First digital page from scratch

Thanks to Jessica Sprague, I'm a little bit smarter in the digital scrapbooking world. You can check out her blog here and sign up for her newsletter. Tons of free info on her blog, it's GREAT.

I completed this page with Jacque Larson's Good Day Sunshine Full Kit from The Lilypad. I love her stuff! It's so fun, funky and full of life! Not to mention, she is a super sweet lady! She sent me a personal email thanking me for purchasing her designs.

Broken Foot?

Yep, that's right! I broke my foot. Yesterday morning I was stepping down into the family room and slipped on a baby toy. Yep, that one that Jim has been fussing about..........He always says, "someone is going to hurt theirself on one of these toys". Boy, was he right! It hurt so bad, I think I cried for 20 minutes. I kept praying it would go away, but it just didnt. I laid in bed all day with it propped up, iced down. This morning I knew I had to go to the dr, because the pain was just too intense. I could not step down on it for the life of me. So, according to Xray, I broke the Fifth Metatarsal and will most likely require surgery. I have an appt with an ortho on Monday and will find out then. My dr. today told me that surgery, in his opinion, was my best option. It will increase the speed of recovery. And being the mom of 3, I'd say I need the speediest recovery and healing! After wrecking Jim's car, losing my wedding ring and now this...........I definitely believe a dark cloud is looming over me. But, my dad assured me that when the sun does come out it's going to shine brightly! Thank you dad for sending such warm feelings of reassurance to me. I needed that! He is right.....the sun will shine soon enough.

I want to talk about how wonderful Jim has been. Last night, he got the kids all their supper, ready for bed, medicine, cleaned up the whole house and got everyone to bed. He even woke up with Kathryn at 2:30am and again with Alex at 4 am. Alex has the croup. Jim was so tired this morning and didn't complain a bit. He woke Audrey up got all of her stuff ready for school and took her without waking me up. He cleaned up the house again today and took Alex to the dr. for me and went to the grocery store and pharmacy. Thank you Honey! I love you so much! You are an amazing husband and terrific father. Oh yeah! and he went to Audrey's school today to watch her perform in her reader's theater program. I mean, was he Mr. Mom today or what? I have to say, he did a superb job!

My MIL kept Kathryn all day yesterday and picked her up tonight to keep her through Sunday. That is a huge help! She always comes to my rescue and that means the world to me. :) I feel so blessed to have a MIL like her. She is amazing!

Audrey came in from school today and cleaned up my bedroom, made my bed all cozy, brought me flowers, swept the playroom and loaded my MIL's car with Kathryn's bags. She did all that with noone ever asking.......... She has such a HUGE heart and just wanted to help out. I love her so much and I'm so proud of the young lady she is becoming. :)

As for Alex, well, he's been a big help too. Yesterday he took as much care of me as he could. He said, "mommy I'm not a very good doctor, but I'll try." Well, enough said...........my heart melted, of course. God bless him, he sat in the bed next to me eating his lunch and got BBQ chips all over my bed. I didn't even care! Seriously, I can't think of anything I would have loved more than my greasy BBQ flavored bag of ice(from his greasy little fingers icing down my foot). And chip sprinkles all over me and my bed, of course. The perfect recipe for taking my mind off my aching foot.

Stay tuned for an update.

A special person

There is a young man who was paralyzed in an ATV accident. He happens to be the son of some of my in-law's very dear friends. His name is Matt Courson. Jim sang in a benefit concert for Matt last night. Jim said he is an amazing guy and a true testimony to God's miracles. I wanted to share his website with you. Doctors told Matt he would never walk again, it just was not very likely, due to the injury he sustained. Since then Matt has shown what a difference one's mere attitude can have. He told his mom and dad in the emergency room, "I will not let this beat me." Since then, he has made progress doctors didn't deem likely. He is such an inspiration, so I wanted to share him with you today. Check out his website and be encouraged.

Here is a beautiful verse to hold close to your heart!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Be encouraged today and encourage others!!! :)

Happy 6 Months, Baby!

My baby is already 6 months old. WoW! My heart is softening as I think of all the precious memories she has already made for us and added to our family. What a blessing she has been. Having a 3rd child, for me, is like getting an opportunity to really absorb this special time. With my 1st child, I was so anxious and worried about everything being perfect, reading every book out there to see that I was doing it just right. No wonder she is a perfectionist!?* My 2nd child, I was more laid back and certainly not worrying about things being "just so". Now with my 3rd one, I realize none of that even matters. She will be just fine even if I don't follow the book and the biggest one of all, NO 2 kids are the same. They are all made to their own individuality. How amazing that every single human God created/creates is different. What an awesome thought!

Kathryn is eating solids now. She loves them! She naps twice a day, if she can. Between preschool and grade school, picking up Alex and Audrey she is lucky to get one good nap in. Then there is tball practice, dance, girl scouts and church. She lives in her car seat while I taxi everyone around. :) She is such a super great baby! She has been waking a bit in the past week. I think she is cutting her first tooth, due to the buckets of drool she stays soaked in. :} She is sitting up and rolling over! She squeals with delight now. She has discovered this high pitched squeal and loves to make it, much to my dismay. HA!

Jessica Sprague

Well, I'm finally getting my hands into my photoshop class with Jessica Sprague. Up and Runnin with Photoshop is the class I'm taking. Jessica is a wonderful teacher! It's definitely a self paced class, which is best for me. All the emails and lessons are on her website forever, they are always accessible. That is so good for me, because I couldn't even start the class until 2 weeks after it began. If you have even considered digital scrapbooking, I HIGHLY recommend Jessica Sprague.

Just thought I would share week 3 layout!

Our Easter 2008

Trace Adkins and Food Allergies

As some of you may know Trace Adkins is on Celebrity Apprentice this season. He is in the season finale against Piers Morgan. Way to Go Trace. You are probably asking yourself why I care? Well, Trace's chosen charity is FAAN-Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. This affects me tremendously.



My son, Alex, suffers from severe food allergies and FAAN has been there for me every step of the way. We had a terrifying experience with him when he was 11 months old. He is anaphylactic to dairy and peanuts. FAAN has done so much to improve the lifestyle of children who suffer from food allergies. One big thing they advocated was the law that ensures children as early as age 7 can read a food label. This way all scientific names have to be labeled milk, wheat, dairy, egg, peanut, fish and soy.........It sure makes life alot easier since there is so much else involved in the safety of your child's life. Anyway.............. I want to help FAAN out. There are two ways you can help!!!



Check out the link here to read more about Trace{his daughter, age 6, suffers from a severe allergy to peanuts} and his efforts to help FAAN. You can check out a video of Trace explaining his reason here. FOR 2 weeks the charity single that Trace will sing Thursday night will be available at ITUNES and all the proceeds go to FAAN. You have 2 weeks from March 27 to download and support FAAN. You can also text TRUMP to 30101 to donate to FAAN, you will receive a video message from Donald Trump thanking you. The cost of each text is $1.00, plus any fees your provider may charge. For $2 you can help make a difference with FAAN and all the families they are reaching. They are an incredible foundation. $1 for the song and $1 by text.



Thank you Trace Adkins. Oh I hope you win!!!! FAAN sure deserves the win!!! :)

Easter

What a beautiful time of year! Not just because the birds are singing or that the sun is shining later in the day or because flowers are blooming and the grass is beginning to grow............Those are just some of the magnificent things the LORD has given us to enjoy here on earth.

It's most beautiful to me because my LORD and Savior is risen! He is the KING of KINGS, LORD of LORDS and alive to live with me in eternity. WOW!!!!!! Now, that's something beautiful. This time of year is so wonderful because it is a fresh reminder of LIFE, the LIFE the LORD has given us through salvation. What a beautiful gift He has given.

Although, this is a beautiful time in my little world, I have to remember that the days leading to this time were not so precious. I must remind myself what Jesus went through so that I could have life. His time up to His death on the cross was excruciating. He endured so much so I could have life. I like to focus on that time because it is a strong nudge for me to realize nothing I can ever go through will ever be near what He had to endure. And He did it all for me, because He loves me. I don't deserve it, but that is what grace is.................God's grace is a gift we do not deserve. My sinful life could never do anything to earn my salvation, it is just FREE! That's all...........not a single cent or task can earn it. All I had to do was believe............and I was forever changed.

JOHN 3:16 For God so loved the world He sent His one and only son so that whoever believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life.

from L-R: Natalie(my niece), Audrey, Amy(my sister), Poppy(my dad), me and Kathryn

Happy Easter!

Easter Egg Hunt

Here are some pics from our Easter Egg Hunt at church!!

I just want to say that Brian and Julie Brooks do such an amazing job. Brian has taken on so many extra roles at church, because our Minister of Education left and so did our Children's Minister. Thanks Brian and Julie for all you do! :) You can see their Love for the LORD and His Kingdom in all that they do! :) Our church and community are so incredibly blessed to have them.

Remember this Easter what it is all about. It is about our Savior that LIVES!!! Take time to reflect on this special time...........because He LIVES we will spend eternity in Heaven with Him. How beautiful that our Savior Lives!!! He is alive and well! Oh it excites me so much to think about it. Enjoy the egg hunting, Sunday dinner and the yummy treats, but keep the Real Reason for Easter at the focus of your celebration.

the list just keeps getting longer....

let's see............i have so many things to do and as soon as i check one off of my 'to do' list, 2-3 things more jump on there. i started Beth Moore's "The Patriarchs" bible study yesterday. AND WOW!!! I'm overwhelmed with what God wants to share with me!!!! How blessed are we that He has given us a guide that will direct our lives if we will allow it to. God uses Beth Moore in so many ways to move, motivate and encourage me. You know what else is so awesome, she gives HIM all the glory! If you've never read one of her books or done one of her studies, I highly encourage you to. You will be overcome with excitement and a yearning to fill your soul, spirit, bones, mind and heart with the word of God and even more eager to live in it. :)

Yes, my list is getting longer, but I will not be discouraged. I get very overwhelmed with all the things I have to do and spend so much time doing alone. With 3 kids and a husband that travels the devil certainly knows where I am weakest and he will attack me at any chance he gets. The devil doesn't just attack in the areas we expect it, drugs, alcohol, eating, spending money, etc. he attacks in ways we least expect it. So, be aware of the areas in your life he can get you and tell him to GET OUT! The LORD will arm you with power you never knew you had. :) AMEN!!! :)

Jim is doing great! He's on his 3rd radio tour since January and his schedule is filling up nicely. I believe his song is at #13 this week. Glory be to God-it's all HIM! If you have not heard Jim's music please check here.

Audrey and I came down with tonsilitis, Kathryn with RSV after a LONG LONG week of Jim being sick. He ran fever for 7 days and had a horrible cough, flu test returned negative. Not sure what it was, but it was dreadful. Needless to say, we've had some sickness around here. Hopefully, with brighter sunny days and Spring just ahead we can say goodbye to colds.

I'm working hard to get us back in normal routine and it's a challenge. As a mom to 3, one of which is 5 months, I can't seem to get my TO DO LIST done. What is up with that? I write it out and it takes days to check off one or two items. I feel like my house stays a wreck and all I do is wash clothes. And as for cleaning up, well..............that is everyday all day long. But, I know this time will pass shortly and all I will have is time on my hands and I will miss the days of running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Days of baking cupcakes at the last minute for school or church, filling Easter Eggs to take for the Church Egg Hunt(moments before we go), signing notes and making sure payment for yearbook and field trips are turned in on time. Making sure I went over Audrey's homework with her before it's due the next day. Planning family night to work in while Jim is home. Wow!!! I could go on and on.................but, like I said I know I will miss the hustle and bustle of this busy life with kids soon enough. :) I hope you are having better luck than me with your TO DO lists. Let the little stuff go and check off what's most important! Take the time your kids need from you and don't sweat the other stuff. It's hard to keep in perspective, but we must remind each other the importance of our children's needs. We have such a short time to make an impression on them and build a strong christian foundation. That is a huge responsibility, isn't it? SO, I'm reminding myself that no item on my TO DO LIST holds more importance than that. :)

I'll share photos from our Egg Hunt tonight. And I have got to figure out what Audrey is going to where for School Pictures tomorrow, because I just remembered they are tomorrow as I was sitting here babbling. LOL

Have a blessed day! :)