Trying Something New...

Okay, hoping this works.  I am hoping that when I wake up my blog post will have magically appeared at the appointed time.  See, I just realized that I could schedule my blog posts to post at a set time.  How cool is that?  In the morning I am often busy or totally fog-headed and so I forget sooo much of what I want to say or need to say.  I like to do my posts at night sometimes, so this is the perfect solution!  Was it here nice and early?

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Anyway...

Life is good.  Crazy, but good.  We were out of town AGAIN the last two days and doing lots of stuff.  So good to see people and get out but OH THE FEELING of coming "home" again.  Of course we aren't really "home", but it is close enough for now.  Only a few more days.

I explained all this in the post that got lost, but we decided that we wouldn't make the kids endure three days in the car.  I am going to fly to Orlando with Alaina and Levi and Jason and Caleb are going to drive down with Jason's dad.  They will do it in two days, or maybe even drive straight through.  They will arrive Saturday (as in FOUR days from now!) and then we get in Sunday.  That's right!  Only FIVE more days and we will FINALLY, after EIGHT months of waiting, be in Orlando.  Our new home.  Can't wait.  I did find out that we won't be able to get into our house right away.  I was upset at first but then just took a step back and recognized that God is in charge.  It doesn't matter.  We will be together and we will be fed and housed and clothed.  Our needs are taken care of.  Why complain?

Five days.  Wow.  Soooo excited.

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So, on to the stuff I have forgotten to mention over the past week or two...

** Did you see this??

I am sooooo excited for this!  I really, really LOVE challenges.  I love the be stretched and I love trying new things.  I love having guidelines to follow.  I love the cool pages that come out of challenges.  My only problem is that I never *have* to do them.  So, they don't get done.  But by being on the team, I *have* to do them, so now it moves way up my priority list.  Love that.  Love the fun, fun things in store. 

The first Dare for me was to

Dare #40: So Emotional

Is there something in life that you just get so emotional over? Could it be your children, husband, career? What about something that creates negative emotions? Or even the emotions of those close to you: what really makes your kid happy? Or even mad?

Is there something in life that you just get so emotional over? Could it be your children, husband, career? What about something that creates negative emotions? Or even the emotions of those close to you: what really makes your kid happy? Or even mad?

Well I dare you to scrap an emotion! Happy, sad, angry, hurt, joyful, giggly…any emotion!

Dare Flair

• Your page must be scrapped in PRIMARILY (80%+) 1 color, the color that represents most closely the emotion you’re scrapping (see list below). Different shades of the same color are fine.
• You must include at least 1 picture representing the emotion.
• There has to be at least 2 patterned papers and 1 paper tear on your page!

Here is my LO:

Credits: Background paper by Shabby Princess (Occasions), polka-dotted paper by Dani Mogstad (Rock Star), pipe cleaner flower by Katie Hadfield, staples by Shabby Miss Jenn (Mia’s Room), word art by MandaBean, fim strip by Gina Cabera, date stamp by Amber Clegg, paper tear by Steph Krush. Font is teen.

I haven't started this weeks DARE yet but I have some ideas spinning around :)


And here is a LO I just finished up...

Joana Carvalho's LITTLE FISH BOY available at Catscrap. Staple by Shabby Miss Jenn. "C" alpha by Michelle Coleman. Font is Mom's Typewriter.

So, what else??  Oh yea!  Father's Day!  I completely forgot to mention it.  I swear, my head is in such a fog due to traveling and lack of sleep!  I am surprised I remembered to even tell Jason Happy Father's Day!  But, I did remember and we had a good day.  We were still at our friends house but we were excited to give him our gifts so we did it there.  I got Jason a mug from Shutterfly with this on it...





I also got him this book...



Then, for his "big" gift, I gave him a DVD slideshow of pictures from the last four years.  I hadn't done a slideshow before (well, I haven't done a successful one) but I bought a wonderfully simple program that was soooo easy to use!  It turned out great!  And I loved seeing the tears in my hubby's eyes as he watched over 250 pictures of him and his kiddos.  He is seriously the most AMAZING father.  When I met him over ten years ago, I told my friend that he was going to be a GREAT father.  At that time, I had no idea he would be the father to *my* kids, nor did I have any desire for that to be the case.  But when we "re-met" two years later, and now have spent the last nine years together, I look back at that moment and knew that God was preparing me for the man of my dreams.  NOTHING gets me more than a Daddy who loves his kids.  He doesn't do stuff out of obligation, or routine.  He does everything he does because he utterly and completely ADORES our kids and LOVES to be with them.  My heart just burst with pride. Love that man.

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I also have another piece of ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL (to me!) news but I don't know if I can spill yet.  Totally scrapping related!  All I can say is one of my big scrapping dreams has come true. Eek!

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Alrighty then.  Need to say farewell...lots to catch up on still, one VERY sick little girl to love on, life to be lived. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday. 

Need a song to sing today?  This one has me totally captivated and in awe.  Love old hymns!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

Comments

[Erika]

Mmmm, loooove that hymn! Amazing words. Can't wait to see you on Sunday, when do you get in? (I'm trying to make sure I have time to go for a walk or out to coffee or something with you!)

[PaulineLucille]

Okay well Brian HAS to like you now-LOL! HE looooves old hymns too:) :) And hmmmm...can I guess your big scrapping news???? Oh I have a guess-LOL but I won't say it. Heeeheee:):):) Congrats on the digi-dares too!!!! LOOOOOVE that LO you did for it too--gorgeous as usual!!

[Stephanie]

Inquiring minds want to know..... what program you used to make the slideshow? I've thought about doing something like this, but I figured it would be beyond my abilities. Anyway, love the LO's. I put your dare #40 one in my faves at DST earlier this week =) Have a super safe trip with Alaina & Levi!

[Marci]

That has always been one of my favorite hymns and has wonderful memories attached to it. You've given me a page idea and I know I'll spend the day humming/singing that sone, so it will be a blessed day.

[Rona]

Congrats on the Dare gig! You have the most beautiful pages, and your words always inspiring...both on the blog and on your pages. Eye candy and inspiration all at one place!

Thanks, Janet!

[MandaKay]

God is wanting me to see and remember his faithfullness this week I think. We sang this song for the last song in church on Sunday and I had the ole tears welling up due to stuff in life!!! Praise God for these God moments! We so easily forget our Sunday experiences and this was just a nice reminder!

Looks like a great book you got for Jason - I have/read his book First-Time Mom (http://www.drleman.com/books-parenting/first-time-mom.php#loadIEAnchor)
when I was pregnant with Braelyn - probably the last full book I read - LOL! Great stuff! I bet the mug looks great and Jason is also so blessed to have you!

OK - I can barley stand the suspense - oh wait maybe I know....hmmmm

[Lauren Barden]

Ohh, I meant to email you when I saw your name on the Darers list to say CONGRATS!! I always forget to do the dares but I'll try and keep up - I'm sure you'll have great challenges for us all. :)

I hate secrets!! That's all I'm saying! ;)