Arrows in the Hand of a Mighty Warrior...

Here's our oldest, the night he received his Arrow of Light and crossed over into Boy Scouts. This is the boy who has set his goal to be an Eagle Scout and then go on to attend the Air Force Academy...and has made these goals at the ripe old age of 11. Where did my little boy go all of a sudden?

(BTW...this is a rare digi layout from me. I just couldn't resist the delicious digi goodies from Weeds and Wildflowers. The digital sketch is by Jen Caputo. :) The software I used was FxFoto.)

Play Time!

It's play time at my house! I got a new assignment from Janis at Timeless Touches. She is making the round of some scrapping trade shows, and will be selling her products as well as the Bisous line of pre-designed album kits. I get to make a few album samples with these gorgeous kits! I am SO thrilled, as these papers are absolutely to die for, and I have perfect sequences of photos to use.

I wasn't prepared for how much I would enjoy working with the pre-designed papers. Never in my life have I completed a 10-page 12x12 album in one weekend, but that's what happened this weekend, and I am super thrilled with the results. It doesn't look thrown together at all, because the papers provide an elegant backdrop, and all I had to add was my photos, titles, and embellishments. Coordinating chipboard letters fill out the kit to add dimension, texture and lots of fun!

I'm waiting for some flowers to arrive from Janis (which she will also be carrying at her trade show booths) and I will complete the final touches on Caitlin's 6th Birthday album...and I can't *wait* to share the completed album with you! If you see her at a trade show in the near future (such as the Great Lakes Mega Meet), be sure to pick up some of her wonderful templates and these album kits! You'll be glad you did!

Happy Day!

I just made this fun card and thought I would share. :) I scraplifted a card my friend Chris posted at 123-scrap using foam stamps and Twinkling H2O watercolors. So, even if it isn't your birthday, then Happy Un-Birthday to You (and to me)!

Crawfish and Cracklin's

Kevin's Uncle Sammy came to visit this weekend, and he brought with him several culinary delights from his neck of the woods in Louisiana. First, crawfish, with spices to boil them in -- oo-weee! Also, a bag of pork cracklin's which I laid my claim to immediately. And last but certainly not least, a couple pounds of spicy (but not TOO spicy) boudin. If you've never had any of this fantastic stuff, get ye to a Cajun part of the world, post haste! Mmm-mmm! Tastebud heaven!

The crawfish were a little too much for Caitlin...she doesn't like her food to look back at her from the plate. This did not bother the boys in the least, however. They discovered the age-old tradition of pulling the tails off the heads and sticking their fingers inside to make crawfish finger puppets.

I put on some Little Big Town and we had a ball.

I can feel
that
muddy water
runnin' through my veins.....

One Stamp, Three Ways

The Artists in Residence for Art Declassified had a fun challenge...to use one stamp three different ways. I had a lot of fun making these projects using the Wire Tap stamp and other ADC stamps. I used the "kissing" technique, some selective inking, and stamping on twill ribbon. For more notes and specific supply lists check it out here! :)

An Invitation -- the Ultimate Blog Party!

My friend Sarah invited me to a blog party, and I want to invite you, too! It's at a site called 5 Minutes for Mom, which has tons of great resources. The blog party is for the purpose of networking, finding more great ideas, support, and resources to help moms (but isn't limited to just moms), making friends, and also getting your own blog looked at! Plus there are going to be party prizes! Click the link over on the right side (you may have to scroll down a little) and check it out!

I'm amazed that there are about 850 blogs listed so far! Lots of great stuff to look at!!

I thought I would do just a quick intro for any new friends that will be visiting my blog from the Blog Party.

I'm Carol...I'm a Christian, a mom, a wife, a teacher, and a scrapbooker, just to name a few. I have a degree in Music Therapy, although I am not currently working in the field.

My hubby is an amazing man who joined the Army 2 years ago to be a Chaplain. He has already been to Iraq for a year-long deployment, and thankfully got home safe and sound. (The post about that is in the archives here on my blog, with homecoming photos included.) We have 3 kids, ages 11, 9, and 6, who are very bright, energetic, and wonderful kids. (I know, I'm biased!)

I teach 3-year-old preschool two days a week and absolutely love it. I'm a former homeschooler, so spending time teaching these little precious ones is right up my alley. I also am a paper crafter...my main online "home" for scrapbooking is 123-Scrap.com, where creativity runs rampant! I am thrilled to do design work for Memories in Uniform, Art Declassified, and Timeless Touches.

As you can see from my bare-bones blog, I'm not a blog expert by any means! I'm just using one of the pre-made templates in Blogger, and have yet to learn how to make a fancy custom banner. But, even without all the bells and whistles, it is a great place to post my ramblings. And boy, do I ramble. I chat about scrapbooking, military life, my kids, and whatever else enters my mind. I hope you will find yourself smiling, feeling encouraged, and occasionally even prompted to think about things you might not have before.

Blog Spotlight: Croppin' Companion

One of the other booths I loved at CHA was Croppin' Companion. They were at the end of the row where I was with Memories in Uniform. They have the most elegant and functional storage products I believe I've ever seen. I am definitely going to get some of the drawer units and a couple of the jumbo storage cubes. What I like best is that there is a place for everything...little sections in the drawers for even the tiniest embellies...but it is all hidden from view and looks so *tidy*.

Here are some pics from their booth, and a shot of Cheryl and the sweet girls who were helping her show the products and take orders...

This Uniform...

This uniform...inspires pride in my heart.

It is worn by the one person who is, in all the world, dearest to me. He serves proudly, bravely and tirelessly "Pro Deo et Patria," for God and Country. The most complex mixture of emotions pass over me when I look at him dressed in this.

This uniform...has rich meaning.

Every pin, ribbon, and symbol on it has it's proper place. Each tells a story of his unit, awards, or role as a Chaplain. Each is full of history and tradition.

This uniform...should not cause fear. But it does.

Early last week, Kevin was updating his uniform with the pins earned during the deployment. I asked if he was getting ready for a ceremony or to conduct a wedding, and he was quiet a long time. If only it were simply a ceremony or wedding. No, he was getting his uniform ready because he was assigned notification duty that week. In the event of a fallen soldier having family anywhere in our area, Kevin had to be part of the notification team that brings the news of the soldier's death to those who are dreading that very visit.

For a year, I had lived in fear of a green uniform showing up at my door. Now Kevin had to prepare his for the task. I mentioned the dread I had felt, and he only said, "I was just thinking about the same thing. No American should have to fear this uniform."

After his duty was over, he mentioned that he would rather deploy again than have to repeat notification duty. I believe it took all his courage to serve like this, in some ways even more than the difficulties in Iraq. He had to be composed, calm, and comforting in someone else's darkest hour, to stand by them while their worst fears became reality. And shedding tears of sympathy, I feel sad, and lucky, and thankful, and proud.

The most complex mix of emotions washes over me whenever I look at this uniform.