The instructions, given ahead of time so no one complained: family picture time. Nice dinner, some laughs and playing with the kids. Then pictures. And this, my friends, is the result:Nice looking family. Not color coordinated but not too bad. Everyone is looking at the camera. Quite a success.No, don't leave yet. The fun is about to begin.Still ... read more
Circle of Moms
Voting has begun for the Circle of Moms Top 25 Adoptive and Foster Mom Blogs. I would love for you to vote for me if you enjoy my writing and sharing from the heart. Go here to vote. You can vote once a day until April 26 and can also vote for more than one blog. Thanks! ... read more
52 Lists in 52 Weeks #13 and #14
Discovered this linky list site here so I'm going to join in. 7 Questions (List #13) 1. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? Probably the ability to know what is true. Deciphering the truth would save a lot of wasted time spent wondering who is lying and what is truth in media. 2. If you could hold the ... read more
Simple as That: March 31, 2012
Earlier this year we bought a Canon Rebel T3 and I have loved getting to know the camera. It's my first nice camera and, although I haven't watched the DVD (my bad), I still enjoy playing with it. For my birthday I got a 75-300mm lens and turned Joshua loose playing with it. All the pictures below are his, photoshopped by me. My kids have such a ... read more
Birthday Triggers and Thoughts on Turning 50
How do YOU handle birthdays? Especially ones with a zero at the end? I think I must have some trigger related to birthdays from my childhood. I have never liked celebrating my birthday because it somehow never measured up. Not sure what I was comparing it to, but I know this about myself and was determined to face the big 5-0 with grace and ... read more
The Reasons I Blog and Scrapbook
When I started scrapbooking I wanted to make sure I recorded our family memories. As I've continued through the years I have realized how important it is to leave my family something of myself. My dreams and goals, successes and failures. Lessons learned and passed down. When I am gone I want my family to have a record of our lives and memories to ... read more
Continue On: Encouragement for Mothers
As I was looking through some older scrapbook pages (yes, I've been through many hairstyles and no, these pages aren't that great) I came across this writing that touched me many years ago. I was in the middle of the frantic years of raising wounded kids and homeschooling and cooking and cleaning and teaching and ministering and doing. Years with ... read more
Simple as That: March 25, 2012
I'm participating in the Simple Things linkup at Simple as That. The prompt is to celebrate the simple moments and simple joys that make me smile. This ceramic mug makes me smile. It was my gift from my trip to Orlando with my adoptive mama friends. I'm sure it was crocheted by one of the ladies and it came with coasters to match. (Okay, I think ... read more
How to Make a Gallery Wall with Family Photos
Complete tutorial on how to make a gallery wall with family photos with everything you need to know from layout to choosing frames, pictures, words or inspiration. We have transformed several areas of our home in the last three months and I want to start out sharing the one that tickles me the most. When I first ... read more
Just Another Friday Night
As I've said before, I'm a diehard UNC Tarheels fan. Got it honestly from my mom especially. My sister even worked in the athletic department at one time.So here's what we were doing Friday night:NCAA Tournament Tim is not particularly a fan. He likes watching me go crazy, though.book or game?why is mommy yelling at the tv?I've got my hat on now. ... read more
Encouragement from One Woman to Another
There are some things that only time and perspective can teach you. If your mom is still alive (or you are blessed with a relationship with another woman that is important to you) I want to share some things that I am learning only through retrospect. My sister passed away suddenly in 2000. My mom passed away under adverse conditions in 2010. ... read more
52 Lists in 52 Weeks #12
List 12: Fours 1. four places you've visited Greece Romania Spain Morocco 2. four things you wish you could get paid to do for a living Scrapbook Sing Write Direct choirs 3. four things you are looking forward to Seeing my son J at his college My 50th birthday Singing at Maundy Thursday service Learning more ... read more
First Shave
Ahhh, the day a boy turns into a man. His first shave. But what do I know about it? Absolutely nothing. M has been growing facial hair for some time now and we resisted taking the plunge and lettting him shave. (Part of it was that his older brother didn't shave until he was probably 15. Joshua had little facial hair but has made up for it at ... read more
Tarheels
grief is unexpectedcoming when my guard is down my thoughts are elsewhereyet there it isa tear flowing downa catch in my throatmy mom loved UNC Tarheels basketballwith a passioneven obsessively in the nursing homewe would watch the gamesand she would fuss at her teamsome of my greatest childhood memoriescome from watching the black and white tvand ... read more
True Strength
From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (I talked about this book here): That's why it is so wrong to measure your energy level against the challenges ahead of you. The issue is not your strength but Mine, which is limitless. By walking close to Me, you can accomplish My purposes in My strength. (Italics mine) I cannot begin to tell you how much I love ... read more
Leftover Kid
For the last few weeks, even months possibly, we have been struggling with our daughter S. She has given us so many moments of delight and she is quite firmly attached. But something has been off. She has had an edge to her, the typical teenage attitude, which is not typical at our house. We work extremely hard when our kids are younger to ... read more
52 Lists in 52 Weeks #11
List #11: The small, medium, and amazing things that happened throughout your week: That's an easy list because it was Orlando time! I was able to stretch outside my comfort zone, fly by myself, meet tons of new people and survive to tell the tale! One of the amazing things about this weekend was my husband who keeps my youngest ... read more
25th Wedding Anniversary Photo Booth
Celebrate a milestone wedding celebration with a 25th wedding anniversary photo booth! Ideas include backdrop, props and ways to include family and friends. Reaching 25 years of wedded bliss should be celebrated and applauded. Ok, if we're being honest you don't reach 25 years without a lot more normal everyday struggles than ... read more
52 Lists in 52 Weeks #10
#10 Songs and the memories they evoke: One Hand, One Heart, West Side Story: my most favorite role in my years in theatre was Maria, and Tim and I sang this song at our wedding. How He Loves by David Crowder: sung byJ for his sister Rachel's wedding. What a precious time. Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone by Chris Tomlin: this song ... read more
Tips for Regrouping after Vacation
Ahhhh, vacation. Or a weekend away with 100 of your best friends. Not really, but women who have a common bond of parenting wounded children. Whether you're transitioning back after a girls weekend or family vacation there are some things you can do to help you (and your family) regroup after vacation. Give yourself (and your family) a ... read more