it's been a long time

I know it has been a long time since I have posted here. I was going to close my blog, but I have shared so much about me to some friends on here and I get to share what is on my heart to people I want to share with. Soooo, I am not going to close my blog. I am looking for a way to update it a little. It is pretty plane. Just thought I would share afew layouts I have done as well. BTW, yes, I am loving our new house. I have just planted some bushes, a tree, and a mess of flowers. It is going to take a year or two, but it will fill in and be so pretty. I am still scrapping for Cinda and have just started CTing for Silvia Romeo---I am happy to work with Eva again.

OUR NEW KITTY--PATTY

LUCY LOO AND KC

FUN WITH KEVIN AND RYAN

WILD WILD WINTER

I MISS MY DAD

AND MY GRAND PARENTS

DID FOR A CONTEST--LOVE IT

SIGNING FOR MY NEW HOUSE

GOTTA LOVE THAT FACE

JACOB AND I BOTH HAVE GLASSES NOW

Good Grief

Good Grief, I cannot believe it has been 2 months since I have posted here. I knew March was busy, but I did not realize April would be this busy. In the last 2 months I have:

***finished the ADSR with Cinda. That was a lot of fun. I am so happy that we finished. I really enjoyed making layouts with Cinda like this one using her Spring Break Kit available here: http://faithsisters.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=106_175&products_id=4745 Cinda made the left side and I had to do the other. Cinda combined the sides in the end.

These are some of the other layouts I did with the kit (which was actually re-made into a QP--I love making QPs)

***I have been in my sister's wedding as maid of honor. I took my friend Debbie and really enjoyed having her there with me . She even helped with my sisters hair for the wedding--Thanks Debbie. Jacob had fun as well and even played a little air guitar for everyone. (whatever happened to my shy little boy?)

***I have also been working with Habitat for Humanity to get my hours in so we can get our house by this Christmas. I have around 120 hours now. Starting in May I will be taking some friends with me every week to help work and to help get more hours. God is good.

***Jacob has started his new adventure in Little League. He loves it and is a good player. I cannot wait to get some more photos and videos of him playing. He gets embarrased now that I take pics of him. I have to be a little more sneaky than usual.

Well, I guess that is it for now. I have to get ready for AWANA tonight. I will try to be back here in the next couple days for some more fun stuff I have been doing. God bless all who actually read this. ;)

JACOB WINS

I am so excited for Jacob. He won the AWANA Grand Prix today. Not only did he win for the fastest car, he also won for the best design. WooHoo. He has a smile on his face that will probobly stay there for a good month or so. I think he is smiling in his sleep.

He made the design and painted most of it. I did a little touch up to straiten the lines a little. We had a guy from church put the wheels on and make sure they were working well. He has never won a race in the last 3 years and this year he took first. Here are some pics of his great day. BTW.....I did not win anything, but I love my ball pit car. I especially love the driver who looks like he is screaming down the track.

New layouts---so much fun

I have been having so much fun making layout for many different things. Right now I am involved with the My Lifetime Story over at Faithsisters.

Yep, that chubby cheeked baby is me. Using Digital Compilations by Cinda: For Kay kit

Love to look at the difference between our 2 births. What a difference 34 years makes.Love my baby boyUsing Digital compilations by Cinda: For Kay kit

I have also been scrapping with Cinda's new kit called For Kay...heehee. I think this will quickly become my favorite kit. I plan on using this kit a lot for my Lifetime story pages.

Aren't I cute!! (lol)Using Digital Compilations by Cinda: For Kay kit
OH, I am also doing the ASDR season #5 with Cinda:

This is my ADSR first layout. Getting to know Cinda has been and is going to be a lot of fun. Cannot wait to meet her in person next weekend. Loved looking through Cinda's Gallery for this layout. Just loved how the picture was surrounded by the hanging elements and the journaling on the top and the sides. Her boys are too cute.I have used: Digital designs by Cinda,Spring, Summer, Fall kit (Box, flower, charm, twig, paisleys) Starfield sampler kit (preview page), Ocean Breezes Kit (sunset paper), Arts and Crafts kit (swirl)

I have also been busy with Habitat and plan on doing some pages soon for that. Just have to find some building type kits. I have 75 hours in already. I am so excited. I will post those as soon as I can. I just love being scrapping busy.

Football Frenzy

You know, I never thought I would do a football layout...I do not even like football. So, when Cinda asked me to create some layouts for her new Football Frenzy kit, I was a little worried. Well, I did it. It worked great for some photos of Jacob's friend and his Uncle Ken. Here they are.

I just love these photos of Jacob and his Uncle Ken. I thank God every day for my brother and his influence on Jacob's life. God is so good.

I am doing a challenge over at Faithsisters using card designs for every letter of the alphabet. I make them into full-page layouts instead. I am doing a whole book of what Jacob is and what he means to me. You can find the other letters in my FS gallery ( http://www.faithsisters.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/439 )

Jacob and his friend Marcus playing a little football. I have actually made this into a Quickpage. My first one (aren't you proud LouAnn) You can pick it up for free on Cinda's blog Here: http://blog.digitalcompilations.com/

Well, I am off to make some more layouts. I pray you are all having a beautiful New Year.

I am on a new Creative Team

Yay!!! I love to create layouts with kits before others get to see it. I really like Cinda's items. She has her own designs, Digital Compilations by Cinda at Faithsisters and at Divine Digital (both are linked in my favs on this blog).

She has a brand new kit out that I just love and will use many times over. It is called Contemporary Christmas and is now available at both shops. Here is a couple of the layouts I have made using this kit:

My Lifetime Story at Faithsisters

To find out more about this challenge, just read below or follow the link From the "My Lifetime story" banner at the top of my blog.

As the year is coming to an end we are busy planning for next year. In 2010 we are going back to the basics of leaving a legacy of faith. This years challenges are all focused on YOU and your lifetime story. When you join us in this challenge you will be creating a mini-autobiography. We are counting down the days till January 6th because we are so stinkin' excited about the My Lifetime Story challenges!!!

Wouldn't you to know what your grandma's favorite toy was as a child, how she felt when she met your grandpa, her favorite scripture and the song that expressed her heart? Your children and grandchildren will have that treasure when you join us in this challenge!

We will start out with your family roots in January and move into your childhood in February. We will continue throughout the year with your teen and adult years as well. The last challenge of the year will be a letter to your future generations or anyone who reads your book.

Each of our stories is important. This is a book that everyone should create about themselves. It will be the most treasured album of your family. As you create this album about your lifetime story you will be leaving YOUR LEGACY OF FAITH. This is an album that can make an impact in your life as you create it, but it will also create a major impact in the lives of your family both now and in future generations. As your children read your story in this scrapbook that YOU created, they will take your stories to heart. Your stories may have more impact on them than even Bible stories, because they are personal and from someone they know and . When friends and neighbors pick up your storybook and look through it you will be witnessing without even saying a word. They will read your lifetime history and discover your of Jesus, and His forgiveness and faithfulness in your life!

The My Lifetime story challenges will begin the first Wednesday in January. A new challenge will be posted each Wednesday all throughout 2010. The last challenge will be posted the last Wednesday of December. Just because the challenge series ends at the end of 2010 doesn't mean your lifetime story album is finished. We will continue to offer periodic challenges to continue your autobiography and keep it current.

Please join us in this year long challenge! Some of these challenges may be layouts you have already completed. That is ok! We need to get these all compiled in your lifetime storybook. Everyone deserves to be the star of their own book, including and most importantly YOU! If you don't put some time aside to create your My Lifetime Story album now, you may never find the time. If something were to happen to you, would your legacy of faith be lost forever? Take action now, join us as we create our lifetime storybooks for the next generation to see the glorious work the Lord can do in the life of a woman that loves God!

Begin thinking about what size album you would like to use for your My Lifetime Story challenge. Michelle started hers in an 8x8 but now has decided that she needs more space so is moving up to a 12x12. Sunny is doing hers 12x12 also because she knew she had a lot she wanted to fit into this album. What size do you prefer? Start gathering your supplies now so you will be ready to start when we kick off the first challenge January 6th!

Next week we will post a Photo List so you can start gathering photos that you will need for this challenge.

Time has flown by

I cannot believe it has been so long since I have posted here. My life has been on the fast track to everywhere for the last month. God is working in so many areas of my life, I cannot keep track of them all. Sure glad God can keep all of this straight and connected.

A few things have come up: for example the largest is my application to Habitat for Humanity was approved. What a huge blessing that I never thought I would get. I still believe that these kind of blessings are for more deserving people than me. I usually do not apply to these things because I do not want to be disappointed. I get tired of rejection after a while...so I just stop trying for my dreams. Well, God has seen it fit to allow me to have one of my dreams and that is to own a house of my own for Jacob to have when he gets older. I want Jacob to have the security of a HOME....a permanent HOME. We have moved 5 times since October of 2002. Jacob just wants a room to call his own that he can paint and decorate the way he wants. Thank You God...You are truly a grace giver and the best dream catcher I have. The picture below is the land that my house will be built on. I love the Habitat sign.

Oh, speaking of moving, we are moving again to a smaller/cheaper apartment (so that makes 6 times since 2002) this next week. I hate moving, but I am getting really good at it. Jacob is excited because he will be close to his best friends grandparents house so he will get to see Marcus when he comes to spend weekends with them.

I have some new layouts as well I want to share, but it is late and I need to go to bed. I pray for each of you that read this that you are truly blessed by God today. I know he can bless you if He can reach down and just touch one dream in my life and change my world. Love to all of you.

new layouts--just for fun

This is my favorite photo from my toddler room:Using:Stickers, buttons, little ribbons, and papers:Eva Lindqvist/Baby stickers Boy & Girl kits (due out soon) Butterflies, string flowers, blue ribbon, lace: Belinda Scraps Designs/Colors of Day kitGreen ribbon and glitter: Chelly designs/Happiness kit Title font: Dr. Suess
I love these 2 pictures of my sister and I. Using: silver hearts:Eva Lindqvist Bed/Breakfast add-on. pink circles:Karma Spring Begins mini kit Everything else from Live Laugh Love FS colab kit

Using Unabridged kit by Crystal Longbrake Designs
Using ---- Of course the Adorable kit from Chelly Designs. The letter A is from Camie Designs: a Splash of Color AlphaThe flower is from: Eva Lindqvist's: Apple mini Kit

I just love this picture of my son watching baseball. He is so intense sometimes when we go to a game. Using: Paper/Eva Lindvquist--B & B Yellow and Green acre kit Baseball elements from Dielle/Pinch Hitter

Using: Eva Lindvquist's Apples Mini Kit and the swirls from her Bed and Breakfast kits

QP sale at FaithSisters

This is a great sale over at Faith Sisters. There are a lot to look at. Just follow the link: http://faithsisters.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=16

$1.00 Alpha Sale

You have to stock up on some Alpha. Everyone needs Alpha. Even the word Alpha needs alpha LOL

http://faithsisters.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=12

Birthday Bash Calender

Here is the Calender for Faithsisters Birthday Bash celebration in about 20 days. WOOHOO!!

http://faithsisters.com/forum/index.php?board=394.0

Faithsisters is 2 years old

I have so much fun at Faithsisters when we have a celebration. Come join the fun. Just follow this link and get signed up. http://www.faithsisters.com/birthdaybash.php

new layouts

Here are a few of my newer layouts. Can you tell who the focus of my summer layouts are? :)I just love stars. Jacob is the brightest star in my life. When I saw this star kit from Eva, I just had to use it for Jacob. Using: Eva Lindqvist's: Star Charms Kit, B & B Add on Kit, and Guard Your Soul Kit

Using a scraplift from Livybug (

http://www.faithsisters.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/38849) with items from RJF melody alpha, Dielle/ Musical Recital, Krystal Hartley/Piano Room

We had so much fun this day. Mom got to see Jacob play baseball for the first time. He did great. We all watched the city fireworks after in our own driveway--can't get much better than that.Using Michelle Batton's Freedom Kit and July 9 template from TMA (Lynn) found Here

52 weeks of blessings

Good morning/afternoon/evening, Days are going so fast now, I cannot keep up with them. I have not been keeping up with my blessings every week like I should, so I thought I would share the blessings of the summer thus far.

Let's start with family:

My oldest brother: I have enjoyed the blessing of reconnecting with Ken. Personality wise he and I are similar in the fact that we let things roll of our back and continue on with life. He is now dating a really nice Christian girl. I have spent some time with them together. They are so sweet. I enjoy talking Bible with my brother now. I laugh because his girlfriend and I will talk about the characters in the Bible and he just sits there saying "how do you know all of this?" heehee. Jacob really loves Uncle Ken. I need to get them together more often. In fact Jacob could tell Ken a lot about the Bible as well. Now that would be a blessing to watch my son teaching my older brother about the Bible.

How about my mom: She has said things to me lately making me think that God is talking to her a lot. We have had some good conversations about our dreams and what we actually have. I am a pretty optimistic person, my mom is pretty pessimistic so our conversations tend to be extremes of each other. I think we are learning to listen to each other better. What a blessing that is.

Jacob: well, he is always a blessing. He is growing up so fast in so many ways. Some areas he should not have to be growing in, but due to his dad, he is. He is 11 now and talks like he is 30 sometimes. He is great at reasoning things out in his head. He has come to realize this summer that some friends are worth keeping and some are just worth playing with. He has decided a couple of his friends are not doing nice things and has chosen not to play with them. This gives me hope for his teen years. He loves his baseball and was able to pitch and loved it. You could not wipe the smile off of his face for days when he struck out 4 players. (that is better than some of the Indians pitchers can do).

Work: let's just say that I have a job and leave the blessing at that. I have had some issues with the Asst. teacher I have, but I am trying to work them out.

Church: Going well. Our church is having some growing pains, but friendships are strong as well as our faith so we will rise above our issues and soar on the Eagle's wings.

Online: I am totally loving the time I spend on line now days at Faith Sisters. I will never meet most of these women her on Earth, but I love the time I spend getting to know them on line. If you have not been there, you really need to visit.

I pray you are all having a wonderful and very blessed summer.

Eva Lindqvist give away

Eva is having a give away for a great kit over at DST: Here is the link: http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=200065

Here is the layout I created with this great kit.

Time Flies

Wow, I cannot believe it has been so long since I have posted here. I guess Summer is keeping me busier than I thought.

Jacob finished his school year on the honor roll with straight As and Bs all year. I am so proud of my little man. He is full "SWING" into baseball this summer on the major league team here in town. He was so excited when they asked him to pitch several times. They seem to be encouraging him to pitch. Jacob's dream is to be a Major League Baseball pitcher. I have done a couple layouts from his games this year and last year:

Dielle designs--Pinch Hitter--found in the FS store/The clips and the star are from Claudi designs Personality Kit--also found at the FS store. Thanks for the great kits ladies

I used Dielle's Pinch Hitter Also used template created by Karla for Template Challenge

I have spent a lot of time with my mom this year as well. I think God is working on our relationship before it is too late. I have also been spending some time with my brother. Jacob just adores Uncle Ken.

Using Sweet Tomato's Humpty Dumpty templateAE designs: All Who Wander Kit

Blue papers, buttons, brads From ALS Forever family Basics/Tag is from AE designs Spring Has Sprung Kit/Ribbons and strings is from Eva Linqvuist Designs Favorite colors Kit/The Beautiful Gold paper is from Claudi's Remember Kit. All are found at FS shop

I used Kreative Karma's Graffiti Grunge (found in the shop at FS)

I pray you all have a blessed Fourth. Thank you to all who have served so wee can live in this great country.

You and Me

I love pictures of Jacob and I together. I took these pics of Jacob and me outside of our house. The photo on the right was taken while the wind was blowing while i was using the timer. We had to follow the camera around....we laughed so hard. All of the layout papers and embellies are from Eva Lindqvist Designs at the FS store. I also used a template that she made for us to use.

http://faithsisters.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=28&zenid=85f7ffdb4eae5db16cc4c8cef90e2e87

Jacob sings

More layouts using Eva's kits

I have to say I am really enjoying being on Eva's Creative Team. She is so sweet and patient with everyone. Anyway, if you have not visited Faithsisters and seen some of the creations that others have created using Eva's and so many other's designers kits, you really should visit soon. There are a ton of great sales on now and some fun events coming up.

Here are some new layouts:

Template: Simply Susan template challengeEve: Mother word art Summer Forest Kit Loved Eva's mother word art, so I took a picture just to use it. Thanks Eva

OK, when you are done laughing at the perm my mom had me get, then you can read that the kits used in this are:Template by: Barb (Albums to remember) Template ChallengeKits used: papers by Eva Summer Sweet Smoothies Paperpack and elements by Eva Favorite Colors KitOK, you can stop laughing now. I am making my DS a book of his school pics along side of mine in the same grade. Very fun.

My granparents taught me so much. I pray I can leave such a legacy of kindness, Gentleness and patience. Kit used: Scrap Warrior's Fruits of the Spirit kit.

Journaling:These isires belonged to my grandmother. I dug them up from her garden. She has since passed on, but I have a part of her with me as long as they bloom. These have been in our family for at least 60 years. My grandma loved the gold and the pink irises. I used The April Showers Bring May Flowers Colab. Kit

These are my Grandparents. THey are all gone now, but I will see them all with Jesus one day.Border Cluster by ClaudiKit by Claudi: A Mother's Love

My Cat stared at my water bottle for the longest time and then layed down next to it. HeeHeeI used Emma Moore/Exquisite Notionalso used Ribbon from Paula P./A Mother's loving Touch.