To a new journey....Fond memories

It's been way too long since I have blogged, life happened and sadly so has death, and though that is part of life one is never really prepared for it. In the last two months our family has cried over the loss of my mother in law, she was an amazing woman and everyone who met her couldn't help but love her.  She is truly missed.

Last month my son Chris turned 30 for us that was a big moment, but mostly because according to doctors he would live past 10. In honor of his 30th birthday I took him to the happiest place in the world. Disney!

 

He enjoyed himself, he was truly happy. He did complain about his feet hurting because we walked all day, and he was not happy about being tricked into getting on a roller coaster. I loved hearing him scream OMG, OMG I don't like this. We had a ball.

 

Today though he will begin a new journey, a journey without one his staff members at the program. She is relocating to another state, to begin her new journey with her family. I know from speaking to her on many occasions that this is what she really wants, but she didn't want to leave because of my son this is her time. Jazmene I want to say that I will miss you, I thank you for loving Chris so much just as much as I love him. I didn't think anyone other than family would love him as much as you do. You have been his voice on many occasions, you have laughed with him and more recently cried with him. You have been his bodyguard on times when he needed defending, other than family you have been his biggest supporter. You have never treated him as though he was mentally disabled, many times I know you have put him in his place and called me to tell me you have understood him from day one for that I will always thank you for loving him and not just doing your job.

I want to say thank you also for being there for me, many times you were an ear I pulled a shoulder I cried on during the rough times with Chris. In my times of despair when I couldn't breathe because I cried so much, you knew my struggles and tried desperately to help. In those times when I just wanted to give up, you were there trying to find answers. When you found a respite program for him to give me a break thank you. You mean the world to us, you are family, you are his big sister even though I swear Chris thinks he's your husband. LOL. We love you and are excited for your new journey....

Creatively Redeeming Treasures Blog Hop...

 It's been way too long since I have even blogged, but I am truly excited to start it off with a blog hop. It's been so long that I don't even know what to write on here. Have you ever felt as if you have lost something, well I did my MOJO. LOL I didn't want to create and when I did it was personal and I didn't want to share. I will share this I have been a Close to My Heart  Consultant for almost a year, but this is really the first time I have been a part of a Blog Hop with my fellow consultants. It was what I needed, to Elizabeth thank you for including.
I love this recent picture I took of Elisa at the beach, she was so happy to be there all she did was smile and telling me thank you Mommy. I do it for that smile.  Loved the colors from the Chantily line, me and bling it's a love thing lol. The sparkle flourishes were a perfect fit with the I adore you stamp. I love the canvas alpha I used CTMH's Hollyhock ink. Oh and the fabric is so easy to cut and add to the page. I used a sketch from the CTMH Originals Card Confidence.
Oh that gives me an idea I think I'll use the same sketch to create a card. Thank you all for stopping by.... xoxoxo

You just came from Meredith's Blog , and now it's time to continue you onto Heather's Blog.

Happy New Year!!!

Looking forward to new beginnings in 2013, and though 2012 was a struggle at times it was also a year of celebration and most importantly of restoration. I am truly grateful for the Lord's strength. I first want to start with celebration, one that stands out the most was the birth of my grandson Christopher OMG can I say I just adore this kid. He's got the cutest smile, and dimples you just can't resist.
The other most important celebration for me was a personal one, it was my commitment to God, it was about fellowship, and unity. It has been a wonderful year of just being a child of God, many may not understand this and that's alright, but for those of you who know me can truly appreciate what I'm about to share. I really love where I am at with my relationship with the Lord, it's not easy by any means and I struggle daily, but I seek strength from God.

In 2011 I decided I would choose a word to encourage me through out the year, it was GROW! When I first thought of this word honestly it was hobby related I wanted to grow in my creativity, brave the world of Design Teams and just submit. I did make a few teams, not only did I love where I was going in my creative process, but that October I began my commitment to focus on God. It was important for me to redevelop that relationship that I had I was determine that no one would break that bond. Easier said than done, I managed and I could see God's hand in my growth. We ended that year CELEBRATING in church, it was awesome.

 In 2012 I chose the word STRONG this for me was a difficult word, but I knew that my God would give me the strength to overcome any obstacles that may come and believe me 2012 was not an easy year for my family and I. There were many times I wondered how much more must I endure, but all the while God gave me strength. I would be reminded of my word and the verse from Psalm 31:24 So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord. For a little while I gave up, had a really bad day and thought Lord this is it I'm not doing it no more I can't it's not fair. I am not SUPERWOMAN as Alicia Keys sings. I felt as though all hope was lost I decided I would go continue going to church but just not fellowship. I didn't want to open my heart to hurt, disappointments, or just not meeting to anyone's expectations. I really didn't want to be a part of, just tried to say to myself Just GOD that's all you need. Yeah okay, that was difficult as the pastor kept preaching UNITY it seemed week to week or Be Still and I would say Lord I'm here I'm not leaving just feel as I can't no I wont be part of. I will do my part and that's it. Yes this was the argument I would have with God, but the message was Unity. I think mostly I was afraid no I know I was. Then something happened one Sept. Saturday, some of the youth as well as Brother Jimmy & to my surprise his wife Martha came over to pick up some things to take to the church when all of the sudden Emily my daughter who is never awake on a Saturday at 9am said hey I'm making breakfast you staying right. In my head I'm like no, I need my time. I am so glad now looking back because even though Emily may not see it this way God used her to allow me to really know this couple, to share dreams and hopes that I would love to see in our church but I confessed to them I didn't want to be a part of, I didn't see or feel this UNITY it was at that moment I realized OMG Lord forgive me because I can see that I was part of this problem of not wanted to be a part of there was no Unity because in my heart I didn't want it because then it meant that I was part of. Can I say that I truly enjoy being a part of so much so that after spending a few days on my vacation I came back spoke to the pastor and said I want to be a part of this church once again. I knew that God was truly working in me He was giving me the courage and strength not to fear being a part to something great. I embraced UNITY, so much so that I cry as I write this because I truly see how God continues to mold me. I share this with you because it's my testimony of what God is doing in my life that all started with one little word Strong(2012).

This year my word is RESTORE, you see I want to allow God remove all the layers that bind my heart, my mind and my spirit. I want Him to continue molding me, because I know that HE is not yet finished with me. I want to continue growing, continue gaining strength and want to be Restored! Oh I know it's not going to be easy, because it means that He will break down the walls, but I know that in the end of the restoration process there will be a joy that will be unimaginable. There will be a testimony as to what the Lord has done in my life. I have also chosen this word because our church is now going through a restoration process I will be creating projects showing where not only have I been, but what has been rebuilt, renewed in our church. Unity wow I wish you can meet our church family we all this mission and it's starts with Restoring the old, but it's starts with me wanting now to be very much a part of because in the end of it all I want my God to say to me as in Matthew 25:21  “His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  I hope you are blessed by my testimony, I pray that in this new year God will restore to you joy. I know it's a long post, and my commitment(goal) this year is to try to blog regurlarly and share what God continues to do in my life. Here's a layout I created restoring our church chairs. If you have a word you want to share with me, maybe you can create a project to encourage you make it visible.

Restoring, rebuilding and renewing...

 
These 3 words have been on my mind in the last year, but most importantly in the last 3 months. I just want to take some time to share with you about a recent trip I took to Puerto Rico. The trip originally was to go see my grandmother who is about to be 90 this week, and to have a little R&R with my younger sister and daughter. I had a great time, but the one thing I was dreading was seeing my father. I have not seen him in 12 yrs, and that was only for about 1/2 hours and before that was another 12 yrs. so when I spoke to him over the phone before the trip let's just say I was not too happy. My first thought as we landed in P.R. was okay we are here let's get this visit with him over and done with. Not the visit with my grandma, but my father was the one who had to take us there and that is the one I wanted out the way. Well came the dreaded day, but that morning I began to just seek God and as I was getting ready I was just asking God to guide me, I didn't want to leave my hotel room with a negative feeling. I wanted to really be happy, and well guess what I was. When I first saw him, he ran towards me and just kept hugging me I thought for one second awkward, but then I embraced it. He truly was happy to see me, he kept saying I can't believe you are here wow you have grown to be a beautiful woman. He wanted to know everything in those few seconds, but he knew that my sister and I came P.R. to see my grandmother. When he saw my sister, he was just as happy, I think we were both pleased that there was no drama. We did see our grandma, and then after my father took us to a secluded beach and we just spent time laughing, talking and then it happened.
He cried, told me how much he loves me and never stopped and hugged me. I hugged him back and said I know you do, but as I said it I really felt it. It was sincere on both parts. You see this entire time planning this trip I thought it was to see our grandma and though it was, it was much more than that. It was about how God is so awesome that He was able to restore a father-daughter relationship, because of this I am ready to start rebuilding what God has begun.

The definition of restore:

Bring back; reinstate. Return (someone or something) to a former condition, place, or position.

The defintion rebuilding:

1. To build again.

2. To make extensive structural repairs on.

3. To remodel or make extensive changes

 

The defintion of renew:

1. To make new or as if new again; restore

2. To take up again; resume

3. To repeat so as to reaffirm: renew a promise.

 

I will leave you with this Bible verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

 

I am ready! Looking forward to the transformation. thanks for stopping by!!!

A New Chapter Blog Hop...SEM

We are so excited about a new chapter at Scrapping Everyday Miracles! We have recently added a few new design team members and we thought a blog hop would be the perfect way to introduce them. SEM has fabulous prizes and would love to see you all participate!
Each DT member had to create a layout or a mixed media project that represents a new chapter in your life. Scrap Twist: Use book pages or book text on your project...be creative!

I decided to create a canvas with a very special Bible verse to me. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Renew being the keyword for me. Definition of Renew: to make like new : restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection
I want the Lord to make me like new, I want to be the clay and have Him mold me, restore me. Sometimes I forget and I hold on tight to those negative things that binds my heart. Anger, Fear, and even resentment begin to hover over my heart, but I want to be like David who knew he had faults and still asked our God to renew a right spirit within him. I want to be cleansed, and have my anger, my fears, and resentments washed away.
Romans 12:2          
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
So Lord I am asking that you clear my mind of the negative things and remove those that bind my heart.

Here is my project:
Thanks for stopping by!
next on the hop is
                                  Scrapping Everyday Miracles

Used my last bit of Carta Bella's Paris Girl line...

I really loved creating with this paper. The colors are just so me, I also loved the feel of the paper. I am really bummed that I ran out. I guess I will have to start using all of my other stash. lol. I have to admit when it comes to pattern paper, flowers, and bling I'm a hoarder. LOL. I also played with Copics for the first time my first thought was oh no, but I really love to color. I see more coloring in my future. Here are my latest projects. Thanks for stopping by.

My little ray of sunshine...

my grandson. This past weekend I was babysitting overnight and my first thought when I heard him crying at 1:52 am was noooooo. lol. I got up thinking he was going to be like my children and be wide awake, crying and cranky. Instead when I picked him up he first looked puzzled I'm pretty sure he thought where's my mom, then when I spoke to him those famous words I have been using since he was born. Hey Boo Boo, where's Yogi! He started smiling and cooing even while drinking his milk I can see his dimples clearly. The kid is truly adorable, and I didn't think I could love someone as much as my own kids, okay maybe just a little more. I created a layout for Scrapping Everyday Miracles using photos my daughter took of Chris and his little dimples and that smile that just melts my heart. Thanks for stopping by.