A Nest Above the Rest

It took me 2 years but I finally finished the children's book i wrote for my kids. I had this idea back before we moved to our Fall Creek house, but I knew we were going to be moving. We'd casually ask the kids about what they liked about our house (at Brothers Ct) and what kind of house they wish they could have. After we moved, it was hard for the kids for a very long time. They missed the old house and even though we had a great new house, they were still sad to leave the other one. (It still hurts to see our old house even now). I wanted to make sure the kids understood that brick & mortar is not what makes a house a home. I began writing a poem I only planned to post on this blog. But the poem turned into a story. Which turned into bird sketches. Which Spencer encouraged me to turn into a book. The idea was fun, so I tried it out. I would go in spurts when I was really excited about the book and I'd work on my drawings & paintings. Then I'd get annoyed with my rusty art skills & become discouraged. Every few months I'd get back to working on it, but other projects took priority (mostly home improvement projects). And I was just lacking the drive. I was out of practice and letting thoughts of feeling dumb for thinking I could illustrate a kids book, keep me from finishing. But when that would happen, Spenc would give me a push and I'd set out again. 

I've always loved art and loved watercolor, but hadn't done watercolor since high school! Spenc wanted me to try coloring my birds with prisma colors, so i gave it a go. But I was less skilled with those! (I know, how sad that I didn't have skills for using coloring pencils) Spenc kept encouraging me & pushing me to finish it. But I wanted it to be perfect for the kids! And it wasn't perfect and it wasn't ever going to be perfect. Then I read something Kiley (Uncle Kiley Newbold) put on instagram this last August. He talked about how he had a mostly blank canvas sitting there staring at him, waiting to be used. But he didn't use it because he wanted the art to be perfect. He at last decided to do something, realizing that it didn't have to be perfect. I left a comment thanking him for motivating me to finish my own project (didn't tell him what it was). I told him I'd put it off out of fear & self conscientiousness, but no more! He had inspired me to not worry about making it perfect, but just to make it, and be satisfied with however it turned out. He replied. "...I had let it sit SO long that I was determined to just do something. Even if that canvas went into the garbage, I would fee totally fulfilled." I didn't want my illustrations to go in the garbage, but I knew someday my kids would be grateful for this little book that I made for them, no matter how imperfect it might be. With my excitement rejuvenated, I vigorously went at it every nap time and quiet time. My skills were much better by the end of the book and I am really happy with how it turned out! Spencer was so great at being my editor. He helped me revise the text and spent hours scanning and editing the illustrations before uploading it to lulu.com. When the book arrived in the mail, I was scared to open it. But I LOVED how it looked in book form! I was thrilled. So was Spencer! He kept kissing me and saying how proud he is of me. (I adore him!) But then it came time to show it to the kids. They had sneak peaks of bird sketches & drawings every now then, even though I tried hard to hide it from them. I wanted it to be a surprise (but also didn't want to let them down if they knew about it and i never ended up finishing it). So, I was really nervous to give it to them because I worried they might not like it. And all that work would've been for naught. 

I am grateful & relieved that they loved it! They all knew which bird was them. I explained that I mixed up bits of each of them into the bird characters: Frank who's fun & likes thrills like Kaden, is named after his nickname "Kowboy Frank". Penny is Josie, but I used a name similar to Perry. I even added a Hello Kitty style bow cuz Jo loves "Hey-yo Kitty". :) Chuck is cool & sassy like Perry, with a mohawk like how he likes his hair styled. But obviously I used Charlie's nickname. Then Louie is sweet and good hearted like Charlie, who prefers spending time with his family over any cool toy or gadget. After I sat with them around me as I read it to them for the first time, they all read it again on their own several times. Jo wants me to be the Mystery Reader in her kindergarten class and read this book. Perry said every time he reads it he feels like crying. :) Charlie keeps pointing at Louie and saying, "That's me!" Which is funny because he came in one day when Daddy & I were editing it on the computer and he saw Louie on the screen. He said the same thing then, "That's me!" We were surprised he said that because he had no clue what that little bird was for. But it was cute. Kaden said, "Does Frank have glasses because glasses represent being smart in cartoons?" He was happy when we confirmed that yes that's why i drew him with glasses. I added, "You're all very smart & clever, but I didn't want all the birds to have glasses. So just Frank got them." They seemed to understand. They only got sad when I finished and Perry said, "Hey how come only Louie/Charlie gets to live with mommy & daddy?" Jo & Kaden agreed with a "Yaaa!?" Daddy explained, "These birds are just characters based on you, not actually you. In the book they're just friends, not family. The birds have their own bird families too." "Oh ok" was their response.  Spenc really thinks its great and wants to send it to a book publisher but I do NOT want that. For the record: I do NOT want that! He knows that, but he says, "You'll just never know if i do or not. :) " I put my pen name as N.E. Jones because even though they're my actual initials, it sounds like ANY Jones... like Any Jones could've written this. ha ha... sometimes I think I'm funny! :)

I am grateful for a husband who believes in me and pushes me to explore & improve my talents. I am grateful for art teachers through grade school and high school who boosted my confidence and taught me skills in using different mediums. I am grateful for my mom who showed me the joy of creating beautiful things. I am grateful for my sweet little "peeps" who make my life complete as their mommy! I am most of all grateful for my Father in Heaven who blessed me with simple talents that bring me happiness. I am grateful He still helps me and forgives me even though i neglected those talents for years and waver in my abilities. I am grateful to give my children a little tangible piece of my love & efforts towards teaching them. I am just grateful!