A Snowman's Prayer

Thanks so much to everyone who shared advice yesterday. It was a MUCH better day. And you're right. It just took a little bit of adjustments. Things aren't exactly the same as they were when he left. But that's because we've both changed. And there's nothing wrong with that :) Change is good. We had a much better day today - hehehehe.

Captain America and I went jogging yesterday. The holidays have been AWFUL for my diet- hehehe. I've gained about 6 lbs since Thanksgiving, and my formal knows it - hehehe. So, I have 12 days until the dance. Since the little bit of weight came back fast, it should come off fast too. Eating well and exercise for a few days, and I'll be back in no time :) But let me tell you, I could SURE use a piece of Chocolate right about now - LOL!

We had a nice relaxing day at "home". It's funny, because Captain America's taught the kids that our "vacation house" was the FOB (Forward Operating Base - army term). Isn't that the funniest thing! We're out and about town, and when we're ready to go home, they say, "Lets go back to the FOB".

We went jogging in the morning, and watched Season 4 of Doctor Who all afternoon. I just LOVE Doctor Who, but you already knew that, right? hehehe. We also watched Indiana Jones #4, since Captain America hadn't seen it before. Good times! I took it pretty easy since I was having Chocolate withdrawls. Headaches are no fun. But, I think that the worst of it is over. As I'm pre-posting this, I can barely feel it. Woohoo for Advil - LMBO!

And, I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who sent Christmas Cards! They're SO much fun! Germany, Florida, Oregon, Canada, Australia, New York, California, Deleware, just to name a few places. Thanks so much for making my Christmas bright!!!

I may be a bit slow at sending out the WordArt packs, since my internet is non-existant (and I have to sneak out at night to pick up a wireless signal from my moms house), but rest assured, I won't forget about you guys :) When I fly out to Georgia (the 5th - 9th), I should have a lot of down time. I'll get to that inbox too. My email is quickly getting out of control. Hehehehe.

I thought that this saying was HILARIOUS!!! And since there's been SO much snow, I'm sure that LOTS of you can use this one - hehehehe. Anyone make a snowman this year? Click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work. Thanks!

FONTS:
Freeze - HARD ROCK
All rest - Euphorigenic
Snowflakes - Faux Snow BRK

Power of Mom

So, how was your Christmas? Did everyone get/give everything that they wanted to? My kids were REALLY pleased with their gifts this year. Everyone got what they really wanted. That's always nice when it works out that way. Hehehe. We've had years where it didn't - LOL! Maybe my kids are just greedy. Or mabye they're just finally learning that telling the person who gave you the gift "Um, this isn't really what I wanted" isn't so cool. It's SO embarassing as a parent. Geesh! Thank goodness we didn't have any of that this year.

So adjusting to life with a man around isn't as easy as I thought it would be. I mean, I knew that the "I miss you so much it hurts" stage wouldn't last forever, but I'm not really liking the "I'm still getting used to having you around" stage. We're having problems with misunderstandings on both of our parts. Rrrgh. Men. Can't live with them, can't live without them - hehehe.

Not that I'm by the computer (no internet at the place we're staying), but do any of you girls have any suggestions for me? Any tips for making the transition a little bit easier?

This WordArt request is from DJ. What a funny, but true, saying :) Hehehehe. Click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work. Thanks!

zFONTS:
Power - um, yeah, ask again when I get real internet :)
of, Mom - Lainie Day SH

A Child is Born

Wow, the no internet is really cramping my style - LOL! I'm sitting here at my Mom's house, checking my email and getting products loaded into the store. We're going to my Aunts house tonight for Christmas Eve, and the kids are TOTALLY excited. Is it 5:00 pm yet? LOL!

Have you ever listened to Handels Messiah? I just LOVE it! When I was a Sophomore or Junior, my boyfriend at the time gave me a "made" tape of it. I just LOVED it! I don't currently have a copy, but I can still remember it. I think I'll have to pick up a CD one of these days. Anyway, I thought that this scripture (and song from Handel) would be appropriate for this day that we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Enjoy!

Click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work. Thanks!

FONTS:
Child, Born - Scriptina

Night Before Christmas

Woohoo!!!! My man is HOME!!!! Hehehehe, this picture says it all :)

I drove to the airport Saturday night to pick up my sweetheart. Captain America's flight was supposed to get into Eugene Oregon at 12:07 AM, but it was delayed until 1:00am. I remember seeing people coming down the escalator, and they would come into view from the feet up. I remember seeing one guy with nice shoes, nice jeans, big muscles, and thinking - OH please, I want that one - hehehe. And guess what? It was Captain America!! Woohoo! I got the cutest guy on the plane :) Not that I'm biased or anything - LOL!

The airline lost his luggage (it went to Chicago - we just can't get away from that place - LMBO!). We had to go to Walmart to buy new Sunday clothes for Captain America. Luckily, most of his stuff was in his carry on bag. We left Wal-mart at about 2:30am, and got back to Florence about 3:30am. We stayed the night at my friend, Angie's house. She and her family went to Portland for a few days, so her house was empty. We got to bed at around 4:00 am, and then had to be us at 7:30 am to get ready for church. Here's a pic of us before church. We may be tired, but don't we look happy :)

Christmas Sunday was nice. The primary kids sang 2 songs (I'm the chorister), and did very well. I just love to hear the little kids sing. My friend, Maren, sang a solo, and was FABULOUS!!!! What a BEAUTIFUL alto voice she had :)

After church, we went to Coos Bay to renue our Temple Recommends, and decided that since we were already down there, we'd stay the night. Angie's house wasn't available anymore, so we didn't have a place to stay anyway. We stayed at Motel 6, and just relaxed as a family. It was kinda fun. And big, for a Motel 6. 2 queens, and lots of floor space. But, by about 11 the next day, we were all ready to come back to Florence. There's only so long that you can keep kids good in a motel room - LOL! We hit Wal-mart while we were in the city (hehehe- can you tell that I like Wal-Mart!), and stopped briefly to see a friend of Captain America's, then headed back to town. We stopped by my parents house to re-fresh our suit cases, and then my parents, my sisters family, and my family went to Abby's Pizza for dinner, then Christmas Carolling. That was a lot of fun. While I didn't get any pics of the group, I did get one of me. We all had these cute Santa hats that we wore.

After the pizza and caroling, we headed out to a different place to stay the night. We had a friend at church who managed some cabins/motel rooms on the lake. I'd seen her earlier in the week at the store, and she was trying to get some Christmas Cards made at the photo department. They were giving her a hard time, so I told her to just give me her media card, and that I'd do up a Christmas Card for her, and send it to the photo lab, and it would be cheaper because it would be developed at a 4x6, not as a Christmas card, and would be cuter, because I could use kits from Scraporchard. She just LOVED the cards, and when she heard that we were having "housing" issues, she offered us a night at the cabins. WOOHOO! See, when you do good things for other people, goodness comes back to you :) Words to live by :)

Here's a pic of Captain America and I at the cabin. I have individual pics of him and all the kids, but didn't really have time to post them all.
And here's all the kids at the cabin. Isn't that a gorgeous view of the lake! I just LOVE Oregon scenery :)
So, I got a call from another friend, Ann, and she said that a different family in the Ward was gonna be out of town for the WHOLE time that Captain America was here, and that she'd called them, and that they said that WE COULD STAY AT THEIR HOUSE!!! So, we're there now. And let me tell you, it feels SO nice. No more "house hopping". That was starting to get very weary. I must say, though, that I'm feeling VERY blessed right about now. There are so many people out there thinking of me, and taking care of my family. Thanks to everyone who sent cards, and well wishes, and have been praying for us.

Just need to share a quick story about the blessings of Tithing. I don't know how many of you "tithe" in your churches, but let me tell you, the blessings from it are real. In our church, we pay 10% of our income. And I know that we've been promised that if we do, that we will be blessed. But some times, I have a hard time remembering to pay it. I write out the check, and it just sits in my purse. And sits, and sits. That's not always good when you live paycheck to paycheck. Anyway, I had Decembers tithing (Captain Americas pay and mine) written out, and in my purse, and finally turned it in on Sunday. Money's a bit tight right now, but I knew that there would be barely enough to cover tithing. Anyway, I turned it in.

Well, on Tuesday, my mom called me from work saying that she found an envelope addressed to "The Hartys" in her car door. Inside was a note saying that "our service was noticed and appreciated", and it had a large amount of money. We don't know who it was from. Let me tell you girls, I believe in the power of tithing. I know that when you give to the Lord, he will give back to you. It was more money in the envelope than I paid in tithing for the month. I know that Heavenly Father works through other people to bless our lives. He does that for me, and he will do that for you, too.

So, THANK YOU to whoever left the gift for my family. We will be forever grateful! We truly appreciate you generosity! And thank you for re-affirming my testimony in the power of tithing :)

OK, on to WordArt :)

I thought that this would be PERFECT for all those night before Christmas photos that I will be taking! We go to my Aunts house for Christmas Eve, and open presents from extended family. Then on Christmas we all get together and eat Tacos. Yes, I know, that's not a typical Christmas dinner. Heheheh, we're not even Hispanic, which would make more sense. We just LOVE tacos. And I was in high school, I think, before I realized that not everyone had tacos on Christmas. hehehe.

So, click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work.

FONTS:
2 variations of Fontdinerdotcom

Here Comes Santa Claus

I thought that this WordArt was a lot of fun, and could be used on Santa pictures. I know my kids got their pictures taken with Santa this year, and I bet some of yours did too! Click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work. Thanks!

Wonderful Time

Oh yes, it is!!!! I've always liked this Christmas song, and I thought it turned out FANTASTIC as a WordArt. I do enjoy working with the Jaw Fonts, even if only in Freebees. I can't sell them, but I can give them away to you for free. The "wonderful" is a Jaw Font. Anyway, click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work. Thanks!

Carol of the Bells

I just LOVE this Christmas song :) Hope you guys like it too! Click on the image below to go to my 4shared account, and leave some love if you like my work. Thanks!