[talk: A Girls Weekend to Phoenix - and now, Silence]

If you're reading this - then you're probably friends with friends of mine, and you'll probably read all about this a few times over *grin*. But - for those of you who haven't heard, I'm currently in Phoenix and have just said "good bye" to a few of my girlfriends - and now am alone listening to the dishwasher.

I had planned this "weekend away" (although, it wasn't actually the weekend), a few months back. My parent's joint condo sleeps five ... so I invited five friends and I slept on the floor. No, no, no, it was REALLY comfortable *seriously* and tonight I have the king bed all to myself *grin*.

We left on Wednesday morning, and arrived at the condo before supper. We got our groceries and made our way to the Cheesecake Factory for supper. YUM!! We even splurged and actually HAD cheesecake *grin*. What a concept *bigger grin*. It took us a while to unwind, I think, but by the time Thursday morning came - we were ready to SHOP.

After a morning by the pool, I took the girls to the Outlets that are close by. We left a 12:45 and came home *cough* at 10:30pm. Serious, serious shopping. I mean, some girls even got some of their Christmas shopping done *laughing*. Then, yesterday, we went out to another set of outlets and shopped our little hineys off there too. For dinner? A FANTASTIC Italian restaurant that even my in-laws approve of *wink*.

Today was spent by the pool, with everyone alternating turns with the washer and dryer for their sheets. Before we left for the airport, the girls gave me the most touching card and a gift certificate for a pedicure and manicure at a spa across the street. Yes. There were tears. I was so touched that they would do that for me.

We stopped at Cold Stone for ice cream and then I drove the girls to the airport. There were more tears from me, as I said good bye to my friends and drove off by myself to the condo. My family is arriving tomorrow - but these last few hours have been the STRANGEST for me.

Alone. Not a word I would use very often - but it's a strange place to be. It's quiet, and honestly, I don't know WHAT I'm going to do with myself tomorrow ... I'm not picking up everyone until 6:30pm. SOOOO ... I have thoughts going through my head. Insecurities rising up, scenarios going through my head ... which is SO strange, b/c I used to be so independent. The mere fact that being alone here for 30 hours rattles me - well, that just makes me wonder "who ARE you???". I am not who I used to be, that's for sure *grin*. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe not ...

So - I may do the pedi/mani tomorrow. Maybe I'll sit by the pool. I should probably restock the groceries for my family. I have some sheets to put on the bed in the spare room. Maybe I'll sleep in. Have a bath. Spend time with the Lord. Digi scrap. *shaking my head*.

It's all just so strange.

[photos & talk: A Wedding, A Girl's Weekend to Phoenix & Another Dead Fish]

Ooo ooo ooooo. It's been a few days, and I have so much to share - but SO much to do ... but the "doing" will have to wait *grin*. I'm doing THIS right now (while the laundry does another cycle ...).

First things first. My sis-in-law, Silvia, got MARRIED yesterday!!! This IS a MASSIVE deal - she is 37 and has been "holding out" for "perfection" *grin*. Hey, weren't we all?? Yah, yah, whatever. ANYway - God gave her sunshine and the most wonderful day. We are so very happy for her, and welcome her man into our home. My husband, myself and Mattias were all in the wedding - and my parents attended as well, and helped watch Josiah. My only anxiousness came from NOT being able to take pics of Tias coming down the isle. It's scary having to rely on someone else for that (haven't gotten those pics yet) - but I still managed to get 400 pics from before & after the ceremony. *sigh*. More pics to go through - but, you know, ... I love it *smile*. Also - there will be more pics on my Facebook, if you're interested!

Our "Girls Weekend to Phoenix" is in 2 sleeps *grin*!! Myself and 5 girlfriends are staying at my family's condo for a couple of nights for some much needed R&R ... and shopping *grin*. We've been talking about this for SO long, and I can't believe it's so close. I shudder at how many pics I'm going to take ... especially because when the girls go home, my hubby and boys arrive with my parents - and we stay another 12 days. Only downer is the plane ride. I'm TERRIFIED of flying ... and am considering massive amounts of drugs to compensate *grin*. We shall see.

AND ... just to top it off ... Guido died. Tias' FAVOURITE fish. But Tias was so much better this time, and Guido was quickly replaced with a 39cent goldfish. My husband said, " No more of this $5.99 a fish when they die every few weeks." So Tias has his two buddies swimming together again and is starting to realize that fish die. *sigh*.

Ok ... so some pics of the wedding I took - here are a few of my favourites (who am I kidding, a BUNCH) ... my bro-in-law took our "family shot" *kudos to him*!

Silvia & My mom-in-law

the three little princesses

my little man - isn't he handsome??

the cake Charmaine made. Seriously. 3 Kids and she whipped this up.

this is the only way I get a pics of myself, it seems. See. I WAS there.

the happy couple.

the tables were all named.

I love this. How Italian is THIS?? Crazy cousins.

the reception site

Ok ... well - I'm off ... once again - there are more pics on my Facebook. And I wish you ALL a glorious rest of the day. *grin*

[make: Specialty Cakes - A New Addiction, I Think]

OOOOOOH my oh my. A couple of nights ago, our HH12 group had a BLAST learning how to create specialty cakes with fondant. The cakes were pre-made, as was the fondant (but we were shown how to make our own), and we were placed into teams with a 1 hour timelimit. We had magazines to look through, if we wanted, and quickly came up with a plan.

Can I tell you HOW MUCH FUN it was?? Ohhh ... this was SO up my alley.

Our team created a Ladybug Cake, and we were so proud *grin*. The other teams made a "Fall-Themed" Cake with leaves and the other was a 2 tiered Strawberry Cake. It was sure tough to do it with only an hour allowed, but they were SO fantastic - and the Fall Cake won the presitigous award as "best cake".

Here are some pics ...

Far from professional - but now I'm feeling like the possibilites are endless!! I spent some time checking out some sites and found these pics of AMAZING cakes. They are absolutely incredible - and make our attempts a little lacking *grin*. But hey - for most of us, it was our very first attempt and these cakes are made by teams of great pastry chefs.

The sites I went to were: http://www.pinkcakebox.com/ , http://www.cakesbydarcy.com/ and http://www.carynscakes.com/ . Another great site is http://www.confetticakes.com/ . Check them out - but here were a few of my favourites.

[talk, digiscrap, invisaline ...: SO Much Going On]

You know - I miss a few days, and then there's SO much to share - some deep thoughts and some silly ones too ... Let's start with the one that's on my mind the most.

Last night, I went to church while my husband watched our kids. We don't usually go on Sunday nights b/c of the wee ones - but a friend from out-of-town was leading so I really wanted to go. Worship was thick and wonderful, and the Word was too. I was struck by this verse: 1Kings 18:21 ... it speaks of either serving God, or not - one or the other. And I'm always fascinated by comments of those who say, "I don't serve any God." because we all do. Either it's Him or it's money, image, education, substances, slander, food etc ... we all have a god in our lives. And if you don't chose Him, you chose something else. It's that simple - and so powerful.

Wow. I think I need to just sit and dwell on that for a while.

Speaking of powerful - I went to an Encounter this weekend for the women of our church. I was there to lead worship to work with the Team there, but left so encouraged and validated - it made my heart sing. I was talking to my sis-in-law about it and said, "I HATE how I am so unconfident ... I need someone to say, 'good job'." Well. No longer. I'm not picking up that lie anymore and will walk through whatever doors He opens for me ... in confidence. That's the plan, anyways *wink*.

On other fronts, I'm done my LAST tray of Invisaline for my bottom teeth. And they are - well - straight. Good thing, huh *grin*. The top ones, I'm only half way. Can't WAIT until they're done too and I don't have to remove the trays to sing *laughing*.

AND ... *drumroll* ... Yin put me on her site!!! MY PAGES are on HER SITE!! Seriously - that is just the most lovely thing for me. Doing something I love and having a "professional" compliment it? So cool. You can check it out here ... you have to scroll down a little bit.

Wanna see some new pages?

Here they are ... click images to enlarge

[talk & digiscrap: We're All One Prayer Away from Being "Them"]

So many passionate thoughts going through my mind today. Not thoughts of passion *grin* - passionate THOUGHTS.

Last night, I had SUCH a great time at a new event held at my church. "Women's Wednesday" was fantastic - and so well done. Props to you, S&L - thanks for including me ... I was able to lead worship, and be the photographer for the night. Such a privilege - and here are just a couple of the pics I took. I hope they don't mind *blush*.

The woman who shared, spoke of "walking in her shoes" with her life-story and how things didn't quite turned out the way she thought they would. She had done everything "right" - loving the Lord, raising her family, being active with friends and community in the church ... and after 20 years (I'm guessing) of marriage - her husband chose to leave. Her story wasn't about the defeat of that, but of the shoulder she had in her Savior.

After the evening was over, I was speaking to a mentor-friend of mine and she brought up Shalom in regards to knowing about facing hard times. We had been in conversation with another friend, whom I've known for many years, and she didn't know of my story. I spent the next while sharing my experience of Shalom.

My mentor-friend stood by, and shared that she is currently working with a Recovery House in our local area and has asked if I would come and be a part of that. Now, to some, I may seem like an unlikely candidate. I have never been drunk, participated in drugs - I was a "straight-lacer" from birth and haven't wavered very much *grin*. I grew up with a wonderful family, with much support and a church that I love.

But I am someone who was just one prayer away from being like those souls who chose to resort to substances to calm their pain and quiet the noise in their heads. I don't speak of it much, but I remember coming home from the hospital and consciously thinking, "I need a break - just a moment - where it doesn't hurt. Where I can breathe." I seriously thought about drugs - just to ease the pain for a moment. And for me, I had community, support, counselling and JESUS. And I can tell you that having those things saved me. That is the only difference from me to "them". Had I not had those things, I can say that I would have turned to anything. Honestly. And that is a far cry from who I really am - which makes me think the same of others who are so lost in substance abuse, anger and other unhealthy behaviour. And because not many women I know, know what it is like to have to chose to lose a child - God really was all I had. It was a tormenting experience - but I had those things to surround me. Had I not - I would be lost. Simple as that.

SO - I am excited ... I have been wondering, as of late, whether Shalom will have a relevant place in ministry opportunities. And now she just might. The thought of looking at someone who says, "You don't know this kind of hurt, " and being able to say - "Yes. Yes, I do." I dream of that moment.

Phewf. Well - that was a heavy, wasn't it. *smile*. Hopefully it was encouraging - to let you know that the things YOU face can help someone else. If not now, in time. Life without it's experiences isn't life - and it's what we DO with those experiences that make life what it is. And life without Him, isn't a life that I would want.

Ok. Are you ready for something else now? *GRIN*. Ok - soooooo - I've been giving a stab at digital designing. NOT for anyone, but for myself. I just wondered if I could do it ... and thought, "why not". So - I'm NOT an artist ... and I'm not a computer whiz either ... but these are the things I've created lately.

Another outlet - another way for me to celebrate life. These are some water colour papers I created - and a couple of "word arts". Remember - I will not be selling these, these were just things I was trying ... and having some fun with. I'll have to talk to B&K about copywrites on lyrics *big grin* - but I'm sure they don't mind if it's just for my scrapbook ...

Ok. Here they are ... have a good one!!

paper #1

paper #2

paper #3

paper #4word-art #1

word art #2