Smiling at the computer...

I mentioned before that I took some pictures for some friends when I was back home in Kansas.  Well, I was editing them last night.... and I kept finding myself smiling at the computer.  You see I went to high school with both of the parents... and were friends back then, but just friends.

Several years post high school we reconnected. First I reconnected with her... in a young wives Bible Study which developed into a young mom's Bible study over a few years.  That was a very special grop for me.  Then... we became part of a small couples group together.  And God connected us, all of us in the group, in a special way.  As we dove into God's word and struggled together to understand how to live out our faith and how to communicate that faith, we became a group a broken people racing desperately towards the Truth. 

So as I looked at those sweet faces of my high school friends, I marveled at God's power.  His power to grow us, change us, and bless us.  God used that little group of 'more than friends' to encourage us, teach us his truths, soften our our hearts and eventually get us here... to Edmond, OK... to serve in ministry.

They are such a sweet little family... I miss them :)

... and she's so pretty.

Blessings,

Love This.

My sweet girl holding my sweet boy.

Blessings,

I've been wanting to show you...

Hello All! ... sorry for the absence... I've been on vacation!  This past week I've been in KS hangin' out with family and taking some friends' pictures (I'll post some of those soon).  It was relaxing and refreshing... just what we needed :)

Here's some stuff I've been meaning to show you since a bit before my computer crashed... Remember the stationery with customizable little girls that I showed you awhile back, well I did a custom order for friend/customer with Little E and Company.  She requested a set not only for her little girl, but also for herself.  super fun.  I'm not listing them on Etsy quite yet, but I am open to custom orders.  Email me!!  I'd like to build up a wider variety of hairstyles, dress styles, (I need to create a baby graphic too...and maybe boys???), etc... before I list them on Etsy. 

I also filled an order for a "TRUST" print awhile back... she requested it in yellow instead of red...and I love it!  Thought I'd show you that too :)  AND... I'm kinda excited about the idea of Mini Scripture Prints... I made some on a whim to put in with some of my orders and they are stinkin' cute!  They are perfect for so many things: to stick in with a card for a friend... they go great on the fridge or bulletin board... to use as a gift tag... to use as a "thank you for your order" note... etc.  I love the idea of passing along scripture.  I'm going to list some of those on Etsy too.

Blessings,

My Request

I asked Jeremy if he could do something for me for Mother's Day... I him to take some pictures of me with my kiddos.  He sweetly complied and we headed out to the park... I tried to control the setting as much as possible...no tricky lighting or anything.  We picked a spot in the shade, I set the camera settings, and described the different shots that I wanted.  It worked pretty well!  He was a sweetheart and very kindly tolerated me bossing him around for 45 minutes!  After he got some of me with each of the kids, I snapped a few of the girls before heading out.  I couldn't resist... they looked so cute wandering around together through the trees :)  So.... after I edited them... here's what we came up with :)

Blessings,

Moments

I remember when I was little, finding ways to stay close to my mother....physically close.  I wanted to be near her all the time... see what she was doing, feel her warmth, hear her voice.  I'd sit behind her on the bed as she typed on her typewriter, and play with her hair.  I'd lay at her feet while she worked at her desk.  I'd hold her hand whenever I could.

Every morning before school, we would sit down with my mom for devotions.  We'd read an Arch Book bible story and each pray.  All four of us kids learned to pray out loud that way... and I remember my mom's prayers... they'd always end with "and give me energy, strength, and joy"... 

As a young girl, I walked through the isles of antique stores and rummaged through boxes at auctions and garage sales.  She would tell me "This is a glazed china head.... these are Swanky Swigs from the 1950s... now $10 is a very reasonable price for that..... run your finger along the edge to see if it has any chips....

When I was in high school we'd go on walks... around the dark streets of our little town.  I'd talk to her...about everything.  I'd tell her about school, friends, and Jeremy.  She was my confidant, my encourager, my friend. 

I watched my mother as a pastor's wife.  I watched her be strong... I watched her show love.  Her small frame, her fuzzy hair, and smile are pieces of her unforgettable presence... But her open arms, ready to hug you, define her and identify her as an ambassador of Christ's love.

Now I watch her with my children. I watch her read to them...get down on floor and play with them... I watch her cuddle them... God continues to bless me with new memories and images of my dear mother that will remain with me always... 

Those millions of moments that she invested and continues to invest in me, have secured a permanent devotion for her in my heart.  She is my mother... and I love her.

V man... three months

What?!  I'm three months old?  Wasn't i just hatched?

Oh (blush).  I'm mean "born"...  Sometimes I get my baby animals mixed up.  Gee.. what can I say? I mean, half the time Alice has me thinkin' I'm a tiger cub!

Well, Okay... let's see.  I guess I should fill you in a bit about what I've been up to.

I'm really a pretty happy guy... I like to sleep, eat, burp, do my business....you know, typical man stuff.  Oh, I have discovered these fat funny things on the ends of my arms.  I like to put them in my mouth... and slobber.   What else??... I like to laugh... these people that I live with...yeah, they crack me up.  They're nuts.  Except my mom... she's pretty cool.  Oh, and I hear alot of people say I look like my dad...that I have his nose or somethin'...I don't know what they're talking about.

Well, I guess that's about it.  I've gotta go play house with my sisters... uhhh... don't pass that info. around.  It could damage my manhood. 

Alright. Give me a fist, ya'll.... pound it.  I'm out.

Happy Girl and a Play Room Bunting Tutorial

First an update on my status... and then a quick bunting tutorial!

I am now the proud owner of an iMac!!!!  And that makes me one Happy Girl....   My iMac arrived in the mail today so now I can blog... for the most part.  I still don't have my new programs though.  So no photo editing or designing yet... But hopefully in a few days I will be up and running.  I will have so much to learn though.  I haven't used a Mac since college and I will also have to adjust to the current version of Adobe Illustrator.  This will be kinda  major since I was operating on Illustrator 10.0!  That's really, really old :)

Due to my inability to design and blog, I've had to satisfy my creative inch in other ways.  Yesterday I made a quick and simple child's bunting out of vintage child's game cards.  You could use this same method on various paper items: photos, post cards, cut out shapes (see photo of a butterfly garland from girls' old room) , etc...

Let's begin!

Here's what you need:
old game cards or other paper items
twine or string (I used baker's twine)
craft knife
ruler or straight edge
large needle

First you are going to cut two vertical slits on each card... near the top about an inch apart.  I used my ruler as a guide for the distance between the two line and to ensure a consistent distance from the top of the card.

Then, cut your twine to the desired length and thread through the needle.

Finally string each card onto the twine, using the needle to push through the slits.  Make sure to start with the needle on the top side of the card, so that the twine goes behind leaving the pictures on the cards fully visible.

That's it!  I strung mine up over my girls'  play kitchen area.... very sweet... I think!

Blessings,
Amy J.