My Two Favorite Girls...

Richard and I are in Savannah for doctors' visits, and then off to the lake for the weekend. So, I thought I'd share this picture of my two favorite girls. Leighton has been helping her Mommy set up her new dance studio.

Lake Oconee June 2009

We made a trip last weekend to Lake Oconee (between Milledgeville and Athens, GA)...home of Reynolds Plantation's six golf courses, including Great Waters which hosted the 2008 PGA Professional National Championship. It's a gorgeous lake featuring many, many multi-million dollar homes. We went there specifically to hunt for a lake house...most definitely not one of the $$$$$$$ houses!  We found two houses right on the lake that we really like, but we're still looking and aren't quite ready to make an offer on one.

Anyway, I took some pictures (of course) since this was Ladybug's first trip to the lake.

"I can help you read that, Daddy!"

"Ummmmm, Daddy, I don't think so!"

Ready to go!

"Hold me, Granny!"  (I love it!!!!)

Mama and baby enjoying the ride.

Getting very sleepy....

"I give up!"

(The precious little bathing suit is from Three Mommas....my sister is a rep and they have some gorgeous smocked and monogrammed clothes. If you're interested in more information, let me know and I'll give you her email address.)

Christmas Punch...

These are some cute tag sets I made using a new Stampin' Up! Level 2 Hostess set called Christmas Punch. I think the designer paper is from Cosmo Cricket's Oh Joy collection, but the cardstock is Sage Shadow and So Saffron from Stampin Up!

I Saw That Going Differently In My Mind....

One of my all-time favorite movies is Hitch...starring Will Smith and Eva Mendes. Remember that scene in the movie when Will shows Eva her great-grandpa's name on the list at Ellis Island, and she bursts into tears and runs off?   That wasn't quite what he anticipated..."I saw that going differently in my mind." -Hitch

Well, I saw this card going differently in my mind, too. 

I used some cardstock and designer paper I bought from Taylored Expressions, along with a new stamp from Stampin' Up!...The More the Merrier, Level 3 Hostess set.

Hi Honey....

 

This is the first time I've tried the bubble wrap technique. I saw a "bee card" in a magazine and it had the bubble wrap background, so I thought it would be perfect for Just Buzzin' By by SU!  I inked up a strip of bubble wrap with So Saffron and More Mustard and then pressed my Shimmery White cardstock onto the bubble wrap. The effect is so cool!

What's the Word?

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:25

Everyone needs encouragement.  Who has God put into your life to cheer on, or raise up? It doesn't have to be much...even the tiniest word of praise or encouragement can change a person's life. Who do you need to speak to today?

Father, I thank You for this day and for sending people into my life to encourage me. I pray that I might be an encouragement to others. Show me who needs a word from me today. I love You. Amen and amen.

Upsy Daisy...

We're back from our wonderful vacation at Palm Coast, Florida. We had the best time! The weather was gorgeous. I have tons of pictures that I want to share. You know I can't pass up the opportunity to show off my little Ladybug! Check out the slideshow at the top right of my blog.

This card uses embossing to make the main image pop. The base card is Sahara Sand. I stamped the main image on designer paper from the Bella Rose collection. I matted the designer paper on a piece of Sahara Sand, followed by Chocolate Chip and a piece of To the Nines textured specialty designer paper. I stamped the sentiment in Chocolate chip on Sahara Sand and matted it on Chocolate Chip. I put a strip of To the Nines paper at the bottom of the card. A little ribbon slide from Hodgepodge Hardware (Very Vanilla) holds the Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon.

Now, I want to show you what creature showed up in my stamp room...just looking at me....ICK!!! It's a giant yucky, icky, grasshopper!! Ewwwww!!!

Hope and Trust...

“Happy is he…whose hope is in the Lord.” Psalm 146:5

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

We all know that money is a necessary part of life. So does God. But, in today's financially embattled world, many families have had to make huge changes in the way they live...not necessarily for the better. Often there is a whole lot more month at the end of the money. Experts tell us to budget our money. Budget? What budget? We look at our bleak situations and there's nothing to do but laugh...or cry. Crying won't help, though. That's our cue to trust God to supply our needs. He expects us to do our part...to do all we can do...but then we must trust Him to step in when we've exhausted our resources. Now, that doesn't mean He's going to jump right in and provide funding for extravagant purchases. But, I've heard so many times where God has provided what was needed when all hope was lost. Do your part. Trust God. Therein lies our hope.

Father, I thank You for this day and for the hope that we have in You. I don't know many people who haven't been affected by the financial woes of our society. At times we are tempted to throw up our hands and cry...or give up. Yet, all we have to do is look up. Our hope is in You. Thank You for being there and providing what we need. I love You. Amen and amen.

All-American...

I found this cute little post-it pad in the $1 Spot at Target. I thought it would be perfect for a little 4th of July gift. I made the post-it holder for it using Mary's tutorial that I found on YouTube. Check it out!

The Cost of Unforgiveness...

“Pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:28

Grace.....we all need it. Nobody can go through life without being hurt, but what happens next is the really important part. Are you better....or bitter because of it? Bitterness is an infection of your attitude and mood. It can cause you to lose your friends and alienate people. Nobody wants to be around a bitter person. If you're not careful, bitterness in others can also rub off on you, leaving you with negative attitudes. Have you every been around someone who only wanted to talk about "what so-and-so did to me"? Do you know someone who keeps scores on the wrongs they've been dealt? Hopefully, it's not you. If you've allowed some bitterness and unforgiveness towards someone to creep into your life and haven't let it go, remember what Jesus said..."For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.." (Matthew 6:14-15).
Nobody really knows what anyone else has been through, but Jesus does. Nobody has ever been treated worse than Jesus, yet he was preaching forgiveness while on the cross. If He can do it, surely we can. God will give us the grace to do it!

Father, I thank You for this day and for the grace You offer so freely. I ask You to forgive me for any bitterness I've harbored in my life, and help me to freely offer forgiveness to those who hurt me. I love You. Amen and amen.

Lime Popsicle...

This is a total CASE of a card done by Angie at Chicnscratch...of course, I've seen the same card in many places across the Internet. I don't know where it originated, but I did use Angie's tutorial to make mine. I made some of these last summer, but I just love it in Gable Green because it reminds me of my fave popsicle...Edy's Lime fruit popsicles!

Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord...

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.” Ephesians 1:18  

Anytime you're in a crisis, it's easy to lose perspective.  Some people tend to withdraw from everyone and everything around them. That would be me. My vision becomes blurred by my situation. My perceptions are not what they should be.  No matter how bad things may appear, keep your eyes focused on Jesus. He's the One who can clear up your vision and help you find the answers.  It's when we take our eyes off Him that we lose our way.

Father, I thank You for this day and for enlightening the eyes of my heart when I feel all hope is lost. Thank You for showing me the way. I love You. Amen and amen.

Pretty Maids All In a Row...

This sweet little ballerina stamp is from Stampabilities, purchased on sale at Hobby Lobby. The sentiment is a rub-on from my stash.

We'll be heading home on Saturday, so my posting will be more consistent. It's hard to get Internet access here, for some reason. The wireless router in our condo is not getting along with my laptop... :(

Sticks and Stones....

"The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?"  Proverbs 18:14

"In your anger, do not sin." Ephesians 4:26

We say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me,” but most of us know that's not true. Words have the ability to wound deeply and a person can die of a crushed spirit.  The person who spoke the words (even in jest) can live to regret the damage they inflicted. Very seldom does anyone get a "do-over".  When you are angry, don't say things that might cause you a lifetime of regret.  Ask God to show you what needs to be said...what needs changing...not only in others, but more importantly in yourself.  

Father, I thank You for this day and for the truth of Your Word. Thank You for giving me guidance and direction. I ask You to forgive me for any words that I've spoken which hurt others and ask that You help me to temper my words with love and kindness, even in anger. I love You. Amen and amen.