Just printed this on my photo printer! Yippee!
After all the presents had been open, and there was wrapping paper everywhere; Sydnee started passing out the gifts that filled her angel stocking. Each one was lovingly wrapped in white copy paper with masking tape. She had several for each person: Dad, Mom, Christian, and Ella. Sydnee had wrapped gifts from her room. All of her favorite treasures she was giving to us. Christian received his Ryan Shupe CD that had been lost for a couple of weeks. Dad received a golf ball {that was actually Christian's}, a ninja, and some change. Mom received a painted dog, a seashell, and a gluestick. Ella received a picture of Jesus and a fossil rock. We each received a drawing of our family....it was a precious memory. Craig and I laughed a bit afterward of all the things she was giving away...I just couldn't go without taking a picture of it all.
The very best part of Christmas time, I'll tell you any day
It's All About:
Nope. I didn't do it this year. I didn't send out Christmas cards...I wish I would have sent each and every one of you a card! I am thinking about all of you and want to wish you happiness, laughter, and joy in the coming year. Have a wonderful holiday season!
I know, I know....this blog is never updated anymore. Why? We are busy! We are busy getting into the holiday mood! It has been fun around here. Fun, and FREEZING! {OK I am trying to keep this positive!} This year I let my kids decorate the tree {and I didn't go back and fix it!} We made a gingerbread house {thanks to G&G!} We made a Christmas countdown chain {thanks to the other G&G & preschool.} We have been having some Christmas fun, and we still have lots more to do! So I will try to post more, but I am not making any promises.....off to make some more hot chocolate...{did I say it was cold here????? 3 degrees while I am typing this....positive, positive thoughts!}
Oh yeah, this is the other reason I have not been blogging....ROCKBAND!
This was the view from my classroom at convention center. I had some amazing classes this convention. Everyone's creative mojo was really going. I don't know if it was the fall weather, the city, or maybe it was just the view out the classroom window; but everyone was wonderful in my classes.
Look who I met ! Can you believe it? She is just as cool in person.... and her son is darling. Go check out Christine's blog. If you have never peeked, it will be inspiring. Promise. Rhonda at The Scrapbook Shop got word that I adored this girl, so she surprised me and had her stop by on Sunday afternoon. I wish we would have had the chance to grab some hot chocolate and talk for awhile....next time for sure.
This was my 1st class at a scrapbook store outside of the Quad Cities. It was at an awesome store called The Scrapbook Shop. They had so many inspiring layouts and creative projects....I loved teaching there! Nancy, Rhonda {the owner}, and Donna.....I had a wonderful time with you all and I can't wait to come back next year at the new store!
Here is the crew in the Rusty Pickle booth. Alaina {in the middle} is the education coordinator for Rusty Pickle and she has been AMAZING to work with. I have so much fun when I get to travel with her. We get pretty silly together, yet she knows scrapbooking like no other! She is one of the reasons I can't wait for next year....I miss you girl! Her sister worked with us this trip and I hope to see her again....it was good times, good times.
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. 
