Hand-picked for the Master's bouquet!

This is a photo of my niece that passed today. She is 2 in the photo, but her features haven't changed since. She went home to be with the Lord. It is bittersweet. I am sad that I won't see her anymore, and I can only imagine what her mother must be feeling at this time of great loss, but I take comfort in knowing that she is in heaven, frolicking like little girls do as she crawls up in God's lap and says "It's beautiful here, I am so glad to be here." I picture here asking God to take away mommy's sadness.

At about 3 weeks old, she was diagnosed with myoclonicendocephalopothy, basically a seziure disorder. The doctors told us that she would not live beyond 2 years and that she would always be in a vegetative state. We have been blessed with her for 4 1/2 years in all.

After her diagnosis, I wrote a poem that I would read when this day came. Even though she was disabled, and we knew this day would come, you just can't prepare yourself for what you have to face.

The poem reads: A MEETING WAS HELD QUITE FAR FROM EARTH: IT'S TIME AGAIN FOR ANOTHER BIRTH. SAID THE ANGEL TO THE LORD ABOVE; A SPECIAL CHILD NEEDS MUCH LOVE, HER PROGRESS MAY BE VERY SLOW; ACCOMLISHMENTS SHE MAY NOT EVER SHOW. SHE'LL REQUIRE EXTRA CARE FROM ALL THE FOLKS SHE'LL MEET DOWN THERE. SHE MAY NOT RUN OR LAUGH OR PLAY; HER THOUGHTS MIGHT SEEM QUITE FAR AWAY. IN MANY WAYS SHE WON'T ADAPT AND SHE'LL ME KNOWN AS HANDICAPPED. SO LET'S BE CAREFUL WHERE SHE'S SENT FOR WE WANT HER LIFE TO BE CONTENT. PLEASE LORD, FIND THE FAMILY WHO WILL DO THIS SPECIAL JOB FOR YOU. THEY MAY NOT REALIZE RIGHT AWAY; THE LEADING ROLE THEY ARE ASKED TO PLAY. BUT WITH THIS CHILD SENT FROM ABOVE, COMES STRONGER FAITH AND RICHER LOVE. AND SOON THEY'LL KNOW THE PRIVILEDGE GIVEN IN CARING FOR THEIR GIFT FROM HEAVEN. FOR THIER PRECIOUS CHARGE SO MEEK AND MILD IS HEAVENS OWN......VERY SPECIAL CHILD

Not so Redneck after all

I did this bridal photo shoot today. I loaded the photos and then began looking through them, and I was surprised at myself. I am shocked that I actually took the pictures. I mean, they look like some expensive professional photographer took them. I have been professionally taking pictures now for about 3.5 years, but I mostly do families, kids, and seniors...I haven't really ever done much in the way of glamour.
More than feeling good about my work, I am just so pleased to have had such a wonderfully pleasing shoot. I mean, lots of times, folks want things so perfect that they stress over every little detail. and that stress, stresses me out. This bride was perfect. She was sweet, and easy-going, very down to earth. If all photo shoots were that easy, I might be inclined to do them more often. Truth is, I am nervous every time I have a new client. I worry if they will be pleased, or will I be able to accommodate their needs or wants. I so did not have that worry today. Look at the results:

the Lighthouse

Wednesday night, we attended a gospel concert performed by the FAITHFUL QUARTET at Pine Grove Baptist Church. They sang beautifully, but the greatest victory was the one soul that came to know JESUS. How glorious an occasion for this man to turn his life of to Jesus. Afterwards, we enjoyed good old-fashioned Christian fellowship. Of course there was food. Thursday night we went to Mimms Baptist Church in Conroe for their annual bible conference. This was the 2nd year we have been able to go, and I tell you...the music and the messages are so wonderful and God-filled, that you can't help but to be on fire for the Lord. Like a lighthouse, you want to be a shining light for others that they might see Jesus in you. Brother Herb Reavis was one of the two preachers tonight, and he delivered a message so powerful, and so honest. You can see Jesus oozing out of his poors. I pray that all christians would be like that. I want to reek of Jesus. I want to be like a lighthouse, so that others can see Jesus in me.

One Word

I was on Tallyscrapper looking at all the art journals and this months prompt for the journal entry is one word. What one word are you? What one word do you aspire to be? Give us you in one word. Someones one word was confidence, and anothers was willpower. Someone else's was free and yet another person's is strength. This got me to thinking...what would my one word be. After careful consideration, I decided my one word would be JESUS. I want to be like Jesus. I want Jesus to be what others see in me. But more than that, I want Jesus to be the center or my life. I want Jesus to be the controlling force in my life. I want to let go of the little things and hand them over to Jesus. I trust Jesus with the big things, now I need to let Jesus have the little things. The little things are what chip away at my heart and soul a piece at a time. How come I haven't already surrendered those things to Jesus. How come I feel like Jesus has so much to do that He wouldn't have time for my little things. Jesus has to be Lord of all or He can't be Lord at all. The fact is, Jesus is Lord of all, wether or not we know or believe it. Beliving it or not doesn't change the facts.

BINGO

Most people celebrate New Year by partying the new year in and then party on New Year's Day. Cabbage, black eye peas and cornbread is the holiday meal tradition. The old wives tale is that those foods will bring you good fortune for the year.

Well, I have never been one to go with the flow. I am always creating my own mold. Sometimes that is not so good, but most of the time its great. Last night, my family and I went to church and listened to a few messages and then fellowshipped with each other until 10:30 or so. I had plans of scrapping the new year in after we got back home, but the kids were still up. We decided to teach them how to play "UNO". A game that they should be able to understand and keep up with now that they all know thier colors and numbers. It was the funniest thing, at the end of our example round, Dakota was the first one to get down to one card. Before we started, we had explained that they would have to say "uno" when they got down to the one card or they would have to draw extra cards. She remembered that she was supposed to say it, but instead of uno she proudly proclaimed "bingo". We all laughed. I can begin to tell you how excited the kids were to make Gary and I draw cards or skip by us.

Today, we are preparing a feast. Although it is not the traditional one. Instead we are Bar-b-quing. The brisket and sausage are on the pit now, and the potatoes are being prepared for the potato salad. What bar-b-que meal would be complete without a glass of sweet iced tea.

Oh, I almost forgot. Resolutions are a common part of the new year celebration for most as well. I have really never been one to make resolutions. I don't really know why, I just haven't. I always hear people talk about how they make resolutions that are broken just about as fast as they are made. In a rebellious manner, I decided to gain 10 pounds. I figure that if the opposite of your resolution usually happens, then I was a shoe in to actually lose some weight this year.

scrappers block

So, I have been over at tallyscrapper.com during the cybercrop, and I have been smacked down with the scrapper's block...not because there isn't any inspiration....it's quite the contrary....you see, I see all of the great talent and I am just overwhelmed.....it kinda feels like stage fright...and the ladies there are so great...very encouraging too actually,....trying desparetly to help me lift this scrappers block.....I think its finally nudging....either that or we have chipped away at it enough until I was finally able to create something.....my new blog header......what do you think....do you hear the block cracking.....Thanks tallyscrappers for you help......check out the creativity of tallyworld for youself

creative genius

Today was a rather good day. We had our Christmas play at church this evening. I wrote and directed the play this year. I am glad that others are finally noticing my talents and giving me the opportunity to use them. The idea of the creative genius actually comes from the tallyscrapper website. It is the subtitle under my username. It feels kinda nice, even if everyone else has the same subtitle. This has really been a great crafty year for me...I have completed over 200 scrapbook layouts, over 50 cards, more than a dozen altered items, including 4 paint cans. I have had lots of fun planning parties. We had movie night at the church and I used the decorations from Dakota's Movie theme birthday for it. We had a candy cane Christmas ladies party and I even brought the devotional and we exchanged homemade gifts as a result of a suggestion I made. I really enjoy that we went caroling for the first time ever. Words cannot express the joy that brings for both those participating and those receiving. Earlier this year, I hosted an Elvis concert live in our backyard for Mason's birthday. Alot of the decorations and the invitations and the food is all carefully planned and thought out to match the theme.

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.