Simple Things on Saturday...

Love and enjoy the simple things in life such as:

1.  Bananas and the shakes with chocolate at Sonic
2.  Our "thankful" journal that is by the bed stand for either of us to write in..
3.  Smiles
4.  Children's Laughter <3 
5.  That Demi loves going to church and loves life like every second :-)
6.  Sunshine
7.  AC
8.  Shaved legs and arm pits
9.  The funny things kids say and think
10. Nice people
11. Unconditional love from parents
12. Hope and faith
13. Pictures
14. Books
15. Our five senses
16. Babies
17. Humor
18. Tooth brushes and water
19.  Hot showers and conditioner
20.  Good night's rest....prayers at bedtime!

What about you, what simple things do you enjoy and find make your life better?

xoxoxo
BiT

Why Do You Create and Scrap?

Why do you scrap and create?  Is it for you?  The possibility to be in print?  To make a DT?  To win a challenge? Are you like me when you create?  I have found that I have gotten away from creating the pages I used to create for the joy of leaving a legacy for ME AND MY FAMILY.  Why, all to win a little RAK.  I hope in the lesson learned this week that I remember it is not about winning a RAK or creating with the latest products.  It is not about being published because I remembered this week that I started scrapbooking because I couldn't wait to document those special moments of my brand new baby and the joy I felt and wanted to share with everyone in my family.

Will I enter more contests and challenges?  Sure but not for the purposes of what I have been doing and not to change what I love in order for this type of end result.  Why do I mention this?  Because I spend hours and days creating what I think will win a little something only to be disappointed.  In the end I do love the pages but have pages I would not normally create and often wonder where will these go and how will I fit them in our books.  Is this bad?  Not really but I want to create pages from  from the heart and in the end tell our story the way I see it and not for challenges any longer. 

The biggest problem is that I am competitive and miss the ways I used to play sports and games and find this hobby as a way to replace thpse days.  It is a little deeper then this for me but in a nutshell this sums up how I was feeling this week and months before this.  Why is it we seek the approval of others in so many things we do?  Not sure it would really matter to have all the answers but for me it was an eye opener and a reminder to create memories that will last a lifetime not pages that might impress others for a moment only to be forgotten in days and months down the road.    

Anyway I am just blabbing but wanted to admit that there are lessons to learn everyday and that although I love this hobby I am not always thrilled with the way things end up because of my expectations.    I will get back to creating what I love with what I have and if I happen to win a little something along the way then great and if not I have more pages for my albums.  In the long run I think I will be happier with the pages I create with my style telling the story my way.  What could be better than that when it comes to scrapping? 

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your Saturday,   I could use some prayers this week regarding my career, our home and current financial situation and an upconing court date for my bankruptcy which has been dismissed for the uptenth time.  It is important this to goes well so that I can keep the house/car until I can sell it and obtain my new position.  I am praying that God will open those doors and direct me in the direction He desires regarding my career and that God will assist one more time in the bankruptcy case which has been a mess from teh beginning.  I wouldn't wish this stuff on anyone and if you have gone throught it you know what I mean.   I really need Gods help this week.  Thanks in advance friends and if you have any prayer requests please let me know.  That is one gift I am more than happy to give back anyday and anytime!!

xoxoxo     

Happy 10th Birthday To My Sweet Angel!!

It is hard to believe that Demi turned 10 yesterday.  Why does time have to fly by so fast?  I am a believer that you must enjoy every moment of every day and that each is a gift.  I feel so blessed to have been chosen by our Heavenly Father to be Demi's mom.  I hope and pray that I will have another 10 years to enjoy her and that she continues to live a God centered life and with the heart of Jesus as she does today.  She is the sunshine in my life and I can't wait to bring in another decade with her.  The happiness and joy she brings to each day is beyond anything I could have ever imagined or dreamed about as a young girl and lady.  There isnt a day that goes by that I don't thank God for her and our life together.

We had a very busy day with some shopping at our local mall, swimming at our local city water park and then off to Incredible Pizza where we ended the night with a bang with those we love dearly!

Here are a few pictures from our day celebrating with Demi on her "10th" birthday -

Thanks to our family, friends, neighbors especially grandma, Demi had another fabulous birthday filled with lots of fun and laughter.  At the end of the day she was so thankful and exhausted which is a great way for the day to end.

Demi I love you and God loves you always!!  Happy 10th Birthday and wishes for many more wonderful days  celebrating the day you were born back in 2000.

xoxoxoxo

Mommy   

Happy American Flag Day and My Favorite Shoes Layout!!.

I am so proud to be an American and love everything about our American Flag and what it represents for all of us.  I am waving all my flags today and couldn't be happier to do so.  Love my red, whilte and blue for sure!

Here is my favorite "shoes" layout which I love because I know how happy it made my mom for Demi to have these shoes and to wear them.  Now the question is, did you own a pair too when you were a kid?  I know I did since my mom thinks every child should own a pair :-).

Sorry about the sun rays shining on the picture on the left, other than that I love how this turned out.  I used a shoestring with brads sprayed with black mist while using cardboard for my heart and to mount my pictures on to lift the pp off the background paper.  The journaling is about how Demi's grandmother bought her her 1st and only pair of saddle shoes.  These are grandma's favorite shoes by far!  Date 10/2004 <3.   Thanks for stopping by and for just being YOU!!

xoxoxo

BiT 

   

Oil Cloth Flowers (You have to see how pretty these turned out today!)

So many ways you can use these flowers.  You can use them as necklaces, pins, headband decor, embellie flower, flip flop flower...I mean the list is endless.

Isn't this is pretty?  I love it and will have to put up a tutorial video to show you how to make them if you don't already know how.

Here is the bandz trend that is brand new here in Texas, bracelets in shapes of animals, crosses, fruit and in all colors.  These are how they were them too, how many do you think are on Demi's wrist?  I am going to guess 25 plus...but the fun thing is they trade them when they are out and with other kids.  Love 'em!

And of course what would the bandz be without the almost 10 year old attitude right?  Love her too!

So I ran out of daylight between crafting, the movie from redbox "The Edge of Darkness" with Mel Gibson, talk about a great movie, loved this one too and chaffeuring Dem to a birthday party but I promise you Ms smiley face Julie, I have 2 to upload and one from my favorite book that I just love.  

Anyway hope everyone had a great Saturday and that your SONday is even better!!

xoxoxo

BiT 

 

We Are Family and Good Friends.....

Here is the layout that I made this week for the "Double Sided" challenge over at http://www.noelmignon.com/.  The challenge is to only use one PP that is doubled sided.  I love this PP which I believe is an Elsie Flanigan design and is a couple of years old, at least :-).  I cut square shapes from my 1 1/4 punch  and the journaling spot under the picture is the other side of PP.  I splattered paint on the background and used some tulle, cut out stars frm PP and used some white cardstock for journaling strips. I got the idea for the design from a layout that was featured over at AMM this week.  You can view the layout on this blog as well  http://www.huffordhouse.blogspot.com/.  Also we went to our LSS and made a really cool make-n-take with oil fabric that looks like vinyl and is so fun.  They make cute pins or in my case I am turning them into necklaces/chokers.  I will post a picture soon and let me just say you are going to love these flowers.  You can view our LSS at http://www.anthologiesbyme.com/ as well to see some free layout pages.

So be back shortly with my TAMFT layout and my flowers that we just made.

BTW, r you kids on the bandz kick and this new trend?  I have to say that I love them and think they are so cool.

See u soon,
BiT 

GO USA SOCCER TEAM!!!

I am so excited for this game today between USA and England.....I just love cheering on my country and hope it is a great game today.

I am also excited because I got some scrappy time this week and have some layouts to upload.  One for My Favorite Things and this challenge is My FAVORITE SHOES..I am hoping to get one more layout for this challenge done today. 

I also lifted a layout that I saw on AMM this week that I absolutely love, hers and the one I did.  I will come back with a link and my page shortly.

Until then, GO USA!!!

xoxoxo
BiT    

Top Ten Ways to Express Joy and Contentment and a Blog Giveaway at BMS

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Top Ten Ways to Express Joy and Contentment:
1.  Express JOY through your words
2.  Express JOY with your voice
3.  Sing Often
4.  Smile More Often
5.  Have fun
6.  Live out a JOYful Faith
7.  Share your JOYs with others
8.  Nurture a spirit of giving
9.  Focus on your blessings
10.Express JOY and Contentment any way you can

*Shared by Lindsay Conner in If Mama Aint Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy.

So is your home a happy and fun one?  If you want to know, just ask your kids?  When I want to know how I am doing parenting, I just ask my daughter.  You know you will get the truth because kids are brutally honest.  Do you get on the floor and play with your kids?  Do you sing and dance with your kids?  Even when they're 16?    When you have visitors, does your home scream, welcome and come in?  Does your house reflect who you are and the treasures of your heart? 

I wanted to share a give-away over at Bluemoon Scrapbooking here http://bluemoondesignteam.blogspot.com/2010/06/second-day-of-basic-grey.html.  I love Basic Grey and love this site too!  Good luck winning some BG.

EnJOY the simple things today and remember to hugs those you love, as today is a gift.

xoxoxo
Diana

ENJOY YOUR RICHES YOU HAVE TODAY....

I loved reading this today and want to encourage you to do this as well, enjoy your riches today.  It is with a grateful heart that we are able to keep going even with our daily challenges.  Your struggles may not be the same and your jewels may not be the same but at the beginning and end of day one thing is for sure, God loves you!  (I am grateful today that my daughter knows this and shares this with others, that will surely make a mother smile)

Here is a story from the blog of Joel and Victoria Osteen at http://www.joelosteen.com/ from yesterday that I thought was worth sharing today.


One time, I heard a story about a very wealthy family. The father wanted to show his seven-year-old son how poor people live. So he took his son for a drive to a little farm in the country to spend the weekend with a family they knew. They arrived at a little, framed, wood house. This family didn't have any TV or fancy furniture. They didn't even have carpet. Since there wasn't any entertainment inside, at night they would go out on the front porch and sing, laugh, and tell stories. After being there a night or two, the father and son headed back home. The father was very curious about what the son had learned, so he asked him how he liked it. The little boy said, "Oh, Dad, I really loved it." The father responded, "Well, Son, do you see how poor people can be?" The son answered, "Yes, Dad, I see." The father said, "Well, Son, tell me exactly what you learned?" The little boy said, "Well, Dad, I learned that we have one dog at home and they have four. We have a swimming pool in the middle of our backyard, but they have a stream with no end. We have fancy lanterns on our house, but they have the stars. We watch TV by ourselves at night, but they sit around as a family and have fun." The father was shaking his head. He knew his idea had backfired. About that time the son said, "Dad, thank you so much for showing me how poor we really are."
Friend, if you have people to love in your life, then you're rich. If you have your health, you're rich. If you can hear your children's footsteps coming down the stairs, you're rich. If you can talk with your family about nothing, you're rich.

Today, I encourage you to keep the right perspective. Slow down and enjoy the simple blessings God has given you. Take more walks through the park. Look at the stars at night and think about His goodness. Remember, there will always be another dream, another goal, or another challenge. Take time for what matters most and enjoy the riches you have!

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation (Philippians 4:12, NIV).

I will leave you with a challenge today to find someone to bless today with a random act of kindness, a sure way to put a smile back on your face and theirs.

I will be back with some scrappy happiness today too.  I finally did some scrapping and hope to do some more today while I wait patiently for some things to start happening in the career arena. 

xoxoxo
BiT

If you enjoy stamping, come check this blog - HUGE GIVEAWAY!!

http://crystalkbk.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-blogaversary-candy.html

I want to share another blog that I thoroughly enjoy weekly as well.  Stamping and scrapbooking of course and a sketch challenge for the week!

http://www.scrapandstampsaturday.blogspot.com/

And if you haven't seem Pamela's, you will enjoy her creativity for sure.  (I just want to know how she has time to create so many wonderful designs each day and weekly?)

http://pamelasworldofscrap.blogspot.com/2010/06/scrap-and-stamp-saturday.html

I am off to scrap with my exchange daughter as it is really one of our last weekends to just hang out and for a 17 to not have plans, when does that ever happen?  TODAY -

xoxoxo
BiT

Oh where has my sunshine gone today??

So today my lil sunshine took off for the beach on Galvston Island for a week with my sister, Sheri and her husband and their daughter Brylee.  Demi adores them all but love her Brylee and Bry loves her Dem so much that when anyone else is around she only wants her cousin! 

I am happy that she gets to go and enjoy her summer vacation.  She has worked so hard all year and I am so proud of her for passing her TAKS test a few weeks ago.  Honestly I didn't expect it, thought she would be doing summer school but she saved it up for the final tests of the year.  Thank Goodness!  Now I must say that she is a great student and is an AB honor roll student with all high As and one B (87) in reading.  Her least favorite subject unlike her momma. This trip is my sister's way of treating her to something special for doing so well and for being so loving and kind all of the time. 

So many other things going on with all of us.  We are done with school, had a school friend birthday party, a crazy day of swimming after field day, softball games, softball camp....busy but fun!  Then there is Nadja who goes home in less than 2 weeks.  It is really so hard to believe that a year has gone by.  We are going to miss her sweet accent and beautiful smile and spirit.  I know it will be a sad day on the 16th when she boards her plane for Frankfurt, 17 hours and then on to Pinneburg.  It truly has been a blessing having her join our family. I would encourage you to do this if you have the room and time to have a child in your home to experience our American ways.  Then there is the job hunting, resume after resume being sent out.  Networking, Fbing hoping that something awesome will come up and soon.  I am happy to say that I finally got my new resume done and that is a relief.  Now to go and get a lottery ticket so I don't have to worry about a job anymore.  Wouldn't that be nice?  I would welcome those challenges and trade in all the other challenges!!! 

Then, I am hoping to scrap for a bit if I can keep my eyes open.  I am not feeling very motivated to get started but know if I do I will be happy.  And did you see what my lovely friend, Wendi at http://iluv2scrapmilestones.blogspot.com/2010/06/real-wood-mini-book.html made today?  FABULOUS!!  I am hoping to scrap the challenge over at http://www.noelmignon.com/ that is due today "A Week in the Life".   I have always wanted to do this so why not today right?

Ok so I must run and get my winning ticket with the cash out option!!  Wish me luck.

Praying and thanking God for having his protection over Demi and my family and friends at the coast.

Thankful for this life, my faith, my girls, my home, my friends, my church family, my scrapbooking friends and the basic necessities.  Isn't that all we really need and the love that is so unconditional from all of the above.  So blesed and looking forward to God changing me so that I can fulfill his plans for me.  I want to be the best I can be everyday and welcome the NEW whatever that is today and tomorrow should it come!!

xoxoxoxo
BiT  

I love June for so many reasons, this is the month I became a mom almost 10 years ago!!

I have put our house up for sale. She has mixed emotions because of so many wonderful memories and wonderful friendships but knows whatever happens that God's plan is always so much better than what we can dream or envision. ♥ 

Do you have a script of your life, how you thought it would be and how it is now?  I was never one to really do this except when I was 7 and wanted to have a baby girl someday names Bobby Sue. So I dont have a Bobby Sue but I love my Demi Lou so much and there isn't a day that goes by that I am not grateful for her, our life and all the wonderful memories I have with her and our family.  I am a much better person because of her. 

So I never imagined not living here in our home that I bought before she was born but I never thought that we might have a better home and life somewhere else.  I remind myself that a home is not the outside but what is on the inside.  I don't just say that because of where I am but I truly believe that as well as the neighbors and friends you make.  I have always loved people as does Demi so we will make new memories with new friends if and when that time comes.

I am praying for answers.  Answers for a new job and whatever God has in store fr us.  Sometimes we have to close doors for God to open new ones right?

So goodnight from hot Texas and hope you have a wonderful and magnificant Wednesday,

BiT
xoxoxoxoxo  

AMERICAN CRAFT GIVEAWAY by Lynette Davis (Bluemoonscrapbooking.com)

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!  Today from facebook.com I ran across this fabulous giveaway on Beth Perry's blog from Lynette Davis:

http://networkedblogs.com/3ZRKs

I will be back with another post today and some layouts which I am hoping to get to after I finish my yard work, watch the podcast from http://www.milestonechurch.com/ today where Jeff Little is talking about the Holy Spirit, drain the pool so I can start filling it back up and finding something fun for the girls to do today that doesn't cost anything,  If you have any ideas please let me know.

Remember, God is good all the time and if you look for it God will sprinkle some sparkle's of JOY when you least expect it.  So as always,  remember to enjoy the simple things in your life today as they a gift!

xoxoxo
Diana

Demi at her dance recital today, love this picture of her in pink!!

I just love this picture of Demi before curtain call today all dressed in pink and bling today!

Demi in action with a smile as always loving every minute of this tap dance!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Saturday.

xoxoxo

Diana

A great giveaway today.....

So I love blogging and giveaways and wanted to share this new blog and her giveaway this week while she celebrates her birthday!!

http://embellissez-moi.blogspot.com/

xoxoxo
Diana

Happy Mother's Day!!

Demi and Nadja, thank you for all the joy and laughter you have brought into my life. It has been an awesome 10 years being your mom. I thank God everyday that he chose me to be your mom and for the responsibilities He has entrusted me with each day. I love you both!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there today.  I pray that you feel appreciated and loved today and everyday as you should be.

xoxoxox
Diana

Hopes and Belief that all will turn out well today....

So today is the big today.  My nerves are a little on end today regarding my meeting with the trustee and my bankruptcy case. Although I don't know how the meeting will go, I am feeling at peace and am hopeful that she will give me the opportunity to stay in my house. 

A lot of good has come from this situation.  Although it hasn't been easy, I have learned alot about financial planning and saving. 

The best part of all this is my working outside the home and finding a new passion which is teaching.  I am hoping to become certified so I can become a full time paid teacher.  The subbing has been so awesome and as I have said I love working with the kids.  And I realized that I enjoy working again and being surrounded by wonderful and upbeat women and men.  I actually look forward to coming home and love the time I have with my own kids even more.  Also I can be at home in the summers and also when the kids have a break.  It doesn't get better than that because I can pay my bills and start saving all while paying off my debt. 

WOW, God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

So I hope to come back later to post my good news.  Either we will survive and all will be okay.  I will be glad to get this behind me so that I can really push forward with my career plans.  And I may have some other news to share with you soon.

PS - Thanks again for continuing to pray for me/us this year especially for the outcome I am hoping for and that is to stay in my house and keep my car.  All of which is at stake today.  (This is my unspoken prayer request for today.)

xoxoxo
Diana

Has An Unspoken Prayer Request......

Thanks so much for taking the time to pray for me/us this week.  As many of you know I have had some challenging times and now I am need ot your prayers regarding our home, my career and our life as we know it today.

Have a great Tuesday and again thanks so much for your friendship!

xoxoxo
BiT

Thankful Thursday.....

Today, Thursday I am thankful......

1.  For the gift of life today
2.  For my faith
3.  For my girls and family
4.  For the work I have had the last month subbing...have I mentioned how mch I love it and that I am going to hopefully get certified to teach full time next year?  I am!
5.  For prayers  - thanks for your continued prayers friends and family!
6.  For my home
7.  For spring and all the colors that come with it
8.  For flowers
9.  For the basic necessities
10.For our health

I am so blessed and feel fulfilled being able to work and make money again.  That being said, I would so be a SAHM if I could but until that day I will be thankful for the ability to work and for those who continue to request me.  I just hope and pray that the kids are enjoying learning with me as a teacher.  My heart if filled with so much love and am so happy to have worked with some awesome teachers, women and men and that they have welcomed me as one of them.  One thing I know for sure is that all any child wants is to know that someone cares for them and that they feel loved...aren't we all like that even as adults?  I am so passionate about sharing God's love with all children and want each child to be filled with hope, hope for today and tomorrow.  Hope for a better future and to encourage every child that anything is possible if they are passionate about what it is they are doing or want to do.

If you want to inspire your child, you should look at an 11 year old here in Dallas that blew up the old Texas Stadium this past Sunday .  It just goes to show that even as a child you can make a big difference in the world and those around you.  Casey started Casey's Hearts to help the homeless in Dallas.  He is truly a blessing to so many and I commend his parents for their support in his cause and also for raising a child that had vision to make a difference one person (child) at a time!!  I will see if I can find the link to his story in case you want to share this with your children.      

Have a great Friday friends and remember to enJOY the simple things in YOUR life today.  Don't forget to hug those you love and make sure you tell them you love and adore them.  We are never promised tomorrow as much as we plan for it.

xoxoxo
BiT

Pictures from Easter 2010

What a wonderful day, grandma with all her Texas grandchildren...

So blessed and thankful for my mom and our family! 

xoxoxo

Christ Has Risen and the Meaning of Easter Sunday.....Happy Easter 2010!

Happy Easter to all our loved ones and blog friends today. 

As a mom and parent, I was thinking this morning about God and the love he had for His SON and how hard that must have been the day His SON died on the cross for all our sins and how miraclous this day must have been when His SON rose from the grave.  It truly is hard to imagine but I know for one that I am so blessed to have eternal life and that my debts have been forgiven.

So what does your day entail?  I love Easter Sunday and always did when I was a kid too.  I couldn't wait to put on my new dress and Sunday shoes, patten leather of course.  Then after church my brother and I played craps with our candy.  Now that might sound funny but at the end of the day we had all the candy we both wanted and had hours of fun doing so.  So what you does your family do?

Unfortunately we didnt make it to church today.  After looking through one basket today, Demi came our of the bathroom with a trash can with a stomach ache and her mama has a very sore throat.  But we will go to our family dinner here at 2pm and then come home after the kids have fun hunting their eggs at Mimi's (my SIL's mother's house)  The kids have fun while the adults eat, visit, play games and nap depending on who you are :-)!!

Have a wonderful Easter weekend and remember to enjoy the simple things today and the real meaning of this holiday.  PS - We celebrated Passover on Monday with our jewish friends and learned about how they celebrate this holiday and the food eaten to represent it's meaning.  The horse radish I ate almost burned a hole in my nose but other then that it was such a blessing to spend an evening with friends and learning that the horse radish was meant to represent the hard times and prosecution the JEWS encountered. The best part was the matza(sp) which both girls enjoyed very much.

Be back later on with some pictures from today.  Until then enJOY this SONday and your families and loved ones.

xoxoxoxo
Diana