I am a scrapbooker. I love to make mini albums. I haven't done as many recently...but I did do this one a while back and wanted to share it with you. I made it for by best, D. She and I met about 5 years ago and have remained extremely close despite the fact she now lives in NY.  We manage to skype scrap often and that helps. The last time I saw her was April of 2010. She was a mama of a then 3 year old and an 18 month old. I wanted to make her something I knew she would like. I wanted to make her something that her kids would like to look at for years to come. And I wanted to make it about her FOR her. So...I decided to make an album about what it's like being a mom for her. So here's the album in a nutshell. Enjoy!

Products Used: Album: Prima, Paper: K & CO, Embellishments: Prima

Being a stay at home mama isn't easy. I don't sit at home and eat chocolate. I don't watch TV all day (we don't even get TV stations). I don't go out for lunch everyday (we eat ham sandwiches and leftovers). BUT, I do get to spend everyday with Sophia and I would not want to trade that for anything. My house is cleaner than it's ever been. I am able to cook (which I love). My laundry is not overflowing out of the hamper. I feel very blessed that I am able to stay at home.

That being said, I know I don't express to Anthony how much I appreciate him working. I know I don't tell him enough how grateful I am that he works to provide for our family. I know there are some days that he would rather stay at home and hang with us. I know there are days when it's hard for him to go to work. But he does it. And I...I am SO thankful he does. So, ladies...when your man comes home from work tonight. Tell him. Tell him you appreciate what he does and you notice how hard he works.

And yes, it took a pinky injury for me to realize that I am not so good at expressing gratitude towards my husband. So, Anthony...I know you will read this and probably not comment, that's ok. Thank you for working hard for us. Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you at the post office for this season in our lives. Know that Sophia does miss you when you are gone and EVERY time she hears the car pull into the driveway she comes running to see you. Love you!

I think...

No...

I know I sometimes forget to tell my husband how much I appreciate him. These last several months and most importantly the last couple of weeks have taught me alot about myself. I stay at home with my daughter everyday. My husband goes out to work. Only the last several weeks he hasn't worked.

Several weeks ago Anthony was playing volleyball and broke his pinky finger. After going to the doctor he found out that he not only broke it in one place, but two. He also found out that he would never be able to play guitar (his passion & gift) again unless he had surgery. When I found out, I was upset for him. But that soon subsided and all I could focus on was him not working. I am ashamed to say it...I became angry. I was mad that he wasn't working.

Sophia and I pretty much have a routine down for our days and Anthony being home was going to throw all of that off. Not only that, there would be absolutely no money coming in. Yet, another blow. Something else to pile on the list of things for me to be upset about.

Our home life these last 2 weeks have been stressful. At times unbearable. I have cried. I have gone out alone on drives just to get away. I rolled my eyes at Anthony whenever he did his therapy exercises at home. I have been mad, bitter, and upset. I deseperately needed an attitude check. All for what...Anthony not working?

No, it's much more than that.

I do know I have been ungrateful. I have not appreciated my husband working and providing for our family. (I'm pretty sure I was taking it for granted). I know that I have been extremely difficult to live with. I know that I have a mouth and I use it. I know that I have not trusted the Lord in our situation. I have seen how I can be utterly selfish. I know that I was anything but encouraging.

I do not know yet the full extent of what the Lord is teaching me. But I do know I need MORE. More of His presence. More of His grace. More of His teaching. MORE. It's funny how something so small can teach you the most about yourself. I am still a work in progress.

It's been awhile since I've posted some layouts. Here's some I've completed this week. These are challenge pages I've been doing with my far away, dear, awesome friend D. I looked back over my challenge album...and our first challenge was in July of 2009! To date we've done 122 challenges and I am quite shure that our scrap albums are much more thicker because of it.

Over these last several months I've come to realize that I need a plan. I need a list. I need something to help guide me. I need something to mark off. I've done some Bible studies this year and wanted something basic. So, I'm starting a new Bible reading plan that I wanted to share, in case any of you are also interested in using it to guide you through your Bible. Let me also say, HONESTLY... I have never read through the Bible in a year. (kinda sad, I know)

The one that I'm using is a chronological reading plan that arranges the Bible so that you read them in the order that the events happened (not necessarily in the order the books were written).

I've tried out different reading plans over several years and have often wished that I had read about this prophet when I was reading about that event back in Kings or Chronicles. So, I set out to find a plan that would help me get a larger understanding of what all was going on (particularly regarding Old Testament events), intertwining the history with the prophets of the era with the Psalms being sung and so forth. I think this will help me actually complete it. Read the ENTIRE Bible.

From the research I've done, it seems that this reading plan that I've selected will do that. It's set up so that by reading between about three and four chapters a day, you'll make it through the entire Bible in a year.

But, I think that having a plan to help guide me through my Bible reading is incredibly useful and motivating, especially when you're not really in the mood to read (because that is reality some days!).

Anyway, so if you want to try this reading plan, you can print out a 2-page PDF that lists out each date and the corresponding readings for that day. Then just keep it with your Bible and mark off the days as you go.

(There are also a variety of other reading plans you can choose from, if you're not into the chronologically-arranged type. They also have ones that walk you through the Old and New Testaments simultaneously, or ones that integrate daily Psalms and Proverbs readings, as well as others.)

Do you have a reading plan you're using that you really like? Feel free to share it in the comments!

Well, the last installment of HSH was in February. She is sure you don't want ALL the details over the last 6 months...so you will be spared. Instead, she will just fill you in the past month...September. For her the biggest focus was on potty training. Many a treats were consumed, "good job!" and "you're such a big girl was said."  Big question here: Did it work? Yes, it has. However as of late we are still dealing with accidents...almost daily. (I know...2 is her age!) She and her made a trip up to Indiana to see family. It had been too long since we had seen family.

Her first movie in a theatre happened this month. Kung Fu Panda 2. At home Kung Fu Panda is watched at least once a week by her. He and she were so proud of her...the show was watched with no potty breaks or melt-downs. Our $3 was money well spent!

In other news, he suffered a major injury. A volleyball injury...to the pinkie. That my fellow readers is another post for another day. He has since had surgery and is going to physical therapy 3 times a week. She traveled to St. Louis, MO with Laura and spend the weekend at the Joyce Meyer Conference. It was an extremely memorable and awesome time. And yes...she did go 630 feet up into the Arch.

Farewell September, you came and went so fast.

Since the first day of fall happened earlier this week I thought it was time to do a fall edition. If you are like me you haven't even begun to decorate your house with those lovely fall things. Maybe this will help inspire you to get moving!

10. Ten soups for fall.

9. leaves. wax paper. crayons. DIY here.

8. This fall print would be awesome framed.

7. Golden Pumpkins

6. oak leaf bowl from Martha Stewart

5. don't forget that perfect fall coat, jacket, or sweater.

4. decorating that mantle.

3. the perfect pumpkin bundt cakes

 

2. The table pumpkin or acorn centerpiece.

1. Lastly, but definitely not least a thankful tree. I am doing one of these this year for sure.

Today while driving around this song came on the radio. Sophia went crazy. She was bobbing her little head and singing. So cute! And yes, I like the song too. Anyway, come to find out it's a FREE download for itunes on K LOVE. If you like it...go here and get it. Enjoy!

Then there's this video...totally inspiring. Totally worth the watch. So creative! Check out MOVE below.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

If you are on a tight budget like I am, you are always looking for inexpensive toys for your toddler. So, while looking through a friends photos I spied her daughter sitting with a tupperware container filled with beans. Beans? Yes beans. She said her daughter loves to sort and play with the beans. So, I thought I would give it a try with mine. Beans = success! Sophia will sit and sort the beans, scoop the beans, and cook with the beans. She loves it! Sometimes Sophia will get so excited scooping from one container to the next she flings the beans around. Yes, stepping on beans can hurt your feet so make sure you look for stray beans.  So, if you're looking for something fun and inexpensive buy some soup beans and have some fun!

How is it not even October yet and I'm already thinking about pumpkins? Simple. I love fall. I love the smells, the colors, and the traditions. The folks at Country Living did an amazing decoupage job on this pumpkin, using 120 photocopied images from Pictorial Webster's, a visual dictionary of curiosities.