Bazaar and boots

That's right, I have my super duper insulated waterproof boots. It has been raining all week and is cold! I may have been born in the north, but I'm a southern girl at heart! It's cold!!! I'm not sure what I'm going to do this winter. We've been told by several people that we need to invest in a snow blower!! What?!

This past weekend was a great weekend for me. I love to sell my things at bazaars and for some reason, Indiana has bazaars almost every weekend from now until Christmas. Not knowing what to expect and realizing that I want to enjoy the holidays with my family in our new surrounds; I registerd for one bazaar at Sophie's school. I had a great time, sold some of my things, met some great people and made some contacts for future opportunities -- it was a good day. I was selling repurposed coffee bag purses and peace tshirts which I was able to sell to a lot of teachers at Sophie's school because the have "peace" day December 1; who knew? I had some Christmas shirts left over from last year that needed a little embelishing with bows and buttons and bells and then they needed matching pants with ruffles, so those were a big hit and also little girl hair clips.

role of step-mom

Not sure why, but I'm feeling a little sentimental over Hallie. I sent her a package last week and she posted the sweetest video for me on Facebook. I can't figure out how to post it on my blog, so I'll have to tell you: it's her holding a sign that says thank you and she keeps lifting it up so you can see it on the video and it says I love you and then she gives me a big smile! That is priceless to me.

When your the stepmom; sometimes you're just along for the ride. You really don't get to have a say-so in raising this child because the biological parents are doing that. Jay & I can talk, but ultimately it's between him and Hallie's mom. Hallie's home has different rules then we have and that had to be ok and I had to explain that to our own kids who live with us. That just because Hallie gets to do something doesn't necessarily mean that they are going to get the same benefits. And, that's hard. However, Hallie is an exceptional kid and her mom did a great job even though I may have done some things different.

Hallie is a nurturer and she says that before she met Christian and I, she had always hoped for a brother or sister. So, when Jay & I started dating and Hallie could mother Christian, he was 2, life was good. She loved coming to our house, she enjoyed our family time and she was able to balance that with her mom's house. Her mom never remarried and so the dynamics at her mom's house was much different than in our house. Initially, Hallie was unsure what to call me after Jay & I got married. I remember the question, "should I call you mom, now?" Although I was very honored that she would ask me that; I knew that "Lori" was what my name would always be; as it should be. I was a stranger to her mother and had to prove myself; right or wrong. In the beginning, never was I the one to coordinate visits or birthday or Christmas presents. I took my time... I needed to earn trust and that was ok. Just a few weeks ago, myself, Sophie and Hallie's mom were in Edmond, OK to visit Hallie. We had a good time and were even able to laugh at what people must be thinking of us sitting together for Hallie's performances at Freshman Fanfare! My, how things have improved. How blessed I am that Trish and I can talk without any problems. She trusted me to go on a mission trip with Hallie to Africa! Can you see God's hand in this? Hallie and I are good friends, my title stepmom really doesn't fully recognize the relationship that we have. Stepmom drums up so many negative feelings.

Hallie & I have talked and tried to examine our relationship. She says it works for her because I never tried to overstep my role. We've always been friends and now we're very close. I just can't say enough about her! I think I've cried through this whole post!

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close at heart

I feel truly honored that my good friend, Ondrea, mentioned me in her blog and my latest creation which happens to be a two sided pendant with a map on it. I have been back from mission trip to Lilongwe, Malawi about 6 months and I'm forever changed. The people, joy, sadness, the smells; everything stays with me. I could spend a big part of my day looking at pictures I took while I was there. One boy, Rafik, in particular just took my heart. So, I decided that I would like a pendant with a map of where he is with a picture of him on the back. This one really makes me laugh when I look at it because Rafik has a large forehead and it's magnified by the crown he made showing that he is a son of The King. And, I had planned on making one for Hallie. And, then I told Ondrea and the rest is history! I started thinking about the map because I'm guessing that's where it starts; with a map and realizing that your child is in this location. This is where your child was born; this is where you will travel to get your child. The orphanage in this location will be forever on your mind. It will also invoke awareness to an underlying issue that there are 147 million orphans who need parents to tuck them in and help with homework.

If your interested in a pendant, I have it listed on my etsy website: www.solstudios.etsy.com or you can email me or leave me a message on the blog and I'll contact you.

8th grade football banquet with Colts' head coach Jim Caldwell

Christian was fortunate enough to play football on his middle school team who had an 0 - 7 record. It was a really tough year to be on the Zionsville West football team, but he stuck it out and it paid off at the middle school banquet held at the Colts' training facility. A teammate's dad is connected with the Colts and he was able to arrange for the team to have their banquet at the training field. But, what made it even better was when Coach Jim Caldwell came in the room to talk to them about their season. He explained that a lot of players are on losing teams at some point. Even he was on a losing team while playing for Iowa. He went on further to tell them that football is about character and perseverance. Anybody can quit and be discouraged from a losing season, but it takes someone with determination, perseverance and character to work during the off season and come back the next year stronger and ready to play. He spoke to them like a head coach would and gave every player something to think about and strive for. He was very inspirational and it was a great night for the team and for the parents. I was very impressed!