My first creations for Jennifer Trippetti...

Boys

A Vision of Beauty

Here are my first creations for Jennifer (JMT-Art digital designs) using her Free Spirit digital kit. For more amazing kits by Jennifer check out SOTB Jennifer T. kits .

A Digi DT!!!

I was contacted today to be apart of the JMT Art Digi Design Team! I am really excited about this! Thanks Jennifer! To check out her digital designs check out JMT Art

Guiding Lights

Digital Elements:
Shabby Princess Urban Kiwi
DSP Father word Art
MJV Simply Clean

More digital LOs

Simply Spring

Read To Me

1993

Love

A Blessed 30something Mom

PP: Scenic Route
Brads: Chatterbox
Rub-ons: MM, Autumn Leaves & Heidi Swapp
Ribbon: Chatterbox
Fun Tip: I cut out the flowers from the Scenic Route PP and then adhered them to the page.
Journaling: (This is my own personal poem that is from my published book of poetry – I own the copyright) - font: Hanshand

“A Blessed Thirty-something Mom”

To those who know me -
For those who care -
Here are some thoughts
And moments I must share.
Interesting thoughts
About being a mother
Of two little boys
Who would call each other “brother.”
Timeless moments
Of truck and dirt,
Through all the smiles
And all the hurts
It is immeasurable,
Through this stillness and calm,
That I should be
Such a blessed thirty-something Mom.

I have finally tried Digital Scrapping!

Snowday

Life is a Journey

Going for a swim

The Soul of a Boy

Music gives a soul to the universe,
Wings to the mind,
And life to everything.
~ Plato

May our hearts sing!

We have some sad news in our house.

YDS's gerbil, Jack, passed away last night. He is really taking it hard, which is to be expected. The poor little guy has been through so much this month with losing Husker and Carli, but he lost Jack also. We have put him in a little box, and will hold funeral services after dad gets home. I have one rose bush that we bury our little pets under. This will be the fourth gerbil to be laid at it's feet. May God bless you Jack, you made one little boy so very happy.



Here is a LO that I had done for Kyle when he first got Jack.

PP: Doodlebug
CS: Bazzill
Jack playing cards; Paperbilities stickers
Journaling: Jack Black Joined our family in April of this year (05). This is Kyle's first gerbil. He couldn't wait to see what Jack thought about his new home. Kyle named him, but dad calls him "Black Jack".
*The four circles that contain the picture of Jack were altered to change the colors.

Meet Me at the Cross

John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have ever lasting life. For God sent the Son into the world;, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

I sat with my sons last night eating dinner thinking about Jesus and his last supper. The breaking of the bread representing his broken body. The drinking of the wine representing the shedding of his blood. All of this done for us. For you and me. How could God have given up so much for us? What did we ever do to please him? We are all sinners. Yet for some amazing reason God still loves us. He laughs at us, cries with us, comforts us, pushes us, guides us and carries us. He did the only thing he could for us - he gave us his son, Jesus Christ. And Jesus made the biggest sacrifice of all - he gave his life for us.

I thought back to the day two years ago when we hiked to the top of Prospect mountain and sat at the foot of the cross looking out over the world God gave us. He has given us so much. That was a powerful, over-whelming day. When I second guess my own worthiness - I think back to that day. Staring up at the cross sensing that warmth of God's love. He reminds me I am his child. I just have to meet him at the cross.

My thoughts for today will be with my savior. I shall contemplate today the price that he paid for me and remember how much it cost for my sin.

John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me."

What a mother sees through a Child's eyes

Looking through you
Life is renewed.
Fresh eyes
Keen in an old world.
New life restored
Through untainted innocence.
I see grass;
You see and unending field in which to run.
I see clear skies;
You see a universe yet to be explored.
I see rocks;
You see mountains that need to be climbed.
I see a little child;
You see a wide open future with endless options.
I see an older woman in the mirror;
You see a woman who will never stop loving you.

From Seasons of Life by Tricia Kruse (copyrighted 2006 - all rights reserved)

The story...

There is always one story that changes a person’s life. These stories can be biblical or one that holds a life lesson. The story that changed my life...well it is about our blessed little dog. She was rescued from a puppy mill in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. The warrants were served and as the rest of us struggled with having our freedom threatened, 62 dogs found their freedom. With all the flights grounded these 62 dogs were transported by a convoy of cars to Hearts United for Animals in Auburn, Nebraska. This no-kill animal shelter rescues so many dogs from puppy mills every year! Thank God for them. So our baby’s story: She spent 5 years in a small metal crate that was rusted out in the bottom. The only time she was feed was when she was pregnant - otherwise she had to eat whatever was in her cage. There was one other cage above her, but she above 2 other cages. They were stacked 4 high and 4 wide. Her small little paws fell through the holes in the bottom of her cage leaving scars around her ankles. (She still is very touchy about her paws.) She was matted, dirty, malnourished, had lost 6 teeth, she didn't have a name, and was scared. She didn't understand that the people who came to get her wanted to free her; she never knew what love was. She belived that all people were like the people who had her and made her have 8 litters in her short 5 years of life. Because of what happened that day to our country all the dogs were given patriotic names.

Our baby does have a happy ending: late in December of 2001 a family of 4 with two older dogs made their way to HUA to adopt a dog. They had no preconceptions of what they would adopt - they just wanted to look. This family walked into the shelter looking for a dog that would fit into their family. She was in a large pen and began dancing - as if to say look at me. She caught the eye of the odlest boy, and Carol Wheeler (the owner of HUA) let her out of her pen to say hi. The parents walked around looking at all the dogs listening to all of their heartbreaking stories. Yet this little girl followed them as if she knew they would choose her in the end. She won the heart of the oldest who begged to get her. The parents had their eye on another dog, but agreed that they would take both into the room where the oldest dogs were. For they would be the final test. This little baby girl ran up to the other dogs as if they were her long lost friends. They sniffed and licked and played. The parents listened to her terrifying story and marvelled at her courage to open herself up to these strangers. The choice had been made - not by the family, but by a little girl who just wanted a family to love her. They took her home and spoiled her rotten!
I thank God for that day. She is now our little princess. I thank God for our little Unity.
If you would like to help other dogs like our baby visit Hearts United for Animals at
www.hua.org

Grass

I love watching the grass green up in the spring! When I was little I hated grass. It was too prickly for me, but know I enjoy it. I always anticipate mowing; the smell of freshly cut grass is amazing. We will probably have to mow this week, and this is one activity that allows me time to myself & time to think. What could be better than that!

My favorite flower...

I love all kinds of flowers! I have such a green thumb when it comes to growing things outside, but give me a house plant and I will kill it in two weeks! I have a favorite for every season, but let me tell you about my favorite. Every year there is a flower that I can't wait to see come back up after the long winter. Although my wait for it to appear takes until June or July. Gladiolas - the tall stalks projecting high into the air, and the brilliant blooms that don't seem to stay long enough. They are spectacular! This was my Grandmother's favorite flower - she loved the white ones! So every year I make sure that I plant some white ones to remember her by. I plant over 100 bulbs a year - and they are truly the star of my garden.

Here's to you Grandma!

Fresh...

What is it about that word that really gets peoples interest? Is it because it means - new or clean. Many companies use this as a buzz word to get you to buy thier products. "And you too can be Spring Fresh." Can you truly bottle that for me? Is it just the sound of the word? The word Fresh does sound inviting, soothing - it has a subtle tone to it. But this is the same word women use to use when men came on to them - "quit being fresh". It doesn't sound as appealling. It is amazing to me how so many words in our English language are turned into slang or develop different contexts as they get older. Like the word "sick" or "dog". When did these change form not feeling well or just being a pet. No wonder English is the hardest language to learn!

My faith...

Here is a taste of my new book of poetry that is published.

Faith

Finding faith –
The longest path
With imaginable rewards.
Steps taken –
To purify this
Sinful soul.
Roads divided –
By chance
Or choice.
Freedom found –
In my precious
Savior’s sacrifice.
Left to die –
Scorned in life
For my soul.
Raised above –
In the name
Of peace.
My keeper,
My maker,
My savior,
My Lord,
Jesus –
Saver of my soul.

From Seasons of Life by Tricia Kruse (copyrighted 2006 - all rights reserved)

Road Trip with Unity

Our sweet, little friend has been very lonely the last couple of weeks, but she has found a new joy - a family road trip! Granted we have just taken her a few places, but she really looks forward to getting in the car. We took her to this mornings soccer games & she had a blast! New smells, new people, time on mommy's lap! What a life for this little girl - and she is loving it!

Play Hard

Well out soccer season has officially started! The oldest has already had two games, but today was the first game for the youngest! I am always amazed on how aggresive they get when they are in a game! At practice they seem worn out, but you start a game and they are on fire! They both have such an amazing control over the game and keeping their eye on the ball! Today they both were able to score a GOAL!!!!!!!!!


Here is the youngest taking the ball all the way down the feild to score a goal!






Here is the oldest chasing the ball down and then taking it down the feild!
WAY TO GO BOYS!!!!!

Brothers

I love watching how much of a big brother my oldest son is! He loves his little bro - he would do anything for him. He was like that from the minute he found out he was going to be a big bro. My boys are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen - and they love each other so much. How much more could I ask for?



Title: Big Brother
PP - Monograms - undressed shapes - stickers: BG Skate Shoppe & Baby Boy
Ink, pen & stamps: SU
Ribbon: American Crafts
Journaling: You were so excited to be a big brother. You thought Kyle could play when we brought him home, but you settled for teaching him all that you already knew how to do. Thank you for being such a great teacher!
"Thank you for always being there, and I love you." ~ Kyle

Ode to Spring...

Title: Blooming Spring
PP: BG: Oh Baby – Peapod; Blitzen – Ribbon Candy & Fresh Snow
Monograms: Oh Baby – Boy; Fusion; Lucky
Tag: Blitzen
Undressed Shapes: flowers & ribbon slide
Other: stamps, ink, 2 silver brads, pen: Zig black, ribbon, rub-ons, staple
Fun tip: I used the stamps to “dress” up the shapes, then using ink and markers I traced the sides of the shapes & monograms.
Journaling: (On hidden Blitzen tag under the picture) I love watching Spring’s journey every year. New plants budding and blooming. It is amazing to watch God re-new the earth year after year. What a splendid gift.

Spring Hair!

Through out the winter I grow my hair out, mostly because it keeps my neck warm. BUT come spirng - I get it chopped off! Everyone that knows me knows when spring has arrived- my long hair has finally gone! So - it is spring - I got my hair cut last night! And let me tell you - it feels so much better!

Time in a bottle...

I heard this on the radio the other day. It is my parent's song, but I finally listened to the words! What an amazing song. That is a song that I would use for my husband, or even my sons. Why can't we bottle time? I suppose as a scrapbooker I am not really bottling it, but I am preserving all the fun, amazing things that we experience as a family.

Kruzin' through layouts

Here are some layouts that I recently finished.
"U @ 2"

"Snowday"

So what is a Miracle?

A miracle is something that happens for no apparent reason. It is something that makes us smile, provides us with relief, and leaves us in awe.

There have been many miracles that have happened in my life. My birth, the fact that I lived, was a miracle for my parents. Meeting my soulmate, the birth of my sons, the joy of watching them grow - those are miracles! The most pronounced miracle in my life was when I found God. My life as a Christian has chagned my whole life - what greater miracle could I ever ask for? Like Robert Frost would say in "The Road not Taken":

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood -
And I - I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

Spring is for the birds...

There are many people who find birds a little annoying. I find them peaceful. They are the first one's to signal the beginning of spring. The sweet chirps in the morning welcoming the new day, a new season - it is calming. I love birds. They are one of God's creations that are fragile yet strong. I have bird feeders throughout my backyard, and I have created a little special nook where I can sit and just listen to everything going on. My little place has flowers, a bench, statues, bird feeders & a bird bath. It is my place where I can go and enjoy the beauty of everything that God has created. It helps me come back to my spirit and soul - after all that is where God would want me.

Here are...

Here are the two layouts that I had published on Scrap Street (an online magazine) for the March Issue.
Chicago:

Ben:

Storms....

We have had a string of strange storms lately! Last week we had a snowstorm that dumped 17 inches of snow! Then this week - we have had 4-5 inches of rain and a few severe storms! In fact it is storming as I am typing this! Our weather is always so unpredictable here! I use to be scared of storms, but the older I get I love them! I love hearing thunder while I try to sleep, and the rain hitting the roof is so relaxing!

Storms could be compared with life. Just like life, we have storms that brew in our lives. Yet when it is over - there is a calm and a soothing smell in the air. I just always try to remeber that "This to shall pass."