hello monday|four

 hello open view. The whole area in front of my home was quite grown over. The gardeners came through and cut everything way back and I believe it's all ready for spring to come along!

 hello beautiful girl. This was my dear Hannah on Saturday evening - all ready to go to the Midwinter formal.  She had a couple friends come over for a light dinner that I prepared and then off they went to the dance.  They ended up going to Denny's afterward and stayed out late.  I was happy that she could have this fun and experience with her buddies. She said they were practically falling asleep at Denny's, but who could blame them after playing THREE water polo games that day and then rushing home to get ready for the dance. Proud of my girl and so glad for her.

 hello sock bandit.  Really? Where is the mate to all of these socks??  Not surprisingly they mostly belong to my two oldest girls... *sigh*

 hello february.  I can't believe we are just about finished with January.  

So far 2013 has been a great year. ;)

hello breakfast in bed. I'm so thankful for the time my hubby and I have on Mondays. It's his one day off and mine too. =)  He usually spends the morning in his office planning out his week as I putter around with house work. This morning he came back from taking the kids to school and then brought this up for me. I am so thankful for him and his selfless ways. 

So there you go. hello monday and new beginnings.

Inspired by my friend, Lee at Embrace Life, Hello Monday provides a peek into the coming week - in all its glory. Join us and Lisa for the Hello Monday fun

“Measure not men by Sundays,

without regarding what they do all the week after”

~Thomas Fuller

A Year In the Life of an Art Journal | one

I am happy to be taking part in A Year in the Life of an Art Journal challenge again.

This year the prompts are for photographers as well as art journalers. 

The challenges are given out on the 15th and 30th of every month.

Here is the challenge for January 15, 2013:

PROMPT: New Year's resolutions or ONE WORD. 

Do you make New Year's resolutions, or take part in the ONE WORD project? 

SHOOTERS: Shoot your mug with your word or something that symbolizes your word.
(Sharing on Monday Mugshots on fb also)

BOOKERS: Use watercolors on your page to emulate your word... (if you don't have water colors, watered down acrylic paint will do just fine.) use color to convey that word and what it means to you. While your paint is WET, sprinkle salt on it, and let it sit. When your paint is dry, brush off the salt.  (people taking part in the creative prompt can put their mugshot for this prompt on this page.) 

 I have been choosing a word for my year for the last five years.

I tend to over-burden myself about unnecessary things 

and this year, I've decided it's time to MINIMIZE.

 For these pages I used a double spread in my almost complete (YAY) journal that was already gesso'd and started covering it with a layer of mod podge and then random pages of vintage text from dictionaries, old scouting book, vintage hymnal, worn copy of Pride and Prejudice, etc.

I just mod podge'd away and didn't worry if there were wrinkles or anything.

Then I started painting on a water color wash of orange...my favorite.

(Make sure your page dries in between each thing you do.)

I added two pictures that I printed off quickly on my regular printer.  One is of my coffee mug that I wrote my One Little Word on.  I used a Sharpie Marker and free-handed on the mug. Then I placed it directly on the oven rack at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or so.  Won't wash off now. :)

The other picture is a little setting I made with some Scrabble tiles to spell out MINIMIZE.

   I added scribbles of oil pastels and gelato here and there.  Did some smudging.  Then I took some Bahama Blue acrylic and just let it drip down my page.  Just anything that made me smile and broke up the orange a bit.

 I began to write random words that represented things I wanted to minimize.  I used a Sharpie marker for the bold words.  Then around the word I used a Glaze gel pen to write how I would MINIMIZE those areas. 

I have found that the Glaze pens work great on top of any type of medium - even the waxy oil pastels.

 I may continue to add things to the pages that I want to MINIMIZE as I think of them, but this is it for now.  

To MINIMIZE fear:

Psalm 56:3~But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

Colossians 3:15a.~Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

Do you art journal or like taking photos? You can join in on the fun twice a month too!  Just head over to Rachel Whetzel's page to play! 

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...It has been raining and it is finally cold! The kind of cold where it stings just a little.  However, I am thankful that I can stay cozy in my home, but can get a blast of cold "winter" air if I want just by opening the door. =)
I am thinking...about the wonderful time I had with the ladies from my church last night. I was surely blessed by the fellowship.  I am also thinking about my friend Erin and her family.  Praying that they will be blessed beyond measure.
I am thankful...for Emmanuel.  God is with us.  Nothing else matters.  In good times or bad - Emmanuel.
From the learning rooms...hoping to do some fun Christmas themed activities that I saw on Pinterest.
In the kitchen...Lots of yummy leftovers put aside from the potluck last night.  I may not even have to cook dinner tonight.  ;)
I am wearing...my comfiest, most favorite pajamas.  They are gray with white polka dots.  Thee best material.  I declared it to be a pajama day today. I've NEVER done that before. haha.
I am creating...some Joy Boxes to fill some orders on Etsy as well as several Jumbo Paper Clip Bookmarks for Etsy orders.  
I am going...nowhere today.  Absolutely nowhere.  =)
I am wondering...what my kids want for Christmas.  Believe it or not, they really haven't talked about it much.
I am reading..."Choosing to SEE" by Mary Beth Chapman on my new Kindle Fire.  I was so touched when my husband and children gave it to me for my birthday.  They all chipped in (even using their birthday money) to get mama something super nice.  Of course, I cried.  I haven't purchased any books or music yet.  I borrowed this one from a Lender Library through Kindle. =)
I am hoping...for something very important and unspoken.
I am looking forward to...seeing my sister Tabitha and her family.  They will be here for almost a week.  Christmas will be extra-special for sure!
I am hearing...the sounds of "Cars 2" in the background.  My husband got it from the Red Box for the kids last night.  They hid out upstairs while I had my ladies' event.  Of course, my little guy has to watch it AGAIN. haha
Around the house...Everything is pretty much in order.  I had my Ladies' Ministry Christmas fellowship here last night.  There are some dishes from the potluck in the sink, but everything else got cleaned up right after.  My Marco even helped put away the tables and mopped!!
I am pondering...what kind of hand-made gifts I can make for friends this year.  Finances are beyond tight, but that shouldn't stop us from doing what we can for others, right?
One of my favorite things...is when one of my children come up to me and give me a hug or says "I love you" just out of the blue - expecting nothing in return. haha.  True love at its finest. 
A few plans for the rest of the week: Lots of creating in the craft room, our mid-week service, my husband's birthday at the end of the week, Hannah's Water Polo game and anything else that comes my way. =)
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This little girl is ME. Taken when I was about the same age as my little guy Marco.   This was taken at the PX  on base in Korea.  I was an only child at this time.  Shortly after that, we would move back to the States and my brother would be born, followed by my three sisters over the next several years.  I love and miss them all so much!

Are you weary?

"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Isaiah 40:28-29

Painting by Derek Hegsted - Click photo for link.

Christmas is just around the corner and I'm already hearing from others that they are exhausted - just plain worn out!  I think for some, it started on Black Friday. haha. I had friends and family that went out at midnight after Thanksgiving dinner so that they could make all the door busters and early bird specials.  Well, that's all fine and good - especially if they were picking up something for me, ;)  but I just don't have it in me.  I don't like shopping on regular days let alone risking getting pepper sprayed in the face. 


Some are just feeling completely overwhelmed because - let's face it - it's been a tough year.   Along with myself, I know many others that have been affected financially this year with the economic down fall.  People have lost their homes and their jobs.  It's hard.


There are also people who are suffering with health problems or the lost of a loved one.  That's never easy and my heart goes out to them.


I have very dear people in my life that are going through extreme emotional pain.  Marriage problems, the heart-break of broken relationships or wayward children have all left people feeling hopeless.


Wow, aren't you glad you stopped by today? haha.  I know... I'm such an edifier!  No, seriously - I am here to share with you that even at your lowest low, there is Someone who does not get weary.  There is Someone that understands your hurts, your confusion and your fear.


He is the Creator, the Alpha and the Omega and He knows what is in store for you.  He never tires out or gets weary.  


Friends may come and go.  But His love is everlasting.  Even family, government and systems let us down - but He will never.  


Isaiah 40:31~But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.


This verse is just one of the verses to which I keep coming back.  We are to wait on the Lord - have HOPE in Him.  People hope in many things on this earth, but those things are not guaranteed.  I have seen in my personal life that He ALWAYS "comes through".  It may not always be when or how I think it should be handled, but He does always show Himself faithful.  He knows what is best and I've learned to trust that He sees the big picture.


So friend, are you weary?  Do you have no strength left in you?  Are you out of answers?  Are you even unsure of what the questions are anymore?  You are not alone.  Our Heavenly Father cares for you.  When you are weak and vulnerable, He is there.  He loves you unconditionally.  You don't have to do a thing to earn it - you CAN'T do a thing to earn it.  It's already there.  He loved us first.  You can have hope, you can rise up with wings like eagles.  Have faith and be of good courage my friend.  He's got you.


We have just a month left for 2011.  Why don't you give it to Him?  Try to relax.  Believe in Him.  You've hoped and trusted in everything else and you've seen where it has left you.  Give Him a chance and just put your hope in HIM.  He will show you great and marvelous works. 


Let's ban together and tell others about how incredible God is.  You can join Laura and others at Beholding Glory to link up with us.

Ten on Tuesday #2

1. What is your favorite month?
November. I love that fall is in full swing by then - even in Southern California, it includes my birthday and my daughter Taryn's birthday, lots of days off from school, Thanksgiving, lots of family time and Christmas music!!

2. What is the best candy to get while trick or treating?  I love it all, but my first pics are the really good candy bars.  Really good means it involves caramel in some way. =)

3. What kind of pen do you use?
I have a pen problem. lol  A slight addiction.  Money has been tight, so there's not a lot of spare cash for splurges, but when I do have any - it's almost a guarantee that I will buy a new pen or marker.  My favorites for art are the Sakura Glaze and Souffle pens.  I also love my Faber Castell PITT pens, Black AC Precision Pens and for plain old writing: Paper Mate flexible grip medium black ball point pen - and I like the pink Breast Cancer Awareness ones. SO how's that for an answer? lol

4. You go to a new Italian restaurant, what is your go-to order?
Any pasta that involves meat or seafood - oh and a good hearty soup that might include kale and sausage.

5. If you could choose to have any celebrity’s hair, who’s would you choose?
I know that she's been over-copied, but Jennifer Aniston always has great hair!!

6. What’s your favorite board game?
I haven't played any in a while, but I love games like Cranium and Pictionary  'cause there's so much action. 

7. Do you know how to play poker?
Umm no.  I have no earthly idea.

8. What do you think about Old Navy commercials?
Meh. They can be obnoxious, but a lot of them are catchy.

9. What hurts worse- a stubbed toe or a paper cut?
Both of those just...ick.  Hmmmm...I'd have to say paper cut.  It's giving me a shiver just thinking about it.

10. What’s your favorite kind of pie?
Oh, man. I love pie.  I prefer pie over cake any day.  I love cream pies - like chocolate and banana.  I really love pecan pie and I even get in the mood for some good lemon meringue pie once in a while.  Apple pie though? It's alright.  Oh and I love my pie "a la mode".  ;)

Just some fun questions on a Tuesday morning.  You can join in Ten On Tuesdays for new questions every week.  Just head over to Roots and Rings.  

Ten on Tuesday #1

1. How do you take your coffee?
YES PLEASE!! haha.   I will drink my coffee black if it's a really good quality coffee, but normally, I love my coffee very strong with some French Vanilla creamer, or Pumpkin Spice, or Peppermint Mocha, or Caramel or... haha.  No to Irish Creme flavor though... 

2. Do you prefer soft or crispy chocolate chip cookies?
Either. Yum.  Oh, and if they are hot out of the oven... Yes, please!

3. Do you wear a belt everyday?
A belt? One that goes around my "waist"? Bahahahaha!

4. What is your favorite color combination?
Black with any bold color

5. Do you like sour candy?
I do.  I won't go out of my way to buy it - it's not my favorite, but if I had to I would choose Sour Patch Kids.  Authentic German gummies are a whole other category.  Those I love!

6. How often do you do laundry?
I try to do a load every day if I can, but usually I do the bulk of the laundry on Thursdays.

7. Did you ever wear braces?
No, but I may have to get them now.  Yeah.  =/

8. Are you good at Roman Numerals?
Yes! It was one of my favorite things to teach in 5th grade math. Fun.

9. What is your favorite form of social media?
That one is tough.  I have a love/hate with Facebook.  I use it and love that I can see pictures and keep up with my close friends and acquaintances.  However, I am one of those people that really like to read your update (like on blogs too) and I DO comment usually.  What's the point of having 300+ friends and then only have 4 comments when you have super news or whatever?  Are they even out there?? I know not everybody can/neeed to respond, but really?  I'm as busy as anybody else, but at least acknowledge me once in a while so I know you're still there. haha   I love Twitter, but I don't have a lot of personal friends that use it often enough to get it really hopping.  Of course I love my blogs.  I read AND comment.

10. How do you feel about chin dimples?
I usually love them.  Almost always.  =)  My youngest (Marco) has a dimple in his chin, but it is more noticeable in the mornings when he wakes up.  I don't know why, but I love it.  I think it will be more defined as he gets older and his face fills out. =)

the current | one

listening to Pandora

eating lean meats, seafood, fruits, veggies and nuts

drinking lots of water...lots of it

wearing clothing that's getting looser by the day

feeling more energetic

wanting to be completely free - free from worry, negativity, fear...

needing to focus on the positive and the possibilities

thinking about what God has in store for my family

enjoying my family more than ever

wondering if I will be able to stay strong enough to turn this diet into a lifestyle

creating beautiful art that is all me

procrastinating over cleaning the garage...it's just too hot

pondering the Journey

loving Google Chrome - seriously - my internet experience has been so much better...so far lol

anticipating fitting back into some of my favorite articles of clothing

found this meme on Lee's Blog and will be adding it to my weekly posting.