Things we are thankful for
Monday, November 25, 2013
Where does the time go?
It seems like yesterday was the first day of November
and here we are almost at
Thanksgiving Day!
So have you been keeping track of things your are thankful for?
I usually keep a running list but I started the month with a sinus infection, we
passed sickness around the house a few times and after everyone got better
I bit the dust. Fell and I am back in a boot- xrays show its not broken but
this happened on Monday and it's still swollen, sore and I can't put pressure on it.
Torn tendons. So I have another week of this boot and crutches and then I go back happens next.
Whatever happens I still have a lot to be thankful for so her goes my list...
(not necessarily in order)
1 my hubby
2 my children
3 family
4 my friends
5 freedom
6 my salvation
7 our home
8 transportation
9 medical care
10 music
11 art
12 natural abilities
13 technology
14 bible
15 books
16 adoption
17 fresh baked cookies
18 beaches
19 mountains
20 chai & green tea
21 chocolate
22 cell phones
23 the ladies in my bible study group
24 quiet times
25 that my awesome hubby cooks on Thanksgiving ;)
Did you make a list of things you are thankful for?
It's not too late!
Labels: 30 days of thankfulness, Art, being thankful, Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft
Juiced 1:30 AM
Thank you
Monday, November 11, 2013
Veterans Day, 11th of November and time is flying by!
My thoughts are random today as I write this post.
There are so many things to be thankful for...family, friends, shelter, provision, health,
healing, freedom, there are so many things to be grateful for.
Today is Veterans day and shame on me if I didn't mention the brave
men and women that have served our country - past and present. I am thankful.
We take so many things for granted.
Sometimes you have to fight & stand up for what you believe in.
I have been doing a study on Elijah and tomorrow is our last class.
We used Charles Swindoll's book "Elijah",a man of heroism and humility".
I learned a lot. About others, about myself and people in general.
(I just finished the book this book this morning~ tomorrow is our last class.)
I have never been one for history but it was very interesting to me
as people do not change. We make the same mistakes as they did then.
We are so blessed to live in a free world and we take that for granted -
Elijah (alone) had to stand up for what was right against the king and his men.
Every time the kings men could have taken his life for his defiance of the king.
But he was doing what God called him to do.
COURAGE
I think if how many times was I supposed to do something and didn't and yet
young men and women go off to war everyday and do things that we don't
even want to talk about ?
BRAVE
Or worse we dishonor their sacrifice by taking them for granted or not giving
them respect for their sacrifice. Yes it's their choice , but we all reap the benefits.
So today I say
THANK YOU
for those who serve and have served our country.
We may not be where we want to be as a country
but we are a free country and that is something that we should all be very grateful for!
Have a blessed day!
Labels: 30 days of thankfulness
Juiced 11:25 AM
Last days of being thankful
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Good morning bloggers, as I type this I realize it may get lost as tomorrow
I am participating in a blog hop, but tomorrow is the last day of
the month and I really want to finish my 30 days of thankfulness.
If you are reading this, maybe you are supposed to and even
if alot of people don't read it I am OK knowing whoever was supposed to read
this did. Make sense? I hope so!
I am sitting here in my house wearing a hoodie and a blanket.
I can't get warm, it's been that way for a few days. Yes I have heat in my house,
I fear I am getting sick. Cold, tired, sore throat and a big headache.
Hopefully my body will fight it off but meanwhile (29)
I am thankful for medicine!I (aka supermom lol) do not have time to be sick.
(I really should color that page- I feel much like the white rabbit's
in Alice in Wonderland "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date". No time, sigh. )
On the last day of November (yes I know it's tomorrow.)
I am thankful for forgiveness.
I am naturally a happy girl.
But injustice will push my buttons and if I am not careful
I could hold onto unforgiveness and it could turn into bitterness.
It took years to let go of the injustice that was done to our
adopted kids. I was angry and rightfully so.
A few years back I did a layout venting to the birth parents for what they
did to our kids and how far they have come in spite of what
they suffered. I even did a layout about the really stupid things that
people have said to us because our kids are adopted.
Like "can't you just give them back?"
when we discovered some of disabilities they had or how about
"don't you ever wish you had not adopted?"
in the middle of walmart with my kids in the basket!
OK so it's a work in progress right?
I am STILL working on the forgiveness and letting go.
***
I will never forget the court date to terminate the parental rights for our first kid.
(The court has to terminate the parental rights before
there can be an adoption- even if it has been years since they saw their bio parents.)
I was angry (putting it nicely) because of what she did
to him (dad was not in the picture) and because
my child was still suffering years later as a result of her choices.
I was also scared that although she never made
one attempt to visit him, there was a possibility that she could get another
chance to work her case file and try to get him back.
I brought a camera, thinking it might be my only chance
of getting a picture of her and a waited outside.
But you know what?
She never came.
I thought would be a relief - her not showing, instead I felt outrage!
How dare she not fight for her boy!
Didn't she realize how amazing he is?
Didn't she even care? Who does that!?!
At the same time my heart went out to my son and my rage
quickly turned to sadness. It breaks my heart that
she did not fight for him- the thing I feared most...
Maybe she thought she was doing the right thing for
him by not fighting, I don't know.
But I had to let go of that anger and forgive her.
Without her I wouldn't have my little miracle.
And I am not perfect - I've made mistakes BIG ONES. Who am I to judge?
I can't harbor all that anger for her and love on my child.
My anger for her wasn't hurting her, it was hurting me.
Holding onto it took energy, a lot of it.
I need that energy to chase my kids! LOL!
That day was a life changing experience for me -
I didn't realize how much unforgiveness was wearing me down.
So I am thankful for forgiveness (still a work in progress), if you
are holding onto unforgivness I promise you it is a very
freeing experience to let it go.
(Even if you have to keep letting it go every time you think about it.)
And thank you for reading this long post.
This was for you.
;)
Tomorrow- Blog hop & prizes, I'm just sayin'!
Labels: 30 days of thankfulness, Art journal
Juiced 10:01 AM
28 days of thankfulness...
Monday, November 26, 2012
I have started this post more than a dozen times.
Do you know how hard it is to blog when the kids are on Thanksgiving break?
Yay school! I'm just saying! So today (27)
I am thankful for a little peace and quiet-
nobody calling my name with all the things they want or need.
A little break is good for me - time to regroup!
I am also (26) thankful for the Internet,
where I have information at my fingertips, I can work from home and
catch up with all my favorite people.
"Night Owl"
Over Thanksgiving break (my kids were out all week) I was reminded of something else (25)
I am thankful for, Saturday Morning chats.
We have a big bed. California King. Which is funny because I am only 5and 1/2 inch
and hubby is 5'10. We got this bed when we only had one child -
but hubby knew that we would need it. Every time somebody had a nightmare, got
sick or just needed to talk they ended up there, sometimes everybody in the house
ended up in there! Maybe during a storm or fun times like movie night in mom
and dads room. Snuggling on daddy's day off. Nap times on Sunday afternoons.
And Saturday morning chats and cuddles. (Of course only baby girl calls it that-
the other kids call it Saturday morning chats! I don't know when it started.
The babies (my youngest three) have never been kids that sleep in- no matter
what time they go to bed. I have not needed an alarm clock for almost 10 years. But Sat
is the only day I don't have to be anywhere early (except for football season).
Before breakfast they come in and chat about their week or whats going to happen
the next week. During the break our "night owl" said "hey mom, we can have
Saturday Morning chats everyday this week!" It's a good thing.
(24) I am thankful for beautiful weather!
It was really weird here- the 70's and 80's over Thanksgiving break!
Defiantly not missing the snow and freezing temps from Colorado!
It has been gorgeous outside... although it does not feel like
fall. On the plus side the kids were having a blast playing outside and hubby
did put up some Christmas lights outside and I got some great pics of the kids!
(23) I am thankful for Grace.
As I drive back from dropping off the kids from school I snapped this
picture and am reminded of this scripture.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
I am so glad we have this word to remind us that every day is a new day -
full of possibilities and new beginnings! If you messed up yesterday,
you can start over again today! Each day is full of promise and potential
to be something great! (Even if it is just a little peace and quiet!)
(28) I am thankful for your kind words,
I love the comments I have been getting- especially the
ones that include some of your personal lives!
You have really blessed me. Thank you. ((hugs))
((those are cyber hugs - in case you didn't know! LOL!))
Labels: 30 days of thankfulness, family life, family photos
Juiced 1:18 AM
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
The day has officially started! Turkey is in the oven!
The kids are super excited!
We have friends and family coming over!
The new Thanksgiving banner is up!
(DCWV & a Clear Scraps banner of course!)
A family tradition at the table is the ABC's of Thanksgiving-
what are you thankful for, if your letter is
A you might say you are thankful for "animals"...
One of the kids(Boo) already said "I am thankful today for Jesus!"
Well said son. :)
I have had a more than a busy month,
with sickness, company, work, giveaways, blog posts,
and a dear friend lost her mother so if you haven't heard
from me it's not personal. I haven't made it to your blogs
because I am barely keeping up with my own.
I hope that changes soon but know that I am thinking of all of you.
And hoping you have a blessed day, a wonderful Thanksgiving-
even if it's not Thanksgiving when you read this.
I miss my friends that are not close by today.
I am thankful for holidays,
when we take the time to reflect on whats important to us.
Labels: 30 days of thankfulness, DCWV
Juiced 10:04 AM
Thankful for Adoption...day 21
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Celebrating 21 days of thankfulness I must include adoption.
Many of you know my little ones are adopted - they know it too, it's never been a secret.
LOL it's also kinda hard to hide with a blond in the family -
but he is a riot, he will tell you everybody else is adopted but not him!
When he was little he kept cutting his own hair - I mean down to the skin!
When we asked him why he did that he said it keeps growing in the wrong color!
So cute! We told him we love his hair and that God made Him special,
he was perfect just way he is!
Our family would not be complete without them
and for that I am thankful.
***
This layout was made with the Heirloom Christmas Stack from DCWV.
Note that the Santa on the page is not colored in one the paper- I did that
with my Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® White Pen, PITT® Artist Pens
& Art GRIP® Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils.
***
Oh and the winner for the
is CATHYINMN!
Send me your addy!
And check back for more giveaways!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Labels: 30 days of thankfulness, Christmas LO, DCWV, Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft, family photos
Juiced 9:41 AM
Being Thankful, art journal page
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Good morning Bloggers- well for me anyway.
I was thinking about what to write about on my blog today.
I know that I am behind on my 30 days and as much as I did not want to
simply list the things this year(I wanted to do at least a paragraph)
life has gotten in the way. Recently a sweet friend suddenly lost her mother to cancer,
perspective changes when something like that happens. Long time readers of my
blog know that a few years back I lost a very dear friend of mine suddenly to C. It brought
back those memories as well. We need to cherish the moments we have with those
we love everyday. So fast forward to (#20) on my things to be thankful for
I am thankful for life.
Along with that (#19 )I am thankful for relationships- good and bad they shape us into the people that we are. I am grateful for the time spent in them and sometimes (when they were not healthy) when they were over. (Not all friendships are forever-
but I am truly thankful for those as well.)
(#18) I am thankful for art as way to express myself.
Who knew that I would be still be using all those art supplies as an adult!
It has led me to be create in other areas of my life that I am passionate about- things like scrap booking, journaling, photography and cards.
Its not because I was passionate about those things,
but because I am passionate about people I care about
and the relationships that we have. I believe it is so important
to document how you feel about people- encourage them.
I have found art and scrap booking can be very therapeutic when you
are going through something. Sometimes someone else is not ready to hear
what you have to say but you need to get it off your chest. Sometimes you
need to vent, or share something important, maybe get closure and I
can do that through art, journaling, scrap booking. Sometimes someone
is on your heart and you need to express that- hence a card is made.
Which also leads me to you, other bloggers
(and blog readers or stalkers- you never comment but I know you are there! LOL!)
(#17) I am thankful for a community of people I would have never "met"
if it were not for (#16) scrap booking and (#15) blogger.
I would have never started a blog if it wasn't a requirement to be on a
manufacturer design team! (I really am a private person! LOL)
And I would have never taken the leap into blogging if it wasn't
free - after all I didn't really want to do it in the first place, I didn't think I'd like
blogging- putting all your "business" (quoting my 7 year old) out there! But you know
it turned into something great - being able to "meet" like minded people all over the world-
other creative souls and amazing strong women who are going through or have
been through some of the same things I have/am experienced/ing.
Which leads me to this...
If you have been on my blog you know the drill-
If you have not click on the picture and it will give you the details for my giveaway.
I have them every 10th and 20th of the month. All you
have to do is comment and check back tomorrow to win.
*If you don't send me your address right away I may not be able to get
to the post office right away with the holiday.
I hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving week.
Even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving there is always something to be thankful for.
(P.S. My art journal page was done with gesso,
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos Artist pens)
Update - I just saw that ScrapScene just published an acrylic card I made and they
did not post all the pics so I will post them here...
Made with Clear Scraps "send it clear" cards & sentiment stamp.
Ta da Creative Studios paper.
Spectrum Noir Alcohol Ink pens,
Staz On Ink, Snow Tex and ribbon.
Labels: 30 days of thankfulness, Art journal, Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft
Juiced 10:06 AM
Day 14 of thankfulness and a Christmas Canvas
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Day 14
Hello bloggers. On the quest for giving thanks this month
I will be honest and tell you I did not find myself very thankful today.
I knew this was going to be a busy week and my head
and stomach were not cooperating with all I have to do to.
Then I saw my post was up on the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft blog
and remembered this quote I used on my project.
When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that
the simplest things-not the great occasions-
give off the greatest glow of happiness. - Bob Hope
Isn't that true about life in general?
Today I was blessed by going out to breakfast with a friend.
I have another friend coming tommorrow and spending a few days
and we will be going to an all day crop on Friday!
Although the week has been crazy busy (and will continue to be until Friday)
we still have things to be thankful for.
Simple things
like - fall decorations, the smell of muffins or bread
baking in the kitchen, a package in the mail.
Aspirin (I'm just sayin'!)
A hot cup of chai and a little quiet time in the morning.
What simple things are you thankful for?
Labels: 30 days of thankfulness, Creative Imaginations, Faber Castell, Gelatos, Xyron
Juiced 4:28 PM
Being Thankful on Days 10-13 & first post for Susan K. Weckesser
Monday, November 12, 2012
Hey there bloggers! Three more things I am thankful for...Day 11, 12, 13.
(Not in any order)
11. I am thankful for freedom.
Thankful for the brave and bold men and women of our country
who have and continue to fight for our country and our FREEDOM.
May God bless those who have and continue to serve our country.
12. I am thankful for PROVISION.
I feel very blessed that we have never gone without food or shelter.
God has always provided for our needs,
physically, financially and otherwise.
Even with things we didn't know we needed.
13. ARTSY TALENT
I am horrible at math, numbers, facts, memorization but
I am really good at all things artsy & creative!
Art has opened so many doors in business and social realms that I never
would have thought of! It calms me, helps me regroup and I have met some pretty
awesome people because of it!
Speaking of which today is my first "official" post for the
Please go see the finished project here:
(Hint - I used lots of Love My Tapes)
***
By the way
have you seen this contest yet?
A LITTLE LOVE GOES A LONG WAY!
November 6 – November 16, 2012
Make some creative and whimsical tags........
Also just want to let you know
are doing a blog hop all week long,
I'm up on Sat when they announce the winner!
So a couple of opportunities to win something!
Labels: 30 days of thankfulness, Christmas Love Campaign, love my tapes, Susan K. Weckesser Inc
Juiced 1:30 AM
8,9 and 10! Days of thanks and a giveaway!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Friends and family.
8 and 9
Interchangeable.
We have been blessed with so many amazing people in our lives
that they have been like family.
We have not always lived by extended family so
our friends have become that for us.
The youth that we have worked with...
Dear friends and their families...
(Old layouts)
I do believe that God sends the right people just at the right time,
when you need them. Phenomenal people.
People that we love and cherish, even if they are only
in our lives for a short time- it is totally worth it.
Sometimes you get lucky and God brings them back into you life;
it's like they have always been there.
I have made friends with amazing ladies that
I met through scrap booking!
I feel really lucky blessed to have these amazing people in my life.
There are others that I don't have pictures of which brings me to
#10
online friends
Like I said before, God has a way of bringing you
just the right person at just the right time.
I have met some really strong, smart, sweet, caring women online!
Some of you have shared your hearts, you comments, your support
and I just know that we crossed paths for a reason.
I feel incredibly privileged to know you.
Which is another reason for my giveaways!
If you not have not been on my blog before click
on the pic and it will give you all the details.
But basically just leave me a comment if you want to
win a box of scrapbook goodies!
Please check tomorrow for the winner and if you have the
Its a long post but worth the read. For the ladies that commented on that post,
I cant express hour sentiments have blessed me- I can't thank you enough. ((hugs))
Labels: 10 and 20 Random Acts of Kindness, 30 days of thankfulness, family life
Juiced 1:30 AM