FayETTE Designs - she's done it again!!!

Well, I say this over and over again - but Fayette (of FayETTE Designs) has pulled it off once again.  She's blown us all away with a new addition to her "Time 4" kits.  This one is perect for the new year and is called "Time 4 Reflection".  The elements are BEAUTIFUL for this kit and she has added these really awesome full page word files too - they are awesome!  Check it out in her store at Pickleberry Pop.

Here are layouts from a couple of other kits too - "Time 4 Traditions" and "Christmas with Mr. Claus".

Now Booking: Nutcracker Ballet 2012 - get your tickets early to avoid a sold out show!!!

Yes, you heard it correctly - the fabulous, talented and professional dance troupe from our ward Relief Society (a.k.a. Lail Covington, Lisa Morley, Allison Benefield, Tannie Smith and myself - Joanna Ellis) have just returned from our debut performance at our ward Christmas party.  After hours of practicing, through injuries, butterflies and last-minute costume revisions we have conquered our first performance and have come home to rave reviews and gushing fans.

Because this performance has received such amazing reviews it has become necessary for our dance group to start discussing our preformance schedule for the 2012 ballet season.  Work will be done to ensure that no one will miss these talented women's danc magic.  I'm just warning you - when the tickets become available you will want to snatch them up, because as you can see - these ladies can DANCE, and you don't want to miss out!

(I also have a few pictures I'll post soon.  Due to the overwhelming response though, we will not be sending out autographed copies...too many fans, not nearly enough time....)

Invictus

You know the feeling when you see a movie that just clicks - it's just what you need to see, when you need to see it?  A movie that inspires you and makes you want to be better all around?  I've felt that way all 3 times I've watched the movie "Invictus".  I highly reccommend it to anyone!  Some of my favorite quotes are:

Nelson Mandela: How do you inspire your team to do their best?
Francois Pienaar: By example. I've always thought to lead by example, sir.
Nelson Mandela: Well, that is right. That is exactly right. But how do we get them to be better then they think they CAN be? That is very difficult, I find. Inspiration, perhaps. How do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing less will do? How do we inspire everyone around us? I sometimes think it is by using the work of others.


Nelson Mandela: Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.


Brenda Mazibuko: You're risking your political capital, you're risking your future as our leader.
Nelson Mandela: The day I am afraid to do that is the day I am no longer fit to lead.

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

I am the master of my fate

I am the captain of my soul.

(Nelson Mandela)

Gratitude - turns what we have into enough...

A few months ago we had a small, tender mercy that I have thought about over and over again.  As I sat in Sacrament Meeting today and listened to a friend's sweet talk on gratitude I remembered my little experience and wanted to document it and share it with people I love.

We were driving down the road one morning.  I think we were headed to church....normally this involves me frantically putting my makeup on in the car, the kids fighting about whether or not we had brought crayons to draw with at church, and general feelings of mayhem.  But in the midst of that it was quiet and calm for a moment and Gabe said, "Mom, Dad?  I just wanted to say thanks for taking us to a movie this weekend."

That was it - he just wanted to say THANKS.

He didn't want to express gratitude in hopes for something more.  He wasn't saying thanks so that I'd remember how fun it was and take him to another movie right away - he simply wanted to express gratitude - nothing more.  It made my heart fill with love for my children.  I'm sure it wasn't something he remembers doing and my husband says he doesn't remember it even happening, but it was a big moment for me.  My child was recognizing the value of expressing thanks for something.  It made me want to express gratitude more, and it made his simple expression of gratitude mean even more to me.

It made me think of my own expression of gratitude to my Heavenly Father.  How often do I pause to just say thank you?  How often do I not think about other things I could ask for, but simply tell Him I'm grateful for all He has richly blessed me with?  My prayers do involve gratitude - but all together too often that expression of gratitude is then followed with a list of things I also "need" or "want".  Most of the time I'm asking for good things, and frequently I'm even asking for things for other people - but inevitably my prayers are asking for things.

It made me think about how my Heavenly Father would feel if my prayers occasionally were only prayers of gratitude?  It made me want to spend more time in communication with my Heavenly Father and telling Him thank-you for the people He's placed in my life, the work we've had, the callings He has blessed me with, the physical blessings I've been given.  It made me want to acknowledge His hand in every aspect of my life.

So I encourage you to go and read this talk on gratitude by my sweet friend. During this spirit of Thanksgiving please have an "attitude of gratitude" and let the peace that can come from expressing that gratitude fill your lives, your homes and your heart.  I know I am so richly blessed and I hope I can adequately express my appreciation for that to my Heavenly Father.

Beautiful Quote...

I came across this quote tonight in some reading I was doing.  My heart stopped for a moment, my spirit told me it was true and the peace our Heavenly Father promises poured out.  So sweet, so very, very sweet!

"Never look ahead to the changes and challenges of this life in fear. Instead, as they arise look at them with full assurance that God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them… So hold tightly to His loving hands and He will lead you safely through all things. And when you cannot stand He will carry you in His arms…. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unwavering strength that you may bear it. Be at peace, then, and set aside all anxious thoughts and worries".  (--Francis De Sales)

Regret....

Saw this on FB this morning...couldn't have said it better myself. I had a little "incident" with my alarm clock this morning and I apparently changed it to go off an hour later.  It all happened somewhere between being asleep and kind of awake in the middle of the night.  I have a very vague memory of it....Bummer too - I was looking forward to running with my buds.  :( 

Color Fix - Digital Scrapbooking HEAVEN!

So what are YOU doing to celebrate this weekend?  Celebrate what you ask? Digital Scrapbooking Day???  I highly reccomend that you head over to FayEtte Designs and stock up on her newest AWESOME kits.  This set is possibly my favorite kit of Fayette's EVER.  I know I've said this before....but I think this might be one of my favorites!  The kits coordinate with each other, work great on their own and are FULL of beautiful embellishments!

Check them all out in the Pickleberry Pop shop.  ColorFIX Mega Bundle