Me and Gina K!!!!!

She's just the most adorable and sweet person ever. I am deliriously tired...so you get a pic and the promise of more pics later...

Plans Change

So my big plans for last weekend to get some crafting done did not work out. My parents came into town and it is much more important to spend time with them. But tomorrow some serious stampin is getting done. I am in Madison Wisconsin with some fellow SCS Flybabies and THE Stampin' Kub. We have been shopping and giggling and driving very carefully in the snow ;) Tonight the Kub showed us how to do soot stamping and I worried the whole time that the sprinklers in the hotel were going to go off. We went to Gina K.'s store earlier, but sadly she was not there...but I will meet her tomorrow!!! I am so excited. SO, here is a pic of us at Gina K.'s!!

I'm here!!

I have not posted in WAY too long!! Just wanted to say hello to anyone who might stop by and let you know I will be stamping and crafting away this weekend, so look for some pics in the next few days!!

JOY check in: There has been a lot of joy in my life in the last week! Things at work are amazing and I am feeling motivated and refreshed in what I do!!
I had a great lil package sitting on my doorstep last Sunday, a welcome package from my church!! About 3.5 months ago I started going to church again, and went in search of a Catholic church where I felt at home. I found that church and love it!!
And then next week I get to take a trip to Wisconsin to spend some time with my Stampin Flybaby friends and go to Gina K's store...how awesome is that. This trip was something I had a hard time deciding on...I usually don't do trips like this...but this is my year to do more for me, take risks, and spend more time with my friends and family!!

Look for some creations this weekend!!

Welcome 2008! Welcome JOY!

I was just visiting the amazing blog of Ali Edwards (look for link on the sidebar). She has a post about picking a word for the year and this concept amazed and inspired me. I have chosen the word JOY, which was inspired by one of my Flybaby friends over on SCS. JOY stands for Jesus, others, you. The Merriam-Webster definition of joy is: 1 a: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight b: the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety2: a state of happiness or felicity : bliss 3: a source or cause of delight

This year, it is my intention to find the delicate balance of JOY in my life! At least once a month, I intend to write a JOY post to talk about how this journey is going, to reflect on where I've been and where I am going.

For me, JOY started late last year as I began to rebuild my relationship with God and returned to the church. And by doing that, I have undoubtedly improved myself. I am more content with myself, feel more at peace and feel ready to grow into the person God wanted me to be, and that I unfortunately lost for a while. As I have started this journey, I have realized it's time for many changes, some that I have already started, and some that I am building the courage to make. I asked for and received forgiveness from God for mistakes I have made, and am finally at peace with that forgiveness. With my JOY journey, I know there is rebuilding to do in many areas of my life...and I am ready to start construction :)

Some things JOY means to me today...
faith, family, friends
rebuild and renew
balance
peace and happiness
strength and courage
forgiveness
focus
forward movement
learning from mistakes
simplify
thankfulness and appreciation

I am so excited for the hope of JOY in 2008. What will your word for 2008 be??