Classes and other stuff

Spring is just right around the corner or at least I hope so!  I am feeling a renewed strength and believe you me that I am in need of all the strength I can get right now. 

I have fallen in love with this man's techniques....Tim Holtz, he is amazing in the things he can do with a little bit of ink.  I know I will never be able to go on a retreat or travel to a scrapbook store that he is teaching at, so his first online class is my answer.  I'm very excited!!

I am also taking another class by Christy Tomlinson and she has joined up with Junelle Jacobson.  I had the wonderful opportunity to have her in another one of Christy's classes last year.  I tell you what....this woman is completely awesome!  I have done a little bit of sketching over the years but nothing like what I am learning.  This is one of those classes that if it is offered again I would take it in a heartbeat.

I am still plugging along over at Suzi's school, with her a Lovely Dream class.  She has now opened it up for an all year class!  So very excited to be apart of what she is doing.  Her newest class fairies will be starting pretty soon and I am really looking forward to it.  There is a fairy I have been working on for almost 2 years.  The wonderful cool thing is the day after my mothers death I was able to finish her.  I felt her helping me, it was awesome.         

It is interesting, how each class I have taken over the years has met me right where I am.  I sometimes feel like I am just grasping at anything and everything to find my place.  I do truly LOVE what I do!  I'll be sharing more art soon!  Thank you for being here!!

My 10 things

Almost missed this today....words have always been important to me.  It is interesting when I am in a difficult place that I seem to blog less often, you would think it would be the opposite.  So my ten things are centered around the words that I have heard or have been spoken to me this last month. 

1. My youngest granddaughter is learning new words everyday! This week she learned to say one of our dogs names, Rosie. It is sooo cute to hear here say it. This is a conversation I over heard between my grandson and her......
Elijah: Sage say Rosie.
Sage: Rosie
This happened a couple of more times, apparently Elijah likes it when she says it...
Elijah: Sage say Rosie one more time
Sage: One more time
So I know Sage isn't old enough to understand the humor but it was super funny!

2.  I took my grandson Elijah outside this week to show him the flowers pushing up to the surface. He said to me..."Granny, can we find anymore?" So we went on a hunt ;) Spring is around the corner and it is going to be wonderful sharing it!!

3.  Thankful words from friends when they receive happy mail from me.

4. A friend that drops her busy evening just to run to the grocery store with me.  Then just listens as I tell her about the hard day I had.

5.  My 18 year old son telling me he loves me to all the stars.

6.  I love yous from my husband as he is traveling all over the US now.

7.  Precious I love yous and thank yous from my youngest Granddaughter.

8.  Listening to my Grandson Elijah say he LOVES cooking shows and why.

9.  My teenagers friends, who drop by or take the time to send me a little message, telling me how much they appreciate my husband and I just being there for them.

10.  Some words to you......thank you for visiting.  I hope and pray where ever you are that you will take the time to listen to the special words being spoken around you. 

Old habits....

You have to be careful that you don't fall into them.  The reality is they can sneak up on you.  You can fall into a habit you haven't had in years!  Then boom, you sit there wondering why you are so angry at yourself.  Ya, I am right there........

For the last four years I have had my husband at home very night except for a handful of times.  Prior years he was gone on a Monday and home on a Thursday, we made that schedule work for 8 years.  If there is anything I have learned the last four years is how much of a friend I have in my husband.  He completes me and I truly miss him when he is gone.  When he was laid off in December 2011, we were calm and knew things would work out.  That is the way it has always been, God always has had a plan even when you think He doesn't.  This job is one that only comes along once in a lifetime and he will be gone a lot.  In this season I am finding myself fighting an old habit of feeling on the outside of his life, even though I am right in it.  I know him being away from home is far from glamorous but I can't help think I am missing out.  I miss my best friend.

The life I am living right now could have been lonely but instead I have my daughter and three grandbabies here to share in my nest.  Sometimes I feel drained, stretched thin and feel like I can't handle one more question from the little ones.  It is at that time God takes me right back to reminding me that He will never give me more than I can handle.  He trusts me to help care for, love and to assist my daughter in the raising of her beautiful babies.  What an awesome gift I have been given.........but question......anything I can do about not having to do so much laundry?? This is just one week's worth for 8 people!!  

So long to my old self and to leaving an old habit behind me......no more believing I am on the outside.  Here is to doing to what my heart has known from the day I met him almost 30 years ago....he will forever be the love of my life.