2 Sketches 4 You- Laura's Bonus Sketch

I had to try to bonus sketch over at 2S4Y this week! Thank you Laura (Lulu) for this wonderful sketch!

I Just Couldn't Help Myself *Laura's Sketch #20*

I loved Laura's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You so much this week, that I had to make another card from it. I have a feeling I will be using this sketch over and over!!

Desperately Seeking Sunshine

I'm one of those people whose mood is definitely affected by the sun. I LOOOOOOOOOVE the sunshine and when those warm sunny rays shine through my window, I can feel my spirits start to rise. It seems like this winter has been a little grayer than most and I am longing for the sunshine. Yesterday was a particularly gray day and I found myself humming the tune "Tomorrow" from Annie over and over in my head...when you're faced with a day that's gray and lonely just stick out your chin and grin and say...the sun will come out tomorrow so ya gotta hang on 'til tomorrow come what may...tomorrow, tomorrow...i love ya tomorrow...you're only a day away. Well, I didn't really want to hang on 'til tomorrow to see the sun, so I created this little card from Laura's Sketch #20 at 2 Sketches 4 You to make my own little sunshine. It really did bring a smile on my face to see that bright sunshine on the card. And guess what...the sun did come out tomorrow...it is a bright, beautiful sunshiney day here! hooray!

The Power of Love and Children

I love Sundays...well to be honest, not every part of Sundays, but the part where I am at church with the children. I am so blessed to be able to work with the children of our congregation ages 18 mos. to 12 years old. Each and every week I am touched by the warmth and love of their spirits. They never cease to make me smile and laugh. You never quite know what to expect from week to week. Yesterday was particularly touching to me. On Valentine's Day we had an activity for the children where they made Valentine's and decorated heart shaped cookies for several members of our congregation. We brought the Valentine goodies to the houses of these members and sang them a song. In one instance the person's house we came to, the person wasn't home, so we left the Valentine's and the cookies. She was very touched to receive these and yesterday came in and wanted to thank the children in person. Since she wasn't at home when we left the Valentine's the children didn't get to sing to her then, but we sang to her yesterday when she came in. The song the children sang is Love One Another. It is the scripture John 13:34-35 put to music...As I have loved you, love one another. This new commandment love one another. By this shall men know ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. As these beautiful little children sang to her tears streamed down her face. All of us as teachers and leaders were so touched by this wonderful moment that our cheeks were wet with tears as well. I felt privileged to witness the amazing power of love and children.

Scrap Out Of It- 2S4Y Julie's Bonus Sketch

First of all I want to thank you all for your kind words and encouragement. I'm happy to report that I was able to "scrap" out of my funk. One of my scrapbook friends told me to quick grab some paper and scrap out of it. So I did. Great advice. I hope if any of you are going through the crazies you can scrap out of it too. Nothing like some good scrap therapy. In reference to the scrap therapy lo...I'm still waiting for the chocolate...oh well, life is not perfect, but it is good. I was also able to create a bridal shower card from Julie's Bonus sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You. Great sketch...thank you Julie.

Is It O.K. to Send Yourself a Card? *2S4Y Kazan #20*

I made a goal for myself at the beginning of the year to make and send out a card a day this year...cards for events like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, showers, etc., but also to randomly send out cards to let others know they were being thought of. I think receiving a card in the mail is a really great pick me up. Sooooooooo....I think I need to send myself a card. I have been in a horrible funk the last couple of days and I normally just don't get in funks. I feel like I need to crawl out of my own skin. I'm ornery as heck and I know I'm not pleasant to be around. I wish I could blame it on PMS, but it would have to be PPMS. It didn't help that my children locked me in the garage last night when I was getting the dog some food. They thought it was funny and I would laugh. It wasn't and I didn't. (well, at least not in my present mood) I made this card using Kazan's sketch #20 at 2 Sketches 4 You. It was an amazing sketch and I know I didn't do it justice, but it was nice to make and I think I'm going to mail it today... to me...It will be nice to know that someone is thinking of me...even if it is just me!

u.r. so dear *eye candy* Laura Sketch 19

My sweet *eye candy* and I have been married for 26 1/2 years on Valentine's Day. We will be apart this year, but it doesn't matter, 'cause each and every day he is my Valentine! He puts up with a lot and I don't let him know often enough what a rock and a strength he is to me. I would be not be who I am without him. We were married fairly young and through these years together I felt I have grown up with him. Well he was already grown up, but I have grown up (kind of) with him now. He blesses our family each and every day. I love ya hon! u. r. so dear to me! I made this Valentine using Laura's fabulous sketch #19 at 2 Sketches 4 You.

Young Love 2S4Y Kazan's Sketch #19

I'm going to a bridal shower on Saturday for one of my daughter's best friends. I made this card for it using the Kazan's great sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You. It is so delightful to see young love in bloom. When you see my daughter's friend, she looks like she is literally walking on air. So fun! She just radiates happiness from head to toe. When my husband saw her at church on Sunday he told her "you look different...did you do something? When she said "No", my hubby just said, "oh, I know what it is...you're in love"

Animals and Children Smell Fear

I truly believe that not only can animals smell fear, but children can, too. Well a mother's fear that is. Teenagers are especially perceptive, in my opinion. And you know what that means...oh yeah...they go straight for the jugular. I have to admit that as far as teenagers go, I am blessed that I really have had relatively few problems with them. I still fear, though... sweaty palmed, stomach knotted,tear drenched pillowed, gut wrenched fear...EVERY day. It's not even as if I'm a newbie at this. I'm on my 5th and last one now. You would think that it would get easier. Ummm, NO! The world is moving at a faster and faster pace and alas I'm not. The opposite in fact. I'm slowing down and the world is speeding up. I'm just plain tired. Doesn't matter, though, I just have to go on. Perfect love is supposed to cast out fear. Although, I'm not perfect, my love for my children is. I don't always love perfectly, but the love itself is perfect. It is my only defense. It is what I cling to, what I hang on to, what I will employ with my dying breath. I often create scrapbook layouts that reflect the way I am feeling at a particular time. I created this layout of my baby teenager (no it is not an oxymoron...she will always be my baby no matter what her age) to share my love and concern for her. A little piece of advice from a man whose ideas are wise beyond my own. The journaling says: "Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do great and good and worthwhile things. Believe in the nature within you, the divine nature, that you are in very deed a daughter of the living God." Gordon B. Hinckley

A Wonderful Photographer + A Cutie Patootie Grandson = Smiling Faces

My good friend Heather Taylor is a wonderful photographer. Some of you might be familiar with her work. She is holding a 2008 Year in Review Contest. She selected one photo from each client she had in the year 2008 for the contest. There were originally 52 entries. It is now narrowed down to the top eight. This proud grandma is happy to say that a photo she took of my grandson is one of the eight finalists. If you have a chance to stop by her blog here, my grandson's photo is #4. If you love this photo feel free to vote for it! lol! I guarantee all of Heather's photography will put a smile on your face! I feel sure that you all will love browsing through the beautiful photography on her blog.

hugs,
Cheryl