I continue to be astounded at the generosity of others. . .particularly with people that they have never even met or do not know. I was the recipient of such a person this week.



I met this sweet sweet person because of what has transpired with my mom. My mom is a Christian fiction author and this girl is also an author. Little did I know, she is a scrapbook author as well! We hit it off immediately and emailed back and forth. She was such a source of encouragement to me and asked if she could send some scrapbook goodies since she saw from my blog that I liked scrapbooking (ummm. . .YES PLEASE!). ;-) I could not believe how generous she was and she sent such happy cheerful goodies. She also threw in two of her books that she wrote!


I told her I was starstruck by her scrapbooking celeb status, but she was so humble about it and thought it hilarious that someone thinks she is famous. ;-) You can find her humerous blog and her amazing work here (Courtney Walsh).

I hope I didn't embarrass her too terribly, but I am so delighted that people like this exist in the world. I am so happy to have met her through this yucky time. So good can come from bad. There you have it. Proof. You can find her books here and here. Thank you again, Miss Courtney, for allowing the Lord to use you!

In keeping with my normal postings, I wanted to share with you a blog that knocks my socks off with inspiration. It's photography related, but there are some ideas for us crafty gals too. . .It is Design Aglow. I have spent mucho time there today drooling over all of the products they carry and all of the ideas people submit using their products. Here are a few of my faves:


The cameras. . .swooooon!!



I want to share this with you too. It is special to me because it showcases the kind of relationship my parents share. . .


PS. . .My mom is having her surgery tomorrow! I would love prayers on her behalf! Thanks to all who read and to those who take the time to comment too. . .it means so much to me and I have loved getting to know my online friends!
xo

Renewed and Refreshed

Whew! What a whirlwind few weeks. You all amaze me. The support, encouragement, the meals dropped off, little treats from people I know and people I do not, the emails. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! We have hope. My mom is going to a cancer treatment center near Chicago. It is a very good place and she will have her surgery sometime next week. We went wig shopping already, and I must say. . .I want one too! How fun to buy a long hot blonde wig and be someone different for a date night. Too much info?? ;-)

Well, when I am stressed I create. I think I may have mentioned that, but srsly. . .I pumped out like 9 pages and some cards and working on a shadow box art and mini album. It's good to stay busy and mentally be free. I also had some retail therapy and hit up my local scrapbook place for some new goodies. If you have an Archivers, they have these hero arts doily stamps in stock!

Also can be found here.

Also, with all of the scrapping I've accomplished, I needed a new scrapbook. I love this American Crafts one that I also purchased at Archivers.

Can also be found here.

Then of course, I had to get an etsy print to hang in my new little corner of the room. =)

Here are a few of my recent faves. . .


Dramamine Dream. My two girlies zonked out after taking some dramamine on a roadtrip. It was quite nice. Heh. ;-) Used a Kenner Road kit here - I think Dec's kit?


Used bits from the girl Noel Mignon kit and the buttons stamp is Kenner Road.


Three of my faves here. . .my kids, Sassafrass Lass and Glimmer mist. =)

One more thing. . .

Isn't that the coolest?? I love it and want to make one like it, which she has instructions on her blog somewhere of how to. You need to check out her site. Love her and she always has fun tutorials and amazing pics. Found the "how to" right here!
If you made it this far. . .you are a jewel.
xo

His joy comes with the morning

My Monday began in the surgery waiting room while my mom underwent a laparoscopy to drain some fluid in her abdomen. She had a pet scan a few weeks ago which showed some inflamation around her female organs. She had cancer two years ago (marginal zone lymphoma - a rare cancer) and it was contained within the upper portion of her lung which she had removed at that time. She was cancer free and has pet scans ever since to make sure it stays that way. Unfortunately, the surgery this morning showed that she has little tumors throughout her pelvic region and on her ovaries. Not the good news we were hoping to hear. The Doctor thinks it could be ovarian cancer. Gosh, I hate that word!! I have been a puffy eyed snotty nosed mess all day. She is my very best friend. She gets me like no one else does. We have this weird sense of humor that no one but us understands. We have such a special mother/daughter bond that we call each other at the same time, we say the same things at the same time, we have even sensed when things are wrong with each other. She always knows before even I do that I'm pregnant just be looking at me and sensing it. It is a bond that cannot be replaced. So, you may understand a little why this is such a big blow to me.

I do know this. . .I know that we take on the strength of that which we overcome. I know that we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3). I know that in all things God is good. I do not understand why these things are allowed to happen to anyone, but I put my trust, my faith, and my hope in the Lord. No matter the circumstance. He will do whatever He has to so that the work of God might be displayed in our lives (John 9). I know that in our weakness we are made strong. It seems like He grants an extra doseage of strength and peace in difficult times. That does not mean I am coasting along without any emotions, because I am not. I am a mess! However, I know that there is a greater purpose. That's why I choose to put my hope in Christ. I would greatly appreciate your prayers! The days ahead will not be easy. She is an amazing woman and is so strong in her character. She has been a wonderful example of the Proverbs 31 woman to all who know her.
Okay. . .sorry for being such a Debbie Downer! It felt so good to get that off of my chest and share my soul.

My mom's blog with her friends

I know this isn't my typical post, so forgive me for not having fun crafty pictures. . .they will come later in the week (I have been creating up a storm!). Scrapbooking and crafting can be so therapeutic, eh? I am so thankful for this welcome distraction! I am also thankful for my blogging and online friends who provide encouragement from afar!
xo

Corners of my home

Not too much to say. It's been a rough week. I'll explain in a separate post. I've been creating to stay sane. I have lots to share hopefully by Friday. I hate to do a post without pictures because I love blogs with pictures. I thought I'd share some corners of my home. Just for fun. :-)
First up. . .my bedroom-beside my side of the bed. I love this light (from Target) and the hutch is a garage sale find. The color of the walls are periwinkle which I happen to think is so dreamy and peaceful.


Next up. . .my new fave chair (from Target. . .are you seeing a trend here?) ;-) The pillow is an etsy purchase.


Shelves in my girlie's room. . .I just love those groovy girl dolls.


A colorful shelf in my kitchen. . .it houses teapots, colorful bowls, fondue pots. . .I love lots of bright colors.


A kokeshi doll and those tags I told you I hung on to (in my creative space)! ;-)


My dd's room. . .I LOVE chalkboard. Her closets are painted with magnetic paint and chalkboard over that. They have fun (especially when friends sleep over) writing all over it.


Hope everyone is having a wonderful blessed week! Kiss your loved ones. A verse I wanted to share that I love right now:
Proverbs 31:25--”She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” It really inspires and encourages me and hopefully you as well!
xo

Randomness

THEY'RE MAKING A COMEBACK! =)



Polaroid PIC 1000

Posted using ShareThis

Love the woodgrain one. . .swooooon!

My new etsy print. . .I love sunshine, and especially during these blah winter days. Got it here!

Also looky here

I broke down and bought them. =) I love them!

My new find

Found it at Pier One, and I currently have it in my entry way with tags that I've made, atc's and pictures.

Just purchased this. . .

and I love it!! I know it's getting some flack because a lot of the recipes are already on her website and it's got a lot of pics as opposed to more recipes, but I happen to think it is FAB! If you're like me, and enjoy having step by step tutorials with pics then you will love it too. It's so great to know what the food is supposed to look like when you're finished, and another thing I love is the ingredients are most likely things you already have in your pantry/fridge. I made the chicken spaghetti this week and it was a family pleaser. I'm making the Potato skins for the Colts game on Saturday (GO COLTS!). =) Got it on Amazon.


See? No point in this post. . .just completely random. =) Enjoy your Thursday.
xo

Etsy loves - Matryoshka dolls

Have I mentioned that I adore these? I always have. My parents have several, some from Russia and some collected along the journey of life. I have always loved sitting down and taking out each one until you get to the teeniest one. Etsy, of course, has some really fun ones and I thought I'd share the ones I've either already purchased or just would like to someday. . .among many other things (I think my faves list is 29 pages. . .eeek!).


handmadekitty



MelissaAbram



CowtownBlingBling



Ravenhill



Lemontreestudio
I purchased these before Christmas. . .I thought they would make very festive gifttags and. . .I kept them! I love to look at them - they make me so happy. =) I'll give them away eventually, but not all of them! Check out her whole etsy. . .all kinds of crafty goodness there!



Snappyshop



alittlesweetness



RusticRainbow
She has THE cutest brooches with all kinds of little beads and buttons - check out her whole store!



stickitiki

Also. . .I did not forget how to scrapbook. . .whew!

Used the latest Noel Mignon kit. . .it was all girls and that prima stamp sealed the deal for me (afterall, I have 3 girls - it was a sign, right?).

Hope your week is a wonderful one! My poor dh has begun his week with Strep throat! I am praying (and lysoling) that it stays away from the rest of us. He finally went to the dr and took a shot that is supposed to help it clear up in a day or two. So he has been getting babied and I hope to return to my normal duties by the end of the week. ;-) Be sure to check out my "365" - link to the left to keep up on our daily happenings. If you're not familiar with Project 365, it's been around for awhile and it started with Becky Higgins (I think?), and you take a picture a day (thus the 3.6.5.). I've wanted to join in for awhile, so no time like the present, eh?

xo

Extreme blog makeover

New years mean it's time for change. So I'm giving my blog a little redo. It is a little work in progress since I can't sit down for longer than 15 minutes at a time without having to answer the phone, the door, the buzzer on the dryer, the timer on the oven, or one of my four kiddos. ;-) I planned a year in review of photos, but it will have to come tomorrow since it's nearing 2 am and I still have to pack lunches for the girls tomorrow.

Quickly - here is a fun project I completed from a Studio Calico add on that made top 10 on two peas. I just love doing things like this. I've kind of lost my scrapbooking groove and have been on an altered project kick. I'm getting all of my stash out this week to play, so we'll see if I can remember how. ;-)





So sorry I left you with that image of a toilet for two weeks. =) Hope everyone had a wonderful New Years! Be back soon with more changes!

xo