Blink Blink

THIS....is my eleven year old.... 

Do you know why she is smiling so big?  Not because I threatened her to show teeth.  LOL

Maybe because she turned TWELVE today!!  I can't believe it! 

Acutally, this is her 'first day back to school' photo so maybe it's because she knew she was going to be turning 12!!  I am still shocked and stunned that I am now looking up to my beautiful (once Little) princess and that she is not even a teenager yet!  I have to remind myself of that at times.  She is such a kind, tenderhearted, mature and energetic girl that I think she is older than what she really is.  Still in grade 6.  Not in middle school yet.  Yet has grown by leaps and bounds in so many areas!  I'm so proud of her.  (Can you see me BEAMING?!!)

I love you so much my sweet Ashley.  I'm humbled to have been blessed with such a fabulous daughter and there is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for the most amazing gift ever.  Keep lettin' your light shine girl!  I know you are already making such a difference in this world and that you will be used in so many incredible ways.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being such a blessing to me.  

Keeping It Simple

Have you ever been to the Emmys?  Baw ha haaa, me neither!!  Can you believe that Spellbinders was there last night?  Sooooo exciting!!  They were able to 'share the love' with the stars with a gorgeous, hand crafted bracelet.  We also got to make one at the retreat.  They are sooo cool!  

Although I haven't ever made it a to a red carpet event, I just have to share my teeny bit of fame with my blog friends!  Canadian Scrapbooker featured my card on their site today!  It was in their latest, fall issue.

And this is the card of mine that they shared.  It's using one of Spellbinder's newest dies; Majestic Labels Twenty-Five.  This is such a cool die because there are so many things you can do with it!  And as Jackie pointed out at Canadian Scrapbooker, Spellbinder's dies just make cardmaking SO simple!

I love this sentiment because it says more than just Thank You.  kwim?  It's from a JustRite Stampers set called For All You Do Vintage Labels Three.  The paper is Heidi Swapp and Webster's Pages and the wooden butterfly is from Prima.

There is NEVER dull moment in our house hold and sometimes I think there is way too much going to give any kind of update.  The long short of it is, despite the fact that I finally got all my teaching credentials transfered here to Canada, I still did not end up with a teaching position this fall.  Very hard to swallow because I had my hopes on a few.  Good news.....more time for crafting!  (well...maybe in a perfect world! LOL)  I think the kids being 9, 12 and 14 has kept us extremely busy!  Wouldn't trade it for the world.  

So, lately it's all been about simply for me.  Before I sign off, I must share a recipe I found on pinterest.  I am obsessed with pumpkin recipes at this time of the year.  This one?  Two ingredients.  Easy peesy!!!  And I got it from this blog.  

Keep it simple my friends!  Enjoy your beautiful day!