It was so beautiful outside today, I couldn't help but spend some time on the porch swing. I love to grab a little quiet time when I can. It doesn't usually last long, when the girls notice I'm missing they come a lookin'! What a blessing it is to live in the country where I can hear the birds sing, watch the squirrels steal pecans from our tree, and watch the girls run in the yard. I complain about the weather in the South a lot, but on days like today......well, guess I don't have much to complain about!

Well, I guess I've done it again. I just can't stand the same thing for long. I have been looking at Thao's "Life's Canvas" Collection for a while now thinking "that would make a great blog!! So in between layouts, I've been creating for my blog! It's nice to have a change of scenery every once in a while! I hope you like it!

Hanukkah Sameach!! (Happy Hanukkah) We had an awesome first night, our annual church Hanukkah party! Brother Shelley read the children the story of Hanukkah and we lit the first candle on the menorah. Oh...and of course there were latkes and donuts! I spent all day making Challa bread.....It's not totally traditional for Hanukkah, but we eat it every chance we get. It's become a great tradition in our house for me to make it every year. It takes 5 hours but boy is it worth it. We actually had a little left over this morning, so we are having challa toast with butter and honey! Mmmmmm!!

Of course when we got home we opened gifts and lit our candles. I got the coolest candles this year. They are rainbow colored, hand rolled beeswax! They even smell sweet when they burn! Can you tell I love this season?

Just in case you don't know what Hanukkah is about I'll post a link to a small version of the story.... It's a season of miracles! Blessings to you all!

I got this idea from Debbie Layden, a wonderful new friend that is on the Scrap Girls Layout Artist's team with me. She is a talented artist, awesome photographer, and sweet friend. On her blog she said she was going to take one or two images of her daughter, print them on her home computer and put them in a special journal where she would then write two or three things they did together that day. I thought that was an awesome idea, so I'm going to adapt it for myself. I'm going to take a random photo every day, put it in my journal and write a few thoughts about it. I have wanted to journal for so long, but I just don't know where to start, it's so intimidating. I'm also very visual, so I thought this was a perfect solution. Who knows the entrys may morph into some great spiritual revalation or they might be just random thoughts about a photo? Either way it will get me writing, and remembering!

So this is the first photo of my journal......it's a photo of my journal! :D This will be the book where all the thoughts and photos are kept.......maybe every now and then I'll post one here too. I hope to see not only my writing evolve, but my photography. So thanks Debbie for the little push I needed to get started! Maybe someday I'll get a beautiful red damask journal too!

Journaling Reads:
My memories of holidays when I was a child are precious. We always had huge family gatherings at Vava's house. Lots of good food, of course, loud relatives, and card playing after dinner. I remember the table being packed and the sound of laughter. As the years went by, there were fewer and fewer people, but the memories I hold will be mine forever.

I know everyone has special memories of holidays past, and when this time of year rolls around we start remembering. I can't help but notice the past few years when holiday time rolls around how different it is. It's supposed to be a time of family, community, charity, and for Christians celebrating the birth of our savior. For me it's been even more special since we started celebrating Hanukkah, the feast of the dedication, or the feast of lights....they are all one in the same. I get so disappointed when I have to go to town, you see I dread going to town during this time of year because it seems like the spirit of greed rules and people are getting more mean and short tempered, I mean people shoot each other because there aren't enough x-boxes to go around. I wish everyone could just take a step back and ask themselves "what are we doing?"

So I don't mean to be a downer, but lets all try to be a light to this world during this holiday season. Let's try to show all those hard working, barley making it cashiers at Wal Mart that we appreciate them. Try to say an extra thank you to someone who helps you. Flash an extra smile or two at a fellow shopper, and this one's the hardest......at least for me. Try not to let those grouchy, angry attitudes get on us! I want people to notice I'm different, and ask my why. I want the world to see the "Light" of Christ through me.

I was so excited to have an opportunity to help one of the designers at Scrap Girls, Cherise Oleson, do a layout for her new product - Chore Labels. I love Scrap Simple Templates! You can customize them to your liking! I wanted to do a page for her so that people would think outside the box and see that you can use them for something other than chore charts......but I'm thinking some chore charts for the girls are on the way!! Won't they be excited! Heeee Hee!! Can you tell I love this stuff? ;)

These are a couple of layouts I did for Scrap Girls for the second collaboration Holiday Collection. This is one of the only times I have used stock photos in my layouts......but how are you supposed to do wintry layouts with beautiful wintry collections when you live in the south and snow is non existent? It was so much fun working with this awesome collection and doing something out of the ordinary for me! The Scrap Girls product designers really are awesome. Anyway, this is the best part.....place an order totaling $10 or more before December 15th and receive the second beautiful collaboration Holiday Collection as a free gift! Don't miss it! Of course it can also be purchased in the boutique.....but isn't free better?

I am so blessed to have just spent two wonderful weeks with my Dad, Mom, Grandma Vicky and Grandma Bettencourt. It's amazing how fast two weeks can fly by. Sometimes I really don't understand why we have to live so far apart, but I know the Lord has a reason. He needs us where he has placed us. It would however be nice if he would call them to Alabama......right? We miss them so much when their gone, but we had a blast while they were here! It's the first time in a very long time that we have been together for Thanksgiving, and boy did we do it right......twice! Of course we did lots of shopping, staying up late, and visiting with friends.........and I promise next time dad we'll go bowling!

Now it's time to get back into our routine. We'll start back up with school on Monday. Meanwhile the girls are working on thier rooms which haven't been touched in two weeks! I literally can't even walk in the twins door! I think it might be time to get rid of some stuff.......ya think? Well on life goes....with us or without us! We are already counting down to the next visit.....I hope it comes soon! There are some good deals on tickets right now....... ;)

I wanted to wish all our family and friends a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving. It really is a time that we can reflect on all the blessings the Lord has given us this past year, to praise His goodness in our lives. I love reading the original Thanksgiving Proclamation given by George Washington. It really reminds us of the values that our country was founded on. I thought I'd share it here with you all. Have a blessed day and we love you!

General Thanksgiving

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America

A PROCLAMATION

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

George Washington

I just thought you all had to see the new Cowboy Up collection that showed up in the Scrap Girls Boutique this week! I'm just loving it! It's by a super talented artist, Angela Blanchard. I can't wait to get this downloaded and start playing! I have so many photos of ranch life that I can't wait to scrap! And check out that border collie! I think that's just for you mom!

No, I'm not a corporate CEO....or am I? I'm literally cleaning house. Dad, mom, vava, and grandma Vicky are on the plane as I write this and will be here tomorrow. So begins the mad dash to get the house presentable! As soon as I say ok girls.....lets get things cleaned up.....the mutiny begins! Kendra and Lena argue over who is going to clean what in their room....the twins promise they are going to clean but end up having a great play idea that just can't wait. I tell them I'm going to set the timer....."Nooooo Mom, we'll clean" Which if they did the whole timer thing wouldn't be a big deal! So they start making endless trips to the garbage can with a scrap of paper at a time, oh and of course their hungry or thirsty every five minutes......Meanwhile, am I getting that pile of dishes done or that sticky floor mopped, and we won't even talk about the shower! I think it's commical really! At least Steven isn't home to witness it all.....my dad calls him speed bump, now that's a whole other story. ;) And all you stay at home moms know exactly what that means, so don't pretend you don't! So I put on some music and know that it will all get done! Oops, here comes the trash parade again.......I better go get something done!

I guess it's been a few days and I'm trying to be faithful to blog every couple of days....even if it's just about every day occurrences. So what have we been doing? Well.....I've been doing a lot of scrapping, working ahead on Scrap Girls assignments and magazine subscriptions so that when mom, dad and the grandma's are here I don't have to worry about being late with anything! I've done some layouts that I really love, I wish I could post them......but you'll just have to wait till their in the Newsletter! I have also been spending some evenings praying and worshiping in the church with the girls. It has been an awesome experience, I love the freedom that is there and the gifts that are being developed in our lives. I'm getting to where I need that time to get through the week. It's really a refueling time! I am so blessed!

We have been enjoying the beautiful fall weather, it's been perfect. The girls have been playing outside and enjoying the falling leaves. Kendra and Lena have also really been enjoying their dance class, they love it. Of course there is always school, but we reached a mile stone this week! 60 lessons down and 100 to go! I know it sounds like a lot, but we are quite excited!! The twins have just been doing their thing! They're everywhere and into everything! Boy, aren't things going to get interesting when I have to start school with them next year?

Steven is starting the busy season. He is also being considered as a full time employee with the company which would really be a blessing for us. A steady paycheck and benefits is something we haven't had in a long time. Being self employed has it's perks, but there is something to be said about a steady paycheck! So be praying the Lords perfect will for him.

Well I guess that's about it for now......we will be busy the rest of the week making preparations for family to come!! I can't wait, we are all counting it down! But there is always something exciting happening around here, so I'm sure I'll have new news to post soon!!

From the Scrap Girls Newsletter today, this is one of my favorite muses by Rozanne Paxman.....I though you all might enjoy it!

Great Mysteries of the Civilized World: Exposed

Listen folks, have I got big news for you today! A secret vault, hidden deep, deep in the darkest forest of the Amazon has been discovered, filled to the brim with informational pamphlets.

Now, these are not ordinary pamphlets. No... indeed... These little documents – so innocent in appearance – hold all of the secrets of the civilized world. And, what's more, anyone that owns these simple little sheaths of paper will have an instant claim to the brain that they have always been longing for, because one of these pamphlets has all of the answers required to become a Trivial Pursuit master!

Because I don't want to cause a riot in the streets, I will just tease you with a short list of the additional miraculous material that can be yours, should you desire to own your own copy of these secret informational pamphlets!

• Learn where all of the world's missing socks can be located.

• Discover who has been hiding the tops of Rubbermaid food storage containers.

• Read top-secret government information about why silver dollars aren't made out of silver anymore.

• Did you know? The great can-opener conspiracy: They are built to break when you need them the most.

• Read the same secret laboratory results that caused panic on Wall Street when the word leaked out that chocolate contains a hypnotic ingredient.

• Rumors of short people from outer space landing in suburbia erupted when entire classrooms of children pass math exams with perfect scores. The top secret files contain the complete story of this incident.

• Lint: A plot meant to drive good people insane is unearthed when a woman in southern Utah accidentally sends a tissue through the laundry cycle in her husband's pants pocket. Is it true? The secret documents teach you everything you need to know to protect yourself from “lintage.”

• Truth revealed: Repetitive music of video games is stratagem designed to drive mothers of teenage boys into submission.

• It is not accidental that your spoons are falling into your food disposals. Learn why.

• Information that you need today: Are you stirring correctly? Don't throw the planet off course with a simple slip of your wrist. Get the facts.

• Study the tactics employed by a 16-year-old diversionary master who is able to hide the fact that she is a brilliant pianist from her mother by endlessly talking about the need for new pants.

• Amaze and astound your friends and family when you are able to do 30 things simultaneously. Yes, folks, it is true. You too will be able to knit a sweater, cook a five course meal, balance your checkbook, weed the garden, learn to speak Chinese, and braid hair for a living while acting as a political advisor to your local Chamber of Commerce. You will still have plenty of mental effort left over to spend on other worthy activities such as drying fruit, teaching disadvantaged children how to jump rope, and scheming with office cohorts about how to rise to the top of the corporate world. The top-secret pamphlets show you how to accomplish everything you ever wanted to do in just five, easy-to-follow lessons.

I imagine that at this point you are wondering to yourself, “How? How do I get my hands on these secret pamphlets that have been locked away deep, deep in the Amazon?”

The answer is so simple that it is startling in nature! All you have to do is....

Weroiuoij....

Garf....

I interrupt my regular muse channel with a brief message that is being dictated to me by someone other than myself. It seems that the materials mentioned in this muse were not approved for public viewing by the big, beefy guys wearing black hats and shiny gold badges who are standing over me with a stick. They tell me that if I give away the location of the secret pile of socks - which they claim is needed to prevent global warming - that they will take me down to the deep, deep, dark Amazon and deposit me in that hidden safe along with the pamphlets. Since their case is particularly compelling and will affect my future ability to consume the aforementioned chocolate, I will stop now and pretend the whole thing never happened.

- Ro

This is from the Scrap Girls Newsletter today. I have been wanting to post this one for a while. Kendra took these beautiful photos of Zoe picking flowers a couple months ago, and when I got the assignment to write an article on Assemble Your Own Zoom Pages, I knew exactly which one I wanted to use and the perfect photos to go with it!

The journaling on the page reads: This world and all that the Lord created in it is a miracle. I’m so blessed that you enjoy the simple things. And as you are out picking flowers on a beautiful day, I hope you understand, you hold a miracle in your hands.

Take some time today to enjoy the everyday miracles!

Credits:

I Can't believe a whole week is actually over. We are packing the car as I write this.....well I guess Steven is packing the car :) We spent the morning on the beach taking family photos and then some time this afternoon getting in one last tanning/play session in before beginning to pack up. Now comes dinner at Lambert's along with the throwed rolls....and the long ride home. Church tomorrow morning and back to reality.

I have enjoyed our time here so much. All I can do is think about next time to keep from getting so sad about leaving this time. We had such awesome time of fellowship and fun. I really can't remember the last time I have laughed so much! If laughter is good medicine then I should be the healthiest person around! I am so blessed to have such an awesome group of friends.......really their family. So now I'm going to go enjoy the last sunset over the bay and say goodbye to Gulf Shores for now.......

Tomorrow life as usual resumes......but really that's not a bad thing!

I'm afraid we are all a little camera crazy!

Me on Billy's boat! FUN!!

Me and Marybeth

Hawk A beautiful picture of Laurel

The Girls being creative

My Subject......

Did I even get close? ;)

Another beautiful day! The skys were a little cloudy and the kids were a little tired so we decided to hang out at the house. We went boating in the morning....it was a little choppy but fun! We are going to go again tonight and "boat into the sunset"

Then we decided to be creative and get out the watercolors. It was soooo fun! And really relaxing! Now if I can just stop trying to be a perfectionist and just enjoy the process of creation!

I can't wait to see what else the week holds for us!

Day 1: