Easter Sunday

So Easter Sunday was a blur. We went to our church first thing that morning so that we could see Quisha dance with the Praise Team. Then we headed to the other church to hear Marc preach. In the middle of the service my mom got a call that my sister was on the way to the hospital so after Marc finished with service we got on the road for the 1 1/2 ride to see her. She is ok, just exhausted and they kept her over night for observation. Less just say it was an interesting day. Today we have just been chilling, and actually that is my plan for most of the week. Nicki does have a concert this week and I have a Girls Night Sleepover coming up, which should be great fun because its with the Dress Sale Buddies. Hope you all had a blessed Easter Sunday. We never got a chance to take pictures in our Sunday Best, so the next time we wear the outfits I will post pics.

Dress Sale Buddies Luncheon



We had a ball Saturday. It was the first time all of the Dress Sale Buddies have been together in 4 years.

The Lock IN




The Lock In was a great success, of course the girls crashed that night and Marc and I crashed in the morning. He actually got more sleep then me though.

Easter Plans and Bama is in the House!

My friend Cass and her family are in town from Bama. Last year at this time I was there with them ( at the Scrap Etc Event), so it was great seeing them the other night. I can't believe how much the girls have grown since the last time we saw them. I should have more pics to share in a few days (the girls took most of the pictures with their camera, so I have to wait until they unload them).

We will be on the run all weekend. Our church is hosting a Youth and Family Lock In tonight (after our Good Friday Services) with 20-30 kids of various ages. Should make for an interesting evening (and some interesting pictures). Add in 100 Easter bags that need to be filled before Sunday service ( let's just say I will be taking a long nap this evening in preparation). Right now I am thanking God I don't belong to a Mega Church. Can you imagine having to prepare for 1,000 of kids?


Wish I could say I was coming home in the morning to sleep but it is Easter weekend so I will be preparing my home for guest ( well, actually its just my mom, but I don't want her to come to a messy home (well at least not as messy as it was the last time she came to visit....LOL).

Marc will be preaching the Easter message on Sunday (his first time as an Interim Pastor). Still no word from our home church, but the other church is keeping him busy so its all good. So what are your plans for Easter Weekend? And what are you eating? I haven't a clue what to prepare for dinner with all of the different diet plans around here now ( between my hbp and Marc's diabetes). Ham is a definite no no. Well until the next time.........Happy Easter.

Nicki Loves New York

Brooklyn's Best Kept Secret (Nicki's words not mine). Its actually her friend Gavin who was nice enough to drive her around the city.

Nicki and Q -Tee-Pi (Pita). Pita went to college with Nicki and Quisha. She promised to take Nicki out while she was in New York City ( which she did, and Nicki said they had a great time....especially at Dave and Buster's).

Nicki's friend had several visitors over spring break. The girls spent her first night in New York checking the town out.

The Girlz on Times Square. My girlfriends daughter goes to school in New York. Nicki spent the week with her at her dorm.

Nicki spent spring break in New York City visiting friends. She visited several spots including ground zero. You can see some of her pictures here. She enjoyed the week she spent there, but as a mom I was very glad when my baby came home. She will be in the road again soon so please keep her in your prayers.

We are still busy being busy, and the last few weeks have been kind of stressful but hopefully in the next week or so things will slow down enough for me to get back to a few things I have been neglecting ( including my scraproom which looks like a tornado hit it. Which is actually kind of funny since I have not scrapped in weeks). I have not had time to read any new books, but I have a few on my wish list including Stacy J's Photo Freedom book and the Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker book by Wendy Smedley. I am thinking its time to purge a few items from my space and do some reorganizing. Marc purchased a new piece for my room a while back but with his illness and our crazy calender over the last few months I have not had the time to make any changes. Its actually going to take a while because I have to paint a few pieces in order for everything to match. The biggest decision I have to make is whether I will paint the furniture black or white.

Step By Step


I am still here , just busy with VBS planning, Women's Day committee meetings, and upcoming Youth events ( to bad I don't get paid for this.....lol). Not to mention working on the big 25th Wedding Anniversary. Let's just say my plate is pretty full and I am............loving it (LOL)! Staying busy keeps me going. Seems like I get depressed when I have to much time on my hands. I am learning to say no to some stuff though. Got to keep that balance and stay focused. Speaking of which its been really interesting how often that word has come up in conversation. Guess I picked the right word for me.


Speaking of staying focused I have dreamed of starting a children's church ministry at our church one day. I have found some really cool curriculum choices. Whenever I am looking for info on anything I usually do a search on the Internet. Its amazing what you can find when you dig deep enough. I found the most amazing spaces that people have created for children's churches. I told my son last night this is something I could see him doing. He is an amazing artist.....he just doesn't use those skills enough. He has been drawing since he was 6 or 7 years old and was in a gifted and talented art program for years. He is struggling right now with what to do with his life. Please pray for him. He really is a good kid ( a 25 year old kid ) but he needs to "focus".


The girls are doing good, Quisha's job has extended her hours to full time for a lot longer. Nicki is still singing and will soon be off on another tour with her college choir. Marc is busy preaching each Sunday. As for Cyndi....she is learning to take life day by day, minute by minute, one step at a time.

Card Album

There were so many cards from people when Marc was sick that I knew I couldn't just throw them away, but the idea of doing an album about his sickness didn't appeal to me either. Neither did putting them in a box somewhere. Then I saw a blog post while surfing the web (sorry I couldn't find the site afterwards) about turning Christmas cards into a minibook. Perfect! Of course it has taken me a few months to get back in the mood to scrapbook, but in an effort to get some much needed projects done around the house my girlfriend has convinced me to take a day at a time, one project at a time to get back on track with life. The first thing she said was to start with those cards (she suggested throwing them away, which convinced me to get my act together). So last week I put them all on a ring and this morning I created a cover for them. It actually felt good to do something simple ( I just placed a sheet of stickers on some cardstock and inked the edges and added a few flowers) that held so much meaning.

Still At It

Well, I finally finished reading this and this ( Marc was astonished this morning when I told him). I have always been a bookworm. When most kids were out playing in the dirt ( which I hated ) I could be found curled up in a corner reading. My favorites back then were Laura Ingall's Wilder-Little House on the Prairie series, the Hardy Boys, and as soon as I was old enough the historical Harlequin Romance Novels. Today I can still tell you which books I have read based on the picture on the cover. The part that amazes my husband is the fact that when I pick up a book I have to read it, right then and there. It usually only takes me a day to read the average romance novel and a few days to read a larger hardback book. I intentionally paced myself while reading the Purpose Driven book ( 1 chapter a day). But I couldn't put down the Purpose Driven Church so that was accomplished in a few weeks. I have now started on Rick Warrens wife's new book "Dangerous Surrender". I will let you know how I feel about it when I am done. The next book I plan to tackle will be this one. I figure I might as well finish the whole series (lol).

Life!!!!!!

Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging. And at this point in my life that is probably a good thing( I am spending more time in devotion, focusing my attention on the things that matter....including spending quality time with those I love). In the last few weeks we have been a super busy family.

Quisha has been working full time at our churches preschool as a substitute teacher. And this past weekend she spent part of her time being a "big sister". Frankly I think she just needed an excuse to go to Build A Bear.

We spent most of the weekend celebrating with friends, and family. This is us as at Picadilly's restaurant on Sunday. I haven't laughed that much in a very long time.

Marc spoke at my aunt's mom's 98th birthday party Saturday. What a blessing that was. Can you imagine being 98? I can't even imagine being 50 at this point!

Nicki has been on the road. Her college choir was on a three day tour this past weekend. They traveled to Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington DC to sing. Last night she was very happy to just be back at home again (and so was I).

Thank you all for the prayers for my friend Kelli. As of today I have not heard anything new. I will keep you posted though. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. Today I have to set aside some time to scrap ( given myself some deadlines on a couple of projects), so hopefully I will have some new pictures up soon. Right now I am busy planning for Easter productions, Youth Ministry events, our annual Women's Day Service and my 25th Wedding Anniversary celebration (not to mention gearing up to be VBS director again this year). Once again I am confronted with the fact that my life truly is a series of events....and that's OK. If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing. Despite my circumstances.....Life is pretty good right now. And I have enough sense to know its because of God's Grace that I am able to say that.

Prayer's Please

I should be scrapping today , but my friend Kelli's new baby boy Abraham Thomas ( born on Valentines Day) is having some serious health issues and I have not been able to focus all day. Please keep this family in your prayers.

Happy Valentine's Day


I can't believe how long it has been since I blogged! Life has been busy and since I am trying to stay focused I am spending less time watching tv, surfing the net, etc. This weekend Marc celebrated his 45th birthday. God has been really teaching us about what his plans and purpose for our life are. We are spending a lot more time focused on our congregations needs, and those of our family. Marc has been preaching for the last month at our home church as one of the possible candidates for Pastor. It is a lot of work and responsibility but we feel in our heart this is the direction he is leading us in. I am hoping that after he does his trial period that things around here will get into a more normal routine and I can get back to scrapping. My new scrapbook gifts are calling my name. We are also preparing to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. I can't believe sometime how long we have been married. Most thought our marriage would not last because we were so young, but I think we knew from the very begginning that we were in this for the long haul. So tonight I will be taking time out to hang out with my Valentine. Nothing fancy, just some dinner at home and a little sparkling cider. Hope you and yours have a wonderful evening. Happy Valentine's Day.

Heidi Swapp Again

Wow, two post in one day. But this could not wait. I was blog hopping and noticed Monique had posted another sneek peak. And of course anytime I see Heidi Swapp's name I have to look. Oh, my goodness! I don't care what anyone say's this girl is a genious. I want it all!

Red and Black

So since there is not a whole lot of scrapping going on around here (meditating and studying is really kicking my butt...in a good way) I thought I would highlight the work of two of my friends. They both posted some really gorgeous layouts on their blog. And in colors that I have been drooling over lately. Which is kind of funny because I am not a Red or Black kind of girl (unless its Disney....LOL). So I am thinking I may need to track down some papers and embellishments and give it a try. So thank you Laura and Vanessa for the inspiration. Great job ladies ( and while you are there check out the fab kits they used).

Creative Memories

I started out with Creative Memories years ago. And for a while I was a consultant. I still use their albums and tools but had started to back away from their paper products. Well Creative Memories is making a turn in the business and soon they will have True 12x12 albums, refills and page protectors ( as a matter of fact they will be cranking out 12x12 sideloading pages later this year ). I can't wait to see all of the new products. Now if they would just create a couple of new CCS tools.

Cosmo Cricket

All I can say is wow! I love the blackboard albums and lots of the colorful papers and embellishments.

OK, so I have a sore throat, sneezing, water eyes, chills, runny nose and body ache (no fever). Which means I am in bed resting (well if you don't count the books and laptop at my feet...lol) so I have lots of time today to check out blogs, message boards, etc. So guess who is living my dream right now? Keisha Campbell....she lives about 10 minutes ( or miles) away from Heidi Swapp....so today she posted a sneak peak at some of Heidi's new products. Well that girl can turn anything into a beautiful page ( if you have never visited her blog you have to now). So just imagine what she has done with Heidi's products!

By the way , anyone have any home remedies they would like to suggest?

Heidi Love

Oh my goodness did you see the yummy papers by Heidi Swapp? I have to get my hands on some!

My Top Ten Winter CHA Favorites

So I have been so busy with life, and staying in Focus that I have been missing all of the hoopla about Winter CHA! So far I have seen a few of my favs coming out with some "must-haves" for my 2008 wish list ( Lifetimemoments always seems to have the best pics and reviews).

1) MM ( notice the layout by my friend Laura ?)
2) Technique Tuesday
3) The Crop-A-Dile Big Bite ( I am hoping eventually it will be in different colors ).
4) I would love to give the stitch rub on tape form Daisy D's a try.
5) And I have been drooling over the My Mind's Eye Paper ( can you ever go wrong with them?)
6) Now what ribbon lover do you know that will be able to resist the clear ribbon by Maya Road?
7) Three Bugs in A Rug has some cute paper that would look great in a beach layout.
8) I love the look of the albums and ribbon by American Craft that Monique posted on Scrap Etc.
9) So you all know how much I love tools. Well while surfing the web I found this by Glitz Designs. Should be interesting to see what the reviewers say about it.
10) And did you see this video from Cosmo Cricket (LOL) ?

Bonus: Cherry Arte Paper ( gorgeous)!

While we are talking scrapbooking. Just wanted to stop and congratulate two friends of mine who were recently picked to be DT Members for Heather P's new scrapbook kit. Congratulation's Melita and Virginia. I can't wait to see what you do with the products.

I Have A Dream (What's Your Dream) ?


Its been about two years since we last visited The Martin Luther King Memorial. As I watch the special by Oprah Winfrey " The Dream Lives" today I realize that we have come a long way, but that we still have a ways to go. I can't say that I am as strong or brave as those who have come before me. But this I do know..........if we don't learn to stand together ( all races ) , to show love one for another and to come up with ways to teach our children , and our children's children how to be sisters and brothers together then we shall all parish.

Dr. King talked about how alike we are more then we are different. His dream was that one day we would come together as a nation, as a people. At times we seem to get the message and then just like the wind,....its comes and then is gone. So many of us live in a world where we only come in contact with our "brother's and sister's" of various nationalities when we are at work. But on Sunday morning when we go off to church we are separate, when we gather with our friends to socialize we are separate. When we watch TV how often do we see "us" ( I mean African American, Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, etc) together as one group hanging out together? I too have been guilty of this. And it saddens me because this was not the way I was raised or the way Marc and I raised our children.

Sometimes it just seems as if we get comfortable....to comfortable in our own little bubble...... and are not willing to seek out others that appear different from us (maybe because we have been hurt, or misguided or even because we have been just plain ignorant). How much longer will we judge each other by the color of our skin and not by the content of our character? Now I am not saying to just go out and befriend someone just because they may be of a different race, but the next time you are walking down the street look someone in their eye and smile, say hello. Or perhaps you are at an event....speak to someone you may have felt uncomfortable approaching before. Make it a point to show your children different cultures ( through festivals, heritage trips, etc) and not just your own. It starts at home and it can't be changed if we are not willing to change.

Do I think we are where we were 40 plus years ago? Of course not. Do I think we have room for improvement? Of course!

So what is my dream? My dream is that one day we will come together (all of God's children) and become one....free from bigotry, separation, hate, and discourse. Of course none of this can happen if we don't start to make a change in our hearts, in our minds and with our actions.

Snow Pics


So I had given up hope of seeing snow Saturday ( especially after half of my family and friends had called or emailed from far and wide about the snow they had) when around 12 midnight I just happen to look out the window before going to bed.

Some of it had started to accumulate on the shrubs.

And on the tree's and grass.

But by the morning this is all that was left.

Living With Purpose

So a lot has been going on since I last posted. The family is doing fine. Nicki has an agent now, and has been recording a few songs. Quisha is seeking to find a job out in the “Real World” and Marc's recovery is going very well ( he has been preaching every Sunday since the last week in December). TJ is still TJ ( he is even looking into going back to school in the fall……Hallelujah!).


I have started doing a daily devotional each morning. So I am re-reading the “Purpose Driven Life” again. Ever have a great idea and not follow through? Well that was me the first time I was introduced to the book, so this time around I plan to be more focused. I am also reading my “Daily Bread” and my girlfriend and I are signing up for the bible study series “Daniel” by Beth Moore. It’s on Wednesday mornings at my son’s church and I am really looking forward to this class. All of these things are being done in order to stay in “Focus” with God’s plans for my life.

I’m also getting smarter about how I organize my photos. Last week I finally moved them off of my laptop to an external drive and I am trying to print more pics out rather then leave them on my memory card. I plan to buy the new book by Stacy Julian ( isn't Addie just the cutest little baby) that is coming out and I also plan to buy some photobooks so that I can keep my photos more organized once they have been printed out (I love my Epson Photosmart printer, and can’t wait to give the new one a try). Speaking of photobooks did you see the photobook my friend Laura did? She totally convinced me to do this with my Hawaii photos (and maybe even with a few of my Disney Trips….gasp!)

Today I woke up ready to work on some projects that I have been putting off because of Marc’s illness. He is doing a lot better so today was to be my “Me” day. My sinuses were given me a fit and as I stepped away from my desk I was overcome by severe pain over the bridge of my nose. Not being able to take sinus medicine because of my hbp can be a real pain sometime. And so I have to sometimes just muddle through and focus my attention elsewhere. Marc had just come in from getting the mail and to my surprise there were two packages waiting for me. One was my free stamp from Inque Boutique and the other package from my favorite scrapbook store.

A few weeks ago Monique asked us to post our favorite layout from 2007. She then picked a random name from the bunch and it was me! Now, I know Mo probably didn't choose everything based on my favorite scrap products. But she did not do bad at all. Of course everyone knows I love Heidi Swapp products, but I am not sure anyone noticed that my Treasured Creations logo has a butterfly as a symbol (it’s also the symbol for the Minister’s Wives Organization I belong to). Now the crown goes without saying…..they don’t call me the Disney Queen for nothing (lol). The box was filled to the gills and I just had a great time sitting in my bed and pulling each item out. I can’t wait to use them. And I will be using them this year. No more hoarding for me (still in line with being focused).

Look at all of these goodies!


And I have been very productive in the last few days. You can look at my desk and tell I have been working on some projects. It has not been this messy in ages!

Well hope that holds you all for a while. I am trying to keep my internet exposure down a bit and be more active with God, Home, Family and Business. All of the while keeping my “Focus”.

So my word for this year is Focus :

- Focus on my relationship with God
- Focus on my Family
- Focus on my Business
- Focus on my Health
- Focus on Me

I got the idea when I saw the album that Noell did. I knew I wanted to do a word this year just as Ali suggested but nothing was coming to me, until Monique asked what our goals were this year. The more I thought about it the more I kept coming back to the same 5 things. Then I saw Noell's album and the word focus and I knew that was it. At times, the last few years have seemed like a blur. I am determined this year that it will be different and that I will actually focus on something and accomplish ( which for me means to finish ) what I set out to do. If I can get my act together I plan to create the album and fill it with thoughts and pictures each month pertaining to my 5 focus issues.

My Favorite Top Ten Layouts from 2007

My version of Heather Preckels Clipboard Album

Me at the Scrap Etc Event where I met Stacy J

A page I did for an album for my girlfriends daughter's graduation party

I love this page I did for a Valentines Album for Marc

I love the paper in this page.

My girls, I always love doing pages with them in it (lol).

This is the mini album I learned in Kristina Contes class. It gave me a fit because it was so far outside of my box, but in the end I made it my own and I loved the finished results.

These two mini albums ( Nicki's trip to DC and an album with some of my favorites in it ) came together way to easy. Plan to do a few more minis this year.

Cheryl posted 10 of her top favorites layouts from 2007. Thought I would participate and post my favorites. I didn't do as many layouts last year as I usually do ( plan to change that this year).

New Years Eve and New Years Day



New Years Eve was spent at church celebrating.

New Years Day was spent celebrating!

I can't believe my last post was on December 26th! Well actually yes I can. Life has been mad crazy for so long that I am having a hard time keeping up with the days. Still trying to except that we are in the year 2008. New Years Day we spent celebrating with our family.....a tradition started by my grandmother years ago, that now my cousins and I try to keep going ( its actually three of us who host each year....me along with my mom's brother's youngest daughters...hope that made some sense). This year we also celebrated Quisha's graduation. All in all it was a good way to start the New Year.

I don't usually create goals for the new year, and I still don't have anything set in stone but I am hoping to spend more time with my family, spend more time with God, and spend more time scrapping. I don't plan to put any pressure on myself so I won't be submitting just to get recognition or trying out for any DT unless I really feel a connection to the group. I do want to begin teaching this year so hopefully that is one dream that will come true. I plan to just take a day at a time and see where the road leads me, that way everything else will be a surprise or just icing on the cake.

Marc has a few more weeks of recuperation ( thanks so much for asking about him ) and hopefully after he gets back to work I can get back to a set schedule. Especially with my scrapbooks. I have a ton of projects that I need to get started on but right now my job is to just be his helpmate.