One Little Word for 2010

I'm forgoing resolutions this year and just sticking with one word to focus on in 2010. I started this last year with the word Cherish. And I really feel that word exemplified 2009. I time and again praised God and was thankful for the blessings in my life throughout the year, even among the hard economic times that hit me and many of my family members and through the struggles with my health. I also stepped up my photo taking, doing a photo a day and recording it in an album...a way I love to remember and Cherish all that happens in my life. Unfortunately, I'm not done compiling the album but I have great notes and digital photos so I know I will get it done in the next few months.

For 2010, I've chosen the word Trust.

I felt God put this word on my heart over the last few months. I have trouble giving my all to God, and fully trusting him with all aspects of my life. I always seem to keep a piece or pieces for myself, trying to handle them in my weakness. This year, I'm committing to giving it all to him and following his lead, even if it requires a large amount of Trust. I almost hate to say that because I'm scared of what that will mean...which is why I've struggled with Trust in the past. I'm asking God to take away my fears and replace them with hope. I'll be remembering this verse daily.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Anther translation says he will "direct your paths" and I like how that better clarifies it. God is in control and will direct me where he wants me to go. Thankfully, I don't have to trust in my weak and failing human nature.

He has already given me a glimpse of his trustworthiness this past week. He answered a prayer within 24 hours of me praying for it! I was awestruck at how quickly and unexpectedly it happened...it never has happened this way in the past. I think it was God's way of saying "I'm here, I'm listening and I'm providing...you can count on me." We all need a reminder of this. I know not every answer will come so easily as God has his perfect timing in everything, but I praise God for the surge of hope he gave me through this simple answer.

Well, I wish you all a great and blessed 2010! Maybe you'd like to join me in picking a word for the year? If so, I'd love for you to share it with me. :)

P.S. Click here for a bunch of words to give you ideas.

Christmas Craftiness

Well, in the midst of the Christmas craziness I actually found some time to do a little craft project - a Christmas wreath made out of American Crafts paper. I won't take any credit for the idea - all the thanks go to Holly who came up with this amazing project. And she gave step-by-step instructions! How easy...actually, it did take some time to assemble but was well worth it.

The hardest part was finding all the supplies. My local scrapbook/craft stores don't have much American Crafts selection. So I ended up with American Crafts Jolly paper (not the new Merrymint), but I really like that as well, so I didn't mind. And I had to order the Flair! buttons online. The toughest item to find was the extra large brads - couldn't find those locally so Holly pointed me online, but they were out of the largest ones and the slightly smaller 18mm ones just didn't look right on the flowers I tried. So, getting frustrated, I finally came across some 1 inch wood circles that had letters on them. They are thicker than the brads so my flower petals came out a bit smaller. I tried compensating by cutting the paper squares a bit bigger, but I still had noticeable difference in the sizes. The size seemed to also vary between my different paper choices. So when I put together the wreath, trying to overlap the flowers so none of the ribbon could be seen, I ended up with a larger empty space at the top. I covered that by doing a larger double ribbon.

In the end, I think it came out as great unique finished project! I'm so excited to display this every year at Christmastime.

Our Christmas Card

I was so excited that we finally captured a family photo with Evan smiling. As an active toddler, it's very hard to get him to slow down, not wiggle around and say cheese. Though he is getting better if you catch him at the right moment. Anyway, after several different trys we got a really nice family photo for our Christmas Card. Check it out below.

I always like to do a photo card because I love receiving photo cards. I keep them up for quite a while after the holidays and then I put them in a scrapbook page that I make with pockets to hold them. I love to look back and see family and friends growing and changing over the years.

Oh, and we have always had our cards printed at Costco. They have amazing prices on photo cards, nice designs, and they are a larger size than the typical photo card. I could actually design it myself if I wanted and have it printed at the same price. Unfortunately, I haven't been feeling well the last month or so, which meant I just didn't have the energy to design it myself this year, but there is always next year!

If you'd like to share your Christmas card as well, join the Christmas Card Carousel.

A Look Back at Last Year

Last year I compiled my first (and so far only) mini-album. It held 12 photos from Sept. 2008. See it here. I've carried it around in my purse for the last year and I've enjoyed looking at it as I've come across it, usually while digging through my never ending purse for something! It's amazing to see how much Evan has grown over the last year. Stacy Julian, who instituted the challenge to make the original mini-album, has now challenged us to make a layout using those photos, along with journaling that reflects back over the last year and the images we captured. It was a motivation for me to find the time to do this. I had just started getting back into scrapbooking last year and haven't gotten many layouts done at all, as life has proven to be so busy over the past year. But I was able to take these photos and put together a layout that mirrors the colors of my original mini-album. This will be the first layout to go in the new scrapbook album my husband bought me for my birthday in June. I'm hoping it will spark my creativity and drive to do more.

A Look Back Layout

here and now: original mini-album

A Word to Focus on in 2009

Along with everyone else at the beginning of a New Year, I'm thinking about the coming year and what I hope to change from last year...you know, resolutions. I hate to admit that many of my resolutions are carry overs from last year. Like working out on a regular basis! But, hey, the slate is wiped clean, right?! Something different that I came across this year, is the idea of choosing a word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2009. Something that has personal meaning to you. I think I like this better than the typical resolutions. It's looking at more of a bigger picture, and a focal point for the year. (I found out about the idea of the one word for the year through Ali Edwards. She explains the concept much better than I.)

So, I've been thinking about my ONE word the last few days and decided upon Cherish.

cher·ish (chěr'ĭsh) tr.v. cher·ished, cher·ish·ing, cher·ish·es
1. To treat with tenderness and affection; to nurture with care; to protect and aid.
2. To hold dear; to embrace with interest; to indulge; to encourage; to foster; to promote

It is a gentle word, with a peaceful tone. My choice of this word stems from the fact that my life has been largely focused around my young son the last 2 years and I know that will continue. I hope to nurture and protect him this year. Encourage his development. I also hope to foster my relationship with my husband and make sure we have time together amidst the busyness of life. My family is my life's focus and so important to me.

The time with them and our friends and extended family are also special to me. I hope to record and cherish those memories better in 2009. I'll do this through continuing this blog and my scrapbooking. I'm committed to taking a photo every day this year and taking part in recording it through Becky Higgins Project 365 kit. (I was so excited to be one of the lucky ones able to get the first printing of this kit - it sold out in just 2 hours!) If this idea interests you, you don't have to have the kit and you can record your photos and notes for each day any way you want. Learn more about the concept at Becky Higgins Blog. I know I won't be able to keep up perfectly and will probably miss days here and there, but there are so many ways to get around that...using two photos from another day, taking a photo of something that represents what you experienced that day, using something like a ticket stub or program/flyer to represent the day. By the end of the year I'm looking forward to seeing a real "picture" of my family's year, all the moments both big and small. Hopefully, I'll capture things I would have missed just doing a traditional scrapbook that focuses on big events, trips, celebrations, etc. Using Becky's kit, I really think this is something I can keep up with, even as busy as I am.

Overall, this year I hope my demenour reflects tenderness and affection to all those around me. I will look to God always for strength, and hold close to his word for guidance and encouragement. He has blessed me with all there is to hold dear in my life. Overall, I just want to live in each moment God gives me. To embrace life! Cherish each memory I'm making and all that is good each and every day of 2009.

If you like the idea of one word for the year, feel free to join me and choose your own word. I hope all of you have a full and blessed 2009!

Update: Here is a great list of words to help you choose yours - http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/01/2009-words.html.

Baby Scrapbooking

Okay, so as you may have seen in my previous posts, I am getting back into scrapbooking and so loving it! Anyway, an inspiration to me is Jessica Turner and she has guided me to many great products, websites, classes and more. Now she is going to be doing a week on her blog dedicated to scrapbooking your baby photos including product giveaways! I was the lucky recipient of her last giveaway and received some great scrap goodies! Anyway, it will run the second week in December - Dec. 8-12. So if you like to be creative and crafty, check it out! There is a button on the right side of my blog as a reminder with a link to her blog. She also regularly posts her scrapbook pages, and I really like her style and use them as inspiration for my pages.

Just a quick post and hope you all have a happy Monday!

A Beautiful Brunch

This past weekend was a very low key weekend, and I pretty much stayed away from my computer. Needed a break. Hence why I haven't posted in over a week. Brad was out of town enjoying a bachelor weekend in Savannah with John and I got to attend a beautiful bachelorette brunch for Summer on Sunday. It was at the Grand Bohemian Hotel downtown, which is gorgeous and though I've been there for a function (years ago now) I haven't had the chance to try their food. It is delicious and their service is outstanding. Holding doors for you, very attentive wait staff, free valet parking...brunch comes with mamosas or whatever other drink you can think of. I felt very pampered. Here are some photos from that day.

(l to r) Laura, me, Summer and Amy
I know Laura and Amy from RSR, where we all used to work together.

And here's me with the beutiful bride-to-be.

Now, we're counting down the days...only a few more to go. They are getting married this Sat. Nov. 15. I'm sure Brad and I will be taking lots of photos. It's going to be a blast!

Now I'll leave you with some photos of the little mini-book I made for Summer. It's to put small photos from the wedding in, and carry around in her purse. I know I just had a small photo from my wedding and it got all ratty being in my purse. So this way the photos are protected inside and the presentation is much nicer. I'm so enjoying the opportunity to be creative and crafty!

Here and Now: A Mini Album

I've just completed my first mini album! I was motivated to do this because of a challenge by Stacy Julian (founder of Big Picture Scrapbooking)...it was to make yourself a "present" by putting 10-12 pictures of what is going on in your life right now into a mini album to keep in your purse for the next year. I learned a lot making this as I made it myself using cereal boxes for chipboard. Actually I figured out what not to do in some instances, such as my glue got everywhere - not real happy with the glue stick I bought. But live and learn right! It actually came out pretty cute except for the pages tending to stick together. I love the photos and getting to look at them regulary since they are always with me.

I'm a Winner!

I'm so excited because I just won a mini scrapbook on Jody's blog. Thanks Jody! Check it out here and here, and in the photos below. It's handmade by Jody and very bright and colorful. Jody said she'll even throw in some extra scrapbooking goodies...so cool! Especially since I'm getting back into scrapbooking after 7 years and have been collecting supplies slowly, and trying to learn new techniques and styles. I'm in a very creative mode, but I've only gotten the time to make 4 pages and one cute tag for Evan's diaper bag...I'll have to share some photos of those soon.





If you are a scrapbooker she says she'll be doing more drawings for scrapbook goodies in the future, so keep an eye on her blog. Don't think "I'm not going to enter because I'll never win." I almost didn't because of that thought, but did anyway. So glad I changed my mind! :)