Christmas Giving

Tonight we were able to have dinner with Missy & Connor at mom and dad's. They leave Wednesday for home and I won't see them until the end of February 2009. I'm grateful that mom and I are able to take a vacation to see them after their new family addition arrives. So, tonight I wanted to give Missy her Christmas gift so I could see her open it.

















The gift was a framed photo of her mom (my sister) when she was about 3-4 years old. Extra special since she passed over a year ago from cancer. Just an heirloom I wanted to frame for Missy to have for her wall. I was pleased with the finished product so I must share:

It brought a tear to her eye and she thanked me sincerely. I was so happy she liked it and was glad I was able to give it to her in person while she was home. After all, isn't Christmas all about giving.














Happy Holidays!

Sketch Challenge

There are many blogs I read almost daily. A favorite would be Fresh & Fun. Today when I checked this blog I was pleasantly surprised to see that a new sketch challenge had been posted. While I've never participated in a challenge, I have had thoughts of doing so. Timing is usually the issue, but being it is Friday, I had time to actually think and make a submission.

















So this is my submission for the Weekend Sketch Challenge (WSC67) Entry #101. Wish me luck!

Peace.

Catching Up!

It has been some time now since I blogged. The schedule is hectic from week to week, but with the Cross Country season winding down it will free up some weekend time. I think I may get to start sleeping in and relaxing a bit on Saturday mornings. YEAH!

I'm still jogging 2-3 times a week. I'm still somewhat shocked that I've been consistent with this new exercise, but I do love being outdoors in God's creation. That coupled with the fact that I want to stay in good health as I age and we are constantly told how good exercise is for our bodies. It's a way I can praise God and show my thanks for sustaining my health. And as long as the legs still move, why not let them carry me down a beautiful tree lined street or trail. Right?!?!?

Recently acquired a Cricut Expression machine. I am having so much fun scrapbooking and making cards with this new tool. It has provided hours of fun already. Can't wait to make some gifts and boxes with it. Good holiday ideas floating around in my head lately. . .

Well, it's late, and tomorrow is Friday! Yes! Looking forward to the weekend. Good luck at Regionals RLHS Cross Country team!!! Go Saders!!!!!

Stamp Creations

Well, I'm so proud of the cards and scrapbook pages that I made yesterday, I just had to take time to share. These cards were made with pictures we took on vacation this year while visiting Washington DC. They were taken in the Botanic Gardens.




The scrapbook pages are from pictures I took while my niece and her family were home from Siapan, before heading to their new assignment in Alaska. We took two days and met them in Galena, Illinois and spent the days shopping and hanging out.


















Isn't my great nephew just the cutest little boy ever. OK, ok, I'm biased, I know.

Today I spent the day at my parents mowing the grass. Almost finished the whole yard before the mower died and decided it wasn't going to run anymore. That's alright, I was tired anyway.


TTFN!

Sad News

Yesterday, 7/25/08, the world new brought us the sad news that Randy Pausch had passed away. If you have not heard of the remarkable man that Randy was, take the time now to familiarize yourself with his Last Lecture. It has value for anyone.

Today my DH and oldest daughter left for a servant event trip with our church's youth. They are traveling to Virginia and right now I'm thinking it would be really nice for the phone to ring and have them tell me they have arrived safe and sound.

To pass the time today, I spent the day scrapbooking and making cards with one of my dear friends. I will post the pages and a few of the cards later, just a little tired tonight to work on it.

Hope you all had a great day! Until next time . . . .

I DID IT!!!

The second week in April I began jogging. I have consistently been jogging now for 9 weeks in an effort to stay healthy, keep fit, and ward off any potential health risk. Just this week I was able to run 2 complete miles without having to stop and walk. Yeah, another goal reached. Last weekend, my dear running friend turned me on to a 3K race that was held today. She encouraged me to sign up and try it just to get a feel for it. So I accepted her invitation and signed up. My goal was to jog the whole thing without stopping and set a pace for myself to see what kind of time I could make. Well, I'm thrilled to report that I met my goal and exceeded the time I thought I would make. I was able to job the whole thing and even found enough energy to sprint the last 100 meters. I finished in 19 minutes and 42 seconds. I was so awe struck that I finished under 20 minutes. I had no idea I could do a 10:35 mile. I was 10th in my age bracket, but I really have no idea how many were in the bracket to begin with. :-) I was so pumped all day today. It feels good to be getting in shape and really starting to see progress with my exercise goals. YEAH 4 ME!!!

Blessings to each of you!

Mom's 71st Birthday

Today was the final performance of High Skate Musical at the Ice Arena. Kelsey was part of the group called Tinsel Town.




















She skated flawlessly. After the show we all came back to our home for a birthday celebration. Grandpa brought the ice princess a beautiful bouquet of flowers for such a wonderful performance.
















We celebrated mom's 71st birthday today. We surprised her with a Wii game system with the Sports pack. So after we ate, we hooked up the game and took turns playing. It was a hoot! Now everyone wants to know when we are going to have time to visit Grandma. Do you really think they want to see Grandma or play the Wii?























Have a great week!
Jackie

I've been obsessing lately about the Cricut Expression cutter that The Pink Stamper highlighted in her blog. This electronic cutter looks awesome in that it will cut letters, shapes, and phrases any size you want. The DH and I discussed how we should each take some fun money from the economic stimulus check coming our way and spend it on ourselves. I'm trying to find some valid feedback on this product from those of you that may have one. Is it worth the money? Does it work as described? Is it durable?

Since I have been thinking so much of my scrapbooking, I had to take time tonight to do a little. Here's a 6X6 page I made of my nephews school pictures.






















Handsome boys aren't they.

Currently reading a book called Outflow: Outward-Focused Living in a Self-Focused World, by Steve Sjogren & Dave Ping for our Sunday morning bible study. Current reading talks about how we can minister by being good listeners. God is really speaking to me about listening instead of talking.

Scripture for today:
Proverbs 25:15 "Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear."

God Bless.

Happy 70th Birthday

Happy 70th Birthday to my Godmother and Aunt, Shirley.


We all celebrated with her at Red Lobster today. It was nice to have Theresa, Kari, and Joy home to celebrate with us.

My cousin Joy and I are the same age and had the privilege of growing up together. Now she lives with her family in Colorado. Here's a picture of the two of us at the party today.












It is great to get together with family and catch-up on one another's lives.

Hope you are having a blessed day!

Presents

Today I received my birthday present from my niece. She sent me this adorable little bag:

Inside the little bag was an adorable little dog stamp. She knows that stamper within me would love it . . . and I do. From the packaging I think she must have purchased it during her vacation in Japan?!?!?

The package also included these new dish clothes & pot scrubber:



















All hand made I might add. She is so incredibly talented. When she said she had shipped my birthday gift, I was almost certain it was something handmade. And anyone that knows me, knows that handmade gifts from the heart are the best!!!

Today was a better day after yesterday. Yesterday started with the news that a classmate of my daughters had passed away. He had fallen ill during track practice the night before and taken to the hospital. He died later than evening, cause of death still unknown. It was a hard morning for my oldest having been at practice with him when he fell ill the night before. Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts remain with his family. Please pray for God's peace for his family, friends, classmates, and fellow athletes.

Let me close with this scripture:
"your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be."
-- Psalm 139:16
May each of us use the time and talents given us here on earth to glorify our Father in heaven.

God's Peace.

Blog Candy

Just entered to win this blog candy. You should too!

http://nikkiscardsandnews.blogspot.com/2008/03/15000-hits-blog-candy.html

Doesn't it look yummy? Hope I win!!!

I have come across so many stamping blogs recently. I love seeing different ideas.

This week has brought the need to make sympathy cards. My Watercolor Minis (Stampin' Up! Retired) stamp set is one of my favorites and I always love how my cards turn out when I use it. Here's what I created this week.



Today I'll be getting together with my Stampin' Friend (BK). Can't wait to see what we will create and I have a few new stamped items to show her.

Have a great day!

Family

Today after church, we had lunch and the HSS left for a week of education. Mixed feelings about the absence, but the rest of the family pulls together to support one another when one is absent. That is the totally awesome part. I reminded an offspring today, "you never fully realize what you have until it's gone". Thankfully only gone for a short while. We look forward to the return at the end of the week.

We took the free afternoon to visit family. Great Grandpa's health continues to decline and the family is working to keep him comfortable. At 92 he has lost his will to live. Having lived through losing a daughter and wife to cancer, he is just ready to go home. I can't say I blame him. Mom seems to be holding up alright, but she isn't getting a whole lot of rest. I felt reassured after visiting today that she is alright at this point. She is taking the situation one day at a time and hoping she doesn't have to place him in a nursing home.

Received an email from my tree hugger niece. That brightened my day. She received the package of goodies I mailed to her and like the selection of stamps I sent. YEAH!!! I'm always looking to recruit new stampers.

Until next time . . . May God Bless your day!

Took time today to stamp!!! Met with my upline for a bit this am to stamp a few new projects that are good for hostess gifts. The time I spend stamping goes so fast. Now I have a whole new list of items I want to order.

Also Celebrating today! My family took me for dinner to my favorite Mexican restaurant for a pre-birthday dinner. Same place they took me last year, with the exception of a few choice loved ones. It was nice!!! And . . . they were so gracious to tell the waiter it was my birthday. They bring this big sombrero and place it on your head and sing Happy Birthday in Spanish. So that naturally captures the attention of the whole restaurant. Embarrassing . . to say the least!!! I'll spare you the pictures that LSS took. Then to top it off we stopped at the craft store on the way home. That was a nice end to the evening. Only bought a few brads, but the cashier was nice enough to let me know that there will be a 50% off coupon in the paper tomorrow and with my receipt I get 20% off my entire next purchase. YEAH!!! Shopping anyone?

God Bless!

Joining the Blogging Community

This is my first post to my blog that was created today. I'm new and leary of this new world, so I'm venturing out of my "comfort zone".

Today the weather is beautiful. Any day with sun and the temperature above freezing is beautiful in my book after this long winter we have experienced. Most of us midwesterners are ready for spring, sun, and flowers at this point.

I'm hoping to learn how to upload some of my stampin' artwork, but we'll see how that goes. If anyone has any suggestions or tips for new bloggers, please feel free to respond.

Peace & Love