Sunday, December 28, 2008

Merry Christmas - one more time

We finally got to have our church Christmas program today. It was canceled last week due to weather and the week before the practice was canceled also because of weather. So it seemed like forever ago that we were preparing for our program. The kids did an amazing job and we are so blessed with the families that go to our church, especially one lady in particular. Her kids are all grown up but she is still involved and does most everything. We would be lost without her...
Anyway, I thought we needed a family picture since we were all dressed up. Unfortunately, we don't seem very photo-genic today :) The sun was bright, it was cold, kids get impatient, etc etc. (honestly, I hate pictures of myself, I always try to cover myself up with the kids!) We did get 2 pics, not professional looking by any means but realistic enough! That Walker, he has got the smile down pat!
I also got to finish a scrapbook page I was working on for the Splitcoast Unity Sketch challenge. It was a card sketch but I used it for a layout sketch as I need to scrapbook a bit more than make cards lately!





Products used: several Unity stamps, some awesome BG and sassafras papers, puff paint, Thickers etc

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

keepin' my focus...

I have been working steadily at keeping my focus on the "Christ" in Christmas. At times I get a little panic attack rising and I feel the pressure of the holidays creeping up. I went Christmas shopping and felt the financial strain, a burden, and I became disappointed - in myself. I Love Christmas, this wasn't how I wanted to feel nor how God intended me (us) to feel. So I sat, I pondered, I immersed myself in God's word, I thought and then I listened. Focus on the "Christ" of Christmas... that is what I heard. With that as my focus, peace came like a blessing and here I am, a day before Christmas - at peace. I could list a bunch of things happening but really none of that matters except it is the day before Christmas! I am so excited. I took some of the financial burden off by making some gifts. I always feel like people may not appreciate hand made gifts but I enjoy making and giving them and they are heartfelt so I figure they are all right :) I also spent some time in the PRESENTation of the gifts while others I simply wrapped. you take some and you give some... anyway, here are some of the creations and packaging I had a blast making...

I made these for a teacher gift and girl gift for my dd's class (cute template I had found a while back...)


This is actually for a friend and I can't show you what is inside yet... I will though, after I give it to her. I got these cigar boxes from a lady who works at a liquor store. I spray painted and decoated. They work great for gifts!
remember these pillow boxes? Another template I found in my papers I have kept through the years... these hold ornaments for my Sunday School kids(Unity stamps)
I made two of these bags with treats in them for the kids' Sunday School teachers. I love decorating brown bags, it is simple and fast. (another Unity stamp!)
here is another cigar box decorated up for my cousin's little girl. I filled it with all things a princess would need: a ring (candy), a necklace (candy), bracelet - real!, and some yummies to help her through her day! I know her folks will appreciate all the sugar!
thanks so much for checking it out. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and that your focus stays on the "Christ" in Christmas...
many blessings - K



















Monday, December 15, 2008

snow day!

Lovin' winter! Our first snow day today of this school year... however, now that I work at the school I also know that we will more than likely have to make it up and it will come from one of our few "normally" scheduled days off. BUT - I will enjoy it today! Hot chocolate, movies, and oh yeah! - some scrapping/crafting time. (don't worry, I am not neglecting my daily chores, I am doing laundry - the kids, well, there are those leftovers to tide them over :) )

Here are a couple of items I worked on yesterday...
(products used: BG paper, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Unity stamps - Baby Jesus and the journaling tab on the scrapbook page)
I have been working on, or at least getting ready to, some Christmas presents and I came across this story our Pastor read a while ago at church. It is called, "My heart, Christ's Home." It is awesome, it talks about a man inviting Jesus into his heart and how he brings Jesus throughout his "home" which includes the library (our mind), the dining room (our appetites and desires), and so on... (If you want a copy of it, email me and I will send it to you).
My favorite part, or a part that resonates hugely with me is when they go to the man's workroom. Jesus looks at what the man has created with all his tools and the man admit's he hasn't done much but he would like to do more. He then goes on to say he doens't have the strength of skill to do better. (here comes my favorite part...:) )
"Would you like to do better?" He (Jesus) asked. "Certainly," I replied. "All right. Let me have your hands. Now relax in me and let my Spirit work through you. I know that you are unskilled, clumsy and awkward, but the Holy Spirit is the Master Workman, and if He controls your hands and your heart, He will work through you." Stepping around behind me and putting His strong hands under mine, He held the tools in His skilled fingers and began to work through me. The more I relaxed and trusted Him, the more He was able to do with my life.
That to me is the perfect description of what I want every time I go to craft and create. No wonder I feel such a peace and satisfaction when I craft, my Lord, is there beside me, guiding me and helping me. I always knew this in my heart but I had a hard time explaining to my husband just how crafting makes me feel, this does it - most perfectly.
Have a most wonderful day! - K
Today's scripture:
John 14:23
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

house update

Just thought I would post some pics of the house project and how it is coming along...

safety first here at the Bents' an open view in our living room;

the view from our "upstairs"

The contractors were here last Monday through Wednesday and built the frame of our second floor and sheeted it. We were going to shingle this past weekend but Mr Weather changed our minds on that one (thank goodness!) We had been living in the garage starting Monday but moved back into the house this past Saturday. It was cozy and warm in the garage and worked out well but it is nice to be back in the house even with the unfinished walls, tarps hanging down and a very, very cold upstairs (we have it blocked off for now). The kids did get to go "upstairs" and try and envision where their rooms will be. That seem to make all this chaos and mess we call construction a little more worth it to them. Kids need that visual. Nick is of course working like a madman, last week he had off and worked here, trying to keep ahead of the contractors with the wiring, insulation and so on, this week he is back to his normal job during the day and construction man by night. He (we) are also so thankful his dad is his right hand man and has been a tremendous help. There is nothing like family. I mean that, seriously. They were up here last weekend helping tearing off the roof so the contractors would be ready to roll come that Monday. Like I said, there is nothing like family. Of course friends come in close as there were a couple of those too and we couldn't have done without them! The house is a work in progress, I am not sure the kids understand that it will take a while... I have been doing better than I thought through all the mess and unorganization, I can only say it is because the grace of God.


this will be the boy's room

after day 2 of the contractors - wow!

Plus, I did take a few moments to myself and do some scrap pages :)

(supplies include some great patterned paper, Unity stamps and more!)

Thought this verse went well along with all that is going on in our life...

"As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15