Pondering Life

Why does life just rush right by us? Does it not know that God intended for us to stop along the way, smell the flowers, admire His glorious art, and just plain have an abundant life filled with joy, sorrow, laughter, pain, etc?

I cannot believe that we are at the end of the second month of 2011 -- absolutely boggles my neurons! I am in the deepest of prayer modes as my daughter and son-in-law search for their first new home!

I flew to Texas to help Melissa drive from Wichita Falls to Hill AFB outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a wonderful trip and provided the two of us many hours to reflect on our lives and plans for the future. Having been a single parent to Melissa for almost 20 years, we are like 'white on rice' and share everything! It is a great feeling when your daughter is also your best friend!

Sharing Jan Silvious' Devotional

Finally . . . whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. —Philippians 4:8 NIV

If we can’t control anything else in our lives, we can control what we think about. But when we have been buffeted by a situation that throws us, it is easy to abdicate our control and go to our “favorite bad feeling.” That’s the feeling we went to as a child because we learned that it helped us get what we wanted. Once you are an adult, you will find that it is the first place your mind rushes when there is something troubling on your mental radar screen.

Some of us cry, some pout, some sleep, some eat chocolate, some go shopping, some withdraw, and some slam doors, some clean house, some sit and stare. You could probably fill in your own favorite bad feeling. But you don’t have to respond that way, you can choose not to go there. Circumstances rarely change, but how you feel about the circumstances can change dramatically.

How you feel is up to you, not to anyone else in your life. Peace is the result of choosing to focus your mind on what is true and honorable and right. When you choose to do that, it is amazing how much peace will overtake your mind and heart.

—Jan Silvious

How Do They Do It?

I am so in awe of those fabulous folks who actually do post on their blogs daily! I just cannot, for the life of me, get in the swing of posting daily! Oh, well, my greatness must lie in another direction.

I recently joined a swap called 'Journal Me.' You were paired with another person whom you did not know and you were to make a 'journal' page about that person based on email, their blog, etc. This is the very first time I have ever attempted anything closely resembling scrapbooking but ... here is my finished product.

Dreamin'

Wishing on a star has always been a favorite of mine .... do I really believe that my wishes will come true ... I don't know but it just does a heart good! I know for certain that I miss my DH when he is away. Before he went on this current trip, I was challenged to make an ATC for a swap with the theme of 'goats.' I was baffled because I have a lot of sheep stamps but goats? Well, I was lucky enough to find a digi stamp of a handsome goat and ... here is my rendition of 'sheep dreamin' ... you devil goat you! The sheep is a digi stamp from Squigglefly called Counting Sheeple. I really love how this ATC came to life once I had it on paper! Sweet dreams!

Pay it Forward

This is the most fantastic idea --- I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who comment on this post. However, there is a catch, you must repost this, offering something handmade to 5 other people. The rules state simply that it MUST be something handmade or homemade by YOU and must be sent to 5 other people during the year 2011!

If you would like to join in the fun, then be one of the first five to post a comment and something handmade or homemade will coming your way this year from ME! Let's all Pay It Forward in 2011!

Time Flies

Oh my goodness, I said I was going to keep this blog up daily but ... time just flies! Can you believe that the 1st month of 2011 is almost coming to an end? So much to do, so little time!

On that note, trying to be proactive and get my Valentine's cards made -- spent most of the day yesterday in paper, stamps, and ink! Loved being able to devote the time to making cards. Here is one of the Valentine's Day cards I created.

Today belongs to my college classwork ... at the end of my career, I am working on an Associates Degree -- keeps the mind agile!

Starting Fresh - 2011

2010 was a great year for the Patten family - lots of milestones and memories made! Now, we are looking onward and upward for 2011! Extremely proud of our SIL, Josh, for finishing Tech School with the Commander's Award. Soon he and the DD, Melissa, will be a bit closer as they will be stationed at Hill AFB in Utah.

Lots of great adventures planned for this coming year -- first will be helping the DD, Melissa, drive with her fur-babies from Wichita Falls TX to Utah. Lots of mother-daughter time/talk will be happenin' there!

Chinese New Year is just around the corner -- yes, once you have spent as much time in the Far East as I have, you must celebrate Chinese New Year! Will make dumplings, send cards, and try to make merry by myself as DH, Mike, will be away still.

Tonight I am getting down and dirty with my stamps and inks -- working on Valentine's Day cards and some swap commitments. Will post pics tomorrow!