Life is Like a Box of Chocolates...

One of the DT assignments for the Summer 2013 issue was to create a layout using "Gumpisms" - that is, pearls of wisdom from the iconic title character from the 1994 blockbuster movie, Forrest Gump.

In researching for this assignment, I came across so many great quotes, and as I listed them, I noticed that they all had an underlying message that could teach a life lesson to my kids.

Here's my layout:

Supplies:  Bazzill cardstock; Canadian Scrapbooker SuperStock; Fancy Pants patterned paper, stickers, transparent owl, felt star and rub-ons; Maya Road sheet bird & ticket; Martha Steward Crafts, EK Success and McGill punches, Martha Stewart Crafts scoring board (for pockets); American Crafts and Lily Bee alpha stickers; Scenic Route, Heidi Swapp and unknown chipboard pieces; 7 Gypsies and Recollections paper/fabric tapes; The Twinery twine, Memento ink; KI Memories acrylic tile; Making Memories metal tag; Stockade wooden dragonfly, Sakura marker; Pea Sarah font; Scrapbook Adhesives tape runner and 3L Dodz; KaiserCraft & Heidi Swapp bling; Imaginisce stamp; miscellaneous buttons.

Whew!  That was quite the supplies list!  There's a lot of detail on this layout - and while it took me longer than originally thought (story of my life!), I am really happy with how this turned out!

I created a grid, using 2.25” squares of patterned paper and leaving spaces for my journaling.  I created library card pocket-styled sleeves and matching cards.  The quotes are printed on the cards, with my handwritten journaling on the back of each.

Each pocket holds a quote from the movie, and my advice to my children, based on the quotes.  And every square has a little bit of happy on it! :)

Quotes and Journaling (in numbered pockets) reads:

1) “Life is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get.”  Life will throw you some curves – take them in stride and do the best with what you have.
2) “Mama always said you’ve got to put the past behind you before you can move on.”  Remember – to err is human; to forgive, divine.  Forgive and move on…
3) “Mama always had a way of explaining things so I could understand them.”  Be simple.  Don’t overcomplicate things.  Explain it to me like I’m a child, but listen to me like you’re an adult…
4) “If I’d a known that was the last time I was gonna talk to Bubba, I would have thought of something better to say.”  It’s important to tell people how you feel.  Life is too short to be wasted and it’s important to make each moment count.  Live life like it’s your last day – enjoy it completely.
5) “Run, Forrest!  Run!”  Those you love (and who love you) will tell your strengths.  Listen… and use them to your advantage.
6) “Stupid is as stupid does.”  You’re smart enough to know right from wrong.  Just remember that actions speak louder than words.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

Sketchy Challenge:  May 2013 (deadline May 31/13)
Leave Your Legacy:  Pet Peeves (deadline Aug 31/13)

The Hungry Wolf

[source]

I have a confession to make.  

Some days, I'm a crappy mom.

There, I've said it.  Am I proud of it?  No stinkin' way.  Am I convinced that I'm the only mom who feels this way?  Definitely not.  Do I still feel guilty for possible creating behaviours that will come back to bite me in the ass butt?  Absolutely, without conviction.

So what brought this all on, you may ask?  It's not like the heavens opened, thunder boomed, lightning crashed, and an all-powerful voice said, "...Oh, and by the way?  You STUNK today at being a mom!"

Although, to be honest - a little accountability like that wouldn't hurt some days.

A while ago, in my web surfing travels, I came across this excerpt on the Domestic Simplicity blog from Krista Tippett’s interview with Sylvia Boorstein called, “What We Nurture”:

“One of my friends has a story he likes to tell: A wise grandfather says to his grandson…’I have two wolves in my heart, one is loving and the other is vicious and they are at war with each other.’ And the grandson says, ‘Which is going to win?’ And the grandparent says, ‘The one I feed.’ I think our children learn to speak in the tone we speak in or to hold people kindly if we do.”

The moment I read that excerpt, I felt shame wash over me.

There are times when I can feel the stress and frustrations of the day building up inside of me, usually caused by outside factors, and it comes bursting out of me, like molten lava. And who is usually unfortunate enough to be in front of me when it happens?  My children.  Of course, I feel guilt and regret instantaneously, which only multiplies when I see the hurt or bewilderment on their sweet faces.  And even though I apologize profusely, it's too late to take back the sarcastic words or sharp tone.

Yes, I know that our kids model what they see.  No, I do not want them to model this behaviour.  Every once in a while, I will witness an outburst from THEM and can see shades of what THEY see when I do the same.

I talk to them about using their words to express what they mean and about thinking things through and being patient.  But I sometimes don't practice what I preach.  Which I know confuses them even more.

And so, as Sam Cooke once sang, a change is gonna come...

The last few weeks have been particularly trying, with me having to miss work because of sickness (both Aili and I), late nights to catch up, projects due, deadlines looming... and Gary trying to adjust to being back to work.

But every day, Life happens.  And it goes by so quick, that it's worth the extra effort to make sure that you live it exactly as it's meant to be lived, feeding the loving wolf.

Who did YOU feed today?

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the following challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

It's a Sketchy Challenge:  Dec 2012 (deadline:  Dec 31/12)
Leave Your Legacy: What You Fear Most (deadline:  Feb 28/13)