Remembering also the good things

This was a post I wrote two years ago and I thought I'd repost it, with some changes, as we remember 9/11 today. Thank you to those who sacrificed their lives in order to save others. Thank you to those who work hard to ensure the freedom we so often take for granted.

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This post is a little bit more personal than usual, but I really want to share this with you all. Today marks the 10th anniversary of one of the most tragic days in American modern history. I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was pregnant with my 2nd child, Gaby, when it happened. We had planned to have her in Croatia, like I did with our first, but due to some complications in my pregnancy, my husband and I thought it was best to go back to the US to have her. It was a last-minute decision, so we were pressed for time as my due date was only a month away.

We flew out early morning on the 12th, just hours after that WTC attacks. It was so difficult to get the tickets out of Croatia that we knew if we didn't leave, I had to delivery my baby there. When we arrived in Amsterdam, our stopover, we were told we couldn't fly to Los Angeles. We were stranded there for 4 days, along with so many tourists who were sleeping all over the airport because no hotel rooms were available. Thankfully, we have some friends, who lived just 10 minutes away from the airport and they were able to accommodate us. God provided for us.

When we finally got on the plane, it was only 30% full because the airline didn't have time to notify all the passengers that it was ready to fly into LA. It was only by God's grace that we came to the airport when they were loading the plane. Because it was almost empty, I was able to lay down and even caught some sleep. Again, God was good to provide this little blessing. A month later, our precious baby Gaby was born.

The memories that most people have of 9-11 incite disbelief, anxiety, sadness and even anger. I have experienced some of those, too,especially as I read about the orphaned children of the victims. But, I have a different recollection of that time. As devastating as it was, it was also a proud moment for not only Americans, but for everybody who stands up for freedom. We were wounded, but weren't destroyed. The terrorists disrupted our way of life, but they didn't take away our hope.

We met new heroes among ordinary people that day, who continue to inspire us today. We were reminded again to appreciate life even with its challenges; to pray for our nation and its leaders; to think about peoples of many nations who live with terror everyday; to support the many men and women who work hard to ensure our freedom; and to hug our loved ones a little tighter.

For me, 9-11 was another opportunity that God showed Himself as the giver of good things, our faithful protector and our sovereign Lord through a very difficult situation. That is a comfort to know and a wonderful truth to cling to as I try to live daily in this scary, insecure world. 

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety. ~Psalm 4:8 

And here's my Gaby now, who's a reminder of God's goodness every day.

 

Cherry picking time and More Exciting News

Thank you so much for your kind words on Monday's post and on the Moxie Fab World blog. I am truly blessed to be a part of this paper crafting community. Oftentimes I craft alone, but you all make this world a smaller place through your daily visits here on my blog. A heartfelt thank you for blessing me that way regularly :-)

Now, I have another exciting news to share. Check this link out, scroll to the 2nd photo and you will know what my news is! I can't wait to show more with you soon!

I don't have a card for you today, but here are some photos from our recent cherry picking time at home. We have two of these trees and the fruit is so yummy. Unfortunately, we don't have a cherry picker machine, but we do have 3 enthusiastic cherry picker girls who enjoy doing it.
My youngest takes cherry eating very seriously. How many do you think she managed to eat at one time?

Beauty-Full birthday and Family Adventure

Before I show you today's card, did you see the BIG announcement on The Craft's Meow's blog today? I am so excited to be working with these ladies, most especially because they are already my friends! I am truly blessed!

Today's card uses one of my latest The Craft's Meow's sets, Fly Free. The papers are Butterfly Garden by Pink Paislee. This card was 100% inspired by the talented Sarah Martina's card kit that The Craft's Meow also sells.

I promised photos from my family's adventure to a Croatian town called Pula. It's a truly fascinating town that boasts a Roman arena that dates back to Biblical times. I'm so glad to live only a few hours drive from there. Here are some highlights:

This is the front of this 2,000+ year old well-preserved coliseum. This thing was standing during Jesus' time!

This is the inside where you can see the seats. Many gladiators and early Christians were killed here for the Romans' entertainment.

This is the Arch of Sergii.

The Temple of Augustus - my girls racing to it.

Here's a close up of the temple. It's hard to believe this was built without the modern machinery.

If you ever come visit Europe, Pula is worth the trip. It's only a couple of hours drive from the Italian border.

Fun Fact about Pula: Georg Von Trapp of the Sound of Music fame lived there. He was born in Croatia when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

15 years of bliss

Excuse the "mushiness" and length of this post, but it has to be written :-).

Fifteen years ago today, my happily ever after began when I married this godly, amazing man. He is truly my best friend and confidant, my #1 supporter and protector, the father of my beautiful children and the love of my life. Our love story is a true testimony of God's goodness and grace.

Back in college, I never thought I would get married. I thought my standards were too high that I would never find a man I would want and I didn't want to settle for anyone less. And I thought if I were to find a man like my ideal, he wouldn't want to marry me with all my faults. Well, the first time I met Kris, I knew he was the type I would marry. He is smart, handsome, dignified and silly at the same time (he had to be being a youth ministry intern). Little did I know that 2 years later, he would be the man I would marry and my life adventure began.
He is wonderful in big ways.

• He loves me in spite of my faults.
  
• He encourages me when I need lifting up. Nobody can make me laugh better than he does.
  
• He works hard to provide for his family, so I don't have to work outside the home.
  
• He leads his family in a God-honoring way. He leads by serving.
  
• He instructs his girls God's Word.
• He treats me and the girls the way ladies should be treated, like back when chivalry was the norm.
• He publicly expresses his affection to me and the girls.
• He treasures God's Word and thankful that he gets to study and teach it for a living.

I also want to point out the little things he does that make him wonderful:

• During the cold winter months, he will lay down on my side of the bed first so it's warm by the time I get there.
• He will make sure we have enough necessities (you can't have too many spares of toilet papers in a house full of girls) before he goes out of town for work.
• When he travels to the US, He will leave his stuff there so he can squeeze in more stamping supplies for me and more princess goodies for the girls.
• He is not afraid to cry, even when watching touching movies.
• He will sit through Princess movies to spend time with the girls.
• He will listen and gets really involved with my stamping adventures.
  

I can go on and on, but you get the picture. Kris loves me unconditionally, just as the Bible commands husbands to love their wives. I love 1 Corinthians 13, which is called the Love chapter in the Bible and Kris has exemplified the love traits listed there.

So when Laura, owner of Layers of Color and who also took the photo above, approached me to create a sentiment/text set with this I Cor 13 in mind, I was very excited. And how special that I get to preview it for you on our wedding anniversary. My card below uses The Love Chapter clear art stamp set (avail Jan 17). I used my hubby's favorite colors because this card is for him.

Don't forget to join us for the Layers of Color New Release Blog Hop on Monday where there will be prizes and lots of inspiration. The new stamps will also be available for purchase then. I hope you can join us.

Just the Way You Are

I can't believe it's Wednesday already. I hope you are having a great week so far. My girls' transition to school has gone smoothly. Even my youngest didn't complain about going to kindergarten and she usually much prefers to stay home, esp when it's cold outside.

Speaking of my girls, I just heard this song, Just the Way You Are, yesterday for the first time and immediately loved it. I know it's a love song between a man and a woman, but the words are perfect to sing to my girls (Except for one word that I would replace with "silly" instead of "sexy" for them. LOL). And my middle child cried when I played it for them. She's so tender-hearted and it just melts my heart.

Today's card uses my latest GinaK stamps, Gleefully Yours. The papers are Pink Paislee.

And this is one BIG reason I have a "rockin' good time" with life and for which I thank God everyday (Photo courtesy of my friend, Laura Campbell, owner of Layers of Color):

And the talented Bekka Freeken is previewing today two sets of dies that I designed for Spellbinders. She does amazing work with die cuts.

Merci

One of the things I love about my girls is they are very well-adjusted kids. As missionaries, we are often in people's homes and host many guests throughout the year. My girls get along with them right away. Put them in a roomful of strangers and they will make friends within a few minutes. Even attending a school where they are the only non-white, non-Croatian and the only non-Catholic, they thrive.

They recently entered a Supertalent contest at their school singing a duet. They were one of the top winners. That was great, but the best part I thought was how the audience loved them. The kids applauded many times during their performance and that really encouraged them to sing better. As their mom, I was touched by how they're accepted by their peers in a culture that's experienced war in recent history and did not have foreigners living among them until we moved here 12 years ago.

My girls may look different, but they speak like their Croatian peers and thrive among them. I am so thankful to God for that. Here they were at the Supertalent show. They are truly a gift from the Lord.

Today's card is for Stamp TV's Sketch Spotlight #6. I used my Lovely Labels 2 and Vintage Backgrounds sets. The butterfly is also by GinaK called Hope is Faith. The yummy papers are Basic Grey's Curio. The seam binding is my own.

Here's a close up.

Card patterns Sketch #73

I am now back in CA after a 12-day trip to WA and GA. We're here just for a couple of days before hit the road again. The last leg of our trip is Chicago for the CHA Trade Show. I can't wait. I got my badge info, so it's official...If you're going to be there, let me know. I would love to meet you. I'll be at the SRM Stickers booth for part of the time, and for another company, which I can't share yet!

Anyway, here is this week's Card Patterns sketch. There are some great Unity stamps up for grabs, so make sure you try out this easy sketch:

And here is my card using my latest stamp set, Hugs and Prayers. I layered the petals for added effect.

And some random photos from our trip to GA. My daughter is learning how to cross-stitch from Nana.

All sweaty from the GA humidity, but having a great time.

Finally, Katy was scared of my BIL's dog, Bella Mocha, because it liked to jump on her and lick her. She finally warmed up to Bella on our very last day there. That was a big step for her.

A Very Special Weekend

What a great weekend we've had so far. On Friday, as my husband and kids enjoyed swimming with some old friends in Atlanta, I was able to meet three of my blogging friends: JenMarie, Tami and Mandy (who owns Limelight Papercrafts) and took a trip to Archiver's. It was so fun to meet them and talk about not only this papercrafting hobby we all love, but our faith as well. I shared about how God has blessed our life and ministry in Croatia and they patiently listened :-).

On Saturday, we had a family get together. But before the rest of the family arrived, I took the girls to get their haircuts. They've been growing their hair for a long time and wanted to donate it to Locks of Love, which is a "is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children." We finally did it this morning. Here are the before pictures.

And here they are in their new do with the sweet Nellie Ann who cut their hair for free. I'm so proud of my girls.

And here's Katy who just had to dress up for a ball using Nana's collection of hats and scarves. Don't you just love that blue lipstick (from the Icee she enjoyed just prior to the fashion show) :-)?

Tomorrow will be the highlight of our weekend as we join our friends and family at Faith Community Church. I miss worshiping in English so much that I really cherish these special times whenever I can.

My Favorite Vacation

Gina issued the GinaK Designs DT a challenge to create a card inspired by a favorite summer memory. Hands down, my favorite summer vacation was 2 years ago when my whole family spent 2 weeks exploring Israel with many of our dear friends. It was an experience we will never forget. A friend told me that visiting Israel would change the way I would read my Bible from black and white to full color. She was so right. That experience just brought more meaning to the stories and lessons I read in the pages of Scripture.

Let me give you a short tour of that life-changing trip. First pic is with me and my DH showing the Temple Mount view from the Mt. of Olives.

This is the Sea of Galilee at sunset.

My girls thought it was very interesting to stand where David bravely faced and defeated Goliath. Of course, they had to gather some smooth stones like David did for souvenirs. (In case you're wondering, my youngest stayed in the hotel with some friends the whole time because she was too young to endure the high temps outside).

This was inside the Mt. Sepulcher church in Jerusalem.

This is Qumran where a shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Finally, my favorite photo from this trip. The road we're walking on in this picture was literally the road where Jesus walked because it's the road that leads to the Temple.
Here are my cards using my latest sets, Fine Furnishings and Fine Furnishings Additions. I followed the color scheme of the many places we saw: yellow (or gold), black and Kraft. The music background is from the Vintage Borders set. The elegant sentiment is from Elegant Post. I used Wild Dandelion for my card base. I also used the Spellbinders Fancy Tags for an added elegance.

Here is a simpler card with the classic chandelier and couch image from Fine Furnishings.

For all the specific details on how to enter your card in Gina's Design Team challenge, please visit GinaK's blog. Then, stop by these participating GinaK Design Team members' blogs for their projects for tonight's hop:

• Jessica Fick
• Nina Brackett <<--you are HERE!
  
• Theresa Momber
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Tami Mayberry
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Donna Baker
• Kurtis Amundson
• Carolyn King
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Kay Simmons
  

Finally, I have to share this interesting photo. Because everything's kosher, the meat and dairy are served from two different counters at a McDonald's in Jerusalem. It's amazing how the hamburger and fries taste the same no matter where it's located in the world. I hope you enjoyed my mini-virtual tour of my favorite vacation.

My girls and StampTV excitement!

I don't have a card to show you today. I've been busy cleaning and getting ready for my dear husband to come home. I need to organize my craft corner, too, so I can be ready to create projects as soon as I open the goody boxes that he's bringing me. Woohoo!

It's been really cold here (28 deg F today), but sunny. My girls have been waiting for the sun to come out, so in spite of the cold, they had to soak it up outside.

And here they are all bundled up.

And the most exciting news for all you, StampTV fans out there....

Yup, this month's release is going to be awesome! Check out Gina's blog for sneak peeks of the new stamps and other exciting happenings as we celebrate StampTV's first birthday. Project previews begin on Sunday night. Stay tuned!

Have a fabulous Monday, everyone!