Passport to Memories

I ordered this kit from Archivers. I saw this album in the store in Aurora and I thought it would be perfect to put for our vacation photos and also some of Sam's summer memorabilia from his trips to Milligan.

I have begun putting it together but of course I don't have it done, not yet anyway. I really want to get it done soon. When I get it completely done I'll take pics and show you the finish product.

For Sale By Owner

We have decided to put our house up for sale. Right now we will try to sell it ourselves (trying to save that commission cost). So if you know of anyone moving to the northeastern plains of Colorado let them know there is 40 acres of land, with a large log home that has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and is ready for them to move in.

Before anyone ask, no we are not moving away, we will just downsize to a home in town.

Life Is Changing

I was looking through my News Feed on my Facebook page and noticed several mothers posting pictures of their little ones going to school for the first time. They mentioned they had a lot of tears because they knew that life was changing. No longer will be the days of complete dependence on Mom, now their lives will be filled with so many other adults to watch over them and so many new friends. While reading these posts I was thinking of my son and his first day of school/college.

We have homeschooled him for the last 10 years. He has been with us every day for the last 16 years. Now our lives are changing. My son started his first year in Morgan Community College. When it is time for him to officially graduate from High School he will actually be getting his Associates Degree. He is growing up so fast. I look at pictures of him taken just 6 months ago and I can see such a change. We are very proud of him and his accomplishments that he has made through his schooling. I know that, even though I'm sad over these new changes, he is very excited about this new venture he is taking.

My advice to all of those parents who put their children in Kindergarten or Preschool for the first time, is that you need to hold on to these memories, be sure to write down your thoughts or even the things they might have said on that first day. Document it all, as much as you can. One day, too soon, they will be gone and the pictures, the documentation, will be all that is left behind. I know that sounds sad, and it is, but I know for me, it causes me to smile when I see those pictures and remember those days.

The Lord ask us to remember. He said on the night before He was to be crucified, to take the bread and the wine and to remember, but also don't forget to give thanks. He gave thanks before He served the disciples. Thanks is something we need to do everyday.

Give thanks for your little ones, give thanks for whatever school they are attending, give thanks for the men and women who are there to teach them, and give thanks everyday that God has given you such a wonderful blessing.

Today I give my God thanks for my son, and his father who has done such a wonderful job in teaching and raising our son.

Graduation Albums

My life has been consumed by scrapbooking these last 3 weeks. My scrap room has been a mess with pictures, papers, tools, and embellishments laying everywhere. I was asked by two mother's of graduates to do their daughter's and son's albums for them. Two albums were for a high school graduate and the other was for an eighth grade graduate. Both mothers had given me a ton of pictures to look through and decide how to lay out the albums. Of course in that situation you have such a hard time to pick and choose just the right pictures. I could have done probably 20 albums with all of the pictures. So after narrowing down my selections I went to work. It was fun to do and both mothers said that they really liked the albums. I hope that the students like them just as much.

His First Prom

My son was invited to his first Prom. He was so handsome in his suit. The name of his date is Aspen. She is a very pretty girl. The prom was held at her school at Arickaree, which is located south of here. He had a great time.

Don washed the Jeep inside and out. We let Sam drive, but I sat in the backseat, since he only has his learner's permit at this time. So when we got to the school and I left to go back home, I was a little teary eyed.

He is becoming such a good looking young man.

His dad taught him how to tie a necktie but when it came time to go, he just didn't like the way it looked, so his dad helped him get it just right. While they were doing this I was getting a little tear in my eye at this time too. I just remembered those days when he was little and we would go to Baby Gap or to some other children's clothing store. Don would take him into the dressing room to try on the clothes and then they would come out to show me how it looked. And here they were, his dad helping him to get dressed again. Wow, where did all of those years go, they went by much to fast, faster than I expected.

It did make me feel good that he gave me a little hug before I left them at the school.

Reception Card

I finished the Reception Card I was doing for a friend of mine. I hope her daughter likes the card since it is for her graduation. I distressed each card (tag) then I stamped each card with 3 different stamps, I then stamped the tiger stamp and cut each one out, then I placed the tiger and the ticket (not all of the tickets say the same word) on the tag with pop up dots. I hope you like it too!

I also went to Rocky Mountain Memories Scrapbooking store on Monday for an interview with Cheryl, the owner. I'm not sure what will come out of that but I had a fun time visiting with her. She has a beautiful store. Next time you are in Estes Park make sure you look her up. Her store is next to the old theater in the middle of town.

Happy Birthday To My 16 Year Old

I have been doing a countdown on my Facebook Page. It was a countdown for today - today my son turned 16!

Sixteen years ago on this day a miracle happened, the miracle of life, and I praise God everyday for this miracle, for this son of mine!

Wow, how these 16 years have flown by. I do miss those toddler years seeing him explore his world. And now I am very proud of the man he is becoming.

I love you my son!

The Tiger Stamp

I just ordered and received this tiger stamp. I'm making 35 invitations to a reception which is following a graduation. It is for a friend mine, for her daughter.

I ordered the stamp from Amazon.com. I didn't even know they sold stamps on their website. But when I typed 'tiger stamp' in Google's search bar they came up first.

Are you wondering why a tiger stamp? Well the trial reception card that I made to show my friend had a bird on it. (The card is actually a large tag) She said she liked everything but the bird because the mascot of the school is a lion. So I had to start locating a tiger stamp to replace the bird. I really like how the card is coming out. I will post pics of the card when I get them done. I've done 18 now only 17 more to go! and they have to be done by tomorrow!!

The Beauty of the Plains

Sometimes this high plains desert gets a little tiring with the high winds (sometimes hurricane force winds), dust coming through every little crack,and with the lack of rain and moisture. But then you drive into your drive-way and what do you see? This beautiful herd of deer. There are 9 in the herd. They have been in our front yard for the past 3 days. It is so wonderful to watch them. When it gets dusk they jump over the fence and go into a stand of evergreen trees across the road.
Even amidst a hard day, amidst stress, and all the other things that cloud up our day, I think God just wanted me to slow down and see that there is beauty in this harsh world.

Happy Anniversary Card

A friend asked if I would make an anniversary card for a friend of theirs. This is what I came up with. I went to the member's gallery on Two Peas in a Bucket and found something similar. It was so pretty I thought I would try to duplicate it. It isn't exact, of course, but I do like how mine came out.

I just used scraps that I had in my studio. I love the butterfly punch, it is from the Martha Stewart Collection.

Hope you enjoy.

Rocky Mountain Memories

I have an interview this month with Cheryl Grigsby, owner of Rocky Mountain Memories in Estes Park. I am so looking forward to meeting her and seeing what could be in store for us.

I also have two scrapbooking jobs that I need to get started on right away. One is an invitation card for a college graduate. And the other is a high school graduation album. Two albums to be exact. That is the big thing here in Yuma. If you have a son or daughter who will be graduating you must have an album made for all your guest to look back over their school years.