Lately...

Tomorrow Ella and I leave for Washington DC or to be more exact Maryland. It's sort of like when people are traveling to Illinois they say I'm going to Chicago, it sounds a bit more glamorous than just saying Illinois. I am so looking forward to getting off the plane, taking a deep breath, giving my friend a big hug and for the next 4 days enjoy her company. We've been friends since the 6th grade, she is my soul sister. When my mom died she came out and helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life, she gave me the strength to get through the memorial and to honor my mother when I was at my weakest. The past 5 months have been hard, so much to deal with, death, another cancer diagnosis, teenager life, my grief, helping others with their grief, it's been quite a roller coaster of emotions daily. I thought I was doing okay for a while, but the last month everything seemed to rush up on me all at once. I think for a while my body/mind was in shock as a way to kind of deal with what seemed to be a daily punch of sorrow, and then suddenly it just couldn't hold the gate closed anymore so out it all came.

So, I am looking forward to the COMFORT of myFRIEND. Being around her makes me feel like everything is going to be alright again. I won't have to "BE" anything there. I know I will BE able to laugh, the kind of laughing that makes your stomach hurt, I will be able to share and spend this special time with my daughter, and hopefully return with a renewed mind set and attitude.

Recently another DEAR friend ( how lucky am I?) gave me this book

My heart was really becoming hardened toward GOD. As each day was bringing so much pain, bad news, etc, I kept asking WHY? How much more can I take? If there is a God why so much pain, suffering? I even became a bit superstitious about Him. I was feeling that the more I prayed the worse the days were getting. And then I read this book, and though i had heard some of these things before, It helped me to see God as the God I had always believed in, that he has not changed, or punished me, and that he is always there. loving me through all of  lifes struggles. I am not articulating well enough the beauty of this book. What i can say is I read it in a day, I could not put it down, and I will forever be grateful for this gift. Thank you BETH!!!!!

 Wow, what a serious post! 

How about some thing lighter?

If you have never been to Washington DC during the cherry blossom season you have missed out in witnessing one of the most beautiful things ever to see. In 2006 the family made a trip to DC and here is what we saw.

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This was a neighborhood we parked in and walked around in. The whole neighborhood is coved by this canopy of Cherry blossom trees.

 I am really looking forward to taking ALOT of pictures, seeing Color, and FEELING SPRING!

Di

projects to share

So we've had these hats for a couple of years, this paper is Heidi Swapp's and I kept telling myself all winter to make sure I got some photos of Ella and i so i could use this paper line. Well winter got away from me and then suddenly Sunday morning I was given one last chance to get those photos done!

Isn't it funny how when you are supposed to be doing something else, like the other 10 projects you have started, you suddenly get all inspired and the creative juices start flowing? Here is just that example. I was supposed to be packing, and doing some pieces for a project we are doing in DC, but I got this idea instead! I used a Heidi Swapp binder and some Making Memories travel paper and embellishments to create a little travel book for the trip.

 

If you haven't visited that little blinkie House of 3 to the right there you are missing out big time! You don't have to be a scrapbooker to use the site. There are downloads to buy of cards, and print your own scrapbooks and banners like this one.

  

 All you do is print, adhere to some cardboard( a cereal box will do)punch some holes, add some jump rings ( you can get those at Walmart in the jewlery craft section) and if you wanna get fancy add some tulle and big jewel on the bottom! Viola

 Till tomorrow

Di

What a difference a day or two makes!

I took this picture this week.

 

Then I took this this morning!

As they say that's Chicago for ya! Not that I actually live in Chicago, but you get the idea. So, upon waking up to 4 or so inches  this morning I did this...

Then I went inside and called her....

and she says that right now it is 70 degrees and SUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only 3 more days till we go!

I'm so excited I made a little travel album to scrapbook with on the trip!

Say WHAT?

Okay, here's a picture of Brad and Adam, I see NO resemblence!