Happy Easter!

This beautiful and very significant season makes me spiritually fall to my knees and humbles me.
May Jesus' sacrifice for me not have been in made in vain. I can't help but want to beg for forgiveness:

Lord, help me to be a better follower of your son, Jesus. Help me to lead by example, and let me always make choices out of LOVE- the same kind of love God has for me. May the Lord use my gifts in a way that brings glory to HIM. Allow me to learn from my faults and failures. Help me overcome strife and struggles so I can be the kind of woman the Lord wants me to be. Let my actions, more than my words, speak volumes about the amazing God that created us. Help me to overcome fear and worry so I can lead the life of ultimate freedom that Jesus has ALREADY claimed for me. When I bask in success may the glory be to the most HIGH- Jesus, the one who died for us and loves us still.

May Jesus' sacrifice and love for you give you peace.

Happy Easter 2011

As we drove into the parking lot at school, Alex said: ""Mom, I want to go to UCF because it is a good college and I can live at home and visit elementary whenever I want. I can see all the teachers, if they don't get cut.."

I am sure he has no idea how many messages I heard from the one simple sentence, but this is what I thought:

1. He is 8 years old and planning for college. This is so "Alex" simply because he is a my little go-getter. I don't doubt he will be my overachiever!

2. The teachers in his life have had a huge impact on him already! His Kindergarten teacher went to UCF and is a big UCF fan, so he has talked about it since he was 5! So, I am confident UCF will still be in his "Top 5" when he is actually going to apply.

3. The fact that we are such a close family right now makes him believe that he will actually want to live at home- even when he in college. I first thought this displayed his innocence, but in our family, I am wondering if anyone will ever move out.....but I am ok if they don't.....well as long as they're in school and/or doing their share.

4. He loves his elementary teachers. His school, Sunrise Elementary, has been a part of his life since birth. He knows people there love our family and are wonderful and supportive to him. How cool is that?

5. He understands, to a certain extent of course, that when he is adult he will make his own choices, thus the "whenever I want" part.

6. The state of our economy is part of his daily life- a childhood marred by reality...or is this part of his package? He knows teachers can be "cut" just like a stray thread hanging on his shirt sleeve. Then I chide myself thinking that his reality is such a great one compared to others.

Lunch with one of favorites- Addie!

It has been so long since I even thought about blogging, I totally forgot I had this. Lately my life seems to revolve around work, kids, house, "OMG what's for dinner?" and repeat. One day turns into a week and that turns into a series of months. I am NOT complaining, it's just reality for me right now. I am acutely aware it will not be always be like this so I appreciate the many true blessings that surround me. If only I had a few more hours in a day.....

Last weekend I spent a whole day at the Scrapbook Expo- all by myself- and had a wonderful time. I even took 2 classes and my favorite was "Thirty Minute Pages" and it was presented by Prima marketing- you know the ones that make those amazing scrapbook flowers??? Above are the pages I made in that class.

Yes, I missed my regular scrapbooking buddies, but this solitary experience made me reflect on my own creativity and where it can and should fit in my current reality. I will be honest and tell you I have no innate creativity- it is all learned! I am not the bestor greatest at anything, but I love doing it! It is an area in which I'd like to grow and continue to work on- today- not tomorrow or next year. I have let my creative hobby get brushed aside because of "life" but I realized I really miss that part of "me."

So, my wonderful husband set up a table for me in the family room and there I have 'camped' for the time being. I was a little worried Addie would be all over it....I mean what 20 month old wouldn't just LOVE to play in all those 'toys?' But it only took a few "no's" and she is now happily playing with her toys beside me which I think is totally da bomb diggity! I actually can't believe it! So, the last few evenings all I have actually done is mount cards my kids received for their birthdays and graduation, and even worked on organizing some Christmas cards. Not too creative, is it?

Well, the reality is I cannot create a single thing when I have stuff everywhere. I have pictures and cards and "stuff" jammed in my scrapbook stash so I have to organize and clean up. After I organize & clean up, then I start to reacquaint myself with my tools and supplies and I peruse all kinds of creative things on www.twopeasinabucket.com. All of a sudden, I become "inspired" and that's when there is no stopping me! But it's a process that can't be rushed or forced, it just happens....... and I can't wait to get there. :)