Two years....

has it really been that long? I still find myself wanting to pick up the phone and call her. Wow... I guess the hurt really doesn't ever go away. Two years ago today, my grandmother passed away from a combination of cancer and hospital malfunctions (aka stupid doctor's and unclean hospitals). But anyway... her death has been the hardest thing I have ever delt with in my life.

She was more than just a grandmother, she was the cornerstone of our entire family. She was my source of strength and voice of reason in the worst situations. When anything went wrong in my life, she was there.

She was a woman of faith, and loved God with all her heart. She taught me the same thing. Grandmother taught me that there was never an circumstance where God could not win. That we may never understand His ways in every situation, but God is always in control.

I spent every summer and every afternoon with Grandmother, and there was always something special about it. Mom had to work, but we were never left without lot's of love and care.

If I could go back and "undo" any part of my life, it would have been my late teens and early 20's, where I didn't see her enough or spend time with her enough. I missed some great times, and that is something I can never get back.

I was fortunate in one thing, several years before she passed away, she filled out a journal that asked a question a week. It was awesome, and I learned much from it. It covered everything from childhood, her and my Pop, her belief in God, to how she felt as she was growing older. I cherish that book. I miss her.

Grandmother, I know you are with your Savior, and that gives me great joy. Your reward in heaven is great I am sure. Still, in my selfishness, I miss you. But I wouldn't ask for one moment for you to be back here.

Good morning...

I slept late today! Woo Hoo.... that would mean my little guys and baby girl did too! Big woo hoo! My sister in law and her children were visiting from Florida last night and it was wild around here. Mix my kids and her kids... and you are in for one noisy and fun night. But it's nice to see them, when it's usually about a year between visits!

I didn't get to scrap AT ALL this weekend, which makes me sad, but I hope to get in there and produce something wonderful today! I have all the inspiration I need from TSOS, I just have to get it done! With little ones in the house, scrapping is like trying to have a private moment in the bathroom.... it just doesn't happen! :)

Round, round baby...

That's how it's been around my house. Remember that song? OK, so I'm showing my age! lol It has been crazy around here, lot's going on: good, bad, and ugly. I have not had any time to do anything fun for the past few weeks, and it's been a bummer. I had hoped to get some scrapping done over the weekend, but my precious little angel decided to run a fever and develop Roseola instead! My sweet little smiling baby girl is a GROUCH!

In all that has been going on, I have to testify that God has been so good. A few days last week we had some "stuff" going on and just didn't see why God was working the way He was. I questioned Him in fact, I didn't see... my only question was "why?". Well let's just say He is an awesome God and His ways are not ours for sure. But we have seen Him work in ways we never imagined. All the "stuff" isn't over yet, for sure, but at least I can say I KNOW, THAT I KNOW God is good!

Here's a few LO's to share.

Oops... been too long.

I get so busy I forget to post all the time. Life is a rush around our house. Well with seven children, what else would I expect. I do find a few minutes in a day to scrap, although I wish there were more. I love scrapping my kids. I'm greatly improving on my photo's as well.

I've learned there is more to a picture than point and shoot! LOL. So I try to make each picture a good one that will leave a memory of the time and place it's being taken.

Sam's loves me, because I have so many photo's developed these days. I just had about 350 printed, and that's a small order. But I really need a day for someone special to take some of my little kiddies so I can sit down for more than 10 minutes at a time! LOL

Here's a special LO, I completed for my daughter's album. I'm trying to not rush through, and make it lovely. She's my last baby and I want all her memoried to be great!

2007... that number still seems strange to me...

I can not believe another year is already upon us. Wow, 2006 went by way to fast. So many good things happened last year. Two things stand out the most, although so many special things happened: 1) My precious baby girl was born; 2) My 5 year old boy asked Jesus into his heart to be his Savior.

I have some goals for this year... hope I can stick with them. First I want to spend more time in the Word and in prayer; to deepen my relationship with God. I also want to loose some "chubby". I must get on that one, it's a big one for this year. And I want to spend more time scrapbooking. I want to grow as a mom and wife too. I want to be there for them so that a day never goes by that they don't know how much I love them.

I am loving the scrap board I'm on. Haven't had much time lately to do anything! But things are a changing! I did actually get in to organize today! Yeah!!!

Well more later!

Mary's Song...

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants for ever, even as he said to our fathers."
Luke 1:46-55

Merry Christmas to all...

I love Christmas. It will always be filled with memories from my childhood. And now the memories of my children fill my heart and mind. It is a magical time, and the first Christmas for a baby is even more special.

The lights are up and the tree is trimmed, sweets have been made and Santa's list is ready. Christmas programs have been performed at church, drawing our attention to the Christ Child.

Our family wished you a wonderful and blessed season. We with that Christ would be center stage in all your celebrating, because Jesus is the reason for this season!

Christmas, Christmas time is here....

Time for joy and time for cheer!

I love Christmas, next to Thanksgiving it is my favorite time of year. Of course seeing the joy and delight on my little ones faces is the best thing! And this year, will be little girls first. Should be a lot of fun. Of course it won't be fun if Santa daddy and I don't get to shopping! We will do like usual and make a whirlwind shopping spree the week before Christmas! It's fun, but man are we tired when it's over.

All the kids are gearing up for the holidays and are enjoying the sights and sounds. We have been busy with our church celebrations as well. Through all the season, I never want to forget what we celebrate. Without the birth of the Christ child, our future would never have been afforded the blessings we have and will recieve. Without the Christ child, we would never have had a Redeemer to save us from our sins. Without the Christ child, there would be no hope of a heavenly home.

So with all the hustle and bustle of the season, our family wishes you all peace and joy and a Merry Christmas. Remember the baby born in a manger, is the same baby that grew to save us all.

Thursday, and cold....

The winds are blowing. For where we live it's REALLY cold! :)

The kidis have been pretty good today, so I got a little work done! I wish I had like three days to sit down and just scrap... but my time for that will come when they are older.. and grown. Now I have to remind myself, when I have to get up and check on children or entertain a million times an hour.. I will miss it someday!

Here is a new LO of my youngest attention getter! LOL It was part of a challenge from my FAVORITE website, School of Scrap.

Thanksgiving was Wonderful..

our family had such a wonderful time at our "cove" and in our cabin. We spent the whole week with family and friends. God has blessed us so very much over this year. The kids had a blast playing till they just about dropped. I know my two little guys probably ran about 20 miles a day! LOL

It was beautiful in the mountians of Alabama. The color's were so pretty and we had beautiful weather. The best we have had in a long time.

I remember when we first began having Thanksgiving at Heritage Acres, my dauther was only 18 months old. We have made a lot of memories on this land. I'm so glad to be able to share it with my kids. It's nice to know you will leave a legacy.

Time passes so quickly, as my daughter will be 13 soon. She looks like she is going on 18 instead.

Now that we are all home, my little guys are croupy and crudy. Guess that's the price for being in and outside, around the campfires, cold and hot. And I guess they ate too many marshmallows too! :O)

Guess that's all for now! OH... My sweeties all did well on their TKD testing.. My hubby is now senior green, my dauther is yellow, and my 5 yo is Cubs purple! I was a proud mom on awards night!

Testing Day for TaeKwonDo

Tonight my son, daughter and husband will be testing for new belts. I'd never have believed just a few months ago, half the family would be caught up in karate. And I will be starting classes with them in about a week! It's fun. I am glad that this one studio really focuses on the good things, and doesn't overdoing it with "mystic" stuff. I want my children's thoughts and focus on the Lord and what He can do in their lives. So it's a good fit!

I've been scrapbooking more and more, trying to get back into making my cards too. I love all the new papers and things that are out. And now, I've learned about KITS... yahhoo... Well it won't really help my budget any, but my books will look great!. Here's my latest.

Rainy, Rainy Day...

It's gray and cold and yucky outside. It's 9 a.m. and almost all the kiddo's are still sleeping. DH is home from work today sick, either food poisoning (no, I didn't cook) or a virus. I feel sorry for him, but I'm hoping it's food poisoning, so I don't have to worry about all the other kids coming down with it, especially baby girl.

I scrapped two pages last night on some new paper I just got in. I'll post them soon. I don't see much getting accomplished today. Never seem to when hubby's home sick. Oh well.. such is life.

Here is a LO I completed last week for my baby girl. Bye for now!

It's almost Thanksgiving.....

I talked to my mom this morning about what we would prepare for Thanksgiving this year. We want to try some new recipes, so I guess I need to start looking! With our family, we (about 50 of us) all go to our farmland that we call Heritage Acres, or lovingly "the cove" and spend the whole week of Thanksgiving. It's fun, the kids all play, ride 4 wheelers, just being kids. We have a fire ring we all sit around during the day and night. My great aunts and great uncles sit and tell stories, and reminisce about their lives. The land was my grandmother's, and she is now gone, but her memory lives there and we love it there.

This year I have so much to be thankful for:

1. My salvation
2. My husband
3. My children
4. The new life God blessed us with this year
5. My church family
6. His protection for us through the year
7. My country and my freedom
8. Financial blessings
9. My home
10.So much more than I can name.

Starting New...

I originally began this blog almost a year ago. Life got really busy and I forgot all about it. Since then there have been many changes, the biggest which is our new baby girl. This week she will turn 3 monts old. She is the love of our life, and being number seven didn't change how precious and awesome she is. Her two older, but youngest siblings love her to death! And she greets them evry day with a smile.

Now that school is began and I have a few quiet hours while the kids are working on school work, and baby girl is napping, I have been back to scrapping and stamping. I am so glad I've found one of my new favortie places The School of Scrap, because the challenges and school rooms have gotten me out of my funk and into creating memories for my family again. Come visit and see if you want to go back to school too!

More soon!