Lisa's Blog

Twelve years ago my little Brecken was born. She shares a birthday with her cousin, Michal, who's nineteen today!



Last night we met at an ice cream place (if you live in Utah, check out Sub Zero in Utah County) for an early celebration.

This is Brecken and another cousin, Mallory, goofing off!



Brecken had a great day. It started off with breakfast in bed, of course. (Kade is in Hawaii for a week and the girls have missed him so much that they've been trading off sleeping in his bed!)



I got the idea for twelve pancakes from Stacy Julian's blog. Instead Steve made a number 12 with pancake batter. All the candles set the fire alarm off. So Brecken woke up to a very loud sound rather than a melodic "Happy Birthday to You" song.

Brecken also got 12 balloons and 12 small gifts delivered to her at different times at school.

Tonight we all watched the video from the day she was born. It was a real tear jerker--kids grow up so fast.

We love you, Brecken. It has been a privilege having you as part of our family. You make our home a heaven on earth!

Brecken doesn't know it (hopefully she won't read this entry) but her friends are planning a big surprise party for her on Friday night. Works for me--took a little pressure off!

I was at a school meeting tonight and was introduced to this poem. Love it--very powerful.

Builders

I saw them tearing a building down,
A gang of men in a busy town.

With a yo heave ho and a lusty yell,
They swung a beam and the sidewall fell.

I asked the foreman if these men were as skilled
As those he would hire if he were to build.

He laughed and said, "Oh, no indeed,
Common labor is all I need.

For they can wreck in a day or two,
What builders have taken years to do."

So I asked myself, as I went my way,
Which of these roles am I to play?

Am I the builder, who works with care,
Measuring life by the rule and square;

Or am I the wrecker who walks the town,
Content in the role of tearing down?

Anonymous

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Lisa

Sorry I haven't been so good about blogging lately. At my son's last basketball game (three weeks ago) I started having massive stomach pains. Steve took me to the emergency instant care and found out among other things that I am very anemic. I was sent to the hospital for an iv and every other day I had to be given bags of an iron substance. Weird thing--after the first treatment I no longer craved ice. I told the doctor about this but he said it's an old wive's tale (low iron and chewing ice have nothing to do with each other). I swear they do. I've craved ice for eight years now and chewed on it nonstop. Now that craving is completely gone. Yesterday I had surgery to further correct the anemia problem. So--I'm in some pain and just taking it easy for the next few days.

Mark your calendars for March 25th from 1-3 p.m. I have a two hour QVC Creating Keepsakes show.

Have a great week. Here's hoping spring is right around the corner--it's been snowing here in Utah.

Sincerely,
Lisa

Thanks for all your love and concern during my recovery. I have been buoyed up by your sweet comments and felt loved. This pretty much sums up my week last week:



I was surrounded by family and friends who took great care of me and spoiled me rotten. My good friend, Mel Lloyd, read about the surgery on my blog and a few days later, jumped in her car and drove for two hours round trip to bring me a lovely dinner. I am blessed.

Thank you, everyone.

Just wanted to give you all a great idea. The church leaders in our area asked that every family memorize a certain hymn that we will all stand together and sing in an upcoming church service.

A week ago last Sunday we began the process. Here are my boys trying to memorize the words as we sang it over and over again.



Here's the title and lyrics to the song:

Home can Be a Heaven On Earth

1. Home can be a heav'n on earth
When we are filled with love,
Bringing happiness and joy,
Rich blessings from above--
Warmth and kindness, charity,
Safety and security--
Making home a part of heaven,
Where we want to be.

2. Drawing family near each week,
We'll keep love burning bright.
Serving Him with cheerful hearts,
We'll grow in truth and light.
Parents teach and lead the way,
Children honor and obey,
Reaching for our home in heaven,
Where we want to stay.

3. Praying daily in our home,
We'll feel His love divine;
Searching scriptures faithfully,
We'll nourish heart and mind.
Singing hymns of thanks, we'll say,
"Father, help us find the way
Leading to our home in heaven,
Where we long to stay."

Text: Carolyn Hamilton Klopfer, b. 1936. 1985 IRI
Music: W. Herbert Klopfer, b. 1936. 1985 IRI

I have to tell you, there's great wisdom in doing even the simplest things as a family. There has been greater love and unity in our home this week. There has been cheerfulness, happiness and joy. We have all been singing the tune and I love it!

My challenge for you? Memorize a poem, song, hymn or scripture together as a family. It doesn't have to be serious--we have memorized some hysterical songs that makes us all giggle. I promise, great things will happen as you do this together.

I'm counting down the days until QVC. Only nine more days until QVC (March 25th, 1-3 p.m.).

Hope you're having a great one.

Lisa

Our new Kit of the Month, Just for Fun, will be available on April 1st. Really--this is one kit you won't want to miss. The kit comes with a 7"x12" clear album, 12"x12" paper, rub-ons, creative tags, oversized chipboard numbers, envelopes, chunky double-sided chipboard pages, amazing transparencies, stamps, stickers . . . the list goes on and on! And the really cool thing with this kit is you can use the clear album pages for an album or use them as dividers within your own 12"x12" album. So whether you're creating a year-in-review album, an album celebrating your vacation to the beach, or simply extending a scrapbook layout, this kit truly lives up to its name--it's Just For Fun!

Go here to see all the fun and to find out information on ordering the kit.

Hope you get the chance to snatch this one up!

Lisa

P.S. Only seven more days until QVC! (March 25th from 1-3 p.m.)

I just went over the entire show for my Creating Keepsakes QVC show on March 25th 1-3 p.m. (EST). All I can say is CUTE, HIP and lots of NEW! There is a brand new card kit, Scenic Route Paper Company is on for the first time and wait until you see the journaling kit from Colorbok. Plus lots of more new!

See you on the 25th!

Just had to share happy photos with you from my son's Spring Fling dance date. The theme was Grease Lightening and they dressed up from the 50's.

I can hardly recognize Kade (he's on the right). He dyed his hair black for the dance!



Here are some of the cute girls--all three live in our neighborhood! Kade's date is Taylor on the right.



Okay--now this is really cool. Check out this photo:



Now check out this photo:



Kelsi found a free digital filter on the internet to alter photos like this. Pretty cool!

I've had one of those BLAH Monday mornings. It's snowing and freezing here (isn't is suppose to be spring?). On top of it, I had company over last night and Brecken made a delicious batch of brownies for hot fudge brownies. Before the company came, we left to eat at a neighbor's house. When we got home, our dear little dog, Maggie, had somehow gotten all the brownies off the counter and eaten every one of them. Today I'm cleaning up the mess--she is one sick dog. (Rachel and Cara--thanks for being so great about just ice cream with hot fudge sauce!)

I also lost my cell phone since last night and you know how it is when you loose you phone! After searching every corner of the house, I said a prayer that I'd find my phone. (Of course the phone was on vibrate.) Right after, I was getting ready in my closet. I kept hearing a vibrating sound and knew my phone was near! I searched every drawer, every counter top, all over the floor--no luck. I kept calling the phone and hearing the vibrate--still no phone. I finally gave up and ran upstairs to put clean sheets on Sage's bed. There on the floor next to her bed (on the side nobody ever goes on) was my phone. It must have fallen out when I tucked her in last night! I could hear it downstairs because her bedroom is directly above my closet. It was vibrating on the floor! Prayers do get answered--even for the smallest of things like lost cell phones!

Okay--and I'm feeling sentimental because Kade is graduating in less than two months, then going on a three-week trip across America with other youth in our church. Then he's off to college and then in December he'll be going on a two-year mission for our church. Wow--I am going to miss the kid so bad. If you've had a child leave the nest, please let me know how you do it. I'm in tears nearly every day.

Hope you're off to a great week. Mine is getting better.

Sincerely,
Lisa