Snow Days

Winter has a firm grip on Northeast Ohio. Now that Paige is older, she had developed an appreciation for playing the the white stuff. She loves getting all bundled up in her snow pants, coat, hat and mittens and making snow angels in the yard.

Sophie wants so badly to join her big sister, but she is simply not old enough. Instead, Sophie will stand at the storm door watching Paige banging on the glass saying "please, please!" This is a tough age for her. Each day she grows bigger and develops skills that distance her from simply being a baby. At the same time, she is not quite old enough to hang with her big sis. Hang tight, Sophie, give it another year or so and, my to mama's chagrin, you will be running around with the big kids before too long. In the meantime, let's enjoy cozy time together inside the house.

Simple Happy Birthday Card

I am trying really hard to make better use of the mountain of papercrafting supplies I have stashed in the spare bedroom (a.k.a. the craft room). Faced with a birthday party for one of Paige's classmates, and no time or desire to run to the store to buy a card, I put one together using what I had on hand, and here is the result:






I think the card took me 15 minutes to make. Heck I doubt I could get to the store and back in that amount of time! Next time I need a card for some occasion, I am going to try to use what I have instead of buying new.

By the way, as a friend or family member who may be the lucky recipient of such a handmade work of heart, please be kind. :o)


Supplies- Tools: Creative Memories Corner Rounder, Cardstock: Stampin' Up and Creative Memories, Stamp: Papertrey Ink, Buttons: Jesse James Co, Rub-ons and Ribbon: Doodlebug Designs, Other: thread.

The question

Yesterday, Jason attended a funeral for one of his antique car club friends. As I was putting the kids to bed, Paige wanted to know where daddy was. I told her that he was at a funeral. She gasped and said, "did somebody die?" I nodded my head. She was quiet and then said, "will daddy give a kiss to bring them back to life?" I shook my head and said "no, honey, there isn't anything that we on Earth can do to bring him back."

"Did he touch a spindle?" Paige asked. "No, sweetie, sometimes when people get old, their bodies stop working and they leave this life to go live with God," I replied.

"Oh," she said, struggling for comprehension.

"Will I die?" she asked. "Well, Paigey, nobody has ever lived forever, so yes, someday you will die." She looked concerned, I continued, "but hopefully that won't be for a very long time." "Ok, Mommy," she said snuggling into her bed, "goodnight, I love you."

"I love you too," I said kissing her forehead. Closing her bedroom door, I wondered if I had handled those questions appropriately. I imagine the concept and finality of death must be tremendous to a child whose only exposure to the topic is through Disney fairy tales.

I wanted to be open and honest with her, but at the same time not scare her. Death is simply a part of life. Recently, It's been a familiar part of our lives having lost several friends and family members over the last couple of months. But what I really wanted to tell her is even through people leave us, they are never truly gone as long as those who remain keep their memory in their hearts. In that way, a little piece of us will always live on.

My first entry

For some time now I have been thinking about starting a blog. I always liked the idea of keeping a journal, a place to record thoughts and musings. I am not sure what direction this blog will go, but it will be my platform to talk about what's going on in our little life- kids, the house, creative pursuits, dreams and goals. Enjoy!