Two More

Here's two more layouts to add to my latest. The first is this week's scripture challenge (6x6). And the second is my layout for this week's Bible Study topic (9x9).

There were several topics that were covered in this week's Bible Study because it was an overview of Galations. I chose to focus on my found freedom in God's forgiveness. Thank you so much to Patti for sending this picture she took of me in Texas--this is the second layout I've used it on, so I'm glad she sent it!

Journaling: Growing up I wasn't a rebellious child. I generally obeyed my parents and God. But there are a few things I did that haunt me. Outright sin! I've been very burdened by those transgressions, and I constantly ask for forgiveness. Thinking of those sins makes me physically ill! And it wasn't until recently that I realized the DEVIL is burdening me! GOD has forgiven me and is ready for me to look forward. I've denied God's forgiveness and given Satan power over me, and in turn not helped my witnessing power. NO MORE! I now accept God's forgiveness and vow to leave my past in the past where it belongs.

Latest Creations

Well there's one thing I can say about a new year with new challenges (namely the scripture challenge Patter is hosting), and that is I've got the scrapping bug again. I spent the last few months of 2007 in a creative rut, just not finding my groove, but I've really enjoyed the last few things I've done even when they aren't totally "perfect" in my view. The mini album was created for Noel's next challenge--everyone should do one of these for themselves simply because as scrappers we are usually focused on pictures/stories of everyone else and we tend to forget to tell our own story. It's nice to create something that's just about you. And I've really got the card bug right now too. My cards aren't near what I wish they were, but I'm really lovin' the fact that I can use my scraps and extras to create a beautiful card that may just make someone's day. I'm hoping I'll get around to doing some more layouts soon, but for now I've shared my current favorite at the bottom of this post. I love it because it's another layout celebrating just how special Clayton is!

JOURNALING: Chris Reeve has nothing on you, Clayton! You’ve been through so many battles and struggles in your short life that you definitely qualify as the REAL SUPERMAN!

Week Two

The word for this week's scripture challenge was kindness. A little tougher than faith. I had to delve into my Bible to find a verse that really spoke to me on the topic. There are many references to God's kindness to us, but I was looking more for His directions for us to be kind. Finally found it in Galations:

(6x6)

Don't Forget

Noel's Holiday Kits are on sale right now!

Living Beyond Yourself

Tonight is the first night of my "Scrapbooking Your Faith" class. We will be using Beth Moore's "Living Beyond Yourself" as our study guide. This particular study focuses on the Fruits of the Spirit. Tonight will basically be an introductory night--we'll work on the title page of our album and discuss the upcoming classes. I'm also going to share the Scripture Challenge with them so they can participate in that if they want. I have twelve people signed up--I'm hoping they all stick with it, because I really feel like they'll love having what they learned in an album when we're done.

(9x9)

I won't go into all the trouble we've had getting books . . . apparently this is the most popular study going right now and they ARE NO BOOKS in this state until Thursday! I ended up making copies of the first week's stuff for everyone. I'm just a stickler for making my plan work once I've got it down. I could have waited a week, but I planned to get started tonight, so by goodness, I'm starting tonight! How's that for obsessive?!

A Tribute

I had to say goodbye to an old friend this weekend.

My parents got Maggie when I was in college and I really didn't live with her for that many years, but she was definitely a part of my life, and a part of my parents' home. She had been struggling for a long time with her hip problems, so it was definitely time to ease her pain. I'm thinking these pictures were taken in 1997 or 1998--not really sure, but it was in the prime of her life. Maggie was a typical lab--only satisfied if she was touching someone. Always needing some more lovin'! My favorite memory will always be how Brian described her as "emotional." As soon as you walked in my parents' door, she would cry and wag her tail like she hadn't seen you in years! Definitely another lab trait I'm thinking. One of the best things about Maggie was you didn't have to worry about anyone or any animal hurting you if she was around. She could love, but she could be fierce if need be. Her bark and growl would scare even the bravest attacker, be it man or beast! And most recently, I think of Clayton and Maggie. She never really paid him any mind, and in his lifetime she'd basically be content to lay around and sleep. But Clayton would rather talk about her over our own dog who pesters him more than Maggie ever has! It's interesting that he's always mentioning Maggie in any conversation.

So goodbye, Maggie. We will miss your companionship and your protection. And more HUGE ((((((HUGS)))))))) to my parents who are definitely feeling the loss.

Week One

Late as usual, I decided at the last minute to participate in Patter's 2008 Scripture Challenge. I'm doing a little 6x6 book--and I can't wait to see the finished product--52 weeks worth of scripture to reference and look back on! I just pray I have the endurance to see it through!

I picked this verse because I always think of it in reference to faith. I learned it as a child in Sunday School and it made a huge impression on me because our teacher gave us all a little mustard seed to put in our Bibles. (Great idea she had--bet she never knew it how well it would help me remember that verse!)

A Case of the Lazies

I have been worthless since Christmas! I basically just want to sit and scrap or find a good movie on t.v. and sit and stare at it for a few hours. I have plenty to do around here--a mother's work is never done, right? But still I put things off, procrastinating as usual. I've also got some errands to run and places to go, but can't get fired up about getting myself presentable for the world. I'm hoping I'll get a spurt of energy later today, but it's looking doubtful!

Been Scrapping

I'm finally getting the scrapping bug again! I kinda lost my mojo there for a while, but I can feel it creeping back in. :) Here's a few layouts that I've done lately. The first one is kind of a tribute layout to Clayton's speech therapist. After three and a half years, she had to quit seeing Clayton due to scheduling conflicts, and I hated to see her go. And although he still has speech therapy, she brought him a long way during her three years with him.

These next Christmas layouts were all made with Noel Mignon's Holiday Kits.

I made this last one for a cool KISS challenge that Noel has going right now. This pic was taken in the NICU and I can't believe how much Clayton looks like a little doll! He was so tiny at that point and that was after he had grown a bunch!

Good Intentions

Long before Christmas, I had a great idea for Clayton's therapists' gifts. I would have gotten started on them then if I had known how long it would take to get them put together! I have them ready, I just want to get them framed and it looks like they'll be Valentine's Day gifts by the time they get them! They are 5 x 5, so I bought 5 x 5 frames, which makes total sense, right? Wrong. In those frames, you can't see the whole design that my friend Christina made for me. So I decided to go back up to Hobby Lobby yesterday to see if they could custom frame them for me. She recommended I come back next week when custom framing is half off (no problem there) and then she said that it will take about two weeks to actually get the frames in! So these special little gifts probably won't be so special when they finally open them. Kind of anticlimatic in a way, but I'm willing to wait in order to get them how I originally pictured them in my head!

Welcome 2008!

Ringing in the new year for us always means celebrating Brian's birthday as well. And although he was a total dud on New Year's Eve (he was asleep by 9:00!), we did have a full day yesterday to make up for it. We started out watching the game at my aunt and uncle's house (pretty sorry game, to say the least). We had cake and ice cream and made it through "Happy Birthday to You" without even making Clayton cry!

We then moved on to some friends' of ours for dinner. Had our lucky black-eyed peas and I kindly passed over the cabbage . . . In Clayton's perfect timing, his Milk of Magnesia kicked in while we were there. I won't go into major details, but I will say that his clothes had to be washed while we were there and I'm super glad it happened at a home that has a child in diapers--they had plenty of wipees and the poop didn't seem to bother them much (or so they said!). Clayton had so much fun at their house despite the pooping. Their little girl is so great about playing with him and including him in every activity. And she was determined to hold him even though I'm pretty sure he weighs more than her!

Christmas Pics!

As usual, the Christmas pics are pretty random. It's usually so chaotic that it's hard to get a good pic (not to mention it's usually too dark to get a great shot). But at any rate, here is a sampling of Christmas for us. Last year, I got a group shot of my dad's family, and this year we were able to get one of my mom's family. My only wish is that the out-of-staters could have been there for it!

A Star is Born!

Okay, so we all knew he was already a star! But his first real public performance was this weekend at the church during our Christmas music. The toddlers and preschoolers were supposed to ring the bells to "Jingle Bells" and wave streamers during "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy." Needless to say, it was a HOOT! (The second pic shows him in action). I was so proud, laughing and crying at the same time!!! Clayton started out strong on both songs, but by the end of the first verse of both songs, he was bored--just staring at everyone like "what the heck are we doing up here?!" He even tried to sing along a couple of times. Lots of people who never see him in action came up to me after church--they were so surprised he could do so much. I was glad he got to show a little of what he's good at . . . someday I know he'll be playing music for them!

ETA: Christmas pics coming soon . . .

Thursday

--Clayton doesn't feel good. Stuffy nose, runny nose, and I'm pretty sure sore throat because mine is raw as well. He does think his voice sounds cool though because he's just sitting around saying "OH." Like he's just listening to himself!

--Still not finished shopping!

--Got lots to do before this weekend and what I really want to do is just sit and scrap.

--Our Christmas music is Sunday night. Clayton is supposed to ring a bell and sing Jingle Bells with the toddlers/preschoolers. Should be very interesting! I'm supposed to sing, and I'm hoping my throat is much better by then.

--Dr. Berlinski gave us permission to start weaning Clayton from his oxygen more aggressively. Can't wait to see how he does! (But I think I'll wait until this cold passes though).

WOW!

Talk about a Random Act of Kindness! I opened the mail today only to find that an anonymous gift giver had sent us a very BIG gift card to Wal-Mart!! And everyone knows that Wal-Mart has everything, so we'll be putting it to good use! I don't know who you are, but Brian and I send a very BIG THANK YOU for blessing us this Christmas. We so appreciate you thinking of us and we will definitely be paying it forward.

Scrapbooking Your Faith

Here is the little flier I've prepared to advertise my upcoming Bible Study. You'll have to double click on it to enlarge it enough to read.

I left off my contact information for obvious reasons, but those of you who are close enough to attend know how to get in touch with me about signing up. Can't wait to hear from you!

Feeling Better

For the last three days I've been dealing with a constant stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, and super itchy eyes. I'm guessing it had to do with the fact that one day it was in the fourties, then the next day seventies (all the while being 100% humidity). Whatever it was, I couldn't concentrate on anything because I was distracted constantly by needing to breathe! I woke up this morning feeling much better. No sneezing at least. That's a relief! Must be that medicine my mom brought me last night! Her medicine is always better than my own! I'm still going to take it easy today because I was busy the whole time I was feeling bad and that made it even worse. At any rate, I can already tell I'm going to have a much better day today!

Monday

--I actually did a little Christmas shopping today. Don't know what got into me!

--Got to scrap a little last night. Nothing spectacular, but I was creative nonetheless.

--This weather is WACKY.

--Clayton is lovin' singing Christmas carols!

--Bible Study + scrapbooking: it's coming to my church, led by Yours Truly! (details to come soon)

--Helped Debbie strip wallpaper this weekend. Remind me to NEVER hang wallpaper in my future homes!

Thursday

--I am not a Christmas present shopper. I want to buy something the person will *LOVE* so searching for the perfect gift becomes a futile search

--I had lots of ideas for handmade presents this year. The trick is to actually get started on them

--It's chilly here today, but tomorrow it's supposed to be back up in the seventies. December in Arkansas.

--Our Pastor gave me an assignment and because I'm obsessive/compulsive I've been brainstorming constantly about it even though I have plenty of time to get a plan together. I was super tired last night and still couldn't sleep because I was making lists and outlines in my head. I seriously need help!

--haircut today, about two weeks too late!

--And on that note, I've gotta get out of here because Clayton is "READY TO GO, MOMMA!"

Went Bowling

Brian and I had a rare night without Clayton (THANKS MOM AND DAD!), and we took the chance to do something we wouldn't normally do with him. We went bowling with Stacey and Rod, and boy, are we ever horrible at bowling! Of course I knew I wasn't any good, but our whole group was pretty sad. So sad that we abandoned the bowling alley after just one game! (Off to eating, which is something we are very good at!) Here are some of the few good pics we got out of the night. I'm sure Stacey will love that I'm sharing the last one--I think she was attempting a celebratory toe touch or something to that effect, and I just happened to catch her mid-air!