Dear Daughters,
I’m writing because your Momma is a writer. It’s my safe place. When I stumble and mumble while talking, I run to my writing. And that’s okay. 
No one is perfect. I’m far from it.
But I’ll get to that.

I’m writing to tell you how much I love you. Insane love.
And there will be times you might not remember that. 
So I’m writing it down for you. 
So it’s here. 
For you to read. 
Forever.

My wish for you is hope, joy, and lots of love. 

I hope you wake up each day more thankful than the day before. 

I pray you have joy. 
So much joy, it overflows- to everyone and everything around you. 
The kind of joy that comes with watching a simple sunset.
Throw it like confetti. 
The world needs more bucket fillers.

I pray you leap. 
Not because someone told you to or called you “chicken” but because the Spirit deep inside of you is whispering “You can. You must. And I am here, do not be afraid.”

Be a light.
There is so much darkness- hold fast to what is right, honorable and true- and you will shine.

Smile more.
Not because I’m telling you to, but because you can’t NOT smile. 
You will change lives. I promise.

You don’t have to do it all.
I have tried. And failed miserably.
The words “I can’t” or “ Please help me” are not signs of weakness. 
They show strength and self-awareness. There are helpers everywhere. 
Let people help you.
Don’t let your pride run your life.

Back to failing. You will. Lots of times.
Maybe at something small. 
Maybe at something big. 
But everyone falls flat at some point.
You think I’m lying? Ask someone.
If they say no, they’re lying.
It is how many times you get back UP that will determine your successes. 
Always. Get. Back. Up. 

Stand up for what you believe.

But be respectful.

Don’t be a “meh.”

There are too many folks who blow where the wind blows them.

Stand tall- and be brave. Brave is beautiful.

And that’s another thing. Don’t ever, EVER let anyone or anything tell you that you aren’t beautiful. You are.
And wonderful. 
And there’s no one like you. Not now, not ever. You are spectacularly unique. 

Don’t compare. It’s hard. I do it, too. But I’m working on it. 
You won’t always be First. You won’t always win.
And that’s okay. Don’t let it bother you. Celebrate them.
Focus on your strengths. 
Don’t think you have any? Look deeper. 
Drive in your own lane. It’s less congested. 

Please love. Love those close, and work at loving those far away. 
Guard your own heart. 
Not with an impenetrable castle wall, but with an unwavering confidence that its contents are worth something.
YOU are worth something. Don’t settle. Your happily ever after is out there. 
You might just have to climb a few castle walls yourself…

Lastly, don’t do any of this because I said so. You’ll regret it. You’ll regret me.
Do these things because you believe in them.
And you know that this world needs you. And you want to make it a better place. 
It goes by in a blink. It’s cliche, but true. 
So live it. REALLY live it. 
Eat the cake, kiss goodnight, take the chance, quiet your heart and LEAP. 
I can’t wait to see what happens when you do. ❤️

How To Make A Floral Ballerina Canvas

Materials:

*Canvas ( any size) but I used a 12″x16″ from a bundle set bought from Michael’s

*tempra paints ( any colors) but I used pale pink, pale purple and aqua

*paint brushes/sponge brushes

*craft glue

*scissors

*ballerina sillouettes – you can click on here to view some images https://www.google.com/search?q=ballerina+silhouette&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjoiODC4t3YAhWDu1MKHfPqCoIQ_AUICigB&biw=1707&bih=796

*scrapbook paper

Step 1:

Pick your paint colors, can be one or a bunch!

*I started with the purple, then overlapped a little pink, then overlapped a little aqua.

Paint your canvas- allow to dry.

Step 2: While your canvas is drying, you can work on your paper flowers!

a) Cut your scrapbook paper into squares. The smaller the square, the smaller your paper flower will be. A larger square= larger flower. ( Mind blowing isn’t it! )

b) Cut the corners off of your square, creating a circle-ish shape. No perfection here!

c) Starting on the outside edge, cut a “coil” into the circle shape. Finishing with a mini circle-ish shape at the end*

*this secures and holds your flower together

d) Starting on the outside edge, begin to curl the paper. If your paper is 1-sided, you will want the printed side curling IN.

e) Continue curling until you get close to your end little circle shape.

f) Put a dab of glue on that circle at the end.

g) If you want a TIGHT flower, push coiled up paper firmly onto the circle shape with glue- HOLD.

If you want a LOOSE flower, gently let go of the coiled up paper until you like the look, and then press firmly on the circle shape with glue- HOLD.

Step 3) Make MORE paper flowers!! :o)

Step 4) Pick your ballerina image- so many choices! I copied and pasted a few onto a WORD doc. & played with the sizing. I eliminated the margins, and enlarged each one to a FULL page image. I printed the whole doc. & then decided which one I liked best.

Step 5) (Now- my mistake- I glued the paper flowers onto the ballerina image before I cut her out. That was hard.)

So-I recommend CUTTING out your ballerina image FIRST…

Step 6) THEN gluing your image down to your canvas…( you could ModPodge if you want a shiny finish)

Step 7) and FINALLY arranging*/ gluing flowers to the ballerina image.

*I always encourage arranging before gluing:o)

And here it is! I love it.  Honestly in love. It will always remind me of this wonderful season my girls are in.

I’d LOVE to see any of your creations!