Birthday Cards

These cards were inspired by some cards I saw on splitcoaststampers and different blogs.

Special Ocassion Cards

 This one I made when my Brother-in-law's Father-in-law died.

 This one I made for my son, Parker's 21st birthday.

 This one is for my husband, William's 50th Birthday. That is a copy of a picture of him as a little boy. I love it!!!

 This is one I made for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day this year.

 This is my husband's Father's Day card this year.

This one I made for my son, Jordan, when he turned 20 this summer. That is a picture of him marching in one of the three parades he was in on July 4th in the Chicago area this year.

Aunt's Brag Book

This little memory book I made for a friend at school who was going to be an aunt for the first time.

Valentines

Okay my sister says I need to be better a posting the cards I make. Really all my ideas are adapted from something I have seen on "Splitcoaststampers" or helpful suggestions from my sisters Cindy and Malia. These are some Valentines I made this year.

DCI Memory Tri-Folds

After arriving home from the DCI World Championship in Indianapolis I made these for my sons as a memory of their summer 2012. I was inspired by some 8 x 8 scrapbook pages is saw on "Splitcoaststampers."

Vietnam Teacher's Conference

Wow, what a great SET teacher's conference we have had this year. We have met some amazing teachers, professors and parents. As we have created "Where's Waldo?" type rice bottles and other center manipulatives, sang songs, read stories and played games, we have seen smiles and laughter abound. The teachers have been really open to the training and teaching methods we have tried to share with them. I think the kindergarten children in Vietnam will be very blessed to have such wonderful teachers and parents.
My health has been relatively good this time so far. I had a bit of queasiness last night that kept me from eating dinner. I think it was from being really tired. I slept most all night from 5:45-4:30 this morning. I only we was out of bed from 6:30-7:10 to try and go downstairs to have dinner. Unfortunately I couldn't.This made me really sad. The staff here at the hotel went to a lot of trouble to make an amazing dinner that looked incredible. They were all so kind that I was truly blessed by their generosity.

Tonight half of us head up to Bac Ha on the train immediately after the conference I cannot wait to be back there. I love the peaceful way of life up there and the beauty of nature that is all around. We are hoping that the quick turn around from the conference and getting on the train on time will not be a problem.

Satisfaction in God

Today in Matthew 14:13-21 God revealed some powerful messages. One was in the first verses. Right away God showed me that people realized Jesus' message was so different that they came from miles around to hear him. I must ask myself am I acting and speaking in such a way that people would come from miles away to hear & ultimately find "J"
Next Jesus' faith is so strong that was completely unwavering in his mind. He never had an ounce of doubt that God would provide what is needed. Oh, I pray for that unwavering mind that would never doubt God's provision in my or our time of need.
Also, the people were satisfied after God provided for them. I see that when God provides we are at peace and rest. God is the source of my satisfaction. Do I recognize the source of my full heart and body.

Last of all, God revealed how Jesus put his needs aside to love people. May my love overcome my exhaustion and may that lead to a miracle here.

Empty Nest Lesson 1

Wow what an ambivalent battle I am learning to wage at this in my life this summer. I was not prepared for this feeling of pride in my sons being so independent, strong and happy, and yet missing them so much that I fight that urge to become meddlesome & overbearing. Yeah, you all remember when we were in college or our early adult years, we would listen our friend as he/she would bemoan as they told us yet again of that worrisome over-meddling parent story. We would sigh heavily with them and shake our heads. Now that I am that parent whose children have grown and flown away, I battle everyday drawing on strength from the Holy spirit to find that balance of letting your adult child know you still love them and will always be there for them but not becoming the interfering parent I don't think anyone could have truly prepared me for this journey. Only God walking next to me every step do I feel myself stronger and wiser.