round and round

Round and round we go, where we stop, nobody knows....Life is flying by...with so much going on, I barely have time to get online anymore. Between working at the school and now working at the picture studio, and with church activities and football season, and with my Close to my Heart business, and my creative extras that I am making (cards and altered paint cans..I have 2 orders pending right now) and planning the photography for a wedding in about 2.5 months...and the holidays quickly approaching....are you dizzy yet? I am, my head is spinning, barely within control. I hope it doesn't sound like I am complaining, because I really do enjoy the blissful chaos. It's a sign that life is in full swing, and that I am involved in making it all happen, that I am not just sitting back and letting it pass me by. This photo is from the fair and rodeo, but I think it is a very good indication of how my life is going on right now. Have you ever been there? (busy, I mean)

Days gone by....

SEE MY SPIRIT CAN

My goodness, where has the time gone...it seems like it was just last week that I posted to my blog. I just looked at the date and realized it has been nearly a month. I have been so busy with school starting and doing some substituting. For the past 4 Saturday's, I have been doing something scrapbook related, 3 of them were shows for my Close to my Heart stuff. I have had an amazing month in sells. I hope to keep it up. I don't plan on getting rich, I just want to support my habit. My dh is telling me I need a 12-step program for my scrapbooking addiction. How funny is that? Seriously, I have had a blast, going and selling product, and being able to use the discount to purchase my own stuff. I created my first altered paint can. I made it into a "spirit can" to be filled with your hearts desire. I have taken orders for a few and I have placed and example in the office at the high school to sell some for the homecoming game. Kids always like to show their spirit during that time, especially if we have a winning team. This year has been proven to be an improvement. I have been so impressed with the simple fact that we haven't fumbled the ball yet. In the past we have been notorious for doing that very thing. I know that as sure as I say that we haven't, tonight we will.

the first of many

This is the first of many pictures to come as a result of our vacation to Rocky Mt. National Park. This picture was taken as we were driving into Colorado at daybreak. We left on Sunday afternoon and arrived at the Colorado border at 6:00 am. As daybreak began, I snapped multiple photos just to see what I might get. I am so not a morning person, as in I don't get up very easily when its early. The thing is, I was still awake from the day before. We drove straight through, I drove while Gary slept, and then vice versa. He took over about 5:30 am, and I waited for the sun to come up before I took my naptime. I was so amazed at how beautiful the sunrise was. I can hardly believe I was able to capture just a smidgen of its beauty in this shot. Tell me, what do you think about it?

They wrapped me in foil.

I was so excited to obtain these photos from mom. She gave me the negatives and I was able to have prints made from them. It is amazing to be able to look back at these pictures of my own infancy and see into a time that I can't even recall. I have always heard that a picture is worth a thousand words. Now I can see why. These pictures bring back memories of my own children. I have seen the same expressions on my babies faces before.
These photographs reveal to me something else as well. I can see my parents as a happy couple. Unfortunately, I can't remember my parents that way. What I do remember is a lot of fussing and arguing, and often physical altercations. It is pleasing to know that they were very much in love once upon a time.
Looking back over these pictures reminds me a story that my great-grandmother shared with me a couple of times before she passed away. I never got tired of her telling me how she saved my life when I was born. She would say to me, "Gina, you know when your moma was just about to have you she called me because I was the only one home. I rushed right over, and when I got there I realized that we didn't have time to wait on no Dr. to get there. Your moma was crying and fussing and I held you up and asked her, 'what are you crying for?' I have the baby right here. " She would go on to say that the first ambulance got lost, the second ambulance ran off in the ditch and I was born before the third ambulance showed up. I was born at home. Granny wrapped me in a blanket and then aluminum foil to keep me warm and the three of us waited for the third ambulance. Mom once showed me the scissors that were used to cut my umbilical cord. Apparently the paramedics dropped them on the floor while they were there and mom found them when returned home after having gone to the hospital. I wish that I could still hear granny tell me that story.

Boredom ~ an insult to one's self

The kids made me laugh when they came running into my room this morning and my son announced ..."Introducing the Dead Ballerina"...they had gotten into a suitcase of old costumes...I made the Q of hearts for dd a few years ago...I am always telling the kids they need to use their imaginations...they surprised me by doing so...this layout is the results of their imaginations....Boredom is an insult to ones self.

proud to be a SAHM

I have been earning wages by working on one job or another since I was 16 years old. My very first job was a part-time janitor for the school district I attended. I left that job began working for our local grocery store and then I went on to work for several different convience stores. Just before my 19th birthday, I went to work for Continental Airlines. I felt like I was moving up in the world. I had a job I could be proud of and advance with. After two years, I met and married my dear husband. I felt it in our best interest at the time for me to quit. In light of the events of 9-11, I look back and think that was a wise decision. After only 3 months of being married, we discovered we were going to become parents. When my oldest child was born, I was able to be at home with him everyday. After a little while, I began feeling like I was missing something and after 6 months of being a parent, I decided it was time to go back to work. With only 3 hours of college, my options were slim. I lived in a rural area, so jobs weren't as plentiful as they had been around the city, and I didn't really want to go backwards from where I had been with my career already. The highest paying job even remotely close was with the Department of Criminal Justice. So, I went through the process and became a Correctional Officer (that's a politically correct way of saying Prison Guard). After a short time there, I discovered I was expecting blessing number two. During this pregnancy, I experienced much sickness and I quit for the sake of my unborn child. When she was about 3 months old, I went to work part time at a fabric store. I did a little of everything from customer service to stocking and cleaning. I felt as though I had more potential than that, so I went back to work for the DOC. When I discovered I was expecting blessing number three, I decided it was time for me to take on a clerical position. Even though it was a little less money, I could still work to help support our family and I wouldn't have to do such laborous work. It became increasingly difficult for both dear hubby and I to work full time and be able to maintain much of a family life with two small infants at home and one more on the way. I didn't feel as though I should have to quit (now I have learned how selfish that was on my part) at the time, so dear hubby became the domestic engineer. He continued doing that for the next four years. I on the other hand, went back to work after maternity leave. Two and a half years later, I decided to pursue a career in a field I had always dreamed of. Photography. I worked as a photographer for the next year and a half, I work for two different major portrait studio retailers. I felt that if I ever wanted to keep my love of photography, I had better get out before I grew to dislike it entirely. I simply did not like being forced to take the same pictures the same way all the time. I wanted more than that. So, when I left there I went back to a field that I had at least some expierence in. I became a telelcommunications operator for our local sheriff's office. I worked there and really enjoyed the job itself. It was very high-paced and rewarding in a sense that I could actually see my accomplishments after a days work. You must understand, it took me a while to see the political side to the job. When it began rearing its ugly head, I couldn't consciously continue to be a part of the drama. I had given above and beyond myself and I finally realized that if would never matter just how much I gave, they were going to take that and more from me. Once again, I left yet another job. Here I am four months into my job as a Stay at home Mom (SAHM) and I couldn't be happier. I don't know how long I will keep this job due to finances, but I can't think of anything else I would rather be doing. I never realized how much I missed and how rewarding (and yes trying, but what job isn't at times) that this job is. If I don't get to keep this job, I will learn to cope with that too, but I will always cherish and be proud of the time I have spent as a SAHM.

Artist Trading Card

This is an arstist trading card I created for a swap on TallyScrapper.com. The pattern paper on the back is from the floral tapestry line of close to my heart. On the front, I painted it and then place bubble wrap on the paint while it was still wet to give it texture. The front says: These things I hold {close to my heart} and when you flip it open to the inside it contains the things that are close to my heart. God, family, church, crafts, scrapbooking, reading, photography, internet, movies, friends, sleeping, rain, eating out, holidays, planning parties, being creative, traveling, and giving tallypoints to my secret sister.

the MEASURE of a MAN

Oh I say the measure of a man Is not how tall you stand How wealthy or intelligent you are' Cause I found out the measure of a man God knows and understand For He looks inside to the bottom of your heart And what's in the heart defines The measure of a man...this is the Chorus from "The Measure of a Man" by ~ 4Him...this photo reminds me of how He looks when he prays.

WARNING ~ very graphic

I did this layout for a challenge at TallyScrapper.com. I was challenged to create a layout about my Passion. While I knew what my passion was, I had a little harder time deciding just how I was going to scrap it. I used scripture from Romans 3:10, 6:23, and 10:13. The photos were taken in San Antonio at the Wax Museum. They portray Jesus' life just before and after the resurrection.

WANTED

the journaling reads: WANTED for Stealing Hearts...CHARGED WITH bein' cute as a critter (easy to look at), grinnin' like 'possums (smiling), an' goin' hog wild (having a good time)...SENTENCED to a lifetime of smoochin' an' wallerin' (kisses and hugs)...REWARD can't gitta 'nuff for'em (priceless)

adOrable

Isn't she simply adorable! My youngest dd at age 4.5 ... the journaling is about her and how she is turning into a little girl how she is no longer a toddler...daisy d's girl kit..flowers are from other source (started out yellow, I painted them a pretty metallic pink ...rose stickers are from sandy clough sticker line...love them...have had them for a long time...and used them before, and used them again here....oh, I used a sketch from pagemaps...YOU HAVE CAPTURED MY HEART!

FIRST TIME EVER

It's not really a big secret, but this layout tells about something I have done for the First time ever! The journaling reads: This is the first time ever tat I have seen my side profile and not been uneasy about it. I have never been very pleased with the way I look. I don't really dwell on it, but I have never liked to see pictures of myself. This is on I don't mind seeing again. Title is from old sticker stock I have and flourishes are from ctmh. I rarely ever use solid white background paper as it reminds me of my creative memories days...but I have seen a few in the gallery lately, and decided to give this a shot. The photo was taken by my husband on our son's first grade field trip. I was sitting in the front seat talking to his teacher and he snapped it without me knowing. It's a little blurry, but I used it anyway.

HIGH on the HOG

Even though there is only one 4-wheeler here in the pictures, we actually own four of them. One belongs to papa, one to dad, one is mine, and the other belongs to you kids! In these pictures, you kids were test driving it...to see if you could handle it and to see how well you respected it! Owning four 4-wheelers and being able to ride and drive for yourselves, really seemed like you were living "HIGH on the HOG"! You might also say living in luxury.

Stumped

I have been stumped lately. I have so many pictures and I just don't know which one to post. I guess for now I can just update the post and not include a picture. My sister wants me to take pictures of her and my nephew, so I will be doing that soon. I am waiting on an order from close to my heart to arrive. I ordered some more scrapbooking goodies (like I need anymore). I am also waiting on some books to arrive from amazon.com. I ordered four books that I can barely wait to begin reading. I accomplished a few pages over the last few days. Sometimes the creative juices flow, and other times the get stopped up. Maybe I'll post one of them tomorrow.

"But she's only 6!"

When I gaze at this photo, I look at it and think "But she's only 6!" It looks as if someone has hit fastforward and with such somberness she looks like a teenager caught somewhere between childhood playfulness and adult responsibility. To tell you the truth, I am not sure why I took this shot. I think it was because she had her shades on. What I do know is that we were alone together (which is rare) and she was riding home from a crop with me. This is not really a common look for her as she is almost always smiling or giggling. I just want to hold on to this moment even after the time that my premonition passes.

a piece of something BIGGER

As I have began to age, I have gained some clarity on things in life. I look at things differently now, compared to how I seen them at earlier stages in my life. I am quickly approaching the big 30. I heard something a few years back that has really stuck with me. It came during a period at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church when we were without pastoral leadership. We had a visiting preacher come and give a sermon. In the message he made an analogy about how the life on an individual is like a piece of a puzzle and how God was the puzzlemaster. He pointed out that a person may not be able to see teh whole picture until its complete and that you (or I) may be the piece that God is placing into its spot or you may be the piece laid over to the side upside down until God is ready to use you. Just because you are resting, that doesn't mean you are not important. One piece affects another and so on. Without you, the picture would be incomplete.

she'll be 7 soon

It's hard for me to believe that it has been nearly 7 years since my first little girl was born. I remember the whole thing like it was just yesterday. It's funny how fast time flies...how you live each day one at a time and yet still somehow we don't see the time disappearing. Sometimes it's a little scary thinking about what the future might bring. About how blessed the passed time has been, with few bumps along the way. My prayer is that we continue to allow God to be the leader and allow his light to shine ahead on the path before us.

It's that time of year again

The time of year for our annual family photo. It has been a year since we had one taken. I have had such a hard time trying to decide how I want to do this years picture. I would really like to have an outdoor picture done of our family. But finding a photographer in this area to do outdoor portraits has been difficult. I don't need a million different poses, just a few poses of the family together. I have more pictures of the kids than I am able to shake a stick at. I am hoping that we get a good enough shot to make a poster print to put above a fireplace mantel when I have one. This photograph here was last years family picture. We were all dressed up like we were from the 50's. We had just had our family reunion a few weeks earlier, and we had had a 50's theme. So I thought it would be nice to have our family photo taken with a "twist" ... no pun intended.

The REAL Me

This layout is more about the story rather than the picture....The journaling reads: This is the real me. The me who goes to work, runs errands, attends church and hangs out around the house. This is not the me I take to meet new people or to see long lost friends. No, for those occasions, I pull out the hair straightner, put on make-up and jewelry, and perfume and don my best attire. I tell myself it's because I feel more confident and put together when I spend time getting ready, and that's partly true. But deep down, I know that I'm trying to make a good impression. Funny thing is, most people are comfortable with the pony-tail me. She's the one Gary fell in love with. She's the one my closest friends know bet. So why have I never liked her? Who knows the reason. Maybe it's because she's unpredictable and still learning who she is. Maybe she's a little too real. But things are changing. I'm learning to accept that she's not perfect, and I'm beginning to see her otential. Truth is, I think she's growing on me!.....I used a journaling boost from simple scrapbooks magazine...the hearts and flowers came from my secret sis...who ever she is....I painted one heart and highlighted some of the journaling...the part where "She's the one Gary fell in love with"....and I covered the other heart with pattern paper...The flowers across the top also came form my secret sis.....I don't take photos of myself often...this particular one is over 2 years old...that is my dear son in the photo with me...but there ya have it folks...THE REAL ME!

JESUS Walked on the Water

This week during VBS, one of the lessons was about how Peter had faith enough to step out of the boat and walk toward Jesus on the water. As Peter stepped out, he walked on the water only a few steps before he began to loose his focus on Jesus. As Peter began to sink, he cried out to the Lord, "Save me". We learned to put our faith in Jesus, and he would save us as well.