Give 52 Week 29 - Don't make me hit you with my fun stick.

Give 52 Week 29
Cheryl Houston 2016

I've never met Lynn Whipple but I feel like I know her. I discovered Lynn when I signed up for the Year of Spark with Carla Sonheim and Lynn leading the way.

I love watching Lynn's classes. She has such a wonderful spirit- she has fun when she creates and she encourages her students to do the same.

Paint to music. Talk to your painting. Make a fun stick! Seriously. Make a fun stick.

Lynn taught me how to paint in books in the class Wordplay. Really, paint right on the pages of the book and the cover. What? I love it. And now no book new or old is safe from my creative tools.

I so enjoyed my Year of Spark class I signed up for Y is for Yellow with Carla. And when I saw Lynn was teaching a Big Bloom class, I was in!

The class started today and I logged into my email to get the first class except there was not email. What's going on here? Did the ladies forget me? Well, come to find out I never actually signed up for the class except in my mind. I even told Lynn I couldn't wait except I had signed up for the class yet. I got signed up right away after I discovered my error.

I want to be Lynn when I grow up.

This is my gift. I give it to you.

Give 52 Week 28 - Blessed

Give 52 Week 28
Cheryl Houston 2016

Oh my goodness! I forgot to post after I got my artwork in the mail.

I made this piece for a man that is in my son, Drew's, life. Drew's dad got Drew in a city league of football when he was in the 6th grade. One of Drew's coaches was Ryan Young.

Ryan is this giant of a man but as nice and welcoming as they come and he has a love for God. He's such a good example for our boys.

Ryan leads Fellowship of Christian Atheletes and he has meetings at Drew's school. The other morning Drew told me he had attended a meeting and I thought about how grateful I was that Ryan is in Drew's life.

As many of my friends say, "It takes a village."

I pray that my children will always know God's love for them, that they will trust in the Lord for the good plans He has in store for them.

Ryan, thank you for all you do for the young men in this community.

This is my gift. I give it to you .

Give 52 Week 27 - Teacher's Pet

 

Give 52 Week 27
Cheryl Houston 2016

Teachers. They're a special breed of people. They take in our children no matter how bratty or stubborn and the shower them with knowledge and love. We all have at least one teacher that holds a special place in our hearts.

And then, when you have children of your own, you get to have a favorite teacher that is teaching your your children! That teacher for me is Nancy Bingham. She was both Drew and JB's second grade teacher. Even though my boys are now in the 8th and 9th grade, I still think of Nancy often. I have a picture of her and my boys from one field day that shows up on my work computer screen slide show. 

I once asked JB, "Who's the smartest mom you know?" And instead of answering right away like he should have he had to take a moment to think about it. Seriously, kid? And then he thoughtfully answered, "Well, I think the smartest mom I know is Mrs. Bingham because she's a mom and a teacher." 

My heart smiled. 

I hope any teacher that may read this knows this: You are doing a great job! You are touching the lives of so many children! You are making a positive impact on this world! We need you! We love you! 

That's you, Nancy Bingham!

Speaking of teachers. Those flowers are inspired by an art teacher of mine, Lynn Whipple. Her art is amazing just like her.

Telling you people. Teachers rock!

This is my gift. I give it to you!

Give 52 Week 26 - The Gaines'

Give 52 Week 26
Cheryl Houston 2016

Every week we watch this little show called Fixer Upper. It features a couple and their family from Waco, Texas- Chip and Joanna Gaines. Maybe you've heard of them.

Ever since we started watching, I've been saying we just need to open that kitchen wall up because that's what Joanna does in her designs.

The Gaines' make over these really sad houses into a family's dream home. Truly beautiful. Like it makes you jealous. Or maybe it's just me.

But more than the great work they do remodeling homes, they have such a sense of love and playfulness to them. You can tell they really love each other and that the really love their kids. And, they really love making these homes special for the owners.

We're getting ready to watch tonight as I type this!

I also saw a link on Facebook to Joanna's spiritual story and it left an impression on me. Go Google it.

I just wanted to send some flowers to Chip and Joanna because they come into our home each week and make us happy. And though our home doesn't look like her model homes, I hope we can still fill it with just as much love.

This is my gift. I give it to you.