Finishing up...

...so tonight I should be finishing up the last bit of December Daily, but instead I'm sitting on the couch scrapbooking something else...lol all my boys are watching a movie I'm not interested in at all...so I decided to scrap some pictures from the summer...better late than never right? :)

See Supply List {HERE}

...I'll never be completely caught up but it feels good to be able to go back and grab some pictures from this summer and complete this page. Thanks for stopping by...and maybe...just maybe the next time you stop by I will have my December Daily done and ready to share :)

What did you ask for...for Christmas?

...every Christmas you always hear people saying they want this and they want that for Christmas...Well, this is what I asked for...I wanted for the sick people in my life with no cure to be able to be cured. I wanted them to be able to see their families and not have to worry about which night is their last...and though I still haven't gotten that...we did received some VERY GOOD NEWS...and recently, when we heard the words "recurrent growth" and we all thought the air had been knocked out of us...my Dad's recent MRI showed that his latest GammaKnife treatment is working...the inner core is dying and the outer core is frazzled...that is all very good news...so right now we continue living each day...celebrating "life"...creating as many memories as we can and just LOVING each other! In two months we scan again and pray that we get the same results.

Yesterday, someone got caught under the mistletoe! I cherish every one of these little moments...

...only 12 days till the end of the year!

I have spent most of this year feeling very sad...I have cried more than I have laughed...and nothing can make these feelings go away...but Nisa Fiin made this amazing template to document the year and I LOVED IT AT FIRST SIGHT...it forced me to go through my photos and see that I truly did have some great moments this year with my kids...and even though I was so sad most of this year and it made me think that it must have been miserable for my children too...I wondered what did they feel through-out this year as well...what will they remember most about 2010? ...I was a little surprised that I was able to come up with photos from the entire year with smiles on their little faces...Nisa "thank you" for a great template to use...to document the year 2010...and help me to see that even through all this sadness we still did have some good times...



See Supply List {HERE}

...my children and I both have learned some valuable lessons this year...we have learned that life is too short...we have learned to give to those who are need...we have learned that some will never change...we have learned that disappointment is a part of life...we have learned that people will lie to make them feel better about themself...we have learned that sometimes we must let go in order to continue to more forward...we have learned that what we fill is most secure can be taken away at any moment...we have learned to never stop fighting for what we believe in...we have learned to always give 100% in whatever we are doing...we have learned that sometimes looking out for yourself first is more important than putting others first...we have learned that trusting others continues to be very difficult...we have learned that we are strong and we are loved...we learned who our TRUE friends are...I am very happy that my children know they can trust me and we have a close relationship...I hope that it will always stay this way...I will continue to teach them...that the way you treat others is the way you treat yourself....that true respect for another comes from self respect...true love for another comes from self love...true forgiveness for another comes from self forgiveness...I think that's a great way to live!

...finished up the last of my tubes!

...these tubes are PERFECT for almost every occasion...I made them for the kids' teachers...and then I just let them pick out which ones they wanted to give to their teacher...luckily they pretty much picked different ones...and there were no arguments.

...on these two I used Crystal Wilkerson's {Merry & Bright} digital papers and elements...I didn't use my nice presentation paper so my colors were off but I really like how it turned it...it was perfect for this silk ribbon I have been really wanting to use...



...and I am still really LOVING this paper collection from Echo Park "Everybody Loves Christmas" so I pulled it back out and finished up the last one...


...I filled all my tubes with a handful of mini-marshmallows and chocolate covered peppermint sticks...and added a hot chocolate packet from Starbucks...a perfect little thank-you to the teachers we appreciate so much!

My Daily December...

...I have had several people ask me about it...and it's coming along...I'm working on it...I decided to make it ALL digital. I actually had planned on that and just add some elements to it when I printed out the pages such as ribbons...brads etc...I haven't printed anything out as of yet because since I will be printing so much I will go ahead and use Costco...and they are just swamped right now with Christmas Card orders...so I will be waiting a bit longer to print...however, I will go ahead a share a page with you...because I know that some of you are just dying to see what format I decided to go with...I am using Crystal Wilkerson's 5x7 Templates Sets 1 & 2 which are available at JessicaSprague.com. I am still trying to keep the colors on each page mainly gray, white and red and Kraft (or a variation in the color). This years DD has been such a wonderful experience...anyone that knows me...knows I can get really uptight about my camera and photos...most of the photos I am using for my DD are actually coming from my iphone...I am focusing on our times together the memories we are creating NOT about snapping the perfect photo...and heavens knows I never can get anyways...so there's no sense stressing out about it.

Yesterday, I had a great time with my father-in-law looking for their new Christmas Tree...he hates shopping...but he was such a trooper dealing with the crowds. He knows I'd do anything for him...and I'd drop whatever I'm doing and always be there...

Materials Used: CreativityByCrystal: 5x7 Templates #1, ITM: Sassy Season Elements; Moments (Paper and Elements) available soon!

hee hee hee...when my dad told us...

...he was going to grow a beard...we all said WHAT? He said yep...I am going to try it once in my life and see what it looks like and maybe it will be grown in just in time for Christmas...I think maybe just because he surprisingly grew his hair back after Chemo and Radiation he wanted to see how much hair he could grow - lol

Materials Used: Jessica Sprague Template 1+13, Echo Park Hybrids: Everybody Loves Christmas Element Pack, Everybody Loves Christmas Paper Pack 1, Crystal's {Merry&Bright} Element Pack #2

...and here's a couple more digital LOs to share...

See Supply List {HERE}

Lots of Cosmo Cricket "The Boyfriend" ...I almost forgot I even made this one :) (The Boyfriend Elements and The Boyfriend Paper Pack is available at JessicaSprague.com).

Thanks for stopping by today...

Everybody Loves Christmas...

...and this time of the year is always so busy trying to get everything just right for the "Holidays". Echo Park has the perfect Collection out right now for your cards and projects...

Recently, Camryn wrote her letter to Santa...I asked her to open it up for me so I could use it as the Journaling on this LO...some things may be spelled wrong because I typed it up just as she had wrote them on her letter...then we taped the envelope back up the best we could and sent that letter off to the North Pole.

...and these TUBES just don't get old...here's my 2nd one...I already have 3 more in the works :) Brrrrr is right it sure has been cold outside here in the Pacific Northwest and what is better then being able to come inside and have a HOT cup of hot chocolate...not much...well maybe a HOT White Mocha ;)



...so before I say goodbye, I just want to make sure you all know to look when you are out and about for some "Everybody Loves Christmas" by Echo Park...and check out their BLOG....HERE. All my local friends be sure to head to CWH they are carrying 3 lines of EP right now :)


I hope you all are enjoying this "BLESSED" Holiday Season!

Have you ever tried SRM Stickers?

...I have heard A LOT about them over the last year...but recently I got to used them for the first time and I must say they really are AMAZING! ...and whether you are a card maker or a scrapbooker they are "PERFECT" for you!!!

My Mother-in-Law is getting ready to retire and last week we went to her retirement party at work to help celebrate her 40+ years as a Nurse...the last 42 years she has been a Public Health Nurse and has enjoyed every minute of it...

...this is the card I made for her...

...now if you've been to the SRM BLOG recently than you have seen all the amazing tubes that have been shared...they looked so fun I just had to try it for myself...so I made this "happily ever after" one...perfect as a wedding favor...don'tcha think!

Materials Used: Spellbinders Die, SRM Stickers, Carina Gardner: PinFeathers Pretty Peacock 1 Digital Papers and PinFeathers Element Set available at JessicaSprague.com, tulle, Making Memories Buttons, AC Cardstock, Kaiser Kraft Jewels and some Birdseed :)

Now...what is even more exciting...is SRM is having a Design Team Call =) ...you can check out all the info HERE!

After using these stickers I can see why SRM Stickers is considered a leading scrapbook and card making sticker manufacturer their product truly is QUALITY!

...still smiling...

...as we begin this last month of the year...my dad also begins his 9 month battle with Brain Cancer...such a fight this has been...and my whole life when the camera has been out its been hard to capture a smile on my dad's face...in the last 9 months I have been very grateful to capture MANY smiles! ...here are just a few...tfl


See Supply List {HERE}

Happy Holidays!

I know alot of people don't like that...but I do...I have alot of friends who don't celebrate Christmas...and I respect that...just like they respect the fact that I do...to me Happy Holiday's still represents CHRISTMAS...you will also hear me say "Merry Christmas" ...and with that said...I can not believe today is December 1st...only 30 more days until the New Year...I just don't know how this year has gone by so fast...what a year it has been for my family...I wish I could look to the new year with anticipation and excitement...that won't be happening this year...all I can do is enjoy each day as it comes.

Well it's time to share my "December Daily" with you...here's my cover of my album...I went with simple...I used our family photo...which is also our Christmas card this year...but I turned it black and white...my album will be sporting the colors red, white, grey and black...and a little bit of my all time favorite kraft thrown in here and there. I am keeping it simple to focus on the memories we will be creating this holiday season....focusing on "family" and the time we get to spend together creating memories.

Materials Used: Chipboard: Melissa Frances, Grosgrain Ribbon: Details & Accessories, Queen&C.: Pearls, Ali Edwards: Digital 25 December 2010 Title, QueenofQuirk: Reindeer Games Digital Pattern Paper

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back to see the rest of my December Daily throughout the rest of the month.

Some "Fall LOs" to share...

I used the Piggy Tales "November 2010 Kit" ...it was fun to mix and match so many fun papers and other elements together...it was especially nice to actually use paper and touch it...I have been doing so many digital pages lately...I wasn't sure if I even remembered how to use the "real" stuff! lol




...be sure to check out Piggy Tales and all their kits!

MORE SNOW!!!

The kids have been so excited with all the snow...yesterday we took them sledding...and they had a blast...we all did in fact...I went once...just to get to the bottom of the hill before them to get some pictures of them all coming down...I quickly jumped on the back of the sled and Gina and I went down FAST! It was fun...
...you can see from at the green grass showing through that there were a bunch of sledders the day before but NO ONE was around yesterday...just us!





...last night I created a new digital LO...and this one is of Mason...he was so funny...he just couldn't stay on that sled...and I don't know what it was...maybe he was afraid to let go so every time he crashed he always landed face first...his poor little face was so red...cold...and wet...but that didn't stop him! I used some new product by QueenofQuirk...which will be available at www.JessicaSprague.com on 11/29! It's an amazing kit called "Reindeer Games".



Thanks for stopping by! Yeahhhh its snowing again...the kids are going crazy!!! :)

The kids have been enjoying the snow...

...at least someone has right? I guess I have too but just from the living room...it's just TOO COLD to go outside...even to get the mail...however, I did manage to go outside for a few minutes to take a few pictures...and when I came inside I should have grabbed Camryn...I bet she never goes out in the snow again after spending a little too much time out there and getting TOO COLD...and feeling a little pain because of it.

I was able to use some of Crystal's Quick Pages...quick pages are perfect for those of us who don't have a lot of time...I changed these up just a bit.

Merry&Bright Quick Page #2

Merry&Bright Quick Page #1

Merry&Bright Quick Page #3

Thanks for stopping by!

Before I forget...

...I need to share some Halloween projects...



...now moving onto Thanksgiving...made a centerpiece for the table this afternoon with whatever I could find at home since its too crappy to be driving anywhere...and Stuart took my car to work...now I just will need to complete my other special project BUT I HAVE TO GO TO THE STORE for that so I am hoping to make it out tomorrow...after yesterday's little scare with someone almost getting "frostbite" and tears for about a 1/2 hour...the kids have decided to stay inside today! It's so cold...at almost 3 in the afternoon we are still only up to 18* It's hard to enjoy the snow when it is SO COLD!

One more day to finish all the cleaning and pre-Thanksgiving food prep...the house will be full and we will be celebrating for all that we are Thankful for...

A Couple New Projects...

I hope this VERY COLD Sunday was a great one for everyone...I think if I could have gone back to bed and started over I would have...I ended up have a horrible headache and it NEVER went away...and it seemed that just one bad thing after another happened...I managed to remake my project below but it still didn't turn out like I wanted...but I have come to realize that not everything ALWAYS works out like we have planned and product doesn't always work the way we want it to...so it is what it is and this is how it ended up...I was able to use one of my favorite colors "yellow" a very happy color and one of my favorite words "hope". Combine the two and you have a pretty cool bracelet. Sorry about the photograph...I just haven't mastered taking pictures inside when its already dark...

Materials Used:
Deep Welled Cuff Bracelet #80990171: AMATE Studios, October Afternoon: Pattern Paper , Queen & Co. Pearls: Yellow Sunshine


Materials Used:
Silver Rectangle Pendent #SO60600169: AMATE Studios, American Crafts Card Stock
Piggy Tales: The Ballard of Mulan Collection: Rub-ons, Barndoors, Pattern Paper, Tulle & Heidi Swapp: Bling

...looking forward to the beginning of a new week...it doesn't make up for the fact that my very favorite sweater is RUINED...and it doesn't make other things disappear or go way or change...but it does give us one more day...one more day to LOVE and one more day to be together and create memories.

Thank Goodness for Friends...

...who are always watching over you...I am blessed to have so many friends who care for me so greatly...some of them who live so far away and feel like there's not much that they can do for me during this time...but one friend in particular...always seems to have the right things to say and she means so much to me with her very special messages...this weekend her husband and her are singing this song at church and she shared it with me...

These days I do cry at least once each day but it is because I am sad...the world is beautiful and life is way to short! Many prayers are being said each day for many people in my life...those who mean the most to me and my family and who are hurting..."R" "T" and "B" may God hear our prayers and continue to allow us to lean on you for support and understanding during these trials. "Everything rides on HOPE now...Everything rides on FAITH somehow..."

Yesterday, I sat through a heart wrenching "unexpected" meeting...something that had to be done...but still we didn't get things settled...my mom's strength amazes me!

...when you are behind the camera...

...you just never know what you will see...on Saturday I was taking pictures of Ben's playoff game and this I saw by accident...and a happy accident it was...by far these photos were my favorite from the day...I am so grateful I captured this moment for Camryn...for Tom...for myself...for Stuart...for our family...we will always cherish these moments.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take...but by the number of moments that take our breath away."

See Supply List {HERE}

I also recently completed this LO...from this summer...Camryn is waiting for all the Golfers to come in from my Dad's Golf Tournment this summer {Driving FORE a Dream}...she just sat there and watched and patiently waited...

See Supply List {HERE}

Inspiration Everywhere...

There's a new FREE class over at JessicaSprague.com, Inspiration Everywhere...begins November 29th...click {HERE} to register.

Be sure to check it out!

What a long week...looking forward to the weekend...

...this week and been especially long and tiring for my family...with another trip back to Spokane...because of the recent words we didn't want to hear "recurrent tumor". My Dad just completed his 2nd GammaKnife treatment and now we sit back and wait four more weeks...with fingers crossed....and LOTS of prayers that the radiation will kill of the cancer cells and kill this tumor so my Dad can stay with us. He is still fighting with everything he has...I can't even begin to image how he feels or what he's going through but he is the strongest person I know...you NEVER hear him complain...or want people to feel sorry for him...when he's having a good day he even is still getting out there and playing golf...I just finished this LO to document this weeks procedure...It's been almost 8 months since my Dad's diagnosis...it's still hard to say...My Dad has Brain Cancer....he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme Stage 4...given 15 months...he's fighting...he's a fighter...we are there for him every step of the way...

See Supply List {HERE}

...I wanted to document this journey...my Dad's journey...here's another recent LO I made...

See Supply List {HERE}

Ben's had a BUSY week as well...football started for him in August...and he is still going strong...with last Saturday's playoff win...meant they had late evening practices this week at the local highschool under the lights...preparing them for tomorrows playoff game against the undefeated Prosser Mustangs...so we will pack up and head to Prosser tomorrow. I think the boys have a real good shot at taking this game...GO RAIDERS!

See Supply List {HERE}

Sunday...the entire family will be together to celebrate "our birthday". Mom is making "our" annual Birthday dinner...only Mona and her family will be missing...I wish everyone was going to be there...I think I will bring my computer with me and we can skype over dinner :) Have a great weekend!

...before the morning...

Happy Halloween!

Hopefully the rain will hold off long enough for us to enjoy this day :)
I have a few LOs to share today...

See Supply List {HERE}

See Supply List {HERE}

Have a super Halloween...be safe! Thanks for stopping by...

...the morning at the Pumpkin Patch...

...recently we took our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch...it was the fastest trip ever picking out our pumpkins...but the most important thing was we were together as a family enjoying each other and laughing...my Dad was feeling good enough to come and I was able to get a picture of him and the kids...just being able to capture this picture of him laughing means so much!

...we will be heading back to Spokane very soon...all of your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated during this difficult time...for those of you who are not here with us...you would be so inspired by my dad's courage and fight through this...we knew from the very beginning that 100% of the time the tumors are recurrent...we knew it wasn't a matter of if it would return but when...my dad has bad days but he doesn't expect anyone to feel sorry for him...he still is trying to do most everything for himself...even things he is told he shouldn't be doing...he is a true inspiration...definitely not letting anyone down...

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss was a very smart man...