HUGE ALLEY SALE!!!

SATURDAY ALLEY SALE

AT THE STORE

8-NOON

SCRAPBOOKING, STAMPING, CRAFTING, CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, AND MORE WE WILL HAVE SHADE SO COME SEE US

Scenes from a movie

Do you at times think of you life as a motion picture movie and you just wish you could sit back and watch and not participate? Today was one of those days for me. It didn't make sense, I couldn't fast forward and didn't like any of the twists and turns, I thought I signed up a fairy tale but found myself in a suspense/almost horror and then maybe more like a documentary. I am still reeling and can't even talk about what I saw. I will look for some movies to help later.

Let's just say that I need Jesus more than I ever have before and so does my husband. This is one of those times in the new testament where people are just waiting for Jesus to walk by, I know that if I could just touch the hem of His garment I would be healed or Mike for that matter. I wish that I knew where Jesus was and I would cut a whole in the roof and lower him down, do you remember that story?

Savannah ran the store today and loved it! Mom is ordering away for Fall and holidays! more to come

40 day fast

I have the honor and priviledge to participate tomorrow in the 40 day fast

My teammate for the day is Nancy

What an amazing process. Due to a crazy schedule tomorrow. I am fasting from a few things. Reality TV, (this is a big one for me) and dessert. I will be at the hospital tomorrow with my husband and am not able to skip breakfast or lunch.



I am going to be fasting for not just my husband but Kiva!

KIVA lets you lend to a specific entrepreneur in the developing world- empowering them to lift themselves out of poverty. Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. It's loans that change lives!



I love this quote by Anne Frank : No one has ever become poor by giving.



My daughter had the chance to see Casting Crowns this weekend in Spokane and they showcased this song, which always touches my heart.

what do you know?

Often when talking with friends and family I begin the conversation with

"What do you know?"

At times thoughout my blogging I will do the Thursday truths, inspired by Wendy or what are you thankful for? Its hard for me to admit that right now this week, in this season of my life. I don't know. I can write down biblical concepts that somewhere in me, I know I believe. I can sing the words to songs that I know I believe, but how come the tears that I cry and the pain that I feel hurts so bad? Why do I feel so helpless and so powerless?

Some of you know my husband is in the hospital in another town. Many of you continue to pray for us and for him, for a his mind to be set free, and I don't know how we would have made it without you'all. I hate feeling so small in this world and desperately wish that we served a God that we could reach out and touch and be held.

Thats where I am today.

My friend Anige said this.... The Lord does not always work in ways we expect and sometimes, He works in ways that break our hearts. But He is still good and He is still worthy of our praise. No matter the heartache, the joy will always outweigh the sorrow in the end. The weeping may last for a night - or a year - but the joy is on its way. We may be wandering in the wilderness tonight, but we can rest assured that we are on our way to the Promised Land

I am going with this today. Sometimes you have to rely on the faith of your friends....

saying this out loud

I BELIEVE IN THE SUN EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT SHINING.

I BELIEVE IN LOVE EVEN WHEN I DON'T FEEL IT.

I BELIEVE IN GOD EVEN WHEN HE IS SILENT!

SECRET SALE... don't tell the Queen!

Okay, some of you know I have had less than a wonderful week.
In honor of not wanting to hang out all alone tomorow I am having a sale
All Solid cardstock is 15% off
All wood products 15% off
and all PET paper and embellies are 15% off
If you stop by and show me a new project you're working on, or just completed this summer you get 10% your total purchase
If you bring me a diet coke or a homemade treat tomorrow you will get your name on your receipt in a drawing for a prize. WOW now thats what I call bribery!!!

NEW DAISY BUCKETS

is this the cutest new stamp???

check out the new paper line, textured and all!!!

For today.

From blogs I read today... I had to share...

“I don’t like God’s process, in fact sometimes I think it stinks - but I totally trust him - and once you develop that total trust, nothing else matters.”

"The Lord does not always work in ways we expect and sometimes, He works in ways that break our hearts. But He is still good and He is still worthy of our praise. No matter the heartache, the joy will always outweigh the sorrow in the end. The weeping may last for a night - or a year - but the joy is on its way. We may be wandering in the wilderness tonight, but we can rest assured that we are on our way to the Promised Land."

I am not ashamed to say that I believe the Gospel is true. I believe that He died for me, that He knows the number of hairs on my head, and that He keeps my tears in a bottle. I believe there was a real man named Moses, and that the Lord really parted the waters. I believe in the scarred hands and feet. I believe in the providence of God, even when it feels contrary to what my heart desires

Exodus 14:14, where the Israelites are complaining about their journey. Moses says to them, "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still..."

I just don't know how to be Still...

WOOD WORD ALBUM

You need to check out what Tami created this weekend!

Leave me a comment if you want to make a word album!

Summer!

This morning Mike and I sat on Main Street and watched the world go by. It was nice, I love living in a small town, it makes me thankful to see the people wave or stop to chat and know this is a great place to raise our family and be in business.


This week is the summer event called CHA held in Chicago. Its a time for vendors to show off the holiday lines and get ready for winter. It seems weird to be thinking of snow and Christmas lights when its 90 degrees outside.


We want to hear from you. We want to know what you want us to carry. We have favorite companies and "looks" but what are you making this season? Do you want something we don't have, with a tighter economy do you want to make gifts? Are you interested in some fun cards? We have some of the most talented girls working with us and they like to create and inspire.

We have some ideas already in the works but there is still room.

• Do you want more home decor?
• Calendars?
• picture frames?
• clocks?
• other mediums like glass or acrylic?
• do you want to alter things?
• make books?
• learn some digital tricks
• or even how to better use your camera?
  

Sound off! Tell us what you want. There will be prizes involved! So bring it on. if you want to show us a paperline tell us the company and we will seek it out! We are open not only 'cause we love this but to help you tell your story, your family deserves it!

I am back.. and Thursday truth

I enjoyed being gone on one level and didn't like it one bit on the other.
I miss my family, my dogs, the store, my friends, I didn't take my laptop so I took a day off of email, blogs, etc and I missed that connection. I didn't enjoy staying alone in a hotel room I like having people near.

I did enjoy the meeting, I did enjoy a nice hotel, I did have fun with some people I work with developing relationships with the tribes that we daily interact with, overall it was fine. I am thankful that we had safe travels, a relatively stress free time.

Keeping with the Thursday TRUTH series... this I have found to be true
* Life goes on while we are away, I know this makes sense but I think oh no, what did I miss?
* Bomb threats are never good, there was one the nite before I arrived at the hotel and people were still on edge.
* Casino's bring out a diverse crowd, they fill the senses with sounds, sites and smells
* History will never be forgotten when dealing with Indian people
* My daughter's smile and husband's embrace always feel nice when I return from travel
*My mom and I have a lot of fun travelling and it feels awkward when we don't include each other
* The store is full of amazing papers that draw me to create and be inspired
* The pine trees and forests in Idaho are remarkable and I am thankful in their presence
* I am surrounded by great friends who cover my family in prayer even when I don't ask

What do you know that is true? Anything this week caught your eye? Something small and simple that stuck a cord?

Working out of town

My work is sending me to work out of town for the next two days. I am going to be working with the tribes of Idaho. I just think its funny that we will be staying at the casino/hotel/resort. I couldn't even log online at work to book the room since it was blocked "for suspected gambling" well it is a casino. I like going away, its nice to be gone from home for just one nite.

There are so many fun new things are the store, we have sparkly sticker letter from Making Memories, we have amazing paper from My Minds Eye, including cute little button jars, you have to check them out! Come by and see my mom while I am away!

Fun new projects!

** the USA was made with Rusty Pickle Bottle Rockets paper (by Jan)
**The Family album is made from wood, and was made by Brenda in honor of their UTAH vacation, she used Sweetwater papers

**The LOVE album was made from wood, and was made by Tami honoring his kiddos! She used Daisy Buckets paper.

We sell the wood albums now.. FRIENDS, FAMILY, LOVE and TRAVEL. We also have a full line of wood letters to decorate!

Life Lessons

This life I am living takes a lot of twists and turns when we least expect it. Without going into a lot of details, its been an unimaginable week. I had the chance to really apply some new lessons I had been learning. I had the chance to watch a video this year from Todd and Angie Smith's story about their daughter Audrey Caroline. I encourage you to take the 20 or so mins it takes and watch the video. It is moving and it taught me so much. (I have shared this site before but thought it was worthy to share again)

Angie shares her story about really struggling with all that she had known being stripped away with the news the child she was carrying may not live. She learned that God can handle her honesty and her questions, that just because things didn't go the way she had grown acustomed to being it didn't change who God was..... I was suprised at how I took this video, I have not even had a child or lost one for that.... but I could see the principles Angie was learning and they hit home. I know now that I needed to understand a different side of God. I needed to see that He was trustworthy and in control even when it didn't look as I thought it should.

Today as Mike was in a real manic mode and thinking of basically running away, through the prayer of friends and family God reminded me, He can handle this, He is not caught off guard by Mike's actions and He can move mountains like he did in the new testament.

I pray you don't have to learn these lessons and walk thru these valleys, but if you do, I will be with you as so many have been with me today. I will pray and hold you up. Today God was so present and brought peace. I know there is much more to come and God still needs to work but I can trust Him to take care of me. Thank you all for being so faithful.

On a lighter note. There is so much new at the store..... and Brenda and I are goin to have a really fun girls nite out tomorrow nite at the store!

just another day in paradise... .errr what?

Sometimes my days are comical, that is really the only way to describe them. I use the analogy loosely that many people in my shoes would be a raging alcoholic but I choose to instead LAUGH.
Today I was accused of not returning someone's phone call or rather just not picking up the phone. I laughed out loud because did this caller really think that I was just sitting waiting for her to call and the 2000 other callers were off taking care of their business on their own? Did she think that I had time to see the call come thru and think to myself "Self don't answer that you have to file your nails..." Nope you see on Wednesday I am on a policy conference call all afternoon and well doing what most folks call work! I don't get to see calls coming in as I am writing our interpretation of the law. Instead the callers get my lovely vmail. I really wanted to make up my own story with her but instead I am letting her stew all nite and will call her back in the morning.
Today I also got to tango with my bank. In fact I am trying my very first poll on the right hand column. I just love my banking relationships, really about as much as having a tooth pulled or go to my annual exam. I talked to a very trite uncaring lovely woman today on the phone who pretty much thought I was speaking greek and taking away her birthday, nope I was just seeking a bit of compassion.
I also still am dealing with the lovely professionals in the mental health field. That is such an adventure. They are so stinking' compassionate and so quick to prescribe mood altering medications without really thinking about the end result but this is a whole 'nother conversation.

In the meantime my daughter had a GREAT time at dance, our dogs are funny, James has returned to the land of the living and hopefully will be blogging about her experiences soon.
How was your day? Were your stories funny?

something to think about

This morning I was at my desk eating breakfast and reading blogs... I came to Withoutwax and was caught up in a conversation. It was mainly about an article in a magzaine about some recently uncovered tablet, but I walked away with a few sentences instead......

Over and over again the Old Testament uses the “third day” as a day of deliverance, hope, and new beginnings.-When Joseph was in prison, he said to Pharaoh’s cupbearer: “…In three days, Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your job … “(Genesis 40: 13)

-When Israel was trapped in slavery, Moses asked Pharaoh: Let us go three days into the wilderness. (Exodus 5: 3)
-When Israel was threatened with being wiped out, a young girl named Esther says that she will fast for three days. Then she will go to the King to seek deliverance for her people.
-When Jonah is swallowed and is in the belly of the big fish … does anybody want to take a guess how many days he’s there? He’s there three days before he’s released.
- After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.Hosea 6:1-3 (in Context)

This is my hope, my prayer for all of us. That my husband, my family, my life will on the third day be restored and we may live in His presence.

What is your 3rd day desire? Are you struggling in marriage? In your finances? With a wayward child or spouse? Tell us so we can pray for you!

My day and a new place

First I have to tell you that I found a new site you have to check out....its a compliation of quotes from BLOGS.... go here now here are a few that I laughed at thinking as I was reading and thinking of my day..

It's a big holiday weekend in the U.S. A weekend where complete idiots can buy flammable stuff that blows up, drink copious amounts of alcohol, and then try their hand at grilling and chopping things with large kitchen knives, with the additional attraction of having relatives around that they hate (who are also drinking, and likely have knives, or quite possibly firearms.) Yes, it's 4th of July weekend! I imagine that shows like COPS get enough material for a whole season just over this one weekend.
~Shaping My Way (this is only funny 'cause I live in Idaho)


Remember, mommy is always 2 seconds away from crazy.~Miss Britt

Dear God,
Uncle.~Miss Britt

What a great new blog to hang out at for awhile.
Let's see here is a run down of my day,
Get up, shower, speak with hubby, he's having a rough time
get a plan with him, take Savan to dance intensive, pick up carpool pal head off to work
Spend 20 mins reading mail and news get phone call, hubby is flipping out. aka. having a break down. Head back home
Talk on phone to doc/hospital, make walk in appt for 10am
Wait in overcrowded lobby for mental health professional (now thats an interesting title, a whole 'nother post) Walk across street to hospital, help new admissions person thru the screens so he can be admitted, a 5 min process was taking well over 30 and I wanted to choke someone about then. Take hubby upstairs ( I know the way since we have been there before) Well..... I should just remind you that our health insurance plan just renewed on July 1st. And July 8th we have our first hospital admission, don't you wish you were me? Take Mike upstairs, convince mental health nurse that I should stay and help with paperwork or it will take all stinkin' afternoon. Go back to work at 1pm. Somewhere in there I grabbed lunch dropped off a deposit at the store and talked on the phone while driving, but not in Washington. HA!

WOW what a day. I guess there are some positives about having Mike be inpatient again for mental health. He is safe. he will get some rest, the rest of the family will get some rest and God willing, YES JESUS we need you, Mike will get better. I am also praying that this is not the start of where we were last year at this time.

Monday and such

I am so stinkin' thankful today I could just scream!

* MY FOLKS ARE HOME! this means no more watering, no more messes, sleep in my own bed... woohoooooooo!!

* James is on her way home, silly girl silly girl going on vacation and not taking me.

* I made it thru a Monday at work, those can be tough after a weekend when you do the work I do... but there was grace.

*Savannah is off to her ballet intensive, she looked darling in her tight, leo and bun.

* There was shoe sale this weekend, okay, some serious retail therapy was present. Have you ever considered the definition of retail therapy? I used serious self control and only came out with a few pairs for each of us, but who's to say I won't go back.

* Although FED EX betrayed me today and didn't deliver my new paper line from My Minds Eye they assure me it will arrive tomorow. I am being thankful that they are going to hold true to their word

* I ran into Kerry S this weekend, I sure love that girl!

* We were busy on Saturday and had some fun people from out of town stop by the store, I love meeting new folks who love scrapbooking like I do.

* Did I mention my folks are home? :)

So what's your therapy? Some like to shop, talk, drink, spend, camp, run, yoga, golf, what helps you or you think it helps you. I know for Savany its dance, for some its a bike ride....

Here is a pic or two from the shopping experience....

My last few days

This weekend I have been helping Savannah housesit for my folks. My mom has 3 really funny birds, Matilda is a Macaw she is a bit onery and really funny. Trapper is the newest addition to our family, he is just a year old and a macaw as well. He likes to play and talks a ton, Zoolue comes to the store often, she is a white cockatoo, she talks non stop, and makes a mess. The dogs Lily Mae and Pitch along with Zoolue have made a mess in my mom's family room. We have cleaned it up everyday and then there is another mess.

Amanda brought her kids over with Kaylene's for the fireworks, we were able to sit outside and watch the fireworks just like they are in the yard. It was GREAT. We also had some yummy Strawberry shortcake!

I have a horrible headache tonight so I am not goin to to say much. But I am ready for my folks to come home and James to return.

Thursday this I know to be true

My friend Wendy had a great idea... she started something new she is calling it Truth day!
I am liking this idea...so here goes.
* on a hot day McDonald's kids cones cheer up not just people but dogs
* it was over 100 again today in the Big Lew
* God and I had very different ideas of how this weekend was going to look and guess who won?
* Whining is not becoming whether you are 4 or 40
* a good pair of shoes can make or break a day
* just when you have some money in savings there will be car repairs.
* my daughter looks like a princess in her Jr. Miss dress running thru a field in the light of the sunset
* Diet coke with special ice will cure most ailaments.
* If you can't find me this weekend check my folks, we are housesitting its quiet there
* My close friends and family are away this weekend and no matter how hard I try its lonely
* Being a step parent is never easy
* if you take time to make 5-10 people happy most likely there will be 5-10 you really ticked off
and didn't even know it

All American...

Tonight Savan and I were going from one picture taking location to another and we stopped to get some beverages... we were discussing All American icons. I think we are being nostalgic since its the 4th of July.

We decided that its more than Coke, hamburgers, fries and a shake, Baseball and apple pie. Now even more we look at the flag and are thankful we live in the land of the Free. Thanks to all the brave. We have the ability this weekend to celebrate our Independence with family and friends, we can ohhh and ahhh over the bright sparkles and booms in the air and reflect on what a great country in which we live. I think that so many don't get it. They think that everything is a "right." In my everyday 8-5 job I deal with so many ungrateful people, they have revenge almost always in their thoughts and actions, its about "sticking" it to their ex or the father or mother of their child. Its about what money and how much, and how often, its never about being thankful they have a healthy child, or a rich in spirit family. Its about hostility and how we aren't doing enough. I want to at times shake them and remind them how bad off it is in so many places. I read about countries where they walk miles for a cold drink of contaminated water, where child are sold into slavery or abandoned into an orphanage because there is not enough food or money to adequately care for them. I am such a priviledged person because my zip code is in the USA. I don't have to worry if my children will be safe and cared for, my government has made that a "right" I don't have to worry about water or shelter, its a right as well. Granted some live in shabby and horrible conditions in the US but overall we are spoiled and taken care of.....

I think my point is this..... be THANKFUL. I can't stay it enough, thank you your family for being there for you, for loving you when you don't deserve it and for being on your team. Be Thankful to your friends for the laughs and the fellowship, be Thankful to the founders of this country that we get to celebrate this week and be reminded this is the USA. And most of all, be Thankful to the Father that he sent his Son, that He made a way on a tree for us to truly be FREE.

What is All American to you?

Finally a BABY line

We have CRATE paper back in the store!