CREATE

Time for this week's link up with Karen Beth for Tuesday @ Ten where we have a full week to write on the word prompt.

Actually...

This is last week's word:

CREATE 

But...

Even though I wrote it out on paper first...

I didn't get it posted!

Which is a really sad thing!!

Because -

I DO CREATE!

All the time!!

So, here goes:

Sitting at my craft table (that, once upon a time looked like this)...

I take a sheet or two of plain cardstock - maybe it's white, or black, or a deep shade of navy;

It could be pink or baby blue, or even purple!

Next, I find some colorful paper that coordinates with the cardstock;

Maybe a pretty floral; or polka dots (my daughter dresses her baby in many outfits with polka dots; I call her "Dottie").

Or, the paper could have baseballs, or monsters, or super heroes all over it.

For this layout, I just found some patterned paper that highlighted the blues in the photos...

After choosing the right papers, I find other things that will embellish the page I am creating.

I cut out some mats that will make the photos "pop"!

And then lay a few other things around the page:

Flowers or butterflies or a few buttons;

Baseballs and bats and gloves;

Monsters with googly eyes;

A "POW" embellishment to coordinate with the hero chosen for the page:

Next, I select a title for the page and add that; or just let the photos tell the story...

Add a few pictures;

And, I have created a page to add to one of the many scrapbooks I am working on...

Comparing Brothers,

Shayne and Sebastian

This is what I do to keep me busy;

And to preserve memories for the family!

GROW

Time for this week's link up with Karen Beth for Tuesday @ Ten where we have a full week to write on the word prompt.

This week's word is:

GROW...

I was reaching out - hoping for a word that I could use to release the feelings I have been having the past few days...

How do I fit GROW into those feelings?

Then...it hit me - I can do this!  I can use the word GROW to share my feelings and my thought of these few days; and share some of what I wrote in my journal:

When our children grow up, and become adults, they become their own person.  They normally do not depend on their mothers any longer; at least, not in the same ways as when they were growing up.

They grow apart;

They grow away;

They out grow what they need from us;

But,

They do not go apart;

They do not go away;

They do not out "go" what they need from us.



The past few days have been hard for this mother!

Hearing news from one of her own -

Unexpected news;

Shocking news;

News I never thought I would hear...


And I wrote, "It's Tuesday - barely...but it is Tuesday!  I just cannot sleep!  I go to bed, lie down, and my mind wanders; I try to pray, and my mind wanders...

Why can I not sleep, when it's dark outside..."


The phone call came on Monday morning; my day to be home and do laundry and organize things for my weekend retreat;

Something I have been looking forward to...

But, instead, I spent the day crying and trying to process what I had heard.


And, I wrote, "My heart hurts so bad; I lie awake at night - hand to heart, feeling each beat, each pull of my insides turning upside down.

My heart is sad, as if I have lost ofe of my own; yet, I have lost one of my own in a sense!  Or, have I lost her?

My own child disappointed me - once; or twice; or how many times?  Yet...

A mother's love doesn't abandon; doesn't turn her back.

A mother's love gives comfort and arms to hold and love.

A mother's love opens her heart; a heart that stretches to hold each one who is dear.

No matter how much that heart hurts; it stretches and stretches...

And, it hurts with every tear shed; with every deep hurt; and yet...

It loves more even as it hurts more.

A mother's heart...

Hurts and loves and shares and cares and...

Hurts..."


Yes, our children GROW...

Apart;

Away;

They out - grow what they need from us...


But, in the end, they learn to deal with what LIFE has handed them;

They GROW into that "new" life; whatever that means...

Knowing they will never be away from their Mother's love -

No matter what happens!

Random Journal Day - March 6th

Today I am linking up with Dawn and others who follow her blog.  On Random Journal Day,  the first Friday of each month, we share an entry from one of our journals, whether it's yesterday's entry, or last months, or even one from several years ago...just share!

But, I am going to "do my own thing" today - yes, I am a rebel!

Today, I want to share something I have uncovered amongst a ton of things my mother left with me...

Instead of sharing an entry from my own journal, I want to share excerpts from two different sources...moments out of the life of a grandmother I never knew...and the mother my own mother never knew...

Back in the 1930's, there was no way of knowing; but her mother was pregnant - with twins!

They had planned the name of their new baby, my grandmother and grandfather.  If the child was a boy, he would be "William Lenard" after their father; and if it was a girl, she would be named "Fredrika" after their mother.

So, keeping with those names, the twins were William and Fredrika, later nicknamed "Billy" and "Betty".

Today I wanted to share from two of the documents I uncovered after my mom passed away (June 2012) as I was going through all of the "stuff" she had left with me.

First, I'll share what I call "Fred's Last Letter" dated December 29th, just one day before what would be her last...

From Little Rock to Memphis

Cir. 1930

(This is the actual letter that I found in that huge box of "stuff" along with the second document, which I'll share in a moment.)

My grandmother, Fredrika "Fred" Moore, wrote her sister,

"I am all in today, haven't been feeling good for so long but have been worse since Xmas night.  The Dr. said I would go till the 17th but I don't see how."

Little did she know what just one day would hold for her...

The letter was full of thanks for gifts that had been sent by Fred's sister; and apologies for not getting anything sent to them.  She added,

"Hope Dad liked what we sent him." 

(He was my Great Grandfather)!

Fred listed what she received from her husband, my grand father William; or "Billy", as she called him.  And what my Aunt Loyce, my mom's older sister, received.

(Here I must confess at first I didn't know who "Loyce" was!  Yes, I knew my mother's sister; spent many days with my aunt and uncle and two cousins!  But, I always knew her as "Lois"!!  I had to repeat that name - "Loyce" - several times before it clicked!)

And near the end of that last letter, she wrote, "I can't hardly wait to see some of you all.  Am hungry for the sights."

The next day she gave birth to a little boy and a little girl;

William and Fredrika Moore

Born December 30, 1930

And lost her life giving birth to them.

My mom shared many stories about the problems associated with a man who was left with two new born babies, as well as another child; and how he had to depend on other relatives to help raise them.  She shared about the days spent in a Catholic orphanage until, as teenagers, her brother went to live with their father and his new wife, and she went to live with their older sister and her family.

(Again a confession; I just wish I had shared many more stories with my mother before she passed.  And, there are so many photos I have come across that I have no idea who they are or where they were taken).

But, I never dreamed I'd discover these precious documents; a letter in my grandmother's own handwriting; and the second document: 

...A two-page typed message, "In Memoriam", that was given at the memorial service for my grandmother, Mrs. W. L. "Fred" Moore, by F. A. Lehman, their minister.

Below are excerpts from that memoriam:

In Memoriam

Mrs. W. L. Moore

December 30, 1930

God is love - - God is love

Almost at the time of the birth of Christ, two new lives entered the world, and almost at the dawning of the New Year, the mother, who gave them her all, entered into a new life beyond.

We were in the nursery and the little girl gave a cry -- said the nurse, "I waited a long time for that cry last night; I was afraid it would never come;" and we longed to take the babe in our arms and hold her close, but the nurse of a new born baby is all powerful and we didn't quite dare to ask.

Then we turned to the boy, so perfect, one hand closed, asleep.  It was a big price to pay, said someone.  Suddenly the babe opened his hand, stretched it upward, gave a long sigh and settled back to sleep...

...It was worth while; in her death she gave life; all she had of life and strength she contributed to the next generation--the highest gift life holds and a woman's peculiar mission.

In our sadness at parting from her in this life, we can glory in the crown of her womanhood, and pray for courage to continue to face life bravely, and touch life and live life even as she did, and leave our mark upon it, while we have our being.

We do not know why, in God's wisdom, she was not permitted to stay with her loved ones but we do know, that in the end, the love poured out upon these little ones, will bring healing to aching hearts.  Long thoughts must have been hers in the long months and what pleasure the visits and little attentions of friends must have given her.  Her last thoughts were for her loved ones and the time when she should be back at church."

Both of these documents will be treasured; connection to the Grandmother I never knew, who bore the Mother I treasure...

"I thank my God every time I remember you..."  (Philippians 1:3)

Almost two years after my mom passed away in June 2012, I read the book "Heaven is for Real"  by Todd Burpo; and wrote these words in my journal dated May 11, 2014 - Mothers' Day!

"So, after reading the book "Heaven is for Real"...I know that Mom has been reunited with Dad, and they are dancing their way across heaven, as Don (my brother) said at her service.

But, it has also occurred to me that she is reunited - has met - the mother she never knew!!  It all gives me hope!!"

When my mother passed away, we were comforted in knowing she was reunited with my father who has been gone since July 1990.

How blessed I was on that special Mothers' Day to realize...

My mother was also reunited with her mother, too!

  


So, I did what I was supposed to do for Random Journal Days, after all that; I wrote from my own journal!

Until next month!

Five Minute Friday - GATHER

It is almost Friday - and with that, another weekend; and another opportunity to link up with Kate for Five Minute Friday at http://katemotaung.com/ to write for only five minutes on a single word prompt!

Tonight's word is:

SO, here goes...

My first thought for the word "Gather" was getting together with family, as we gather around the table to share a meal.  No matter what the occasion, many memories are made together; and there is, of course, always a meal!

One of the most special times we gather as family is for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner!  In our family, when my children were young, we spent Thanksgiving at my mother and father's home; later, we gathered around the table at my home.

Now, my two daughters who live in the same town we do, trade off for us to gather at one of their homes.  My son, who lives about 12 hours away, usually comes to visit around Christmas, so we don't always spend Thanksgiving with everyone together - but at some point everyone is gathered around the table...

Last year was an awesome exception!  My son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter drove from Louisiana to Florida to spend a few days during Thanksgiving!

How awesome it was to  have all of my "children" and their children with us for this special occasion!

The word gather also reminds me of the hymn we sing at church around Thanksgiving, "We Gather Together":

I love this hymn!  Such beautiful words about God's blessings!

And reading these words again reminds me of yet another place where we gather for a special meal...

When we gather at the Lord's Table for the celebration of Holy Communion.

In our church - the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we gather every Sunday to partake of Communion.  It is open to all believers, no matter what their background, as we share the Cup and the Loaf around the Lord's Table.

Thanks be to God for His amazing gift of love and life!

Simple Woman's Daybook - March 2, 2015

Linking up with Melanie at

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today:

March 2, 2015

Outside my Window:  A beautiful sunny day in Florida; it's 72 degrees!  Lovin' it!! 

I am Thankful:  For my Family...

In the Kitchen:  Leftovers for dinner; a few dishes to wash; and in the fridge - dessert for later...cupcakes from Sweet by Holly!

A "White Out" Cupcake

(with white chocolate)

YUMMY!!

I am Wearing:  Jeans, a light green shirt with pink and green flowers, white socks... 

I am Creating:  Prima Dolls - they are paper dolls created from stamps and paper-pieced together...

I am Going:  Or, I should say, I have been...with my older daughter to meet a friend so I could buy a rolling tote for my Cricut machine, and to eat brunch at Mimi's Cafe! 

I am Wondering:  If this beautiful weather will continue!

I am Reading:  (Still reading) "White Oleander" by Janet Fitch - an Oprah's Book Club book; not quite half-way through it.

I am Hoping:  To get my craft room more organized this week!  It's getting closer...

I am Looking Forward to:  Visiting with my younger daughter and her 3 children tomorrow.

I am Learning:  God is NOT finished with me yet; I am learning to LOVE my husband - more? again?! - and to let things go that frustrate me!

I am Hearing:  HGTV!!!  Redecorating, renovating...creating a great new space for a young couple!

Around the House:  My scrapbooking supplies are every where while I organize it all for my retreat in just under two weeks!

I am Pondering:  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

A Fave Quote for Today:  

One of my Fave Things (from the week):  Having the opportunity to be with my grandchildren several times during the week!

A Peek into my Day:  Since I left the house around 9:30 am and didn't get home 'til around 1 pm...it was a busy morning.  This afternoon I have been cutting out another Prima Doll; putting my Cricut into the new tote; relaxing and enjoying the rest of the day.

Fab-ruary 28th

Another day to link up with Helen at:

iwillbloom.wordpress.com

And to be challenged to "find the fab" in my life!

Today, the challenge is to share -

I AM BEAUTIFUL...

Never have I thought that I was beautiful;

not even pretty!

I always felt that I was homely, a "plain Jane"

(or "Jean" since my middle name is Jean!)...

Me and My "New" Car

1970

No, I've never thought of myself as "beautiful";

But reading a post from Kaitlyn opened my eyes to what being "beautiful" is:

She says, "The clothes don't define me, and what you wear doesn't define you either...You're beautiful, no matter what you're wearing today..."

Audrey Hepburn put it this way:  

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,

the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes,

because that is the doorway to her heart."

And I say:  "I am who I am, just as God made me."

IN HIS IMAGE!

Yes, there is a need to lose weight, maybe to up-date or "beautify" my wardrobe; and the grey hairs, lying beneath the box of hair coloring, or peeking out around my forehead...

all of that doesn't make me - or anyone else - beautiful!

Do you remember this quote? 

 

My husband and I recently had this conversation, that gave me an unexpected compliment from one who never gives compliments! 

While I was washing dishes one evening, a commercial with Sophia Vagara came on; I was able to see the TV from the kitchen as my husband commented: "She's a beautiful woman."

"Yes," I agreed, "but she has the money and people to help her be and stay that way."

And his reply - which surprised the heck out of me: "Well, I think you are beautiful!"

The "eye of the beholder"!

And, in the "eye of our Master Beholder," we are all beautiful!

Just the way God made me to be!  And YOU are beautiful, too!