Aunt Bev

Well, this week is going to be a whirlwind of activity! My Aunt Beverly has come to visit. She's staying for an entire week. The girls are loving having Ber-Ber stay. They are going to be SO spoiled by the time she leaves!

My aunt and I have tons in common. When I was in high school, I use to go stay with her and my uncle for a week or 2 in Lewisville just north of Dallas. We would paint and garden and do all kinds of crafty stuff. So far, we've been to Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and JoAnns! Tonight we are going to work on some embroidery stuff and tomorrow we are going to try and etch some glass votives to give as gifts. Wednesday, we are hitting some plant nurseries looking for some butterfly attracting plants. We haven't planned anything yet for Thursday or Friday, but I'm sure it will be fun! I've always called her "my other mother" and am pleased that she was able to come spend some time with us.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We decided to go this morning and watch my old friend Joy ride in the barrel racing competition. Forgot to add, we were on the Channel 2 news at 6! They filmed us looking at the rabbits.

Well, here it is, Sunday again. I can't believe how time is flying. It seems like Christmas was just yesterday, and now in 6 days, my baby, K will be 4. It makes me so sad to see her leaving "toddlerhood" and entering "the preschool years". I've been very nostalgic the last couple of days looking at old pictures and remembering when we brought her home from the hospital. She is growing into a thoughtful, sweet child. This morning at church, she was so proud of herself because she said The Lords Prayer. I couldn't believe she had memorized it. She is so amazing to me.

This week, I read an article in Mom's Ladies Home Journal about a young mother (34 or 35) who had been diagnosed with an inoperable, cancerous tumor on her spine. The doctors couldn't tell her how long she had or how long it would take for the cancer to spread to other parts of her body. She has 2 young children (4 & 7). She is struggling with keeping scrapbooks for her children so that they will always remember her. This article touched me deeply. I started thinking what would my girls remember if I were no longer here?
I did 2 things.
1. I've started an 8X8 album for each girl that is all about me. I know it sounds very conceited, but I'm putting memories of my childhood, things I like and dislike, letters to them and all kind of stuff so that they will remember me.
2. I saw a note in the LHJ editor's column that asked for people who scrap to volunteer to help the ill mom finish her scrapbooks. I immediately emailed and offered to help. I'm waiting on a response. I hope that I can help this mom feel peace when knowing that her children will always remember her.

On a lighter note, I just finished another fantastic book. It's called "The Wednesday Letters" by Jason F. Wright. VERY moving book. Here's a description for the web site.

The Wednesday Letters is the story of Jack and Laurel. Married 39 years, the Coopers lived a good life and appear to have had a near-perfect relationship. Then one night, with his wife cradled in his arms, and before Jack takes his last breath, he scribbles his final "Wednesday Letter."
When their three adult children arrive to arrange the funeral, they discover boxes and boxes full of love letters that their father wrote to their mother on every single Wednesday. As they begin to open and read the letters, the children uncover unimaginable adventures and the shocking truth about their past.
The Wednesday Letters has a powerful message about redemption and forgiveness. And it just might inspire you to begin writing your own Wednesday Letters.


Well, I'm off to plan this weeks menu. Have a great week!

Cowgirl Maddie

Today was Go Texas day at M's school. She doesn't like wearing anything but skirts, so I grabbed some bandanas and made her a skirt.
Turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself!

Thomas Paine & Common Sense

This video says it all!



If you aren't familliar with Thomas Paine check out this website.

For my monkey girl!

How do you like the new background? I changed it for my baby who will be 4 in a week and LOVES anything monkey!

2005

2009

I LOVE my monkey girl!

The Shack

What an amazing book!!! If you haven't heard of it, it is about a man whose young daughter is kidnapped and murdered while they are on a camping trip. Her bloody dress is found in an old abandoned shack. Several years after her murder, her father Mack returns to the shack after receiving a letter from "Papa" asking him to meet there. It turns out that Papa is God. The entire book is about their conversations.

I highly recommend reading this book!

I'm back!

Whew! It's been a busy few weeks. I spent last week getting ready for a garage sale. I HATE having garage sales. Not only the work before hand, but all the haggling with people. They expect you to give your stuff away. I actually had someone want me to take $10 buck for my double stroller! It cost $280 and is in excellent condition. I told them they were crazy. Anyway, it's over and I'm happy to say I made more money than I expected. I also had 3 boxes of good stuff that was donated to the Salvation Army.

This week, I'm gearing up for Go Texas day at Maddie's school, and a Tupperware party on Saturday. Today I'm making M a red bandanna skirt to wear over some tights. She will wear it with a white shirt and I'm making a bandanna barrette to wear in her hair. Friday, I will be in the kitchen making apple and lemon tarts as well as spice cookies, and one more sweet for my Tupperware party.

I'm also trying to find time to work on my layout for 52 Sketches and a layout challenge I made to my scrapbook group. Wow....no wonder I can' sleep!

Anyway, I hope you have a great day!

OMGosh!!!

I just found out through one of my former students that another former student, Sterling Knight, is a quite famous actor! Apparently he has guest starred in some TV series and is currently one of the leads in a Disney show called "Sonny with a Chance" and will be in the upcoming movie "17 Again" with Zac Effron. WOW! Who knew that when he was roaming the halls of Manvel Jr. High he would end up in Hollywood! Way to go Sterling!!

Scrap Challenge

I can't believe I finished another page for this weeks 52 Sketches challenge. I love using a sketch to get me inspired. Here's the sketch, and then my take on it.

Sketch #8


My version