Happy Monday

How was your weekend?

As, I mentioned on Friday it was a busy one here.  Busy, but fulfilling.

On Friday, D and I had a double date with some wonderful friends of ours.  We tried out a restaurant called Segovia.  It's a converted old home in Osborn Village, with a Tapas style menu; unique selections.  The food was delicious, although I can speak for the bone marrow.  I could not bring myself to try it, and based on D's reaction to it, I wasn't missing anything *giggle*.  We always have such a nice time with this couple.  There's always a lot of conversation, and a lot of laughter  Makes you wonder why we don't do it more often.  Oh yeah, life...kids...and everything else that fills most days and evenings.

Saturday we attended a block party in our neighbourhood.  We live in a new development, so everyone is new.  It's such a blessing.  Not only to enjoy the huge blessing of living in a brand new home, but to have everyone else be in the same situation.  Most people are genuinely interested in getting to know their neighbours, especially those with children.  One of the cul-de-sacs is full of exactly those types of families.  So much so, that they formed a committee, and for the second year in a row they hosted a block party on their street.  This wasn't just a "close the street to traffic, and let's mingle in our driveways" kind of party either, they went all out.  They approached many of the local builders in the development (they are still here adding house after house, and likely will be for another 2 years) to donate cash, or services to the event.  There was a giant bouncer, pony rides, free hot dogs, ice cream and drinks, as well as tables and chairs set up in the middle of the street to eat at, and a street hockey game later in the evening.  I couldn't help but feel very full emotionally as I took in the sight of my neighbours, people from every corner of the world rubbing shoulders with one another, striking up conversation, and enjoying their children playing freely together.  This, I believe is the way the Lord always intended for his children to live together in this world.

The Virtual Crop over at the Nook was also a big event for me this weekend *giggle*.  There were many new comers to the board who joined in the fun.  I love meeting new people, and seeing how others enjoy and create art with scrappy supplies.  The DT knocked it out of the park with challenges all based on a Shakespearean theme.  There were 16 scrappy challenges, with some extra bonus point challenges along the way.  There was everything from sketches, to cards, to material specific layouts.  I've never scrapped so much in a 48 hour period.  In the end I completed 13 of the 16 scrappy challenges.  I created seven layouts (one was a double page, so 8 pages total), 5 cards, and 3 vintage tart tin magnets.  I'll reveal everything to you over the next several days.

I'll share one layout with you now, as I actually used one of the challenge to complete a layout I had in mind for Challenge #6 over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles - "Friendships that go the distance".  This girl and I have been friends since before either of us were mothers.  Our daughters have never known life without one another.  She's the one woman who knows me as well as my own husband.  She isn't afraid to call me on my stuff: bad attitude, unrealistic expectations, martyrdom.  And she is often one of the first to be there cheering me on: when I had 2 babies, 15 months apart, and thought I'd never survive, when my 11 year old makes me want to pull her  my hair out with her insolent behavior, when ministry, or marriage, or life at the moment is tough.  We both love to craft, take pictures, spend time chatting over coffee, get into a good debate, and contemplate God's will for our lives.  There are some differences, however that make us wonder how in the world we are still friends: she loves Country and Fold music, I love Top 40 Dance.  She loves vintage/cottage style looks, I like sleek and modern.  She loves living in the country, and I mean in the middle of the woods were internet is only dial up for most, I would sooner move to China.  The list goes on.  Between the two of us, e have been through the birth of 6 kids (all girls), 6 moves, several career changes, and everything in between.  I know she'll always be a part of my life, just as she knows I'll always be a part of hers, no matter where this journey called life takes us.  We give glory to God, for He is the foundation of this friendship, that's how it works, and continues to grow and become richer through the years.

"So Richly Blessed" using Echo Park papers.

Today's "To Do List" includes:
(1) Going through the school supplies, to see what we still need to get, as well as the clothing for the youngest two. 
(2) Measuring out space for an Expedite unite in the rec room for games, etc.
(3) Figuring out what other US purchases need to be made on our upcoming trip to Minneapolis
(4) Uploading the hand stitching tutorial I made last week.
(5) Submitting my application for The Nook DT Call.  (I've not spoken about it before because I've really been going back and forth in my head about whether or not I'm prepared to face the very possible rejection.  There are so many fabulous woman on that board, that the competition will be fierce.  However, I'll never know if I don't try.  And I'll not be modeling to my girls what it looks like to move towards a goal, even when we don't know the outcome.  They need to see their mother take chances, believe in herself, and do something where she is not in total control.)

With that, I'm off.  Thanks for stopping by.

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