thank you really isn't enough

Today is not only a day to be thankful for those who are currently serving in our armed forces, but to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.   It is something near and dear to my heart every day, but today of all days I took the time to stop, reflect and really give thanks.  Thank you, just doesn't seem enough, but it is all I can offer.  As I watched my husband, in his dress blues, and my son, in his cub scout uniform, salute the flag during the national anthem this morning at our local Memorial Day ceremony, tears came to my eyes.  Not tears of sadness, but tears of thanks, remembrance and praise.

Thank you to all who serve and all who have served, and to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Thought I would share this video today it really captures what I am trying to say...no words need to be spoken, it is the little gestures that show your thanks.
(ps...folgers, budweiser and halmark always make me cry!)

when life gives you lemons....

I was catching up on my blog reading today and found something that I had to share.

The sweet daughters of Melissa from 320 Sycamore have undertaken an online lemonade stand to help raise money for the victims of the tornado that devastated Joplin, MO. 

If you donate $1 to give to the tornado victims, they will send you their family lemonade recipe.




For the whole story and a paypal link to donate head on over to 320 Sycamore.

But hurry...the stand closes Friday evening!

welcome

I am guest posting today over at A Glimpse Inside. 

A big warm welcome to Allison's readers, thank you for stopping by and checking out my blog. Things are a bit sporadic right now but I am in the middle of some big projects that I can't wait to share. I have been gathering ideas and am hard at work (in between my zillion other obligations!) I would love for you to leave a comment and introduce yourself...and if you would like to follow along on my journey with me...that would just make my day!

If you are a regular reader you know that I am attempting to transform my ho hum, someone elses (bad) taste in decor house into something that I love (on a budget).  I took the guest posting opportunity to share how I transformed a previously loved, but ready to retire, lamp shade into something fun and fitting for my craft room.

you can check out the guest post here....

and while you are at it...please spend a few minutes checking out Allison's blog, it is full of great ideas!

have a wonderful Friday,

Tracy

CTMH Product Spotlight: Buttons

Welcome to another CTMH product spotlight blog hop.  This month we are featuring buttons which just happen to be one of my favorite go to embellishments!

We have seven lovely ladies participating this month.  So whether you came from Wendy's blog or your just starting here, be sure to keep going to check out all the wonderful inspiration.  You can find your next stop after my layout. 

I would love for you to leave a comment and tell me what you think!

If you are interested in grabbing some great CTMH buttons for yourself, please contact your CTMH consultant or check out the entire selection here.

Next stop along your inspirational journey is Tamytha Jenkins.  Enjoy!

I am also linking up over at the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog today!  This week's challenge is...you guessed it...buttons!  Check out the Heart 2 Heart blog for some great inspiration.


products used (CTMH unless noted):
CS:  desert sand, white daisy; PP: rough n' tumble (retired), notebook die cut paper (Creative Imaginations); Ink/pens: dutch blue, My Legacy Writers; Stickers: Echo Park Little Boy Collection; Embellishments: buttons, chipboard elements 

Ten on Ten : May

It is the 10th of May which means I am hooking up with Rebekah over at a bit of sunshine for Ten on Ten.  The concept, take one photo an hour for ten hours in order to capture the ordinary beauty of your everyday life!

(ok...little disclaimer...I know there are not 10 photos here...sorry, I had the camera and just got caught up in the laundry, the scheduling doctors appointments, bill paying and everything else...I forgot, forgive me this month... please?)

 

waiting for my 2 to come home...love seeing them get off the bus and hearing about their day

 

 

how can it be?

how can it be 9 years since....

i brought this beautiful child into the world....

i received the most precious gift a mother could receive...

my family became complete?

how can it be 9 years that I have....

loved every single second of being your mom...

watched you grow....

watched you learn?

how can it be that you never cease to amaze me of....

how compasionate you are

how loving you are

how wonderful you are?

i couldn't have known 9 years ago where this road would take me

but i am so glad that it took me on your journey and

i can't wait to continue down this road with you.

happy 9th birthday bubs!

i love you with all of my heart and am so proud to be your mom.

it's the simple things that make me smile

like enjoying endless hours of imaginative play...lost in your own world

slaying dragons in superman capes, mom's uggs and a wiffle ball bat

being you and loving life

these are the moments I won't rush

these are the times I hope you hold on to forever

these are the simple things that make me smile

Linking up to Rebecca

my week in pictures

It is Sunday and you all know what that means:

I am linking up Kimberly...so sit back and check out what we did last week:

We colored way too many eggs (and I am continuing my addiction to instagram)

including these

 and these (aka Greg Hefley eggs complete with Diary of a Wimpy kid scenes)

K and I danced up a sweat with Just Dance 2....love it (so much better than Jillian!)

I brought my mac n' cheese to Easter at my sister in laws and pushed it far, far away...tempted, but I didn't cheat!

K spent most of Easter in the chicken coop...she treats them like pets.  They all have names and each gets a cuddle

baseball season has begun...I worked my obligatory 1 game in the snack shack

neighbors should not put ideas in my head!  Made a spur of the moment decision to have 2 huge trees in the middle of the backyard taken down...just because the neighbor was having one taken down...when I get an idea in my head watch out...making way for the backyard beautification plan!

that was my plan all along...drop trees to provide hours of imaginative play

Slaying dragons (in my Uggs)

That is all...have a great week!