Making the Time

Hi, friends of mine that take the time to visit me here!  I have been absent from here, as you know. But my absence here means I have been more fully present somewhere else, and that is a good and sometimes necessary thing. As many of you are rounding the corner of a busy time of year with graduations, end of school year events, or preparing to send a college student on their way to a new and exciting adventure...this past week I have been doing something that I had hoped I would never have to do. But it is alright. I will write more about that at another time...but for today, I came across this quote on another blog and wanted to share it here as it sums up my thoughts on the subject of "time"so well. I am thankful that my family took the time to be with me and support me and my parents during this past very difficult week. I am thankful I have had the ability to take the time this past year to make the needed trips across our state to my parent's home at times which were not always convenient and many times rushed and had a feel of emergency. I am thankful I took  the time to listen to my mom on what could be her last day living in her own home and hear her memories she shared. I am thankful.
The way I see time is we are all given 24 hours in a day. Each and every day. We make choices how we spend our time, and if we say we are always busy, or there is never enough of it...then I think it is time to reevaluate our time in light of what is truly important to us. Time is always moving, it is fluid, it does not wait for us. We are wise to wait on it, to seize it when the opportunity presents itself...and to let go when it has moved on. I am working on all of these in my life right now. How about you?



"As busy as we can make ourselves feel, or sometimes as busy as we want to seem to others, there is nothing more important than just making time. For a friend. For a daughter. For someone who wants you and needs you for something. There is always something else you can do, somewhere else you can be. We all get the same amount of time each day. If we say we don’t have the time, what we really mean is that we don’t want to make the time. Because if you can’t make it for one thing, it means you made it for something else. Something else took priority. Today, choose to make the time. Make time for yourself. Make time for someone else. Make the time for something you’ve been putting off. I doubt you’ll regret it. – Emily, Remodeling this Life "

Baby Card

It's a lazy Sunday afternoon here! My great-nephew and his wife just had their first child, a baby boy last month~! This card was made using Flourishes stamps...the background was stamped with the baby rattle and I love this sentiment so much I wanted to use it on the front of the card. Since it is so overcast today, my card needed some editing. The colors are PTI lemon tart, and SU bashful blue. This was made for this week's Flourishes May sketch found here. Thanks for stopping in, enjoy your weekend!

Sing a New Song

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things."  ~Psalm 98:1

We've had a deluge of rain here for the past few days...more than I have seen in all the years of living here in Colorado. I think we came close to a record...but today, the sun came out and it is glorious with all the visible signs of spring following the rain!!
This card was made with the season of spring in mind...a season of renewal and flowers blooming, trees budding, birds singing, mallards quacking, geese ...well, what do geese do...hmmm?? We have a gaggle of geese that frequently visit the pond behind our house!   Oh, yes, geese honking!!
Flourishes is issuing several challenges this week on their blog to welcome their new release for the month of May!! I chose this challenge, "Three in a Row." My card uses three elements:  a die cut, lace, and pearls! There are actually two die cuts layered that my little singing bird is perched on! To view this challenge, visit here on the Flourishes blog.
Today's card is also being submitted to this week's Stampin' in Christ challenge to make a card using all things beautiful!
For my card, I used two nestabilities dies, the blossom and labels 4, Flourishes stamp set, prima papers, pearls, crochet lace, blue ribbon, and prima roses from the Flourishes store, and a bit of stardust stickles. The image was colored with copic markers!
Thanks for stopping in today!

A Wagon Full of Love

Well, it's been quite a long while since I've picked up a stamp and I must admit that the process is a bit overwhelming! As much as I was inspired by our recent trip, I didn't have any stamps that matched the inspiration. So I found the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge and used it as a springboard to bring this sweet image to life. I have to say, I love paper piecing...where else could you have a red polka dotted wagon except in the world of paper and scissors? I also was excited to use this sweet paper I've had on my desk. I hope this little girl finds you enjoying your day and brings you a big smile!
Blessings on your day!

Mother's Day Poem

This poem was written and shared by our pastor at church. It is based upon 2 Corinthians 4:7 and Phillippians 4:13.  If you read it and share it, please be sure to give proper credit. Hope you find it an encouragment to you today!

Woman of weakness, woman of strength
Clothed in humanity, upheld by God's grace
Prone to get tired, discouraged, undone.
Yet able, in Christ to be joyful and strong.

You know as a Mom, as  a vessel of clay
The weight of the burdens you shoulder each day
Pressed in your patience, laden with cares
Constantly tending to others' affairs
And though you're resourceful, still more help you seek
You know that you're lacking, you know that you're weak.

But weakness isn't a thing to be fought
Or something to stew on to make you distraught
For God is well-pleased, to take all of you
And bring Himself glory, while showing it's true
That when you are weak, you truly are strong
As you walk in dependence on Him all day long.

When you are perplexed, He's infinitely wise
When you are undone, He's never surprised
When you are exhuasted, He won't shut HIs eyes
All that you lack, He fully supplies
For He gives His grace, and He gives without measure
And shines forth the gospel, and displays it as treasure.

So when you are weary, when feeling dismayed
Don't be discouraged, and don't be afraid.
Don't be depressed, or lay down in despair
Don't look inside, to muster what's there.
Instead look to Jesus, who lives within you.
Whose Spirit empowers all that you do.

So declare it in faith, declare it as true.
Declare this great hope with each day when it's new.
Declare it each hour, again and again
That "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH JESUS!" Amen

Women of weakness, women of strength
Clothed in humanity, upheld by God's grace.
Prone to get tired, discouraged, undone
Yet able, in Christ, to be joyful and strong.  

Just calling in...

Hi there, blogging friends!
Or should I say, "Cheerio?" I've been on a fun trip through some of Europe. Our youngest daughter ended her semester study in Spain , and my husband, oldest daughter, and I met here there and then travelled on to several other countries. We were here on our last stop. Can you guess where this is?
I am catching up on rest and still haven't sorted our mail, but I'll be back in a day or so to catch up with you!
Have a blessed Sunday!