While I was downloading the 600 photos I took from my Greece vacation, I had no idea where to begin in telling the story of this trip.

But then I saw this series of photos from our second night in Santorini- and knew the story would begin with a sunset.

We (my mom and I, along with our new dear friend, Stacey) traveled to Santorini before we headed to our week long stay in Mykonos. On our second night in Santorini we went to a little village called Oia for dinner and to watch the sunset.

In Santorini the day revolves around the sunset, and Oia is the place to be. (Oia is actually known throughout the world for it's incredible sunsets!) Crowds gather about an hour before the sun dips into the ocean. it's almost like everyone is gathered for a concert or a movie- it's an incredible shared event.

As soon as we sat down at our table for dinner, the sun began to dip into the ocean.

It was truly one of the most breathtaking and beautiful moments I have witnessed.

I tried to take as many photos as I could- but really, the pictures do not do it justice.

Eventually I sat the camera down and just had to take it all in.

It was absolutely incredible.

As the sun finally slipped away into the ocean, the crowd burst into cheers and applause. That was my favorite part-- because it was as if everyone was applauding God and His beautiful creation.

EXCITING news!

I am SO incredibly excited and honored to finally share that I was chosen as an Ella Friend for Ella Publishing! The official announcement was posted today, and I can't stop smiling. I am just thrilled to help promote this fantastic scrapbooking company... i can't wait!

I am equally excited and honored to be on this team with the following eleven talented women. I know you will enjoy getting to know each of them, and you will be inspired by their incredible work!

Brenda Johnston
Diana Chen
Donna Jannuzzi
Francine Clouden
Jennifer Larson
Keshet Starr
Lee Currie
Mary Jo Johnston
May Flaum
Monika Wright
Valerie Mangan

I'm back!!

hey everyone!

after almost 24 hours of travel, I finally returned home late last night. It feels SO good to be back home and I am ready to get back into the swing of "normal life" (even though it's not quite normal to wake up at 4 am! ha!)

But I just have to take a moment to say- WOW. what an amazing trip. I feel so fortunate to have met so many amazing individuals and to see the beautiful country of Greece. We laughed a lot. Wonderful memories were made. Completely inspired by Ali, Jenni, and Karen. Dear friendships were made- it was hard to say goodbye!

I took so many pictures, but right now my computer is at the computer doctor (my cousin actually! ha!). It will be coming home today, so I will soon be uploading and editing my images as soon as possible! I have so many pictures, stories, thoughts, and observations to share with you. But today? I must do laundry :)

I do however have a new Lily Bee layout to share ! I am blogging over at Lily Bee today, so make sure to stop by.

This layout features one of Lily Bee's new lines Catching Fall- i LOVE this line. The color combinations are fabulous. And perfect for fall photos.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a lovely tuesday! It's good to be back!!

leaving on a jet plane...

All my Bags are packed

and I'm ready to go (complete with a fun lens courtesy of Mel)

I'm standing here outside your door,
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye (oh, but you know I will!)

Today's the day I leave for Greece!!! I have such a variety of emotions- I can't wait to get there, yet I am sad to leave Todd and the kids behind. I know they will do great here at home- i'll just miss there sweet faces. (i will not miss doing laundry though! ha!)

I do know it will be a wonderful experience. A time for dreaming, inspiration, and creating. A time to spend with my mom. A time to meet new friends and relax. A trip of a lifetime.

Instead of packing when I should have, I made this little journal to write down memories- procrastination at it's finest. I hope to check in here sometime while I am gone. Will definitely be on twitter and facebook.

So until then- have a wonderful week!!! xoxo

she's watching.

Good Morning!

I have a layout to share with you today. It's made with Lily Bee's gorgeous Lovely line. My friend Stephanie recently lifted me, and I wanted to lift her back! :) This design was inspired by her gorgeous layout, "I wonder".

An interesting topic came up briefly at my Bible Study a few weeks ago and I have been thinking about it ever since.

Right now we are studying the book of Daniel, and how we, like Daniel, can live a life of integrity in a culture so focused on everything "outward" yet remain relevant to society. Our group began talking about how our children, specifically our daughters, look to us as their example, and how our view of ourselves greatly affects them. They are watching how WE perceive our self image and self confidence, and it reflects upon the way THEY view themselves.

It's so easy (especially after having children:) to focus on all things I want to change about myself physically. Maybe I am even dissatisfied, frustrated, self conscious. When she sees this, she learns that "self conscious" is an acceptable way for her to view herself (because mommy does!). Does this make sense?

I can't shield her forever from the hurts and pressures of this world- there are far too many. Most every woman feels these things at one point or another in her life. But i certainly don't want her learning this response from me.

I believe that finding a balance is the key. Teaching her (by example) that a healthy lifestyle is honoring to God, yet it is not what defines your soul, worth, or beauty. (Prov 31:30)

Right now, at this young, impressionable age, I have her full attention. Not her friends. Not the media. Just me. I am her prime example of what it's like to be a woman of God. I don't want to waste this time.

I love this photo because it captures this concept perfectly! Seeing her little face behind me in the rear-view mirror... it paints a clear reminder that she IS watching (even when i don't see it!). She is forming her own opinions and views based upon my decisions and choices. A great reminder of what is REALLY important!

Supplies used: Cardstock: Bazzill. Patterned Paper: Lily Bee Design. Flower: Lily Bee Design. Trust Ticket: Tim Holtz. Butterfly Punch: Martha Stewart. Distress Ink: Tim Holtz. Chipboard Flowers: Lily Bee Design. Button/Patterned Paper Flowers: Evalicious. Sequins: American Crafts. Pearls: Hero Arts. Mist: Tattered Angels. Circle Alphabet Stickers: Jenni Bowlin. Corrugated Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories. Pen: American Crafts.

steroids.

Good Morning Friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Mine? Well, it was rather interesting.

Have I mentioned I have been dealing with poison ivy during the last week? Have I also mentioned how much i hate yard work? ugh!

Considering I am leaving to go to Greece THIS WEEK (!!!), I thought it would be wise to head to the Doctor to see if there is anything we could do before the flesh is completely eaten off my arm and I am in a foreign country.

The remedy? Prednisone. AKA steroids.

I was really hesitant to start the steroids because it freaked me out. I waited a few days, and when there was no other option, I started it friday night. And i was up all.night.long. Seriously felt like i had 34,913 cups of coffee that night.

You know when you can't sleep, you just lay there and think of all the things you have to do the next day, and start to panic? Well that was me for sure. However when i woke up saturday morning from my two hours of sleep, i was revving to go and had an incredibly productive day.

The weekend consisted of: Cleaning out closets, packing away summer clothes for the kids, organizing the storage room (todd mainly did this one), deep cleaning the entire upstairs, about 10 loads of laundry, organizing kids toys and crafts, cleaning out my scrap area (major task in itself), scrapping a layout with the new lily bee lines (!!!), putting about 50 layouts into albums, moving furniture, cleaning out jonah's room, and lots of play and craft time with the kids.

I think these steroids are making me the Proverbs 31 wife.

Haaa! Just kidding. Kind of.

Hopefully i can get my packing done early before the meds end today. ha!!

Since i can't leave a post without a picture, here's Jonah and Jordan on both their first day of AM preschool this past wednesday. (not sure why jor looks like she has no legs?!?!)

Of course my camera battery was dead and this was taken with my phone. However when Jonah was at preschool #2 in the afternoon (here are his first day pictures of preschool #2), i got a "real" pic of Jordan after her first day of Mother's Day Out. Love this girl.

Have a great day!!!

Weekend Update

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!!

I hope your long weekend has been wonderful. Don't you just love long weekends? It's so nice to have the extra time together, and the weekend doesn't feel so jammed packed.

We have been laying low here- actually doing alot of cleaning. I think it was spurred on by this:

New clothes. (for me. J.Crew top: originally $70 and bought it for $30!!)

And for her. (heh heh)

Time to purge and get the clothes out that i never wear.. I am done feeling"guilty" and hanging on to stuff. I even cleaned out my bathroom drawers and medicine/towel closet !!! Feels good!

I have also started to get things prepared around the house for when i leave for Greece. WHICH IS IN ELEVEN DAYS. Freezing a few meals. Writing out the calendar/schedule.

All of this is starting to get me nervous about leaving. I am so excited for this trip, but also nervous about leaving Todd and the kids. I have been away from the kids for this long before- but i have always been with todd. It's just strange going on such a big trip without him. I have to say though, I am SO excited my mom is going with me-- i know we will have such a great time. I am really looking forward to time with her.

We have just been the traveling family this month. This is my brother. Can you tell where he is??

Hope your weekend is fabulous!

oh and PS, THANK YOU for the incredibly sweet comments on my last post- means so much. xo

August Publication

Happy Friday! Today, I wanted to share with you a layout that was published in August Scrapbook Trends.

This layout is really special to me for many reasons.

First, it's a layout that touches on the first year of Jordan's life- all that we experienced together- the good and bad. I mentioned this in a post before, but I struggled with post-partum depression for a few months after Jordan was born. I wanted to create a layout that included this aspect of my life.

I want my scrapbooks to be authentic and real. As much as I want to focus on the positive and wonderful things of our lives, I also want to include the hard times. Why? Because I want to remember God's goodness and grace during trials. I want my children, as adults, to look at this and to know that their mom sometimes experienced hard times (which is "normal"), and was able to overcome obstacles. I want them to know Who I ran to when I was struggling (Jesus) in hopes they will do the same. I don't want to pretend it didn't happen and just blow sunshine and roses. What good will that do? I want it to be a testimony to my children (and to anyone who happens sees this page) how wonderfully good Jesus is during the darkest times.

Because I believe you can continue to provide teachable moments for your children through scrapbooks.

Secondly, (on a lighter note), I was incredibly surprised to find out this layout was selected as the Award Winning Style layout for the Scrapbook Trends August 2010 issue. I really could not believe it. My heart is so happy and thrilled that my story of PPD, hope, and healing is in print. I hope God uses it to encourage someone who may be struggling with this right now.

Thank you Scrapbook Trends for this wonderful opportunity!

so typical

Hello September!

Seriously, where did August go? I just got used to the fact the July had come and gone, and now here we are in September.

I have a quick layout to share, another one of Kelly Purkey's sketches from Sketchbook 2. I really enjoyed this class!

The story behind this just makes me smile. You know those little trademark things that someone does that you "pretend" annoys you, but really, you completely love? Well, this is one of them.

It's so typical Todd. See Todd despises formal pictures. Getting together, standing in awkward poses, and smiling in front of the camera is not his favorite thing to do. He LOVES the outcome (the actual pictures) but the process kills him. So his remedy is to make a hilarious face right before a picture is taken (not all of them, just some:). This is just one of the many pictures where he is making said face.

It cracks me up every time to look at my camera to see what kind of face he has come up with.

My favorite story was when my mom was trying to take our family Christmas Card this last year. (all of you mom's know how difficult it is to get a picture of everyone looking good and smiling-- nobody looks forward to christmas card day!) After about 344031 photos, she thought she had the perfect photo until she scanned the faces to see Todd doing this:

I think she about died.

Of course he had no idea that his crazy faced picture would be the one where everyone was looking at the camera, making a semi-decent smile, but you have to admit, it's pretty darn funny. She was tempted to pay him back by actually USING this photo but didn't. ha!

I love capturing these stories-- stories of our little funny quirks that makes us who we are. the things we love about one another.