Gratitude Journals and Other Stuff

How was your Thanksgiving weekend? We spent the big day with my side of the family. My mom always reserves a church by her house (our extended family is too big for her home) where we celebrate the festivities and of course we pig out on way too much food. (I photographed the food this year and plan to write down all the recipes on the scrapbook page.) Afterwards we played a spirited game of dodge ball. We always go to a blockbuster movie together and this year it was "Enchanted" (great movie, by the way!).

Friday night my hubby and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. Steve planned it this year and went all out. We stayed at Grand America in SLC (the nicest hotel in Utah!) and enjoyed an amazing trip to the spa. He then arranged for friends to meet us at Ruth's Chris restaurant (best steak I've ever had) and a Mannheim Steamroller concert. Fun, fun, fun! The next day we went to a BYU vs. University of Utah football game. Our team, BYU, won at the last minute--heart stopping, exciting game!

Yesterday the girls and I (along with 10 other neighborhood girls--I'm in charge of activity days twice a month for 10-11-year-old girls at my church--made gratitude journals.



The girls loved the project (the one shown was created by Sage). They covered composition books with their favorite paper. They were encouraged to write five "grateful" moments every night. We had them adhere this quote on the front cover of their books:

"As you start to write, you could ask yourself 'How did God bless me today?'" If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God's hand in your life. Preserve [these memories] for the day that [you] and those you love will need to remember how much God loves [you] and how much [you] need Him." Henry B. Eyring

Last night I saw both Sage and Brecken writing in their books right before bed. I was so touched by what they wrote. Here's Sage's list:



1. Family dinner together
2. This gratitude journal I got to make with my mom
3. I got a really good score on my math homework
4. I ate a yummy sugar cookie
5. I finished making my dad's Christmas present. It turned out great.

I was so inspired by this project that I also started a gratitude journal last night. (My friend, Carrie Heaphy, created this cute book for me. Thanks, Carrie. It's perfect for my journal.)




Here's what I wrote:

1. Our puppy, Maggie, only had one accident on the floor today! (Believe me--this is something to totally be grateful for!)
2. Met with our new financial advisor, Tim Whipple. I feel really good about him!
3. Created gratitude journals with Sage and Brecken and other girls from church.
4. Listened to Brecken playing my favorite Christmas song--Still, Still, Still.
5. Steve organized our pots and pans cupboard complete with labels. Hurray!

I love this idea. So easy to keep up on--only takes a few minutes a night. Join the Bearnson girls in creating gratitude journals today!

A few other things:

The December Kit of the Month goes on sale Dec. 1st! Don't delay in getting it. It's packed full of value and the designs are the best ever! (If you were getting a prompt for a password, don't worry about it. We took it off.) This is a page created by my Rome, Italy friend, Helena Virpi, who used some of the stamps ("live, laugh, love"). (Great job, Helena!)




Also, check out the other amazing deals on lots of products at Creatingkeepsakes.com.

One more cool thing. Homegrown Hospitality, a really cool publication headed up by my friend, Stephanie, is looking for submissions. Go to www.homegrownhospitality.com/submissions.php for more information.

I am cooking up a really fun holiday contest. Stay tuned for me to announce the trivia question and the wonderful prizes.

Have a great rest of the week.

Lisa B.

Check Out Our New Look!

Just wanted to share with you the new CK look starting January 2008. Elizabeth Kartchner, the 2007-2008 Scrapbooker of the Year, is our model on the cover.

Honestly, you'll love all the changes we've made. Click here to see.

Hope you're having a great week and Happy Thanksgiving!

Lisa

My "Random Act" winner revealed

Today I had one of those days. Work deadlines, homework, practicing piano with kids, trying to find the right choir music for our church Christmas program (I'm the choir director), laundry (always laundry) and grocery shopping all took its toll. I had decided to do my random act of kindness tonight but have to admit I was a little grumpy when I left and was trying to get in the right mood.

Before I go on, let me reveal whose random act of kindness I copied. Just a refresher--I gave a challenge last Friday for readers to do a random act of kindness for someone within the next 72 hours--just like someone had done for me the day before (I received the adorable necklace shown on the next blog entry). I promised to give a necklace like the one I received to the person I chose to copy their random act of kindness.

Okay--so I had a really tough time deciding on just one. I loved all your deeds--from raking leaves, to buying Wendy's for the next person in the drive through, to creating blank cards with envelopes and stamps and handing them out to teachers at school. I was inspired by all the homemade goodies (casseroles), the donated toys and clothing and the listening ear to a friend in need. Honestly--it was a tough decision.

However, when I read BRENDA EIEN's entry, I knew what I wanted to do. (Congratulations, Brenda! Please contact angeladash@gmail.com with your address.)

Brenda went to a convalescent center and painted fingernails. Love this idea! And Brenda, you'll love the "B" necklace I'll be sending you. And--the owner of Dear Lizzie read my blog and offered to donate it! Wow--I was blown away! (Lots of people have asked how to get a necklace. You can go to the Dear Lizze web site--mydearlizzie.com--or call 801/492-0022 to order one. Tell Laura, the owner, that Lisa sent you.)

So tonight, in my "I've had a hard day" mood, my friend Stephanie and I took Sage, Brecken and nine other girls to the care center where my dear neighbor, Loving Lena (she's married to Cheerful Charlie), recently moved to.



Lena has Alzheimer's and is just a sweetheart. She was so excited we were all there.

The girls and I painted 15-20 ladies fingernails and boy, oh, boy--what fun we had. The girls were so loving and talkative and the ladies were so appreciative to us being there.

Sage spent a solid half hour just trying to get the old polish off this gal's nails.



Here is Nina's new polish job--by six-year-old Sage! She loved it!





I went to check on Brecken and she was filing a lady's nails with one hand, and holding the gal's hand next to her.



Wow! An experience like this just makes your own worries melt away! It is true that when you're in the service of your fellow being, you are only in the service of your God. And what a good feeling this is! The girls LOVED it. They didn't want to leave and begged to go back and sing to them in December.

Thanks, Brenda, for giving me the idea for this random act of kindness. I'm in such a better mood tonight and it's all because of my time spent at the care center.

Here are the other 10 random winners. I will send you a new Sketches book by Becky Higgins. (Please send your mailing information to angeladash@gmail.com.)

Shannonsljones
Marion (Salvation Army)
Kimberleigh M.
Scrappin' Jackie
Tracy (Extreme Makeover)
Susan (Library Books)
Katrinasmama
Nickilundeen
Nash261
Susan Moore

Thanks again for all your random acts of kindness this past weekend! You all are great.

With appreciation,
Lisa B.

"Not Your Ordinary Necklace" Contest

Yesterday I got quite the surprise in my mailbox. Wrapped inside an adorable cellophane bag was the cutest box with an "L" on it. Inside the box was an adorable "L" necklace from my favorite boutique--Dear Lizzie in Highland, Utah.



I didn't recognize the writing on the envelope. "Who could this be from?, " I thought as I opened the card. It read:

"Lisa, Sometimes it is nice to know that someone really likes you. I do! You make me happy! Have a good day. Love, Vicky Capua"

Wow--I was blown away! Vicky lives around the corner and I adore her. I've never done anything with her socially and usually only get to chat with her at church. Yet for years I've admired her from afar. She's honest, energetic, caring and one the funniest people I know (she can always make me laugh!). Her genuine, thoughtful ways are an example to all who come in contact with her.

I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to take this necklace off. I love it! I can wear it long or short. It matches anything--it has a dark side and a light side. More importantly it represents a wonderful person who went out of her way to make "little ol' me" feel really important. This pendant around my neck reminds me to pass this incredible blessing on. Thank you, Vicky Capua, for making my day (okay--year!) and for your great example.

I want to pass this blessing on. You have exactly three days (yep--that's 72 hours) to do a kind deed for someone not expecting it. Share what you did with all of us on my blog, then on Monday at 4:00 p.m. (MST) I will choose the one random act of kindness that I want to copy. I will copy your kind deed within 72 hours and will report what I did on my blog.The lucky winner will receive a necklace just like mine with "your" initial on it. (So please include your first name on your post. Your e-mail is always helpful too!)

I will also randomly choose 10 other names and send Becky's new Sketches book (which, by the way, is wonderful).

I'm excited to see what everyone does! Think what a better place this world will be this weekend with all these random acts of kindess.

Sincerely,
Lisa B.

I'm Back from my Travels!

I had a wonderful time at the Seattle Creating Keepsakes Convention. Loved mingling with all of you! Also loved the time I spent at the Scrapbook Nook in Kent, Washington. If you haven't been to this store, you must go! It recently expanded to double its size and has LOTS of cool stuff. I met this amazing couple during my visit--Craig and Liz Blackwood.




Craig (aka CPT Blackwood) is the commander of Alpha Company 15th MI BN (AE) which is currently serving a 15 month tour in Iraq (estimated to be home around June 2008). He had just come home that day for a 18 day R&R from Iraq and came with his wife to the Scrapbook Nook. Wow--I couldn't believe they came on the day Craig got home. What an honor to meet them! They are a lovely couple. Craig--Thanks from all of us for your incredible service on our behalf!

After Seattle, I went directly to Denver for a college football game between Missouri University and Colorado University (Sat. night). My cousin (Kurtis Gregory) plays offensive line for MU and it was so much fun to watch him live at this game. He's the big guy right behind the player in the sunglasses.



It was also fun sitting with all the players families. We were directly behind the quarter back's parents and they were a hoot to listen to. It must be nerve wracking to have a son play quarter back!

Steve and I went with a bunch of our family members.






The CEO for CKMedia, Dave O'Neil (and his son Jack), also came to the game. By the way, MU won 55-10.



Not much else going on here. Brecken lost three teeth three days in a row (the tooth fairy is broke!). Collin won his championship football game (his team hasn't lost a game in three years). I've been eating Halloween candy like crazy! I'll be glad when it's gone!

Hope you're having a great week!

Lisa