Not your ordinary sunrise

Hi Everyone!

I'm home from the beautiful Aloha state! I had an incredible time. I met so many amazing people and can't wait to go back. If you were on the cruise, thanks for being so great. Wow--the scrappers were so good and I was wowed by their abilities.

I met a gal, Bethany, who signed up to go on the cruise with her fiancee several months ago. Sadly, he unexpectedly passed away in November but Bethany fulfilled "their" wish and came on the cruise alone. I was so inspired by her. I met Harriott who was from Maui. We had a stop on Wed. on her lovely island and she planned to have her father pick her up at the dock so she could go to a doctor's appointment. Instead she met her father at the hospital (he woke up not feeling well) and there he unexpectedly passed away. I felt so horrible for Harriott and her family but was so glad she was there with him. What a blessing that she was on that very island that very day. Cleo, her roomate, was a trooper and continued on with the cruise without her.

I also had some very funny times. Loved the gals from Virginia who tried to get off the ship at 3:00 a.m. to see the sunrise at the volcano (they even had room service deliver breakfast so they wouldn't be hungry). The ship was in the middle of the ocean and they couldn't figure out how they were going to get off. They finally went to the front desk and insisted they let them off--they didn't want to miss their excursion. The front desk laughed and said there was no way to get them to shore. They then looked at their tickets and discovered they had the wrong morning. We all laughed until we hurt!

The next morning I joined them at the volcano for the beautiful sunrise. Okay--so when was the last time you really took time to look at a sunrise? I'm up all the time before the sun comes up, but it's not my first priority to run outside and watch. My husband and I were like kids in a candy store. We were so excited to watch the sun come up from such a spectacular place. We were so anxious it was almost funny--we felt like we'd never seen the sun before.

What I saw was a spiritual experience. While a Hawaiian park ranger chanted an ancient Hawaiian chant, I looked at the amazing horizon. The colors changed so quickly--from yellow to red to orange to yellow again. I couldn't help but think how
spectacular the sunrise really is. No matter what happens the day before, the sun rises again and again. I compared this to each of our lives. No matter what happens the day before, we rise the next day--usually (hopefully) with a smile on our faces ready to face blessings and challenges.

The second photo shows how we got down from the volcano--we rode the 30 miles on bikes! Very fun and the scenery was WOW! This is only my second time in Hawaii (the first I was only on Oahu) and I really thought Hawaii was mostly beaches. Was I ever wrong. There are mountains, waterfalls, jungles, plus tons of beaches. Loved every minute of it.

And by the way, when you're in Hawaii visit the local scrapbook stores. They are really GREAT! Lots of stuff you can only find in Hawaii. I went to the Island Paperie on Maui, Kona Scrapbooks in Kona (on the Big Isand) and Scrapbook Clubhouse Hawaii on Oahu.

Coming home was the best part of all. We really missed our kids.

Next big vacation is Spring Break in Florida with the famiy.

Hope you're having a great week.

Lisa B.

Grab a Tissue!

Hey Everyone!

This week has been hectic. I got home from QVC on Wednesday night (missed my plane in Philly due to bad weather). Thursday, Friday and today have been full of carpooling, homework, helping with a talk my son has to give in church tomorrow, making meals, laundry, staightening up, cleaning, settling disagreements among my children, plus work deadlines. When I went to take a bath the other night (my sanity), my favorite bubble bath had been dumped down the drain by darling Sage--probably used for bathing her Barbies. When I went to eat a chocolate-covered cinnamon bear from my secret stash, a child had already discovered them and they were gone.

If you're like me, I LOVE motherhood, but sometimes it's exhausting. I mean, it's my favorite "career" ever but sometimes I look at the things I'm challenged and think, "Did I really sign up for this?" Does this ever sound like you?? (Please tell me yes!)

My dear friend, Cori Larsen, gave me an wonderful CD for my birthday--"Keeping Sheep" by Lynne Perry Christofferson. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I listen to the song "Keeping Sheep" and it immediately reminds me what my life's most purpose is--that of tending my sheep.

Here are the lyrics and you can listen to the song while you read along. Warning--it will make you cry!

Click here to listen to song

Keeping Sheep

I have a little flock of sheep
And they are mine to tend and keep.
And I must guard them every day
For little lambs, when left alone,
Will lose their way.
So many voices say to me,
A sheep fold is no place to be.
Your time in there is dull and slow,
And lambs leave very little room
For you to grow.

Chorus:
So if I ever start to stray,
Deceived by thought of green pastures,
Remind me, Lord, that keeping sheep
Will lead to happier ever-afters.
Will lead to happier ever-afters.

Oh, surety there will come a day
When all the lambs have left my side,
And I am free to roam about,
And go exploring other meadows,
Green and wide.

Yet something whispers in my heart
That when my sheep have left this pen
I'll long to stoke their little heads,
To draw them close to me
And have them young again.

Repeat Chorus

So while they still are in my care
I pray that I will clearly see
These little lambs within my fold
Are tender gifts the Master Shepherd
Has given me.

You can learn more about the CD here

Thanks, Lynne, for the powerful song. And hats off to you for all the important roles you play in your life. Whether you're a mother or not, remember that your example and the life you live will make a difference to children for generations to come.

I'm off to Hawaii on Monday. I'll let you know how the CK cruise goes.

Happy Saturday!

Lisa

Lisa and Becky's New Line!

As some of you know, Becky and I launched a new organizational and home decorating line with Cropper Hopper at CHA last week. Our goal was to produce stylish storage items and products to embellish your home and craft space. We wanted pieces that could be customized for any work area. We are really excited about the new line.

At the heart of the line is the Crafter's Cube. I tried to download a photo were Becky and I were holding our cubes but unfortunately the resolution didn't turn out. Becky decorated hers with paint, chicken wire and stamps and mine is created with family photos. These cubes were designed to inspire the artist in each of you. They can be customized for any look. Each cube has three side panels which are frames that can display anything imaginable (scrapbook pages, photos, paper, metal, ribbon, etc.). Best of all, the Crafter's Cube is constructed of solid wood and can be painted, stained, distressed, etc. The Stackable Craft Hideaways are the perfect way to organize the cube. They are great for tools, paper, embellishments, photos, etc.

In the middle of the third photo is the rail system. This is a smart, effective solution for all your craft supplies. A series of practical wall accessories hook neatly onto the rail. This helps clear up your workspace but still keeps your supplies at hand. This is very cool!

Also included in the line are wall transfers (quotes--you can see one on the wall of the third photo) and canvas wall art.

Just wanted to share a little about our line. You can see it in more detail at lisabecky.com.

See you on QVC on Feb. 6th (starting at 12:01 a.m.). The Today's Special Value is very cool!

Have a great week!

LB

Are you spontaneous? Plus contest winners!

I just realized something major about myself this past week. I'M NOT SPONTANEOUS! I mean I always thought I kinda was but I realized on Monday that I like things planned and to know what's going on. My husband, on the other hand, is totally spontaneous. This past Monday, I went to bed at 3:00 a.m. and got up at 6:00 a.m. to catch a flight to CHA in Annaheim, CA. My kids were sad as I was leaving--I mean I was going to the Disneyland area without them. As soon as I left, my hubby got to work. He packed clothes for all the kids, loaded our Yukon Denali, and checked all the kids out of school. He then drove 11 hours to Sunny California and surprised me with the family! Wow--what a guy!! I sincerely can say I don't know many men who would tackle a day's drive by himself with four children in the car.
I was so excited to see everyone but have to admit--I was nervous that everything would run smoothly at home and that everything had been cancelled. I quizzed Steve for 15 minutes--did you cancel horseback riding lessons, piano lessons, get a substitute for basketball coaching, get someone to drive all the carpools, feed the cat and rat, call the kids schools to excuse them, etc. etc. etc. You know how it goes. Steve had taken care of it all. Again, what a guy!
Okay--so we had the best time ever. Everyone was so relaxed and Disneyland was totally not crowded (January is a great time to go). Our favorite rides were Space Mountain (loved the new music) and Soaring Over California. We also loved Downtown Disney where we ate both nights. Thanks to the Shanor family for making it so memorable!
So--I've decided spontenuity is a good thing. My goal this year is to be more spontaneous and truly stop and smell the roses.

Congrats to the 43 of you who won my little birthday contest. I was shocked by the number of people who responded (I didn't know there were that many people who read this blog!) I was even more surprised that so many people knew the answers! I guess it's true that scrappers read everything. Unfortunately I was gone most of this week to California (I extended my stay for one day because my family came down) and next week I'll be gone to QVC Monday-Wed. (Be sure to tune in at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 6th--cool stuff). So--I'll be sending your surprise out next Thursday.

Here are the list of winners:

1. Tammi Cragun
2. Robin Hewitt
3. Helen Williams
4. Melissa Garrett
5. Gretchen Pace
6. Caitilin Summerhays
7. Tanya Summers
8. Amy Ferguson
9. Charlene Brown
10. Lisa Zaremba
11. Briana L. Thatcher
12. Torrey Collins
13. Cathy Sullivant
14. Anna-Marie Still
15. Michelle Lockard
16. Valerie Benson
17. Carol Sheetz
18. Debbie Coward
19. Alison Patalon
20. Nicole Mantooth
22. Sheetal Patel
23. Kathleen McMullen
24. Christine Noble
25. Valerie Martin
26. Jennifer Sauls
27. Benita Coursen
28. Teresa Blankingship
29. Darcee Waddoups
30. Callie Appelstei
31 .Susan N. Moore
32. Annette Healy
33. Marlene Kinikini
34. Trina Ruchelman
35. Candice Watson
36. Cindy Bosch
37. Kalynn Bindues
38. Chrissie Willicombe
39. Andrea Conlon
40. Kelley Emond
41. Heidi Hopkins
42. Katie Hardin
43. Angie Urbon

Have a great weekend.

Lisa B.