Scrapbook Layouts

I've recently cut back on the design teams I'm on for digital scrapbooking.  I love it so much, so that was hard for me - but I felt torn between several different things and felt it was time to lighten my load a little bit.  But here are some of the creations I've done lately. 

May 2011 Pictures

I have wanted to get some pictures of our last few weeks of activities posted on here but haven't had a chance. Here is a link to my facebook page to see the pictures.  Been having lots of fun!  Wish I was better at taking pictures because I have missed quite a few moments too - times at the pool, the splash park, bbq's with friends, fun girls nights with awesome friends, ET family movie night....but overall we've had some good family times.  Here's hoping we survive the heat of the next several months and get to enjoy the summer!

Click here to view pictures on Facebook! 

Perfect Thoughts!

You know when you read something that just fits exactly what you've been searching for? When you find a PERFECT answer in someone else's words? That's the case with this article I just read:

LDS.org - New Era Article - Five Scriptures That Will Help You Get through Almost Anything

• Scripture One: We Know That God Loves His Children! (1 Nephi 11:17)
• Scripture Two: We Know That God Allows Evil to Exist in the World (Moses 7:26–33)
• Scripture Three: Our Work Is Not Finished! (Alma 14:13)
• Scripture Four: The Atonement Is Not Just for Sinners (Alma 7:11–12)
• Scripture Five: One Day, the Lord Will Reveal All Things (D&C 101:32–36)
• The Ultimate Answer - The Lord Is Over All

John Byetheway has always been one of my very favorite speakers. I loved hearing him at EFY when I was a kid. I've loved watching his Deseret Book video specials and I have always had fun listening to his books on tape - he's just awesome. But tonight as I read this article I wasn't impressed because of his witty-banter, or the silly way he performs - I was touched by the spirit. That happens frequently when listening to Brother Byetheway, but this time I was just so touched that some of the words I was searching for (both for myself and for some other people I'd been thinking about, praying for) were perfect for the situations. Guess that is another one of those tender mercies that we're so often blessed with.

So read the article - I promise you won't be disappointed!

20 Questions With Gabe (2009 edition)

I was cleaning out some files and I found a little Q&A I did with Gabe a little over 2 years ago - so he was the same age as Hunter is now - 3 years old.  It was fun to read his answers to some of these things.  Sometimes it just hits me that time is going by SO fast with my kids.  I need to take a few extra minutes to cherish them, treasure our times together and give them extra squeezes and kisses.  Sure do love them!

1.  What is something mom always says to you?

Don't slap Hunter - even if he throws food on the floor!

2. What makes mom happy?

Hunter playing with me, and laughing, and when we sing songs to her.

3. What makes mom sad?
When Hunter fights me up.


4. How does your mom make you laugh?
When you watch Playhouse Disney movies with me


5. What was your mom like as a child?
You'd read books


6. How old is your mom?
14

7. How tall is your mom?

14 long - like a giraffe neck

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Play "Playhouse Disney" computer games with me.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

Play with Hunter

10. What is your mom really good at?

Fighting - like with swords

11. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

Hawaii - with ME!

12. What is your mom not very good at?

You can't play toys - because you don't do it.


13. What does your mom do for her job?
You play toys with me - that's your job. That guy we watched on the computer - his job was to catch allitgators - but yours is to play with me.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Pasghetti!

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
That I'm good at playing toys

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Woody (from Toy Story) - because you're funny

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Play toys.

18. How are you and your mom the same?

When we match and we talk the same.

19. How are you and your mom different?

You're wearing green, and I'm wearing this (camo)

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

To infinity and beyond!

Good Luck Mom!

I'm pretty sure I've bragged about how cool my Mom is on here before....but if not I wanted to take a short second to do so this morning.  See - this morning my mom is taking a test for a class she's taking through BYU-Independent Study and she could use all of the good luck, prayers and extra positive thoughts anyone could send her way.....so go for it - send up a little extra prayer, I know she'll feel it and appreciate it!

I know that when I'm down, or when I'm having a particularly hard "mommy-day" (often followed by my ever-famous "mommy meltdown") that I can feel my mom's prayers surrounding me.  Sometimes I feel it in the moment as I need it and other times I look back thinking, "How on earth did I get through that day!?!? It is then that I realize it must have been during those particular difficult moments that my Mom paused to say a little prayer for me. 

My mom is one of my very best friends in the world.  I'm grateful that I've developed a friendship with her that I can say that.  I had a few rough teen-age years where I wouldn't have said we were even good friends - but we're over that now and she's simply put - the best!  So grateful to have her in my court, to have her support, her love, her prayers and her friendship. 

So GOOD LUCK Mom - you rock and I hope your test goes fantastically!!!  We love you!!!

Giving to Others

I saw this picture in a friend's Facebook album (she found it on Pintrest....a phenomenon I have yet to get involved with....) and it made me smile.  Not only because it made me think about how true the sentiment is and how blessed we become by serving others, but even more because it reminded me of my Dad.  My Dad has an ability to give to others in a no-strings-attached kind of way and he does it so often, and so well. What a blessing it has been in my life to have my cute Dad as an example of serving and giving to others.  I could write a long novel of all of the things he does on a regular basis, as well as some pretty big one-time kind of deals - but knowing him it would almost defeat the purpose.  He gives in secret, he doesn't do it with banners and balloons announcing his gifts, he does it quietly, secretly, and with no expectations of thanks or fanfare.  That's one of the things I love about him.  Thanks Dad.

Why Do I Read....?

I will read forever to feed my need for exploration and adventure.  I will continue to read to experience places, lifestyles and far-away-lands that I won't be able to travel to in person.  Reading opens doors, puts wind in my sails and helps me take flight.  I will read to escape, to relax and to be invigorated and inspired.  I will read because I can and because by reading I am not stagnant. I read to give my self the chance to walk a mile in someone else's shoes, see points of view beyond my own and expand my small piece of humanity into a world-wide stage.  I read for myself, to feed my imagination and stretch the creativity that stirs within myself.  I read to teach my children and to give them stories and lessons that I cannot offer from my own limited experience.  I read to learn from others so that I do not have to walk some of the paths of saddness and sorrow that they have struggled through, but I can learn the lessons from the things that they teach me.  I read because it reminds me there are such things as lands of make believe and "happily ever afters".

(***This is just a little paragraph I wrote to enter a contest to win a Nook from Barnes and Noble....not that I'll win, but sometimes it's a good reminder to ask ourselves why we do something.  Why do YOU read? Jot down your reason and even take a second to enter the contest!)

Freebie Quick Page

In celebration of (inter)National Digital Scrapbooking Day I'm giving away a freebie digital scrapbook quick page.  The page is put together using a new kit by The Ettes called Time 4 Me.  This is a totally DARLING kit (as usual from The Ettes!)

Here is my example of the Quick Page in use with some of my favorite pictures with me and my boys.

So CLICK HERE to download your copy of the quick page.  And after you download the freebie be sure to head over to The Ettes store at Pickleberry Pop and see all the gorgeous products they have.

I hope you all get a chance to do some scrapbooking this weekend as we celebrate digital scrapbooking.  I am so grateful that I've been able to enjoy the hobby for the last several years.  I love being able to preserve my family's memories while I'm also enjoying the creativity process.  So grateful for hobbies!