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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Not Quite There...

So…I’ve been thinking about Ali’s “one little word” and have really come up against a wall.

As I surveyed my shambles of a house last night, I thought to myself:

“Would PURGE be a bad word for 2009?”

As in purge the crap in the garage that hasn’t seen the light of day in the three years we’ve been here.

As in purge the clothes that no longer fit or are just not going to be worn again in this house from my closet, Scott’s closet and jay’s closet.

As in purge the junk from the pantry that is just sitting there looking great but being bad.

As in purge my crappy eating habits over the last month and start to eat something besides carbs.

As in purge my bad attitude about work, cleaning, exercise, eating and virtually everything else that I’m frustrated with at the moment.

The problem is that while “purge” is certainly accurate and certainly what I need to do, its literally only ½ the problem AND its not all that inspiring.

I could purge everything that needs purging but would be left with only emptiness in the place of all that stuff…which in some cases is really amazingly inspiring and in some cases is so overly depressing that I want to slit my wrists or run away from home.

Alas, what is a girl to do when she wants to carry the entire household to the curb and start fresh?

And WHAT is the “one little word” for THAT!?!?!?

Obviously, my “one little word” needs some work!

Peace, ya’ll!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Heard At Our House – Traffic Accident

Jay: SNIFF!! SNIFF!! SSSSNNNNIIIFFFFFF!!!!! My nose is bahwoken!!

Mommy: It is? How did it get broken?

It won ovah by a twuck!

Your nose got run over by a truck?

Uh-huh!

How did your nose get loose from your face?

I doh-no!

How did your nose get run over by a truck?

It going to CHUWCH!

Hmmm…I wonder how you file a police report for that…

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Scrapping away the weekend...

For once, I've had some time to do some scrapping...its a wonder what a plethora of new toys will buy you in terms of time - hurray Christmas!!

ok...did these for Scrapbooking From the Inside Out challenges on "regret." Found it all rather cathartic!

This challenge was about what we consider the "perfect holiday":



This was for a challenge on "No Regrets" on our path:



And finally a challenge on Now and Then:



Also used elements from their december kit to finish a layout about LAST year's picture session for the Christmas Card:



Unfortunately, THIS year, I didn't even get the picture taken until Christmas day...sigh!

Peace, ya'll!

Friday, December 26, 2008

Now that the gifts are opened

I can share with you some of my Christmas projects...

Now, I'm no Mary, but I love two of the sentiments she expressed all through the Christmas season - #1 recycle and #2 use your talents to make meaningful and wonderful gifts within your budget for everyone on your list....so...

I was inspired by her LAST year and set about trying to find ways I could use my talents this year to make some (or all???) of my gifts. To be honest, I was really NO where close to all the way home-made. But I got about 40% done with my resourcefulness, imagination and talent this year. ABD I had so much fun!

First of all, I found the greatest etsy shop called little brown pen. They create printable card and calendar sets among other things.

I purchased these two calendars:




Add a large circle of cool paper and some ribbon ties and I ended up with these:



I also purchased several card sets...these two are some examples:




And couple of these card sets (and one that was given by little brown pen as a gift to its customers) produced these handy little sets of 8:



Add some pretty ribbon, maybe a small gift card and a punched tag and this was my pretty little gift packet:



I had a great time packaging and making pretty some paper piecings I began last year. They became some fabulous ornaments:



I also tried Mary's recycled container concept...I've been saving jars over the year and was able to do some really neat "layered trail mix" jars. Add a bit of festive ribbon and a downloaded tag image from the internet and I had gifts for all my co-workers:



I'm ready to embark on the journey to the new year. Working on a couple of new things and processing some fun challenges.

Have a happy day!

Peace, ya'll!!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Santa is Alive and Well...

And We Are On His Team

I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.

As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days.

"Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill , wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about though, when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's second grade class.

Bobbie Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat. I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes," I replied shyly. "It's ... for Bobbie." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas. That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, "To Bobbie, From Santa Claus" on it -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie.

Forty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my grandma, in Bobbie Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

Author Unknown


In the Krech, Kleeberger and Porter households, we're on his team too!

Off to a Christmas Open House tonight. SO looking forward to some socializing and fun!

Peace, everyone!

Monday, December 22, 2008

How did the shepards know where to look?

Because they followed a star? Nope....

I read THIS and found it fascinating...

Most of her info comes from HERE :

I've posted this before, but it never ceases to amaze me how God perfectly orchestrate all the tiny details!

PS...The star was for the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12).

I'm breathing a sigh of relief as all boxes have been shipped, and the presents I still have left are those that bring me huge joy to shop for...can you say TOYS!?!?!??

Have a BLESSED DAY!

Peace ya'll!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

One Solitary Life

This is something I've had for a few years now that just floats around on my PC until its time for Christmas.

The credited author is Dr. James Allen Francis.

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never owned a home.

He never wrote a book.

He never held an office.

He never had a family.

He never went to college.

He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness.

He had no credentials but Himself...

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.

While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat.

When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.


Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.


Never underestimate the wonder that God can do with one simple and solitary life!

Peace, everyone!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Fun with Random Acts of Kindness

So…I’ve been hearing about all sorts of fun ways to do Random Acts of Kindness.

The first of these is the random Ornament Drop dreamed up by the ever-creative Creating Keepsakes…You can go HERE and print the tag, attach it to a hand-made ornament, leave the ornament for somebody to find and then go post about it HERE.

The second is the Pay for the People Behind You Random Act. This can take many forms. For example, there is the kindness challenge posted by Brene Brown on her blog Ordinary Courage. Or, you can try the Drive Through Difference that New Life 91.9 has been sponsoring. Just click on the link, download the letter and pay for somebody’s lunch!

You could also pay for groceries, for the people behind you…leave them the change.

Bake cookies for a neighbor or teacher, just because.

Visit a nursing home and bring cupcakes. Sit and visit with a few of the residents.
You'd be amazed at the loving reception you will receive as many residents rarely receive visitors.

Buy a new calendar for a workmate.

Leave an extra large tip for your food server!

Leave a bouquet of flowers on someone’s front door step.

Bake goodies and take them to the police station, fire station, or hospital.

Take a box of doughnuts to an elementary school for a classroom.

Leave your change in the soda machine for the next person. It's a nice surprise.

Write to management at places where you get especially good service and commend them (specify names!)

Tape a quarter to a pay phone with a note welcoming anyone who needs it to use it.

Volunteer at a local shelter, crisis nursery or soup kitchen. This will give more to you than you can imagine.

Volunteer to read to children at your nearest library.

Pay for someone's toll and/or gas.

Buy lunch for the couple or family sitting next to you as you pay your own. Be sure to be secretive!

Buy a toy for a child in the store and ask the clerk to deliver it after you’ve gone.

And my personal favorite – be somebody’s secret Santa. Don’t tell them who you are.

Happy Kindness-spreading, everyone!

Peace, ya’ll!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Because I'm busy, that's why!

That is why I haven't posted...

Work is at a fever pitch (we deliver the final product of a year long project on January 8th. Its been an insane month.)

Christmas snuck up on me a bit, although I was more prepared than I initially thought on the day after Thanksgiving.

There is a two-year-old ENAMORED with Christmas and mommy's office and the spare bedroom which is technically North Pole South at the moment.

Scott is helping as much as he can to ease my burden - he has even been loading up my laptop bag and purse and getting them out to the car each morning so I can grab a coat and my coffee and run frantically out the door!

So...

I'll be better and FAR more inspirational as we head into Christmas week...I PROMISE!!!

Blessings and Peace, ya'll!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Heard at our house – Christmas Edition

Mommy: Do you know why we celebrate Christmas?

Jay: Isss baypee cheeses birday!

Mommy: That’s right. And who comes on Christmas Eve to our house?

Jay: Ummmmm…..Mawee an Joseff!!!


After turning a corner and seeing lots of Christmas lights:

Oh, WOOK! Isss Kissmass EV-WE-WEAH!!!!


While reading The Legend of the Candy Cane

Dat wettah “J”!

Juh, juh, juh, Jay! Dat tand fo Jayden! And CHEEEESus!



While looking at the Christmas Tree.

Dat twee is BEEEE-YOUUU-TEEE-FUL! An a AINchell on top!

Peace, ya'll!!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

While I'm on the topic of Christmas lists

There just aren't a lot of things on my Christmas list this year...mostly things like "more time" and "less work to do."

But I've been thinking there are a few "nice to haves" I like to have:

Although I love my old standard Fiskars 12 inch trimmer, I'd like to have a new rotary trimmer. This is the one that I end up holding in my hands often a the craft store, then putting back on the shelf: (just click on any image to get to more information:



The Rotary, Scoring, Perforating, and Deckle blades would be nice too.

I've been wanting an ATG for some time, but haven't ever really taken the plunge on that one either...but I understand that this tool reduces adhesive costs when you consider how much you get for the price. If you click on this image, you'll find an amazing starter kit for a very reasonable price!



Other than that, maybe just a few days away somewhere would be nice...a retreat of some kind...I could really use a massage! lol

Peace, Ya'll

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

More things for my Christmas List

While looking at the aprons, I thought "Those would make a good Christmas present." Which naturally led me to thinking of other things that I might want...the list is, frankly, not that long. I've got a lot in my life... a lot to be thankful for and really nothing that I need.

But these were nice...if you click on the picture it will take you the page where the item is located.

Happy hunting!







Peace, Ya'll!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Challenges

Saturday was my monthly scrapping day with Bert and Deb...I was working on SFTIO layout challenges...

This challenge was to think about a mondern appliance you are grateful for:



This one was on a key relationship:



nd this is one that I did some time ago, that I just haven't posted...



Peace, ya'll!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Crafty Aprons

I'm in need of a new craft apron because...well...because I get adhesive and ink all over me when I scrap...so...I was on etsy.com today looking for some neat aprons...These are my favorites: (just click on the image to get to the etsy page)

This one is just pretty



I thought this one looked really cute AND particularly handy with all the pockets:



I LOVE the color on this one:



And this one is in the "Gotta have it!" catetory...its entirely too cute!




Peace. ya'll!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Layouts and Good News

There was a design team call over at Scrapbooking From the Inside Out and I threw my own hat into the ring.

The decisions have all been made and we found out that Laura, Anan, and Nic will be the new design team. YEA!!!! Congrats, ladies!!!

I was SOOOOOO thrilled that they asked me to be a guest designer for them sometime in the next 6 months (more on that soon!)

Anyway, these are the layouts I submitted for the call:







I've never actally submitted for a design team call before and this was TRULY fun and challenging. I'll be trying this more often! It REALLY stretched me creative muscles!!

Peace, ya'll!

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Conversations

As I sit and write this, I know I will be scrapping it. I can see a picture of my open Bible and a cup of coffee.

The words, though…they are harder.

Of all things I’m most grateful for in my life (and there is A LOT!), my personal relationship with Christ rises far and above the rest.

But finding the words to describe that relationship and my gratitude – it stretches my writing ability to the max.

As I look out over my faith journey, I realize that God has become a bigger and bigger presence in my daily life – not because He is any bigger, but because I have made more room for Him. Part of that making room is conversation.

I realize it makes lots of people nervous to consider that I have conversations with God. Some are more comfortable considering that I speak only to Him. Some are not even comfortable with that.

But for me, these conversations are very real. I talk to Him. He answers me. I talk to him about everything…what to have for breakfast, requesting that my family would sleep well, how to drive to work, how to handle a difficult co-worker, what I should read, listen to, scrap about. I try to make Him a part of everything, even the tiniest details.

He speaks to me through others. He speaks to me directly, as a voice in my head. He quickens things to my heart in such a way that I MUST do what I feel. He answers my questions through my daily scripture reading. He speaks to me by resolving situations in my world with no effort from me. He speaks to me by putting strangers in my path who coincidently meet whatever need or desire I’ve have. He shows me his faith by returning my faith exponentially.

Over time, He has opened my eyes to see the real world around me. Sometimes I see things so clearly its frightening – like I’m telepathic. He shows me things to pray about, to help with, to be understanding about, so that I can love people, understand them, be sensitive to who they are and what they are going through.

He has opened my heart – despite what others might think, my Christianity has not closed me off to what others believe, but opened me up. Not so I can believe what they believe, but so I can understand where they are coming from, have empathy for them, converse with them, pray for them.

He has made my world both smaller and bigger…my circle has certainly shrunk. But my opportunities to meet new people and affect lives for the better has grown.

He has changed the way I talk, how I approach difficult situations, how I handle small irritations, demanding people, crazy circumstances.

He has caused me to smile, even when no one else does.

He has helped me search deep inside, heal from debilitating emotional wounds, rise above my circumstances. He has helped me take responsibility for my actions, make different choices, risk more, and suffer less.

My conversations with God have shown me light where there was once only darkness, understanding where once there was confusion and growth were once only deadness existed.

As I become who I was meant to be, I discover that He had much in mind for me that I would never have purposed for myself and awakened things that I never even realized existed.

And I am eternally grateful that He would make the time to have a conversation with me.

Peace, ya'll!

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Red, Green and Yellow

Daddy to Jay:

What do we do when the light is red?

Wed mean dop!

What do we do when the light is green?

Geen mean go!

What do we do when the light is yellow?

Pause....

GO FASTAH!!!!!!


Go, Daddy!

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Monday, November 03, 2008

Spirit, Body, Mind

How often do you consider the care and feeding of YOU?

I don’t mean the indulgent, “I deserve an ice cream” kind of care…I’m talking about the priorities you place on your own well-being.

If you are a woman – and most of my readers are – you are most likely giving yourself away day by day in the care and feeding of other people or business.

I think most of us have heard of the external priority mantra set forth by Mary Kay Ashe – God First, Family Second, Work Third.

But what about the priorities you set for yourself? When you need feeding, what do you feed first?

When you need answers, which part of you do you satisfy first?

If things are tough and you have but a few moments, which part of you gets those few moments?

I propose that usual mantra – Mind, Body, Spirit – is actually backward.

I believe it should go this way: Spirit, Body, Mind. Allow me to explain:

Your spirit is the most essential part of you…it is the life cord to God, the well-spring of creativity and the birthplace of compassion. Without Spirit, the other two priorities in this equation get out of balance, start to overwhelm the rest of your life. Spirit provides the deep meaning in our lives – the WHY. It deserves first dibs at whatever time we can give it. We should feed our Spirit the best we have and first – mediation, prayer, time alone with the Bible, time alone in nature, moments of silence and attention to keeping the junk out of are Spirit are the essential first step to real health.

Second should come the body. The body should come second because it provides the shell in which we navigate this world. Its is essential to keep it healthy, exercised, rested and cared for. Our body deteriorates over time. No matter how strong our spirit or well-fed our mind, if the body is not willing, nothing will happen. We must care for our bodies!! By care, I mean BALANCED eating and BALANCED exercise and BALANCED rest. These things are hard to balance. Some people eat too much and don’t exercise enough. Some people rest so much they are slack and lifeless.

The Body should never come first – worship of the body tends to fall into two categories – either you give into every fleshly desire you have – eating too much, eating too little, promiscuous sex, obsession with cleanliness (germ phobias) – or you deny every single thing to the body and over work it – fanatic exercise, worship of your muscles over your spirit, etc.

The Body should never be last, because…well…then because we would have no time left for the body and it would be completely neglected all together. Not a good approach.

The Mind should come last. Let me state for the record that I believe most people put the Mind first. They feed it horrible things like racy books, violent movies, negative news programming, trashy reality TV. I say – Garbage In, Garbage Out. We tend to regurgitate what we feed our minds…and these days, most of it is junk. Not to mention the fact that we also tend to feed our mind LONG before we get to our spirit.

And, well…an over-fed mind is a bit like Fran Drescher’s The Nanny – loud, rude, uncompromising…and too full for new ideas, for fresh ideas, for alternative points of view. It tends to stifle the Spiritual wisdom we could be hearing internally with loud comments like “That just isn’t possible.” And “Give me the proof!” Our spirit suffocates and dies when the mind is over fed.

The Mind is always “on.” We literally have zero ways to stop the input of information our senses bring in. We only have filters to categorize, file and retrieve information. So…your mind doesn’t actually need encouragement to take everything in – everything within the range of your senses that is. So, if you surround yourself with junk, your mind takes in junk through all your senses as long as you are breathing. The nearly pornographic bill board? Check – its in there. The nasty song lyrics? Check – they are in there too. Witnessing the horrible way that people treat each other on MTV’s the Real World – oh, yea…got that too. And when the mind is filled with that stuff…it’s been categorized and filed…when there is SO MUCH of it going in – well…that is what comes out.

Yes the Mind should really be force fed and given LAST priority when taking time for you. If you start with the Spirit – especially meditation, spiritual or soothing music, holy reading material – then the Spirit is fed and strengthened and the mind is force-fed good things to categorize, file and recall.

If you follow with the Body, then the body is strengthened and made healthy. And the Mind is force-fed things like vitamins, minerals, oxygen, great views if you are feeding the body outside (this is highly recommended!)…the Mind will be FAR more healthy this way.

This seems like a less toxic way to live..its about living life on purpose and filling yourself up in the right way so that you have good things to offer your world, so that you don’t burn out, or wear out, or lash out.

What do you think?

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Praiseworthy

Read this:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

And wondered - do I DO that?

hmmmm....lets truly examine...

Do I focus on what is right and not what is wrong?

Do I edify?

Do I lift up?

Do I make the most of the most and least of the least?

I’m not certain.

I can be a whiner…I can be focused on the things that are going wrong!

For example – I was sick…for TWO weeks…then Scott got it and the baby had a virus and then I tweaked my neck and I’ve been REALLY focused on the discontent I have with my body…

And then I read these words and I had to wonder…what do I focus on? What do I speak out of my mouth?

Words are life-giving…If I give my words to the bad stuff, I give them life.

So…its time to adjust my focus.

In these times, it is so easy to be focused on what is not happening, what is not being done, how I don’t feel, what I don’t have, on all that is missing…

But that would be backwards…

I say, lets lift up the good stuff…say something nice, focus on the positive, let go of something that hurts you or bothers you…Speak life over the praiseworthy things!!!

Whaddaya say????

Wanna play to?

What can you say that is nice today?

Now go do it.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

IF…

IF I had stayed married the first time, today would have been my 16th wedding anniversary. WHOAH!!!

IF I had not miscarried the one and only other time that I was actually pregnant in my life before Jay came along, I would have a 12 year old child.

IF I had not raised my hand that fateful morning in church, I would have missed out on 11 years walking with Christ.

But I didn't...

And I did...

And boy did I...

Life could sure be different…

What about you?

Thursday, October 30, 2008

New Do...

So here we go...

BEFORE:



and AFTER:



Oh, yea...I'm bringing sexy back! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Peace ya'll!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Grateful from my rising up…

So much of our lives is about getting to the next thing…as I lay in bed this morning (in the wee hours as God often does in my life) I started to think of all the amazing things I have to be grateful for…simple, everyday things that I take for granted…that somebody else in this world doesn’t have. So…I started a list right there in bed…Here’s how it went:

I’m grateful for my warm cozy bed with my warm cozy covers.

In this amazing home.

In this amazing neighborhood.

For clean running water – both hot and cold.

For warm pjs and the glasses I have to wear to see the coffee pot.

For my Bible – in my own language – one of SEVERAL that I am allowed by my government to own and read every day.

That I can have that written word for very little money – less than 1% of my weekly pay check.

For a cupboard stocked with foods that don’t spoil and a fridge to keep them fresh.

For coffee and cereal and creamer and sugar…all luxuries.

For lights that go on when I flip a switch and hair driers and styling gel and makeup that makes me feel great…again, all luxuries.

For the fuel efficient, paid for car that gets me back and forth to my amazing job working for a Christian company.

For gas under $4 a gallon.

For the radio that can play me great morning shows and uplifting music and laughter and information.

For paved roads lined with scenic trees and gorgeous homes on my way to work. I’m grateful my car has heat that works…and a defroster…

For comfy chair in my semi-private cubical – I’m not digging up my own food, walking miles for fresh water or existing on one root veggie a day.

For work that allows me to thrive, not just make it, or get by, not just survive or subsist…but THRIVE.

For phones – cell phones and land lines – they allow me to speak with my associates and my family easily, in the moment, when I want to.

For my amazing family

For my wonderful husband, who is supportive and creative and maddeningly funny and fresh.

For my beautiful son, who is smart, caring, sensitive and cool.

That my amazing job gives me the resources to provide for them, to put food in their bellies and a roof over their heads and clothes on their backs.

For my amazing friends...I have the most wonderful friends...I wish I could give every woman on the plant friends like I have!

For electric ovens and stoves to cook my fresh and healthy foods – food that I did not have to dig up or kill myself.

For dishwashers and detergents to clean my dishes and home so that my family can remain healthy

For inexpensive bathtub toys and amazing bathtub conversations with Jay.

For toothbrushes and toothpaste.

For a room full of cozy little boy furniture and books that tell amazing stories.

I’m grateful I have the kind of life that makes it possible for me to read to my son.

I’m grateful I can read.

Every second of every day, I have something to be grateful for, thankful for…I’m amazingly blessed and mightily favored.

How about you?

Peace, ya’ll!!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

First Call and a New Kit Club

I scrapbooked most of Saturday…but I cannot show you because the layouts are for my VERY FIRST design team call…I was so excited by concept and the community that they have at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out that I couldn’t help myself!

If you are in the mood for some really amazing challenges and a very supportive community, I recommend this site…the challenges are for everyone, even people who don’t get their kits. BUT I just got this kit and I’m in LOVE with it…its exactly what I would buy for myself at the LSS if I went there all the time!

Peace, ya’ll!!

Oh…PS…more to come. I got a new hair cut…I want to see what you think!!

COMMENTS

I've had a little difficulty with my new template and comments...I've got it fixed now.

So sorry to anyone who tried to comment and couldn't! I had my blog set to embed comments, but apparantly my template doesn't support that(its new to Blogger!)

Finally, all that day job stuff comes in handy!

Have a blessed day, everyone!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Bo-Bunny is BOOing!

Bo Bunny is having a delightful little give-away on their blog. You can get there by clicking their link in Scrap Challenges and Manufacturers section over there

------------------------------------------>>>

Or you can click HERE to take a look!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Heard at our house:

Language once again is astounding at our house. I look back just six months ago and cannot believe how far his verbal skills have come. I have read that typical two-year-olds speak in two word non-verb sentences…really? Mine is ready to write a dissertation..and WHEW does he listen to us! Mommy has to be CAREFUL with her words…HA! HA! Looks like we have a talker! Lol..

While listening to daddy heat his milk:

An daddy put in da micwowafe!

While watching daddy and I hug and kiss:

I wan in da famlee too!!!

After coughing particularly hard:

I nee mecine. JUS owange!

After mommy brushes his hair:

I hamsome! Daddy too!

After listening to mommy cough:

Bwess you, mommy! Bwess you!

While driving by Panera Bread:

How ‘bout a tuhkee san-wich?

After Grandma and Grandpa went home:

Gramma an Grampa go home. On a JET.

After being asked to sing a song:

Woah, woah, woah you bote
Nenty don da ream
Mer, Mer, Mer, mer
Wife’s budda ream

Peace ya'll!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Birthday Cupcakes

I promised myself that there would be a handmade cake for every one of my son's birthdays...

This year, we had pound cake cupcakes and cream cheese frosting...






So loving this whole cupcakes and sprinkles thing...SERIOUSLY easy deliciousness!

Yummo!!!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Line-up

Evidence of my organizational influence on my dear little boy...



hmmm...

Do you think I might be damaging him?

Friday, October 17, 2008

Required Pumpkin Patch Photos

I LOVE autumn. The colors are astounding and - since we moved to North Carolina - I can actually get out into the fresh air and enjoy it without roasting to death...

Pumpkin Patch has been a tradition for me for quite some time - even before I had children. And while we do not carve them nor celebrate what would be considered the traditional Halloween things, we do love to take a trip to a farm and enjoy the things of autumn.

We did the pumpkin patch with Jayden's class and his Grandma and Grandpa from Minnesota got to come along with us



He got to pick a pumpkin of his own to take with him...this was the third or fourth he picked up - and the smallest, interestingly enough.




I didn't try to pose him all that much, just really let him do his thing and tried to capture his spirit...He likes to line things up. Pumpkins are not exempt from organization.




There were lots of signs for picture opportunities...I really tried to get some cute ones, but he was really interested in all the things going on around him. While he SAYS "cheese" he doesn't really look at me for the photo opp.



My brave boy had NO problem going in and out of the corn maze...he really liked going in and then saying "now go weft" and "now go nudder weft" and "now go wight."



All in all a fun trip to the farm.

Peace, ya'll!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Two peas in a pod

This is such a "my boys" moment.



Popcorn on the sofa...and obviously something compelling on TV...probably Mickey Mouse.

I'm struck by how simple this moment is, and how happy it makes me to see it.

Peace, ya'll!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Birthday Boys

This time two years ago I was recovering from a C-section while these two were getting to know one another...



Happy Birthday to BOTH my boys...one is TWO (can you believe it?) and the other is...more than two!

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!



(ps...I know its not the greatest picture, but it IS so Scott and Jay - one is wearing a silly crown and the other is on the move and missing a shoe...yup...just another day in our household!)

Peace!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Learning Links

After my post a couple of days ago, I thought it might be interesting to find some sites to learn about different things. I suppose wiki would be good too, but I understand that the information there can be questionable…so…I found these interesting little places to get good information. I steered clear of opinion journalism and went straight to the source as much as possible.

The Constitution

The Federal Reserve Bank

The Electoral College (since its an election year)

World Religions (this site has references and information to the top six world religions)

Your Social Security Items (this includes a history of the social security number)

the IRS (some things you might not realize)

Happy researching and peace, ya'll!

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Religious

I watched this interview in the wee hours of the morning

I was glad I’d read Matthew chapter 7 before hand…specifically these passages:

13) "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

17) Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20) Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.


While I hate to give press to something like this, I think that people need to realize that this is out there.

For starters, Bill Maher says that he is concerned about the capability of leadership to lead if they believe in a “talking snake.” - reference Adam, Eve and the serpent. Really? We've reduced the fall of man to Satan to "a talking snake?" For all his liberal, open-minded ways, it seems awfully arrogant and condescending. Do people who don't believe in God really think that people who do are somehow stupid for having faith? Well...the Bible does say that God uses the "weak" to lead the "strong" and also that we should have faith like little children. Its just infuriating that somehow I'm relegated to the "idiot" class because I believe that there is a God and that the things in the Bible are true.

He also asserts that anyone who is religious is an extremeist.

Since I don’t think of myself as an extremeist and have not yet marched on Washington, staged a sit-in, blown anyone up or cast them out of my circle of friends due to their personal beliefs, sexual orientation or political affiliation, I thought it a rather broad stroke for religious people.

Also, I think that by definition, atheism – or the belief that there is no god, is by its very nature a “religion” – it is the religion of the self. And it is remarkably close to Religious Science in terms of the self being god or at least god-like.

That said, the definition of extremist apparently covers us ALL – since we all believe passionately in SOMETHING, even if it is only ourselves. And if we are all extremist, then none of us are…because that wouldn’t be “extreme” in any context. You see the circular thought that can happen when you follow this out beyond just the end of his sentence?

But the most disturbing thing about this interview and perhaps the documentary is something that is COMPLETELY true and should be the shame of people of nearly any faith. They interviewed religious leaders who did not know their own religious doctrine – specifically a leader professing to be Christian who did not know the Bible. I shudder to think how many people like that are out there.

Do you identify yourself as a Christian? Why? Do you read the Bible?

I’d venture to say that the majority of people in this country are spoon fed their religion – they don’t read the Bible (or many other texts for that matter), but they go on Sunday and try to be good people. Or they celebrate Christmas and Easter and funerals and weddings...and thus, believe they are Christian. Matthew 7 has some words about this too:

21) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22) Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23) Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

It’s the same with politics and finances and many many other things. We don’t read. We don’t learn for ourselves. We don’t go seeking truths and important information. Instead we take what they’ve said on the news or in the paper or at the coffee shop and we run with it. We add our own twist, we sift and filter out what we want to use and throw the rest away.

You’re invested in the stock market? What do you know about it? Or do you just trust your broker?

Are you Christian? Or Muslim? Or Buddhist? What do you know from the texts of your religion? Or do you take your preachers word for it?

Are you American? Have you ever read the Constitution? The Bill of Rights? The Ammendments? Can you even name 20 of the 50 states? Do you know what it means to bea an American citizen? Or do you believe what the camps of McCain and Obama tell you about you?

If you believe in something, you should know what you know…and what you don’t know! What you need to learn, where gaps are. Be able to DEFEND your position with more than just passion…because a LOT is at stake! And I bet some might change their position if they knew the truth instead of the propaganda...

You see, MANY larger institutions bank on the assumption that we are bunch of sheep. At some point, don't you have to ask yourself if you are, indeed, a sheep?

Humanistic thinking – which is to say I’m ok, you’re ok, we are all ok – and the high level of tolerance we have as a nation has led us down the wide path. We are so watered down and diluted in terms of knowledge and belief that we often run on pure emotion and nonsensical trivialities. We watch TV dramas and the partisan news and are being led by the nose ring right to destruction.

And to quote my driving instructor – not knowing won’t stand up in court.

So, anyway...give it a listen, and then go find some answers...really look for the truth. Its worth the effort to not be decieved.

Peace, ya’ll!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

I go back…

Have you heard that song: Every time I hear that song, I go back…?

It’s surprising to me how little it takes to bring back a flood of memories…A song, a letter, a souvenir…or a picture.

I was clicking around the internet, came across a musician friend…I clicked into his MySpace page, and then clicked into the profile of another friend, then another, then another….clicking away and then all of a sudden, there was the ex-husband.

It’s been a long time since I saw his face.

He looked happy. REALLY happy….which made me REALLY happy.

Some part of me carries around the deep regret that I hurt him, that I caused him pain. Never mind who deserved what and what reasons we each can come up with to justify our behavior back then…I still deeply regret being the cause of his pain.

Amanda Marshall has a song called “Beautiful Goodbye” that makes me think about all the things I could have said, should have said, but never did.

When I think about my life, I think about it in sections. There is a conservative, tentative period; an exploring, seeking, edge-of crazy period; a really crazy, wild period; another seeking period that brought me back to Jesus; and then now…a period of family and stability. Between the periods there are transitions, some of them difficult, some of them seamless.

BUT as I look back, I realize that I have dramatically changed as a person since that first period, that first time I was aware of myself and who I was and who I wanted to be...and I realize most of that change is by the Grace of God. If I had never searched for that completeness and never had a man fail to fill that hole and never had friends who hurt me, I never would have gone to church and I never would have gotten to know Jesus. I'm so certainly a better person for the hurt, for those other lives...

But back to the flood…seeing a face, one small picture, from one click, on one day, in one moment…and suddenly I’m flooded with memories, both happy and sad.

Memories like nervous dates, Disneyland, long drives for bagels, my first view of the ocean, frat parties, all-nighters to study, country line dancing, tiny apartments, a Honda Civic hatchback, singing in a stadium, Hollywood walk of fame, turn-around trips to Vegas, lunches at the 7-11, Leadville, and the list goes on and on...and not at a trickle - at a deluge.

It was pleasantly paralyzing, remembering things, in no particular order, and breathing…just remembering and breathing. With no judgments really, just a realization that I’ve lived a happy life, saying a prayer for those who deserved better from me and moving on to the next memory.

It was truly delicious…truly a feeling of making peace with myself over thenall of then…

And, much to my surprise, I thought of my own parents.

I have several lives about which my son will never know a thing…he will never know his rock-n-roll mama, or the college girl who had never been away from home, or the “first” husband. He will see things – like tattoos and pictures, souvenirs and song books – but will never know who that person was…because she has grown and changed so much.

There is certainly a piece of that girl in here, but this woman is so very different from that girl. And I wondered what I don’t know about my parents…what their life was like before they met each other, before we came along, what happened when we were not around. It’s an interesting thing to ponder…who your parents really are.

So, why the blog post about an ex-husband’s picture , who my parents were once-upon-a-time and my random memories?

Because I don’t think we slow down enough in our lives to take stock, to count our blessings, to remember why we are here and who wwe wish we could maybe see again one last time, to enjoy the coffee and the view, to just breathe out over pleasant memories and let go of painful regrets.

It’s been a rough few weeks in our country…and it looks as though it will get worse before it gets better…but the stock market is not what life is about. Before we hurry up and get on with our day, work, work, work, drive ourselves to worry and distraction, before we spend one moment looking forward and trying desperately to control what is coming, we should look back and remember.

We should spend some time thinking about what we remember and checking our agenda today against what was meaningful enough to get space in our hearts back then.

And then we should re-arrange the agenda today to focus some time on the meaningful stuff…on the get-to’s instead of the have-to’s. We should re-arrange our lives to put priorities in a different order and make the people we love right here, right now important enough to get the best we have to offer.

And we should say what we mean to say before the moment has passed and its gone to us forever.

We are but vapor...

Happy, peaceful day everyone!

Friday, October 03, 2008

WHAT!?!?!?! You have GOT to be kidding me!!!

THIS and THIS combined outrages more than I can even express in words.

Seriously...SPITTIN' MAD!

I have a few questions for our pathetic elected federal officials…

Where is Mrs. Polk’s "bailout"? Why do the businesses and individuals have to come to HER aid?

Do you have an incentive in your little package for HER? Or ME? Or anyone else that is actually going to have to LIVE with this decision? PAY the taxes and still try to find HEALTHCARE and FOOD and GAS!!

These big corporations are a mess because they choose to be a mess…they could have and should have done the right thing…instead they did the GREEDY thing…always more more more…

And now look at what we have become…

Its pathetic!

I’m, more than ever before, a fan of THIS kind of fix…at least this way, the Mrs. Polks of the world can stay in their homes, the economy can get back on track and the free handouts can make their way to the DAMN TAXPAYING FORGOTTEN MAN who foots the bill for the whole thing. Hey, America…you should seriously think about seeing how YOUR elected officals voted…and consider voting for ANYONE other than them the next time they come up for re-election.

If you have kids, tell them now that their GREAT GRANDCHILDREN will still be paying for the GREED of these corporate monsters and that of the officials we call a flippin’ government.

While we are voting in new laws, we should also think about something else…you want government to bail you out of every bad decision you make? Think about changing the name to the USSA…United Socialist States of America…because that’s where we are fast heading, folks.

Oh…and one more thing…neither McCain NOR Obama are capable of fixing this. Even an 8 year term isn’t going to erase $700 billion in debt. Somewhere along the line Washington has become numb to what a number like “billion” means to US!

No matter who you are passionately voting for this time out, you will not win…even if your candidate does. They are among the greedy elected officials…and if you have any doubts about that, you should find out when was the last time either of them HAD to eat Spam, Food stamp bread, and wic cheese for a meal…my guess is NEVER!

Welcome to the reality of electing LITIGATORS into government…THEY are LAWYERS people…LAWYERS!!! If it smells like a horse, looks like a horse and sounds like a horse, it’s a HORSE! It isn’t going to start acting like a civilized citizen simply because you elect it to sit in a fancy office in Washington.

I’d say peace, but I’m too angry!

Thursday, October 02, 2008

High Expectations

I’ve been digesting this in little pieces:




Its primarily directed at teens…but honestly, there is wisdom in it for all of us, either because we need to rise to the challenge of a brave new world, or because we need to prepare our children to do the same.

I love the premise these kids were raised with…their parents in some sense expected something as phenomenal as this from them…I want to do the same – of myself, of my husband, of my children, of my grandchildren.

I was raised with high expectations and hold myself to a high standard. Some people in my life believe its an unnecessarily high bar. I don’t think so…I DO think that I’m harder on myself following failure than I should be…but not on my initial expectations of myself. I want to leave a legacy.

At any rate…I love the concept that the teens live up to our low expectations of them. And further, I propose that ALL of us are living up to the low expectations of our culture.

I think that the current financial crisis in America is a testament to where our culture places importance. We tie an unprecedented amount of importance to money in the bank, stuff in the closet, being better, and richer, and faster, and more. We all want to at least appear to be wealthy and able to throw it around like confetti…so, as a nation and, despite repeated warnings from experts, we’ve all over-leveraged ourselves. The only people who have come out the better are those who were already rich…

And if you have doubts about what our teens see in terms of how the “should be” according to our culture, watch My Super Sweet Sixteen, Cribs, Paris Hiltons BFF or any of the other purely drivel shows marketed by the MTV crew.

A few years ago, my husband and I decided to get out of debt. We wanted to stop being slaves to 9-5 jobs, to seek the call of the Lord on our lives and to have the resources to do what He called us to do.

Last year, we took a Crown Financial Study and had our eyes opened to what the Bible says about money that affirmed our beliefs, an spurred us to greater levels of honesty and restraint financially. We started managing our money instead of letting our money manage us. Our goal: To be able to do more for the Kingdom of God.

Ok…but THIS BOOK…seriously…it can and will change your life. It encourages us to take on new challenges, to free ourselves of what society says we can or should do and to really listen to the call of God in our lives. Its amazing and really, really liberating.

I often wonder if we are unnecessarily hard on our two-year old. We have pushed learning with our son…the basic foundation of his larger education – letters, colors, numbers, shapes, animals, etc – and social skills – please, thank you, excuse me, I’m sorry, feet on the floor, gentle hands, ask nicely, use your fork, etc. We understand that he, in his way, is an exceptional child. But no more and no less exceptional than any other child. We have had and will continue to have very high expectations for him. And this book…this book affirms that children, people, rise to the level of what is expected of them.

Its refreshing to see an approach where the importance is not on how old somebody is, but on what they can accomplish if they set their mind to something.

These two boys have also got an amazing blog called theRebelution. Its SO worth subscribing to the feed.

And check out their reading list...I think I'll be working on a few of these books myself...I'm embarrassed to say that there are MANY I've not approached yet.

Peace ya'll!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Weekend Layout

So...

I got really inspired by Scrap-n-art..this newsletter has TONS of stuff in it for digi, traditional and hybrid.

I was most inpsired by the layouts by Irene Gwen. You can see more of her gallery HERE as well. I did a total lift of this:



Here's my take:



My first real attempt at one of these lush layouts...I was...marginally successful.

Have a fabulous week, everyone!

Peace.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Overrun by mice

Mice hats that is...

On my work surface right now:



Guess what time it is?

HA!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

10^100

If you could suggest a unique idea that would help as many people as possible, what would it be?

Google wants your ideas and they have set aside $10 million to be used to fund up to 5 world-changing, people-helping ideas.

They are also hoping to connect idea people with established charities for making more than just the ideas they fund to come to fruition.

Do you have an amazing idea? SUBMIT IT! They have set no guidelines, other than to say it has to help as many people as possible. You don’t have to have the technical expertise to make it happen – just a brilliant idea.

Do you have a great idea for helping lots of people?

Go here: Google Blog

Click around.

See what sparks in your imagination…remember that anyone can enter and any idea could win.

What an awesome opportunity for somebody and the world!

Peace, ya’ll!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

How do I do this?

I knew the day would come when Jay would experience the bewildering meanness of another child.

I experienced it myself as a child - often. And, since I was a chubby, non-athletic child, wrapped up in books and music when it wasn't really all that cool, I experienced the meanest kind of treatment that I think was possible at the time.

Of course now, children are so tormented by their peers and influenced by an increasingly violent world, that it causes things like Columbine. Perhaps not a popular stance, but I've always felt like those boys who committed the terrible tragedy at Columbine were pushed beyond their breaking point by their peers.

Please don't misunderstand me, I don't think that the results were at all justified. I'm just saying that it isn't beyond comprehension that the meanness of a child can drive another to unspeakable things.

We are, by nature, seeking acceptance and love. We don't want to be pushed, teased, hit, laughed at or pummelled with insults. And when the pecking order that nature seems to awaken in our children begins to manifest itself, all the worst of our human nature comes out.

At the birthday party I talked about yesterday, another little boy, about a year older, was pretty mean to Jay, pushing him, hitting him and yelling at him. At first, the other child took a toy from Jay while his mother stood by and watched.

I waited for the other mother to guide her son, but she remained mute. So...I jumped in to talk my son through it. "Its OK, Jay. We take turns, OK? You had it for awhile and now its his turn. Soon it can be your turn again." He let it slide, and patted the little boy on the shoulder...to which the little boy said, "DON'T TOUCH ME!" Which again left my son bewildered and me wondering what was going through his mother's head. I jump in again, "That is so nice of you, Jay! Thank you for being nice. He doesn't want you to love him just now. Give him some space." And so on and so forth. The little boy pushed Jay out of the way to get to the slide first, pushed him down in the bouncy and was just, well...a brat.

And his mother looked on without saying a word.

Finally, just the two boys were in the bouncy and I got into the bouncy to play with my son. It was just the three of us, with the other mother looking on from outside. The boy pushed Jay down. And this time, I set a boundary for this other child, "Oh, sweetheart! We shouldn't push other kids. Lets just play together without pushing or hitting. What game would you like to play?" and FINALLY his mother spoke up, backed me up. We had a nice conversation. And then she began to encourage her son to use positive behavior.

But what I can't get out of my head is the precious bewildered expression Jay had on his face each time he was treated meanly. He has no idea how mean people can be. We have filled his world with teachers, children, family, and friends who love him. He is encouraged to share and be loving and his normal playmates are encouraged to do the same. The children normally included in is daily life watch out for each other and take care of each other. He has no idea how to navigate the meanness that some kids bring with them into a situation. And he was genuinely confused and shocked to be pushed, hit and yelled at by a boy that he only wanted to play with.

For me, there are two issues. One, that I not project my own breaking heart onto his situation, and two, that I teach him how to navigate these kinds of things with confidence, courage, and compassion.

So...how do I instill in my son that the treatment he may experience at the hands of another child does not have to affect his bigger picture? How do I instill in him that he is Blessed of God, loved mightily beyond his wildest imagination and that he is to love those that are mean to him? How do I teach him that he is to be caring, compassionate, understanding and respectful, while still enforcing boundaries? How do I acknowledge his feelings about being rejected, guide him through the situation and then prepare him for handling situations like that in the future?

Its a fine balance...especially in the moment. When what I want to do is jump in and protect him, defend his honor and scold that other child, I have to guide him carefully and with thoughtful purpose. I have to remain positive and firm. And above all, I have to remember to do it all with love and grace.

I know I'll be pondering this for some time. Navigating relationships will be something we talk about the whole of Jay's life...and each time, I will have to find a way to put on my game face, and help him find the right tools, the right way to handle himself and others that might be involved. And all the while, my heart will be aching to take over and fix it.

God has, once again, given me amazing insight...

Peace, ya'll!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Birthday Banner

We attended a birthday party for a three-year-old girl this weekend. We had SUCH a blast and Jay just ran himself to the ground.

I was trying to come up with something special for the package and decided to make a banner...my husband says its an illness...no package should be left without something home-made attached. This is what I came up with.

By the way, this is easier than it seems when you see an entire banner layed out. As long as you know your foundation, the rest sort of falls into place. There are TONS of products in this, but a large portion of it is from my Paper Posies August Kit.