Sunday, May 31, 2009

This week's blessing, for Pentecost:

May the God who shakes heaven and earth, whom death could not contain, who lives to disturb and heal us, bless you with power to go forth and proclaim the Gospel.

Amen

Three Birthdays and a Boot

By the time Memorial Day ended, I realized we had celebrated a birthday each day of our three-day weekend. On Saturday, my friend Jennifer had a 'significant' birthday, so her husband threw her a party. He did it all. And, she just sat and visited with all her friends. It was really a nice treat to just sit and visit!

I had been holding on to this card for a long time, since I just love it. When I went to my stash to pick a card for Jennifer, I knew it was time to give this one away. As a fellow stamper, I figured she'd really like it.

On Sunday, we went to my dad's and celebrated my step-mom's birthday, which is tomorrow (May 27). The rest of my step-siblings were there, along with my beautiful little niece, Kaitlyn. She recently turned 1 (I'll talk about that in another post - since it got past me in April). Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of this card. It was very cute with a strawberry on it.

Then, on Monday, my aunt Pat turned 80. She's never been one for big attention or celebrations, so we brought cake and cherry pie to her house, sang happy birthday and ate like pigs. I made this card during my most recent stamping weekend. I thought it was perfect to give my aunt - someone who's really lived life.

Today, came the boot. For those of you who didn't hear, I was laid off a few weeks ago, much to my surprise - and excitement. Getting laid off now rather than quitting after we adopt our second child means lots of severance pay, and even unemployment! So, in honor of 'getting the boot,' Mary Ann, my good friend and cohort in stamping, sent me this hilarious card. I just can't get over her cleverness. She's in New York this week on a little vacation, so I can't just ring her up and tell her how much I like it. Well, I guess I could call her cell. But, I really don't need to bother her to tell her how cool her card is. She can just read it here when she's back home. Thanks Mary Ann. It rocks!

Annalee's Birthday

So, we celebrated Annalee's 6th birthday a couple weeks ago. The day started with her pulling out her first tooth. It had been loose and I think it just bugged her too much when she was brushing her teeth. So, she just pulled and out it popped. (The tooth fairy was pretty genius - if I do say so - and gave her two gold presidential dollar coins (which Annalee promptly lost at school the next day!).)

The night before Annalee's birthday, I did the 'big reveal' on her updated bedroom. Though we didn't repaint the purple walls, we did get her a new full-size captain's bed and bedding - and I made her a princess-like canopy of tulle. That was the big excitement for me. I had been sick the week before and was planning to drop the canopy from the renovation. But, when I asked girlie about what she hoped would be in her room (since it was a surprise), she said, "Purple curtains. The ones that hang down like a princess over the bed." And, with that one question - and response - the princess canopy was back on. Fortunately, it took only about 90 minutes of work, after a trip to the craft store (thanks for driving me, mom!).

So, here is the canopy, along with a very excited birthday girl, although from this angle, that's hard to see.


I intend to take it down and paint the wood hoop purple (a quilting hoop thingy), the same paint as her walls...maybe next week. Or the week after. Annalee also was surprised to find her very own artwork from school framed like a real artist on her walls. Ron thought I bought one of the pieces - an apple done in chalk on colored paper in beautiful reds and purples and greens. He couldn't believe his own daughter had made it. Very cool.

Of course, no birthday would be complete without a handmade card from mom.


I made this one during my stamping weekend in March (an awesome weekend!). I CASEd my card from one Kristina Werner made that I just loved.

All supplies are from Stampin' Up! I used the Ginger Blossom designer series paper - love it and wish I had bought more before it was retired!

Oh - I also HAPPENED to use this same DSP for Annalee's birthday invitations and the 'pin the center on the flower' game that I made. I say 'happened to' because when I made the invitations and then the game to match the invitations, I had totally forgotten that I made her birthday card with the same paper.
Then, the day of her party when I set out her card on the table, I thought to myself that it was a pretty cool coincidence. (But was it really a coincidence? Or did I do it subconsciously? I'll never know...)

Last, but not least by any means, is a picture of the birthday girl. If you look closely, you can see something in her smile that looks like a missing tooth:

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Wow. I've been remiss. Lot's going on around here. Finally, a chance to reflect on our blessings, which are many.

So, for this week and all the weeks since Easter, here is the blessing:

God the Creator, by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead, strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life. Amen.

God the Redeemer who out of defeat brings hope and new possibilities, bring you new life. Amen.

God the Giver of Life make you a new creation, Christ for those to whom Christ shall send you. Amen.

And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you for ever. Amen.