2011 "New Beginnings"

Here we are in the New Year of 2011.  Life has been a world wind, running around in the busy of life.  Raising kids, keeping them on the right path, directing their paths, capturing the joys they bring.  The days are flying by I think faster than the speed of light.

I am on the down hill slide of letting go of yet another child and letting them venture out into the world of the unknown.  In May my second daughter, Kelsi, will Graduate from High School and my heart is breaking that my nest is growing empty.  My daughter of almost 18 years on the 23rd of this month will soon graduate and I am already shedding tears of joy and sadness that this chapter in my life is closing and yet opening to new adventures with her. The days are being numbered and leave little room to set and relish in these last days with her at home.  We are scurrying around to Basketball games, Project Graduation meetings, fundraisers, filling out FAFSA forms and submitting School applications.  There is little time to even sleep.  LOL  The drama of High School,  Kelsi is quick to say she wants to leave behind.  I have to agree with her.  I was never one for the drama that high school seemed to always hold.

The friendship I hold with my oldest daughter of 25 years, it is so sweet and precious and she has been gone from the nest now for almost 8 years.  She is a graduate of WTAMU and married to a treasure of a Man, Nathan, a joyful son Tony & I have gained.  Nathan and Candi now live in Arkansas and have found their little nest to build and are so blessed to have family in the area to love them and direct them. I am at peace knowing they have found their church home and have family to hold them when times are tough and in times of joy.  I am so busy still raising these kiddos at home, I sometimes feel guilty for not being their more for them.  It gives me much peace knowing family is close by when I can't be.

My youngest of almost 15 years, on the10th of this month, he is my baby and yet my mirror as to which I am learning what it is like to "Pay for your Raisin'"  Boys are so much different than girls, they fear less, take more risks, just overall are so much different to raise.  He is the baby, and will be at home all alone for his last few years of school.   I just pray I can raise him to be a Great Man someday.  One of honor, respect, Godly influence, compassion, honesty, the list goes on.  I can only pray and hope that there will come a day when his big arms will circle around me and hold me instead of despise me. More to come on that story in the days, months and years ahead.

Scrap booking, well there has not been much of that on my calendar.  I wish there was because I want to capture the moments of joy with my family and friends.  Time is a huge factor in accomplishing that and space.  Seems there is not much of either on my calendar.  My next project I think will be to work on something Kelsi has requested.  She would like to give her friends a sentiment album of their years growing up. I think the plan will be to work with pages a little bigger than 6 x 6 so they can be bound together with clear covers.  More to come on the dimensions and design I hope in the near future.

To all I wish you a Happy New Year and one of these days maybe, just maybe, I will be able to share with you a little of my passion in scrap booking or cardmaking.  See ya in 2011!!!!!

OMG

How many of us feel this way today?

I haven't figure this whole Blog thing out and haven't had much time to even try.

I am sad that I can't find the time to write my thoughts and share my passions with the world.  I am also wondering if anyone really cares what my passions or thoughts are.

I will get something new posted one of these days.  I have an upcoming Workship on October 2nd with a close friend and 3 of her friends,  It will be so much fun.  

Tired, Blue & Sore

School started on Monday for my kids and I still haven't stopped running. I spent some time making a cute little brag book the other day and have yet to post a picture with instructions.  I am still learning how to manipulate the website and change designs.  I can't figure out how to edit my calendar of events either.  Seems I am not good at this Blogging thing.

I have taken up the exercise at our local gym after eight years and have been at it a month.  I feel stronger, have more endurance however I am not seeing the results I had hoped for.  It's a matter of impatience.  Time will tell.  I refuse to DIET.  My husband and I have been eating healthier but the last few days I have had the blues and have been totally exhausted. A result has been snacking. I bent over yesterday while doing laundry  and my back slipped out.  My exercise adventure will have to be limited and because of a weak and sore back but I will get after it tonight probably and spend my time on the treadmill for the most part.

Scrapin' & Stampin'
I am really excited to say Close to My Heart has an amazing new 12 x 12  simulated leather album and they have just released their newest Idea Book as of September 1st.  They have gone strictly to 12 x 12 albums. I will miss the 6 x 6 albums they have offered in the past.  They were great gifts and so much fun to make for a vacation or special event. The albums by far are the most durable and beautiful albums I have ever ran across. The new albums have been reduced from $39.95 to $24.95 and this includes 5 Page Protectors.  They are so beautiful.  I offer Pay Pal if anyone would like to order and have it shipped directly to them.  I recommend ordering  Page Protectors(10) at  $5.95 and perhaps Memory Flip Flaps(15) $3.95 they extend the number of photos a page can hold.  This will complete your album.  Then take off scrapin' with your photos, papers and embellishments to finish a wonderful gift or event to share with family and friends.

Relaxing Sundays

Busy weekend with both kids active and getting ready for school.  I still have not figured out all there is to Blogging or setting up my site but I know diving in head first is the 1st "Tip" I share with you.  Why not?  What or Who is it going to hurt? Sharing your passions, creations, and excitement to the world I think is going to be fun.  I have learned a great deal already just by dipping my toes in to get wet and creating this Blog site.  I have much more to learn.  I am hoping in the next few days to create something wonderful to view, take a picture and then learn to upload it to share it with the world.

Mt. Princeton, CO 450 students make an  8 hour round trip hike to the top and back down to camp.

Cindy, Kelsi, my daughter at the TOP.  

Cindy & I after a Chuck Wagon Supper

Today, however, my focus will be at a Young Life Ministry meeting for 5 hours.  We just began our second year reaching kids and went from 11 kids attending an amazing camp the first summer to 46 this summer and it was the time of My Life.  I will share a couple pictures to show you the beauty and excitement. I made the hike as well and only by God's Grace.  I have not had scheduled exercise due to a bad lower back in 8 years.  This was the most amazing accomplishment for me and to share it with my daughter and husband along with the other 46 students we brought to camp was just AMAZING and so BEAUTIFUL.  I have been exercising ever since and plan to continue and make sure the next time I make this mountain I am in better shape.  In two years my husband and I have planned to return with our son and share this amazing adventure with him.

In the Beginning....

Here weeee goooooo......I am trying to arrange and design my Blog and I am already stumped. I hope in the very near future I learn a little faster the How To's of Design and Blogging.  I am so afraid of all this computer & techy' stuff.  I  assume my Blog will evolve in time. With lots of learning my creative side will shine, I hope!  So stayed tuned for some "Tips & Tricks" as I learn and go on this new Adventure.