I love June. Usually. The kids get out of school (their last day this year is the 13th, YAY!) the nights stay light late (I love that) and the weather is gorgeous. But things are a little “heavy” now. It could partially be the fog of sleep deprivation (Jaimee has reverted to waking up at 5-something am) but mostly it’s some big bad stuff going on. I won’t go into it but I’m definitely feeling the weight of it this week. And this summer (which is usually my favorite-est season of the year) looks like it will be a difficult one. Keep us in your prayers.
So! On to something (hopefully) more interesting. I haven’t created anything since Jaimee’s album cover, but I’ll share something I made in October for my high school reunion. I thought it would be fun to have a little mini album to show what I’ve been up to for the last 20 years since graduation (*gasp* Seriously, has it really been 20 years?!) It’s a mini album made from twelve 4×4 chipboard coasters. It was perfect – small enough to carry around and easy to share when people asked those same questions at high school reunions. It was a big hit! Even some of the guys thought is was kinda cool.
(you can click on any of these pictures for a larger image)
cover:
Inque Boutique stamps, Basic Grey chipboard flourish
first spread:
this sums up the early years after graduation, photo collage created in PSE
last spread:
this last page sums up the present up to that point, another photo collage on the left side
If you have a sec, leave me a comment to cheer me up.
Hey Kathleen, sorry to hear that times are tough! Hope they get better soon!
Love your mini-album. I loved seeing it at May’s and it is just as cute as I remember it!
Love the album!!! So great that you were able to share it with old friends. I’m with you, my 20 year isn’t far off, it’s hard to believe.
I understand the weight of tough circumstances, I will pray for you as God brings you to my mind, and since I check to see if you’ve updated your blog almost every day, I know it will be at least that often:).
(((HUGS)))
Kathleen
Sending thoughts and prayers your way. Hope summer shapes up to be enjoyable for you and the kids.
Regards,
Betsey
Kathleen,
Love the idea of the 20 yrs. album. Gorgeous cover and pages. Wow! I also was blown away by your eclectic layout on the blog. You are so amazingly talented. There must be something in the air this June cause it seems like there is a lot of heavy stuff rolling around. I will keep you and your family in my prayers that July will be a star-spangled, reason to celebrate month.
Hugs,
Cheri
From EK success email to your blog, Ido’t know how I got here.
Your little Jaimee is almost 3 months old. I hope she is feeding well and nursing has gotten easier. You have so many responsibilities with the children soon being home for the summer and work that can be overwhelming. Be easy on yourself and take things slowly.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers and God leads you to the answer.
God bless.
oh Kathleen, I pray everything gets better for you. Now’s the season to be out enjoying things with the kids not worrying about whatever. you kwim.
love the little album. esp. that pic of you in that chair…oh la la girl. you super model you! 20 yrs. here too….hard to believe isn’t it? Seems like it was just a few years ago and here we are 20 yrs. later wondering what in the world happened? I’ll tell ya what happened…we got married, had kids, and time moved. They should have issued us a stopwatch with our dipolmas huh? hee hee
Big hugs girl!
I’m sorry that you are going through some tough times.
I hate hearing that someone as nice as you is having a rough go of it. I hope that things work out for the best and you soon see a light at the end of the tunnel.
You still look fantastic. It’s been many moons since I graduated so it’s fun to see what you’ve created.
Hugs to you and yours!
Hi Kathleen,
So, has your baby been born yet? I read the part about sleepless nights and wondered. I find myself in a similar situation but one that was sought out purposefully. My son is 13, my daughter is 8 and we just had our 3rd baby on May 20th! After our daughter was born we decided that we were done having children and elected to have a vasectomy performed. Then, after several years and many heart changes brought about in our walk with the Lord we had a strong desire for more children. After much prayer and waiting we had our vasectomy reversed in June of 2007 and were pregnant by September. I can relate to the circumstances you find yourself in. I am finding that this time around I am much more patient and desire to soak up all the details since I know how fast this time goes by. We too are hoping that the Lord will bless us again but after we have a chance to recover from a high risk preganancy and a horrifying labor. However, the reward is so sweet and all the bad stuff is fading. I don’t know if any of what I have just related to you will be a source of encouragement but I hope something I said will be helpful to you in your down and out days. Remember that the God of your salvation is near by and longs to minister healing to you in your time of need.
Love to You,
Angie Head
HugZ my friend…I’ll keep you and yours in my prayers for easier days ahead. Some times you wonder if you’ll make it through those tough days, but you’re strong, and you have the thoughts and prayers of your friends to prop you up, too, so hold on until the troubles are behind you – they WILL be.
And what a fun mini album for your 20th reunion! (But…ummm…you sure made me feel OLD!
)
Hello love,
I will be praying heavily for you. I know it is so discouraging to have a heavy season in the midst of new life. Lamentations:20-26 says:
My soul still remembers and sinks within me
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed
Because His compassions fail not, they are new every morning
Great is your faithfulness
“The Lord is my portion” says my souls “Therefore I have hope in Him.”
And when I’m confused and disappointed and grieving, I read this one a lot: “For the Lord will not cast off forever, Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men”
Love you lots.
Beautiful mini-album! Great way to share where you’ve been since high school.
Sending lots of good thoughts & positive vibes! Hope things are looking brighter today!
Kathleen… it’s strange… I was just thinking of you today. I’m working the Great American Scrapbook Show in TX… and was looking threw some books with your work in them. Then .. I get an email from you. I think of you often, and wish we lived closer… I know we would have so much fun! I’m sending you a huge hug and keeping you in my prayers always!!
I really do things get better for you and the weight is lifted. I am happy to see you posting again!!
Just saying hello K!!
Hi Kathleen –
I hope things get better for you fast. I always think of the one thing my Mom would say over and over – This too shall pass. It’s not much, but it’s always helped me. It looks like you have the love of friends and family to surround you and I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
That little album is so pretty – your work is amazing and I just love your style. Thanks for sharing your beautiful project! Hugs to you!!
i hope all will be better soon for you!
your album are so wondeful! it’s a good idea and your still beautiful 20 years later
Josée
Hi Kathleen,
I am thinking of you. You must feel as though you are barely treading water. Your children will only remember the adventure of something new. You and DH will be okay.
Best wishes.
Laurie H
Hi Kathleen! I check back everyday to see if you have posted anything new! I hope you and your family are doing well! You are in my prayers! Keep the faith!!
I love your little album! You are so inspiring!! You look even more beautiful now and you were gorgeous then!!
Hugs to you!!
You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
What a fantastic album! And, even better, you haven’t changed a bit!!!!
What a great book. Love the blog. Hope you are having a good summer.
KK
This is amazing, Kathleen!!! Thanks so much for your kind words on my blog too!
I’m rolling of the floor laughing! ha ha ha. That picture of you with 2 other girls…in the shorts…..I SO REMEMBER shorts that went up to like our arm pits!! How wrong!! ha ha ha ha. I’m sorry for making fun of it…but it’s SO ME in there!!! ha ha ha. I can’t EVER imagine wearing pants or shorts that high on the waist again. Anywho…what a great memory book
Hi Kathleen,
I hope all is well. If I remember correctly, your children started back to school.