The Home Depot - Not Your Typical Scrapbook Store

I love Home Depot. I think it is the smell of lumber, paint, soil, drywall mud, etc. that takes me back to happy times in my childhood when I would go with my Dad (who is also a fan of the do-it-yourselfer's dream store.) My Dad can build or fix anything... really.

Today, what I love is that our daughters are beginning a friendship with Home Depot and going with their Daddy. They BEG to go with him. From toddlerhood each one would excitedly point out the big orange and white sign in the sky, "Look! Home Depot! Can we go?"

So, when my husband told me not to buy him anything for Father's Day, I was at a loss. (it was conveniently after he bought me really great Mother's Day gifts) So, I set out to make a scrapbook featuring him and the girls...with things I had on hand. I am a SLOW scrapper and did not have much time, so I looked for a kit. The only thing I had was an 9x9 kit I purchased a couple months ago from Melanie at Close to My Heart. The kit was pretty girly.... good thing my husband is used to all things girly, having 4 females in the house (5 counting the dog:) )

After raiding his workbench, I set out to Home Depot to find embellishments to take the girly edge off. What a great place for neat scrapbooking supplies...I will return for more. With extra time I could have added more manliness, but here's the finished product.

This kit came with an accordian album and everything you need to make something great. CTMH has many other fabulous kits - and some with perfect "boy colors" that I am already eyeing for next Father' s Day!

One of my husband's main criteria for a good scrapbook page :) is how many pictures I can get on one page, so I loaded up...it's his book after all!

Front Cover

Page 1

Used tiny lock washers instead of eyelets or brads.

Page 2

Looped ribbon through washer (top left); also looped ribbon through ring hanger and attached lock washer and brad (bottom)

Page 3

Used larger lock washers running ribbon through and spacing circle-cut pictures (at left); Used small utility hinge to make tiny flip book attached to a metal plate thing :); Lift tabs on flip book are staples used for tacking down electrical wires (I think!)

Page 4

Used another ring hanger with ribbon looped through and attached a rhinestone to center (at top); Flip book made with small utility hinge and staples also.

Page 5

Used another metal plate thing and ran ribbon through washers.

Page 6

No hardware on this page, just a bunch of silly faces.

Back Cover

No embellishments to allow for lying flat.

Open Accordian (w/ Front & Back)

Open Accordian (w/ Inside)

Painted Angels

Our church picnic was last month and along with great fellowship, music, food, bounce houses, etc. there was face painting for the kids. They loved it!

Lord Save us from Your Followers (ouch!)

Today I read an article from USA Today: March 2008.
Yes, I am a little behind, but we do have three little kids.

Basically, the article discussed the film, Lord Save us from Your Followers and the student discussions held at an Oregon college following a screening. What I found interesting is that the film seemed to open many doors to discussion regarding Christianity and Jesus Christ in a "secular" setting. What I found saddening, as I viewed some of the movie trailers, was how we as Christians are often viewed by those around us.

I believe the principles in God's Word are black and white with no room for straying from the truth of His teachings. At the same time, I believe it is one of our responsibilities as Christians to share the TRUTH in LOVE - being INtolerant of the sin in our society, as we are to be set apart - yet, be loving to those around us (yes, it is possible-Jesus did it and He resides in us).

I am convicted by the thought that if I were on a mission trip to a foreign land, I would not enter that society rude, belittling or haughty to the lost there, marveling at their depravity. Why do I think that same attitude is okay here (if even in my mind)?

I have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus while in line at WalMart, at the McDonalds drive thru or when I see the neighbors across the street as I take out the trash. (can you tell what I spend my time doing?) I am not saying to chase people down with the "Four Spiritual Laws" (an invaluable resource by the way), but I can and should share Christ's love through my actions.**

If I am rude, I can almost guarantee I have blown the chance to share the Gospel (except when I have to go back and apologize) and I could possibly ruin someone's day - even if I think they ruined mine first. We do not need to get on a plane to go on a mission trip. We just need to be open and willing to be used in our own backyard.

Perhaps you will get your own lesson from the trailers here.
Don't know if I'll see this movie, but I'll be checking out the book.

You can find more info here: http://www.lordsaveusthemovie.com/

** "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." Colossians 3:17

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi aka Mahatma Gandhi

I don't know much about Gandhi. I like saying his name and I love the yellow Mahatma rice packs I get at the grocery store. Seriously though, I have loved many of his quotes and read several of his writings over the years - but didn't know that much about his life until today.

I read a little about Gandhi and his biography is fascinating. He accomplished so very much in his life (he lived to about 80). (if you like information also, check Gandhi out on Wikipedia) Although I have a tremendous amount of respect and at times am in awe of such individuals: great thinkers, seekers of truth, communicators, driven, passionate, active regarding what they believe, etc. I have a problem regarding how influential Gandhi was and still is today. As much I find him interesting and respect many of his accomplishments; Gandhi and I don't see eye to eye about what really IS important in life. The first two differences that come to mind are GOD and WHO GOD IS - to me, pretty important. But that is all for another post (I just feel good to have satisfied some of information craving for the day...)

Anyhow, what led to all of this Gandhi-thinking and sharing is this bit of information I happened upon the other day that I would also like to share:

Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and, with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him a super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.

:)

Vomit and My Relationship With God: What I Learned from the Stomach Flu

Our kids have had the stomach flu. It is not pretty. What comes to mind is the adage, “Hate the sin, love the sinner.” After spending most of the night cleaning up what the kids ate earlier in the evening, all I could think was, “Hate the vomit, love the kids.” One of the only things I can think of that is worse than one’s own vomit, is someone else’s vomit. Yet, as disgusted as I was while bathing my daughter in the middle of the night, washing sheets and dragging out the Bissell…..did I love her any less? NO! In fact, my love for her was strengthened as I comforted her and took care of her needs.

This brings me to the spiritual application…..During the times when my behavior, words, thoughts, etc. are as vomit to the Lord and He is patiently cleaning up my mess – His love for me does not falter or fade. He loves me because I am His child, not because I am always sweet smelling and clean.

And so, as I sit on the couch (covered with an old sheet just in case), holding my sick three year old; I thank the Lord for his unfailing love for me and the sweet smell of my daughter fresh from the tub.

Confessions of a First Time Blogger

This is my first blog entry and I already have a confession to make. I always thought blogs were for people with too much time on their hands (my apologies to those who “blog” regularly.) On top of that, I believed that those who spent time reading others’ blogs (especially the blogs of people they don't know) must REALLY have too much time on their hands. For both of those misguided opinions, I have to say, “I’m sorry”. I have found new friends with blogs, existing friends I had no idea maintained blogs, and acquaintances whom I have been frequenting their blogs as of late. I have even been known to read blogs of people I don’t know and will never know. So, the theory that bloggers must have too much time on their hands will be filed away with my former notion: "If I was a stay-at-home mom I would have SO MUCH TIME to get things done...so much time I may even be bored!".........Ha!

Some blog as a sort of on-line diary…to connect with family and friends they may not stay in touch with regularly. Some blog as a way to promote their businesses. Some blog to share their faith with others in a non-threatening environment. Some blog as a way to share their creativity whether it be music, scrapbooking/stamping, writing or any other form of handiwork. Others blog for the sheer therapy of it.

So, why am I going to blog? I would have to say, “all of the above”. I begin this venture with trepidation. Trepidation because I don’t want to be seen as the person “with too much time on my hands”. (Anyone who has ever had a 3, 4 and 5 year old at home knows that is not the case!) There is also a part of me that thinks, “what if no one cares to see what I have to say?” To those things, I say, “it doesn’t matter”. I am sure my blogging reasons will evolve, changing over time; but for now I am choosing to blog for myself. I have learned that I need an outlet. I don’t have a business to promote, but I do have unexpected bursts of creativity to share. I am not an author, but I do have opinions and thoughts I like to write about from time to time. I have a number of family members and friends that I am HORRIBLE about keeping in touch with and I would love to give them the chance to catch up with us and us with them. And yes, I often think I need therapy.

And so, after fulfilling my need to do a word study on the word "blog", find out where such a ridiculous word came from, why, and from who.....here I go.

I have found wells of encouragement in blogs I have read over the past several months and I can only hope and pray that anyone who visits here will find some encouragement or small blessing also. Welcome to my blog!