New Year, New Thoughts Kind of..........
Last night by daughter, Amanda (17), and I stayed up late together watching Snow Bird and the Secret Fan and then we talked and talked about friendship, family and LIFE. She asked me questions about my childhood, my marriage, experiences, basically my life until now. I had an oppurtunity to share stories I had not thought of in years. I was able to share the stories of how I had all 4 of my beautiful children and to tell the stories of my brothers and how they're so important to me. I shared stories of my parents' young escapades and told what my grandmas were like. I was reminded that my husband has been so incredibly supportive to me throughout so many rough patches, and despite the ups and downs of any 20+ year marriage, I am so lucky to have him on my "team!" As I spoke I realized I truly am a product of all those things I had experienced- bad or good.
After our chat, some laughs, and some tears, I came to an amazing conclusion. If I were to die right now, today, I know I have already made my mark on this planet. As a teacher, mom, aunt, sister, daughter, I know for a fact I have made a positive impact on lives that will continue to reach into future generations. Yes, I am sure, there are people that don't think I am all that, and that is OK because I am just a regular person. It is only by touching lives, sharing love, finding our calling to serve humanity that we are able to contribute any lasting effect on this ever-changing planet. While we can discuss our religious beliefs and debate everlasting life that is not what I am thinking of as I write. So many times people want to "find themselves" and want to find "purpose" but I have already done that and I am only 40! I think that's pretty amazing. Now, that does NOT mean I want to die anytime soon and it does NOT mean I am "done" but it was very comforting and liberating to think that from here on out it's just "icing" on life's cake! I pray and hope I can continue to grow and learn and be the best at anything I try. But most of all, I am eternally thankful for every experience and person that has helped make me who I am right at this moment and I can't wait to see what's next.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Big Picture Class!!
Ok I have no internet except on my phone and no access to scrapbook stuff but I signed up for a class!! I can't wait! It is entitled "move more eat less" and I am hoping it will combine my crafty hobby with my weight loss/ health goals!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas Eve!
Ok, right now in this house is my whole family: my hubby, William. and my 4 kids: Anthony (20), Amanda (17), Alex (8), Addie (2) AND my little brother, Tony. Now I say "little" but he is actuallu 32 but we havent spent the Holidays together in years, so I am so thankful he is here!
William and Anthony just got into town last night and it was CRAZY to see the presents they added under the tree. It made me picture what future Christmases will be like as my children become adults. William and I have always tried to give generously for Christmas and I see it coming back to us- I guess we paid it forward. While being together has always been our favorite, and most important way, to celebrate Jesus' birth, we have always tried really hard to get our kids what they ask for during Christmas, even if at first it may seem a little out of reach. Now we are not extravagant people and we don't spoil our kids throughout the year too much, so Christmas is extra special and I imagine it will be HUGE when I have 4 adult kids. I pray we are all alive and healthy to enjoy this beautiful holiday for decades to come. I can't wait!
We're about to start all our Christmas traditions with church at 1pm, a little different than midnight mass, but I am ok with it! Can't wait because our church (The Summit near downtown Orlando) is awesome! Now tonight is our traditional Cuban/Peruvian/American mesh of a Christmas Eve Party and this year it will be pretty small. However, EVERY year these is always someone new, and this year it will be Tony! My best friend's family and my family and friends prepare a traditional Cuban Pork Roast and beans, rice, and other goodies and we open 1 present @ midnight. Also at midnight we eat Panetonne and drink hot chocolate like in Peru. We dance, and hang out, go to bed way late and the American part comes in the morning when we let the kids wake up early to open presents.
The BAD part is I have to clean up and put away all my crafty stuff that's on the dining room table! No worries, it will be back out tomorrow!!!
Have a wonderful Christmas Eve everyone!
Ok, right now in this house is my whole family: my hubby, William. and my 4 kids: Anthony (20), Amanda (17), Alex (8), Addie (2) AND my little brother, Tony. Now I say "little" but he is actuallu 32 but we havent spent the Holidays together in years, so I am so thankful he is here!
William and Anthony just got into town last night and it was CRAZY to see the presents they added under the tree. It made me picture what future Christmases will be like as my children become adults. William and I have always tried to give generously for Christmas and I see it coming back to us- I guess we paid it forward. While being together has always been our favorite, and most important way, to celebrate Jesus' birth, we have always tried really hard to get our kids what they ask for during Christmas, even if at first it may seem a little out of reach. Now we are not extravagant people and we don't spoil our kids throughout the year too much, so Christmas is extra special and I imagine it will be HUGE when I have 4 adult kids. I pray we are all alive and healthy to enjoy this beautiful holiday for decades to come. I can't wait!
We're about to start all our Christmas traditions with church at 1pm, a little different than midnight mass, but I am ok with it! Can't wait because our church (The Summit near downtown Orlando) is awesome! Now tonight is our traditional Cuban/Peruvian/American mesh of a Christmas Eve Party and this year it will be pretty small. However, EVERY year these is always someone new, and this year it will be Tony! My best friend's family and my family and friends prepare a traditional Cuban Pork Roast and beans, rice, and other goodies and we open 1 present @ midnight. Also at midnight we eat Panetonne and drink hot chocolate like in Peru. We dance, and hang out, go to bed way late and the American part comes in the morning when we let the kids wake up early to open presents.
The BAD part is I have to clean up and put away all my crafty stuff that's on the dining room table! No worries, it will be back out tomorrow!!!
Have a wonderful Christmas Eve everyone!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Ok, I am probably the ONLY crafty girl that has not sent out Christmas cards yet, but I am working on it! The way I look at it is that anyone that really knows me and loves me knows about my life and will appreciate the card when it finally arrives! I am off work from school till Jan 3 and no 'Ohana for a few days, hubby and oldest son coming home, so I am hoping to get craftin' those cards out ASAP! The hardest thing for me is DECIDING what I want to do! Do I keep making those nativity cards or make a new design? Hmmmmm.........
For now, I have errands to run, but I am so inspired by all the beautiful blogs I perused this morning that I can't wait to get back to my Cricut!! Then Hanukkah PARTY tonight! Happy Christmas Eve Eve!!
For now, I have errands to run, but I am so inspired by all the beautiful blogs I perused this morning that I can't wait to get back to my Cricut!! Then Hanukkah PARTY tonight! Happy Christmas Eve Eve!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Nativity Cards Revisited
Well, I really loved that Nativity Card tutorial but mine not so much. So I decided to purchase some better cardstock (Bazzill Basics Paper & Tim Holtz Core'dinations), dig out my distress ink, and got some sandpaper. I used a GLUE Stamp Pad, My Pink Stamper stamps, and GLITTER for the sentiment on the cover. I also tried this new Martha Stewart adhesive you sponge on and it worked great on this project. Here are the steps and results. I wonder who I will send these to?? Please comment!
Well, I really loved that Nativity Card tutorial but mine not so much. So I decided to purchase some better cardstock (Bazzill Basics Paper & Tim Holtz Core'dinations), dig out my distress ink, and got some sandpaper. I used a GLUE Stamp Pad, My Pink Stamper stamps, and GLITTER for the sentiment on the cover. I also tried this new Martha Stewart adhesive you sponge on and it worked great on this project. Here are the steps and results. I wonder who I will send these to?? Please comment!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Nativity Card
Ok, so I thought this tutorial by Angela at http://www.scpapercrafts.com/was super cute and I tried to make my own. I found out I need to splurge on better quality cardstock, but I think it still looks pretty cute! Except my donkey is as big as my camel...oops! I actually spent more time figuring out if I wanted to use the Cricut Craft Room, my Gypsy, or Cricut Design Studio with my new Cricut Expression 2 than I did actually making this card. I have so much to learn with my toys! Oh, and thanks to my friend, Tara, for letting me borrow the Cricut Paper Doll Dress Up Cartridge- I think I love it!
Ok, so I thought this tutorial by Angela at http://www.scpapercrafts.com/was super cute and I tried to make my own. I found out I need to splurge on better quality cardstock, but I think it still looks pretty cute! Except my donkey is as big as my camel...oops! I actually spent more time figuring out if I wanted to use the Cricut Craft Room, my Gypsy, or Cricut Design Studio with my new Cricut Expression 2 than I did actually making this card. I have so much to learn with my toys! Oh, and thanks to my friend, Tara, for letting me borrow the Cricut Paper Doll Dress Up Cartridge- I think I love it!
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