Happy Thanksgiving!

{A traditional page using Jacob's word art he brought home from school this week.}

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

~Colossians 3:16-17

Great Fall Season of Sports!

Today we ended a great season of flag football and soccer! It was a glorious fall day... warm, sunny, and beautiful. Jacob had his last flag football game this morning. And Abbie played two games this afternoon.


No more weekly practices...

No more Saturday games....

I have been SO proud of Zac this season because he has had his first job! Each Saturday he has been a referee for 2-3 games, earning pretty good money for a 13 year old.

{Card I made for the coach}

We love Jacob's flag football coach. He has done such a great job with the boys. Jacob really enjoyed flag football. It really clicked with him, more than soccer ever has. At first I wondered about running plays with 7 and 8 year olds. But for Jacob, it really worked. He liked knowing he had a job and what he needed to do. In contrast, soccer was too random. He can't wait to play flag football again in the spring!

Abbie had a great season in soccer. She is a good player and sure plays hard. We love her coach, too, and were glad she got to play another season with him. We aren't sure where she will be in the spring, so we really enjoyed this season. Coach Pete had me make these cards up to give out to all the girls. I love being able to do stuff like this!

And then the parents surprised him with this 16x20 poster! It was really fun to make, especially since I had access to such gorgeous photos, courtesy of one of the dads from the team. Needless to say, Coach Pete was blown away with his gift!!!

As a mom, I'm looking forward to the break that the end of the season brings. But at the same time, it was a lot of fun and it is sad that it's over!

A giveaway and my Open House is coming!

I just LOVE fall! Here in North Carolina, we have had sunny skies, warm days, crisp nights, and brilliant, brilliant colors with all the changing leaves. It is a rich, magnificent time of year, especially as we begin to prepare for Thanksgiving!



I have mentioned many times how much I love Paper Album Kits! Well, here is an exclusive Give Thanks Paper Album Kit that you can only get by visiting my friend Nicki's blog! I have the pleasure of sponsoring a giveaway over there starting today --- leave a comment on her blog and you might be the one who is blessed with this gorgeous little kit when she draws a name on Monday! You will just love Nicki's heart for the Lord, her transparency, and her love for her family.

And if you are visiting me from Nicki's blog, welcome! I love visitors!!!

I hope you will consider attending my Open House next week! I can't wait to show off all the fun ideas for fast, easy, and meaningful gifts. I will also be unveiling my Winter Schedule with workshops, Faithbooking Classes, Mommy & Me Classes, and more! I'd love to do a fun and inspiring Photo Solutions Party with you, too... you get credit towards photo processing, photo gifts, or free products -- your friends get a night out, photo-taking tips, and easy ways to enjoy their pictures now.

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to go visit Nicki and enter to win the gorgeous Give Thanks Paper Album Kit!

Celebrating your Star!

I am in the process of working on an end-of-season coach gift and remembered this picture I wanted to share. One of my awesome customers has kids who are athletes. Last spring, her daughter's softball team had a perfect 17-0 season!!! To celebrate, Susan made her daughter this gorgeous poster! I happened to be at Susan's home a while back and was able to see it in person and take a photo {that in no way does this 20x30 poster justice}!
Isn't this such a cool idea?! It is a natural for celebrating a coach or an athlete... but would also be great for a teacher, a dancer, a cheerleader, a pet lover, a horse rider, a special couple, a grad, a dad.... well, you get the picture! What a terrific gift for a hard-to-please teen. It is so easy to get started because you can go here to pick out free designs, upload some photos, drop them in, and order! {If you need a consultant ID for your CM Digital Center account, you can use mine: 24915986.}

I am also able to make custom posters for you in a variety of sizes. You send me the photos and I send you the finished product ready for hanging or framing. What fun project would you like to display?

A day Full of Love!

"My albums aren't an art gallery. They're a celebration of the moments in the photos and the memories they contain."

~Nancy O'Dell in Full of Love

I am half way through reading this wonderful book by broadcast journalist Nancy O'Dell! I came across this quote and had to stop and write it down. I love it! I am having a lovely birthday afternoon... sipping hot tea, sitting cozy under a comfy quilt, and actually taking time to read a book. I'm so thankful to my family for this day!!! {I'll share more about this book later!}

Dual Duty Gift

What a relief to have one Christmas gift completed and ordered! Gil's parents were just here for a week and I took as many pictures as I could. During the visit, the kids had a day off from school, and then Gil had them take two more days off to be with their grandparents. So they had some fun times out and about with Grandpa & Grandma Cendejas! However, I got fewer photos than I would have liked. But, I think I've made the most of those that we do have!!!

This is the custom photo calendar that I just ordered for Gil's parents' Christmas gift! This is really cool because the top strip with the spiral binding, and the calendar part on the bottom, both tear off, leaving an 8x8 scrapbook page.

Last year, Gil's parents visited and I sent them an 8x8 PicFolio Max album with several completed pages in it. The idea was to keep adding to it for them. The Max album is really nice because each page is a giant side-loading pocket, so it is super-easy for them to put in additional scrapbook pages.

Now they will have 12 additional pages for their album!

Because their visit was in October, most of our pictures are fall themed. I didn't try to worry about the months on the calendar, but thought instead about the flow of the scrapbook album. My intent was to document their visit, and the calendar was just an extra bonus!

I actually created the calendar as a 12x18, which would make 12x12 scrapbook pages, or page prints. I always like to design in the larger size, then with a simple click I can convert my project down to the smaller size. That way, I can use some of these pages for our album!

I wanted to get this completed and ordered so I would have it for my Open House on November 20th. {December 13th is the deadline to order for Christmas delivery!} I actually started it Tuesday night. Then I worked on it again Saturday afternoon, finished it up, and got it ordered! I love digital scrapbooking because it is so quick!!!

I mostly used the Free Presdesigned templates found here, but I also adapted most of them somewhat. This page I played with using one picture for the whole page. I like it!

In just a few hours, I have 12 pages finished!

I think you can see that we had a good time at the pumpkin patch!

Of course, the visit was much too short... and the visits are far too infrquent... but Gil's parents can be reminded of our time together all year long!

Trick or Treat!

Here are my sweet children... dressed as a Nerd, Sleepover Girl (her two friends have matching outfits), and Penguin!


Abbie and Zac are both going across the road to the next neighborhood to hang out with their friends for a couple of hours.

Jacob is going around our neighborhood with Gil.


And I am home to welcome the children who come to the door. Right now I am indulging in a little joy that is almond.... (and thinking about the scrapbook page I will make)!

An unlikely friendship...

She came into my home, where I hosted our ladies’ Bible study… She had made friends at a recent leadership event with the girls leading our group and they had invited her. I was intimidated by her presence, her knowledge, her big personality. And then she admitted that she was in a season of depression and I wanted to run far away in fear. But, as I got to know her, as I drank in her wisdom, I knew I needed more. I was a baby Believer, thirsty for knowledge. I asked her to be my mentor. We began to meet weekly: walking, praying, and doing Bible study together. I was in turn, able to offer her a job. She was my mentor, my assistant and my best friend. I met my husband at her house! She was definitely brought into my life by the Lord to stretch me. I wouldn’t have picked her for a friend, but I’m so glad He did! I pray that everyone could have a sweet sister-in-the-Lord like my friend of almost 18 years! Do you have any unlikely friendships?

Continue On

Continue On
by Roy Lessin

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.
She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.
She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. "Is it worth it?" she often wondered. "Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"

It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart.

"You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be.

Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye.
But I notice. Most of what you give is done without remuneration.
But I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.

Your children are precious to Me.
Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for Me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me. You may never
be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as a bright light
before Me. Continue on. Remember you are My servant.
Do all to please Me."

I was first given this encouragement from a dear friend at MOPS, at least 12 years ago. A couple years later, I received a beautiful framed print with these words as a gift from my sister-in-law. It continues to hang in my bedroom, a reminder that even when no one else sees or appreciates my efforts, my heavenly Father notices. Maybe you needed to hear this today.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
~Colossians 3:23-24

Quick Update on Jacob

Jacob, our 7 year-old son, was admitted to the Children's Hospital on Saturday.

Once his pain was under control, he thought the entire experience was fun. {I'll have to share some of the cute things he said while he was there in another post.} We were originally told he could be there for 3-4 days. But, thankfully, Sunday morning his doctor said we might be able to go home later that day.




He was definitely feeling much better. The swelling in his face was still there, but much less than the day before. Around 5pm on Sunday, Jacob was discharged! Once home with prescriptions filled, a dear friend delivered a hot meal. We spent yesterday resting at home. Jacob is definitely on the mend, but still has some pain.

We are heading to the doctor for a re-check this morning. We are so thankful for the dozens of friends and loved ones who have been praying for Jacob and for us. We feel so loved and supported. We are grateful for all the emails, phone calls, and meals. Throughout our adventure, we have felt the Lord carrying us, comforting us, and leading us one step at a time.

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
~ Isaiah 43:2