This is a Project Life layout I did to celebrate my son's 13th birthday and his first experience shaving. Even though I blog about some of these events in our lives I love having my albums as a representation of our day to day lives. My kids love to flip through these last four years of albums, and I have found them to be invaluable when I'm trying ... read more
Repeat Posting
I'm on a scrapbooking retreat this weekend but I wanted to share a post I wrote last year about this time. I was at a crossroads, wondering if 11 years of parenting my RAD son even really mattered. To you trauma mamas who parent this kind of child day in and day out, I want to encourage you. My son has changed a lot this past year. More than I ever ... read more
52 LIsts in 52 Weeks #17
Week #17Words or phrases that are uttered in my home daily:Are you serious?Put your fork down and take a breath.You're muttering.What is your plan for the day?Can we do Bible drill?School is about practicing life.Did you do your chore?We're going to read.Can I have a hug?What did he say?Are you okay?Did you finish your schoolwork?Can I have a ... read more
Thorns
One of my most read posts is the one below. As so many of us struggle with family crisis, relationship failures, church disappointments, financial needs and health scares, let this story encourage you to stay strong and "thank God for our thorns." The Blessing Of Thorns Sandra felt as low as the heels of ... read more
Trust Meter
My husband says I have trust issues. I told him he has control issues. Half in jest, I asked if one is better than the other. Which got me thinking about trust.We all have dysfunction, baggage, junk, issues, "quirks." Some of us own ours. Some of us don't.My question is simple. As an adoptive/foster mom or mom of a blended family, do you trust less ... read more
Defining Moments
We all have defining moments in our lives. Those times encapsulated in our minds that forever changed the direction of our lives. I have a few. 1980 Senior year in high school I planned on majoring in piano performance in college. My first theater audition, first show, first tour and I was hooked. No longer piano but ... read more
Project Life March 2012
I am finally getting caught up with my Project Life pages. I keep my memorabilia, journaling cards, pen and protectors in one location. Once I get the pictures printed I can then decide on the layout. This year's album has taken me more time to select layouts because I'm doing more themed instead of a picture a day. The layout below is a local ... read more
Family Game Night
Join us for our Family Game Night. The pictures tell the whole story.The game: CraniumThe opponents: boys vs. girlsDaddy dancing to the beat of his own drummer.Really? Not again. Mama, it's only a game. Never!!!! We will win!Hark. Can you hear me?No, seriously. Can you hear me?Sister vs. brotherDidn't you get that?Okay. One more time.Who won? I ... read more
Strawberries
All in an afternoon's work.I'm linking with: ... read more
Many Sides to Adoption
Lots and lots of thoughts roaming around. Have patience with me while I sort through them. Be gentle with me if you don't agree or can't understand.Because of the Circle of Moms contest many different voices are being heard regarding adoption. These can only be of benefit if we listen to each other's stories and find a safe place without ... read more
My Favorites…….
God's unfailing lovemy kids getting excited about going to the librarymy rocking chaircelebrating 25 years with my husbandmy new Ipod Nanosongs that make me cryS's 70% improvement in math skills in 3 years on her testingrainy days curled up with a good book and a fuzzy blanketsleep, pure and uninterruptedmy scrapbooksthe sound of laughtera freshly ... read more
52 Lists in 52 Weeks #16
Week #16 If you had an enormous amount of money all of a sudden...what would you do with it? * pay off all debt * tithe 10 percent * give anonymously to those I know who live unselfish lives and minister to others * pay for college for my son and help my daughter buy some fun things for her new home * provide horse back riding ... read more
Closer to You
Mark Schultz is an amazing singer/songwriter/musician. If you've never listened to his music, his Stories and Songs is fabulous. He has a gift for telling stories that captivate the heart and stir the emotions. As I was listening to the album today this song popped up on my Nano and I don't think I've really paid attention to the lyrics ... read more
Project Life February 2012
I've talked about Project Life here and the way I scrapbook here. This is a layout from February. I ended up cutting the page protector to fit a portrait picture in. I have since ordered these page protectors to use with both portrait and landscape oriented pics. I printed journaling off my blog and some photos from our 25th anniversary weekend ... read more
Theater Wall Made of Vinyl Albums
When I came home from one of my four weekends away earlier this year (read about them here, here and here) my husband had a surprise waiting for me. We have carried around show albums (remember vinyl?) with us for our entire 25 years of marriage. (They've been stored under beds, in the workshop and for a short while ... read more
Our Adoption Story Part 1
Reading this poem by Beth Moore has taken me on a journey I wasn't expecting at this moment in my life. Beth Moore (Living Proof Ministries) has always ministered to me through her Bible studies, tapes and videos, but especially through the story of her son Michael. She was instrumental in our adoption story even though she could ... read more
Kisses Make You Stronger
Yes, indeed they do :-) ... read more
Circle of Moms: Expressing Your Opinion
What happened to the Circle of Moms contest I talked about here? This is the explanation on their website:UPDATE: After serious consideration, we have decided to cancel our Adoption Blogs by Moms – 2012 contest. Our Top 25 program is meant to celebrate, connect, and support mom bloggers. Following some feedback from participants in our 2011 ... read more
The Life I Planned
The Life I Planned Please take the time to read the poem below by Beth Moore. It reaches all of us exactly where we are, in our struggles, our questions and often our discontent. Has someone seen the life I planned? It seems it's been misplaced. I've looked in every corner; It's lost without a trace.I've found one ... read more
52 Lists in 52 Weeks #15
List #15: What's on your declutter list? We have decided to have a yard sale this Saturday because the weather looks amazing. We held one two years ago, the first in a decade. It was iffy weather and by 10:30 AM the bottom fell out. And didn't stop for HOURS. It was awful. We took everything we could to Goodwill and threw away the rest. ... read more