Photography Fridays ~ I do not like them, Sam I am.

We'll start by letting the photo stand alone and let your own thoughts precede my story.

This is my Sam-I-Am.

McKenna is at the age where she has just started reading Dr. Seuss books - the kinds with the real words, of course. The night before I took this picture, we read Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess.

The next morning, feeling like a champion mother, I made sure to get out of bed early enough to cook breakfast for everyone - green eggs & ham. Surprise!

Daddy-I-Am liked them.

Matthew-I-Am liked them.

McKenna-I-Am... Well...

She refused.

I quickly asked, Lord, should I choose this battle? He answered yes, you should choose this battle. We had forty-five minutes until the bus arrived and my mood considered, I chose that battle. I had the time and energy (and therefore patience) so onward we marched. Trying to set aside the fact that I was utterly disappointed that my surprise fizzled faster than the bath salts the kids got for Christmas, without factoring in my own dissatisfaction from not feeling appreciated today, we began. I put the priorities in order: (1) You have to eat a good breakfast before school. (2) This is what I cooked, therefore this is breakfast. Period. These are normal meal rules around here, so I didn't make them up for my own satisfaction. (I was well aware of my own discontentment and I was reallllly trying to keep myself out of this situation - making sure it was a parenting technique, not something for my own gratification.)

By the way, she loves "regular eggs and ham. You know, the yellow ones, Mommy?"

Fast forward 45 minutes and I told her if she didn't eat her breakfast (after which she brushes her teeth, puts her shoes on, and gathers her lunch and backpack) she would miss her bus.

Well wouldn't you know it?

The bus picked up Matthew. Not McKenna. And man, did that set her into a tailspin. 

However.

Ten minutes later, she ate almost all of her green eggs and ham, apologized to me, finished getting ready for school and I drove her to school (making sure there was no fun music or entertaining conversation in the car). Fortunately, she loves school and loves riding the bus even more, so using alternative methods for our morning routine did not reward her at all. I emailed and forewarned her teacher of our morning and her teacher replied saying she had been self-managed, good-mannered and all-around well-behaved that morning.

Perhaps it's generational.

Gee, Mom? Are you listening? Whatever that situation was that led me to be sitting at the dining room table unwilling to eat my spaghetti until at the earliest ten o'clock pm, I fully and wholeheartedly apologize for it. 

*sigh*

Every day I question, analyze and review my thoughts and actions as a mom and man, do I have a lot to learn, a lot to practice, and a lot to fix. This was a battle not for winning. This was a battle so that one day she could remember what her mom taught her when her daughter is left sitting at the table refusing...

By the way, she loved the green eggs and ham.

For the weekend, a little light reading.

I am Sam

I am Sam

Sam I am

That Sam-I-am

That Sam-I-am!

I do not like

that Sam-I-am

Do you like

green eggs and ham

I do not like them,

Sam-I-am.

I do not like

green eggs and ham.

Would you like them

Here or there?

I would not like them

here or there.

I would not like them

anywhere.

I do not like

green eggs and ham.

I do not like them,

Sam-I-am

Would you like them

in a house?

Would you like them

with a mouse?

I do not like them

in a house.

I do not like them

with a mouse.

I do not like them

here or there.

I do not like them

anywhere.

I do not like green eggs and ham.

I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

Would you eat them

in a box?

Would you eat them

with a fox?

Not in a box.

Not with a fox.

Not in a house.

Not with a mouse.

I would not eat them here or there.

I would not eat them anywhere.

I would not eat green eggs and ham.

I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

Would you? Could you?

in a car?

Eat them! Eat them!

Here they are.

I would not ,

could not,

in a car

You may like them.

You will see.

You may like them

in a tree?

d not in a tree.

I would not, could not in a tree.

Not in a car! You let me be.

I do not like them in a box.

I do not like them with a fox

I do not like them in a house

I do mot like them with a mouse

I do not like them here or there.

I do not like them anywhere.

I do not like green eggs and ham.

I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

A train! A train!

A train! A train!

Could you, would you

on a train?

Not on a train! Not in a tree!

Not in a car! Sam! Let me be!

I would not, could not, in a box.

I could not, would not, with a fox.

I will not eat them with a mouse

I will not eat them in a house.

I will not eat them here or there.

I will not eat them anywhere.

I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

Say!

In the dark?

Here in the dark!

Would you, could you, in the dark?

I would not, could not,

in the dark.

Would you, could you,

in the rain?

I would not, could not, in the rain.

Not in the dark. Not on a train,

Not in a car, Not in a tree.

I do not like them, Sam, you see.

Not in a house. Not in a box.

Not with a mouse. Not with a fox.

I will not eat them here or there.

I do not like them anywhere!

You do not like

green eggs and ham?

I do not

like them,

Sam-I-am.

Could you, would you,

with a goat?

I would not,

could not.

with a goat!

Would you, could you,

on a boat?

I could not, would not, on a boat.

I will not, will not, with a goat.

I will not eat them in the rain.

I will not eat them on a train.

Not in the dark! Not in a tree!

Not in a car! You let me be!

I do not like them in a box.

I do not like them with a fox.

I will not eat them in a house.

I do not like them with a mouse.

I do not like them here or there.

I do not like them ANYWHERE!

I do not like

green eggs and ham!

I do not like them,

Sam-I-am.

You do not like them.

SO you say.

Try them! Try them!

And you may.

Try them and you may I say.

Sam!

If you will let me be,

I will try them.

You will see.

Say!

I like green eggs and ham!

I do!! I like them, Sam-I-am!

And I would eat them in a boat!

And I would eat them with a goat...

And I will eat them in the rain.

And in the dark. And on a train.

And in a car. And in a tree.

They are so good so good you see!

So I will eat them in a box.

And I will eat them with a fox.

And I will eat them in a house.

And I will eat them with a mouse.

And I will eat them here and there.

Say! I will eat them ANYWHERE!

I do so like

green eggs and ham!

Thank you!

Thank you,

Sam-I-am

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

Key words: spirited, hard-headed, strong-willed. Friends said: we all have one, don't we?

I'm sure there is scripture for this type of situation, this breed of child, this season of motherhood, somewhere; but I'm still searching for just the right one... if you know one, shoot it my way?

Creative Thursday ~ Tooth Fairy {2012 page 1}

It's a fact that our son lost his tooth just last year, just before he turned 7. This little one always has to outdo - she lost during Fall Kindergarten - in an apple! She will no longer eat a whole apple and doesn't want to wiggle the other lost tooth.

The tooth fairy came (even though she forgot to put her tooth under her pillow, good thing Mom remembered!). McK got a $2 bill, like her brother did, 5 more $1 bills, and a picture of a little tooth fairy. It's what her brother got, too. Oh and the GLITTER!! Everywhere!! That fairy tracked glitter in the front door, up the stairs, in the hallway and ALL OVER McK. She was thrilled!

p.s. that's all the journaling I forgot to add before snapping the pic. (:

So this was designed with a sketch from My Sketch World ~ I knew I wanted pink, but finding mint green (not bright or any other shade) was difficult!

Tooth Fairy by Lindsey Krauss
Supplies: Paper: My Mind's Eye, Letters: Making Memories, Rhinestones: Kaiser Scrapbook, Bows: Offray, Sticker date: K&Company, Buttons: Bazzill Basics Paper, Other: paper flower, mesh.

Wacky Wednesday ~ secrets

Wanna know a scrapbooking secret?
* I haven't bought any new supplies in over 6 months, other than 1 razor knife and a few letters on sale from Hobby Lobby. I've been using stash all year long and actually don't miss having the "latest and greatest" as much as I thought... at least, for the moment.

Wanna know a hygiene secret?
* I usually only wash my hair every other day. I rarely wash my face at night. I rarely use moisturizer on my face or self. I love to brush my teeth. I brush in counts of 8, like dancing or music.

Wanna know a spiritual secret?
* I always knew I was different. I just didn't realize it was the power of God that made me so until a few years ago. I always thought it was because I grew up with my parents telling me I was special. I bet that helped, though. :)

Wanna know a genetic secret?
* I have to eat m&ms two by two, same color. One for each side of my mouth. If I have a third, I have to bite it in half so I'm still eating symmetrically.
* I often bite the inside of my mouth. I found out my aunt does the same thing, as does my dad and several of his cousins. Genetic or community thing?

Hahaa. I told you Wednesdays meant anything goes. :)

Musical Mondays ~ It's okay not to be okay.

I absolutely love how our pastor, Pastor Jarrod Jones, begins his services almost every single weekend
(paraphrasing, but it's close):
1. If you're a guest here, welcome. We prayed you here.
2. It's okay not to be okay. <-- this is my greatest favorite.
3. We love you enough to tell you the truth.

Oh, and you'll get it over here. From the Bible to his mouth to our ears.

So I felt compelled to share one of my favorite songs, kind of an oldie but a goodie - I've heard ladies older than me singing it, I've heard elementary kids singing it. I guess it's one for the ages. Oh, and I'm totally going to try to duplicate her pashmina look for MOPs on Tuesday...

Enjoy!
Francesca Battistelli singing 'Free to be Me'
(I don't know why she looks to forlorn in this preview, this song uplifts me!)

I have a blog... {and Scripture Sundays}

...I guess I might as well use it.

I'm not much of a resolution girl, but I suppose there is no time better to get posting than January 1st. I guess I'm doing alright life-wise because I am doing everything I've resoluted prior to today and I have no new life resolutions. Could always do a little more of that, a little less of that, but for now I miss my scrapbooking and I miss my blog. I never post regularly because I wonder who my audience is and why I should blog. No more worries. My audience can just be me. And one day, if they wish, my kids can get to know me through my own silly words. Though I usually have nothing too profound to say, each day I'll share a little about me.

My plan, if I stick to it, is a little of this and a little of that (because, after all, this blog was originally called "Lindsey's Scraps: of the book and of life").
*Musical Mondays - music moves me, all kinds. I'll share my favs, new and old.
*Tuesdays I usually spend in prayer. Unplugged. MOPs in the morning, friends in the afternoon. No blog these days.
*Wacky Wednesdays - anything goes. Sometimes I just have these random thoughts that I write down on a post-it note that gets lost or recycled. Never know what you're going to get on Wednesdays.
*Creative Thursdays - my only scrapbooking resolution is one layout per week. Hoping to post these on Thursdays.
*Photo Fridays. I am not a photographer. I like to take pictures. I'll share these on PHridays.
*Saturdays - family days. No blogs these days.
*Scripture Sundays - I have several albums filled with favorite scripture on index cards, post-its and double-spaced notebook lines where I heard, was moved by or read and how verses move me. Sunday seemed like a good day to share these.

So, enjoy my journey. Glad to have ya.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Starting off Scripture Sundays was super easy. Here is how I live - always have, always will. I first heard this in a Bible study and that day was the day I realized this was my life's mantra. Dad's the same way, so I don't wonder where I got it from. Thanks, Dad. xo

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillippians 4:6-7

New Month, New Year, New challenges!

Happy New Year! Here's to a healthy, happy 2012!

I challenged the Lipstick Chicks to the idea of ONE  while designing their next layout. They took it to the limits and we were all inspired in different ways!

Take a look and don't forget to design and show us how we inspired you.

True XoXo Scrapbooking Blog

True XoXo

another month, another fun challenge!

Take a look! The girls had a blast with this one - it inspired us all in different ways, and that's what I love about the xoxo girls!

Here is my idea - pretty literal, are you shocked? =)

Be inspired, create, enter for a chance to win a gdt spot with the True XoXo Scrapbooking  Blog !

the ...

Facebook post heard 'round the world:

**we've got snow!**

I love it. Our entire family loves it. The first snowfall is a day of celebration around here!


Not enough to get pics yet, but the puppy is barking like mad at the flakes! So silly!

Take a tour!

...of my brand-newly finished scraproom. (= This post has been a long-time coming. With the subtraction of the desk that came with the house and the addition of a large table desk and upright bookshelves, the room is complete ~ clean and organized, too!

Here we go!
((lots of pics here; bear with me if you're slow-loading))
Almost no one rings my doorbell, so please, just a quick knock, walk in the front door and turn left.
Go down the hallway, passed the coat closet and here is the view:

Now I'll take you from behind the door, on the left and clockwise around the room.

the rest of the left wall.

facing wall, left side:

facing wall, right side - workspace!

right wall,

my favorite storage find ~ bought @ Michael's, each with coupon:

inside wall; ahhh, the unexpected happy desk setup.

Today might have been one of the 100 most happiest days of my life; my husband called this, the "office", the scraproom. Can you believe it?! Well, he might have called it the *crap*room, but it was close enough!! lol!

Thanks for visiting! I'm hoping this room will inspire LOTS of craftiness to come... and maybe even a few unprompted blog posts!

Friday Freebie!

at Webster's Pages.

Look at this amazing giveaway!
Are you kidding me?

Feather flowers, I can't say it enough... drool!!










click:
http://websterspages.typepad.com/webstershome/2011/10/wanna-win-websters-staff-favorites.html

My scraproom is completed, clean and organized. Now I could surely use some new stuff to stock it...

True XoXo's 1st ever Blog Hop!

Hey Lipstick Chicks & fans! How is the journey? The team is just uber-talented and I am so proud to be a part of it.

If you're here today, you are XoXo blog-hoppin' and you should have come from Marie's blog. Marie won a guest design team spot last month and was invited to stay on for an extra month just to hop with us! If you just happened to stop by here today, please join us at the beginning at True XoXo's Scrapbooking Blog here! You could win your own gdt spot and lots of other prizes along the way. See the XoXo blog for details!

I was challenged by Marie to create my own embellishments or alter embellishments I have, with one handmade fabric flower! Had an MM Idol flashback there...

So I started a red and pink layout and finished with a little cd album for my McKenna. She wanted something to bring into school to show how she did her Pasta Pumpkin Project and the idea came to light when I was trying to think of a protected way to send the project - enter the cd case!

Hope this did Marie's challenge even a bit of justice! McKenna loves it!

xxxx

Thanks for stopping by! I'm going to send you off to Lisa Watson's blog now - or, if you like to copy & paste:
http://mypictures2pages.blogspot.com/2011/10/xoxo-blog-hop-authentique-and-rak.html
California roll, anyone? My mouth waters every time I read her post!

Thanks for coming. Don't forget about the ongoing monthly challenge also going on now. Check the True XoXo scrapbooking blog for more information!

p.s. xoxo

Lots of stuff going on!!

...especially at True XoXo!!

Only 3 days left to enter our random drawing to be October's guest designer!
Check it out here!

• Your next challenge starts right now! 'Like' our True XoXo Scrapbooking Blog page on Facebook for an opportunity to be our first guest designer - our designer for October. Winner will be randomly chosen (this month only) and will be announced Sept. 15th! Then she'll have two weeks to create a page along with our design team.
• If you've already 'liked' the page, you just gotta tell us here.
• Like there and comment here to be eligible to win!
• 
  

Then there is November's guest designer challenge - use any design team's layout as inspiration, link us up! 

Check that out here!

New look, new layouts, new challenges - check it out!!

http://truexoxogirls.blogspot.com

We will never forget.

Shortly after 9/11/01, I was blessed to be part of a production of Godspell, where I was introduced to this song. Every year on 9/11, I share its lyrics. 

BEAUTIFUL CITY by Stephen Schwartz

( sung by Jesus )

Out of the ruins and rubble
Out of the smoke
Out of our night of struggle
Can we see a ray of hope?
One pale thin ray reaching for the day

We can build a beautiful city
Yes, we can; Yes, we can
We can build a beautiful city
Not a city of angels
But we can build a city of man

We may not reach the ending
But we can start
Slowly but truly mending
Brick by brick, heart by heart
Now, maybe now
We start learning how

We can build a beautiful city
Yes, we can; Yes, we can
We can build a beautiful city
Not a city of angels
But we can build a city of man

When your trust is all but shattered
When your faith is all but killed
You can give up, bitter and battered
Or you can slowly start to build

A beautiful city
Yes, we can; Yes, we can
We can build a beautiful city
Not a city of angels
But finally a city of man.

The Lipstick Chicks are back!

I mean, I have several updates - even some layouts! But take this for now and I'll be back after the kids are off to school next week. Have fun, tally ho!

http://truexoxogirls.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-21-were-back.html

New look, new layouts, new fun!! And we're off!

Don't forget about our current 'like' and comment challenge going on now! You have to Sept. 15th to 'like' our True XoXo Scrapbooking Blog page AND comment on the Aug. 31st post ( http://truexoxogirls.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-true-xoxo.html ) 
to be eligible to become a gdt member for October.

This month our team was inspired by the colors of their own or a favorite blog. Now it's your turn! How will you be inspired?
go to:

http://truexoxogirls.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-21-were-back.html

((Fine print:

The idea is to find inspiration, or scraplift, any of these layouts. Color, design, subject or wording - you may find inspiration in any or all of these. Enter as many times as you like.

• Show your layout on your blog, and link its specific post in the comments section. -or-
• Put your layout in your favorite gallery if you don't have a blog, post in comments. -or-
• or Mister Linky is working below - yay!!

We'd love to know what inspired you, if you have time to write a little about that.

Layouts are due Sept. 30th, midnight your time.
The team will vote on their favorite and the winner will be announced September 5th.
Winner will be our November guest design team member; she will be invited to hang with us in our super secret True XoXo design team Facebook group during October, find out how XoXo designers get their inspiration and will have a layout posted for November blog entry.))

Goodbye, ScrapRoom...

See ya in a week or so.


In case you're wondering what happens around here this time of year... we're gearing up for our free vbs, which we call SummerQuest - I have the delightful opportunity to co-lead a week again this year. We've been prepping and planning for months, but it's always the last week that brings so much work, leaving little time for anything else at all. 


This year, I did learn to leave evenings and a weekend day with family - Tuesday evening we caught fireflies. Thursday we saw Cars 2 with friends. Friday/last night, we had our 2nd annual 4th-of-July party at Pop's shop with neighbors, family and friends. And today, the official day off, we're on our way to my mom's neighbors' house for some Fourth fun the Latin way: loud music, clowns, free ice cream truch, swimming, bouncing, volleyball, a live band, dancing, red, white, blue and LOTS of good food. Later tonight is more fireworks (I can't get enough) on the boat with my parents. 


Tomorrow marks the start to SummerQuest, 75 or so volunteers show up to learn, run thru and setup for this week's - Backstage with the Bible by the Go Fish Guys. After using one of their songs to lead Sunday large group this year, I stumbled upon and fell in love with their music and vbs's. 


Monday morning, 225 little ones show up on GraceOC's campus to live, learn and love Jesus. Prayers welcome! 


So I gladly say goodbye to the scraproom for a full week, can't say I'll miss ya. 


Oh! that's a LSS sneak peek. (= Full post on Sunday over there. 

Little Shop of Sketches - winner!

Didja see? Didja?

Take me to Little Shop of Sketches!

June: A pic a day with my friend Bri - PAUSE!

Well, it turns out that if I put my camera in the shop for some cleaning and repair, it's a bit like cutting off my right arm. {Well, it is two days short of a MONTH, I guess I'm entitled to be a bit fidgety.} All mojo, all vision, all inspiration seems like it's on hold. I guess I'll either try again in July (or 1/2 July, 2nd 1/2 August) or pick this up in September. Look at me, planning!


In the meantime, I would love to spend my time scrapbooking the pictures I actually do have. In between year-end festivities and planning our church's vbs, I wish there was more time!


If you have the time, hop on over to xoxo - there is a new lift up for June and still time to enter!


This month's prize is a subscription to Scrapbooks Etc., magazine...courtesy of our diva donor, Charvonna Stackhouse!


p.s. I miss my camera. 
xoxo

June: A pic a day with my friend Bri ~ day 1 & 2

June 1

Posting a self-portrait. a late-in-the-day pic of me with no makeup, late in the day is kinda scary. Sorry about that, lol!

June 2My favorite shoes? $10 at Target, about 2 years ago. Not too crazy stylish or extraordinary, but the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned!
(Will install pic in a few...)

June: A pic a day with my friend Bri

My friend Bri (who has long surpassed me in talent and popularity, haha!) is doing a fun 30-day Photo Fun project and I thought this was perfect for me to do alongside her in June. June is so so so busy I honestly don't have time to stop and smell the roses.Well, this way maybe I can at least take pictures of them. Wanna play?


I'll post my pics the day after, so stay tuned!!


xoxo

A blog a day in May ~ Camera Woes

Well, it wasn't quite a blog a day in May, but it was close and more than I've ever done I think! Happy June, everyone!

Dear Camera:


I miss you. Please come back safely. You're scheduled to return tomorrow, but I haven't heard anything to back that up. I feel a bit depressed without you here. If I could pray for a camera, I would. Please come back to me soon, delivered like new (or new) by the Geek Squad - thank goodness for Premium Insurance!


xoxo
Yours in clicking,
Lindsey

A blog a day in May ~ Hate?

Okay, I have to do it. I'm sorry, but if this is my journal, I have to write it down to get it off my shoulders.


**pulls over soap box, steps up**


Why hate? What good does it do?


I watched part of an afternoon talk show (which I so rarely ever do) and was kind of appalled. Now, the content was horrible. The situation worse. I understand this. However, Talk Show Host decided, instead of even fathoming forgiveness, to harbor the hatred. To fuel the fight of the haters. To provide details in accusation of the admitted felon, challenging with direct eye contact. The look in the hateful guests' eyes said it all. Decades later, there was no forgiveness, no healing. 


Yes, I understand how horrific it must have been. I understand that some people just aren't capable of forgiving, or so they think. (I can't empathize or appreciate, but I can understand.) But why should the hate be sensationalized? Is this what people want to watch? 


Disgusted, I came to a conclusion that I can live with. 


Hate doesn't heal. Hate won't ever heal. Hate only harbors hate. That hate may lay within a heart for a lifetime. Forgiveness, however difficult it may be, forgiveness opens doors to healing. So why waste time hating?


**shoves soap box back into the corner**


Thanks. TTYL.

But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you
Luke 6:27

A blog a day in May ~ Creative Memories

I'm a fan.

I spent the evening at a friend's house watching a Creative Memories presentation and I have to say: Wow! They've come a long way. The products are updated. The paper is pretty. The digital is really, well, dummy-proof! Sorry... 'user friendly' better? 


((Not to mention it's always fun looking for the work of the uber-talented Nicole Martel in the pages of the catalogs!))


I didn't get much - I got another pack of PicFolio photo pages for the Disney album I've yet to start. No it's okay! I just got the first set of pages a few days ago. Some really cute stuff, I tell ya! 


It was fun going back to where it all began, I'm a fan!

A blog a day in May ~ Waiting

I have nothing exciting to bring to the table today.
I've been too distracted for the last few days waiting for a response. You don't need details, you just need to know that waiting is just about killing me. And no, I'm not waiting for the nd of the world. Waiting for good, waiting for bad; honestly, I really don't know. I'm just praying it out. So, I Googled 'waiting' and this is what I came up with.

No lie. This blogpost was interrupted right now; the email I've been waiting on just arrived with the answer. I had to stop, pray and will read in just a minute. Here we go.
Waiting (the movie)
Waiting or The Waiting - Wikipedia
a couple more about the movie
Waiting the Book

Clearly, I'm not going to find anything helpful this way. Let's try Googling 'waiting Scripture'.
Waiting on the Lord - Bible.org
--- aaah, here it is:
Psa. 27:14 Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.
Psa. 37:9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.

Psalm 62:5 Patiently wait for God alone, my soul! For he is the one who gives me confidence. 
Isaiah 30:18 For this reason the Lord is ready to show you mercy; he sits on his throne, ready to have compassion on you. Indeed, the Lord is a just God; all who wait for him in faith will be blessed. 
and the kicker:
Psalm 130:5 I rely on the Lord, I rely on him with my whole being; I wait for his assuring word. 6 I yearn for the Lord, more than watchmen do for the morning, yes, more than watchmen do for the morning.
some more:
Lamentations 3:25 The Lord is good to those who trust in him, to the one who seeks him. 
Galatians 6:9 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. 


Don't even need to go back to the Google page. Thanks, God.
Father God, thank you for being here for me, thank you for bringing me answers. Please prepare and guard my heart for what I'm about to hear. Let my thoughts, actions and feelings be in Your glory and in Your glory only. In Jesus' name. Amen.

A blog a day in May ~ purple + pink = ?

I think I have a problem. 
I love purple and pink.
Is that a problem?
I'm pretty sure I know from where it stems. I distinctly remember small arguments with my mom over color choices. Those were in the days of dressing in royal purple + bright yellow. Hot pink with teal trim + floral leggings + teal socks, headband. 
But of all the colors I wanted, she never let me have pink + purple.
So here we are decades later and my mom buys an outfit for my daughter: a purple shirt with pink flowers and purple leggings with pink trim to match.
But...? But...!
Now I collect. Can you collect for revenge?
My favorite sweatshirt I found upstate last summer - it's light pink with light purple writing on it. Just the other day I found a brighter purple sweatshirt with bright pink trim.
Yesterday, I was going through my scrapbook paper looking for teal, pink and yellow and I found at least 4 sheets of pink and purple patterned paper. 
Funny, right? 
I think a layout is on the horizon - there's even a crop challenge at Cocoa Daisy about what you're wearing now. Take a look!

A blog a day in May ~ Little Shop of Sketches

How cute is this site?! Got an email today with this sketch in it, so I thought I'd see if I could work it out. Here goes!

Little Shop of Sketches
Sketch #82








just dandy by Lindsey Krauss. Supplies: Paper: Pebbles, Inc., My Little Shoebox, Cardstock: ,Rhinestones: Recollections, Bazzill, Rub-on: Bazzill, Alphabet: My Little Shoebox, Flowers: Prima Inc., other, Brads: Recollections.

A blog a day in May ~ Not Guilty

*bang*bang*bang*
Hey! Sooooo... I missed a few days. But ya know what? For the first time in my life, there are no apologies, no exceptions asked, no guilt whatsoever. It's been fun blogging - more like journaling - to clear my head. And with a day or two missed, it feels fine. Especially since I heard there were blogger bugs this weekend anyway...
*bang*bang*bang*
Hey ScrapStreet gals!
Hey True xoxo chicks!
Hey there Cocoa Daisies!
I know people are reading, even if they're not commenting. For some reason, though, a search must lead many, many people to a post I once titled "Live Your Life with Arms Wide Open" - guess many do a search about living that way. I can tell you how!
*bang*bang*bang*
Anyhow, Friday was nuts with the whole family home. Saturday was crazy with a 9am T-ball game, 12pm birthday party, 2pm baseball game and 5:30 wedding. Sunday? Well, Sunday I did absolutely nothing. I actually sat on the sofa catching up on the dvr for about 70% of the day. It was wonderful. (=
*bang*bang*bang*
Today, as you can tell from all the noise, my husband is working on the finished basement downstairs and I've been dilly dallying in my scraproom all day. Started a layout, hoping to finish. Will post tomorrow.
*bang*bang*bang*
*bang*bang*bang*
Aw, man. Got ear plugs?

A blog a day in May ~ Achoo!

Allergy season is indeed upon us. Matthew's getting hit the hardest in this house, poor guy. Itchy eyes, cough, constantly runny nose. 








Apparently I thought it a good idea to buy tissues on sale. Good tissues, ugly boxes. Our downstairs green & orange bathroom's tissue box needed a major makeover, so, well, I did!


McKenna now wants a purple one and I'm sure Matthew will put an order in soon as well.

 God Bless You!

A blog a day in May ~ Jump!

about the girl

This is my McKenna. Girl after my own heart. Interested in the girly part of life just enough to get by (nails painted - but usually yellow, hair down "like a big girl" - because she doesn't want it burshed, lip gloss occasionally, sparkley shoes but only if they're sneakers and hardly ever a dress to be seen). Much more at interest are: dirt. fun. dirt. school. playing outside. dirt. watching a little Disney channel. dirt. soccer, t-ball, swimming for sure. then dirt. I was that kind of girl, too. I did wear dresses though. In the dirt.

about the photo

On the day I was blessed to serve and hear Tammy Trent at GraceOC's Women's Conference, ten yards of brown mulch was delivered to our driveway. After baseball, the kids and Doug spent all day passing out this mulch into the garden that spans the front of the house and through the driveway. Apparently, jumping and playing in it weren't optional. Apparently, shoes were. At this point, it was senseless to get mad over a pair of socks and it was much more conducive to grab the camera and play. After some in-the-pile shots, I got down as low as I could to add drama to her flight and height. I love everything about her - the hair, the arms, the pointed toes (yay!), the fearlessness. 

My girl. 

A blog a day in May ~ The day after

Sometimes the day after the main event is better than the day of. Maybe it's the feeling of expectations unmet, maybe it's feeling like you didn't do it well enough for someone else. Who knows.

But my day after was the best. With husband home, there was less stress of the daily stuff and even a little more "me" time. Entire family up by 7:15am. Everyone helping out this morning. Husband drove carpool to school today. Pedi's with a friend to start my day. Lots of outside sunshine. Husband cleaned inside and out of both cars and outside of the camping trailer. Deck cover went up, clean cushions on chairs, 2 of 3 meals outside. Husband even cooked dinner. Not sure where the day went but there was lots of light so it doesn't even matter, or I don't really care!
It was a good day. Strange prose in this post, but today was a good day.

A blog a day in May ~ Mother

Happy Mother's Day.
xoxo