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As I unpack all of our goodies from our recent cross-country move, I've come across some things I haven't looked at for quite some time.  

One of these items is my tiny little black Bible I used when I was in high school.  

Now, I used to be (still am) quite a note taker, and this little tiny Bible (it's barely bigger than my iPhone!) is chock FULL of notes either written across it's pages, or on tiny pieces of paper stuffed into it's pages. 

Within it's pages, I found a poem, of sorts, that I wrote either in high school or at some point afterwards.  

It's pretty insightful for a kids writing and, although it could be polished up a bit, I kind of like it :)  

It's entitled, "God's Gift" - and it's contents are something I think almost every high school girl feels at some point.  
I'm sure it was about some boy, and I'm sure I felt really alone.  
It's so sad to think about that, since, as we get to the point in life when we are able to look back and think properly,  we tend to ask ourselves, "What in the world was I thinking?" 

We now know it was SO not worth all those tears!

GOD'S GIFT

*   *   *

God gave me a gift

A gift of love

He wanted me to take that gift

and give it all I had

My eyes were blind

My heart was cold

I could not see the gift He sent.

I know the gift that once was mine

Its wrapping torn and left behind

I so much want that chance again

To take what once God gave for mine.

Forgive me Lord,

With all my soul

Please, I pray, 

You let me stay

Within Your reach,

So I can have

That gift of love,

I left behind.

(This was the "NOTE" on the back of that tiny piece of paper)

"So many of us don't realize when God gives us a gift, no matter how small it is.

But for some of us, who love the Lord like I do,

we will one day wake up and see what they have left behind and maybe that alone will make the Lord joyous, and He will give that gift back to you.

Don't ever underestimate the power of the Lord and His forgiveness!"

A Son is Born!

i had another baby!
James Lukas Crane was born August 24, 2011 at 11:29 pm
He is such a little darling ~ I am SO happy (and glad I got through that c-section)
I think I might burst!

This birthing' was a bit rough - went to the hospital after my water broke at 11:30 am, (I was leaving for an 11 am dr.'s appointment, LOL), dilated a little at a time, finally made it to 9.5 cm around 9 pm, pushed for an hour, and then we all decided it was time to let the dr.'s take over. An hour later and after a very long c-section (to me) my baby boy was in my exhausted arms!
There are more interesting details I've left out, but I don't want to get into all that, just in case y'all are easy queasy ;)

Been extremely sore, and a bit apprehensive about this healing process since I've never had surgery before and had no idea what to expect. I also have a hard time limiting myself - so I've felt as if I've "pulled myself apart" on several occasions over the course of the last 13 days
Apparently, I'm okay though, and feeling better each day
(and trying oh so hard to be good to myself!).

Anywho, here are a few pics of my precious son, James ;)

A still unfinished project - story of my life!

I tend to be one of those artists who stop working when I'm not "feeling it" - which, in turn, tends to keep unfinished projects surrounding me.  I have, however, been working on some home improvements, so, it's not like I haven't finished ANYthing, just nothing of substance, or at least what I consider having substance.

Take, for instance, this big fella - I stared at this large white canvas for months before actually getting any paint on it.  Then, after getting some paint on it, and having to cover up some blue crayon that my little Abby thought it needed, it has just sat here, unfinished, for another several months.  I hate to not finish it - but there are so many other "things" to do . . . plus, I do my best work in the early mornings.  And getting up early these days isn't on my list of "must do" - I love to sleep!  I hate to say, "after baby is born" but I'm afraid this big guy won't be finished until then.  I beg myself internally to just get a small spattering of paint on this canvas - even if I don't initially like the spattering that I spatter!  I'll do it . . . eventually.

In the mean time, the last several months have been filled to the brim with activities.  Emi's 9th birthday was this past April, along with a trip to see Disney Princesses on Ice.  Then Abby's 2nd birthday came up May 1st, along with Mother's Day, my birthday, James & my Anniversary.  Then June came with Father's Day, and now July with the 4th celebration and this weekend is James' birthday!  Mixed in there was a family vacation, a trip or two to the zoo, Emi's Cinderella ballet performance, VBS, Free Comic Book Day, miniature golfing and some other stuff too! WHEW!  So, here are some photos of our past fun times for you to enjoy:

Disney Princesses on Ice:  I think she could be a product model, what do you think? LOL

Emi's 9th Birthday Cake!

 For her 9th birthday we went roller skating - YES!

 Her Buddies :)

 EASTER BASKETS!

 Abby's 2nd Birthday Cake!

 Just some yummy muffins I baked randomly inserted here :)

 FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

 Mother's Day

 Lil Surfer Girl on our family vacation

 Building, or destroying something :)

 Our 11 year Anniversary

 Home-made Peach Ice cream - YUM!

 A trip to the zoo - Abby was SO excited to feed the Lorikeets!

 Father's Day trip to Cinema Grill to watch Thor and EAT!  Nothing better!

 Miniature Golfer - LOL

 Littlest Racer

 VBS

 HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

 Emi in her Cinderella Ballet performance Downtown Denver Paramount Theatre - SUPER COOL!

Our littlest Dancer on stage :)


So, there you have it.  A taste of our summer fun and the excuses I have to not be producing any art these days :)

it's another baby!

I haven't posted on here in such a long while, I can see that I haven't got much of a following anymore :/

That's all right - I'll make it up and get back my groupies in no time :)

For the moment, I haven't finished many projects, which is sad, but I have been working on keeping myself healthy and making this little man! :)

Yes, It's a Boy!

He will join us in this world sometime around the 29th of August (although I'm thinking more around the 22nd)

He's my little thinker!  I love him so much already and the girls are just too excited to have a baby brother coming!

The Sketchbook Project

I'm participating in the Sketchbook Project this year! YAY!  I'm excited and nervous since I haven't been all that great at sketching daily, but hopefully this will force me to get some work done!

Harvest Moon

I have been so bad about posting here!  I have promised many things, but I can't give an excuse that you haven't already heard before for the no posts.  I'm hoping to get better though.
I'm posting a couple pics I took of the Harvest Moon from last week!  It was gorgeous!  It seriously took my breath away. 

No howling please ;)

Phoebe

After losing my beloved Dal, Ashley, I was a bit of a wreck . . .

So my husband, being the loving man that he is, bought me a puppy :)

Here is our newest member of the family, PHOEBE!

She's so fun & beautiful - I love her! :D

We've had her since May, and she is getting SO big!

It's ruff being a pup . . . heehee

Oh, she's a Standard Poodle - so she will be a big girl!

DONE!

Can you believe it?  I've finished four canvases!  

Albeit, it took me a little longer than I had anticipated because of unavoidable personal issues that interrupted my flow - but, regardless, I've finished!  

Little Abby finally has her canvases up on her walls! YAY!  

Now, if I can just get her cherry blossom mural finished the way I want it . . .

Canvas #1 - 8x8 Princess Pink Koi

Canvas #2 - 8x8 Blue Bird in Cherry Blossom Tree

Canvas #3 - 8x8 Pretty Butterflies

Canvas #4 - 8x8 Hoot Owl Cuties

(This one is Abby's, and my, favorite!)

Here is a shot of them on the wall in Abby's room:

One of these days, hopefully before she goes off to college, Abby's nursery will be completed and then I can show you the before/after photos - this room was transformed in a BIG way!

I'll post some detail photos of these tomorrow . . . or Monday :)

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!