!

 

xoxo

 

Delilah