Candy mailbox

I have been having a great time whipping up these little mailboxes! The hardest part is stopping myself from eating the chocolate! *sigh*

What to do with those Christmas cards you love!

Each year I struggle with what to do with all those Christmas cards we receive. I have an especially difficult time throwing out the photocards. I love photocards! So I collected my favorites from this year and made this mini album!

The back cover is an old printed transparency that I have been hoarding for a couple of years. I finally used it. Trying to go through my stash and actually use stuff that I have. I don't care that its not the latest and greatest products! It's fun and solves a problem! So there!

Just a Wife and Mom? Just put down the pitchfork!

The New Year is always a good time for a little self evaluation. A fresh start! I have really been thinking and praying about God's direction in my life. Am I doing what I was made to do?

To be honest, my deepest desire and longing is to be a wife and a mother. I think that is a pretty bold statement. My generation was told that you can be anything you want to be! Hearing that over and over has really caused me a lot of confusion. The idea of picking just one career was just so overwhelming. What if I want to be just a wife and a mother? Is that O.K?

Lately, there has been a firestorm  of debate over the Stay-at-home Mom vs. Working Out of the Home Mom. This has been a issue for a very long time. Yet, it seems to be getting quite a bit of press lately. It is a decision that each family has to make. The two extreme sides of the debate seem to get most of the press. It can at times become a nasty debate.

Right now I am in a season of my life where I must work outside of the home. I have been extremely blessed to have a wonderful job! I really find a great deal of joy in what I do. I am very thankful for my job! I am blessed!

Michael and I do not have children at this time. While we both deeply want to be parents, it is just not what God has for us right now. That is a mighty hard pill to swallow sometimes, I have faith. I have faith that someday we will be parents. It could be from natural birth, adoption, foster care or by some other means.

Back to the debate! Each family has to make the decision on what works best for their families. I don't think it is fair for either side to look down at the other. We have all been called to do different things. Some have been called to be doctors. Some have been called to be teachers or writers. Some are called to stay at home. Isn't it wonderful that each of us is called to a different purpose?! 

In our church small group I have been learning a pretty important lesson. Each of us has a story. You never know what another person's story is.  Yesterday, I heard some pretty powerful testimonies. I never would have thought that these amazing people have gone through such struggles.

You don't know what paths their lives have taken.

So lets put down our pitch forks and agree to encourage one another. Let's agree to lift each other up. Let's agree to seek out the plan for our lives, whatever path that may be.

Scripture References:

“The Lord will guide you continually …” (Isaiah 58:11)

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5)

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass … Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” 

(Psalm 37:4,7)

Getting Crafty

One of my resolutions for 2011 is to get crafty! To go along with my word of the year, I really want to make things for my family and friends! Isn't that little owl adorable!

The smaller one is attached to a hairpin.

A simple Christmas digi layout!

 

Each year, Ali Edwards chooses a word to focus on in the New Year. I've decided to jump on the bandwagon and choose a word for 2011. I have chosen "Remember." 

I chose this word for a few reasons. During the past year my short term memory has really become horrible. I've never been good at remembering things, but this year I have noticed the decline and so have a few other people. This is concerning due to the fact that I am only 31 years old. 

My parents gave me an iPod touch for Christmas. What an amazing little technological wonder. I can read e-mail, listen to music, watch movies, go on Facebook, and about a million other things. I could even taze people! Ha! Ha! There is a tazer app! No joke! I am extremely thankful for the calendar function. I can plug in appointments, birthdays, and other things I need to remember! This tiny little marvel has helped me to stay focused. Well...not entirely,but leaps and bounds from even a month ago.

I also chose that little word to help me to be more mindful of others, to remember others. I have a friend named Jessica who is a great role model in remembering people. She sends out cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and just because. I always look forward to her kind words and encouragement. I asked her what her secret is! She told me that she sets aside a bit of time each month to make and write all the cards for that month! Yay for organized and deliberate kindness!

In 2011 I want to remember...

                                              my family and friends

                                              people in my sphere of influence

                                              people in need

                                              where the heck my keys and that Cricut cartridge are!

New Favorite Finds

Paper Clipping Roundtable Podcast

You have to listen! It is funny,informative and free! I love to listen during my commute to and from work. It makes the time go by quickly!

I plan to get a membership to the Paperclipping website in May when that Gym membership runs out! I had a sneak peek of a few videos and they are fabulous!

Mish Mash

An amazing blog by Michelle Wooderson! Lots of pretty cards and scrapbooking layouts.

Martha Stewart Scoring Board

I stalked this fun tool for a few months and finally purchased one. I am so glad I did! You can make envelopes and perfect cards. It is very easy to use. If I can figure it out, anybody can! Seriously!

Jr. Legal Pad Notebook cover!

 

Here is a little notebook cover that I whipped up on Sunday! Super easy! :D

I first saw this project at a Stampin' Up demonstration by Nicole Turgrul.

Here is the tutorial that I used to make this project! Jr. Legal Pad Notebook Cover

My favorite part is the the matching pen! 

This little baby is off to Texas!